The "New-Powerbooks-Launch-Date-Guessing-Thread"

[toughboy]

[*] WWDC —> (MON June 28)

 

[Zaty]

Any confirmed date for Macworld Paris Expo 2004 ?

Not that I know of. I just assumed it would take place at around the same as last year i.e. mid September.

 

[srobert]

First post updated. We now have the official date for Apple Expo Paris.

It seems that more and more people predict that the next Powerbook revision will sport a G4 processor.

 

[crenz]

I guess April, with a minor revision (G4). G5 PowerBooks? Probably at the end of the year.

Hopefully, there'll be a new consumer Mac soon...

 

[Music-Producer]

I have pretty reliable information from a source that I was skeptical about initially..but till now everything has been accurate (except for the ipod mini). I recieved this in November 2003 and its now March 2004. The latest macrumors report about the iPod with a video out confirmed that this source is 99.5% accurate.

The PowerBook G5 will be launched during the WWDC Keynote in June 2004:

15 " PBG5 @ 1.8Ghz with 512 MB RAM & 60 GB SATA150 HDD
with SuperDrive - $2499

17 " PBG5 @2 GHz with 512 MB RAM & 80 GB SATA150 HDD
with SuperDrive - $2999

The powerbook G4 will come out at 1.33 Ghz, 15", Superdrive and 512 MB Ram at $1999 - (Killer price for a killer laptop)

May 2004 will see a price reduction in the PB G4:

15 " PB G4 combo (current models): $1599
15" PB G4 Superdrive : $1999
17" PB G$ with Superdrive : $2299 (Excellent value)

Btw, for all the whiners out there complaining about the iPod's cost:

Aug-Dec 2004 : 20 gb iPod : $99

iPod AV 40 GB : $199
iPod AV 60 GB : $399

Enjoy the wait!

 

[aswitcher]

I have pretty reliable information from a source that I was skeptical about initially..but till now everything has been accurate (except for the ipod mini). I recieved this in November 2003 and its now March 2004. The latest macrumors report about the iPod with a video out confirmed that this source is 99.5% accurate.

The PowerBook G5 will be launched during the WWDC Keynote in June 2004:

15 " PBG5 @ 1.8Ghz with 512 MB RAM & 60 GB SATA150 HDD
with SuperDrive - $2499

17 " PBG5 @2 GHz with 512 MB RAM & 80 GB SATA150 HDD
with SuperDrive - $2999

SNIP

Aug-Dec 2004 : 20 gb iPod : $99

iPod AV 40 GB : $199
iPod AV 60 GB : $399

Enjoy the wait!

I wish this were all true...$99 20Gig iPod seems insane...

Can you get more info of your source on the config of the G5PB...Bus, Ram arrangement, graphics cards, new features...

 

[wordmunger]

15 " PBG5 @ 1.8Ghz with 512 MB RAM & 60 GB SATA150 HDD
with SuperDrive - $2499

I *so* hope this is true. Slap an 80 GB HD in there and it's SOLD!

That would be at least 4 times faster than my current computer!

 

[Music-Producer]

I know the $99 price is insane..makes sense though considering Microsoft is thinking of launching an 'ipod killer'. With every product line, prices always start off high and then as production increases, prices keep dropping.

This is what I have for the PB G5:

15 " 1280x854 TFT widescreen
1.8 Ghz IBM PowerPC
512 k L2 Cache
Radeon Mobility 9650 - 64MB
60 GB 5200 rpm 2.5" SATA 150
Superdrive
2 USB2, 1 FW400 and 1 FW800
Airport Card

For the 17"..the Graphics card has been boosted to 128 MB..everything else is the same. I don't have any info on the bus speeds, etc..I need to know that though since it makes a huge difference when it comes to making music and handling 64 audio tracks..with plug ins.

Aug 2004.. SuperDrive Hi-Capacity will be launched. This will enable 8.5 GB dual layer DVDs to be recorded..sweet!

Typo for the ipod prices : Its Aug-Dec 2005 NOT Aug-Dec 2004

 

[aswitcher]

I know the $99 price is insane..makes sense though considering Microsoft is thinking of launching an 'ipod killer'. With every product line, prices always start off high and then as production increases, prices keep dropping.

This is what I have for the PB G5:

15 " 1280x854 TFT widescreen
1.8 Ghz IBM PowerPC
512 k L2 Cache
Radeon Mobility 9650 - 64MB
60 GB 5200 rpm 2.5" SATA 150
Superdrive
2 USB2, 1 FW400 and 1 FW800
Airport Card

Ok, assuming your not Neat Gekko under a new newbiw name

So same screen resolution...
Slightly better graphics card...
I assume gigabit ethernet as well
I assume airport extreme

For the 17"..the Graphics card has been boosted to 128 MB..everything else is the same. I don't have any info on the bus speeds, etc..I need to know that though since it makes a huge difference when it comes to making music and handling 64 audio tracks..with plug ins.

Shame you don't know about bus and ram arrangement...these could be 4 slot (Ie max ram 4 gig) machines...

Aug 2004.. SuperDrive Hi-Capacity will be launched. This will enable 8.5 GB dual layer DVDs to be recorded..sweet!

Again, something incredible and new...

Is that all your new stuff? Anything else? Are you Neat Gekko?

 

[Music-Producer]

Is that all your new stuff? Anything else? Are you Neat Gekko?[/QUOTE]

Nope..I'm not Neat Gekko. There's a report about the SuperDrive HC or High Capacity. Apparently it talks about 27 GB capacity DVDs and burning capability.

 

[aswitcher]

Is that all your new stuff? Anything else? Are you Neat Gekko?

Nope..I'm not Neat Gekko. There's a report about the SuperDrive HC or High Capacity. Apparently it talks about 27 GB capacity DVDs and burning capability.[/QUOTE]

Sure there is all that BlueRay stuff that is being designed...But its new and expensive, standards are not necessarily agreed on, media will be costly...

 

[Music-Producer]

Nope..I'm not Neat Gekko. There's a report about the SuperDrive HC or High Capacity. Apparently it talks about 27 GB capacity DVDs and burning capability.

Sure there is all that BlueRay stuff that is being designed...But its new and expensive, standards are not necessarily agreed on, media will be costly...[/QUOTE]

Media might be costly but there are professionals who need it. I for one, am not at all satisfied with 4.7 GB data storage on one disc. Some Pro Tools sessions (especially HD sessions with 128-256 tracks) run into 8-9 GB of data and even more. We do backup on Hard Drives..but I would always backup to more media if given the choice. For video-editing and audio professionals..we dream about limitless storage capabilities.

 

[srobert]

we dream about limitless storage capabilities.

That's holo-drive storage for you ^_^

But it's still far away. But I've heard of optical circuitry being developped a few weeks ago so I guess we're progressing in the right direction.

No Powerbook 12" rumors?

Man, those iPod specs seems totally unreal. Why would they sell a $100 20 GB iPods when they can't even keep up woth the demand of $250 4GB iPod mini. If they could come up with such an iPod, I'd still sell it for $200 and rake in $100 more on my profit margin makin it one of the best money maker in history. I will only beleive when I see... and I don't expect to see this anytime soon.

 

[Music-Producer]

That's holo-drive storage for you ^_^

But it's still far away. But I've heard of optical circuitry being developped a few weeks ago so I guess we're progressing in the right direction.

No Powerbook 12" rumors?

Man, those iPod specs seems totally unreal. Why would they sell a $100 20 GB iPods when they can't even keep up woth the demand of $250 4GB iPod mini. If they could come up with such an iPod, I'd still sell it for $200 and rake in $100 more on my profit margin makin it one of the best money maker in history. I will only beleive when I see... and I don't expect to see this anytime soon.

Well you won't see the 20 GB ipod anytime soon..its scheduled for Aug-Dec 2005. Thats more than a year from now, by then it will probably face intense competition from other mp3 players. From a reseller or manufacturer's point of view this makes complete sense. In 2005 hard drive technology will be much more advanced and it would make complete economical sense to manufacture and market 20 gb mp3 players for $99.

Look at the Sony TRV-19 Camcorder (Mini DV).. 5 months ago it was $699..now its at $499. Its all about profitability.

 

[Music-Producer]

12 " PB G4s will only see a price drop:

12 " Combo G4 : $1299
12 " Super Drive G4 : $1499

 

[aswitcher]

12 " PB G4s will only see a price drop:

12 " Combo G4 : $1299
12 " Super Drive G4 : $1499

So no backlit keyboard, no 64 meg graphics card, no bluetooth as standard...

 

[aswitcher]

Well you won't see the 20 GB ipod anytime soon..its scheduled for Aug-Dec 2005. Thats more than a year from now, by then it will probably face intense competition from other mp3 players. From a reseller or manufacturer's point of view this makes complete sense. In 2005 hard drive technology will be much more advanced and it would make complete economical sense to manufacture and market 20 gb mp3 players for $99.

SNIP.

So no new iPods this year then? (2004)
And no new iPods for almost 18 months?

Doesn't seem right...

If your legit then your source seems questionable...

What about iPod mini prices/HDD size over the next few years?

 

[srobert]

12 " PB G4s will only see a price drop:

12 " Combo G4 : $1299
12 " Super Drive G4 : $1499

I was already thinking that the 12" powerbook was more a high-end iBook... it seems that I'll be even more the case after the next revision. Apple! just put it in a white plastic case and end the transvestite! You gotta come out of the closet mr. 12"

 

[live4ever]

What does everyone think the Powerbook G5 will look like?
My guess is something to distinguish it from the current line of G4s like carbon fiber.

 

[aswitcher]

What does everyone think the Powerbook G5 will look like?
My guess is something to distinguish it from the current line of G4s like carbon fiber.

Mmm. Not sure. They have to keep the corporate look, so no colours.
Would people like a slightly raised surface pattern rather than the slick burshed look to make it less slippery and more resistant to noticable scratching?

Since its Panther, I did wonder if they might go back to black or a form of black, but then they would just blend in with the PC crowd...

 

[cr2sh]

What does everyone think the Powerbook G5 will look like?

Darker brushed metal.

 

[aswitcher]

Darker brushed metal.

That could work. Hopefully it would be even more scratch resistant because scratches will be more obvious on a darker finish. Nice if this coincides with a OSX update that matches the darker brushed metal look.

 

[Music-Producer]

So no new iPods this year then? (2004)
And no new iPods for almost 18 months?

Doesn't seem right...

If your legit then your source seems questionable...

What about iPod mini prices/HDD size over the next few years?

I'm merely quoting what I see in the information that was given to me. Details about backlit keyboard, etc. are not mentioned.

The only information on the ipods were the ones I have posted.. i.e. 20 GB ipod for $99; ipod AV 40 gb and ipod AV 60 GB - Aug-Dec 2005.

MacWorld San Francisco (Jan 2006) is expected to launch the PowerMac G5e:

Upto Dual 4.5 Ghz PowerPC 980+
2x1MB L2 cache @4.5 Ghz
2 GB dual channel DDR2-667 RAM
ATI Radeon 9650 e Pro (256 mb)
240 GB 10k rpm SATA 300 HDD with 16 mb buffer
Superdrive HC

-$2499

The new G6s will be code named POWER6 Light. Just reading that report and the "POWER6 Light" name was heavenly.

 

[aswitcher]

I'm merely quoting what I see in the information that was given to me. Details about backlit keyboard, etc. are not mentioned.

The only information on the ipods were the ones I have posted.. i.e. 20 GB ipod for $99; ipod AV 40 gb and ipod AV 60 GB - Aug-Dec 2005.

MacWorld San Francisco (Jan 2006) is expected to launch the PowerMac G5e:

Upto Dual 4.5 Ghz PowerPC 980+
2x1MB L2 cache @4.5 Ghz
2 GB dual channel DDR2-667 RAM
ATI Radeon 9650 e Pro (256 mb)
240 GB 10k rpm SATA 300 HDD with 16 mb buffer
Superdrive HC

-$2499

The new G6s will be code named POWER6 Light. Just reading that report and the "POWER6 Light" name was heavenly.

This is 20+ months away and seems pretty incredible...but given the benefit of the doubt and a happy interest to speculate...

What else do you have in that "report" you haven't mentioned?

New mouse?
Cube?
Wireless screen?
Multimedia centre?
Quad processors?
New Airports?
A/V ipod?
Apple PDA?
eMac replacement/upgrades?
New iSight A/V?
New iLife features?
New Apple speakers?

 

[Opteron]

What does everyone think the Powerbook G5 will look like?
My guess is something to distinguish it from the current line of G4s like carbon fiber.

I'd consider a carbonfibe shell G5, Powerbook.
But it would have to out perform an Athlon-64 notebook.