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15inch PowerBooks Ready?
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In my opinion, we won't see anything but the G4 in Powerbooks for some time. If/When Apple comes out with the PPC 970, which it probably will before this year is over, we'll only see it in the high end machines like the PowerMac and Xserve for some time.
Since aluminum cases keep a computer running cooler, I'm sure that Apple would release a 1.25 G4 in the 15" and 17" Powerbooks since heat wouldn't be as much of an issue. My guess would be that we'd be seeing the 867mhz in the 12" models, a 1ghz and 1.25ghz in the 15", and a 1.25 in the 17" once they all have gone through the next phase of updating.
As for features of the 15" Aluminum, Apple won't do so much to it that it'll draw people from buying the 17" Powerbook. Unless upgrades are made to the 17" at the same time as the 15" Aluminum is released, most of the special features of the 17" will remain in that model alone. It wouldn't make sense for Apple to release two nearly identical machines with screen size being the only difference. They need to keep them different enough so people will find significant reasons to purchase the 17" instead of a smaller model.
If any features are trickled down at all, they would probably be AirportExtreme and Firewire 800. I doubt that Apple would close the gap in the two by using DDR memory in the 15". Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see all these awesome features in the 15" Al Powerbook, mainly because it would probably be the first powerbook I'd decide to buy. The only reason I say otherwise is because Apple has a tendancy to keep their products on a steady ladder system, with products being noticeably better and different at each higher level.
This would definitely be one of those situations where you hope to be wrong, but something tells me that Apple will do something along the lines I've mentioned based on their decisions in the past.
Since aluminum cases keep a computer running cooler, I'm sure that Apple would release a 1.25 G4 in the 15" and 17" Powerbooks since heat wouldn't be as much of an issue. My guess would be that we'd be seeing the 867mhz in the 12" models, a 1ghz and 1.25ghz in the 15", and a 1.25 in the 17" once they all have gone through the next phase of updating.
As for features of the 15" Aluminum, Apple won't do so much to it that it'll draw people from buying the 17" Powerbook. Unless upgrades are made to the 17" at the same time as the 15" Aluminum is released, most of the special features of the 17" will remain in that model alone. It wouldn't make sense for Apple to release two nearly identical machines with screen size being the only difference. They need to keep them different enough so people will find significant reasons to purchase the 17" instead of a smaller model.
If any features are trickled down at all, they would probably be AirportExtreme and Firewire 800. I doubt that Apple would close the gap in the two by using DDR memory in the 15". Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see all these awesome features in the 15" Al Powerbook, mainly because it would probably be the first powerbook I'd decide to buy. The only reason I say otherwise is because Apple has a tendancy to keep their products on a steady ladder system, with products being noticeably better and different at each higher level.
This would definitely be one of those situations where you hope to be wrong, but something tells me that Apple will do something along the lines I've mentioned based on their decisions in the past.
While, if we don't see the 970 in the PowerBooks promptly I hope you're right, there seems to be some evidence that you're not. From what I understand, the reason that the 17" was delayed so long was entirely linked to heat issues, and that's just with a 1GHz G4. Given that, I don't see it as being at all realistic to hope for a 1.25GHz G4 appearing in a 'Book before the 7457 arrives at the end of this year (or the 750GX, if it's dubbed a G4 class chip).
Uh... have you looked at the iBook line? Have you compared the top of the line 12" iBook to the 14" iBook? The only difference is the screen size (and in that case, you don't even get higher screen resolution, just a slightly larger screen).
If Apple didn't give the 15" DDR RAM, then this would be the only Pro model that didn't have it. The 12" has DDR RAM. The Power Macs have DDR RAM. Even the iMac has DDR RAM. No, once the 15" gets updated, it will have DDR RAM.
I fully expect that the 15" will effectively be updated to being a smaller form factor version of the 17". I'm still hopeful that there will come a full line update that includes a full processor upgrade (i.e. the 970) when that will come at the same time the new 970 based Power Macs.
33...
Originally posted by WasteGate
Here comes another Tuesday, anyone else thinking that this is another i-pod rumor happening?
Not this Tuesday, unfortunately. (I've been waiting all year for the update like a lot of folks.)
Since Apple has a 10 day return/swap policy on upgraded machines, you usually see the ship days increase right before a refresh, so Apple minimizes returns. The ship date for the 15" PB have been "same day" for the past week.
I think we are going to continue to wait for some time, which is a bummer.
okay, so we might have to wait for the update for awhile...
but it should definitely be here, or at least announced by WWDC, and that's not too far off. by then it will really be due for an update.
and even thought the 17" PB hasn't been shipping for so long, Apple might be planning a 'mega-update'!! imagine the 12, 15 and 17" PowerBooks all being updated at the same time!! it's possible. don't forget that this is the year of the laptop, and it is Apple we're talking about after all.
but it should definitely be here, or at least announced by WWDC, and that's not too far off. by then it will really be due for an update.
and even thought the 17" PB hasn't been shipping for so long, Apple might be planning a 'mega-update'!! imagine the 12, 15 and 17" PowerBooks all being updated at the same time!! it's possible. don't forget that this is the year of the laptop, and it is Apple we're talking about after all.
Originally posted by cb911
okay, so we might have to wait for the update for awhile...
but it should definitely be here, or at least announced by WWDC, and that's not too far off. by then it will really be due for an update.
and even thought the 17" PB hasn't been shipping for so long, Apple might be planning a 'mega-update'!! imagine the 12, 15 and 17" PowerBooks all being updated at the same time!! it's possible. don't forget that this is the year of the laptop, and it is Apple we're talking about after all.
Year of the Laptop, my god what was the drive behind that quote? I'm a little disappointed in Apple with the release of a new 15" PowerBook.
I saw a 15" wintel notebook almost identical to the PowerBook at the Australian CeBit, the salesmen comment that its the World's First notebook with a DVD-Rewriter left me laughing and when I said to him the Apple has had this for quiet sometime his next comment was "Oh, I meant it was the World's First notebook with a DVD-Rewriter that runs Windows XP".....loser. Anyway the specs were impressive 2.53Ghz P4, 1Gb ram, etc.
Heres the spec sheet http://www.higrade.com/media/other_documents/pdfs/datasheets/w6700A.pdf.
I wouldn't get one but Apple had better pull their finger out quickly, my AMEX is empty.
Wednesday, I guess this rumor is dead. I kind of figured if we didn't see the 15" updates by this week we probably won't see them until WWDC.
Steve Jobs probably doesn't want to steal thunder from the big 64-bit Panther/970/system updates across the whole line announcements at WWDC.
Steve Jobs probably doesn't want to steal thunder from the big 64-bit Panther/970/system updates across the whole line announcements at WWDC.
Are they here yet?? Well now there's this little tidbit. Who knows.
http://www.powerpage.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/powerpage.woa/wa/story?newsID=11034
http://www.powerpage.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/powerpage.woa/wa/story?newsID=11034
A lot of my friends have finally been coaxed into buying new Powerbooks (10 in all!). it seems my talents may be wasted as a cameraman, and better utilised as an Apple salesman!
Damn - I wish I could sell them on the side...
Anyway, I've been telling them to hold off until after the WWDC, when undoubtedly, the new line of 15" Powerbooks will be unleashed (hopefully, or I'll be lynched...).
It would've been pointless for them to buy the old titanium type, especially since the anodised aluminium is far more scratch-resistant and robust compared to the TiBook design, and these folks will be going into hostile environments (snow, sand, water, bullets - you name it...).
As a sidenote, I think that the upgrades will be:
1 Ghz 12" Powerbook
-same basic specs.
1.25 Ghz 15" Powerbook
-Firewire 800
-Faster SuperDrive
-Bluetooth
-Anodised Aluminium
-Airport Extreme
DUAL 1.25 Ghz 17" Powerbook
-same basic specs.
It makes sense - with the new PPC 970, higher speeds, lower power consumption and lower heat emissions might make it a viable option for the new line - and really leave the competitors standing around, scratching their balls...
Damn - I wish I could sell them on the side...
Anyway, I've been telling them to hold off until after the WWDC, when undoubtedly, the new line of 15" Powerbooks will be unleashed (hopefully, or I'll be lynched...).
It would've been pointless for them to buy the old titanium type, especially since the anodised aluminium is far more scratch-resistant and robust compared to the TiBook design, and these folks will be going into hostile environments (snow, sand, water, bullets - you name it...).
As a sidenote, I think that the upgrades will be:
1 Ghz 12" Powerbook
-same basic specs.
1.25 Ghz 15" Powerbook
-Firewire 800
-Faster SuperDrive
-Bluetooth
-Anodised Aluminium
-Airport Extreme
DUAL 1.25 Ghz 17" Powerbook
-same basic specs.
It makes sense - with the new PPC 970, higher speeds, lower power consumption and lower heat emissions might make it a viable option for the new line - and really leave the competitors standing around, scratching their balls...
Add the Radeon 9600 chipset to that spec and I think your right. Don't get your hopes up for a dual 17" PowerBook just yet...Originally posted by kiwi_the_iwik
As a sidenote, I think that the upgrades will be:
1 Ghz 12" Powerbook
-same basic specs.
1.25 Ghz 15" Powerbook
-Firewire 800
-Faster SuperDrive
-Bluetooth
-Anodised Aluminium
-Airport Extreme
DUAL 1.25 Ghz 17" Powerbook
-same basic specs.
This is an old (2002?) model
That's the 667 MHz Powerbook, the model before last! If this were the 867 MHz, then it would be news. What interests me is whether this is a refurbished model, or whether they still have inventory of the model before last? Still $1499 for a TiBook is still a good deal.
That's the 667 MHz Powerbook, the model before last! If this were the 867 MHz, then it would be news. What interests me is whether this is a refurbished model, or whether they still have inventory of the model before last? Still $1499 for a TiBook is still a good deal.
omg.... if the new 15 inch powerbook has theses new features...
970 processors
Firewire 800
SuperDrive
Bluetooth
Aluminium
Airport Extreme
ATI 9600 Mobility
I will drop my PCs and go get my first mac, and i'm sure a few of my friends will do the same. ^^ Been wanting a notebook for sometime now and the powerbooks look sweet, if they had put an ati 9600 i woulda bought a 17inch already =/. But i think the 17inch is too big for being portable, great for home use though and a big time space saver.
970 processors
Firewire 800
SuperDrive
Bluetooth
Aluminium
Airport Extreme
ATI 9600 Mobility
I will drop my PCs and go get my first mac, and i'm sure a few of my friends will do the same. ^^ Been wanting a notebook for sometime now and the powerbooks look sweet, if they had put an ati 9600 i woulda bought a 17inch already =/. But i think the 17inch is too big for being portable, great for home use though and a big time space saver.
Hopefully it'll be
12" 1 GHz
15" 1 Ghz
15" 1.25 Ghz
17" 1.25 Ghz
Here's another thing. I've read somewhere that there's a FW800 chipset that's capable of using USB2 at the same time. It could be possible that in the interests of space, Apple change the one FW400 on the 12" and make it 1 FW800 with adapter and have the USB 2 on the same chipset. That would be logical (maybe then they could solder some more ram on there...
12" 1 GHz
15" 1 Ghz
15" 1.25 Ghz
17" 1.25 Ghz
Here's another thing. I've read somewhere that there's a FW800 chipset that's capable of using USB2 at the same time. It could be possible that in the interests of space, Apple change the one FW400 on the 12" and make it 1 FW800 with adapter and have the USB 2 on the same chipset. That would be logical (maybe then they could solder some more ram on there...
Re: This is an old (2002?) model
Many students all over the country can get nearly the same price on the 867MHz model through there school you just have to look into it. Also if your not a student makes friends with one and have them buy it for you.
Here's the deal my local university is running.
http://www.uobookstore.com/electronics/apple/powerbookspecial.pdf
It's the 15" TiBook 867MHz, 256MB of Ram, 40GB HD, and the Combo Drive for $1,599.
Many students all over the country can get nearly the same price on the 867MHz model through there school you just have to look into it. Also if your not a student makes friends with one and have them buy it for you.
Here's the deal my local university is running.
http://www.uobookstore.com/electronics/apple/powerbookspecial.pdf
It's the 15" TiBook 867MHz, 256MB of Ram, 40GB HD, and the Combo Drive for $1,599.
well they gotta have thought, in their right minds why people hesitated to buy the 17 inch. cough* the video card. So if they make the 15inch with the response of not updating that, to me its a waste of my time, cause that was the reason why i didn't get one in the first place. Being a PC user nvidia doesn't pump good drivers, plus the fact that i dont think the graphics card would last until next year. But we can always hope they didn't continue to follow that path. But hugs to my ti4600
That's really odd. As on the Macs NVidia drivers are far far better then ATI's. Also I don't know what you mean about lasting until next year. I've never heard of a oem video card failure on a mac. There is no doubt though that the video chips in the current Powerbooks could be more powerful.
Stanford University 12" PB for $1499??
I checked their web site and could not find this deal.
Does anyone have a link to it?
Thanks,
Steve
I checked their web site and could not find this deal.
Does anyone have a link to it?
Thanks,
Steve
I'm not too sure what Apple was thinking when they introduced the 12" and 17" PowerBook and the shift to the Nvidia GeForce4 440 from the Radeon 9000. The performance gains were not there and possibly worse.
I sure hope that they move towards the Radeon 9600 or forward on the Nvidia line and go with the GeForce FX GO. Nvidia development on drivers is better than ATi.
Earlier someone posted a note that their college bookstore was selling the 15" PB with SuperDrive for $2,099 which inlcuded Applecare.
Would you please re-post that schools information?
Thx,
Steve
Would you please re-post that schools information?
Thx,
Steve