13inch iBook?

[MacRumors]

Kodawarisan posted some information about an iBook update.

The translation is not perfect but suggests a 13" (1024x768) iBook made of iMac-like materials by late this year.

 

[Hemingray]

I wonder what the case change is all about. I personally liked the idea of getting one of the glossy white ones, but it sounds like that might change. Do the current ones scratch easily?

 

[sluthy]

Don't think so

Why would they make a 13in. iBook? Does 13in. offer anything better than either the 12 or the 14? Why would they bother paying for the construction of a new size that doesn't offer anything that we don't already have?

 

[oldMac]

Why 13", because it's smaller!

The footprint of the current iBook is very nice. I think there's room to fit a 13" screen in a similar footprint.

Some folks complain that the current 12" iBook screen is too small to read at 1024x768. However, most people are still buying the 12" over the 14" model because of the size factor.

While it doesn't seem like the iBook design is very old, it could stand to be a bit thinner and lighter.

Here's to hoping that the next iBook has the same physical footprint of the existing model, but thinner with less heft.

 

[Rajj]

Re: Why 13", because it's smaller!

Originally posted by oldMac
The footprint of the current iBook is very nice. I think there's room to fit a 13" screen in a similar footprint.

Some folks complain that the current 12" iBook screen is too small to read at 1024x768. However, most people are still buying the 12" over the 14" model because of the size factor.

While it doesn't seem like the iBook design is very old, it could stand to be a bit thinner and lighter.

Here's to hoping that the next iBook has the same physical footprint of the existing model, but thinner with less heft.

I concur, the iBook screen is rather small, that's why I didn't buy it (the G3 also)!! So I got a TiBook, which has a bigger screen and it is lighter!!!

 

[ryan]

Re: Re: Why 13", because it's smaller!

Originally posted by xrhajj


I concur, the iBook screen is rather small, that's why I didn't buy it (the G3 also)!! So I got a TiBook, which has a bigger screen and it is lighter!!!

The TiPB is lighter than the 14" iBook but heavier than the 12" iBook.

 

[ryan]

Just to echo what everyone else has said... if Apple wants to pack a larger screen/faster processor into the size of the current 12" iBook, without any additional weight, I'd say go for it.

I was a long time Duo user and loved the size and weight of those machines. I rarely found/find myself needing a floppy/CD-ROM(DVD, CD-R) and would love to see an "Executive" type PowerBook that is the same thickness as the TiPB but the length and width of iBook and weights 3-3.5lbs (a la the Dell Latitude X200 or C400). I'm a developer (Java/DB/Web) who takes my iBook with me everywhere and every extra ounce I don't have to carry my back thanks me.

 

[gooddog]

New iBook

As a teacher, I could really use a G4 iBook with a case that won't depress me with scratches and dings.

I hope too that the cheap latch arrangement on the iBook will be replaced by a two-latch system that keeps the lid on straight instead of a lopsided or gull-winged looking mess.

Also, a slight lip on the edge of the lid will cover the air gap between screen and keyboard, so that debris will not fall into the gap (screen) and so that the closed iBook will not look like a cheap cigar box with a warped lid.

With JAGUAR's Universal Access ZOOM feature (which I have tried and it ROCKS) , the small text size will be ameliorated . Thank goodness for this zoom !!!!!!
I was getting really fed up with holding a loupe up to my iMac every time I used the Mac HELP menu with it's tiny print that is fixed in size !!!

---gooddog

It doesn't matter how you get there,
when you don't know where you are going.

 

[ncbill]

Babelfish translation - anyone speak Japanese?

I especially am interested in the "poly-mosquito material"

September 18 of 2002 day
* With the frame where the iBook is new even within year announcement
According to information, 13 inch liquid crystal (the resolution 1024x768) from the poly- mosquito where the iBook of loading has the current model glossy, like the iMac the mat it becomes the frame of white, development is last stage when destined for the announcement within year, it is thing. That the poly- mosquito material where with the iBook of the new frame, like the current model apple logograph does not shine and is modified, with the back light chrome is plated in the palm rest section is glossy is adopted it seems

 

[mac15]

cool, whats the diff, the screen will be like an old imac , well a touch smaller

 

[djcobb44]

Hoping....

I would prefer an ibook vs the powerbook, but I don't like the fact that the usb, firewire, etc ports are on the left side. If I were to attach a usb mouse, and since I'm right handed, i have to string the cord all the way around....(No offense to the lefties out there, but I believe right handed people are the majority). Perhaps if the usb ports were on the left side, I'd be happy, or even better, put all ports on the back like the powerbook. I realize that the screen hinge would be in the way, but I didn't like the way the screen was connected to the base either.
Does anyone else feel this way?...

 

[Tue12]

I'm telling ya, Apple engineers are world class, 50-years ahead of their times. Who else could make such freaking cool cutting edge tech like 'poly-mosquito' casings.

I wonder if the animal rights people will protest Apple's abuse of mosquitos.

Dumping the 12" iBook will be a big boo-boo on Apple's part. The current 12" iBook probably has enough room in the LCD frame to squeeze in a 13" LCD. The screen would be flush with the edge like on the Tibook. In which case, it's alright to make it 13". But if the whole iBook bigger, booo.

It's kind of funny if you think about it. Apple has a 'Mhz Myth' problem, and now they have an 'LCD-size myth' (size vs pixel density) problem.

 

[Macmaniac]

Maybe they will increase the keyboard size because on the 14in iBook the keyboard is the same size as the 12, maybe they could put larger or more keys on it ad maybe a two button track pad.
13in sounds interesting, but maybe it is part of some bigger sceme by Apple. The Discontinue the 12in and 14in and put in 13in and 15in iBooks!! Maybe with G4s cause they have more room to put it in, what do you think?

 

[oldMac]

Left-side USB Port - I like it

I, personally, like having the USB port on the left.

I'm right-handed, but most mouse cords are much longer than they need to be for use with a laptop. I think it helps to run the cord around the back of the machine to take up some of the slack.

As for changing the port placement, they should really move the firewire port away from the ethernet jack. It's too easy to fumble around with a firewire cable and nearly successfully plug it into the ethernet port.

 

[masa]

highlights from the original posting... roughly translated and cleaned up a little... didn't want Apple to get in trouble with any mosquito activists.

According to information, regarding the 13" LCD (resolution 1024x768) iBook,
the case will change to an iMac like matte white from the present models' glossy polycarbonate material.

The iBooks new case is said to use a glossy polycarbonate material in the palm rest area, and the current models' backlighted Apple logo will change to chrome metal plating

 

[bousozoku]

Re: Babelfish translation - anyone speak Japanese?

Originally posted by ncbill
I especially am interested in the "poly-mosquito material"

September 18 of 2002 day
* With the frame where the iBook is new even within year announcement
According to information, 13 inch liquid crystal (the resolution 1024x768) from the poly- mosquito where the iBook of loading has the current model glossy, like the iMac the mat it becomes the frame of white, development is last stage when destined for the announcement within year, it is thing. That the poly- mosquito material where with the iBook of the new frame, like the current model apple logograph does not shine and is modified, with the back light chrome is plated in the palm rest section is glossy is adopted it seems

If I had read the translation, I would be confused too.

That's Polycarbonite, not poly-mosquito. English cognates and combination cognates/Japanese are hard to translate automatically obviously.

I'm glad to see that they're able to fit in the chrome. It would be interesting to see the Apple logo glow around the edges.

It sounds like more fun. Of course, a faster processor might be helpful too.

 

[BobVB]

Re: Hoping....

Originally posted by djcobb44
I would prefer an ibook vs the powerbook, but I don't like the fact that the usb, firewire, etc ports are on the left side. If I were to attach a usb mouse, and since I'm right handed, i have to string the cord all the way around....(No offense to the lefties out there, but I believe right handed people are the majority). Perhaps if the usb ports were on the left side, I'd be happy, or even better, put all ports on the back like the powerbook. I realize that the screen hinge would be in the way, but I didn't like the way the screen was connected to the base either.
Does anyone else feel this way?...

Yes but with side mounts there are problems no matter which way you go. If you just inverted the current arrangement and put the ports are on the right then the other cords that are inserted are in the 'righties' way. If you put some on the right and some on the left then the only way the CD could go would be out the 'front'.

I've found that the Kensington optical mouse has plenty of cord for the behind the screen wrap to the right and for just websurfing on the go I use one of those hand grip trackballs - great for sitting and surfing.

 

[ibookin']

Originally posted by Hemingray
I wonder what the case change is all about. I personally liked the idea of getting one of the glossy white ones, but it sounds like that might change. Do the current ones scratch easily?

An answer to your question in the form of a story:

I sent my iBook in for repairs, which included replacing the top and bottom with new, scratch-free ones. Repair costs insurance company $690. iBook comes back on Sunday with ZERO scratches, but with broken Airport antenna. Sent back to Apple. Comes back on Wednesday working perfectly, but with large scratches on top. Apple's fault.

The gist: these things are SO easy to scratch that Apple's own techs scratched my machine.

Calling Apple today to make them fix scratches.

 

[Hemingray]

Originally posted by ibookin'@mwny
The gist: these things are SO easy to scratch that Apple's own techs scratched my machine.

Jeez! You'd think that Apple would make something actually scratch resistant after touting how "rugged" it is on their web site...

Thanks for letting me know about that. I was planning on getting a carry case for when I get mine anyway, so hopefully that would help things a bit... I'm already used to babying my iPod like it's a priceless artifact.

 

[medea]

I really like the current design of the iBook myself, so hopefully it wont change too much. A standard 13' screen for the same price as the current 12 inchers would be a smooth move. I've been thinking about buying one soon but I'll definitely wait to see what these look like first. And isnt it already "late" this year? 9,10,11,12.....

-richard
http://www.osx.has.it

 

[medea]

Oh and I thought the Tibook was supposed to be the next in line for a change-up , it is older.....

 

[dave8118]

re: scratching

Originally posted by ibookin'@mwny

The gist: these things are SO easy to scratch that Apple's own techs scratched my machine.

I remember a discussion I had with a materials engineer a while back about the magical scratch-attractive powers of the new iBooks. He said that the sort of polycarbonite material Apple used is very strong — resistant to breaking, cracking, splintering, etc.; but as a trade-off it is very easily scratched. It seems that you can get a cheap plastic which is strong, or one that is scratch-resistant, but not both. It's just a trade-off inherent in the material.

And besides, they're not cosmetic scratches, they're war wounds...

 

[dongmin]

Originally posted by Total OS X
Oh and I thought the Tibook was supposed to be the next in line for a change-up , it is older.....

The source says TiBooks in the third week of October and iBooks 'within the year' whatever that means--I'm guessing more like MWSF.

 

[Nebrie]

Originally posted by Hemingray


Jeez! You'd think that Apple would make something actually scratch resistant after touting how "rugged" it is on their web site...

Thanks for letting me know about that. I was planning on getting a carry case for when I get mine anyway, so hopefully that would help things a bit... I'm already used to babying my iPod like it's a priceless artifact.

You will get scratches on your ibook, this has been known since day one. However, unless you look for them at a weird angle with light, you won't really notice them. It's rugged because it's not likely to crack in half or develop a crack that you can see 5 feet away. All the scratches you will see are merely cosmetic. My ibook has been the most durable notebook I've ever had.

 

[Zaren]

Universal Access?!?

Wow, it's been a long time since I've thought of this software, absent-mindedly 5-tapping the shift key just to hear the tones... ah, memories