5G iPods, PowerBook Updates?

[0098386]

[/IMG]

hah! brilliant

i doubt we're going to see anything for a while yet.
Feb 8th is a bad bad day... my girlfriends birthday is on the 7th so ill be flat broke after that ... stupid apple deliberately trying to get between me and my girl. 3's a crowd man

 

[rosalindavenue]

All I want is that Dual Core G4 and all its lovely on chip memory controller goodness, and higher res screens, inside a widescreen 13" PB

Amen, although I'm reconciled to the single core G4-- although I'd love a 7448 if they are ready-- what I really would like to see are new, higher res wide screens across the board, and a backlit keyboard on the 12"/13". That would last me for years, until at least the rev. 3 G5 or rev. 3 Cell.

 

[Bengt77]

G5? Nah...

A G5 PowerBook or a new iPod is not exactly what I am hoping for. What I'm anticipating most is the battle of the giants, tomorrow. A Tuesday as well, mind you.

Know what I'm talking about? Yeah, indeed, I mean Federer playing against Agassi at the Australian Open tomorrow. Or actually, tonight (it just turned midnight here in Europe).

Federer against Agassi. Now that is something I'm looking forward too. G5 PowerBooks? New iPods? Come on, they are nowhere as cool as a good game of tennis is to watch.

 

[Ysean]

Shipping date as of Jan 24th, 2005

Welp kids, I went ahead and ordered a low-end 15" powerbook. I figure when I major update happens I can just give this one to the gf and order a new one.

Anyway, as of right now, estimated shipping date is "On or before
02/08/2005." Well, that's 3 tuesdays from today. So, I have a nasty feeling the little update that everyone is expecting won't come until the 1st or 8th of February.

I just hope they hurry up and update and ship. I'm going on a 2 week vacation and will have work that needs to be done while I'm away. There's no way I'll attempt to deal with my old "laptop" again.

 

[rosalindavenue]

Well, that's 3 tuesdays from today.

Hey hey hey-- that's only TWO Tuesdays from today. And I don't know why I'm so on pins and needles about this-- I dont think I'm going to buy until Tiger comes out anyway--

 

[Ysean]

Loads up trusty iCal...

Hey hey hey-- that's only TWO Tuesdays from today. And I don't know why I'm so on pins and needles about this-- I dont think I'm going to buy until Tiger comes out anyway--

Nope, it's definitely 3 tuesdays from today. I'm counting tomorrow's Tuesday as 1. At least I sprung for next day shipping so I should have it before my trip.

 

[tomjleeds]

Based on the cinema display and mac mini white+aluminum design trends, I would imagine the 5th generation to look something like this (my pshop skills arent that great, lol):

I don't see them totally dropping the white trend, the general size of the unit, or anything too revolutionary, just evolution on the ipod design. I certainly hope a thinner, color, high capacity version presents itself; the only thing keeping me from a 40GB, especially the Photo, is the thickness of the unit.

I have to say that I really, really like that image. One of the things I like best about the look of the 2G 10GB 'Pod which I originally had was the flat front. If they took the 4G wheel and made it out of brushed aluminium, flattened off the front, made the back aluminium, increased the battery life and stuck a single-platter 40GB drive and a colour screen in (no photo-viewing), I'd snap one up. Or five.

Oh, and it looks like Apple are telling us to be patient ...

 

[neoelectronaut]

I don't guess the 20GB would be phased out and the 40GB would be dropped to $300, eh? lol, one can wish anyway.

This sucks. I was so looking forward to getting a 40GB iPod, my first, in the next 2-3 months. Now they're gonna release some new model that I'll end up not liking, or jack up the price...great. I like the 4G iPod as it is, and I'm worried that whenever I finally get the chance to get an iPod, it'll be the 5G...but I wanted a 4G. *sigh*

 

[iRobot]

I don't guess the 20GB would be phased out and the 40GB would be dropped to $300, eh? lol, one can wish anyway.

This sucks. I was so looking forward to getting a 40GB iPod, my first, in the next 2-3 months. Now they're gonna release some new model that I'll end up not liking, or jack up the price...great. I like the 4G iPod as it is, and I'm worried that whenever I finally get the chance to get an iPod, it'll be the 5G...but I wanted a 4G. *sigh*

Ebay will have the 4Gs for months after the 5G comes out, assuming that it does come out as a replacement for the current model.

 

[Caiwyn]

I'm just curious what you do with your laptop that you consider a 1.67 Ghz G4 to have "nonexistent performance." .

Virtual PC.

And you want a G5? What are you, a masochist?

Unless you have a secret edition of MS Office for the Mac that comes with Access, its going to be a requirement on any Apple laptop I have. And please people. Don't tell me to just get a cheap PC laptop. I do NOT want to carry two systems with me where ever I go. Beyond that I have over a grand in software invested on the PC side of things. Too much to simply give it up cold turkey. That and some of it is unique to Windows. MS MapPoint does not have a counterpart on OS X nor does, as far as I know, Visio.

Get a PC. Seriously, it sounds like all the software you need in order to be productive is PC software that has no OS X equivalent. Why are you even using a Mac? For its UNIX command line? Just install Cygwin on a PC laptop and be done with it. For the stability and ease-of-use? That's shot to hell the minute you start Windows via VPC.

I love the modern Mac platform as much as anybody else here, but if the bulk of my needs could only be served by Windows, then that would be what I used.

 

[beatle888]

Originally Posted by raggedjimmi

umm... i think i found something out

whilst dropping off to sleep last night i was thinking of the apple hardware page layout (as you do) and i realised something

__________________

Let's just say that I'm glad you went to sleep when you did, as your mind was obviously playing tricks on you. How the heck do you make an "N" out of that mess?! Nice try, but in this case, no...

actually, steve jobs kept on show casing paris in a keynote a while ago and he ended up introducing a highly anticipated product in the following paris keynote.

now this time valentines day is coming and he's all over the topic of love. im not saying it means anything, im just saying it is possible going by previous events.

 

[Apple!Freak]

Here are some of the best 5G iPod Concepts I have seen yet........

AND this would be very cool to see in places like malls around the country!

 

[efoto]

That Nano looks awesome! I would buy that tonight if it were available. I personally like the idea of the iPod Flash but do not care for the appearance all that much. Nano is really sweet looking.

 

[shidoshi]

I have to say, I actually dig that first iPod flash concept. That would be pretty nice. I also liked doogle's idea as well.

Here are my thoughts on a 5G iPod. First, I don't see them having to wait on it because of the iPod photo just coming out. From what I heard, photo isn't doing so hot. They could release a 5G iPod and bump the photo to make it more attractive, or basically merge the two into one single iPod with color screen and photo ability across the board. I really wouldn't be surprised if the latter happens. I'm a bit torn, though - I'd love a color screen, but at the same time, I'm a sucker for monocrome interfaces.

No more touch buttons, please. If there is one thing I dislike about my 3G, it is how easy it is to touch those buttons. I'll be in my car, I'll pick a song I want, and while trying to put the iPod down, I accidentally brush one of the buttons and change tracks. Half of my usage of my iPod is toggling the Hold switch off and on.

Apple really, really needs to improve the quality of the headphones that you get with the iPod a bit. Yes, they aren't meant to be high end, but come on. The joint where the two headphone cords meet into one cord is so fragile it isn't funny. One accidental tug, and the plastic rips to expose the wire underneith. As well, take these things out into any decently cold weather, and the cord hardens, which is annoying and makes it easy for the earbuds to fall out of your ear.

I'd like to see slightly better included headphones, a better wired remote, and maybe an updated design. Oh, and while we're wishing, Bluetooth and an interface so that I can use the iPod as a remote to access and play the music I have on my Mac. Have the iPod's screen list what your copy of iTunes has in it, and you have the perfect remote.

 

[yamabushi]

Virtual PC. Unless you have a secret edition of MS Office for the Mac that comes with Access, its going to be a requirement on any Apple laptop I have. And please people. Don't tell me to just get a cheap PC laptop. I do NOT want to carry two systems with me where ever I go... ...It doesn’t have to be lightening fast but sure as heck faster then the 1.25Ghz system I tried MapPoint on at an Apple store last year...

Try maxing out the RAM and upgrading the HD to 5400rpm in a current or soon to be released PB. Virtual PC benefits greatly from a system with over a Gig of RAM. Both Windows XP and OSX run much snappier with over 512MB of RAM to work with so you need plenty of memory to keep the entire system running smoothly. Such a system might provide you with at least adequate if somewhat lackluster perfomance for Windows applications.

Also, keep in mind that identical pairs of SODIMMs appear to provide a slight performance benefit. I reccomend two high quality 1 GB modules from a reputable supplier.

 

[SiliconAddict]

And you want a G5? What are you, a masochist?

No I want something which can actually compete against a Pentium M. As it stands the PowerBook line sucks. I’ve seen VPC on a 1.8Ghz G5. It IS faster then on a G4.

Get a PC. Seriously, it sounds like all the software you need in order to be productive is PC software that has no OS X equivalent.

I have a PC. In point of fact I have 5 PC's. 2 laptops. 2 desktops. And a home server. As an admin of just under two hundred PCs where I work I deal with Windows BS day in and day out. I do not want to come home and deal with the same ****. As I said before I'm not going to carry around two freaking laptops with me. And I need these apps to come along with me to work.

Why are you even using a Mac? For its UNIX command line? Just install Cygwin on a PC laptop and be done with it. For the stability and ease-of-use? That's shot to hell the minute you start Windows via VPC.

What the heck are you talking about? Windows is just as stable on the PPC platform as on the X86. Just slower. Hell I’m using VPC on my Dell at work to setup installer packages and it runs perfectly fine.
And FYI I'm not using a Mac. I want to use a Mac, and I will before the end of the year. Probably before midyear. I'm sick of Windows BS. I can give you a 5 page essay in my experiences with windows over the last few years being in the IT industry. The short version is while stability is there security is not. Every damn time you install a freaking patch you have to worry whether or not it’s going to trash your system. No more then 6 weeks ago I ended up rebuilding the desktop I’m typing this on because a patch that I installed screwed up the OS enough that every time I tried logging into Windows it immediately kick me back to the login screen. I spent about 4 hours trying to fix that problem. No luck.
Then there is the inability to get Microsoft and their various OEMs to get a seamless integration between hardware and software. In my years I've yet to see a sleep mode on a Windows system that after a while doesn’t get FUBARed after a while. I’ve got an IBM laptop sitting here that takes about 2 minutes to resume and it’s a brand new system that my company gave me. No errors in the error log. I’ve done all the basic troubleshooting it simply doesn’t work right anymore.
And then there is the additional software you really need to purchase when dealing with Windows. Antivirus software, a good firewall (Windows Firewall sucks as does most of the free stuff like the free version of Zone Alarm.), a good adware scanner (SpyBot and Adaware do NOT detect everything. And then you have the wonderful subscriptions to get those virus def updates. The entire industry is built up to fix inherent problems in Windows. I’m sick of feeding that industry. Period.
As for *nix. Cygwin is hardly a good implementation of *nix. In fact it down right SUCKS.

I love the modern Mac platform as much as anybody else here, but if the bulk of my needs could only be served by Windows, then that would be what I used.

The bulk of my needs doesn’t require Windows. I know of very few people who have large amounts of Windows software that are going to give it up cold turkey. And I’m not going to be doing heavy lifting in Access. Mainly tweaking tables, running a few reports. Fixing corrupt Dbases and the like. Light stuff.

It boils down to this. Apple’s current Pro mobile solution sucks for those who are using CPU intensive apps like VPC, FCP, Photoshop, etc. Year over year its something like a 5% increase in speed. That isn’t growth that is stagnation. Couple that with an aging architecture, a aging video card, a rather pathetic screen in comparison to current systems it all adds up to a system that has been down right neglected. And telling me I should be getting a PC simply because Apple can’t deliver the goods is another BS excuse. Stop making excuses for them.

 

[Ysean]

NIX THAT IDEA!

Welp kids, I went ahead and ordered a low-end 15" powerbook. I figure when I major update happens I can just give this one to the gf and order a new one.

Anyway, as of right now, estimated shipping date is "On or before
02/08/2005." Well, that's 3 tuesdays from today. So, I have a nasty feeling the little update that everyone is expecting won't come until the 1st or 8th of February.

I just hope they hurry up and update and ship. I'm going on a 2 week vacation and will have work that needs to be done while I'm away. There's no way I'll attempt to deal with my old "laptop" again.

Seems my order just shipped out tonight. So the ***** lied on the shipping time. That's both good and bad for me. I definitely get it before my trip but I won't get the upgrades if there are any in the next couple of weeks.

 

[Caiwyn]

No I want something which can actually compete against a Pentium M. As it stands the PowerBook line sucks. I’ve seen VPC on a 1.8Ghz G5. It IS faster then on a G4.

But nowhere near as stable. Surely you've read about all the problems MS has had porting VPC to the G5.

What the heck are you talking about? Windows is just as stable on the PPC platform as on the X86. Just slower.

My comparison was between Windows and OS X, not Windows on the x86 vs. Windows on the PowerPC via VPC. You're making my point for me. If the superior stability of OS X is not a factor, then what is?

I'm sick of Windows BS. I can give you a 5 page essay in my experiences with windows over the last few years being in the IT industry. The short version is while stability is there security is not. Every damn time you install a freaking patch you have to worry whether or not it’s going to trash your system... Then there is the inability to get Microsoft and their various OEMs to get a seamless integration between hardware and software... And then there is the additional software you really need to purchase when dealing with Windows.

I hear you. Those are my reasons for switching as well. What you described all boils down to the superiority of the Macintosh's hardware and software design. But the best design in the world doesn't mean squat if it doesn't get the work done, and you either require, or refuse to relinquish, functionality that only comes with Windows. What good is making the case for switching to a Mac if you can't live without a fast-performing Windows implementation? Because when it's all said and done and you're loading up VPC, guess what? YOU'RE STILL RUNNING WINDOWS.

The bulk of my needs doesn’t require Windows. I know of very few people who have large amounts of Windows software that are going to give it up cold turkey. And I’m not going to be doing heavy lifting in Access. Mainly tweaking tables, running a few reports. Fixing corrupt Dbases and the like. Light stuff.

Then why are you wasting so much air bitching about the fact that VPC doesn't run like a cheetah?

It boils down to this. Apple’s current Pro mobile solution sucks for those who are using CPU intensive apps like VPC, FCP, Photoshop, etc.

Are you serious? You just listed a complete system emulator, a high-end video editing suite, and the top-of-the-line photographic image editor. EVERYONE'S pro mobile solution sucks for those apps, in comparison to a desktop system. Unless you buy a 2" thick laptop that weighs 15 pounds and sounds like a jet engine.

And yet, every one of those apps will run, and run well, on the current G4 Powerbook. I, too, am a sysadmin. But *my* creative department has no problem running the complete Adobe Creative Suite, as well as Quark XPress and Microsoft Office, on the current crop of Powerbook G4s.

Frankly, if the blazing speed of a desktop is what you need, then you need to buy a desktop. If you require the mobility of a laptop, then you need to learn how to compromise, no matter what platform you're running. The G4 is not so behind the G5's capabilities that it doesn't deliver every bit as much as Intel's mobile solution does against an Intel desktop.

Year over year its something like a 5% increase in speed. That isn’t growth that is stagnation.

So "growth," by your definition, would be a 5% increase in speed that had a 5 after the G instead of a 4?

Couple that with an aging architecture,

Compared to what? The Pentium M/Centrino? Which is based on the Pentium 3 and represents a step BACKWARDS in chip evolution?

a aging video card,

Less than a year old is "aging?" I'd hate to see your girlfriend.

a rather pathetic screen in comparison to current systems

Yeah, because that 1280x854 widescreen resolution on Apple's 15" Powerbook doesn't even come close to the stock 1024x768 on most other laptops.

it all adds up to a system that has been down right neglected. And telling me I should be getting a PC simply because Apple can’t deliver the goods is another BS excuse. Stop making excuses for them.

Stop being a whiny bitch. When the technology exists, Apple will have it. Me, I'm putting my money where my mouth is. I'll be buying a 15" Powerbook no matter what the next rev is.

 

[Kreamy]

I dont really see how the 4th gen. design could really be significantly improved for the 5th gen. other than a colour screen.

Sound sound sound. Battery Battery Battery. Ruggedness Ruggedness Ruggedness. Price Price Price.


These are FOUR major selling points that creative still has over apple. Some fixes (mainly price-wise) and creative would be entirely bumped out of the HDD MP3 player market.

 

[Kreamy]

But nowhere near as stable. Surely you've read about all the problems MS has had porting VPC to the G5.



My comparison was between Windows and OS X, not Windows on the x86 vs. Windows on the PowerPC via VPC. You're making my point for me. If the superior stability of OS X is not a factor, then what is?



I hear you. Those are my reasons for switching as well. What you described all boils down to the superiority of the Macintosh's hardware and software design. But the best design in the world doesn't mean squat if it doesn't get the work done, and you either require, or refuse to relinquish, functionality that only comes with Windows. What good is making the case for switching to a Mac if you can't live without a fast-performing Windows implementation? Because when it's all said and done and you're loading up VPC, guess what? YOU'RE STILL RUNNING WINDOWS.



Then why are you wasting so much air bitching about the fact that VPC doesn't run like a cheetah?



Are you serious? You just listed a complete system emulator, a high-end video editing suite, and the top-of-the-line photographic image editor. EVERYONE'S pro mobile solution sucks for those apps, in comparison to a desktop system. Unless you buy a 2" thick laptop that weighs 15 pounds and sounds like a jet engine.

And yet, every one of those apps will run, and run well, on the current G4 Powerbook. I, too, am a sysadmin. But *my* creative department has no problem running the complete Adobe Creative Suite, as well as Quark XPress and Microsoft Office, on the current crop of Powerbook G4s.

Frankly, if the blazing speed of a desktop is what you need, then you need to buy a desktop. If you require the mobility of a laptop, then you need to learn how to compromise, no matter what platform you're running. The G4 is not so behind the G5's capabilities that it doesn't deliver every bit as much as Intel's mobile solution does against an Intel desktop.



So "growth," by your definition, would be a 5% increase in speed that had a 5 after the G instead of a 4?



Compared to what? The Pentium M/Centrino? Which is based on the Pentium 3 and represents a step BACKWARDS in chip evolution?



Less than a year old is "aging?" I'd hate to see your girlfriend.



Yeah, because that 1280x854 widescreen resolution on Apple's 15" Powerbook doesn't even come close to the stock 1024x768 on most other laptops.



Stop being a whiny bitch. When the technology exists, Apple will have it. Me, I'm putting my money where my mouth is. I'll be buying a 15" Powerbook no matter what the next rev is.

I love you

 

[Muzukun]

But nowhere near as stable. Surely you've read about all the problems MS has had porting VPC to the G5.



My comparison was between Windows and OS X, not Windows on the x86 vs. Windows on the PowerPC via VPC. You're making my point for me. If the superior stability of OS X is not a factor, then what is?



I hear you. Those are my reasons for switching as well. What you described all boils down to the superiority of the Macintosh's hardware and software design. But the best design in the world doesn't mean squat if it doesn't get the work done, and you either require, or refuse to relinquish, functionality that only comes with Windows. What good is making the case for switching to a Mac if you can't live without a fast-performing Windows implementation? Because when it's all said and done and you're loading up VPC, guess what? YOU'RE STILL RUNNING WINDOWS.



Then why are you wasting so much air bitching about the fact that VPC doesn't run like a cheetah?



Are you serious? You just listed a complete system emulator, a high-end video editing suite, and the top-of-the-line photographic image editor. EVERYONE'S pro mobile solution sucks for those apps, in comparison to a desktop system. Unless you buy a 2" thick laptop that weighs 15 pounds and sounds like a jet engine.

And yet, every one of those apps will run, and run well, on the current G4 Powerbook. I, too, am a sysadmin. But *my* creative department has no problem running the complete Adobe Creative Suite, as well as Quark XPress and Microsoft Office, on the current crop of Powerbook G4s.

Frankly, if the blazing speed of a desktop is what you need, then you need to buy a desktop. If you require the mobility of a laptop, then you need to learn how to compromise, no matter what platform you're running. The G4 is not so behind the G5's capabilities that it doesn't deliver every bit as much as Intel's mobile solution does against an Intel desktop.



So "growth," by your definition, would be a 5% increase in speed that had a 5 after the G instead of a 4?



Compared to what? The Pentium M/Centrino? Which is based on the Pentium 3 and represents a step BACKWARDS in chip evolution?



Less than a year old is "aging?" I'd hate to see your girlfriend.



Yeah, because that 1280x854 widescreen resolution on Apple's 15" Powerbook doesn't even come close to the stock 1024x768 on most other laptops.



Stop being a whiny bitch. When the technology exists, Apple will have it. Me, I'm putting my money where my mouth is. I'll be buying a 15" Powerbook no matter what the next rev is.

*laughs* ahhh that was nice, and now for sleep


kind of funny how cheery everyone becomes after awhile *honestly can't wait to see what apple brings out for the sole purpose that some will dance around and say I told you so! ... while doing the I told you so dance from will and grace +gay points for me *

 

[ts1973]

I think Apple is toying a little with us.

Yesterday, delivery of Powerbooks was 3-5 days, today 7-10 days. I guess they just put back the update another week (can't imagine people massively started buying powerbooks yesterday).

 

[oskar]

It boils down to this. Apple’s current Pro mobile solution sucks for those who are using CPU intensive apps like VPC, FCP, Photoshop, etc. Year over year its something like a 5% increase in speed. That isn’t growth that is stagnation. Couple that with an aging architecture, a aging video card, a rather pathetic screen in comparison to current systems it all adds up to a system that has been down right neglected. And telling me I should be getting a PC simply because Apple can’t deliver the goods is another BS excuse. Stop making excuses for them.

Have you ever even used FCP? Probably not being a Windows user...
The PowerBook G4 is the recommended portable for use with Panasonic's DVCPRO HD format. I've used it and it works just fine. Not like a Dual G5, but definitely better than what you're trying to describe. And with iLife '05 and Final Cut Express HD arriving with the HDV format, I think there's nothing else you could currently ask for.

You're probably right about VPC because ever since I've used it (version 5), it's always been slow, unless I run W98. But what do you expect from an emulator? You're only supposed to do the most essential things on it and unless the emulator could recognize the Mac's video card directly, it would still be slow in many ways, no matter if you gave it a dual-core G4 or whatever else you could ask for.

And Photoshop works fine on any Mac with enough RAM, even the iBook.

 

[matticus008]

I think Apple is toying a little with us.

Yesterday, delivery of Powerbooks was 3-5 days, today 7-10 days. I guess they just put back the update another week (can't imagine people massively started buying powerbooks yesterday).

Nah, it's been 7-10 days for a few days now, except for the 12" models (3-5 days still). Not that I don't agree that Apple is toying with us...

The more I think about it, the more I wonder if I'll just end up with an HP. I love Apple and I'm desperate for OS X, but time is running short and the screen, hard drive, battery life, and feature set are all better on the dv1000 series. What has kept me from buying it is my undying love for Apple (and the fact that the HP has integrated graphics, which sort of negates the processor/system performance advantage of the P-M). It's no PowerBook, but it'll fit the bill, for a lower bill . Please Apple, update soon so you can have my money! I don't care about the processor if the other features are improved (backlit keyboard on all models, more standard RAM, new video hardware, better LCD panel, maybe an iTunes without boot feature [the HP can play DVDs and music without booting into Windows at all, which is pretty rad]).

 

[davey-nb]

The Secret Number Is...

I also just noticed that if you add the numerical values of the letters in APPLE together

A1 + P16 + P16 + L12 + E5 = 50

and divide by the number of letters in "Steven Jobs" (10)

50 / 10 = 5

QUOTE]

Steve Jobs turns 50 – February 24!