PowerBook Updates in September?

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif

Appleinsider claims that Apple will be providing users with one more PowerPC-based PowerBook update before the switch to Intel.

The rumor site credits "reliable sources" who claim that the updated PowerBook is planned for the third week of September at Apple Expo Paris. Curiously, the sources hedge their bets by reporting that the Powerbooks have "recently fallen into a rut that could force a delay or even cause the company to scrap the revision entirely."

The updated laptop is reported to reach "near 2GHz" with internal support for dual-channel DDR2 SDRAM. The possibility of a high-density (1920x1200 pixel) PowerBook remains open, but few details are provided.

[amac4me]

Please let there be an update ... I would like to purchase a new Powerbook

[arn]

the article says shockingly little...

arn

[amac4me]

Originally Posted by arn

the article says shockingly little...

arn

What is does say is the following:

"At the high-end, the new PowerBooks are expected to gain a 300MHz speed boost that would put the 17-inch model at or near 2GHz. The new 15-inch PowerBook is expected to step up to the feature set of the current 17-inch PowerBook, but it's unclear if it too is scheduled to be bumped to a 2GHz processor or one running slightly slower."

I say a 300 MHz bump would be awesome!

[Rod Rod]

I predict black anodized aluminum (similar to the Motorola RAZR v3 in black) for the x86 PowerBooks.

The last PPC PowerBooks will still be the same bare aluminum color.

However, if Apple is desperate to sell the PPC PowerBooks, they could charge maybe $100 extra for a black option.

[chucknorris]

Originally Posted by Rod Rod

I predict black anodized aluminum (similar to the Motorola RAZR v3 in black) for the x86 PowerBooks.

Ewww...

I may be alone, but I think the RAZR is fugly. It looks like an artists rendering made in 1990 of what phones would look like in 2005. Not at all Apple-like.

Here's hoping that Apple stays away from black.

[sethypoo]

Originally Posted by Rod Rod

I predict black anodized aluminum (similar to the Motorola RAZR v3 in black) for the x86 PowerBooks.

The last PPC PowerBooks will still be the same bare aluminum color.

However, if Apple is desperate to sell the PPC PowerBooks, they could charge maybe $100 extra for a black option.

I'm trying to imagine this, and I think that a black anodized aluminum PowerBook would be gorgeous.

This update sounds promising, but I'm going to wait for the dual core Yonah PowerBooks.

[w_parietti22]

Originally Posted by Rod Rod

I predict black anodized aluminum (similar to the Motorola RAZR v3 in black) for the x86 PowerBooks.

The last PPC PowerBooks will still be the same bare aluminum color.

However, if Apple is desperate to sell the PPC PowerBooks, they could charge maybe $100 extra for a black option.

I kinda like that idea... it would be very cool to have black, but like shinny black... not like PCs and a white Apple symbol in the middle. instead of Silver and White it could be Black (Pro) and Silver (Consumer).

[VanMac]

Originally Posted by amac4me

What is does say is the following:

"At the high-end, the new PowerBooks are expected to gain a 300MHz speed boost that would put the 17-inch model at or near 2GHz. The new 15-inch PowerBook is expected to step up to the feature set of the current 17-inch PowerBook, but it's unclear if it too is scheduled to be bumped to a 2GHz processor or one running slightly slower."

I say a 300 MHz bump would be awesome!

Where did you get 300MHz from ???
Article says
"At the high-end, the new PowerBooks are expected to gain a mere 30MHz speed boost that would put the 15-inch and 17-inch models at 1.7GHz. Additionally, the new 15-inch PowerBook is expected to step up to the feature set of the current 17-inch PowerBook"

Edit: Just saw other posts to this effect....sorry for redundancy...

[BJNY]

Originally Posted by arn

the article says shockingly little...

arn

I visit AppleInsider, ThinkSecret, and even MacOSXRumors for scoops. When was the last time MacRumors didn't repeat what was said on those sites? What MacRumors does have is the forum traffic.

[Diatribe]

Originally Posted by BJNY

I visit AppleInsider, ThinkSecret, and even MacOSXRumors for scoops. When was the last time MacRumors didn't repeat what was said on those sites? What MacRumors does have is the forum traffic.

That's why MR isn't getting sued.

[BJNY]

Originally Posted by Diatribe

That's why MR isn't getting sued.

Then it's an excellent strategy

[AoWolf]

Originally Posted by BJNY

I visit AppleInsider, ThinkSecret, and even MacOSXRumors for scoops. When was the last time MacRumors didn't repeat what was said on those sites? What MacRumors does have is the forum traffic.

But thats the great thing it gets all sites in one place, and it doesn't get sued!

[VicMacs]

if its not a G5 it's not worth it...

[GFLPraxis]

Originally Posted by VicMacs

if its not a G5 it's not worth it...

Don't be so cynical.
It's an e600. Good enough. It should have some VERY good battery life at 1.7 GHz.

I'm very surprised its not dual core, actually.

[jc27]

Originally Posted by GFLPraxis

Don't be so cynical.
It's an e600. Good enough. It should have some VERY good battery life at 1.7 GHz.

I'm very surprised its not dual core, actually.

Not positive here, so don't yell at me, but the reason it's not dual core is the dual core e600's aren't based on the 74xx line, so you need a different socket, and the dual core one isn't out yet either. However, the dual core and it's sibling are much faster.

http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/...=DRPPCDUALCORE

[MikeAtari]

It's interesting to me they spent time on the Altivec code.
Apple directed? Competition with IBM?
Or was this the bottleneck to more megahertz?


The 7448 includes the same powerful 128-bit AltiVec vector execution unit as found in previous MPC74xx devices, but with the enhanced support for out-of-order instructions. AltiVec technology may dramatically enhance the performance of applications such as voice over IP, speech recognition, multi-channel modems, virtual private network servers, high-resolution 3D graphics, motion video (MPEG2, MPEG4), high fidelity audio (3D audio, AC-3), and so on.

AltiVec computational instructions are executed in the four independent, pipelined AltiVec execution units. A maximum of two AltiVec instructions can be issued in order to any combination of AltiVec execution units per clock cycle. In the MPC7448, a maximum of two AltiVec instructions can be issued out-of-order to any combination of AltiVec execution units per clock cycle from the bottom two AltiVec instruction queue entries. For example, an instruction in queue 1 destined for AltiVec integer unit 1 does not have to wait for an instruction in queue 0 that is stalled behind an instruction waiting for operand availability.
Power Management

[AidenShaw]

Originally Posted by MikeAtari

It's interesting to me they spent time on the Altivec code.

The real answer is in the rest of your quote:

Originally Posted by MikeAtari

AltiVec technology may dramatically enhance the performance of applications such as voice over IP, speech recognition, multi-channel modems, virtual private network servers, high-resolution 3D graphics, motion video (MPEG2, MPEG4), high fidelity audio (3D audio, AC-3), and so on.

Embedded processors in high speed networking and media applications need SIMD instructions. Cisco is already using PPC chips in their routers, and the demand for processing power in the router is growing rapidly (SSL encryption, VPN, IDS (Intrusion Detection Systems),...).

Today's TiVos use a low power PPC chip, and a dedicated MPEG hardware chip. Maybe the next TiVo will use a higher performance PPC and do it in software.... (Might be cheaper, and could be upgraded to new media formats via a firmware update.)

[aquajet]

Originally Posted by VicMacs

if its not a G5 it's not worth it...

Well, considering IBM's recent low-power G5 chip tops out at 1.6 ghz, and considering that G4s and G5s of similar clock speeds seem to have very little difference in real-world performance, it's probably nothing to get too upset about.

I'd be very disappointed if Apple dropped the 12" PowerBook from the line. And instead of offering a souped-up iBook in aluminium skin, they should put features such as gigabit ethernet, backlit keyboard, Firewire 800 and a beefier graphics chip with 128 megs vram in order to be more in line with the rest of the PowerBook family.

[CIVENG]

Quote:"What if it was replaced by a Tablet with all features??? I think that would be awesome.... Touch screen and everything."

Now that would be something to get excited about! But ONLY if they ignored what Acer/Toshiba/Hp were trying to accomplish, and look to Fujitsu...

If you're going to make a Tablet, MAKE IT A TABLET!!! Don't try to make it a laptop AND a tablet. You can get some pretty small (or foldable/rollup) keyboards these days.

[w_parietti22]

Originally Posted by CIVENG

Quote:"What if it was replaced by a Tablet with all features??? I think that would be awesome.... Touch screen and everything."

Now that would be something to get excited about! But ONLY if they ignored what Acer/Toshiba/Hp were trying to accomplish, and look to Fujitsu...

If you're going to make a Tablet, MAKE IT A TABLET!!! Don't try to make it a laptop AND a tablet. You can get some pretty small (or foldable/rollup) keyboards these days.

Just as long as it had an optical drive... I've seen tons of tablets that are bigger than the current 12" and it doesnt have an optical drive! It would also be cool if Apple made a docking station that could also be use on the go. In an Airplane for instance. It could even have its own battery so that it doesnt drain the battery completely.

It coiuld be a great "In-between" for the iBook and the PB. Tiger is prettermuch ready too... maybe a few apps like a on screen keyboard but Tiger already has a screen flip thing so that you could use it either way. (portrait or landscape)

[pubwvj]

Very interesting. I wasn't expecting this until later in the year or early next winter. This may be the PowerBook I buy next as I plant to skip at least the first generation of MacIntels.

[snkTab]

Something tells me to prepare to be disappointed.

[DaveP]

Originally Posted by snkTab

Something tells me to prepare to be disappointed.

I agree. When was the last update that was actually impressive? (The G5 iMacs and new Mac Mini's were the last couple I can remember that impressed me)

[dornoforpyros]

20" G5 next tuesday!!!!!!!!!