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Wait for powerbook intel or buy now?

just go ahead and buy one now, sure, you could wait a year, but then, you will have had a whole year where you couldn't have enjoyed having a nice powerbook.

besides, your going to want to wait untill a later intel revision anyway, so they can work out all the bugs, get a dual core, get 64-bit, and most importantly, so there is some software optimized for it. as fast as any new intel pb will be, a ppc running ppc software natively will almost certainly be faster then rosetta emulating it.
 
~Shard~ said:
I say if you need a PowerBook now, and the current PowerBooks will handle all your needs, buy one. There will always be something bigger and better down the road, and your purchase will be obsolete the day you buy it, whether it's now or 6 months from now, so buy what you need, when you need it and you should be happy and have no regrets. The current PowerBooks are definitely great machines, and there is always the possibility that the first batch of Intel-based PowerMacs may have some issues, as with any Rev A machine, so this may be a reason to be cautious when buying one of the first ones.

It's your decision in the end though. :cool:
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thanks for the input. you're right, it's just i'm one of those that always has to have the top-of-the-line stuff, and i usually find a way to get the most recent stuff somehow. haven't been able to get an apple laptop yet though. we'll see what happens. if i get more serious, i'll be back asking more questions
 
twoodcc said:
thanks for the input. you're right, it's just i'm one of those that always has to have the top-of-the-line stuff, and i usually find a way to get the most recent stuff somehow. haven't been able to get an apple laptop yet though. we'll see what happens. if i get more serious, i'll be back asking more questions
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No problem. If you have any other questions, just post them! :cool:
 
twoodcc said:
thanks for the input. you're right, it's just i'm one of those that always has to have the top-of-the-line stuff, and i usually find a way to get the most recent stuff somehow. haven't been able to get an apple laptop yet though. we'll see what happens. if i get more serious, i'll be back asking more questions
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Hehe, look on the bright side, if you do get this generation of PB, you'll have the most recent and top-of-the-line G4 PowerBook ever. Apple probably won't update the PB again before Intel! :D
 
plasticparadox said:
Hehe, look on the bright side, if you do get this generation of PB, you'll have the most recent and top-of-the-line G4 PowerBook ever. Apple probably won't update the PB again before Intel! :D
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Precisely. And to some people who are wary of the move to Intel, or at least of the initial batch of Intel machines, those last PPC machines might be worth something! ;)
 
well here is my thoughts, and this is a historical problem with apple and all computer companies for that matter, the Powerbook Intel whenver it will come out will be a first generation AND a first attempt, so you have a double whammie with that, there is likely to be quirks and or mistakes with it and it will probably be a little while before they come out. The best decision honestly, is to buy an ibook and wait a year and a half for a 2nd gen intel pbook to come out, this is unless you need a 15" or 17" screen w/high res than i would get a pbook now, because they are proven performers
good luck

ipodrocker said:
hi guys & gals, im in the market for the new powerbooks right and my main question do i wait for the intels or will i get one at christmas

any ideas in what order the intels will roll out? i.e are the powerbooks going to last ??

thanks
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transition

i think apple has a very very tough time ahead making this transition.

not only is it about new machines, new chips, it is about the os and third party software, keeping the installed user base happy...

what a total mess.

i would guess that updating the pro line first makes sense, so that it creates a new and higher level of performance that pros would want to have and that the 'consumer' uuser group would then aspire to.

as to pbooks being first in line... i don't think so.

the pmac seems logical, as the existing case can be used and there's plenty of room to fit things in. whereas the pbook will undoubtably be a ground up total redesign including new form factor.

PLUS steve already used a pmac running an intel at one of the events earlier this year. how easy is that?

as much as this transition could be putting a damper on sales now, it probably will be a boon for apple and software makers later, as 'everyone' will want to switch. sadly for us users, our current machines and those we are buying now, will drop in value a lot. that is what happened with the quadra and prior machines when osx came along and was only compatible with g3 and later g4 and g5. there will be an ongoing secondhand market for these machines, as some companies with 'many' machines, will not want to make the switch immediately, due to cost, apprehension of the new system (bugs), software availability etc.

the timing of this transition is unfortunate, in the sense that the increasing number of current switchers are going to feel dissatisfied at having switched to a platform that is going to require yet a further switch.

so i say that pbooks will not be the first to upgrade, but they will not be the last. if things take a bit longer to produce than expected, i could easily see another pbook g4 upgrade next year. why not?

steve does have a way of doing the unexpected though.

that said, i need to update my g3 ibook and the new pbook15" is stunning and seems to be what i need, so buy buy buy i will.:)
 
panda said:
i would guess that updating the pro line first makes sense, so that it creates a new and higher level of performance that pros would want to have and that the 'consumer' uuser group would then aspire to.
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No, the Pro line will be the last line to go Intel. Apple wants to iron out some initial potential kinks in the consumer line first, but more importantly, they want to give developers enough time to to port all the Pro-specific apps to Intel. The Pro machines will be the last machines to go Intel, at least the PowerMacs...

panda said:
as to pbooks being first in line... i don't think so.
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I agree, but with the recent average update to the line, it makes me think perhaps they are moving a bit sooner rather than later to Intel, as the current offerings would not be able to hold out for an entire year until Merom is available. As a result, perhaps we will see Yonah PowerBooks? Guess we'll see...

I think the Mac mini will go Intel as well as the iBook relatively quickly. Who knows, maybe we'll even see Apple utilize Dothan...

panda said:
the pmac seems logical, as the existing case can be used and there's plenty of room to fit things in.
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There is no way the PowerMac will be the first Mac to go Intel. I will bet you money on it and win. :cool: Apple just updated the machines to the dual core configuration which will tide people over for a while. Expect a speed bump and minor updates mid-2006, but I do not see any Intel-based PowerMacs being in the hands of consumers until 2007. Apple is eyeing Conroe and Woodcrest and since these are not available until the last half of 2006, we will not be seeing anything until 2007. :cool:

panda said:
PLUS steve already used a pmac running an intel at one of the events earlier this year. how easy is that?
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Yes, but it was on a P4. Apple did not decide to make this monumental shift just so they could run crappy outdated P4s in their machines. It's about dual core and low power consumption. Apple is eyeing Conroe, Merom and Woodcrest, not old P4 technology. :cool:

panda said:
the timing of this transition is unfortunate, in the sense that the increasing number of current switchers are going to feel dissatisfied at having switched to a platform that is going to require yet a further switch.
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Yes, but once Intel machines start hitting the market (they will be shipping by WWDC) potential switchers will have an easier decision to make, in some respects, as they will be able to compare more similar specs to what they're familiar with in their PC world. Right now comparing PPC and Intel is like Apples and oranges, you get caught up in the megahertz myth, etc. - by comparing similar Intel offerings, this will make it a bit less confusing for potential switchers.

panda said:
so i say that pbooks will not be the first to upgrade, but they will not be the last. if things take a bit longer to produce than expected, i could easily see another pbook g4 upgrade next year. why not?
Click to expand...

I agree with this. As I said, the question will be whether Apple goes with Yonah or Merom. If Apple did want to update the PowerBooks with one more G4 offering, they could always drop in a 7448, but I see this is unlikely.
 
plasticparadox said:
Hehe, look on the bright side, if you do get this generation of PB, you'll have the most recent and top-of-the-line G4 PowerBook ever. Apple probably won't update the PB again before Intel! :D
Click to expand...

i guess that's one way to look at it. if only the 12" got the same updates the 15" and 17" did, i would probably be set on the 12" if i had the opportunity to get one. but i don't know if i wanna spend $2000 on that 15" and have to carry it around and stuff. i just don't know. i'm used to my 14" widescreen pc laptop, and at one point i wished i had gotten a smaller one. but i'm used to it now, and i don't know, a 12" might be too small. i'll just have to go to the apple store and compare
 
You could always wait until the Intel Macs are out, and then buy a second-hand PPC Mac - values will drop sharply once the new Macs are in the shops.
 
stevep said:
You could always wait until the Intel Macs are out, and then buy a second-hand PPC Mac - values will drop sharply once the new Macs are in the shops.
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Or will they be more valuable as many people may not want the first run of Intel machines (or Intel machines at all, for that matter!) and they will become sought after items! ;)
 
~Shard~ said:
Or will they be more valuable as many people may not want the first run of Intel machines (or Intel machines at all, for that matter!) and they will become sought after items! ;)
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1. As a general rule of thumb I would say that there aren't that many computers that actually appreciate in value.
2. Why are people so hung up about the first gen Intel Macs being lemons? Its not as if Intel are new to chip manufacture, and I don't think Apple are exactly going to assemble a machine on the night before the big (Intel) day. After all, the announcement was made so that developers have the time to prepare. Apple have too much to lose to risk bringing out a less-than-satisfactory product.
 
stevep said:
1. As a general rule of thumb I would say that there aren't that many computers that actually appreciate in value.
2. Why are people so hung up about the first gen Intel Macs being lemons? Its not as if Intel are new to chip manufacture, and I don't think Apple are exactly going to assemble a machine on the night before the big (Intel) day. After all, the announcement was made so that developers have the time to prepare. Apple have too much to lose to risk bringing out a less-than-satisfactory product.
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Notice the wink? I was just having some fun. ;)

And yes, I don't think the first batch of Intels will be lemons by any means, but there are bound to be a few hiccups, as there always is with any Rev A of a product, PPC, Intel or otherwise. As you say, Apple has a long time to develop the systems and get it right, so I'm not too concerned myself about the Intel machines, although many people are. As you say, perhaps it's not entirely warranted.
 
~Shard~ said:
Notice the wink? I was just having some fun. ;)
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:eek: Sorry, I did realise that yours was a lighthearted reply, and I started my post in a similar way, then got serious and it went downhill from there.
Actually, thinking about what you said, I had a look in my attic and found an old mechanical computer that might just prove your point - its got several dials, made of brass and stamped 'Enigma, 1943". Do you think its worth anything??
 
stevep said:
:eek: Sorry, I did realise that yours was a lighthearted reply, and I started my post in a similar way, then got serious and it went downhill from there.
Actually, thinking about what you said, I had a look in my attic and found an old mechanical computer that might just prove your point - its got several dials, made of brass and stamped 'Enigma, 1943". Do you think its worth anything??
Click to expand...

Does it come with its code - er, instruction manual? ;) :cool:
 
Will Apple offer both PPC and Intel Macs side by side? Like buy a new PPC PB or a new Intel PB on there site. Meaning will they still be making PPC at the same time or will they completely stop making them?
 
If it's regards to the PowerBook and iBook, I would wait till next year for the Intel switch. As the current versions have nothing to envy other than the HD display. :)

The PowerBook is dead in the water and is rather sad considering it's marketed as a Pro mobile solution. :rolleyes:
 
maya said:
If it's regards to the PowerBook and iBook, I would wait till next year for the Intel switch. As the current versions have nothing to envy other than the HD display. :)

The PowerBook is dead in the water and is rather sad considering it's marketed as a Pro mobile solution. :rolleyes:
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hd display and better battery life is good enough for me.
:)
 
panda said:
hd display and better battery life is good enough for me.
:)
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The HD display and better battery life was a long time coming. It should have been implemented in the last release, however Apple chose to be resourceful and try to extend the life as long as they could.

I used to be a PowerBook fan, until it never made the G4 > G5 crossover. How sad. :(
 
iQuit said:
Will Apple offer both PPC and Intel Macs side by side? Like buy a new PPC PB or a new Intel PB on there site. Meaning will they still be making PPC at the same time or will they completely stop making them?
Click to expand...
I think yes, they'll have to. Otherwise Apple will have to announce all the new models at once, and that would be a hell of an event - it would bring a whole new meaning to the 'One more thing...' catch-phrase.


ps Shard - no. I threw it out. It wasn't any good as it was all in a foreign language......
 
panda said:
hd display and better battery life is good enough for me.
:)
Click to expand...

And if that's good enough for you to meet your needs, then that's all that matters at the end of the day. :)

Oh, and I replied to your other post in great detail above, hope that was of some help to ya...
 
~Shard~ said:
And if that's good enough for you to meet your needs, then that's all that matters at the end of the day. :)

Oh, and I replied to your other post in great detail above, hope that was of some help to ya...
Click to expand...
indeed, thank you. maybe you are right.

... but maybe not.

either way, i sure hope apple has a good strategy on the switch, cause its going to be one big mess, particularly to get the third party software to coincide.

and as for comparing oranges with oranges (apples to pcs), that is the biggest risk of them all, isn't it? it pretty much means going head to head with everyone, dell, gateway, sony, hp, lenovo...

i for one am not looking forward to that. what is interesting to speculate on is whether apple is going to leverage this move to get a huge bite of pc market share. and to do that, it is not only a question of some better computers based on iintel chips, but leveraging the intel (perhaps +osx) solution to make inroads into large corporations using windows.

i believe this switch is about much more than 'just' heat issues in chips. there must also be some real bad blood here between ibm and apple, plus some big potential gain of market share.
:)
 
panda said:
and as for comparing oranges with oranges (apples to pcs), that is the biggest risk of them all, isn't it? it pretty much means going head to head with everyone, dell, gateway, sony, hp, lenovo...

i for one am not looking forward to that. what is interesting to speculate on is whether apple is going to leverage this move to get a huge bite of pc market share. and to do that, it is not only a question of some better computers based on iintel chips, but leveraging the intel (perhaps +osx) solution to make inroads into large corporations using windows.
Click to expand...

Indeed. It will be interesting to see if Apple is ultimately up to the challenge when it goes head to head with the PC world in more of a direct approach next year.

It'll be fun to watch! :cool:
 
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