Is this a Powerbook/Macbook Pro prototype?

jpo287 · 09:24 PM

I recently bought a Macbook Pro for parts. It was actually listed as a Powerbook but the specs stated it had an intel processor and I could clearly see the camera above the lcd in the picture so I just assumed the seller was confused/wrong. When it arrived though, it clearly had a Powerbook logo on the lcd cover. The odd thing is that the logo is finished just like the Macbook Pro logo. That is to say, it has a chrome/metallic finish as opposed to being printed on. In addition, the botton of the top case (keyboard assembly) also says Powerbook. I looked the serial number up and it has a build date of Nov. of 2005 which is 7 months before the first MBP's shipped.

The specs are: 2.16 DUO (shows up as 1.83 though), ATI with 256MB memory and it has a glossy screen.

I am pretty sure this is a prototype which is not really a big deal but I am confused about the logo/name.

Is this really a Powerbook with an Intel processor? Did Apple start off keeping the Powerbook name with the Intel processors and then change their mind? Does anyone have any history of the Intel transition?

Here are a few pics that might help:

thewireman · May 21, 2009, 09:42 PM

Its a property of Microsoft...

J/K but NICE FIND!

By the way, I've notice that it has an iSight and Powerbook never gotten one. This is really special find. For sure. Just like that Prototype Macbook Air.

Also, Under Powerbook name never had Intels.

angemon89 · May 21, 2009, 09:54 PM

That has to be a prototype. There's no explanation for the powerbook logo + isight camera on the same bezel.

Plus the label on the superdrive.

Nice find. How much did you pay for it?

thewireman · May 21, 2009, 09:54 PM

What kind of RAM does it use? DDR2?

angemon89 · May 21, 2009, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpo287

Did Apple start off keeping the Powerbook name with the Intel processors and then change their mind? Does anyone have any history of the Intel transition?

Apple tried putting a G5 processor in the powerbook but that resulted in a machine with less performance per watt. I believe that's when they started to look elsewhere and ended up looking into intel processors. This could have been (probably is) one of those first machines they tested with an intel processor.

I am sure the name "powerbook" was probably one of the last things they changed about it, and that is why your prototype still has powerbook written on it. They wanted to make sure they had a capable machine before they even thought of changing its name.

jpo287 · May 21, 2009, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thewireman

What kind of RAM does it use? DDR2?

it uses DDR2 memory. It really looks exactly like the early MBP. The only difference I can find is it is called a Powerbook still.

thewireman · May 21, 2009, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angemon89

Apple tried putting a G5 processor in the powerbook but that resulted in a machine with less performance per watt. I believe that's when they started to look elsewhere and ended up looking into intel processors. This could have been (probably is) one of those first machines they tested with an intel processor.

I am sure the name "powerbook" was probably one of the last things they changed about it, and that is why your prototype still has powerbook written on it. They wanted to make sure they had a capable machine before they even thought of changing its name.

I agree....

TheSandman2236 · May 21, 2009, 10:15 PM

Holy **** this is awesome, very nice find. Can you get it up and running with screen shots of the specs etc?

jpo287 · May 21, 2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angemon89

I am sure the name "powerbook" was probably one of the last things they changed about it, and that is why your prototype still has powerbook written on it. They wanted to make sure they had a capable machine before they even thought of changing the name of it.

That makes sense but why would they change the "look" of the icon or name if they weren't planning on keeping the name.

ziggyonice · May 21, 2009, 10:16 PM

Wow... that is actually quite awesome and could probably be worth something.

A sort of PowerBook/MBP hybrid...
*gasp*... A PowerBook G5... !

TheSandman2236 · May 21, 2009, 10:17 PM

Can you take a bunch more pictures?

jpo287 · May 21, 2009, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSandman2236

Holy **** this is awesome, very nice find. Can you get it up and running with screen shots of the specs etc?

I'm actually using it right now. Here's a quick screen shot

thewireman · May 21, 2009, 10:23 PM

Better call Apple.......

jpo287 · 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSandman2236

Can you take a bunch more pictures?

Here's one more showing the Powerbook name on the bottom of the top case. My other MBP ( it's an early 1.83 DUO as well) only has the FCC legal stuff there - no name whatsoever.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thewireman

Better call Apple.......

Thought I might call the local Apple store tomorrow.

thewireman · May 21, 2009, 10:27 PM

Keep the pictures coming man!

spinnerlys · May 21, 2009, 10:30 PM

Why call Apple?

I don't know about the legal ramifications of possessing an Apple prototype, but make sure, that by contacting Apple, you will not get into trouble.

Eddyisgreat · May 21, 2009, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spinnerlys

Why call Apple?

I don't know about the legal ramifications of possessing an Apple prototype, but make sure, that by contacting Apple, you will not get into trouble.

He obtained it through a legitimate sale. If anyone would get in trouble it'd be the guy that ripped it off from Apple in the first place. Probably gone or moved into a different department now.

Shake 'n' Bake · May 21, 2009, 10:35 PM

Just to confirm that it is a prototype I ran the serial # through a decoder and got nothing.

Really nice find. How much did you pay for it? You could probably get $1500 or more.

FYI, a few months someone posted here and discovered that their MBP had a prototype AirPort card in it. The logic board was green and it said "Apple Development Team" somewhere.

jpo287 · May 21, 2009, 10:35 PM

I'll try to get some more tomorrow. It may be late though as my wife is expecting (past due actually) and we could get stuck at the doctors/hospital.

ziggyonice · May 21, 2009, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpo287

I'll try to get some more tomorrow. It may be late though as my wife is expecting (past due actually) and we could get stuck at the doctors/hospital.

Congrats dude!

thewireman · May 21, 2009, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spinnerlys

Why call Apple?

I don't know about the legal ramifications of possessing an Apple prototype, but make sure, that by contacting Apple, you will not get into trouble.

Remember the ol' Prototype Macbook Air forum?

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthre...pe+macbook+air

Just to be sure.

Eddyisgreat · May 21, 2009, 10:37 PM

wow your getting lucky all over the place (pun intended

) wanna tell me the next lotto numbers?

Peace · May 21, 2009, 10:38 PM

seems weird to me.Somethings not right with this.

jpo287 · May 21, 2009, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shake 'n' Bake

Just to confirm that it is a prototype I ran the serial # through a decoder and got nothing.

I found a decoder online (German site I think) and it said it was built in Nov of 2005 and was the first built that week at China plant #8 or something like that - W8546001UTM

spinnerlys · May 21, 2009, 10:40 PM

Can't she wait until you confirmed the MBP's status? Priorities, Priorities, Priorities.

Just kidding, good luck to your wife and you giving birth. It's quite an experience. And don't forget about the epidural.

May 21, 2009, 09:20 PM	#1
jpo287 macrumors member Join Date: May 2009	Is this a Powerbook/Macbook Pro prototype? I recently bought a Macbook Pro for parts. It was actually listed as a Powerbook but the specs stated it had an intel processor and I could clearly see the camera above the lcd in the picture so I just assumed the seller was confused/wrong. When it arrived though, it clearly had a Powerbook logo on the lcd cover. The odd thing is that the logo is finished just like the Macbook Pro logo. That is to say, it has a chrome/metallic finish as opposed to being printed on. In addition, the botton of the top case (keyboard assembly) also says Powerbook. I looked the serial number up and it has a build date of Nov. of 2005 which is 7 months before the first MBP's shipped. The specs are: 2.16 DUO (shows up as 1.83 though), ATI with 256MB memory and it has a glossy screen. I am pretty sure this is a prototype which is not really a big deal but I am confused about the logo/name. Is this really a Powerbook with an Intel processor? Did Apple start off keeping the Powerbook name with the Intel processors and then change their mind? Does anyone have any history of the Intel transition? Here are a few pics that might help: Last edited by jpo287 : May 21, 2009 at 09:24 PM. Reason: clarification on question

May 21, 2009, 09:42 PM	#2
thewireman macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Michigan	Its a property of Microsoft... J/K but NICE FIND! By the way, I've notice that it has an iSight and Powerbook never gotten one. This is really special find. For sure. Just like that Prototype Macbook Air. Also, Under Powerbook name never had Intels. __________________ PowerMac G5 Dual 2.0, 6GB RAM, Nvidia 7800GS 512MB DDR3 15" Powerbook G4 1.67, 2GB RAM, 80GB 8GB iPhone eMac 700, 1GB RAM, 200GB, DVD DL-RW

May 21, 2009, 09:54 PM	#3
angemon89 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The place where Apple designs stuff	That has to be a prototype. There's no explanation for the powerbook logo + isight camera on the same bezel. Plus the label on the superdrive. Nice find. How much did you pay for it? __________________ 13" MacBook Pro, White iPhone 3GS Assembled in China

May 21, 2009, 09:54 PM	#4
thewireman macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Michigan	What kind of RAM does it use? DDR2? __________________ PowerMac G5 Dual 2.0, 6GB RAM, Nvidia 7800GS 512MB DDR3 15" Powerbook G4 1.67, 2GB RAM, 80GB 8GB iPhone eMac 700, 1GB RAM, 200GB, DVD DL-RW

May 21, 2009, 10:16 PM	#10
ziggyonice macrumors 68000 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Rural America	Wow... that is actually quite awesome and could probably be worth something. A sort of PowerBook/MBP hybrid... gasp... A PowerBook G5... ! __________________ I was once a Jedi Knight, the same as your father. MacBook Pro [First Generation] \| 2.16GHz \| 2GB RAM \| 120GB HD \| Mac OS X (10.6.1) iPhone 3G \| 16GB \| White

May 21, 2009, 10:15 PM	#8
TheSandman2236 macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chicago, IL	Holy **** this is awesome, very nice find. Can you get it up and running with screen shots of the specs etc? __________________ Dell 3007WFP-HC + 2TB Drobo Aluminum Macbook Pro C2D 2.4Ghz + 4GB + 320GB HD + Superdrive + Nvidia Geforce 9600m

May 21, 2009, 10:17 PM	#11
TheSandman2236 macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chicago, IL	Can you take a bunch more pictures? __________________ Dell 3007WFP-HC + 2TB Drobo Aluminum Macbook Pro C2D 2.4Ghz + 4GB + 320GB HD + Superdrive + Nvidia Geforce 9600m

May 21, 2009, 10:23 PM	#13
thewireman macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Michigan	Better call Apple....... __________________ PowerMac G5 Dual 2.0, 6GB RAM, Nvidia 7800GS 512MB DDR3 15" Powerbook G4 1.67, 2GB RAM, 80GB 8GB iPhone eMac 700, 1GB RAM, 200GB, DVD DL-RW

May 21, 2009, 10:27 PM	#15
thewireman macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Michigan	Keep the pictures coming man! __________________ PowerMac G5 Dual 2.0, 6GB RAM, Nvidia 7800GS 512MB DDR3 15" Powerbook G4 1.67, 2GB RAM, 80GB 8GB iPhone eMac 700, 1GB RAM, 200GB, DVD DL-RW

May 21, 2009, 10:30 PM	#16
spinnerlys macrumors 68040 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: with the serial eye	Why call Apple? I don't know about the legal ramifications of possessing an Apple prototype, but make sure, that by contacting Apple, you will not get into trouble. __________________ Like posting redundant threads? --> --> --> anonymous self help group: MRoogle propaganda I decided to be an obnoxious arse today ... or how to butcher your mother's tongue.

May 21, 2009, 10:35 PM	#18
Shake 'n' Bake macrumors 68020 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Albany	Just to confirm that it is a prototype I ran the serial # through a decoder and got nothing. Really nice find. How much did you pay for it? You could probably get $1500 or more. FYI, a few months someone posted here and discovered that their MBP had a prototype AirPort card in it. The logic board was green and it said "Apple Development Team" somewhere. __________________ Maybe Motorola got some inspiration from the ad in my avatar.

May 21, 2009, 10:35 PM	#19
jpo287 Thread Starter macrumors member Join Date: May 2009	pics I'll try to get some more tomorrow. It may be late though as my wife is expecting (past due actually) and we could get stuck at the doctors/hospital.

May 21, 2009, 10:37 PM	#22
Eddyisgreat macrumors 68000 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Seattle, Wa	wow your getting lucky all over the place (pun intended ) wanna tell me the next lotto numbers? __________________ 2.5 Penryn MBP (4GB, 80 GB x25-m) + ACD 20", 32Gb Black iPhone 3G S⃣ Tuned by Jobs™ , G-Drive Q , G-Drive G-Raid Mini I live within walking distance of an Apple Store.

May 21, 2009, 10:38 PM	#23
Peace macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: On The Home Screen	seems weird to me.Somethings not right with this. Attached Thumbnails Attached Images

May 21, 2009, 10:40 PM	#25
spinnerlys macrumors 68040 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: with the serial eye	Can't she wait until you confirmed the MBP's status? Priorities, Priorities, Priorities. Just kidding, good luck to your wife and you giving birth. It's quite an experience. And don't forget about the epidural. __________________ Like posting redundant threads? --> --> --> anonymous self help group: MRoogle propaganda I decided to be an obnoxious arse today ... or how to butcher your mother's tongue.

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