15inch PowerBook Details and Supplies

[jjd]

Plenty of PB's in SoHo

Went to the SoHo store today. I was very lucky to get out of the place without a new 17"er. (I have a 15" 867 with a badly broken hinge and a damaged display case where the hinge broke, and I cannot be bothered paying $500 plus to repair it. Its unacceptably slow anyway). I want to wait for a new 15"er, but seeing those 17"ers just sitting there ready for the taking... Its tempting.

Anyway, the sales assistant told me categorically that there will be no new PB for at least several months and that the machines would not then be available for a couple of months after that. I asked her about stock levels and she claimed that they have PLENTY of all 3 PB's, including the 15"ers. Now, I am not particularly phased by her estimate of the release date for new PB's. I am sure she has no idea (most of the people in the store are clueless). But, unless she flat out lied, the stock levels of PB's in store seem to question a lot of the rumors based on the supposed dearth of supply in the channel.

 

[neonart]

Originally posted by Phil Of Mac
Actually, since PC makers were already putting DVD-R drives in laptops, everyone was whining about why Apple was the only one WITHOUT a SuperDrive.

Actually there was a couple of PC manufacturers putting large, tray loading, DVD-R drives in their machines. This was only weeks before Apple was the first to put a slot loading SuperDrive in any laptop.

From Tech TV:
"Apple also gets a bonus for having an industry first (not rare for the company), a slot-loading SuperDrive in its high-end PowerBook G4, which clocks speeds at 1 GHz."
http://www.techtv.com/news/print/0,23102,3406755,00.html

It was in fact a huge shock that they managed to do it.

 

[MattG]

Re: Plenty of PB's in SoHo

Originally posted by jjd
Went to the SoHo store today. I was very lucky to get out of the place without a new 17"er. (I have a 15" 867 with a badly broken hinge and a damaged display case where the hinge broke, and I cannot be bothered paying $500 plus to repair it. Its unacceptably slow anyway). I want to wait for a new 15"er, but seeing those 17"ers just sitting there ready for the taking... Its tempting.

Anyway, the sales assistant told me categorically that there will be no new PB for at least several months and that the machines would not then be available for a couple of months after that. I asked her about stock levels and she claimed that they have PLENTY of all 3 PB's, including the 15"ers. Now, I am not particularly phased by her estimate of the release date for new PB's. I am sure she has no idea (most of the people in the store are clueless). But, unless she flat out lied, the stock levels of PB's in store seem to question a lot of the rumors based on the supposed dearth of supply in the channel.

I hope she's just clueless.

 

[shecky]

sounds to me like an ignorant employee trying to make a sale. what a maroon.

 

[brucku]

Re: Titanium verses aluminum

Originally posted by agentmouthwash
Does anybody here besides me actually like the LOOK of the Titanium Powerbook compared to the aluminum ones?

I like the dark keyboard, I like the different color metals...

I would buy one but I want Bluetooth built in and faster airport.

The bluetooth option for the current 15" - is that built inside or would i have a dongle sticking out of the USB port?
Maybe I'll buy one now.

I have to say I agree with you. I like the dark keyboard look and the feel of the keys. But I will wait for aluminum for a few reasons:

1) USB dongle for bluetooth? Thats B*llsh*t.
2) I live in a small house, but it has very solid walls, my brother's TI book did not get good reception at all in this house, I am expecting the aluminum's improvements in this area to give me the ability to sit on the front porch
3)The black keys make marks on the screen when it is closed, I beleive that this was eliminated by a redesign of the case.
4) The illuminated keys is a very nice touch to a 3k laptop, I'd rather have that whistle if i'm waiting for these other important improvements

 

[Bruja]

Originally posted by shecky
sounds to me like an ignorant employee trying to make a sale. what a maroon.

What if she isn't ignorant?? Could she be telling the truth?? Remember, "Think Secret" said that the Al Pbk was just about to pop. If memory Serves, isnt that a rumours site as well?? I will check the Somerset storre in my neighbourhood to see if they have ample supplies of the "Frankenbook" as wellas the rest of the lines. BTW: The SoHo Store Rocks!!

 

[Bruja]

Hey Mr. Jobs, are you reading this??

I think Mr. Jobs was correct. This IS the year of the laptop!! For wintel makers because they really surpassed Apple in technology and I just heard that Intel's stock is surging because of the surge for PC's. Hey Mr. Jobs, are you reading this?? I hope so, because you have a TON of people dedicated to your company. No matter what is said, 2.8 Ghz. beats 1Ghz. no matter how fast you are able to access the core power of the chip

 

[ozlow]

Re: Plenty of PB's in SoHo

Originally posted by jjd
Went to the SoHo store today. I was very lucky to get out of the place without a new 17"er. (I have a 15" 867 with a badly broken hinge and a damaged display case where the hinge broke, and I cannot be bothered paying $500 plus to repair it. Its unacceptably slow anyway). I want to wait for a new 15"er, but seeing those 17"ers just sitting there ready for the taking... Its tempting.

Anyway, the sales assistant told me categorically that there will be no new PB for at least several months and that the machines would not then be available for a couple of months after that. I asked her about stock levels and she claimed that they have PLENTY of all 3 PB's, including the 15"ers. Now, I am not particularly phased by her estimate of the release date for new PB's. I am sure she has no idea (most of the people in the store are clueless). But, unless she flat out lied, the stock levels of PB's in store seem to question a lot of the rumors

based on the supposed dearth of supply in the channel.

The Apple store employees know squat! They haven't got a clue, what the heck they have! I was at the apple store in seattle and the Genius didn't know his head from a hole in the ground. Plus, the sales people were more like... "Yah, Apple's are cool you should get one. Do you want to see how easy it is to download photo's from a digital camera into iPhoto?" I said sure. It than took them 25 minutes to looking for the camera USB cord. I finally said... "would you like to use mine?" with a smile on my face. He said "do you always carry that in your pocket?" I replied. "yes, is that weird?"

 

[ozlow]

Macteens reporting...

This has to mean something, RIGHT?

http://macteens.com/news_more.php?id=254_0_3_0_C

 

[soggywulf]

Re: Re: A reason for no G5's

Originally posted by magitekkn
3) According to MPC7455 documents from motorola, the 7455 (Part no. PPC7455RX1000LC referenced) dissipates Typically 21.3W and at max 30W at 1.6V.

Thanks for pulling this data together. Combined with the G5/1.2 @ 19W figure, I think all of this basically shows that a G5 powerbook is theoretically quite possible right now. How soon they actually deploy it is another matter, unfortunately.

Originally posted by Phil Of Mac
I doubt that there will be a G5. There might be, but I doubt it. A G5 would have been out by now. That, and Joswiak said in June or July that there won't be a G5 PowerBook for quite awhile (it's in my sig). I don't think late August or early September qualifies for "quite awhile".

I don't think we can take Apple executive comments at face value. I seem to recall Jobs saying "year of the laptop" or something. Surely, only one of these statements can be true--Steve or Joz, take your pick.

 

[dietsoda]

I think Mr. Jobs was correct. This IS the year of the laptop!! For wintel makers because they really surpassed Apple in technology and I just heard that Intel's stock is surging because of the surge for PC's. Hey Mr. Jobs, are you reading this??

Well to all the people moaning about how apple is harming itself, and loosing out big time...

Apple's Share price hits new 52-week high

 

[actionslacks]

Originally posted by GeeYouEye
On a slightly unrelated topic, the association of the 15.4" screen and the Powerbook may have come from the 17" powerbook... the chasis is 15.4" wide.

Just a thought. Personally, I was always surprised by reports that Apple had added 0.2" to the screen.

you are absolutely right. i thought the same thing and therefore never paid attention to the rumors of a 15.4inch book.

 

[NoPrideELF]

Originally posted by dietsoda
Well to all the people moaning about how apple is harming itself, and loosing out big time...

Apple's Share price hits new 52-week high

Okay, MAYBE you're right. But more importantly on my mind than harming theirself.....They are harming me!! Loss of sleep, blind following of empty rumors, physical cravings for an ALbook, Loss of vision from sitting in front of macrumors forums all day (okay, that one goes with the blindness).

 

[AllenPSU]

Re: Re: A reason for no G5's

Originally posted by magitekkn
A few things about that:

For comparison here are the G4 7457 numbers: taken from http://e-www.motorola.com/files/32bit/doc/data_sheet/MPC7457EC.pdf

(note that the power consumption of the 1.3GHz 7457 is even lower than the 1.2GHz G5)

Okay, agree with all you've said but it still bring me to the same conclusion. Probably no G5's in the PowerBooks and if they do manage to get that to work, it will probably be around 1GHz.

I think Apple will wait for the smaller fabrication process at Fishkill before they move the PB line to the G5. Now, I am sure that they are working on a G5 PB so that when the new chips come out, they can just plug them in and go.

 

[jimd909]

Powerbooks

quote:
Originally posted by Lancetx
Please tell us in what way is Apple abusing their customers? When has Apple come out and promised new PowerBooks and given a specific timetable for their release? Put the blame where it belongs...not on Apple, but on yourselves (those who feel abused) and the inaccurate rumor sites.




Ummmmm....can you say 17" Powerbook? They were delayed about a month or so.

 

[chancellor]

Re: Re: Re: A reason for no G5's

Originally posted by soggywulf
Thanks for pulling this data together. Combined with the G5/1.2 @ 19W figure, I think all of this basically shows that a G5 powerbook is theoretically quite possible right now. How soon they actually deploy it is another matter, unfortunately.

The big question is whether the current G5 has power management features built in. I haven't seen clear evidence one way or the other. Without advanced power management in the G5, a G5 Powerbook is a non-starter.

Apple may be waiting for the 0.9 micron G5s because they will be the first to sport advanced power management.

 

[DHagan4755]

All right. Let's bring this thing around full-circle. We're now looking at the last week of August. What are the chances this week will be the week of reckoning?

 

[DHagan4755]

Re: Re: Re: Re: ?

Originally posted by arn
We know 2 things with reasonable certainty.

1) 15.2" screen
2) illuminated keyboard

rumors that stated or state differently are probably incorrect.

arn

How confident are you? Are these personal sources -- in that they are exclusive to MacRumors?

Lastly, have you gleaned a date from them yet?

 

[erik19]

Originally posted by DHagan4755
All right. Let's bring this thing around full-circle. We're now looking at the last week of August. What are the chances this week will be the week of reckoning?

Nostrada-erik predicts next tuesday(the 26th).....why? Becasue, it's gotta happen sometime right?

(Special bonus: Nostrada-erik preicts new iMacs in Paris).

Mark my words and priase me afer it comes to pass....

edit: and if Im wrong because I jynxed it....you can all blame me and beat me to a pulp....providing you can find me...

 

[naz]

I can't believe out of all the sites and all the forums NO REAL LEAKS of what is going on... wow


You know someone on this planet is building the damn things, touching the parts, reading the specs... shesh!

 

[Snowy_River]

Originally posted by Titian
Could someone explain me for which reasons Apple could not be able to release in the next month or two a G5 PB?

I haven't followed the whole discussion about PB with all its technical reasons in the last months but since my wife needs a PB I am trying to catch up.
... just don't know if I should wait for the next processor (not Moto) in the PB.

As I believe has been said (though it seems to have gotten lost in other comments comparing G5 and G4 power dissipation), the problem with the G5 and PowerBooks right now isn't the G5, but the system controller. It's the system controller that's too hot for the PowerBooks.

 

[Snowy_River]

Originally posted by shecky
... $2756 for that above package is a pretty damn good deal. In fact, that price is about $739 cheaper than current retail on those items, and it is about $1039 cheaper than the normal selling price of that TiBook of $2899...

Uh... check your math...

$2899-$1039=$2756?

I think you meant $1043.

 

[Snowy_River]

Re: Plenty of PB's in SoHo

Originally posted by jjd
...Anyway, the sales assistant told me categorically that there will be no new PB for at least several months and that the machines would not then be available for a couple of months after that...

I never trust what sales people have to say. I've found that I'm usually far better informed about most of these things than they are.

There was one time I went into an Apple store and I was looking at the iBooks. A salesman came over and asked if I was interested in them. I said yes, but I wanted to wait a week or two because it was late in the product cycle, and I suspected there was going to be an upgrade. He told me that there wasn't going to be any upgrades for at least a month. I waited anyway, and five days later they were upgraded. It just goes to show that sales people throw information about as if they really knew things that they really don't.

 

[Sun Baked]

Originally posted by naz
I can't believe out of all the sites and all the forums NO REAL LEAKS of what is going on... wow

You know someone on this planet is building the damn things, touching the parts, reading the specs... shesh!

Unless Apple's not planning on releasing any new PowerBooks until NEXT year, and plans on just speed bumping the darn things (w/minor mods) next month after the back-to-school buying season.

C'mon who here is waiting for the all new TiBook15 @ 1.25GHz?

[edit - This time I am joking. ]

 

[Snowy_River]

Re: Plenty of PB's in SoHo

Originally posted by jjd
...Anyway, the sales assistant told me categorically that there will be no new PB for at least several months and that the machines would not then be available for a couple of months after that...

I never trust what sales people have to say. I've found that I'm usually far better informed about most of these things than they are.

There was one time I went into an Apple store and I was looking at the iBooks. A salesman came over and asked if I was interested in them. I said yes, but I wanted to wait a week or two because it was late in the product cycle, and I suspected there was going to be an upgrade. He told me that there wasn't going to be any upgrades for at least a month. I waited anyway, and five days later they were upgraded. It just goes to show that sales people throw information about as if they really knew things that they really don't.