15" PowerBook Anticipated

MacRumors · Feb 17, 2003, 12:18 PM

According to Spymac, the Powerbook 15" will be seeing upgrades in the near future:

Quote:

sources anticipate that Apple will be ready to roll out the updated 1GHz 15.4" PowerBooks by the end of February, with an announcement as early as next week not out of the question.

Eric-C · Feb 17, 2003, 12:24 PM

The release of the 15" this week would make such a great birthday present! (for me of course) Although next week's ok too...

I've read as much as I can on this release speculation. Does anyone still think that these rumors are wishful thinking? It appears there is at least a minority of people who think it will be out in the summer.

Pablo · Feb 17, 2003, 12:27 PM

I really hope they hurry up on this.

Amazon.com currently has a promotion offering a $200 credit towards your next purchase (would really help in getting the OS X versions of the PC software I use) which expires on March 1st.

I like the features of the 17", but would probably prefer those same features in the 15"...mainly due to price.

I guess if I don't hear anything by the end of February, I'll go ahead and pull the trigger on a 17"...but I also hope that my local stores get some in before then so I can take a look at them in person.

macphisto · Feb 17, 2003, 12:28 PM

Given the amount of updating that Apple has been doing I wouldn't be suprised. That would add a nice icing to the cake for th powerbook lines...and I hope that the pricing will reflect Apples current strategy of lowering prices.

Now what to get, 17inch or 15inch pb? I can only dream...

Eric-C · Feb 17, 2003, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pablo
Amazon.com currently has a promotion offering a $200 credit towards your next purchase (would really help in getting the OS X versions of the PC software I use) which expires on March 1st.
[/b]

Couldn't you just buy the software now and buy the powerbook later? I assume the software should be compatible with both powerbooks.

shadowfax · Feb 17, 2003, 12:39 PM

man, thank god they said end of february. those aspecific rumor time frames really have been getting SO annoying.

i am forecasting iPods tomorrow and Tibooks next tuesday for a 5 week streak. anyone want to guess what's after that for 6 weeks?

They need to update the iBooks, and then we can say that they switched out their entire line of products in a matter of less than 2 months. that would be one heck of an accomplishment for apple.

I think you'll still be able to get Tibooks from apple after this, even if they do come out with a 15 inch albook. That whole OS 9 thing... still awhile till june or whenever they are "really really" pulling the plug.

howard · Feb 17, 2003, 12:45 PM

what is the point of a 15.4 inch powerbook??? is it just a bigger screen or is the whole powerbook going to be .2 inches bigger? i mean if they didn't make the whole power book bigger and just the screen that would be cool...but i thought there was not enough room. i guess i don't think its taht big a deal for a .2 inch change

DHagan4755 · Feb 17, 2003, 12:50 PM

CompUSA's online store has the following shipping estimates:

iBook 700 - 2 to 4 weeks
iBook 800 12" - 3 to 6 days
iBook 800 14" - 2 to 4 weeks
PBG4 867 12" - 48 Hours
TiBook 867 - 2 to 4 weeks
TiBook 1GHz - 2 to 4 weeks
PBG4 1GHz 17" - Pre-Order

I don't know if this is telling or not, but if the new 12" PowerBook is shipping in 48 hours...and the 4-month old Titaniums in 2 to 4 weeks..that says something to me.

shadowfax · Feb 17, 2003, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by howard
what is the point of a 15.4 inch powerbook??? is it just a bigger screen or is the whole powerbook going to be .2 inches bigger? i mean if they didn't make the whole power book bigger and just the screen that would be cool...but i thought there was not enough room. i guess i don't think its taht big a deal for a .2 inch change

they aren't updating for the sake of .2 inches. they are, if they do this, changing the aspect ratio from 3:2 to 16:10, like the 1440*900 17 inch powerbook, for consistency across the lines. problem is, in doing so, it looks like they are going to cut 7-8% on the actual resolution.

shadowfax · Feb 17, 2003, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DHagan4755
CompUSA's online store has the following shipping estimates:

iBook 700 - 2 to 4 weeks
iBook 800 12" - 3 to 6 days
iBook 800 14" - 2 to 4 weeks
PBG4 867 12" - 48 Hours
TiBook 867 - 2 to 4 weeks
TiBook 1GHz - 2 to 4 weeks
PBG4 1GHz 17" - Pre-Order

I don't know if this is telling or not, but if the new 12" PowerBook is shipping in 48 hours...and the 4-month old Titaniums in 2 to 4 weeks..that says something to me.

by that logic, though, they're coming out with new 14 inch iBooks too. i think compUSA is just being pathetically out of stock.

AhmedFaisal · Feb 17, 2003, 01:10 PM

I sure hope Apple spares the 15.4" from the dumb idea of putting NVIDIA chips in. I want the Radeon 9000, the NVIDIAs in the desktops are already lameass, we don't need that in the Powerbook. And also I hope we keep the DVI and L3 Cache. The ratings of the 12" for non Altivec Applications compared to the fastest iBooks are horrible!

Ahmed

shadowfax · Feb 17, 2003, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AhmedFaisal
I sure hope Apple spares the 15.4" from the dumb idea of putting NVIDIA chips in. I want the Radeon 9000, the NVIDIAs in the desktops are already lameass, we don't need that in the Powerbook. And also I hope we keep the DVI and L3 Cache. The ratings of the 12" for non Altivec Applications compared to the fastest iBooks are horrible!

Ahmed

The Geforce 4Go 460 is currently the fastest processor on the mobile video market; however, apple did not put this im the now Powerbook 17 inch, for unexplained reasons. I think you will see all the same hardware specs on the current 15 inch tibook, plus, say, DDR, probably a regression to an nVidia card, and then AE and FW2.

agreenster · Feb 17, 2003, 01:24 PM

I sure hope they are making a lot of them, because the hype surrounding these things are going to sell them out FAST.

Backtothemac · Feb 17, 2003, 01:25 PM

Hey Shaddow, the 15.1 is a 16:10 ratio, not 3:2

What ya thinking there man

AhmedFaisal · Feb 17, 2003, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shadowfax
The Geforce 4Go 460 is currently the fastest processor on the mobile video market; however, apple did not put this im the now Powerbook 17 inch, for unexplained reasons. I think you will see all the same hardware specs on the current 15 inch tibook, plus, say, DDR, probably a regression to an nVidia card, and then AE and FW2.

The problem is that the driver support from NVIDIA sucks even more than that from ATi. Macwelt recently compared the available NVIDIA cards for the desktop Mac with the Radeons. The Radeon 8500 was faster than any NVIDIA chip available. Especially when it came to OpenGL and simple stuff such as Quartz Extreme the NVIDIAs showed a serious lag behind the two top ATis. I have doubts it will be any different in the Laptops. What is even more a bother is the performance of the 12" Powerbook. In non Altivec enhanced Apps it was actually slower than the fastest iBook and even in Graphics it couldn't outdistance the iBook with its 7500 Radeon. The fact that it doesn't have a DVI adds to the question why one should spend so much more money for a laptop that isn't faster overall. The 12" definitely needs a revision soon. I also hope to see the ratings for the 17" compared to the old 15" soon to see if this one at least performs better than its predecessor.
Cheers,

Ahmed

Pablo · Feb 17, 2003, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eric-C
Couldn't you just buy the software now and buy the powerbook later? I assume the software should be compatible with both powerbooks.

Yes, but then that would bring my total out of pocket expense to the retail price of the PowerBook, plus the retail price of the software.

If I take advantage of Amazon.com's promotion, if I buy either PowerBook (17" or 15"), I would get an extra $200 'free' to spend on that software, thereby making my total out of pocket expense up to $200 less.

rideahyperLite · Feb 17, 2003, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Backtothemac
Hey Shaddow, the 15.1 is a 16:10 ratio, not 3:2

What ya thinking there man

no.
current tibook - 1280/854 (pixels) = 3/2 (almost)
anticipated new alubook - 1280/800 (pixels) = 16/10

MacFan25 · Feb 17, 2003, 01:49 PM

I wonder how much a 15" AlBook is going to cost. Anyone have a clue?

redAPPLE · Feb 17, 2003, 02:01 PM

opinions please.

does anyone agree with me, that the next pb revision would be a "major" revision?

it is basically the powerbook that we all want.

- it runs cooler (with the AL case)

- still around an inch thick

- ae

- better placing of the airport antenna

- superdrive

- hopefully same price or lower

- fw800

the only thing that is missing is that proc they keep calling the g5.

Bear · Feb 17, 2003, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MacFan25
I wonder how much a 15" AlBook is going to cost. Anyone have a clue?

I suspect the same to $100 (US) more for configs similar to the ones on the Apple Store.

Especially if they add the backlight for the keyboard.

animefan_1 · Feb 17, 2003, 02:08 PM

The Radeon 9000 IS better than the GeForce 4 460, which was not used because it uses external VRam (instead of onboard), which takes up more space. The ONLY mobile card in existence currently that MIGHT beat the Radeon 9000 is the GeForce4 4200 Go, but Apple won't put that in their mid-range PowerBooks because they would want the 17" to have the best.

AhmedFaisal · Feb 17, 2003, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by redAPPLE
opinions please.

does anyone agree with me, that the next pb revision would be a "major" revision?

it is basically the powerbook that we all want.

- it runs cooler (with the AL case)

- still around an inch thick

- ae

- better placing of the airport antenna

- superdrive

- hopefully same price or lower

- fw800

the only thing that is missing is that proc they keep calling the g5.

Yep, very much so. However I would already be happy with one of those PPC 7457 G4s Motorola announced since they dissipate way less heat than the current ones. Also the beefed up L2 will be nice. Personally I don't really care for the Superdrive since the lag of burning speed in the laptops, I would go for the combo drives with 24x R/RW rather than the Superdrive. Illuminated Keyboard, thats what I would like to see and that they keep the Radeon (I'll make that my ceterum censeo

hehe). Also a lid or some kind of cover for the connectivity ports would be nice, this is one thing I miss in the new powerbooks. We also need HDs with bigger cache, the new Toshiba with 16MB comes to mind or at least the Travelstar with 8MB.
Cheers,

Ahmed

cr2sh · Feb 17, 2003, 03:16 PM

Historically though, how accurate has Spymac been?

I'll wait for Arn to comfirm this rumor, then I'll believe it. So how about it Arn, hear this from any of your sources?

blueBomber · Feb 17, 2003, 03:30 PM

maybe now they can start calling the 12" alPB by it's real name... ibook G4

GeneR · Feb 17, 2003, 04:10 PM

Sometimes, the anticipation for these products is like being taunted. Ah, cruel mistress (INNOVATIVE-APPLE-PRODUCTS), how cruel, cruel cruel... to be so close but yet so far...

Give me a 17" or a 15" Alu PB anyday. Heck, I'll take both! Just hurry up, already!

Feb 17, 2003, 12:39 PM	#6
shadowfax macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Houston, TX	man, thank god they said end of february. those aspecific rumor time frames really have been getting SO annoying. i am forecasting iPods tomorrow and Tibooks next tuesday for a 5 week streak. anyone want to guess what's after that for 6 weeks? They need to update the iBooks, and then we can say that they switched out their entire line of products in a matter of less than 2 months. that would be one heck of an accomplishment for apple. I think you'll still be able to get Tibooks from apple after this, even if they do come out with a 15 inch albook. That whole OS 9 thing... still awhile till june or whenever they are "really really" pulling the plug. __________________ iMac 3.06 GHz \| 4GB RAM \| 500 GB ::: Unibody MacBook 2.4 GHz \| 4GB RAM\| 250GB 80 GB Video iPod ::: 16 GB iPhone 3G

Feb 17, 2003, 12:45 PM	#7
howard macrumors 68000 Join Date: Nov 2002	what is the point of a 15.4 inch powerbook??? is it just a bigger screen or is the whole powerbook going to be .2 inches bigger? i mean if they didn't make the whole power book bigger and just the screen that would be cool...but i thought there was not enough room. i guess i don't think its taht big a deal for a .2 inch change __________________ Check out my new EP, its acoustic with a touch electric, mellow, a little folky, indie rock/pop.

Feb 17, 2003, 01:10 PM	#11
AhmedFaisal macrumors 6502 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Somewhere in Germany	Radeon 9000 please!!! I sure hope Apple spares the 15.4" from the dumb idea of putting NVIDIA chips in. I want the Radeon 9000, the NVIDIAs in the desktops are already lameass, we don't need that in the Powerbook. And also I hope we keep the DVI and L3 Cache. The ratings of the 12" for non Altivec Applications compared to the fastest iBooks are horrible! Ahmed

Feb 17, 2003, 01:25 PM	#14
Backtothemac macrumors 68040 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Lafayette, Louisiana	Hey Shaddow, the 15.1 is a 16:10 ratio, not 3:2 What ya thinking there man __________________ MacBook 2.4GHZ 3GB Ram 320GB HD

Feb 17, 2003, 01:49 PM	#18
MacFan25 macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: USA	I wonder how much a 15" AlBook is going to cost. Anyone have a clue? __________________ Folding FAQ - Find out exactly what folding is and how to join MacRumors Team Folding!

Feb 17, 2003, 12:24 PM	#2
Eric-C macrumors newbie Join Date: Feb 2003	The release of the 15" this week would make such a great birthday present! (for me of course) Although next week's ok too... I've read as much as I can on this release speculation. Does anyone still think that these rumors are wishful thinking? It appears there is at least a minority of people who think it will be out in the summer.

Feb 17, 2003, 12:27 PM	#3
Pablo macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Texas	I really hope they hurry up on this. Amazon.com currently has a promotion offering a $200 credit towards your next purchase (would really help in getting the OS X versions of the PC software I use) which expires on March 1st. I like the features of the 17", but would probably prefer those same features in the 15"...mainly due to price. I guess if I don't hear anything by the end of February, I'll go ahead and pull the trigger on a 17"...but I also hope that my local stores get some in before then so I can take a look at them in person.

Feb 17, 2003, 12:28 PM	#4
macphisto macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: At home	Given the amount of updating that Apple has been doing I wouldn't be suprised. That would add a nice icing to the cake for th powerbook lines...and I hope that the pricing will reflect Apples current strategy of lowering prices. Now what to get, 17inch or 15inch pb? I can only dream...

Feb 17, 2003, 12:50 PM	#8
DHagan4755 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Massachusetts	CompUSA's online store has the following shipping estimates: iBook 700 - 2 to 4 weeks iBook 800 12" - 3 to 6 days iBook 800 14" - 2 to 4 weeks PBG4 867 12" - 48 Hours TiBook 867 - 2 to 4 weeks TiBook 1GHz - 2 to 4 weeks PBG4 1GHz 17" - Pre-Order I don't know if this is telling or not, but if the new 12" PowerBook is shipping in 48 hours...and the 4-month old Titaniums in 2 to 4 weeks..that says something to me.

Feb 17, 2003, 01:24 PM	#13
agreenster macrumors 68000 Join Date: Dec 2001	I sure hope they are making a lot of them, because the hype surrounding these things are going to sell them out FAST.

Feb 17, 2003, 02:01 PM	#19
redAPPLE macrumors 68020 Join Date: May 2002 Location: 2 Much Infinite Loops	opinions please. does anyone agree with me, that the next pb revision would be a "major" revision? it is basically the powerbook that we all want. - it runs cooler (with the AL case) - still around an inch thick - ae - better placing of the airport antenna - superdrive - hopefully same price or lower - fw800 the only thing that is missing is that proc they keep calling the g5.

Feb 17, 2003, 02:08 PM	#21
animefan_1 macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New York	The Radeon 9000 IS better than the GeForce 4 460, which was not used because it uses external VRam (instead of onboard), which takes up more space. The ONLY mobile card in existence currently that MIGHT beat the Radeon 9000 is the GeForce4 4200 Go, but Apple won't put that in their mid-range PowerBooks because they would want the 17" to have the best.

Feb 17, 2003, 03:16 PM	#23
cr2sh macrumors 68020 Join Date: May 2002 Location: Dayton, Ohio	Historically though, how accurate has Spymac been? I'll wait for Arn to comfirm this rumor, then I'll believe it. So how about it Arn, hear this from any of your sources? __________________ Search before you post: MRoogle

Feb 17, 2003, 03:30 PM	#24
blueBomber macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Minneapolis, MN	maybe now they can start calling the 12" alPB by it's real name... ibook G4 __________________ "I am a ninja. My life is lonely and difficult." "Fry to the rain forest and save the nature!" "Yes Sir!" - a Neo Geo Classic

Feb 17, 2003, 04:10 PM	#25
GeneR macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: The land of delusions, CA.	Sometimes it feels like being Tantalus... Sometimes, the anticipation for these products is like being taunted. Ah, cruel mistress (INNOVATIVE-APPLE-PRODUCTS), how cruel, cruel cruel... to be so close but yet so far... Give me a 17" or a 15" Alu PB anyday. Heck, I'll take both! Just hurry up, already! __________________ Helpful hint #001: Work for Good, not for Evil. What I like about MacRumors: Very cool people. It's always like a party. The people are friendly, funny, smart, and pretty darn cool. And I'm always learning how much I don't know. RAMEN RANK: Yellow belt - Ramen noodle eater. (Not quite professional grade as of yet.)

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