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12" PowerBook - First Impressions
- Thread starter moby1
- Start date
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I think some of you might be missing the point. Apple is known as THE computer for audio, film and graphic folks. To say that the arts community is complaining about a specific need which the majority of users will not be concerned about is simply not the case. The G4 powerbook line IS the professional line. Currently, in your own word, the 12" is not a pro machine. For people who turly need a "pro portable", the 12" could have been ideal. In it's current state, it is not. Pros would rather pay more for an option to buy the 12" with the oomph for of the 17" model. Those who require less, can purchase the consumer model, the ibook. Here's hoping the 15" is identical to the 12" but just with a smaller screen making it a little more portable.
And regarding the need for the level three cache, I just received an email from John at Spectrasonics. THey make a wonderful soft synth. According to their tests, comparing machines, the level three cache blows away machines without the feature.
Peace,
Aryeh
www.Har-Even.com
re: the pooor marketing of the 12" powerbook
First post,
Been visiting this site for a while now.
RE: the mareketing of the 12" powerbook
The 12" powerbook is new technology.
I don't see why they just didn't price it accordingly according to the screen size. Not everyone wants to shlep around a 17" powerbook to get the level 3 cache (needed for soft synth plug in performance and more). At home/studio, one can always hook up a second monitor to the 12" so...
(And the following is from a post by Paul on the Motu users board.
Motu makes the Digital Performer Mac sequencer as well as other audio products.)
Absolutely 100% agreed. It makes sense to move the old line down to move out existing stock (they're doing that with the 15" PowerBook, obviously), but I think Apple made a VERY bad move with the new 12" Powerbook. And it's not just the L3 cache--there are several ways in which the 12" is not up to par with the 17", and that simply makes it less desirably. The strange thing is that Apple is only marketing the 17" in its massive screen and the 12" on its portability. All the things the 17" has that the 12" doesn't are totally glossed-over and not marketed. Why then would they be afraid that the 12" would cannibalize 17" sales? Why not make a true high-end sub-compact? No one will buy the 12" if they want the 17" screen, and no one will buy the 17" if they want ultra-portability. The fact is, there's very little reason to buy the 12" PB over the 12" iBook--THAT is what they should be worrying about.
With the iMacs and eMacs and PowerMacs the line upgrade system makes sense because there's so little cross-over. But in the portable line, it's harder to position the iBooks and PowerBooks to be sufficiently different to merit SEVEN different configurations (four iBooks, three PowerBooks). Why Apple should make the situation worse bypositioning the 12" as a "low-end" PowerBook is beyond me--the iBook IS a low-end PowerBook. What they really need is a high-end sub-compact!
And regarding the need for the level three cache, I just received an email from John at Spectrasonics. THey make a wonderful soft synth. According to their tests, comparing machines, the level three cache blows away machines without the feature.
Peace,
Aryeh
www.Har-Even.com
re: the pooor marketing of the 12" powerbook
First post,
Been visiting this site for a while now.
RE: the mareketing of the 12" powerbook
The 12" powerbook is new technology.
I don't see why they just didn't price it accordingly according to the screen size. Not everyone wants to shlep around a 17" powerbook to get the level 3 cache (needed for soft synth plug in performance and more). At home/studio, one can always hook up a second monitor to the 12" so...
(And the following is from a post by Paul on the Motu users board.
Motu makes the Digital Performer Mac sequencer as well as other audio products.)
Absolutely 100% agreed. It makes sense to move the old line down to move out existing stock (they're doing that with the 15" PowerBook, obviously), but I think Apple made a VERY bad move with the new 12" Powerbook. And it's not just the L3 cache--there are several ways in which the 12" is not up to par with the 17", and that simply makes it less desirably. The strange thing is that Apple is only marketing the 17" in its massive screen and the 12" on its portability. All the things the 17" has that the 12" doesn't are totally glossed-over and not marketed. Why then would they be afraid that the 12" would cannibalize 17" sales? Why not make a true high-end sub-compact? No one will buy the 12" if they want the 17" screen, and no one will buy the 17" if they want ultra-portability. The fact is, there's very little reason to buy the 12" PB over the 12" iBook--THAT is what they should be worrying about.
With the iMacs and eMacs and PowerMacs the line upgrade system makes sense because there's so little cross-over. But in the portable line, it's harder to position the iBooks and PowerBooks to be sufficiently different to merit SEVEN different configurations (four iBooks, three PowerBooks). Why Apple should make the situation worse bypositioning the 12" as a "low-end" PowerBook is beyond me--the iBook IS a low-end PowerBook. What they really need is a high-end sub-compact!
Replies to multiple posts
Eple, Re: Swapping out batteries when asleep.
I tried it, the machine went off promptly, the reboot took longer than usual because the harddrive had to fscked before getting it back on. Of course, fsck ran in the background so I sat there looking at the grey apple and rotating clock face busy thingamajiggy wondering if I totally screwed it up. Luckily, everything came back up ok.
moby1: Re: Headphones
I would go with the koss portapros if portability is a bigger use since they fold real nice. I used to own one of those and replaced them with the grado sr-60s. For 50 USD, they sound like headphones 2-3 times their price. As someone else pointed out, they fold flat so if you are carrying it with your notebook, it is no problem.
In conclusion, porta pro if you want to replace ipod headphones (God knows why, since they are pretty nice) or grados if you want one for the notebook.
Eple, Re: Swapping out batteries when asleep.
I tried it, the machine went off promptly, the reboot took longer than usual because the harddrive had to fscked before getting it back on. Of course, fsck ran in the background so I sat there looking at the grey apple and rotating clock face busy thingamajiggy wondering if I totally screwed it up. Luckily, everything came back up ok.
moby1: Re: Headphones
I would go with the koss portapros if portability is a bigger use since they fold real nice. I used to own one of those and replaced them with the grado sr-60s. For 50 USD, they sound like headphones 2-3 times their price. As someone else pointed out, they fold flat so if you are carrying it with your notebook, it is no problem.
In conclusion, porta pro if you want to replace ipod headphones (God knows why, since they are pretty nice) or grados if you want one for the notebook.
Bluetooth + iSync rocks
I think my PB 12 with my T68 is going to replace my antiquated palm pilot for all purposes. Everytime I sync, 1 weeks schedule is downloaded to my phone so it reminds me even when I am away from the machine. When I recieve a call on the phone, a caller id window pops up on the computer. Really useful before deciding to rummage through my bag looking for the phone. I also like sending SMS from the computer instead of the nasty thumb-typing I had to do.
I think the decision to bundle BT with the new PBs is one of the best decisions Apple has made.
I think my PB 12 with my T68 is going to replace my antiquated palm pilot for all purposes. Everytime I sync, 1 weeks schedule is downloaded to my phone so it reminds me even when I am away from the machine. When I recieve a call on the phone, a caller id window pops up on the computer. Really useful before deciding to rummage through my bag looking for the phone. I also like sending SMS from the computer instead of the nasty thumb-typing I had to do.
I think the decision to bundle BT with the new PBs is one of the best decisions Apple has made.
Hot swapping battery
Does anyone know if the 17" PB allows you to change batteries in sleep mode?
Chuck
http://www.madebydesign.net
Does anyone know if the 17" PB allows you to change batteries in sleep mode?
Chuck
http://www.madebydesign.net
Chuck,
I'm not holding my breath on that. My understanding is that the Pismo was the last hot-swapping (warm-swapping?) battery notebook. I could be wrong, but that was reported in an older thread.
I'm not holding my breath on that. My understanding is that the Pismo was the last hot-swapping (warm-swapping?) battery notebook. I could be wrong, but that was reported in an older thread.
Nope. A guy reported to me that the 15" TiBook can swap.
On the AppleCare page, I could only see the 12" PowerBook being the only PowerBook without hotswap.
Assuming 17" will have the hotswap.
About that Graphics Card...
Hi all,
I was looking at getting a new desktop, but the 12"PB looks really nice. However, I'm concerned about the Graphics Card. Looking at it's siblings it seems to be a fairly low end graphics card (420 vs 440). Now I am actually not that interested in doing 3D games etc. but my current laptop (iBook dual usb - 500Mhz) can't run Quartz Extreme because it's graphics card isn't up to snuff.
For a bit less $$ I can get a 1Ghz PM with a much nicer graphics card and of course the possability to upgrade the card later - of course then I can't sit on the couch and surf with it.
The only computers I can see that have a 'lower' graphics cards are the 15" iMac, eMac, and iBook. So what are people's opinions, is the '420' just for suckers? What's the useful life
for a '420' 1yr, 2yr, 3yr?
Hi all,
I was looking at getting a new desktop, but the 12"PB looks really nice. However, I'm concerned about the Graphics Card. Looking at it's siblings it seems to be a fairly low end graphics card (420 vs 440). Now I am actually not that interested in doing 3D games etc. but my current laptop (iBook dual usb - 500Mhz) can't run Quartz Extreme because it's graphics card isn't up to snuff.
For a bit less $$ I can get a 1Ghz PM with a much nicer graphics card and of course the possability to upgrade the card later - of course then I can't sit on the couch and surf with it.
The only computers I can see that have a 'lower' graphics cards are the 15" iMac, eMac, and iBook. So what are people's opinions, is the '420' just for suckers? What's the useful life
for a '420' 1yr, 2yr, 3yr?
Re: About that Graphics Card...
It is 32MB of VRAM...so it will run QE...however, at this point 32MB of VRAM has to be considered the minimum. I have the 12" pBook and this is the best graphics card I have ever had...but that ain't saying much...since I've always been at 16 or less.
In regards to desktops...they are always going to be a better deal than laptops...however, portability is my main focus. What is yours?
As far as useful life of a graphics card...it really depends on what you use your computer for.
It is 32MB of VRAM...so it will run QE...however, at this point 32MB of VRAM has to be considered the minimum. I have the 12" pBook and this is the best graphics card I have ever had...but that ain't saying much...since I've always been at 16 or less.
In regards to desktops...they are always going to be a better deal than laptops...however, portability is my main focus. What is yours?
As far as useful life of a graphics card...it really depends on what you use your computer for.
Re: Re: About that Graphics Card...
Portability is not my main focus, but I am willing to pay a bit more for it or compromise features... to a point. When I first saw the 12"PB it looked like a case of - have your cake and eat it to - which it would be (for me anyways) if it had the 440 & 64MB. As it is the compromise is getting a bit painful/worrysome.
What I really don't want to have happen is what happened with my iBook, the OS to some extent has left it behind 1.5years after I bought it. At the time I really needed a portable so it made a lot of sense (and I'm still glad I bought it) but with my current desktop dying I need to replace it. Since I already have a workable portable I don't have a real need for a portable, but it would be nice to have my 'main machine' for holidays and trips.
I tend to do more programming than gaming but my programming is graphics oriented (2D not 3D) - I'm a little concerned that they will continue to offload graphics operations to the Graphics Card (like AntiAliasing) and that current cards might not be up to it.
Portability is not my main focus, but I am willing to pay a bit more for it or compromise features... to a point. When I first saw the 12"PB it looked like a case of - have your cake and eat it to - which it would be (for me anyways) if it had the 440 & 64MB. As it is the compromise is getting a bit painful/worrysome.
What I really don't want to have happen is what happened with my iBook, the OS to some extent has left it behind 1.5years after I bought it. At the time I really needed a portable so it made a lot of sense (and I'm still glad I bought it) but with my current desktop dying I need to replace it. Since I already have a workable portable I don't have a real need for a portable, but it would be nice to have my 'main machine' for holidays and trips.
I tend to do more programming than gaming but my programming is graphics oriented (2D not 3D) - I'm a little concerned that they will continue to offload graphics operations to the Graphics Card (like AntiAliasing) and that current cards might not be up to it.
Re: Re: Re: Re: ram in 12" pb
Haha.. good point. Never thought of DIMMs in sizes as large as a GB, so I immediately thought 1000.
-mikey
Haha.. good point. Never thought of DIMMs in sizes as large as a GB, so I immediately thought 1000.
-mikey
Touchpad button
Don't know if this has been asked/addressed, but does anyone (maybe a MWSF attendee) know if the touchpad button on the 17" PB is as raised and "sharp-edged" as the one on the 12"? Not to offend new owners of this model, but I find the fit and finish of the 15" TiBook to be much easier to live with.
Also the sensitivity of the touchpad on the floor model of the 12" seemed kinda wack to me, but i may have been imagining it... Anybody else experience this?
Don't know if this has been asked/addressed, but does anyone (maybe a MWSF attendee) know if the touchpad button on the 17" PB is as raised and "sharp-edged" as the one on the 12"? Not to offend new owners of this model, but I find the fit and finish of the 15" TiBook to be much easier to live with.
Also the sensitivity of the touchpad on the floor model of the 12" seemed kinda wack to me, but i may have been imagining it... Anybody else experience this?
Re: Touchpad button
I had to go into System preferences and adjust the TrackPad settings; it's the first thing I did when I got it (It didn't seem 'right' in the store).
The TrackPad button does get better with time, it 'seats' itself a bit though it's not as nice as the Ti's.
That aside, I am beginning to like this 12" PB more and more. It has greally grown on me (no pun intended).
I was in an Apple Store yesterday and compared my 12" PB to the 12" iBook. The PB is definitely worth the extra money. If you place them side by side, I think you'll agree.
I may go for the 15.4" whenever it's released but I sure am enjoying Apple's latest little wonder, especially with the 640 MB in it now.
moby1
I had to go into System preferences and adjust the TrackPad settings; it's the first thing I did when I got it (It didn't seem 'right' in the store).
The TrackPad button does get better with time, it 'seats' itself a bit though it's not as nice as the Ti's.
That aside, I am beginning to like this 12" PB more and more. It has greally grown on me (no pun intended).
I was in an Apple Store yesterday and compared my 12" PB to the 12" iBook. The PB is definitely worth the extra money. If you place them side by side, I think you'll agree.
I may go for the 15.4" whenever it's released
but I sure am enjoying Apple's latest little wonder, especially with the 640 MB in it now.moby1