Apple Releases New PowerBooks

[Photorun]

Does anyone here actually READ about new technologies or are is everyone here into NOT THINKING!!!

G5 Powerbooks... NOT HAPPENING!!!

G4 DUAL CORE 64 BIT PROBABLY NEXT!!!

I'm sick of you people, seriously, you don't get it, G5 isn't the be-all end-all, get a clue or stop posting!!! Read up or shut up! Good god!

UGH!!!

 

[SiliconAddict]

No G5 what a let down! I guess they could not find a way to cool it.

God. I really am getting sick of this. Did it ever occur to you there could be two dozen or more possibilities?

Off the top of my head:

-G5 output is being hindered because of PowerMac and iMac orders.

-Apple didn't have enough product prepped for a MW launch.

-Their final product simply isn't good enough to launch. E.G. They may have the final design down but didn't get it polished enough for a MW launch.

-They may be doing a revamp after seeing that PC laptops are now going to start shipping with PCI Express video cards.

-Apple may have simply bypassed the G5 desktop CPU and are putting the finishing touches on a scaled down laptop version created by IBM.

-They had so much on their plate for MW that they are holding off until WWDC to launch the new PowerBook.

-They are prepping a G6 quad core dual CPU PowerBook.

-Aliens have given Steve a new self-configuring CPU that can change its core characteristics depending on the task you are trying to perform and Apple is working feverishly to get it to work in their PowerBook line.


I wish people would stop acting like they know for a fact that its heat that is the primary reason at this point. Just stop. Unless you work in their R&D labs you know exactly jack squat as to what is going on.

 

[Trekkie]

No need to do research. My argument still stands and is valid. They use entirely different connectors. You'd need a different cable than the one your device most likely shipped with, which is something that is not Apple-like.
From an electrical POV it is totally backwards compatible but that's not always the only thing that counts...

FYI the LaCie 400/800 drive I ordered came with both a 6/6 and then a 9/6 cable so that I could plug in my iMac's 400 to the 800 port.

 

[secret_G_man]

so excited!!!!

I just ordered the 15 with superdrive from CDW (no CA sales tax)... now its the waiting game! This should be a huge jump from my old ibook 500mhz G3. Can't wait!

 

[itsa]

Or the opposite - if you KNEW a new revision was coming in a few months would you honestly buy this revision? By keeping release dates secret Apple sells FAR more Powerbooks from people who don't know what's coming in six months or so.
But just my 2 cents.

That's my point... They are leaving everyone thinking .. there "could" be something else coming soon. If Apple knew it was going to be much longer it would only help them to come out and say that.
Makes me think they are cleaning up the G4 line to make way for the next gen...

 

[metrocon]

Can anyone comment on this? I do not quite remember, but these should be added to the list of updates if they are valid.

All of the 15" powerbooks from the rev. b tibook (550/667 mhz) forward have had gigabit ethernet.

I have a 15" 1.5 powerbook from last april, and it has 10/100/1000 ethernet, and its 4x superdrive writes to dvd+r as well as dvd-r, it just isn't documented that they can write dvd+r.

 

[dejo]

I know my antenna is under my keyboard, not on the display.

That's just the Airport card underneath your keyboard. The little connector you plug into the top edge of the card is the antenna and ends up somewhere else.

 

[swingerofbirch]

saving my pennies

i have been saving my part-time pennies for sometime to get a powerbook...i know that they are now cheaper, but this is the first time i will be buying a computer with money *I* have earned which makes them look about twice as expensive when i know how long it took to make that money.....maybe i will instead look for deals on the now old generation.....

i wish apple would take the 12" powerbook and make it "the ibook" and knock off a few hundred dollars....how much are the profit margins on these things????

 

[SiliconAddict]

I personally would be suprised if a G5 PB is announce there. That would give this revision a lifespan of only 5 months. I would anticipate MWSF '06.

But I thought I read that Apple did just that with their PowerMac line just before the G5 we released at WWDC. Can anyone confirm this?

 

[Trekkie]

drop sensor is cool, but i'll count on just not dropping mine

I'm not saying I'd upgrade just for that feature, but I didn't plan on dropping mine either yet my daughter got behind the couch (she was 2 at the time) where I carefully hid the cord only to yank my charging powerbook off the table and onto the floor.

That, and the computer guy of what 15 years did something stupid and then yanked his power book (while running) off onto the floor denting the corner. Didn't hurt the HDD. At least I don't think it did. It ran for about six more months before the HDD crashed one day. Did a software update, rebooted, and bang no work.

Waiting for it to get back from the repair shop. Should be here later this week.

 

[wdlove]

Does anyone here actually READ about new technologies or are is everyone here into NOT THINKING!!!

G5 Powerbooks... NOT HAPPENING!!!

G4 DUAL CORE 64 BIT PROBABLY NEXT!!!

I'm sick of you people, seriously, you don't get it, G5 isn't the be-all end-all, get a clue or stop posting!!! Read up or shut up! Good god!

UGH!!!

I'm sorry that we have caused you discomfort. This is a rumor site after all, a place to discuss your thoughts.

Could you explain why your so certain that there will be no G5 PowerBook? Don't you think there will be in the future? If so then will there be a dual core G4 PowerBook by MWSF '06?

 

[killmoms]

Dual-core G4 DOESN'T SAMPLE UNTIL 2H OF 2005!

No updated PowerBooks at WWDC. Don't get your hopes up now because it won't happen.

At the earliest, Mac World Paris in September/November (can't remember which) or shortly afterwards.

Most likely—PowerBook G5 at MWSF '06. Moan/whine now, and then shut up until then.

 

[matticus008]

Can anyone comment on this? I do not quite remember, but these should be added to the list of updates if they are valid.

The 15" had Gigabit ethernet at least since April 2004.

 

[geoffism]

But I thought I read that Apple did just that with their PowerMac line just before the G5 we released at WWDC. Can anyone confirm this?

Well, from what I can find at Apple History is that the last G4 was released in August of 2002 and the G5 came out/announced at WWDC in June 2003.

That's at least 10 months.

 

[SiliconAddict]

Does anyone here actually READ about new technologies or are is everyone here into NOT THINKING!!!

G5 Powerbooks... NOT HAPPENING!!!

G4 DUAL CORE 64 BIT PROBABLY NEXT!!!

Ahh I see. So you are willing to state probably on a G4 but totally rule out a G5 because of....of....hmmm oh ya...The old fall back, heat. Never mind the fact you don't know **** as to what Apple is doing in their R&D labs.

 

[oskar]

As I'd said all along, I didn't really expect a G5. But there were some interesting clues pointing to one, even if they weren't substantial. What I DID expect was for Apple to use the 7448. That would've still constituted a "speed bump," but one with double the L2 cache, a faster system bus, and lower power draw, which would've made for better system performance, less heat, and lower battery life overall. But I guess it wasn't meant to be. Oh, well.

I guess we all expected to see something bigger than this. This update just makes me think that there won't be dual cores or G5 until 2006. Apple took this long to release these updates because they were not only simple speedbumps as we thought. They really put in a couple of features that take more than simply putting in a slightly faster processor. Making the 17-inch able to run a 30 inch display is a major improvement in graphics if you ask me, and giving a BTO option for the 15 inch is nice as well. And the prices drops are more than welcome.
What can we expect from Apple now that they did this? Are you really still going to wait for a G5? I for one want and need a PowerBook now and am going to order one this week. The updates are good enough for me, especially because I rarely order BTO options. 512 MB of RAM and and 80 gig 5400 rpm drive are great to come standard for us video users.
*sigh* Finally an update.

Let the dual core and G5 debates continue...

 

[geoffism]

Does anyone here actually READ about new technologies or are is everyone here into NOT THINKING!!!

G5 Powerbooks... NOT HAPPENING!!!

G4 DUAL CORE 64 BIT PROBABLY NEXT!!!

I'm sick of you people, seriously, you don't get it, G5 isn't the be-all end-all, get a clue or stop posting!!! Read up or shut up! Good god!

UGH!!!

So I guess I should retract your invite to the kegger then, huh?

 

[steveh]

Anyone notice the scrolling on the touch pad - looks like Apple might be using that piece of freeware that did the same thing.

Nope, new trackpad hardware (according to Apple's site).

Also, the hard drive motion sensing thingie is built into the motherboard, so any hard drive parks/locks if dropped, rather than having to spec motion-sensing drives.

 

[chabig]

These are really nice updates. The G5 PB won't be that much faster than these when they're out, and they'll certainly be more expensive. Basically, you get all the bells and whistles at a low price now.

The new trackpad features are awesome. I'm seriously thinking about getting the 15" 1.67 ... but I'm buying my RAM aftermarket.

Apple's prices on 512MB SODIMMs are now hard to beat. Aftermarket RAM is only going to save you money if you want 1GB SODIMMs.

Chris

 

[matticus008]

Overall, I'm pretty satisfied with the updates (especially the price impact), but what is holding me back from updating is the possibility that we might have another PowerBook by Summer (when I absolutely HAVE to buy one). It's not the G5/dual G4 that concerns me too much, because I know it'll be a new direction and more power (but we all expect that with new computers), but rather the possibility of some incredibly amazing new design. I can live with having a four-month old computer that's not as fast as a brand new one (I've spent plenty of time in the PC world, so all that's normal), but I definitely would be upset if they somehow improved on the current design.

The current Aluminum PowerBooks are simple and attractive, but Apple might blow us all away with the design of its replacement, and I would happily order now if I saw the next design and didn't like it as much.

 

[SiliconAddict]

Well, from what I can find at Apple History is that the last G4 was released in August of 2002 and the G5 came out/announced at WWDC in June 2003.

That's at least 10 months.

Wow. Nice site. Thanks. That is a def bookmark. One thing I saw on their listings though:

Introduced in January 2003, The PowerMac G4 (FireWire 800) was primarily a speed bump of the G4 MDD line, although it did include several architecture enhancements. The most exciting new features were the inclusion of a single FireWire 800 port, internal support for the BlueTooth wireless standard, and support for the AirPort Extreme wireless networking system. AirPort Extreme was the Apple moniker for the 802.11g standard, which supported speeds of up to 54 Mbps and was backward compatible with existing 802.11b/AirPort devices.

The PowerMac G4 (FW800) represented the fastest and least expensive line of PowerMacs Apple had ever introduced. The 1.0 Ghz model, with 256 MB of RAM, a CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive, a 60 GB hard drive and a 64 MB NVIDIA GeForce4 MX graphics card, sold for $1499. The dual 1.25 Ghz model, with 256 MB of RAM, a CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive, an 80 GB hard drive, and a 64 MB ATI Radeon 9000 Pro graphics card, sold for $1999. The high-end dual 1.42 Ghz model, with 512 MB of RAM, a CD-RW/DVD-R drive, a 120 GB hard disk and a 64 MB ATI Radeon 9000 Pro graphics card, was a modest $2699, making it the cheapest high-end Power Mac ever.

The PowerMac G4 (FireWire 800) was discontinued in June of 2003 and was replaced by the PowerMac G5.

 

[gatorron]

I want something...revolutionary

Update is nice, but...

I have a nice desktop now (iMac G5 20"), Airport network (well, with only one computer, not much network, I'll concede), growing iTunes library, DSL...

What I need is something, well, different. A satellite system, a complement to my G5 desktop...I need a tablet, no keyboard, please...just a way to surf wirelessly out on the front porch. Prop it in my lap, or on a table and give me a BT remote w/a just few essential buttons.

If I want to write, provide a pop up a software keyboard and I'll peck around a bit to spell out a search word, but most of the time all I'll need is a way to click.

I don't need much HD storage, 'cause that's over there on the desktop, which I ought to be able to access from the Tablet. iTunes on the tablet ought to control the playlists on my desktop, using the remote.

I like these new PBs. I'm tempted, but I'm waiting. If Apple can make a mac mini, iBooks and PBs and iMacs, they can make something in between...something different.

Give me a nice aluminum tablet with 15" screen, droppable (notice this issue is addressed now in the update), don't care if it is G4...I'd buy two, one for me and one from my wife.

Call it...iOrbit.

 

[VideoShooter]

...

 

[gugy]

new Powerbook

I am a very disappointed with the CPU upgrade, but there are few new improvements on the machine that are great. 8x dvd, scroll technology and support for the 30" monitor is welcomed.
But, I would wait for a G5.

 

[acedickson]

Finally, Some updates!

Wow, with my Edu Discount it makes no sense to buy the 12" Combo Drive. For $100 more I get the 12" Superdrive + the 80GB HDD instead of the 60. The 15" Superdrive sure looks nice at $2099 with the EDU discount too. Decisions, decisions.