New iBook SE/ Powerbook at Apple Expo Paris - believe you me

[iGod]

According to PowerPage there will be no new laptops till next year - January at the earliest, they claim. Most people are highly unamused at this prospect - and not unexpectedly so. Neither the iBook or Powerbook has had a proper update in a while - by September it will have been six months since the speed-bump and screen change. In that six-month period we have seen a new widescreen iMac, superdrive-d eMacs and now a new desktop and snazzier iPods. Virtually all the products on the apple web site sport a "new" icon next to them EXCEPT for the laptops (and the Xserve, which is a totally new product anyway). You've heard all this before...
But what about the Apple Expo Paris that is scheduled for September 10-14. So what's left for Apple to update? What's left for Steve Jobs to say "and just one more thing..." about in Paris? He already touted OSX.2, the iMac and the iPods at MWNY, so that one's out. What could possible be his big tour de force? Consider the following:
- The (old) iBook SE was released at the Paris Expo in 2001
- There is a large discount ($200-300) being offered on the PowerBook through the Education store (just for fun? or clearing inventory?) - so clearly Apple recognizes that there must be a need for something a little better for the education market and that people are willing to pay a bit more than the high-end iBook but a little less than the low-end PowerBook
- Why would Apple want to skip out the Christmas buying season by releasing a product in January or February (slow sales months)?
- with the eMac, it seems as if Apple is changing its business model slightly and moving away from the 'quadrant' to a '2x3' system with low end (eg. eMac), medium (iMac), and high-end (G4 Dual destops) systems; therefore, there needs to be a mid-range laptop (iBook G4 SE perhaps - the current G3 could remain the low-end product like the eMac) and also a well-differntiated high-end laptop (say, a Superdrive TiBook). One of these new systems has to be coming.
- Despite what people say, the G3 has to be in its last dying throes of existence since OSX+ and software such as FinalCut Pro etc. is all optimized for the G4.
- Apple advertized Final Cut with the TiBook - "edit movies on the go" - but what about iDVD (it's high time we heard "burn" movies on the go - or else it's really not a complete "editing" solution).
- Apple perhaps did not release its new laptop systems at MWNY or earlier in the summer because this is when most of the education purchases occur - and it's good for clearing inventory of lower-end products.
- Apple seems to be updating its products every 5-7 months
- some person posted a comment (on macrumors I think) that their "friend" had been involved in the production of an ad for a superdrive TiBook - probably just a rumor, but the pieces do seem to fit...
All factors considered...there MUST be a major laptop update around the corner. Paris is it. Mark my words.

[Over Achiever]

I'll try to get this right...

Welcome to MacRumors ... iGod?

Ok, first thing...apple is not obligated to update products at expos...remember that apple is a software company as well as hardware.

Second thing...the discounts aren't really that "deep"...although an extra hundred to $150 off is always welcome. Remember that the "up to $380 off" includes the discounted educational price.

Third thing, they've skipped out the the holiday season before. Don't forget the previous powermac update was in January.

Fourth thing, there is NO POSSIBLE WAY the superdrive is ready for the powerbook. Getting DVD writers is hard enough...try making it less than an inch thick and slot loading. No way that will be ready for September.

Fifth thing, the powerbook was last updated at the end of April...hence it'll only be just over four months in september.

Sixth thing, the update schedule can be erratic. I think the iBooks once were updated after three months or so, and the powermacs took eight months to update to a so-so version.

Seventh thing, if they release new versions of the powerbook in september, then what about the discount that ends September 30? I can see them updating the iBooks though.

Eigth thing, the iBook is fine with the G3. I still don't know why, but many are content with the Sahara processor. The G4 will only go into a "special" iBook...it'll need a better battery and heat dissipation system.

Ninth thing, the person with the ad about a superdrive I think admitted that they had made a careless mistake. I'm not sure about this, so I'll shut my mouth.

Tenth and final thing, I have no idea how and why I've written this much. Welcome to macrumors.

[dongmin]

Yeah I'd get your facts straight before using a handle with the words g-o-d in it.

The PowerBooks were last updated on April 29 and the iBooks on May 20. (source: Everymac.com (http://www.everymac.com)) It won't be until Oct. 29th and November 20th respectively for six months to have passed.

I say an iBook revision definitely won't happen until MWSF, especially since those big expos seem to be consumer-oriented. The PowerBook, I'm not sure. If they don't updated it until MWSF, that's a 8.5 month gap which seems too long, even for Apple.

[mymemory]

Hey, what about new flat panel displays?

[Mr Jobs]

Originally posted by mymemory
Hey, what about new flat panel displays?

big chance of that, i have my fingeres crossed

[sinbushar]

or maybe..just MAYBE the increased educational discounts are due to the fact SCHOOL IS STARTING.....maybe a longshot though

adel

[Anon]

If Apple had come out with faster PowerMacs than the ones they just released, I could see faster PowerBooks being released over the next couple of months. Since they didn't, Powerpage is probably right. Back when O'Grady used to write all the content on the website, they were fairly accurate. Lately, their track record has been around fifty-fifty at best and when they are right, their specs and prices are close, but not dead on.

[dizastor]

I'm not really sure why eveyone on these boards is so speed hungry. The beauty of the Mac platform is not needing to constantly upgrade. I use Photoshop, and Final Cut Pro on my iBook 700 and they both cruise along fine. Rendering in FCP3 and filters galore in PS7, admittedly not as fast as my dual 1ghz powermac I sold on eBay last week, but still nothing to complain about. I have even encoded some mp4 video through quicktime, and that wasnt painful either... so.. what am I missing?

On a sidenote... what speed g4 would they put in an ibook right now if they did??
All of Apple's products seem to be coming to a traffic jam at the moment. eMac @700 iBook @700 iMac @800 TiBook @ 800 and PMac obiviously wins by going dualie across the board, but it does seem as if motorola isn't giving apple many options. Would you introduce an 800mhz g4 ibook? even if they introduce a 1ghz powerbook, your middle of the like TiBook is then equal to your ibook SE... cept maybe for max ram. Or maybe they would downgrade the ibook to the g4 667? I really don't think the ibook needs to go g4 anytime soon.

[heov]

I read somewhere the new iBook was going to 1GHZ on a g3 and that it would upgrade to g4 when when g5's come out.
Also, I am going to buy an iBook. However, do you think that the next update will include USB 2, which I really need?

[zimv20]

Originally posted by heov
I read somewhere the new iBook was going to 1GHZ on a g3 and that it would upgrade to g4 when when g5's come out.


don't happen to have a link to that, do you?

[ericb88]

I doubt teh new ibooks will come with usb2.

[Gus]

Why do you need USB2? Just curious.

Gus

[jadam]

- Despite what people say, the G3 has to be in its last dying throes of existence since OSX+ and software such as FinalCut Pro etc. is all optimized for the G4.


know whats even funnier though?
FPC costs $999 how much does an ibook cost? $1,199(299??) for the low end. Doesnt that STRIKE something in your head? hrmm i wonder, FPC is not for people who use iBooks, its for TiBook owners numskull.

iBooks will go up to 1.5ghz G3 from IBM, and if IBM puts in VMX into the next G3 cores than who cares about a G4?

[Anon]

Both a faster Powerbook and a G4 iBook are waiting on the .13 micron G4. If they were ready, Apple would have used them in the just introduced PowerMacs.

[benjaminpg]

I seriously doubt there will be new laptops in Paris. I think that new displays will be introduced, especially with the new rebates. It's also possible, apple will update iPhoto or iMovie. I'd say that that's the only software they'd update. It's also fairly likely they will announce the download of iSync and iCal. Another note is that every machine that has switched to a G4 processor, has had a case redesign. It seems fairly safe to assume that the iBook would also, when it gets upgraded to a G4.

[G4scott]

Originally posted by benjaminpg
...It's also fairly likely they will announce the download of iSync and iCal...

I don't think that they'd do this, since these apps are only for 10.2, and all copies of 10.2 should have them... When Apple introduces a new iApp, then it may be available for download, but I don't think we'll see iCal and iSync up for download any time soon...

[iGod]

Actually, Apple is really trying to promote FCP to the low-end, "numskull" education user like me. I bought Final Cut Pro 3 for $199 through the Education Store (the full version is just $100 more for students), so it might not be all that implausible that an iBook user should want to use Final Cut Pro. Then again, I'm a numskull, so I'm probably mistaken. But certainly, if G3s went up to 1.5 GHz, then of course that would be just as desirable. I was just making a point that it was high time for some sort of large-ish processor change or update and I wanted to see how well my theories would hold up in a forum of people who clearly know their mac info. It might just be wishful thinking though, but from what I am hearing on mac sites (including this one) it seems as if the market is ready for a significant laptop update in the mid to high-end range and I'm sure Apple realizes that.
Also I apologize for being off by 1-2 months regarding the last laptop update, thanks for the correction.

Question: Historically, are rebates on computers or displays always followed by a new product release? How long after a rebate period has ended does it usually take for Apple to come out with a product if they do?

[heov]

couldn't find the link, it was at another rumor site, but it said in January, Apple will have iBooks from 700-1000MHz on the g3 pocessor, and I believe the site said it talked to apple itself - said no laptop updates at all till January. I want to buy a good laptop now, and hope there still will be a 12.1 inch iBook at 1ghz g3 for 1600 bucks. I will wait till january- else I will buy something else. Does anyone think we will have a 1GHz g3 buy January for the iBook, or maybe a 800Mhz G4?

[dricci]

Apple will introduce the iBook CRT edition sporting a 701MHz G3.

[sinbushar]

just realized...by NOT having upgrades every week, apple ensures that the value of their products will remain relatively high...it actually makes sense....

adel

[Rower_CPU]

Apple has also stated lately that they are trying to get away from limiting their hardware releases to the Expos...meaning new hardware could come at any time in between or during the Expos. In other words, they don't want people trying to guess when new hardware is coming out.:rolleyes:

I'd really like to see some new displays, though...

[multifinder]

I guess I can wait until January--I have a 400MHz G3 iMac that's starting to show its age the more I do with it (if I try to encode a half-hour of video, I have to kick it off before I go to sleep).

What kills me is looking at Sony's Vaio line and comparing with the iBook/PowerBook--1600x1200 resolution, 16" screens, chips at 2GHz+, the Vaio has it all, and costs less. Too bad I'd rather pull out my own teeth with a pliers than use Windows at home. I hope Apple can beat Motorola into at least getting the G3 in the iBook up to 1GHz--the Apple desktop vs laptop performance gap is getting alarming. I want a 1GHz G4 that won't melt the case in an iBook...but I'm afraid even that's too much to ask for January.

[jefhatfield]

that would be nice to see updates in september for the portables...but i doubt it

a g4 in the ibook would make final cut pro faster but the current g3, with its pumped up level two cache, seems to make some happy enough with photoshop

the makers of blair witch project used this software, with a name like axis, or something that sounds like that, which cost many thousands of dollars...and they used it on an imac

i use photoshop 5.5 on my rev a ibook and i admit the g4 is faster, but i do ok with what i have...i don't know how this ibook would do with photoshop 6 or 7 though ;)

i hope you are right about a new ibook and tibook in september:D

welcome to macrumors, igod

[sparkleytone]

Originally posted by G4scott


I don't think that they'd do this, since these apps are only for 10.2, and all copies of 10.2 should have them... When Apple introduces a new iApp, then it may be available for download, but I don't think we'll see iCal and iSync up for download any time soon...

actually steve jobs himself said that they wouldnt come with the OS. the OS was basically ready to ship, but the new iApps were definitely not going to be ready in time for GM. he said himself they would be a separate download available shortly after release.

[jadam]

i would just like to see VMX on the next G3 chips, that would essentially "Make" them G4s with 4 stage pipelines :P

Also, the G3 Sahara is already at .13micron, you know what amazes me though? the ibook gets 5 hours of battery life, but the G3 only consumes 5 watts at 700mhz, now what i want to know is, does anyone sell replacment batteries for ibooks? i mean TiBooks get 6 hours with a 15.2" screen and 20watt processors.

[heinzruediger]

The TiBook battery does not last for 6 hours, no way. If you want speed go for the 800 Ti, that's a nice performing machine, the 667 too. What else do we need. I don't care about mhz, it's the mac that makes me smile.

[hippy]

Hi,

Has anyone else noticed that when you vist the store on www.apple.com the promo picture of the powerbook now has a jag-wire desktop picture ?

[heov]

probably because it now comes with Jaguar pre-installed...

[hippy]

I thought it was only the new powerMacs shipping with 10.2 at the moment.

[idkew]

Apple does not have to release a new PowerBook before x-mas. Not many people are in the financial position to buy a $3000+ laptop for a x-mas present. Most people are buying these machines for work, not play. They are tools, not toys. CEO's, Rich Businessmen, and of coarse the creative peoples but these to use at their job and make a living.

The iBook is a christmas present, so i could see that being updated, but there is no reason for Apple to update a computer which is not sold in the Holiday rush.

[idkew]

Originally posted by heinzruediger
If you want speed go for the 800 Ti, that's a nice performing machine, the 667 too. What else do we need. I don't care about mhz, it's the mac that makes me smile.

I have a Rev B. 667, with absolutely every upgrade physically internally possible. Maybe i am just crazy, but it is not that fast. Sure, it beats my sister's 500mhz iBook, but when i run InDesign (IH8Quark too), Photoshop, Illustrator... it is not that fast at all. You would think with 1GB of ram and the fastest laptop hard drive it would be, but no, it is not. I already want an upgrade, but i will wait for the G5, bluetooth, FW2, USB2, 128MB+ VRAM...:rolleyes:

[scem0]

I think that at Paris apple will release the new powermac server, and some iApp updates. Maybe even announce the 1st Jaguar update (to be d/l ed off software update) , but it seems kind of soon. I dont think laptops will be updated but I could be wrong.

[videoartguy]

to bring up the superdrive in a ti book. i don't believe for a second that we won't see a super-ti.
the drives are out there and clearly relatively cheap (they're shipping in the emac now).
seems like the only problem is the same one we had with the combo-drive.
the friggin' slot load.
i say...ditch the slot load.
i'd rather have the drive.
slot loads have oh&ah factor, but thats it.
they're not worth the wait.

[tjwett]

my feelings are that (IF Apple stick with Motorola) that the iBook would best stay at a G3. don't forget, the G3 is capable of fairly high clock speeds and looks like it has room to grow. it is the ideal chip for such a portable and road-worthy machine and it runs very cool. what makes the PowerBook a
"pro" machine is the G4. in Apple's plan, the iBook is not meant to run things like Final Cut Pro. it's meant for consumer needs, which a high speed G3 could handle quite well. if you want to run Final Cut and DVSPro you should be using a PowerBook, or a PowerMac. if you want to use iMovie and iDVD, you should have an iBook or iMac. i'm not trying to sound like a snob. this is just the way their products are intended to be used.

[xelterran]

is there a possability there will be dual processors in the powerbooks?

[keltorsori]

Originally posted by videoartguy
to bring up the superdrive in a ti book. i don't believe for a second that we won't see a super-ti.
the drives are out there and clearly relatively cheap (they're shipping in the emac now).
seems like the only problem is the same one we had with the combo-drive.
the friggin' slot load.
i say...ditch the slot load.
i'd rather have the drive.
slot loads have oh&ah factor, but thats it.
they're not worth the wait.

Superdrive in the Ti is just not possible. Physically. The diode for writing DVD-R is too large to fit in the form factor (vertical), can't do it. The laser diode for DVD-R is magnitudes larger than the same diode for CD-R/RW. Pioneer is only now at the point where they can fit the thing a slim laptop form factor (think iBook). And we know Apple is definetly not going to put a Superdrive in the iBook before the Ti has the same capability. Expect superdrive when they redesign the Powerbook, not before then.

Not to mention, I can't believe anyone really needs to be able to write DVDs while on the go. Anywhere that has AC you can just plug-in an external burner.

[nervouk]

Originally posted by hippy
I thought it was only the new powerMacs shipping with 10.2 at the moment.

just rang my nearest reseller who said ibooks won't come with 10.2 until the next revision -- but when... WHEN???

nervouk's fingernails are gnawed down to the first knuckle with anticipation but the fear is it will be another 3 months at least.

must.... buy... new mac.... soon.... urngrgh

[Over Achiever]

Originally posted by nervouk


just rang my nearest reseller who said ibooks won't come with 10.2 until the next revision -- but when... WHEN???

nervouk's fingernails are gnawed down to the first knuckle with anticipation but the fear is it will be another 3 months at least.

must.... buy... new mac.... soon.... urngrgh

That's really funny. 10.2 has already shipped with some iBooks, and even some Tibooks. I've personally have had a friend buy an iBook with 10.2, so I have no idea what your reseller is talking about. Having 10.2 included does not require a revision...it just needs a Cd!;)

[Over Achiever]

Originally posted by xelterran
is there a possability there will be dual processors in the powerbooks?

Did someone :mad: just :mad: mention :mad: dual :mad: processors *gasp*? lol...i'm not that mad, just a tad annoyed. I only see a possiblity for processors if, and I mean if the processors become efficient and low heat enough so that the computer won't burn through your clothes. Just look at the heat sinks they have in the powermacs...imagine getting rid of the heat sink...imagine the heat...

But is there a possiblity? Yes...there's also a possibility I'll become filthy rich and take over the world...*evil laugh*...:D

That said, knowing apple they might find a way in a few years to do so (when they have quad processors or maybe even octoprocessors)...but it definately won't be in the same form factor. That'll be certain.

[Over Achiever]

Originally posted by videoartguy
to bring up the superdrive in a ti book. i don't believe for a second that we won't see a super-ti.
the drives are out there and clearly relatively cheap (they're shipping in the emac now).
seems like the only problem is the same one we had with the combo-drive.
the friggin' slot load.
i say...ditch the slot load.
i'd rather have the drive.
slot loads have oh&ah factor, but thats it.
they're not worth the wait.

Wow...this is your first post in quite some time.:)

Yes the drives are cheap...just go and buy an external if you really need the superdrive. One, you'll drain the batteries worse than watching a DVD, hence the need for an ac outlet. Two, it'll take forever to burn that DVD. Three, apple need to keep this form factor...even though its getting old, I can't see them going back to a Pismo-type notebook line unless they create a new one to keep ya'll happy. (You know, it'll have dual-processors, superdrive, massive battery, be over 2" thick and over 10 pounds:eek:)

Ahh...that said, i still see superdrives in powerbooks...like keltorsori said, it'll come at the cost of the form factor...i'll be disappointed. I still don't see why you have to burn DVDs on the go w/o need for an ac outlet...is lugging one more periferial and two more cords that bad?:confused:

[Over Achiever]

Originally posted by scem0
I think that at Paris apple will release the new powermac server, and some iApp updates. Maybe even announce the 1st Jaguar update (to be d/l ed off software update) , but it seems kind of soon. I dont think laptops will be updated but I could be wrong.

No laptops. Maybe iApps updates...iPhoto perhaps? Also good time to announce the availability of iCal and iSync...which are due in September due to Jobs.;)

[hippy]

Hi

I am itching to buy a new 800mhz powerbook, my current workhorse a 500mhz G3 pismo powerbook and has served me well, but is in desperate need of retirement. The question I ask is ...
a) Will I notice a significant perfomance increase, I am a professional flash developer and flash is pretty painful on the pismo!
b) What are the chances of apple coming up with the goods and delivering a 1ghz model in the next couple of months ?

Thanks

[jefhatfield]

Originally posted by keltorsori


Superdrive in the Ti is just not possible. Physically. The diode for writing DVD-R is too large to fit in the form factor (vertical), can't do it. The laser diode for DVD-R is magnitudes larger than the same diode for CD-R/RW. Pioneer is only now at the point where they can fit the thing a slim laptop form factor (think iBook). And we know Apple is definetly not going to put a Superdrive in the iBook before the Ti has the same capability. Expect superdrive when they redesign the Powerbook, not before then.

Not to mention, I can't believe anyone really needs to be able to write DVDs while on the go. Anywhere that has AC you can just plug-in an external burner.

that may be the case now in summer of 2002, but what about in 2003 or 2004?

at one time, some probably believed dvd, cd-rw, and combo drives were a bit excessive for a laptop...that is until the laptop became a desktop replacement in the last two years for some

i personally have no desktops at home, just two laptops so if i wanted a superdrive, which i don't need, i would want to fit it into a laptop...and preferably an apple;)

[ftaok]

Originally posted by keltorsori
Superdrive in the Ti is just not possible. Physically. The diode for writing DVD-R is too large to fit in the form factor (vertical), can't do it. The laser diode for DVD-R is magnitudes larger than the same diode for CD-R/RW. Pioneer is only now at the point where they can fit the thing a slim laptop form factor (think iBook). And we know Apple is definetly not going to put a Superdrive in the iBook before the Ti has the same capability. Expect superdrive when they redesign the Powerbook, not before then.Like jef said, that's the case now. In a few months (maybe sooner, maybe later), they'll get the SuperDrive mechanism down to a small enough size to fit in a TiBook.

As for not putting the SuperDrive in the iBook before the TiBook, just look at which one got the combo drive first. With that said, I don't think the i will get the SD before the Ti.

Not to mention, I can't believe anyone really needs to be able to write DVDs while on the go. Anywhere that has AC you can just plug-in an external burner. There are things that you just can't do with an external burner that you could with an internal one. Like using iDVD, for example. Besides, why would you want to carry around extra weight? NOTE - I am fully aware that iDVD can work with an external SD, but it's Apple that's preventing this from happening. Hey, it's their software, they can do with it as they please.

[jefhatfield]

Originally posted by ftaok
Besides, why would you want to carry around extra weight?

that's why i went on a diet

hey, rower_cpu, how are you doing, weight wise?

see, when losing weight, it's hard to think of little else:p

...and i think i will need "superdrive" to keep me away from the donuts at the gas station

[iH8Quark]

If you go to the hardware page on the Apple site, the PowerBook isn't even pictured at the top anymore. :(

Maybe it is time for an upgrade.

[makkystyle]

ih8quark - it has been like that since last week sometime (probably around the time the PM's were updated, I'm guessing). I really hope there's an update coming soon... at the end of the educational promotion perhaps??? I can hold out to the middle of september, then if there is no sign I think we're out of luck. Can't wait till i can get my hands on one of those Ti baby's.

[keltorsori]

Originally posted by ftaok
Like jef said, that's the case now. In a few months (maybe sooner, maybe later), they'll get the SuperDrive mechanism down to a small enough size to fit in a TiBook.

As for not putting the SuperDrive in the iBook before the TiBook, just look at which one got the combo drive first. With that said, I don't think the i will get the SD before the Ti.

There are things that you just can't do with an external burner that you could with an internal one. Like using iDVD, for example. Besides, why would you want to carry around extra weight? NOTE - I am fully aware that iDVD can work with an external SD, but it's Apple that's preventing this from happening. Hey, it's their software, they can do with it as they please.

It's HIGHLY unlikely that any company will be able to create a DVD-R laser diode small enought to fit in a slim form-factor slot-loading drive. Not in the next year anyway. Pioneer, Sanyo, and other companies manufacturing the actual laser diodes are working on increasing their strength and power req's so as to move forward w/ 4x burning (and keep up with the DVD+R people). Super tiny diode is not on the priority list.

Think about it this way, it took over a year to get just a CD-RW in the slim form factor, then another six-months for the dual lense DVD/CD-RW diode. Remember, all of these mechanisms are practically identical, the problem is the laser diode size (and power consumption). If anyone on this forum is waiting for a Superdrive Ti in its present form factor (hey, Apple can always redesign), you'll be waiting for a long time.

Kind of off topic, but I expect that anyone who is purchasing a $3000 Ti to do video on the go (or for that matter, anyone who really NEEDS a superdrive built-in) will be using Final Cut and DVDSP, not iMovie and iDVD.

Maybe Apple will release or bundle an external Apple branded Superdrive w/ the Ti (like they did with CD-RW as a stop-gap before they had a DVD/CD-RW combo).

[Rower_CPU]

Originally posted by jefhatfield
that's why i went on a diet

hey, rower_cpu, how are you doing, weight wise?

see, when losing weight, it's hard to think of little else:p

...and i think i will need "superdrive" to keep me away from the donuts at the gas station

Slowly...:mad:

I'm getting back to a regular workout routine, so that should help.:)

[jefhatfield]

Originally posted by Rower_CPU


Slowly...:mad:

I'm getting back to a regular workout routine, so that should help.:)

i lost as much as i could in my nearly forty year old frame...ten pounds from 179 to 169 thru diet

to reach 165, and especially my ultimate goal of 160, i must get some scheduled regular exercise in

i can't remember who, but one of the regular posters my age, or near my age, is going for a five minute mile...most high school students struggle with that

but there was this teen that did 3:53 or 3:54...something that amounts to a state or us record...i would need a motorcycle or horse to make it around the track that fast...for some decades now, they have been running the mile in a sort of a sprint...i take it like a jog:p

[gopher]

Originally posted by Gus
Why do you need USB2? Just curious.

Gus

Presently the Iomega Zip 750 MB drive only runs on USB 2.

Until someone makes a Firewire to USB2 adapter, or we get Gigawire, external peripherals are becoming more expensive on the Mac. USB2 drives tend to be as much as $100 less than comparable Firewire peripherals. I'm having a hard time finding a 10 to 20 GB Firewire hard drive now that is new for under $100. About the only solution is USB2. Despite the fact that USB 2 slows down when multiple devices are on the bus, and USB 1 devices are on the bus, it would help to have a USB 2 bus anyway.

[topicolo]

You can use that 750mb Zip drive on a current mac without a USB 2.0 card tho. Just very slowly. USB 1.0 runs USB 2.0 devices at its theretical max (ie 12mbit/s).

[jefhatfield]

Originally posted by topicolo
You can use that 750mb Zip drive on a current mac without a USB 2.0 card tho. Just very slowly. USB 1.0 runs USB 2.0 devices at its theretical max (ie 12mbit/s).

i remember when iomega had the "mighty" 250 MB zip and i told people they would get bigger, like all the other gear that has come out since then over 250 MB, and people didn't believe me

"why would anybody need over 250MB?"

"oh sorry, i forgot, maybe those stupid CD-RWs are for coasters":p

[big]

>"oh sorry, i forgot, maybe those stupid CD-RWs are for coasters"

What? That tray the pops out is not for cola drinks?

[kapouer]

why there will be an ibook update is simply
because i want to buy one around mid-september.
there's just too slow and incoherent with the actual
family of products.

[jefhatfield]

Originally posted by kapouer
why there will be an ibook update is simply
because i want to buy one around mid-september.
there's just too slow and incoherent with the actual
family of products.

thus the real need for an ibook with a g4 processor...which i hope i can hold out long enough for...even if it takes until mwsf 2004

i may buy a used g4 450/768/36 for "super" cheap and that will hold me until i can get my poor person's altivec portable (g4 ibook) supercomputer for 1199 or less, hopefully when it's released;)

..and of course, this mythical consumer level supercomputer will be at least 1 ghz with 1 gig of ddr ram and sport a 64 mb ddr mobile video card from nvidia or ati (they exist on pc side right now)...but i will settle for a 32 mb ddr mobile video card...and the g4 ibook should have at least an ibm 72 gb hard drive, 2 usb ports, and 2 firewire ports...and weigh less than 4.5 lbs and have a combo drive as the entry level model...sound crazy? well, these stats will be entry level by mwsf 2004 as we will be pushing 1.5 ghz+ with a g5 in a tibook...he he

of course, by then, a supercomputer won't be a g4, but a g5

[hippy]

One more try.....
Hi

I am itching to buy a new 800mhz powerbook, my current workhorse a 500mhz G3 pismo powerbook and has served me well, but is in desperate need of retirement. The question I ask is ...
a) Will I notice a significant perfomance increase, I am a professional flash developer and flash is pretty painful on the pismo!
b) What are the chances of apple coming up with the goods and delivering a 1ghz model in the next couple of months ?

Thanks