Apple Releases New PowerBooks

MacRumors · Oct 19, 2005, 02:49 PM

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

Apple released new PowerBooks at today's Media Event.

The long anticipated PowerBook updates offer higher resolution screens and other improvements:

- 15", 1440x960 resolution screen, $1999
- 17", 1680x1050 resolution screen, $2499

All PowerBooks come with Bluetooth 2.0+ EDR, integrated AirPort Extreme, scrolling TrackPad, and Apple Sudden Motion Sensor technology. SuperDrives are standard as is Apple 30" Cinema HD Display support. One hour more battery life in the 15" and 17" models.

12" PowerBook 1.5GHz G4 remains. The 15" and 17" feature a 1.67GHz G4 Processor.

PowerBooks are shipping today. Press Release.

anastasis · Oct 19, 2005, 02:50 PM

Meh,
Once the second revision of Intel Powerbooks come out I will put out for one.

iHatewaiting · Oct 19, 2005, 02:52 PM

Not impressed

-hh · 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macrumors

12" PowerBook 1.5GHz G4 remains...

...without even a measly price cut.

Making an even comparision by BTO'ing the 12" iBook to an 80GB and the 12" PB down to a Combo, it means that the +30% PB price premium goes mostly towards a slightly faster HD, -5oz weight, and more Video Card, at the expense of less battery life and lousy RAM upgrade options.

Overall Apple should have put a big yellow graphic on the 12" PB's picture that says: "Go buy the 12" iBook instead".

-hh

nagromme · Oct 19, 2005, 02:53 PM

They updated what they could--now for raw speed we need Intel. Sooner rather than later?

I'd like to see the 12" get lighted keys, but I guess it wasn't worth a new (short-lived?) model since the screen didn't change. (The 12" already had tiny pixels, so I think that's a good call. I'm not a fan of micro-pixels... until Leopard brings us a true scalable UI!)

BKB · Oct 19, 2005, 02:53 PM

What about the 12"!!??

ipacmm · Oct 19, 2005, 02:54 PM

It would have been nice to see a processor upgrade, but at least it is a Power Book upgrade.

Rivix · Oct 19, 2005, 02:55 PM

Two thumbs down.

natehan · Oct 19, 2005, 02:56 PM

I was hoping that my powerbook would not be outdated too much, but this is ridiculous

Mr Maui · Oct 19, 2005, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iHatewaiting

Not impressed

I'm not totally impressed, but I'm impressed enough to replace my 500 MHz TiBook. Cheaper than the last 15" and with my discount, got it with 1 GB RAM upgrade for just over 1800. : )

Dont Hurt Me · Oct 19, 2005, 02:57 PM

The Title of this thread should be Apple releases yet again another Stale and another 1.67 Powerbook. I would wait for Intel and tell Motoscale to stick to toasters and appliances.

DavoMrMac · Oct 19, 2005, 02:57 PM

Well, I for one thought the updates were OK.
We couldn't expect big changes, because R&D will be concentrating on MacTel.

Nice to see improvements on the PowerBook 15 and 17 screens, DLayer Superdrive also good, faster memory, better graphics (on 15) and nice hard drive options. I was waiting for this and have ordered a 15 incher (17 is just tooooo big for me).

PowerMacs, hmmmmm, nice, I can see that the top end will be very fast and productive, but I have a dual 2.7 so nothing here for me.

Aperture, nice looking app, shame it is 2 months away. I am very much into digital photography, so may well take a closer look over the coming weeks.

Now, does anyone know where the Stream is for the event?

Raidersmojo · Oct 19, 2005, 02:59 PM

good update for me!

was hoping for at least a 1.7 with 1 MB L2 Cache but whatever this float my boat to, better screen, longer battery life, faster HDs, faster Ram and a price drop!

tekmoe · Oct 19, 2005, 02:59 PM

they can't make everyone happy...but they made me happy!

new 17" with 100gb 7200rpm hard drive on it's way!

Aaon · Oct 19, 2005, 02:59 PM

Man, I just don't know what to do... My biggest beef with the powerbooks was always the low resolution and the slightly dim displays, and now they have fixed them both! And yet, I'm not sure if I can bring myself to buy one, or if I will just wait for the Intel books. I don't NEED a new one or anything, but I do want to make the jump to full time Apple use...

I am very excited about he display upgrade though!

Ibrin · Oct 19, 2005, 02:59 PM

Okay, so the updates were pretty bleh at best.

My idea now is to pick up a refurb PB, but I don't see that the prices have dropped. When the new iMac hit, the 2.0GHz 20" iMac dropped to $1299, placing $400 between it and the new 20" iMac. It is also $300 less than the edu price of the iMac.

As I write this, the refurb 1.67GHz 15" PB is $1799, placing it only $200 lower than the newly released PB, and $100 more than the edu price. Any idea when/if Apple might lower the price on the refurb PB?

Detlev_73 · Oct 19, 2005, 03:00 PM

I feel much better knowing that my 15" PB I bought a little over a month ago, is not so obsolete as I thought.

biohazard6969 · Oct 19, 2005, 03:01 PM

come on, where are my early intels??? bust of an update apple

Mr Maui · Oct 19, 2005, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tekmoe

they can't make everyone happy...but they made me happy!

new 17" with 100gb 7200rpm hard drive on it's way!

Would have taken announcements of a 5300ce and a Quadra to disappoint me with what I presently have.

cgingrich · Oct 19, 2005, 03:03 PM

question...

smarter to get the 100gb 7200rpm or the 120gb 5400rpm? same price it would seem.

Whyren · Oct 19, 2005, 03:04 PM

At least they did something with the PowerBooks. Would anyone here have preferred they kept them the same, thus continuing rumors and irritating certain people.

Voidness · Oct 19, 2005, 03:06 PM

iBooks all the way!

Mr Maui · Oct 19, 2005, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biohazard_6969

come on, where are my early intels??? bust of an update apple

The event was about Aperture, with the updates being a filler thing. The powerbooks have no room to grow with present chips, but the announcements of dual-core PMs is a step in the right direction. By MWSF the whole PM line will be dual dual-core. JMO. This is just to try to get people buying more.

-hh · Oct 19, 2005, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nagromme

They updated what they could...

They could have easily upgraded the 12" to 512MB on the motherboard.

The 12" PB is the ONLY Mac in their entire product line that still uses a pair of 256MB's (1 on board + 1 in slot).

Even the mini...although it only has a single slot...has a single 512MB.

As a supposedly "Pro" laptop, that's beyond Pathetic.

Perhaps Apple has already made that change (like the mini's speed bumps), but has a massive backlogged inventory. But if that's the case, then there should have been a clearance sale.

-hh

deral · Oct 19, 2005, 03:07 PM

Kind of a sweet subtle update.

Oct 19, 2005, 02:49 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Apple Releases New PowerBooks http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif Apple released new PowerBooks at today's Media Event. The long anticipated PowerBook updates offer higher resolution screens and other improvements: - 15", 1440x960 resolution screen, $1999 - 17", 1680x1050 resolution screen, $2499 All PowerBooks come with Bluetooth 2.0+ EDR, integrated AirPort Extreme, scrolling TrackPad, and Apple Sudden Motion Sensor technology. SuperDrives are standard as is Apple 30" Cinema HD Display support. One hour more battery life in the 15" and 17" models. 12" PowerBook 1.5GHz G4 remains. The 15" and 17" feature a 1.67GHz G4 Processor. PowerBooks are shipping today. Press Release.

Oct 19, 2005, 02:52 PM	#3
iHatewaiting macrumors newbie Join Date: Sep 2005	Not impressed __________________ Dead PowerBook G4 - 1.5GHz - SD - Maxed \| Dual 867

Oct 19, 2005, 02:53 PM	#5
nagromme macrumors 601 Join Date: May 2002 Location: Blinking blue dot	They updated what they could--now for raw speed we need Intel. Sooner rather than later? I'd like to see the 12" get lighted keys, but I guess it wasn't worth a new (short-lived?) model since the screen didn't change. (The 12" already had tiny pixels, so I think that's a good call. I'm not a fan of micro-pixels... until Leopard brings us a true scalable UI!) __________________ nagromme Would you like a treatment?

Oct 19, 2005, 02:54 PM	#7
ipacmm macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Cincinnati, OH	It would have been nice to see a processor upgrade, but at least it is a Power Book upgrade. __________________ [size="1"]My Photography - ipacmm.com

Oct 19, 2005, 02:57 PM	#11
Dont Hurt Me macrumors 601 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Yahooville S.C.	The Title of this thread should be Apple releases yet again another Stale and another 1.67 Powerbook. I would wait for Intel and tell Motoscale to stick to toasters and appliances. __________________ Those that give up Liberty to have temporary Security deserve Neither......Benjamin Franklin.

Oct 19, 2005, 02:50 PM	#2
anastasis macrumors member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, TX	Meh, Once the second revision of Intel Powerbooks come out I will put out for one.

Oct 19, 2005, 02:53 PM	#6
BKB macrumors newbie Join Date: Nov 2003	What about the 12"!!??

Oct 19, 2005, 02:55 PM	#8
Rivix macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2005	Two thumbs down.

Oct 19, 2005, 02:56 PM	#9
natehan macrumors member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Chicago	I was hoping that my powerbook would not be outdated too much, but this is ridiculous

Oct 19, 2005, 02:57 PM	#12
DavoMrMac macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2005	More than reasonable Well, I for one thought the updates were OK. We couldn't expect big changes, because R&D will be concentrating on MacTel. Nice to see improvements on the PowerBook 15 and 17 screens, DLayer Superdrive also good, faster memory, better graphics (on 15) and nice hard drive options. I was waiting for this and have ordered a 15 incher (17 is just tooooo big for me). PowerMacs, hmmmmm, nice, I can see that the top end will be very fast and productive, but I have a dual 2.7 so nothing here for me. Aperture, nice looking app, shame it is 2 months away. I am very much into digital photography, so may well take a closer look over the coming weeks. Now, does anyone know where the Stream is for the event? __________________ http://www.geekanoids.co.uk Latest Mac News & Reviews. http://www.youtube.com/davomrmac My YouTube Channel. http://www.geekpouch.co.uk iPhone 3G, iPod touch & other iPod Pouches.

Oct 19, 2005, 02:59 PM	#13
Raidersmojo macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Burton michigan	good update for me! was hoping for at least a 1.7 with 1 MB L2 Cache but whatever this float my boat to, better screen, longer battery life, faster HDs, faster Ram and a price drop!

Oct 19, 2005, 02:59 PM	#14
tekmoe macrumors 65816 Join Date: Feb 2005	they can't make everyone happy...but they made me happy! new 17" with 100gb 7200rpm hard drive on it's way!

Oct 19, 2005, 02:59 PM	#15
Aaon macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2004	Man, I just don't know what to do... My biggest beef with the powerbooks was always the low resolution and the slightly dim displays, and now they have fixed them both! And yet, I'm not sure if I can bring myself to buy one, or if I will just wait for the Intel books. I don't NEED a new one or anything, but I do want to make the jump to full time Apple use... I am very excited about he display upgrade though! __________________ Mobile: Macbook Pro, 1.83Ghz Core Duo, 1Gb ram, 80 Gb HDD For Fun: 16Gb iPod Touch

Oct 19, 2005, 02:59 PM	#16
Ibrin macrumors newbie Join Date: Sep 2004	Okay, so the updates were pretty bleh at best. My idea now is to pick up a refurb PB, but I don't see that the prices have dropped. When the new iMac hit, the 2.0GHz 20" iMac dropped to $1299, placing $400 between it and the new 20" iMac. It is also $300 less than the edu price of the iMac. As I write this, the refurb 1.67GHz 15" PB is $1799, placing it only $200 lower than the newly released PB, and $100 more than the edu price. Any idea when/if Apple might lower the price on the refurb PB?

Oct 19, 2005, 03:00 PM	#17
Detlev_73 macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Roswell, GA	I feel better I feel much better knowing that my 15" PB I bought a little over a month ago, is not so obsolete as I thought. __________________ 24" 2.4 GHz iMac (2007), MacBook (2009), iPhone 3GS 32 GB "Dort wo man Bücher verbrennt, verbrennt man am Ende gar auch Menschen" - Heinrich Heine

Oct 19, 2005, 03:01 PM	#18
biohazard6969 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: toronto canada	come on, where are my early intels??? bust of an update apple __________________ 20" iMac Core Duo 1GB 256 VRAM 13.3" Black Macbook 1GB RAM\| 17" iMac G4 1ghz 768MB \| iMac "Flower Power" 600mhz 1gb RAM \| 30 GB iPod 5G black

Oct 19, 2005, 03:03 PM	#20
cgingrich macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2005	question... smarter to get the 100gb 7200rpm or the 120gb 5400rpm? same price it would seem.

Oct 19, 2005, 03:04 PM	#21
Whyren macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: east of the West and west of the East	At least they did something with the PowerBooks. Would anyone here have preferred they kept them the same, thus continuing rumors and irritating certain people. __________________ Before a brilliant person begins something great, they must look foolish in the crowd. QS02 800MHz G4 + 768 RAM + 300 GB HD + NVidia GeForce4 MX 2G 10 GB iPod + 512 shuffle last.fm + music mobs + itunes registry

Oct 19, 2005, 03:06 PM	#22
Voidness macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Null	iBooks all the way! __________________ void...

Oct 19, 2005, 03:07 PM	#25
deral macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Kahuku, Hawai'i	Kind of a sweet subtle update.

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