12inch iBook End-of-Life'd?

MacRumors · 02:30 AM

MacBidouille adds fuel to the fire by posting an advertisement from a French distributor which labels the 12" iBook G4 as "End of Life"'d.

Products typically reach End-of-Life designation when it has been discontinued to make room for a newer/updated model.

With Apple's attention to secrecy, most retailers do not have much forewarning about new products or discontinuation on old models, so take this claim with a grain of salt.

reberto · Dec 21, 2005, 02:27 AM

apple would not be dumb enough to drop the 12' iBook. Unless they will replace it with a 13.3' widescreen model...

Lacero · Dec 21, 2005, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reberto

Unless they will replace it with a 13.3' widescreen model...

My thoughts exactly.

12" is a tad small, unless they can pump the screen resolution up to 1280x960; anything is better than 1024x768.

Here's to the Crazy Ones

Doctor Q · Dec 21, 2005, 02:52 AM

This story requires a very large grain of salt.

The form factor has been popular, and I'd be mighty surprised to hear it was on its way out so soon.

Chundles · Dec 21, 2005, 02:53 AM

It might be both iBooks.

Apple Australia have started selling "prebuilt systems" of both size iBooks consisting of RAM upgrades and faster shipping. This is the first time I have ever seen Apple Australia (Apple who?) do a promotion like this. They're also doing a post-christmas sale day on the 28th. Never seen that here either but I reckon there'll be some bargains about on the iBooks when the day rolls around.

My thread about Apple Australia

l008com · Dec 21, 2005, 03:09 AM

Doesn't end of life'd just mean that upgrades are coming with different model numbers? I think apple should keep the 12", and keep the current 14" with its low resolution screen, AND add a 14" high resolution widescreen. Not everyone has good eye sight and the 14" iBook has some really big pixels which many of my older customers really like.

Bastich · Dec 21, 2005, 03:17 AM

13.3 is the new 12...

B)

dambro1978 · Dec 21, 2005, 03:32 AM

maybe they said "end of life" just to create confusion...
apple has a very bad policy with re-sellers like FNAC or other big stores..
apple leaves re-sellers shelves empty before christmas so they can sell more on the apple on-line store. I think re-sellers get a little discount on high numbers when they purchase by apple, so in this way the discount money of the many apple products they sell during christmas is all in thir pocket...

really hoping for the yonah laptop, I read on anandtech the review, seems impressive. I could also imagine that they will adopt only one line with different sizes and different chip and graphic card possibilites. at the end ibooks and powerbooks were the same computer till now...

BRLawyer · Dec 21, 2005, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doctor Q

This story requires a very large grain of salt.

The form factor has been popular, and I'd be mighty surprised to hear it was on its way out so soon.

Well, it's nice to know that my little white iBook is gonna be a rarity...you must acknowledge...it's time for Apple to change the form factor...the snow white iBook design is long in the tooth already.

Expect something awesome at MWSF, a much slimmer white machine...the notebook market will be totally Apple's next year, I am pretty sure...we're gonna be blown away by Ive's ideas.

For sure: 13.3" slimmer white iBook, 15" and 17" liquid metal PowerBooks.

Lacero · Dec 21, 2005, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bastich

Haven't you heard... 13.3 is the new 12...

Yes, I have. And it's sickening.

Cliches you are sick of..

12" is too small to begin with. 13.3" is a much more natural evolution to 15" and then to 17".

Here's to the Crazy Ones

hansen · Dec 21, 2005, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lacero

Yes, I have. And it's sickening.

Cliches you are sick of..

12" is too small to begin with. 13.3" is a much more natural evolution to 15" and then to 17".

Here's to the Crazy Ones

12" is not too small. It's ultra portable. I have a 12" pb and I love it. Before buying it I was concerned if it was too small. But looking at the 15" and 17" in the store, made me realise that I wouldn't bring with me as much if I had bought one of them.

I aggree that the resolution could use an upgrade, but not the size. With regards to the ibook currently you get the same resolution on 14" and 12" so I would definitely prefer 12".

I hope a new form factor family includes an ultra portable version. I think it is erroneous of Apple to always make the smaller one also the one with the least features. I think there is a market for an expensive full feature ultra portable notebook.

Nermal · Dec 21, 2005, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chundles

Apple Australia have started selling "prebuilt systems" of both size iBooks consisting of RAM upgrades and faster shipping. This is the first time I have ever seen Apple Australia (Apple who?) do a promotion like this.

With the first generation of Mac minis, Apple NZ was selling models with 8x SuperDrive standard. US had no SuperDrive standard, and the optional addon was only 4x. I didn't see the "NZ" configurations for sale in any other country.

I guess that wasn't really relevant

dcv · Dec 21, 2005, 05:14 AM

Well I'm choosing to interpret this as EOL for the 12 inch iBook G4... seeing as the intel versions are (apparently) just around the corner. Not EOL for the "12 inch iBook" itself. Although the notion of a 13 inch widescreen isn't that far-fetched.

I'd have thought that perhaps they'd replace the 12 inch PowerBook with a 13 inch widescreen to match the rest of the [widescreen] line-up and keep the iBook range at 4:3.

liketom · Dec 21, 2005, 05:34 AM

said it before say it again

12" ibook 12" powerbook are end of life

Chundles · Dec 21, 2005, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nermal

With the first generation of Mac minis, Apple NZ was selling models with 8x SuperDrive standard. US had no SuperDrive standard, and the optional addon was only 4x. I didn't see the "NZ" configurations for sale in any other country.

I guess that wasn't really relevant

No, not really. But I remember it and it was kinda strange.

I'm going out on a limb here and I reckon that they're getting their far-flung distributors to get rid of all their excess stock to avoid shipping the old ones back.

abhi_beckert · Dec 21, 2005, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by l008com

Not everyone has good eye sight and the 14" iBook has some really big pixels which many of my older customers really like.

That will become a non-issue once the resolution-independant display feature in OS X is stable (probably 10.5). It's already in 10.4 as a preview to get developers ready, but currently the whole system flakes up when you enable it.

BlizzardBomb · Dec 21, 2005, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by l008com

Doesn't end of life'd just mean that upgrades are coming with different model numbers? I think apple should keep the 12", and keep the current 14" with its low resolution screen, AND add a 14" high resolution widescreen. Not everyone has good eye sight and the 14" iBook has some really big pixels which many of my older customers really like.

Umm.. you do know you can change the resolution of a screen. So a 1024x768 can be adjusted to only show 800x600 pixels.

mad jew · Dec 21, 2005, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlizzardBomb

Umm.. you do know you can change the resolution of a screen. So a 1024x768 can be adjusted to only show 800x600 pixels.

LCDs don't work very well at anything other than their native (maximum) resolution. They can look fuzzy.

Chundles · Dec 21, 2005, 07:10 AM

Oooo.... a 13.3" Widescreen iBook at 1920 x 1200 with the wonders of Leopard's resolution independence - wouldn't that look cool. You could watch HD movies on it and yet all the interface would be a decent size - just very, very sharp and clear. Photos would look amazing, movies would be superb in full 1080p HD and if they managed to stick in a HDTV tuner I wouldn't need anything else.

Yeah, not gonna happen but maaaannnnn, that would be sooo cool.

d_and_n5000 · Dec 21, 2005, 07:29 AM

NOOO!! no one can ever quit selling my baby! If I can't get a new Intel 12 in iBook, i don't know what I'll do!! But I gotta admit-while the 12 incher is totally usable, I enjoy using the 14 inch. If they only have that at a decent, I can buy it price(I am asking too much really, thats like $500-i'm dirt poor), I'll be happy. Although, that eBay sale is looking better and better...

LoonyPandora · Dec 21, 2005, 07:51 AM

Certainly not been EOL'd here in the UK.

If they have, then they haven't told the dealers about it!

Project · Dec 21, 2005, 08:50 AM

Sure the 12" is portable, but im certain Apple could make the 13.3" widescreen iBook just as portable. Notice the white rims around the current display? The diagonal of that adds an extra 2" to the overall size of the iBook.

doucy2 · Dec 21, 2005, 08:56 AM

It may be the end of its life in the UK
anyways what do the French know

ibook 12" will still be sold refubished and probally new, just not though apple's main store
i perdict may 2nd hand apple resales will still have the ibook 12" for a long time to come
and i also perdict a small price cut on it (my turn to buy on now lol)

JeffTL · Dec 21, 2005, 10:32 AM

EOL usually just means update impending with new model number, if I recall, not a full discontinuance.

Peace · Dec 21, 2005, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffTL

EOL usually just means update impending with new model number, if I recall, not a full discontinuance.

Tell that to my Dual 2.3 G5 Mac :-)

Technically it was EOL'd when the new dual core G5 came out because Apple stopped selling them.

I said this before the French show...
The new Intel laptops will be brought into a single line of laptops..
13.3" 15" and 17"
No "iBook" naming convention.Not even a "Powerbook" naming convention..
Don't know what their gonna be called tho.

Dec 21, 2005, 02:22 AM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	12inch iBook End-of-Life'd? MacBidouille adds fuel to the fire by posting an advertisement from a French distributor which labels the 12" iBook G4 as "End of Life"'d. Products typically reach End-of-Life designation when it has been discontinued to make room for a newer/updated model. With Apple's attention to secrecy, most retailers do not have much forewarning about new products or discontinuation on old models, so take this claim with a grain of salt. Last edited by arn : Dec 21, 2005 at 02:30 AM.

Dec 21, 2005, 02:52 AM	#4
Doctor Q macrumors god Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Los Angeles, Row Q Seat 1	This story requires a very large grain of salt. The form factor has been popular, and I'd be mighty surprised to hear it was on its way out so soon. __________________ Oh do pay attention 007. In the wrong hands, this Dual 2.93GHz Quad-Core Nehalem Mac Pro could be very dangerous.

Dec 21, 2005, 02:53 AM	#5
Chundles macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: The Gong, Australia	It might be both iBooks. Apple Australia have started selling "prebuilt systems" of both size iBooks consisting of RAM upgrades and faster shipping. This is the first time I have ever seen Apple Australia (Apple who?) do a promotion like this. They're also doing a post-christmas sale day on the 28th. Never seen that here either but I reckon there'll be some bargains about on the iBooks when the day rolls around. My thread about Apple Australia __________________ This is going straight to the Pool Room

Dec 21, 2005, 03:09 AM	#6
l008com macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2004	Doesn't end of life'd just mean that upgrades are coming with different model numbers? I think apple should keep the 12", and keep the current 14" with its low resolution screen, AND add a 14" high resolution widescreen. Not everyone has good eye sight and the 14" iBook has some really big pixels which many of my older customers really like. __________________ MacFixer • Boston • Eastern Massachusetts On-Site Macintosh Consulting & Repair

Dec 21, 2005, 03:17 AM	#7
Bastich macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2002	Haven't you heard? 13.3 is the new 12... B)

Dec 21, 2005, 02:27 AM	#2
reberto macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Eugene, OR	apple would not be dumb enough to drop the 12' iBook. Unless they will replace it with a 13.3' widescreen model...

Dec 21, 2005, 03:32 AM	#8
dambro1978 macrumors regular Join Date: May 2005	maybe they said "end of life" just to create confusion... apple has a very bad policy with re-sellers like FNAC or other big stores.. apple leaves re-sellers shelves empty before christmas so they can sell more on the apple on-line store. I think re-sellers get a little discount on high numbers when they purchase by apple, so in this way the discount money of the many apple products they sell during christmas is all in thir pocket... really hoping for the yonah laptop, I read on anandtech the review, seems impressive. I could also imagine that they will adopt only one line with different sizes and different chip and graphic card possibilites. at the end ibooks and powerbooks were the same computer till now...

Dec 21, 2005, 05:14 AM	#13
dcv macrumors 601 Join Date: May 2005	Well I'm choosing to interpret this as EOL for the 12 inch iBook G4... seeing as the intel versions are (apparently) just around the corner. Not EOL for the "12 inch iBook" itself. Although the notion of a 13 inch widescreen isn't that far-fetched. I'd have thought that perhaps they'd replace the 12 inch PowerBook with a 13 inch widescreen to match the rest of the [widescreen] line-up and keep the iBook range at 4:3. __________________ .

Dec 21, 2005, 05:34 AM	#14
liketom macrumors 68040 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lincoln,UK	said it before say it again 12" ibook 12" powerbook are end of life __________________ 18,000 miles is a long way

Dec 21, 2005, 07:10 AM	#19
Chundles macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: The Gong, Australia	Oooo.... a 13.3" Widescreen iBook at 1920 x 1200 with the wonders of Leopard's resolution independence - wouldn't that look cool. You could watch HD movies on it and yet all the interface would be a decent size - just very, very sharp and clear. Photos would look amazing, movies would be superb in full 1080p HD and if they managed to stick in a HDTV tuner I wouldn't need anything else. Yeah, not gonna happen but maaaannnnn, that would be sooo cool. __________________ This is going straight to the Pool Room

Dec 21, 2005, 07:29 AM	#20
d_and_n5000 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: The Land of the Peppers	say it ain't so!!!! NOOO!! no one can ever quit selling my baby! If I can't get a new Intel 12 in iBook, i don't know what I'll do!! But I gotta admit-while the 12 incher is totally usable, I enjoy using the 14 inch. If they only have that at a decent, I can buy it price(I am asking too much really, thats like $500-i'm dirt poor), I'll be happy. Although, that eBay sale is looking better and better... __________________ 34 days until I get my license.

Dec 21, 2005, 07:51 AM	#21
LoonyPandora macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Manchester, UK	Certainly not been EOL'd here in the UK. If they have, then they haven't told the dealers about it!

Dec 21, 2005, 08:50 AM	#22
Project macrumors 68020 Join Date: Aug 2005	Sure the 12" is portable, but im certain Apple could make the 13.3" widescreen iBook just as portable. Notice the white rims around the current display? The diagonal of that adds an extra 2" to the overall size of the iBook.

Dec 21, 2005, 08:56 AM	#23
doucy2 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2005	It may be the end of its life in the UK anyways what do the French know ibook 12" will still be sold refubished and probally new, just not though apple's main store i perdict may 2nd hand apple resales will still have the ibook 12" for a long time to come and i also perdict a small price cut on it (my turn to buy on now lol)

Dec 21, 2005, 10:32 AM	#24
JeffTL macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2003	EOL usually just means update impending with new model number, if I recall, not a full discontinuance. __________________ MacBook Pro 2.2GHz; iPhone 3G 16GB; Western Electric 500

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