Apple Releases PowerBooks and iBooks

[gekko513]

OK, I have to ask. Can anybody seriously explain what the purpose of 128 MB of video memory over 64 MB of video memory would be? My understanding has been that 2D graphics will not benefit from that much memory at all. The amount it benefits 3D depends on how large the textures you want to store are. The only 3D application that, as far as I know, can push past 32MB let alone 64MB would be games. This has been my assumption, but with everybody whining that 64 isn't enough, I think I missed something. What purpose, besides gaming, does more video memory serve?

You're absolutely right. I think the only applications that would really benefit from 128MB VRAM are some of the heftiest 3D games. Video will in general use quite little VRAM because there is no need to store data for later use on the video-card. Photo-work will mostly center around a few images, and anyway, swapping a new image into VRAM doesn't take long. The OSX window system and Exposé benefits from VRAM, but to see any difference between 64MB and 128MB you would probably need two 23" HD Displays filled with windows.

The main reason for wanting 128MB of VRAM is that most wintel computers ship with 128MB VRAM these days Well ... seriously ... I think there are only two reasons for wanting 128MB VRAM.
1) Hardcore gaming (mostly not an issue with portables)
2) Future progress. Very little software has any need of that large amounts of VRAM now, but this will probably change.

 

[singletrack]

I am a bit surprised, however, that they put a 1.5Ghz G4 chip in a Powerbook, as it seems like it would run really hot. But, maybe they've got the G4 heat thing down.

The new powerbook has the Motorola 7447A in it which scales back the CPU speed if it's not being used and therefore reduces power consumption and heat. Also, even at full tilt it consumes less than some of the previous G4's we've seen in Ti Powerbooks due to the process used to manufacture the CPU. Plus I'd guess other components inside have seen similar improvements in power consumption over the past few years.

The hard disk is by far the hottest thing in this iBook I'm using, not the CPU.

 

[DavidM]

raiste

18004memory.com will buy old memory. I always sell them the old memory when I upgrade. They are also nice and professional.

 

[gorkonapple]

No big deal for me...

I have a 1 GHz 12 inch Powerbook and I will gladly take more ram a little later down the road then update it. It's plenty fast as it is. This is juts a speed bump.

 

[MacRAND]

Increase in HD speed 4200 rpm > 5400 rpm

So your saying I would see signficant delays when playing games, using DV Video editing, etc?

Anytime your computer requires HD access, including disk RAM, the speed of the HD is critical.
Why do you think so many of us have been willing to pay a couple hundred dollars for a 7200 rpm 60GB Hitachi/IBM hard drive and either install it ourselves (ordeal & a half) or pay someone to do it? In an older PB or any G3 iBook, RAM is limited and there was only one option to speed up things - a very fast HARD DRIVE. I'm pleased to say, it works admirably well = as I type on my fast little ole iBook. Cool, quiet and fast. Plus, I doubled the capacity of my old 30GB HD as a side benefit.

Do I think a 28%+ increase in speed from 4200 to 5400 is significant? Yes.
But, it's your decision. No one can really quantify it for you.
Those of us who have gone for 7200 from 4200 are the real speed junkies experiencing a 71% increase.

 

[raiste]

raiste

18004memory.com will buy old memory. I always sell them the old memory when I upgrade. They are also nice and professional.

Thanks! I'll take a look at them. Do you have to call them up or can I do this (sell old memory) via their web site?


on edit: never mind, I found the link on their page! Thanks again!

 

[singletrack]

yes. standard ultra ATA 2.5" HD. 100 GB.

but only available as an option on their XPS (gaming) series laptop.

9.5mm high? Maybe it's taller than will fit in an Apple laptop.

 

[thegivenone]

15-Inch 1.25 Ghz

Damn....and I was just soooo happy with my 1.25Ghz Al-PowerBook! These updates poiled my day-they're fantastic. €460 cheaper, double the graphics memory, twice the dvd burning speed, 25% speed increase and APE and bluetooth standard?!!?!!?!


Anyone thinking of buying.........GRAB NOW!


-Ollie

 

[eSnow]

OK, I have to ask. Can anybody seriously explain what the purpose of 128 MB of video memory over 64 MB of video memory would be?

Quartz Extreme works like games and uses the video RAM to store your windows as textures. A 800x600 window occupies roughly 1.9MB. With 64MB, you can store up to 35 windows in video RAM before QE has to swap data out to main RAM (slow). This is not really a terrible lot if you are working with an external monitor attached and are somewhat of a window-messie (like me). If you think I am completely wrong - it just takes 4 windows per app and 10 open windows to saturate this.

128 gives you 70 windows before it slows down - should be enough for most.

Internal compression of the windows might alliviate the problem somewhat - but I am not sure if and when it is enabled.

 

[MacRAND]

Selling old RAM

Thanks! I'll take a look at them. Do you have to call them up or can I do this (sell old memory) via their web site?
on edit: never mind, I found the link on their page! Thanks again!

http://www.18004memory.com/sellusyours.asp?

Thanks! from MacRAND too.

 

[NusuniAdmin]

Nice

My dad just preordered my 15" pb for me (i was thinking he was not gonna spend over 1,500, guess i was wrong)

 

[mlrproducts]

Dissapointed

I was saving up for a new 12", but was dissapointed!

Looking for a 1.25ghz 15" with backlit keyboard now, any offers? have the ebay/paypal credentials...

 

[hughdogg]

It should be there. Check again

From the Apple website
"Bluetooth is built into every new PowerBook model."

Cheers,
h

 

[sebimeyer]

nice updates!

I REALLY want that GoldenGate Bridge background on the 17" PB from Apple's updated website. Does anyone know where I can get that?? It's sooooo sweet.

Go to an Apple Store or retailer and mail it to yourself.

 

[originalknife]

my next step

Count me as another happy returnee to Macdom after today's PB update. Between my old Mac days and current Windows purgatory, I had some very pleasant years on NeXTStep (aka OSX). Now I am very happy to be returning to the world's best OS, or will be as soon as my daughter gets back to her dorm to put in my order for a loaded 15" through her college store.

 

[cosmicthing52]

Sales tax in Florida

Todays announcement is great news, but the UK prices are much higher than the US prices given the exchange rate. As I will be in Florida next week I was going to buy a 15" Powerbook there, but the Apple Store says the price doesnt include sales tax. Can anyone tell me how much this is likely to be?

If it means the US and UK prices are similar I will order it here instead to save any hassle.

 

[mattster16]

I am so glad! 1.5 GHZ 4x DVD-R 128 MB video ram...exactly what I was wanting to be upgraded. I just ordered my 15" Superdrive PB.

 

[Azoblue]

Go to an Apple Store or retailer and mail it to yourself.

We havn't the San Fran Background, and we are retailers. Save your cab fare.

 

[Chillout]

Hi, sorry to bother you guys, but I'm about to buy my first Mac and I'm wondering if the QuickTime that comes with my new PB is the full version or the free version... Thanks!

 

[kbonnel]

It is the free version.

 

[a17inchFuture]

a17inchFuture,

didn't you just buy your new PB recently, knowing there were rumors all over the place about updates? If this is the case, don't whine about it now. You are an adult (I am assuming), you made a choice, live with it. You could have waited to buy if you wanted too.

Though, considering how much you whined on the new eMac thread I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

Mods, I apologize for a completely off-topic post... it just amazes me that a consumer, who constantly reads these boards and was aware of the updates just like the rest of us, now somehow says Apple is in the wrong here.

Faster, more powerful, machines at a lower cost.... those bastards! How could they do that to you?

Thanks for the completely unnecessary insult.

In response to your other self-centered thoughts (cause if you put yourself in my shoes, you'd agree), I think that it is bogus that their policy says "the receipt of product" or something like that, and it actually means the day they assign an invoice number. That is bunk, and I think most would agree.

 

[MacMyDay]

Has anyone mentioned that the 15"+ PowerBooks now have better graphics as standard then the highest end PowerMac? Not too sure what to say about that.

 

[rdowns]

Good news for everyone waiting for the updates. Now I have a question for you all. I want to surprise my son with a new 17" tricked out PB. He needs it for school. How can I, as a parent, take advantage of the educational discount without a student ID card. And I don't want to spoil the surprise and I won't rifle through his wallet for his student ID.

thanks in advance...

---------------------------------
Dell 3.2 (Still waiting for Rev B PM)

I love you Daddy.

 

[quagmire]

I don't see much on the ibooks side. It just makes all apple computers 1 Ghz and over.

 

[James_C]

Greg Joswiak, Apple vice-president of hardware product marketing has been quoted on the BBC News Website about a G5 Powerbook,

"In the very long run, the G5 is part of our long term processor roadmap, but it will be some time before that processor will be in a notebook," said Mr Joswiak.

He declined to be pinned down to a date for G5 portables, but pointed out that it had taken at least two years for the G4 chip to make it from the desktop to the notebook.

Looks like we will not see G5 Powerbooks until 2005

Link Here :
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3639825.stm