Apple Releases New PowerBooks

[ericschmerick]

So, this thread is so long I haven't read all the posts, but I thought I'd chime in. Hopefully I'm not duplicating the same point that someone else has made.

I think Apple may be letting the 12" die off. I really think it's in no-man's land, with its lack of widescreen hi-res display, etc. I've seen several posts about the 12" being the "most popular" PB, and I find that really really hard to believe. Everyone I know uses the 15 - I think that's the one that's in the sweet spot.

I think Apple has a more compact, widescreen, hi-res 12" up their sleeve as an early release in the intel transition. With a widescreen 12", the form factor (at least height) can shrink a little even from today. I'm thinking of something like the Viao that I owned a couple of years ago - the PCG-TR1. It's screen was 1280 x 768 I think, and I found the screen area to be quite nice. It was super-bright and very crisp. Something between the size of that thing (the tr1 was just a little too small) and the current 12", with a wide hi-res screen, would be perfect. I think.

 

[artifex]

FYI, just logged on to Crucial as a past customer (with my password) and was quoted a cost of $109.94 (after their 10% discount) for the 1 Gig DDR2. When I signed on without first logging in as a customer the price was $140. Maybe the key is to register at their site then sign on again using your login. Or somehow the site recognized me as a returning customer and gave me a lower price. Very odd but I'll take it!

Darn it, I just knew forgetting my login was going to cost me, there

For non-video intensive activities, shared memory works perfectly fine.
(I'd dare someone to tell me they'd be able to spot when a system is using shared vs. dedicated video memory doing basic office related tasks)

So in lower priced laptops/desktops, it makes perfect sense.

1.) low heat
2.) low price
3.) slim form factor.

Max out to 2GB, and you won't miss that 128MB.

Unless you're a human benchmark.

And at least all of the whiz-bang gui effects will work.

If you max out to 2GB in order to cover the shared-memory use, basically you've negated the cost savings. but I do see your point in re: basic office type tasks. I don't run over 1GB system RAM in any machine, right now, but I do let Photoshop take 512M of it when it loads.

 

[nylon]

You know, having thought about it, I wouldn't be surprised if Apple made another Powerbook update still using the 'Power' achitecture six months down the road. However, this time putting in one of those dual-core G4's. Then making the switch in Jan of 2007 to Merom, thereby completely missing out on the Yonah bandwagon. The significant shift in mobile tech really takes place when Merom ships out.

 

[Surreal]

You know, having thought about it, I wouldn't be surprised if Apple made another Powerbook update still using the 'Power' achitecture six months down the road. However, this time putting in one of those dual-core G4's. Then making the switch in Jan of 2007 to Merom, thereby completely missing out on the Yonah bandwagon. The significant shift in mobile tech really takes place when Merom ships out.

if they do this...they are horrible people and existence should forget them.

if they update to another POWER proc, it must be the G5. i say this because by that time, the Front Side bus bottleneck that hurts the G4 now (even the dual core) ...will be MUCH MUCH less forgivable then.

people wanted PCI-express in the powerbooks? would the bus speed even allow that to be useful? (Not a rhettorical question...i am unsure) i HOPE upon HOPES that they upgrade to the G5 in 6 months and keep that for a while, becuause i doubt that audio apps are going to run well on intel processors in the beginning.

 

[florencevassy]

I see people using the 12" in Starbucks / Rock. Center in Midtown Manhattan but I am not sure how representative that is of their popularity....

I am not impressed with the updates. My PB is just over one year old; I will probablly be in the market for a new PB in about 3 years, I can't wait to see how they will be then.

 

[mongoos150]

Keep the PC and wait for the Intel switch. You'll regret it six months down the road if you shell out for the Powerbook now. Save your cash and pimp-out your purchase when the Intel PB comes around.

I'd advise against that...there will always be new things coming out, enjoy your money (and new computer) now. Apple products hold their value extremely well (and will continue to do so after the intel switch I'm fairly sure). If you really want to sell it in a year for an IntelBook you could, but you'd probably be too happy with the PB to need to switch unless there is something you will seriously need the Intel processor for (and especially if you mentioned you'll only be using it for light photo work/music and internet/school work, you should have no reason to "need" to switch). Get it now, enjoy

eBay

Indeed - I bought my Superdrive 15" 1.67GHz PowerBook here at my authorized apple store (at my University) for $1799 (apple store education price was $2099) and I'm selling for $2000 on eBay. I actually MADE money on my PowerBook! I am getting the new 15 incher w/100GB 7200RPM Drive so I still have to pay about a hundred more (tax) but I lucked out pretty well!

 

[efoto]

You know, having thought about it, I wouldn't be surprised if Apple made another Powerbook update still using the 'Power' achitecture six months down the road. However, this time putting in one of those dual-core G4's. Then making the switch in Jan of 2007 to Merom, thereby completely missing out on the Yonah bandwagon. The significant shift in mobile tech really takes place when Merom ships out.

if they do this...they are horrible people and existence should forget them.

if they update to another POWER proc, it must be the G5. i say this because by that time, the Front Side bus bottleneck that hurts the G4 now (even the dual core) ...will be MUCH MUCH less forgivable then.

people wanted PCI-express in the powerbooks? would the bus speed even allow that to be useful? (Not a rhettorical question...i am unsure) i HOPE upon HOPES that they upgrade to the G5 in 6 months and keep that for a while, becuause i doubt that audio apps are going to run well on intel processors in the beginning.

Apple will not put a G5 in the PowerBooks, it just isn't going to happen, especially with the Intel chips coming in the near future. To set a G5 in the PowerBooks would take a complete redesign to handle the added heat, not to mention the decrease battery performance (theoretical, due to heat) and other issues they would have to face. Even doing all of that, just a G5 with everything else stagnant, I would wonder how many they would actually sell....less than you all think I bet.

I would purchase a dual-core G4 before the RevA Intel stuff comes for sure. I love my current G4 PBook, so adding another core and making it even better would be an easy decision. A dcG4 would easily last me to RevB/C of the Intel books, which should be stable by then and have more software support out of box.

Indeed - I bought my Superdrive 15" 1.67GHz PowerBook here at my authorized apple store (at my University) for $1799 (apple store education price was $2099) and I'm selling for $2000 on eBay. I actually MADE money on my PowerBook! I am getting the new 15 incher w/100GB 7200RPM Drive so I still have to pay about a hundred more (tax) but I lucked out pretty well!

I thought Apple price-locked their products so authorized resellers couldn't shift the prices or offer sales....what gives? I wish I could be profiting from the purchase of my PBook. I could sell my 12" at more than student pricing and then only pay a couple hundred to get a 15"....if I were ever silly enough to do that

I love my 12" (PBook ) and will continue to love it until there is a significantly better one around....or until I save up to get a quad-core PowerMac and 30" Cinema (right before I graduate....rock the student discount one last time )

 

[mongoos150]

No way I didn't think that it was that easy to sell a second hand computer even though it's a mac! So you put a price close to that when you purchased it and somebody took it instead of going for a new one? Weird!

You must not have much eBay experience...Mac products sell like hotcakes on eBay. Like I said my Powerbook is making me a PROFIT on eBay (and I started the auction at $0.01). Last christmas I sold my year-old iPod for $233 when I had bought it for $300, not bad considering it was badly scratched and dented. Apple products hold their value like NONE OTHER, a big plus when considering an Apple purchase. I know that when the Intel PBs come out, I'll be able to get at least 90% of my original PB value back.

I thought Apple price-locked their products so authorized resellers couldn't shift the prices or offer sales....what gives? I wish I could be profiting from the purchase of my PBook. I could sell my 12" at more than student pricing and then only pay a couple hundred to get a 15"....if I were ever silly enough to do that

I love my 12" (PBook ) and will continue to love it until there is a significantly better one around....or until I save up to get a quad-core PowerMac and 30" Cinema (right before I graduate....rock the student discount one last time )

 

[mddharma]

Thanks for your response - was beginning to think that no one out there cared!

Yeah i am starting to sway towards the 15"... Plus it does have the backlit keyboard (Never understood why they have never put this on the 12")

are there any 15" users out there that think that the 15" is not very portable!? I mean I have used a 12" PB and I think they're great for portability but does anyone have an opinion on the 15"?


macam

I have a Ti 500mgz powerbook 15", and I just ordered yesterday a new 12" powerbook. Why? 15" was just too big for me. I just bought a viewsonic 19" LCD for my office to hook the 12" up to, and ordered along with the new 12" a wireless keyboard and mouse. For me, the 15" was just a drag to carry around. Not terrible, but the 12" will be much more portable and it is still a great machine. I looked hard at the new 15" but was not swayed to stay at the 15" size.

 

[Edwin the Elder]

I'm underwhelmed

It's not that the upgrades are THAT dissapointing - Apple obviously can't increase the speed enough to satisfy, that's why they are moving to Intel.

What bothers me more is the pricing. Yes they added some extra features, but the price of the 12" only came down $100 (Canadian) and the price of the 15" stayed the same (but with Superdrive).

In Canada at least, the 15" PB with SuperDrive was aproximately twice the cost of a similarly configured Centrino-based Wintel machine.

So now it's only a 70% price premium for yesterday's processor.

Luckily I don't have to buy a laptop now (I have a Wintel from work). If I did, it wouldn't be a Mac.

Sorry.

 

[BWhaler]

Everyone in here is talking about the 15 inch PB.
The 12 inch used to be the most popular PB.

Apple has screwed up big....

Apple screwed up?

Hmmm...

People are now talking about, and buying the MORE expensive and MORE profitable laptops.

So Apple makes more money?

Yeah, they really screwed up. We should all have such bad fortune.

 

[deanwaterman]

I'd advise against that...there will always be new things coming out, enjoy your money (and new computer) now. Apple products hold their value extremely well (and will continue to do so after the intel switch I'm fairly sure). If you really want to sell it in a year for an IntelBook you could, but you'd probably be too happy with the PB to need to switch unless there is something you will seriously need the Intel processor for (and especially if you mentioned you'll only be using it for light photo work/music and internet/school work, you should have no reason to "need" to switch). Get it now, enjoy

I agree. I bit the bullet and got the 15" today. Why wait? I can enjoy it for 9-12 months and still recoup. I get the ed discount for $1799 and I can sell the unit in a year for $1500 or so. Not bad to use for $25 a month and then sell...

Apple screwed up?

Hmmm...

People are now talking about, and buying the MORE expensive and MORE profitable laptops.

So Apple makes more money?

Yeah, they really screwed up. We should all have such bad fortune.

I used to like the 12" But the finally got the 15" in line price wise. $500 more retail or $400 more Ed Discount for a much better machine... Backlit Keyboard, Optical In/Out, 128 VRAM, Firewire 400 & 800, Gigabit Ethernet, 15" Bright Screen... Well worth the extra dollars. The 12" is good, but the 15" just got much better.

It's not that the upgrades are THAT dissapointing - Apple obviously can't increase the speed enough to satisfy, that's why they are moving to Intel.

What bothers me more is the pricing. Yes they added some extra features, but the price of the 12" only came down $100 (Canadian) and the price of the 15" stayed the same (but with Superdrive).

In Canada at least, the 15" PB with SuperDrive was aproximately twice the cost of a similarly configured Centrino-based Wintel machine.

So now it's only a 70% price premium for yesterday's processor.

Luckily I don't have to buy a laptop now (I have a Wintel from work). If I did, it wouldn't be a Mac.

Sorry.

I would join the WindowsRumor forum then...

 

[Soccertess]

I dont think Apple made a mistake here. I have several friends who wanted to upgrade from the 12 incher to the 15 incher as well. 12 inches was great to carry around, but hard to use and had a weak res. A 13.3 incher would be ideal. This 15 is a bit big, but i like that i can read the screen and see more than i can on the little 12'er.

My guess is that the 12'er will go away and when the Intel switch for the mobile line is started we will see a lot more size options.

LOOK how many people are CHoked that the 12 is over priced with a CRAP screen. Your right that the 13.3 would be SUper cool but i still can't get over how DIM the 12 inch screen is. It is alright but as soon as you put it beside a toshiba, Vio, EVEN gateway, you see that 12 pb screen sucks. I hate comparing gateway or other wintel laptops to Powerbooks but if you look at smaller portable laptops, just at screen brightness and colour tone, i'm get pretty disappointed with the powerbooks. I am not settling for a half ass 12 pb.

I would join the WindowsRumor forum then...

I agree with deanwaterman. The 15 pb is a good deal but in 1 year VERY little has changed. I think he has a right to rant if he is upset with this mediocre update. I am glad you like censorship and would deny this fine man of his opinion.

You can barely consider these upgrades an update. Even Apple is too embarrassed to put these updates on there front page.

Mr. Jobs can pull magic when he wants to so I’m sure he can do better.

 

[nylon]

I would join the WindowsRumor forum then...

What a contrived response!! I think we need an attitude adjustment.

 

[iQuit]

1.67 GHz? Yes, slow? No... yes it is 1.67 GHz.....but virus free,OSX, and great multitasking. Where it can't perform the video editing I want it to, it can get the job done....just not as fast as a desktop. Also Is there another laptop with the form factor, OS, or battery life? What about the best video editing apps? The PowerBook can be improved and is a bit expensive.....but it doesn't make it bad.

 

[Edwin the Elder]

I would join the WindowsRumor forum then...

well I do own an iMac and I am looking to buy a PB at some point.

Just not now.

I'll wait - not so much for the Intel chip - but for a price drop.

 

[silly34]

New PB 17" for me!!!

Ordered myself a new PB 17"

Pretty good update to my aging 1GHz PB 17".

B.

 

[Greenone]

OK here I go again:

A while ago bought the Office for Mac, student/teacher addition, and it's too late to return it. I keep reading about OS X. What's the difference? Dumb question I bet...

 

[BWhaler]

Thought I'd make my initial foray into MR in a thread that is partly responsible for bringing me here...

My 15" 1.67 1GB 100GB/7200 just shipped and despite how many people here might tell me I should feel about that, I can't help but be thrilled. Maybe that has something to do with the fact that I am finally trading up from a 400 mHz TiBook (that's right...rev A baby! and not one day of trouble) with 10GB drive and 384MB of RAM. The old warhorse served me well through the trials and tribulations of grad school, but it was time to move up in the world and I figured one of the last PPC Powerbooks would serve me well into the Mactel era, especially considering I have a fair amount of software already for that platform.

Just wanted to pass along thanks to all those here who helped me make an informed decision over the past few weeks of anticipation!

Wow, that is one hell of an upgrade.

Congrats on your purchase. You're going to love it.

I am not sure if this helps at all, but I have a Dell Inspiron XPS Gen 2 that I bought back in May, and it has a 100GB 7200RPM hard drive in it. Not only does the thing ABSOLUTELY RIP, but it is EXTREMELY quiet (quieter than the stock 48GB in my old Titanium/667 as well as it's 80GB replacement Maxtor). According to i9kfangui (controls fans and shows temperatures), the HD stays at a constant 36 degrees celsius most of the time. As a comparison, right now as I type this, my RAM is at about 46 degrees, my CPU at 30 degrees, and my 6800 Ultra Go is at 53 degrees (it's overclocked, what can I say?). There is no noticeable vibration of the HD either.

Just thought I'd let you know! Hope this helps some. -JB

Very helpful post. Thank you.

 

[plinden]

OK here I go again:

A while ago bought the Office for Mac, student/teacher addition, and it's too late to return it. I keep reading about OS X. What's the difference? Dumb question I bet...

OSX is the operating system (OS = operating system), like windows xp, but better. Office for Mac is an application that you install onto the OS. The student/teacher edition is a fully functional version of Office for, you guessed it, students and teachers.

 

[Greenone]

OSX is the operating system (OS = operating system), like windows xp, but better. Office for Mac is an application that you install onto the OS. The student/teacher edition is a fully functional version of Office for, you guessed it, students and teachers.

Thanks a lot!

 

[saj042]

Sorry if this has already been answered, but will there be a battery life difference between getting the 7200rpm and 5400rpm drive?

 

[anamenotused]

You say thats one hell of an upgrade. just check out my sig!

I should be getting my 15inch in the next couple days.

 

[DaveClarkOne]

Troll

Looks like one too...

Lame.

Most overpriced underpowered laptops on the market, bar none.

 

[rjc]

Sorry if this has already been answered, but will there be a battery life difference between getting the 7200rpm and 5400rpm drive?

This was my main question as well, and I'm not sure it was answered on this thread. There is a thread on forums.macnn.com with some details, but the gist of it is that switching to the 7200-rpm HD will end up using maybe 5 minutes of battery life. That seems like a reasonable cost for the performance boost, so I went ahead and ordered a 7200-rpm BTO.