Apple Press Event October 19 Confirmed

[ksz]

This is probably Apple's best year in its history...

The new, unexpected iMac is by far THE BEST personal computer offering of the market...the Nano is a cash cow...and new PMs will kick anyone's ass in the pro level...

The strongest revenue streams, the best computer line ever, the best iPods...updates are just coming and coming...this is really amazing, as the pipeline is finally showing up...GO APPLE!

Let's wait to hear about the new PBs. In general, though, I agree. It would have been nice to see a faster CPU and GPU in the iMac to seal it as arguably the best general-purpose computer. I also wish Apple had introduced an 80GB iPod (music videos, TV shows, and video podcasts will require a lot more space). I also wish the nano was scratch-resistant.

But nevertheless, Apple seems to have a bright future.

 

[NVRsayNVR]

iTUNES 8!

Hahaha... Go Apple!

I'm starting to think Apple is gettin VERY serious about taking over the world.
How many NEW stores scheduled for next year?

Wonder if Apple is setting a standard with these press events or are they just late to the scene? Can't wait to see the new Mac's on Intel!

MWSF might be the best event ever.


Got stock?

 

[~Shard~]

It would have been nice to see a faster CPU and GPU in the iMac to seal it as arguably the best general-purpose computer.

A faster CPU in the first place was a nice bonus IMO, I wasn't really expecting that. As for the GPU, Apple couldn't go too crazy due to heat restrictions. I think it was a significant upgrade solely because they went to PCIe myself - which bodes well for the PowerMac upgrades as well. ;cool:

 

[ibook30]

I've said it previously - but apple is starving the pro line.

The only gain I can imagine is the hope (that they keep enough pro users) to make it more enticing to folks who need a great machine to move to Intel.

If they can get you pro users over there, it will give the Intel machines a lot of street cred.

Also- it may be that pro users have a reputation for early adopting. Perhaps Apple hope y'all move to the new machines quick! I'm not expecting much out of the pro line update. BUT I'd love to be wrong!

 

[Surreal]

Preface: Crazy talk

so...


thinking about how much i want a G5 in a powerbook...at almost any cost...i realized that if apple got a 1.8 into the 15 and 17 pbs, the 12 would still be small.

but if they offered the 2 highest speed g4s or th ibooks in both 12 and 14...then there shouldnt be an issue (a 12 in PB is pretty close to an ibook anyway)


i just wnt to run logic on a portable G5...is that too much to ask




P.S.(yes. it would appear so)

 

[digitalbiker]

thinking about how much i want a G5 in a powerbook...at almost any cost...

That's part of what makes Apple so great. You never know what to expect. Sometimes they disappoint and other times they astound.

Just when I thought I was out.... they PULL ME BACK IN!

 

[fklehman]

Let's start guessing:

12" PB - 1.67 GHz MPC7447a + DL Superdrive, the rest remains the same
15" PB - 1.8 GHz MPC7448 + HR display + DDR2 + ATI X700 64MB ...
17" PB - 2.0 GHz MPC7448 + HR display + DDR2 + NVidia Go 6400 128MB ...

Wishful thinking?

How does the nVidia 6400 compare with the ATI X800? I'm not saying we'd actually see either one in the PB (although that would be cool), I'm just asking the theoretical question I guess.

 

[fklehman]

160 GB, wow! I had not heard about them. Now should I put a 7200 rpm 100 GB Hitachi (or maybe Seagate) or a 5400 rpm 160 GB Seagate into my Powerbook, I am buying next week? Hard decisions.

Tough call, but I'm going with the 100GB 7200 myself for the speed. It was a tougher call back when the largest 7200rpm HDD was only 60GB, I ended up getting a 80GB 5400rpm drive becuse I really needed the extra space. But I'm not quite full yet and 100GB will give me even more breathing room. I'll take the speed bump this time.

 

[fklehman]

LOL. best post of the day!!!!

Yeah really--iTunes getting updated twice in like 4 weeks. weird.

 

[generik]

How does the nVidia 6400 compare with the ATI X800? I'm not saying we'd actually see either one in the PB (although that would be cool), I'm just asking the theoretical question I guess.

I hope not..

The 6400 is a pretty weak GPU. I used to use a 6600GT before upgrading to a X800

 

[ksz]

That's part of what makes Apple so great. You never know what to expect. Sometimes they disappoint and other times they astound.

Just when I thought I was out.... they PULL ME BACK IN!

A nice way to put it. It's been a rollercoaster ride with great expectations gone awry. But the time for those great expectations is back at hand.

 

[NewSc2]

So I'm a current owner of the 1.67Mhz 17" PowerBook that came out last February. I love it. But I'm also extremely seduced by talk of DDR2 memory and HD displays. That, and I'm kinda possessive about having the best of the best.

So should I upgrade? I'm an educator, so I can sell my current PB for around $2000-2200, I think, and still only pay $2399 (if they don't change the price) for a new, updated 17" PB.

I'm honestly at a loss of opinion about this; I'm happy either way, though I do like the idea of upgrading while the going is good. (Well, what do you do with all your old Macs?) Oh, and would you sell your PB before or after the event? I'd think it'd be wiser to sell beforehand, then after, no?

I have that same 17" PB as well, and personally I would not upgrade. I think waiting at least 2 revisions to upgrade is good. What are you going to do when the next rev. powerbooks come out (intel powerbooks?), upgrade again? Are you really using so much power from your powerbook that you *need* an upgrade to get that much more out of it?

I've been using my Powerbook to run Logic Pro and I manage to get by pretty easily (haven't been going hard on the plugins yet tho). I know upgrading to this new PB, unless it's something really special, would be of minimal benefit to me, certainly not worth the ~$600 price difference ($2400 + tax - $2000, and methinks the 17" will get a price increase if the upgrade is significant... like HD screens).

Also with the HD screens... the resolution I'm using right now (1440 x 900? jeesh I forget, not on my PB right now..) is pretty big for the screen already. I have my mouse and keyboard, a MIDI keyboard, and then the Powerbook on an icurve on my desk and reading small words isn't very easy sometimes.

Anyways, those are just my thoughts. I'm definitely looking forward to the new Powermacs but I think Powerbooks have run their course and new processors are needed.

 

[syklee26]

pb g5

technically, pb g5 might happen since the pro versions of mactel would not come out until late 2006 at earliest....so there is enough time gap.

however, the fact that many of the engineers moved to intel division implies that pb g5 will probably not happen.

although mac mini is not a pro mac, since mac mini announcement would not be the only announcement i think it will happen.

the part "innovation" sounds interesting....first i thought it would be some pro photo software but i think it might be a bit more than that...maybe some software that is similar to Front Row might be in the works exclusively for pro mac....or that pro photo software might be just integrated into new pro macs.

there also might be a possibility of some sort of apple-built tablet board...not tablet pc but something like wacom pen tablet

http://store.apple.com/1-800-780-50...Mm7dR2ha5ks1RCxH8L0L/1.0.15.1.0.8.25.7.11.0.3

remember that apple has been looking for handwriting programmer for a while.

 

[berkleeboy210]

for the heck of it, I just checked MacMall's website. They are out of 15" PowerBooks. Didn't check the 17" but I'm sure they are out of that as well. Not often do I see Mac Mall not have a current model product in stock. Which points at updates.

 

[Mr Maui]

Does anyone know yet if the new iMac sports the new low power G5 chip announced by IBM last summer?

If it does then maybe Apple IS keeping a big update very very secret.

Keep in mind that the new iMac have 1.9 GHz and 2.1GHz chips in them ... numbers not contained in any other prior Mac. Anything is possible, unless somewhere it shows in the specs that the new iMacs are still using the 7447 or 7447A chips.

 

[Mr Maui]

Can you say new G5 HD 500Gb 3 ghz blu-ray drive powerbook tuesday?

PUH-LEEEEEZ!!!

 

[DeepIn2U]

loss for words!

I think its pretty safe to say that Apple is in its second Golden Age!

Nano
iMac G5 + iSight + remote = value
iPod (black/white event) with Video support + iTM/VS (iTunes Music/Video Store)
and now Dual Core PowerMac G5s?

I think many of us can forgive Apple for not speed bumping PowerBooks this time around considering the money they're generating for all those mentioned above. Not that most of you wont complain - and there be aplenty. I do think though if no speed bumps but only video card/screens are updated then I think an online shrink & dedicated forum with setting up a support person should seriously be considered for so many here online.

I could forget everyone else in my family, but I decided on not getting a Cube last week - not because I couldnt afford it, far from it - but because now the RevB iMac G5 17" is litteraly $1299 new for a 1.8Ghz and $1599 for 2.0Ghz. If I find a Dual 1.8Ghz PowerMac G5 (with PCI-X) imacculately used for the same price I'm on it like a fat kid on a twinkie!

I'm all set for either machine along with another drawing tablet for the daughter, electric Guitar for my son & eye, and an iPod Nano for my wife & I for Xmas.

 

[nagromme]

I just don't get the excitement for a dual core Yonah PB. Currently Intel is having trouble with this chip. It is running hotter than expected and slower than expected, it will most likely be delayed. But let's say all goes well and it is in the PB by June 2006.

OK great now I can use rosetta to emulate a G3 so that I can run all of my PPC Pro software. Lets say the Yonah dual core runs at 2.5 Ghz and lets say that optimisticly rosetta can emulate a G3 runnig at 60% of native clock speed or 1.5 ghz. Wow now I have a $3000 laptop running Photoshop and Maya like a 1.5Ghz G3. Boy am I excited!

Oh that's right I get to use my $3000 high speed dual core to run, safari, mac mail, iphoto. All applications that don't need a high speed dual core chip.

No , it would be much better if we see a much improved G4 or G5 powerbook to last through the Intel growing pains and buy when plenty of software exists that can use the hardware.

I've always said that getting one of the last of the PPC Macs has its advantages. BUT so does waiting for Intel. Each person's needs are different--including what apps they most demand performance from. There WILL be many apps on Intel by the middle of next year--considering there already are some. Photoshop, as you say, will take longer.

For me, it comes down to this. If I keep my next PowerBook for 2 years, say (probably longer), then going PPC means I dodge Rosetta for a few months... and then have a SLOWER machine for remaining year and a half.

If I get an Intel PowerBook, then I face the early-adopter issues like slow Rosetta performance for a few months, and then have a MUCH faster PowerBook the rest of the time. (It's not like I'm buying a PowerBook to use for the next 6 months and then scrap.)

So that's why some of us would like to get moving on Intel soon. We need a new PowerBook, will be keeping it for a few years, and want it to be the new breed. We're accepting that there will be a transition with some rough spots.

And for other people, PowerPC makes more sense. It's all a matter of each person's needs.

 

[caccamolle]

Credit Card in hand if they can actually do something of any substance with powerbooks.

hmmm, I would have bet gold on new PB last tuesday.
Now we are talking "something of substance" and on this I am afraid I would not bet a thing.

Apple is surely yet gradually exiting the PC hardware business so I doubt they would invest substantially in new hardware and related R&D.

 

[~Shard~]

I'm not expecting much out of the pro line update. BUT I'd love to be wrong!

No offense, but I think you will be wrong - in a good way, for us all!

After seeing the major upgrade Apple did to the iMac, I think we'll be seeing the same thing for the PowerMacs. Updated processors to the 970MPs, DDR2 RAM, PCIe, larger HDs possibly... I think it'll be a significant upgrade for 2 reasons. Number one, the PowerMac hasn't been upgraded in a long time. And two, this upgrade has to be substantial enough to hold the line over until the Intel PowerMacs come out, which won't be until 2007 - a marginal 970 bump wouldn't cut it.

 

[~Shard~]

Keep in mind that the new iMac have 1.9 GHz and 2.1GHz chips in them ... numbers not contained in any other prior Mac. Anything is possible, unless somewhere it shows in the specs that the new iMacs are still using the 7447 or 7447A chips.

You mean the 970 chips, right? 7447 chips are G4s.

So yes, either these iMacs sport overclocked 1.7 and 2.0 GHz 970s, or perhaps overclocked 970GXs for lower power/heat - guess System Profiler will ultimately settle this speculation....

 

[powerbook911]

i do the same thing. i pay my credit cards off as soon as the bill arrives. i have read though, that this is frowned upon by the credit bureaus. it has something to do with them thinking you can't maintain a monthly bill so you pay it all off very quickly. not sure if i buy into that or not.

I have a card I pay everything off on, and I have a card, where I'll sometimes let a couple hundred carry over, but the rate is only 11 percent. The reason being is that showing you can carry a balance on cards actually helps your credit rating compared to paying off every card every month.

Furthermore, there are so many strategies to turn the credit card companies on their heads, and take advantage of their own trickery:

One I have:

I pay just about every bill, groceries, gasoline, etc. with a particular card. This adds up to a substantial sum each month. However, I actually submit payment for each of those items, when I buy them, via my online banking system. That allows me to carry a balance up to what I spend each month (if I ever wanted to), but I'm tricking the credit card into thinking I'm paying off the entire previous statement balance, when in reality I'm just paying new charges (they just happen to be more than the previous statement balance of course). What this does is I never have interest rates on that card, even if I always have a balance at statement time of a couple hundred (and I could allow that balance to increase to whatever my monthly spending is without getting interest).

Example:
Previous balance $300 (fun stuff I bought)
Spending this month: $1500
Several payments during the month before next statement: $1500

New balance: $300

See, the card thinks I paid off the previous balance, so I don't get interest.

I love turning the game on them, from time to time.

When it comes to computers, I try to pay 50-75 percent on the card, right away. Then I'll do a hundred or two hundred a month until its paid, but with no interest.

 

[~Shard~]

The reason being is that showing you can carry a balance on cards actually helps your credit rating compared to paying off every card every month.

The US criteria must be different than Canada then, because, as I indicated above, my credit rating is extremely high and I pay off my credit cards immediately and never carry a balance. There are other factors at play as well of course, but this one definitely doesn't seem to have a huge impact, not on me and others I know of at least... Interesting...

 

[powerbook911]

The US criteria must be different than Canada then, because, as I indicated above, my credit rating is extremely high and I pay off my credit cards immediately and never carry a balance. There are other factors at play as well of course, but this one definitely doesn't seem to have a huge impact, not on me and others I know of at least... Interesting...

Yeah must definitely be a difference between canadian and u.s. credit ratings.

For most people I'd say its still best not to carry any balance, but any research you put into the U.S. system will strongly tell you that showing you can carry a pay a balance over time can be helpful to your credit rating.

However, I just think in order to not get in trouble, one might as well not carry a balance.

Back to these events scheduled, I wonder if Steve will be the one making this announcement? I know of an event or two in the past that weren't done by Steve. He sure has been busy lately!

 

[GeorgeTheMonkey]

Continuing Discussion: Sell PB for Upgrade?

I'm not one too keen on being an early adopter of PowerBooks using Intel chips; I'd rather have a last Rev. PPC computer (portable, anyway) than a Rev. A Intel computer. This just suits me better, in terms of nagromme's explanation.

For the finances, this is what I've worked out. Feel free to correct me:
Assuming there's no bump in the price (and I doubt there are, considering the major updates for PBs are just looking to be a HD display, DDR 2 memory, and a slightly larger harddrive), the final cost is $2699, minus $200 for Edu discount. = $2399. I also don't have to pay any sales tax or additional fees, so that's the bottom line.

I'm assuming, hey, top-of-the-line 17" PB that I bought for $2400. If I throw in an extra 1gb stick of RAM, possibly an iSight and/or external HD and a few other goodies, I can get $2100-2200 for it. Effectively, I'd be paying only two or three hundred extra for upgrading.

I don't mind selling before finding out what, if any, new upgrades are like, because I have an external HD that I routinely backup the entire PB HD to. (Also handy for restoring your computer from scratch/factory setting, minus the installation of all your applications again.) So listing it on eBay ASAP sort of does make sense, since technically it still is a top-of-the-line PB... at least for a few more days. And the auction would last probably past the Media Event, so if by chance nothing comes out, I can cancel the auction.

(I'm a novice at internet auctions, though; don't you think that, since the auction end time would be AFTER the announcement, people aren't as likely to pay top dollar as before? Or would they hear the announcement, then run to eBay to snatch up good deals on older ones?)

I still have to decide what to do. I guess either way – sell or no – I've got a great computer and I'm perfectly happy with it. I'm just trying to think ahead, plan on how to maximize my value.