Apple Releases New iBooks

[4thWall]

upgrading the RAM

Thanks for the link regarding upgrading the RAM on the new ibook 14". Sorry i'm not a bit about computers but not that much. I want to up the RAM and purchase a 1 GIG chip. What type of chip should i get a specific one and do you know of any places that sell them cheaply. I don't want to mess up the ibook of course but i think that i can get a chip for under $500 which is what apple.com offers us.

 

[Panoctopi]

Overall I'm happy with the upgrade. I don't know why everyone keeps falling for the same rumor trick, I guess we all like the roller coster ride.
So much complaining but if you think about it, when apple announce the transition to Intel cpu's that should pretty indicated up front that there shouldn't be expectations for great changes until then...

Again if you need or really want a new iBook this is a valuable update, no one from apple ever promised more than this, if any more was given, then everyone would be complaining about the lack of differentiation with the powerbook. So enjoy the new features or just chill and wait for the next release.

As for the Dell/Sony/etc. comparisons last time I checked they were still running windows, so... there's really nothing to compare!

 

[Freyqq]

Now..why would any1 buy a 12" pb?

Ibook -> almost the same processor
better video card prob
300+ less
same ram (actually better ram b\c of the slot thing)

If apple keeps this up they won't make it to see intel.

 

[~Shard~]

Thanks for the link regarding upgrading the RAM on the new ibook 14". Sorry i'm not a bit about computers but not that much. I want to up the RAM and purchase a 1 GIG chip. What type of chip should i get a specific one and do you know of any places that sell them cheaply. I don't want to mess up the ibook of course but i think that i can get a chip for under $500 which is what apple.com offers us.

There are a TON of threads on RAM recommendations here on MR, so just do a search for them in the Forums and you'll find a myriad of helpful information on the topic.

 

[~Shard~]

Now..why would any1 buy a 12" pb?

Ibook -> almost the same processor
better video card prob
300+ less
same ram (actually better ram b\c of the slot thing)

Mini-DVI out and a video card with 64 MB?

If apple keeps this up they won't make it to see intel.

What do you mean? Of course they won't "keep this up" - this is exactly one of the reasons Apple is moving to Intel, to address issues like this. What more can be done?

 

[Caitlyn]

I am very pleased with the iBook updates. I'm sold. I'm about $100 away from the 12". I can't wait. It will be my first Mac, and I can't wait!

I mean, 512MB RAM on the motherboard..
It can take 1.5GB in total.
BT and APE standard.
1.33GHz processor. Up to 1.42GHz with the 14".
32 MB of ATI 9550 that supports Core Image
Scrolling Trackpad
Bigger HDD options
Sudden Motion Sensors.

I think it is a wonderful value. Much better than the Mac Mini, which I planned on buying. Now, that--the Mac Mini update--was disappointing. But I'm glad it played out like this. The iBook will better suit my needs.

The PB is in danger though. I wanted a PB after I was disappointed by the Mini updates. Then, I compared the iBook 12" and PB and decided the iBook was less but almost just as good. They do need an update soon or just Intel it. Something to make the line between the two products bigger, or Apple's sales are gonna go down.

 

[OziMac]

Does anyone know if you can run Final Cut Studio on the new ibook 14" with 1.5 RAM and 100 GIG Hard Drive?

I am also, generally speaking, curious about Final Cut Studio compatibility.

I suspect that FCP, DVDSP and Soundtrack will function fine on the iBook (well, not as well as they should - ie when used with a dual G5 - but well enough).

However, I am concerned about compatibility with Motion - I am more concerned about the Radeon 9600 in my Powermac which is not listed as 'supported' on the Motion tech specs page (even though the GeForce FX 5200 is) - so I suspect that the iBook with its Radeon 9550 will likely not be able to muster the grunt for Motion.

But given that Apple's list is prescriptive (but presumably hasn't been updated since the introduction of the new Powermacs, let alone the new iBooks), it's impossible to say with certainty without further information.

 

[Wonder Boy]

I am very pleased with the iBook updates. I'm sold. I'm about $100 away from the 12". I can't wait. It will be my first Mac, and I can't wait!

I mean, 512MB RAM on the motherboard..
It can take 1.5GB in total.
BT and APE standard.
1.33GHz processor. Up to 1.42GHz with the 14".
32 MB of ATI 9550 that supports Core Image
Scrolling Trackpad
Bigger HDD options
Sudden Motion Sensors.

I think it is a wonderful value. Much better than the Mac Mini, which I planned on buying. Now, that--the Mac Mini update--was disappointing. But I'm glad it played out like this. The iBook will better suit my needs.

The PB is in danger though. I wanted a PB after I was disappointed by the Mini updates. Then, I compared the iBook 12" and PB and decided the iBook was less but almost just as good. They do need an update soon or just Intel it. Something to make the line between the two products bigger, or Apple's sales are gonna go down.

finally, some common sense. thank you.

 

[Wonder Boy]

I am also, generally speaking, curious about Final Cut Studio compatibility.

I suspect that FCP, DVDSP and Soundtrack will function fine on the iBook (well, not as well as they should - ie when used with a dual G5 - but well enough).

However, I am concerned about compatibility with Motion - I am more concerned about the Radeon 9600 in my Powermac which is not listed as 'supported' on the Motion tech specs page (even though the GeForce FX 5200 is) - so I suspect that the iBook with its Radeon 9550 will likely not be able to muster the grunt for Motion.

But given that Apple's list is prescriptive (but presumably hasn't been updated since the introduction of the new Powermacs, let alone the new iBooks), it's impossible to say with certainty without further information.

if you are someone who needs to run motion, why would even consider an ibook?

 

[xrayzed]

I am also, generally speaking, curious about Final Cut Studio compatibility.

As am I.

Given that progress on G4 laptops seems to have more-or-less flattened out, I figure the next PB update will probably be similar - a slight speedbump, prob more RAM standard and a few options made standard.

The next big jump will be the intro of Intel PBs, which I expect to show significant gains.

Since I'm a switcher I've been checking out the 12-inch PB as an interim measure. If it turns out that the iBooks can manage FCP then I'll simply use them as my interim until the new PBs come out.

As for why anyone might want to try to run Motion on an iBook - in my case a) I won't use it much, and b) I'm not yet convinced it's worth a $A2000-ish premium for a machine that I plan to upgrade in 18 months.

Still urm-ing and ah-ing. I might end up with a PB yet.

 

[fredwards]

well ive used FCP on an emac with a G4 ~800mhz (forget exactly) and it gets the job done so i dont c why the ibook wouldnt. (using it for editing mini dv btw)

I mean it wont render as quick as a dual g5 but working with mini dv is not that demanding. If you are intending on editing HD then obviously you wouldnt even be close to being in the market for an ibook, unless its just to lug around and do small things on the go.

*edit* I hate how stereotypes tend develop around certain products and tasks. Like the ibook for example CAN run photoshop, FCP and much more fairly efficiently (if i can run this stuff on an emac it can run on an imac) and people make it sound as if ibook is limited to ilife, office, and safari. Same goes for the mac minis. My high school (well old high school.. graduate now..) is just setting up an editing studio for their video program using mac minis to run FCP. Sure they arent dual G5's but when on a budget they fit nicely. The mac mini seems under rated by mac users IMO. It does have a purpose beyond checkin email and giving to your grandma..You dont NEED a 17 inch PB to run FCP, but sure it will be alot nicer on a 17 inch PB

 

[StkhlmSyndrm23]

FCP on a new iBook should be fine.

Yeah, I agree on the whole stereotypes thing. My school still does all DV and digital photo editing and the like on G4 iMacs (final revision I think) with maxed out RAM and they're still more than adequate, really... at least for a HS.

 

[Freyqq]

Mini-DVI out and a video card with 64 MB?

MB in the vid card isn't everything. The ibook vid card is FASTER than the pbook one.

 

[OziMac]

Re stigma - I totally agree.

Today's iBook is last year's Powerbook (minus the faster hard drive and better video card, which although useful, are not essential to being able to use (and use well) reasonably demanding graphics and video editing software - though granted they will not be churning through the workflow like a G5 would.

On the face of it, an entry level iBook (or Mini or eMac) on its own is great for iLife - but simply add cheaper prosumer apps like Final Cut Express HD and Photoshop Elements, and suddenly the scope of what you can accomplish with these fairly basic tools broadens dramatically.

They still use TiBooks on a lot of film sets - and they would have been using G4s at WETA to render a lot of the CGI in Lord of the Rings, let alonf what they must have been using for other earlier CGI heavy movies like The Phantom Menace, Independence Day and Jurassic Park.

Obviously most of the latest bleeding edge software packages (eg Motion) may have fairly taxing demands that aren't met by today's entry level laptops. But all of today's iBooks, Mac Minis and eMacs are capable of significant grunt work when it comes to graphics and video, even if they are not as blazingly fast in doing so (which is a bit of a disadvantage if you are a professional, but not a big deal if you are an amateur or hobbyist for whom time is not as big an issue and who simply wants to be able to do these things).

The REAL problem - developing the content to tax these wonderful resources in the first place!

 

[Jimmery]

If anyone has received the updated ibook, would you mind saying how it performs?

 

[powerbook911]

Now..why would any1 buy a 12" pb?

Ibook -> almost the same processor
better video card prob
300+ less
same ram (actually better ram b\c of the slot thing)

If apple keeps this up they won't make it to see intel.

Faster processor, faster system bus, faster hard drive, bigger hard drive, smaller form factor, scratches less easy, and (biggest of all) the output options. I could not connect my Apple Cinema Display to an iBook. Plus, even if you connect a VGA display to an iBook, it cuts your VRAM in half, even if you have the hack. That means 16MB of VRAM to your external display. Not acceptable.

iBook is *great*, for many people, but it is not a Powerbook. There are some who need the features of the Powerbook.

 

[lelereb]

updated core image requirements on apple site

Core Image-capable graphics cards include:

* ATI Mobility Radeon 9700
* ATI Radeon 9550, 9650, 9600, 9600 XT, 9800 XT, X800 XT
* nVidia GeForce FX Go 5200
* nVidia GeForce FX 5200 Ultra
* nVidia GeForce 6800 Ultra DDL, 6800 GT DDL

 

[tikibangout]

If anyone has received the updated ibook, would you mind saying how it performs?

My order was upgraded to the new 12" model, i'm hoping it ships by this friday, so i could possibly be looking at a monday delivery, i hope. i let everyone know how good it is.

 

[PunkmastaT]

Advice

I was all geared up to buy a 12" powerbook any day now, but things just got more complicated... Can anyone convince me as to why I shouldn't save 200 or 500 bucks now and go iBook considering I would mostly use it for basic things with some occassional music editing? (And of course the aesthetic fact that silver is far superior to white.) It would be very helpful

 

[rickag]

Core Image-capable graphics cards include:

* ATI Mobility Radeon 9700
* ATI Radeon 9550, 9650, 9600, 9600 XT, 9800 XT, X800 XT
* nVidia GeForce FX Go 5200
* nVidia GeForce FX 5200 Ultra
* nVidia GeForce 6800 Ultra DDL, 6800 GT DDL

The new iBooks use the, "ATI Mobility Radeon 9550 with 32MB of dedicated DDR SDRAM".

I don't know if that means the new iBooks are not or are Core Image capable, but as it stands, I doubt it.

 

[arrizaba]

The new iBooks use the, "ATI Mobility Radeon 9550 with 32MB of dedicated DDR SDRAM".

I don't know if that means the new iBooks are not or are Core Image capable, but as it stands, I doubt it.

If they updated yesterday the coreimage page just to include the radeon 9550, it must be because the new ibooks have it. The coreimage page only includes video cards found in Macs. There is no other mac with radeon 9550 but the Ibook. Therefore, the new ibooks are Core Image capable.... unless Apple uses some sick weird logic to update its site (which I doubt).

 

[rickag]

If they updated yesterday the coreimage page just to include the radeon 9550, it must be because the new ibooks have it. The coreimage page only includes video cards found in Macs. There is no other mac with radeon 9550 but the Ibook. Therefore, the new ibooks are Core Image capable.... unless Apple uses some sick weird logic to update its site (which I doubt).

I hope your right. I just bought my daughter the 12" iBook.


edit: I especially hope your logic holds up since I have a 15.4" Powerbook with the ATI mobility 9600. The 9600 is listed, however, the mobility 9600 isn't, maybe my laptop is Core-Image capable after all.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

There has been at least to different claims that the new iBooks indeed support the ripple effect. One has seen it with his/hers own eyes and one got a confirmation from an Apple Store employee...

Too lazy to find the posts...

 

[AidenShaw]

turn XP into W2K

Win 2000 is the most commended on these boards for speed with VPC, but I have no experience with it and therefore cannot verify it.

I doubt the PB will receive the 7448--don't hold your breath.

You can turn off the eye-candy in XP - select the "classic" theme and turn off transparency and animations in the GUI.

XP is a better choice - and with essentially the W2K GUI it shouldn't be much slower than W2K, if at all.

 

[Caitlyn]

I was all geared up to buy a 12" powerbook any day now, but things just got more complicated... Can anyone convince me as to why I shouldn't save 200 or 500 bucks now and go iBook considering I would mostly use it for basic things with some occassional music editing? (And of course the aesthetic fact that silver is far superior to white.) It would be very helpful

I can't convince you not to. I can convince you to. I am going to order the 12" iBook standard model very soon. (I'm about $180 away and I'm gonna try and fish it out of my parents ) I am going to buy a 1GB RAM stick eventually..upping the total to 1.5GB and buy myself an external HDD. With 1.5GB of RAM, an external HDD, and a decent processor at 1.33GHz, I am going to do basic stuff, light Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and GarageBand. I'm not at all worried about it either after talking to iBook users on another board. I think why not save the money and buy yourself something that will do exactly what you want, just for less.

Good luck on your choice, and sorry if I confused you even more.