PowerBook Rumor Summary - Still Waiting...

MacRumors · 01:58 AM

On June 3rd, a MacPolls.com poll revealed that 32.89% of readers were waiting primarily for PowerBook updates. Unfortunately, those readers are still waiting... nearly 9 weeks later.

Previous Updates

15" PowerBooks were last updated in November 2002, with the introduction 1GHz machines with the Superdrive at the top end.

12" and 17" PowerBooks were introduced with little warning at Macworld San Francisco in January 2003. Almost immediately, rumors of a 15" PowerBook updates emerged.

(Timeline available at BuyersGuide.MacRumors.com)

Previous Rumors

Numerous sites have suggested 15" PowerBook revisions over the past 7 months: MacWhispers (Feb), SpyMac (Feb), Kodawarisan (March), PowerPage.org (April), MacBidouile (May 14), RailHeadDesign (May), Kodawarisan ( June), MacWhispers (June), DigiTimes (June).

In June, Apple dropped 12" and 15" PowerBook prices, which (in retrospect) may have hinted that PowerBook updates were not imminent.

Rumors peaked pre-WWDC with one site emphatically claiming 970 PowerBooks were arriving. No PowerBooks arrived, and one Apple executive finally hinted that PowerBooks would not see the G5 processor "anytime soon".

So When?

Speculation and rumors have placed the Motorola MPC7457 PowerPC Processor into the next PowerBook revisions.

The processor is expected to ship in Q4 2003, and reports from Appleinsider claim that the PowerBooks have been delayed due to the inability for Motorola to produce enough of these updated processors.

Even with a Q4 ship date expectation, the most recent rumors from MacBidouille (of uncertain reliability) suggest August 18-19th as possible dates for product introductions... however, no other reliable sources have confirmed this timeframe. Beyond these dates, the next major consumer event from Apple is Apple Expo on September 16, 2003 in Paris, France.

LegionCSUF · Aug 10, 2003, 10:00 PM

Article summery: we still don't know a dang thing. But there was no new unfounded rumor today, so let's recap the old ones.

MrMacMan · Aug 10, 2003, 10:02 PM

Yeah, lets Re-Cap something everyone wants, and yet, it still isn't out.

arg.

Come on, Apple and Moto, for one of the last time you guys will work with each other (I hope) please just get these OUT already!

Jerry Spoon · Aug 10, 2003, 10:05 PM

I'm almost thinking we'll see an apple PDA before PowerBook updates

Billicus · Aug 10, 2003, 10:05 PM

I will get a new computer before next year. I would really like that to be an updated 17" PowerBook. If Apple can't deliver...ah, who am I kidding, what would I buy, a Dell?

But seriously, where are the frickin updates Apple?

Billicus · Aug 10, 2003, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jerry Spoon
I'm almost thinking we'll see an apple PDA before PowerBook updates

The way Apple has been twiddling their thumbs, they really dropped the ball on this one...

miradu · Aug 10, 2003, 10:12 PM

maybe the recap was posted 'cause arn knows something he can't print..

just kidding. I ahve been waiting 3 months to get my new 12 inch powerbook.. i am hoping i can get it before labor day and school starting... I don't want to have to set up a new mac, and switch my life from windows while in school....

Bruja · Aug 10, 2003, 10:21 PM

I still want to beleive..

Abercrombieboy · Aug 10, 2003, 10:30 PM

My question is that Motorola announced that the new processors won't be released until the 4th Quarter. It's not the 4th Quarter yet, so my guess is it might still be a month or two until we see the Powerbooks or at least until they ship.

Bruja · 10:47 PM

Apple appears to be thinking differently themselves. However, it defies logic and some since of "good business practice" if they wish to stay in the black. One last tidbit of thought befor the day is up: Let's say for some unknown reason, the release the updated products. If what they say is true about Moto, Would you really want a janky chip that may cause problems?? Maybe the real answer is to go to e-bay and get a cheaper priced book and wait until this crap is sorted out and this way, it would not interrupt productivity and Apple would kill to release an UP 2 DATE product because their new sales profit has gone through the floor?? Just a thought??

paulie · Aug 10, 2003, 10:42 PM

I would have paid an arm and a leg for the new Aluminum 15".. My buddy has the Titanium, and I fell in love with the size of that 15" screen. But, too late.. I'm heading off on the road, and I needed a good portable, so I got the 12-inch.

I'm very happy with my purchase, but had Apple brought out a new 15" this summer, they would've made a lot of money off of a lot of people.

*sigh*.. poor Apple..

I did get the 12" PB for the same price as the top-end 12" iBook, and they threw in an iSight for me.. so, didn't really go wrong at all..

Billicus · Aug 10, 2003, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bruja
Apple appears to be thinking differently themselves. However, it defies logic and some since of "good business practice" if they wish to stay in the black. One last tidbit of thought befor the day is up: Let's say for some unknown reason, the release the updated products. If what they say is true about Moto, Would you really want a janky chip that may be defective?? Maybe the real answer is to go to e-bay and get a cheaper priced book and wait until this crap is sorted out and this way, it would not interrupt productivity and Apple would kill to release an UP 2 DATE product because their new sales profit has gone through the floor?? Just a thought??

Taking after vniow by coloring your messages? Seriously, Apple dropped the ball, it rolled under the table, was eaten by a gnome and was never to be seen again...Where are these Books? I'm going to explode with anticipation!

bikertwin · Aug 10, 2003, 10:54 PM

All these rumors about delayed PowerBooks worry me. I mean, if these units were designed to be shipped in May, does that mean they'll have 3-4 month old technology when they ship? DVD-recordable drives have made huge strides in the past two months (higher speeds, multiple formats), and widescreen high-resolution 15.4" screens (1680 x 1050 and 1920 x 1200) are even in Dells now. Here's hoping the new PowerBooks have stuff like that.

Bruja · Aug 10, 2003, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Billicus
Taking after vniow by coloring your messages? Seriously, Apple dropped the ball, it rolled under the table, was eaten by a gnome and was never to be seen again...Where are these Books? I'm going to explode with anticipation!

Nah, I was not aware.. I'm still a mac n00b

*Chaneling the gnome* Hey!! Where's the creme fillin'??

Still, the Franken-book seems to be the most viable option for me. 12" is just too bloody small and my hands are too big for it.

Powerbook G5 · Aug 10, 2003, 11:09 PM

Well, hopefully it will be soon...they have to be released sometime, afterall...soon....soon...*rocks back and forth*...it will be soon...my precious...

stefman · Aug 10, 2003, 11:12 PM

My local reseller is offering a 17" with free airport base station and iSight.

I love the 17" (although I would settle for a new Alu 15") and if I get all these goodies...well...it's hard to resist.

So, do I wait for a speed increase (or a 15" Alu) or go for this deal? Decisions, decisions

e-coli · Aug 10, 2003, 11:24 PM

It will be so nice when Apple doesn't have to deal with Moto any more.

They've been downright embarrassing as a chip vendor.

Quote:

Originally posted by stefman
My local reseller is offering a 17" with free airport base station and iSight.

I love the 17" (although I would settle for a new Alu 15") and if I get all these goodies...well...it's hard to resist.

So, do I wait for a speed increase (or a 15" Alu) or go for this deal? Decisions, decisions

Bro, need you ask? Go for the deal. It's about $400 worth of free goodies. Take it.

e-coli · Aug 10, 2003, 11:25 PM

ooops

Powerbook G5 · Aug 10, 2003, 11:32 PM

Wow, that sounds like a great deal. I'd definitely take it. Seriously, the only things I can really think of coming to the new revisions are possibly 300 MHz bump in speed, maybe more cache, maybe an updated video card...it's nothing hugely to get excited about. A free iSight and Airport would definitely make up for that.

digitalbiker · Aug 10, 2003, 11:34 PM

I have owned 3 different Titanium Powerbooks. I have loved them all and I love OS X but they are getting stale. I wouldn't personally buy another G4. They are just too slow. The Dells and Sony Vaios with the High end Pentiums and faster buses run rings around the G4.

I WANT THE G5! Let's all write letters to Apple. NO MORE G4, NO MORE G4. Only G5's in the pro-line of computers. I thought this was the year of the Laptop!

weev · Aug 10, 2003, 11:36 PM

"Year of the MISSING Laptop"

punter · Aug 10, 2003, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by stefman
My local reseller is offering a 17" with free airport base station and iSight.

I love the 17" (although I would settle for a new Alu 15") and if I get all these goodies...well...it's hard to resist.

So, do I wait for a speed increase (or a 15" Alu) or go for this deal? Decisions, decisions

Go for the deal! An update of the 17" will SURELY have the g4 in it, so it won't be that much faster then the current model.

Plus we still don't know when this update will be.

neonart · Aug 10, 2003, 11:38 PM

I've been looking to update my iBook 466 for awhile now. I'd like to get either a 12" AlBook or a 15" TiBook. I'm ok with the current models, but I know at this point the minute I buy one of these, the next day new ones will be released and my purchase is worth $200 less (at least). Maybe the new models will have something I want, or maybe I can get a deal on a discontinued model.
But what's happening now creates a whole bunch of uncertainty on buyers and people hold back.
As soon as we hear the new specs and prices we'll know what to do and sales will boom.

Keeping your customers in the dark is horrible for business.

cb911 · Aug 11, 2003, 12:00 AM

i was just thinking before, "i wonder if there's any news on the PowerBook front?" then i came here and saw that there was a PowerBook rumors summary. this is interesting because MacRumors wouldn't write this sort of thing just out of the blue, right? something's got to be up?

I guess it's pretty much guaranteed that the new PowerBooks will use Moto's 7457, or else what is Apple waiting for? and a G5 PB has been ruled out for a long time...

i'm about to just go for a 17" PB from eBay, sick of all this waiting. sure if i get one now the new ones might have the 7457, but at least i'll be able to have it NOW!!

Powerbook G5 · Aug 11, 2003, 12:02 AM

Agreed, if I knew some details I'd either buy a Ti right away or hold off to immediately buy an updated 15" (or if they do preordered I'll preorder right then and there) either way, if Apple says anything about new PowerBooks, I know they will get some money from me.

Aug 10, 2003, 09:50 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	PowerBook Rumor Summary - Are They Coming? On June 3rd, a MacPolls.com poll revealed that 32.89% of readers were waiting primarily for PowerBook updates. Unfortunately, those readers are still waiting... nearly 9 weeks later. Previous Updates 15" PowerBooks were last updated in November 2002, with the introduction 1GHz machines with the Superdrive at the top end. 12" and 17" PowerBooks were introduced with little warning at Macworld San Francisco in January 2003. Almost immediately, rumors of a 15" PowerBook updates emerged. (Timeline available at BuyersGuide.MacRumors.com) Previous Rumors Numerous sites have suggested 15" PowerBook revisions over the past 7 months: MacWhispers (Feb), SpyMac (Feb), Kodawarisan (March), PowerPage.org (April), MacBidouile (May 14), RailHeadDesign (May), Kodawarisan ( June), MacWhispers (June), DigiTimes (June). In June, Apple dropped 12" and 15" PowerBook prices, which (in retrospect) may have hinted that PowerBook updates were not imminent. Rumors peaked pre-WWDC with one site emphatically claiming 970 PowerBooks were arriving. No PowerBooks arrived, and one Apple executive finally hinted that PowerBooks would not see the G5 processor "anytime soon". So When? Speculation and rumors have placed the Motorola MPC7457 PowerPC Processor into the next PowerBook revisions. The processor is expected to ship in Q4 2003, and reports from Appleinsider claim that the PowerBooks have been delayed due to the inability for Motorola to produce enough of these updated processors. Even with a Q4 ship date expectation, the most recent rumors from MacBidouille (of uncertain reliability) suggest August 18-19th as possible dates for product introductions... however, no other reliable sources have confirmed this timeframe. Beyond these dates, the next major consumer event from Apple is Apple Expo on September 16, 2003 in Paris, France. Last edited by arn : Aug 11, 2003 at 01:58 AM.

Aug 10, 2003, 10:02 PM	#3
MrMacMan macrumors 601 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: 1 Block away from NYC.	Yeah, lets Re-Cap something everyone wants, and yet, it still isn't out. arg. Come on, Apple and Moto, for one of the last time you guys will work with each other (I hope) please just get these OUT already! __________________ There is a little Steve in all of us! -->Folding is Fighting Against Disease and help MacRumors. Join Today!<-- Props to --> Shadowfax For Making My Avatar! IM Me On AIM Already!

Aug 10, 2003, 10:05 PM	#5
Billicus macrumors 6502a Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Charles City, Iowa	I *will* get a new computer before next year. I would really like that to be an updated 17" PowerBook. If Apple can't deliver...ah, who am I kidding, what would I buy, a Dell? But seriously, where are the frickin updates Apple? __________________ "...I know it's hard when you're up to your armpits in alligators to remember you came here to drain the swamp." - Ronald Reagan February 10, 1982

Aug 10, 2003, 10:21 PM	#8
Bruja macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lathrup Village, Mi	Oh where, oh where, have the pbks gone?.. Oh where, oh where, can they be ?? I still want to beleive.. __________________ Think for yourself & question authority

Aug 10, 2003, 10:30 PM	#9
Abercrombieboy macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: South Dakota, USA	My question is that Motorola announced that the new processors won't be released until the 4th Quarter. It's not the 4th Quarter yet, so my guess is it might still be a month or two until we see the Powerbooks or at least until they ship. __________________ Mac: 20" Aluminum iMac Core 2 Duo 2.4 Ghz, Mac OSX 10.6.1 iPod Touch 32 GB iPod Classic 80GB Silver Motorola Droid A855

Aug 10, 2003, 10:00 PM	#2
LegionCSUF macrumors member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Fresno, CA	Article summery: we still don't know a dang thing. But there was no new unfounded rumor today, so let's recap the old ones.

Aug 10, 2003, 10:05 PM	#4
Jerry Spoon macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Historic St. Charles	I'm almost thinking we'll see an apple PDA before PowerBook updates

Aug 10, 2003, 10:12 PM	#7
miradu macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jun 2003	maybe the recap was posted 'cause arn knows something he can't print.. just kidding. I ahve been waiting 3 months to get my new 12 inch powerbook.. i am hoping i can get it before labor day and school starting... I don't want to have to set up a new mac, and switch my life from windows while in school....

Aug 10, 2003, 10:35 PM	#10
Bruja macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lathrup Village, Mi	Apple appears to be thinking differently themselves. However, it defies logic and some since of "good business practice" if they wish to stay in the black. One last tidbit of thought befor the day is up: Let's say for some unknown reason, the release the updated products. If what they say is true about Moto, Would you really want a janky chip that may cause problems?? Maybe the real answer is to go to e-bay and get a cheaper priced book and wait until this crap is sorted out and this way, it would not interrupt productivity and Apple would kill to release an UP 2 DATE product because their new sales profit has gone through the floor?? Just a thought?? __________________ Think for yourself & question authority Last edited by Bruja : Aug 10, 2003 at 10:47 PM.

Aug 10, 2003, 10:42 PM	#11
paulie macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Saskatoon, Canada	Apple is missing out.. I would have paid an arm and a leg for the new Aluminum 15".. My buddy has the Titanium, and I fell in love with the size of that 15" screen. But, too late.. I'm heading off on the road, and I needed a good portable, so I got the 12-inch. I'm very happy with my purchase, but had Apple brought out a new 15" this summer, they would've made a lot of money off of a lot of people. sigh.. poor Apple.. I did get the 12" PB for the same price as the top-end 12" iBook, and they threw in an iSight for me.. so, didn't really go wrong at all.. __________________ "Only those who attempt the absurd will achieve the impossible." -- 20" iMac G5: 2Ghz G5, 1GB Dual-Channel DDR RAM, 250GB SATA 7200 rpm HD, 8x Superdrive, 128mb ATI 9600.

Aug 10, 2003, 10:54 PM	#13
bikertwin macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: This Old House	All these rumors about delayed PowerBooks worry me. I mean, if these units were designed to be shipped in May, does that mean they'll have 3-4 month old technology when they ship? DVD-recordable drives have made huge strides in the past two months (higher speeds, multiple formats), and widescreen high-resolution 15.4" screens (1680 x 1050 and 1920 x 1200) are even in Dells now. Here's hoping the new PowerBooks have stuff like that.

Aug 10, 2003, 11:09 PM	#15
Powerbook G5 macrumors 68040 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: St Augustine, FL	Well, hopefully it will be soon...they have to be released sometime, afterall...soon....soon...rocks back and forth...it will be soon...my precious... __________________ iMac, therefore, iAm.

Aug 10, 2003, 11:12 PM	#16
stefman macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2002	I'm tired of these weekly rumors! My local reseller is offering a 17" with free airport base station and iSight. I love the 17" (although I would settle for a new Alu 15") and if I get all these goodies...well...it's hard to resist. So, do I wait for a speed increase (or a 15" Alu) or go for this deal? Decisions, decisions

Aug 10, 2003, 11:25 PM	#18
e-coli macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Brooklyn	Re: I'm tired of these weekly rumors! ooops

Aug 10, 2003, 11:32 PM	#19
Powerbook G5 macrumors 68040 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: St Augustine, FL	Wow, that sounds like a great deal. I'd definitely take it. Seriously, the only things I can really think of coming to the new revisions are possibly 300 MHz bump in speed, maybe more cache, maybe an updated video card...it's nothing hugely to get excited about. A free iSight and Airport would definitely make up for that. __________________ iMac, therefore, iAm.

Aug 10, 2003, 11:34 PM	#20
digitalbiker macrumors 65816 Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: The Road	Who cares about another Motorolla update? I have owned 3 different Titanium Powerbooks. I have loved them all and I love OS X but they are getting stale. I wouldn't personally buy another G4. They are just too slow. The Dells and Sony Vaios with the High end Pentiums and faster buses run rings around the G4. I WANT THE G5! Let's all write letters to Apple. NO MORE G4, NO MORE G4. Only G5's in the pro-line of computers. I thought this was the year of the Laptop!

Aug 10, 2003, 11:36 PM	#21
weev macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Sydney, Australia	"Year of the MISSING Laptop"

Aug 10, 2003, 11:38 PM	#23
neonart macrumors 65816 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Near a Mac.	I've been looking to update my iBook 466 for awhile now. I'd like to get either a 12" AlBook or a 15" TiBook. I'm ok with the current models, but I know at this point the minute I buy one of these, the next day new ones will be released and my purchase is worth $200 less (at least). Maybe the new models will have something I want, or maybe I can get a deal on a discontinued model. But what's happening now creates a whole bunch of uncertainty on buyers and people hold back. As soon as we hear the new specs and prices we'll know what to do and sales will boom. Keeping your customers in the dark is horrible for business. __________________ MBP 2.4Ghz • 4GB • 400GB Olympus E3 & Panasonic L1 • Leica 25 ƒ1.4 • Leica 14-50 ƒ2.8-3.5 • Leica 14-150 ƒ3.5-5.6 • Zuiko 50 ƒ2 • Zuiko 70-300 ƒ4-5.6 • FL-36R

Aug 11, 2003, 12:00 AM	#24
cb911 macrumors 68040 Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: BrisVegas, Australia	i was just thinking before, "i wonder if there's any news on the PowerBook front?" then i came here and saw that there was a PowerBook rumors summary. this is interesting because MacRumors wouldn't write this sort of thing just out of the blue, right? something's got to be up? I guess it's pretty much guaranteed that the new PowerBooks will use Moto's 7457, or else what is Apple waiting for? and a G5 PB has been ruled out for a long time... i'm about to just go for a 17" PB from eBay, sick of all this waiting. sure if i get one now the new ones might have the 7457, but at least i'll be able to have it NOW!! __________________ Thankyou Mr George Hotz for the 1.1.2 & 1.1.3 OTB iPhone unlock solution!

Aug 11, 2003, 12:02 AM	#25
Powerbook G5 macrumors 68040 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: St Augustine, FL	Agreed, if I knew some details I'd either buy a Ti right away or hold off to immediately buy an updated 15" (or if they do preordered I'll preorder right then and there) either way, if Apple says anything about new PowerBooks, I know they will get some money from me. __________________ iMac, therefore, iAm.

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