15.4 inch PowerBooks?

[MacRumors]

In a run down of production parters of Apple, Digitimes reports that Compal Electronics will be producing the 17" PowerBook in 2003.

They also indicate that Compal Electronics will be producing a 15.4" PowerBook - distinct from Apple's current 15.2" PowerBook produced by Quanta Computer.

One user wrote the author asking if it was simply a typo, but the response claims that the 15" PowerBook will receive a revision in the "near future".

[ryan]

As long as the 15.4" PowerBook isn't any larger or weigh any more than the current generation 15.2" PowerBook I'll be first in line to buy one.

[Brandon Sharitt]

Originally posted by ryan
As long as the 15.4" PowerBook isn't any larger or weigh any more than the current generation 15.2" PowerBook I'll be first in line to buy one.

They may be 0.2" larger than the 15.2" PowerBooks.

[Rocketman]

Makes sense they would update the middle unit to prevent the middle from being perceived as the bottom of line unit.

It seems my boss told me I am REQUIRED to use a new Al17 when they come in. I politely agreed to heed his order.

Now I have to decide how to put the Ti15 on APE.

Rocketman

[Talon1138]

I ordered a TiBook 1ghz before macworld. I'm sure they will upgrade to firewire 800, airport extreme, DDR SDRAM, ATA/100, and built-in bluetooth. (based on the weak spots on the tech specs grid)

They might move to anodized aluminum....so at least I'll have a titanium machine: sounds cooler!


Apple, just release video ipod and I'll be happy.

[MUrhino]

I've been putting off buying a Powerbook because of the paint issues, but the 15.2" was ideal. I've assumed that they would update these just because it's odd to have a line of the same notebook being made out of different materials. Does anyone have any inside info *cough* arn (12" 17" PB call) on when these will be coming out? I would like to buy one so I can study instead of drool over Apple's website all the time . I'm hoping they will be released when the 17's start shipping and the current Titanium stock is reduced.

[iSmell]

Originally posted by Rocketman
It seems my boss told me I am REQUIRED to use a new Al17 when they come in. I politely agreed to heed his order.

Where do you work and are they hiring?

I would guess that the 15.4" PB will be an aluminum, airport X, DDR, bluetooth version of the 15.2" pb. But then why didn't they announce those at the show, too?
I've said it before that I think the 15" is the best size, but I wouldn't buy one now because the aluminum is cooler and you've gotta think they're going to update them eventually. Oh yeah, and because I don't have two G's kicking around.

[MasterX (OSiX)]

Originally posted by iSmell

Oh yeah, and because I don't have two G's kicking around.

Oh yeah, that's why I don't have a 17" Bluekeys. Or a dual processor Powermac, or 2GB or ram. Not being rich sucks, I'll have to put that on my to do list:

To do:
Predict Apple Future (x)
Buy gas for car (x)
Do homework (x, well almost)
Get rich ( )
Buy new junk (x)

[MOM]

I agree that the TiBook is the odd man out, but maybe Apple is playing it smart by first refreshing Tibook before Xmas to get some extra sales and then they drop the unexpected Mac World introduction of two droolworthy models to snag all those customers who where always waiting for a G4 ibook (Al12) or are in the need for a beast like the Al17. By keeping the Ti15 back, Apple may be hoping to force some sales of the Al17. This may bring in more profit and/or they may, frankly, be worried that such a large PB may be lusted after and get lots of good press, but may not sell. This way they wait to see the sales figures before releasing the Al15. Ask yourself, if the Al15 was avaiable with all the goodies of the Al17, would you buy the Al17? I love the Al17, but its a portable desktop not a portable, if you know what I mean. Just some thoughts...

[FelixDerKater]

The new 15.4" with the extra .2" will most likely accomadate the use of the same aspect ratio as the Aluminum 17" PowerBook. I'd also expect to see the 15" Aluminum to have everything the 17" notbook has other than the large screen, since 15" is large enough for many pro portable users.

[redAPPLE]

0.2"??

who needs that?

to make room for larger speakers?

[NicoMan]

Originally posted by redAPPLE
0.2"??

who needs that?

to make room for larger speakers?

Well that is not a bad idea. I remember one of the complaints of the TiBooks is the tiny-sounding speakers. When you see the monsters on the AluBook 17"...

Just a thought

NicoMan

[kmac]

Originally posted by MOM
I agree that the TiBook is the odd man out, but maybe Apple is playing it smart by first refreshing Tibook before Xmas to get some extra sales and then they drop the unexpected Mac World introduction of two droolworthy models to snag all those customers who where always waiting for a G4 ibook (Al12) or are in the need for a beast like the Al17. By keeping the Ti15 back, Apple may be hoping to force some sales of the Al17. This may bring in more profit and/or they may, frankly, be worried that such a large PB may be lusted after and get lots of good press, but may not sell. This way they wait to see the sales figures before releasing the Al15. Ask yourself, if the Al15 was avaiable with all the goodies of the Al17, would you buy the Al17? I love the Al17, but its a portable desktop not a portable, if you know what I mean. Just some thoughts...

Yes, I have to agree with this.

[Gaz]

I can imagine them having a 15.4" AND and 15.2"...

Sounds crazy but as it is at the moment the 15.2" is a bit out of place in the range. However it gives people that nice possibility of using OS9.

Just have to wait and see thou........

G

[Choppaface]

bye bye OS9 booting ( he he .... :| )

[Nightstalker]

I think they kept the TiBook because of OS9 booting.

Otherwise there would be no G4 portable for ppl who require OS 9 applications.

Maybe the 15.4" is delayed until QuarkXPress for OS X is ready...?


Nightstalker

[yamadataro]

I really wish they change the casing to Aluminum. That's like the only thing I want Apple to do.

I've just got the whole case for Tibook replaced due to the very very bad paint chipping. So this is a very realistic comment, I think.

Even after the announcement of the 12&17, 15" one still is a very good computer for me, except for the *painted* titanium non-sense, of course.

BTW, my repair shop guy said it's about $450 for newer TiBooks and $225 for older ones to replace the main case part (the top gray part with the trackpad and the middle whiter part). He said the older TiBook's case is twise as expensive. I didn't as him why though.

[Hmm]

The lid on the 15.4" model might also be bigger to hold the Airport antennas.

[Telomar]

Originally posted by yamadataro
BTW, my repair shop guy said it's about $450 for newer TiBooks and $225 for older ones to replace the main case part (the top gray part with the trackpad and the middle whiter part). He said the older TiBook's case is twise as expensive.

In the first part you say the new ones are $450 and the older are $225 yet in the second part say the older version is twice as expensve.

From a materials point of view I would be a little surprised if the newer cases aren't more expensive. Ti isn't cheap as a material but they use high grade Al that is then anodized now. That is costly particularly if they aren't using room temperature methods.

[theranch]

I think it's just a misunderstanding...the new 17" powerbook is 15.4" wide so maybe there is some confusion. Why would they create a powerbook with a display size not much bigger than the 15" now? I attached a picture from the Apple powerbook page.
http://a772.g.akamai.net/7/772/51/48...gn01072003.jpg

[hvfsl]

I just hope Apple keeps the ATI 9000M when they upgrade the 15in PowerBook G4, the Geoforce 4 440 GO that is in the latest PB G4s is half the speed of the ATI 9000M in some applications (Doom 3 for example).

And they need to change the metal, the paint is coming off my PB G4, and I am quite careful with it. My previous PB G3 had the same problem.

[Nightstalker]

think it's just a misunderstanding...the new 17" powerbook is 15.4" wide

good point, theranch

[Silencio]

The measurements being bandied about refer to the diagonal width of the screen, not the width of the entire Powerbook.

It's possible to fit a 15.4" screen within the same form factor as the existing TiBooks: the bezel surrounding the screen will get a little more narrow.

I'm kind of the same mind: I was enthusiastic about the last revision of the 15" TiBook, but the introduction of the 12" and 17" AlBooks dampened it quite a bit despite the $200 price drops. Now I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop, and it probably will drop in February if MOSR is to be believed.

[pgwalsh]

Others have asked, but no one will know for a little while I guess. How hot will these get on our lap? I know the previous models got extremely hot. Hot enought to fry and egg from what I've heard. I wonder if the new case will aid or shield the heat?

[szark]

I've seen comments from people who used the new ABooks at the Expo that the 12" was very hot but the 17" wasn't.