Apple Releases PowerBooks and iBooks

[markh]

I've done it!

Purchase my first MAC. Got the 12" PB Combo standard 256meg RAM (will upgrade that soon) and the 80Gig 5200rpm drive. 🙂

 

[~Shard~]

Purchase my first MAC. Got the 12" PB Combo standard 256meg RAM (will upgrade that soon) and the 80Gig 5200rpm drive. 🙂

Excellent, welcome to the community! If you ever have any questions, don't hesitate to post them on MacRumors - helpful people are always around to assist you! As for the 12" PB, excellent choice, I know you won't be disappointed!

But one word of caution - you better use the term "Mac" and not "MAC" - I personally could care less, but there are a bunch of picky bastards on this site who would nail you for using the term MAC and would probably make some smartass comment about "Media Access Control" - yah, I know, some people... 😉 😎

 

[cornboy]

just call 1 800 my apple

No it was the first. When I placed the order I believed PBs were coming sometime this quarter. I had seen the many references to the 10-day rule here and felt that a 2-week replacement window was enough to not feel bad about. That is, there's always new machines coming, the rumors here were NOT accurate enough and if you followed them blindly you'd never buy anything, and I needed the machine.

What happened as you say was bad luck in terms of timing for me. If the new PB was the same price as the old, I'd have been able to live with it. But when the price also fell so dramatically and I didn't even have the machine yet, that was annoying. What tipped me over the edge was the tone and attitude of the store manager.

What I learned out of this is that the 10-day policy isn't a blanket policy as references to it here suggest. Not all sellers offer it. And others in this thread have stated there are interpretations on when the 10-day timer starts.

Ok, so mea culpa there. I could have researched that much more carefully than I did.

But frankly, the sanctimonious attitude of some respondents here who wanted to reply with "if you read this site you would have known" completely misssed the point and are deluding themselves as to the usefulness of this site for a +3 week prediction. So many rumours are stated here so often that of course they're always right after the fact.

So, in summary, I knew new PBs were coming sometime soonish. I thought I had a 10 day replacement window and given my need for a machine I decided I could live with a machine that was obsoleted 3 weeks after I got it (worst case - so I thought).

The 10 day window appears to have been a false assumption.

But, I will talk to them today now that the announcements have happened and see what happens. It really seems like it is Apple Australias call on what happens. David Jones made it clear yesterday what their position is.

see my earlier posting - 10 working days from receipt, Call apple, speak nicely, get reps name, ask for an RMA number - you're all set.

success to you

 

[DeepIn2U]

Ah yess

Glad to see that after months of whining for more video ram specifically 128MB its finally in the top & mid lines of the PowerBook!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Also good to see that more and more people like myself see the PowerBook 12" as having great value and wanting one!!!!

 

[DeepIn2U]

Purchase my first MAC. Got the 12" PB Combo standard 256meg RAM (will upgrade that soon) and the 80Gig 5200rpm drive. 🙂

Congrats Markh, and welcome to the community!!!! 😀

Now we don't expect to hear from you for about 3 weeks because you'll be to busy enjoying your Mac experience....you may have heard it before but once you go Mac you never go back. Take a bite of your Mac-berry ...the Mac'er the berry the sweeter the juice. hehe.

If we do hear from you only to soon because of issues then your in a great community for help.

 

[patriotn11]

 

[hellocody]

What's the wait time on the Rev Cs now? Especially, a custom order?

 

[powerofthekiwi]

What's the wait time on the Rev Cs now? Especially, a custom order?

On my BTO it says that it will ship within 3 to 5 bussiness days

 

[edenwaith]

Grrr....

I am SO irked that the iBook G5 wasn't released! C'mon...I wanted a quick three step program...G3, G4, then G5. Don't even bother dinking around with the G4 iBook. It was supposed to be a G5!

And I'm not being serious. Okay, the updates are looking good. I'm glad to see that the base RAM for pretty much all systems is starting out at 256 MB now. Also the RAM limit on the iBooks is finally past the 640 MB limit. Another good sign. Plus, Superdrives. And up to 128 MB of VRAM for select PowerBooks. I wish it was all models however. If I was going to get a new PB, it would be a real difficult decision to go for the more inexpensive Combo 15" for $1999, or go for the more expensive model with the faster processor, backlit keyboard (very cool and useful) and up to 128 MB of VRAM...I might do the latter and just exchange the Superdrive for a Combo drive. I just don't have any use to burn DVDs at this point in my life. I barely even burn CDs, but that is probably because the only CD burner I have is a relatively old Zip CD burner which is none too fast. But it looks like that another growth spurt is happening, similar to the latter half of last year. eMacs, iBooks, Powerbooks...ah, good for Apple's revenue. Still, I think I'll be picking up an eMac first, and then save for a new PowerMac. Now if I can only find that briefcase with $7.7 billion, I'll be set...I know I left it around here somewhere...

 

[MacRAND]

Even a blonde could do it.

how easy or hard is it to upgrade ram in the Ibook?

In grade school, did you ever open a metal lunch box and look for the chocolate chip cookie your mother told you she put in there?
If so, AND if you found the cookie, you qualify as an iBook RAM tech.
RAM is under the keyboard and that should not be difficult for you to remove, just don't yank on anything hard.

http://www.info.apple.com/usen/cip/index.html

The above link directs you to download the appropriate PDF file providing you with complete instructions including PICTURES to show you step-by-step how to do it. Pick the language and the product, download and look at the pictures. EASY.

 

[jbrown]

Off Topic....but doing my bit

Is this the most replys to a thread ever, seems like a hell of a lot of reponses to me. If not, whats the record?? 😱

As for the upgrades, as expected, but not too exciting.

 

[MacRAND]

5400 with SuperDrive in PowerBook

Ok.. now that the new G4 PBs are out, I will be getting my first Apple computer!

However, I need help knowing what to get.

The computer will be primarily used for
Graphics and Web Design. Which means the entire
Studio MX 2004 suite and also the
Adobe creative suite. I also want to be able to do some light
Final Cut stuff too. So what should I get?

This is what I am thinking. Please make suggestions.

Computer - 15" PB - 1.5ghz Excellent choice.

HD - 4200 or 5400 rpm? Is there much of a difference?

• 5400 is 27% faster; you have some heavy apps

Graphics - thinking 128 mb - doesn't cost much more.. but will I notice?

• Yes. Probably

Ram 256x2

• NO, 512 mb x 1; keep the 2nd slot open & available for more RAM

Combo Drive - I was debating about this. (GOOD) However, I think I will buy the
LaCie FireWire DVD±RW Drive - Designed by F.A. Porsche (lame)
It has +/- and burns at 8x DVD.

• Mixed emotions on this one. Internal SuperDrive is better for portability and will make your Book much more valuable when you sell / trade it, especially if it's a PowerBook. Combo is like a V6 in a Corvette with automatic transmission; sinful. A primo sports car is supposed to have a hot V8 & manual. You must have internal SuperDrive to use Apple's free and excellent iDVD to burn iMovies onto 4x DVD media.
  LaCie 8x DVD/CD±R/RW is good (I have one for my iBook), Posche is plastic (not so good)
  d2 is cast aluminum - very good quality, cool & quiet; PLUS for $249 it includes FREE $99 full version of Roxio Toast 6, which you are going to want/need for better burning of CD & DVDs

So what suggestions do you guys have? I appreciate any help.

Uhhh, no other suggestions.

 

[arimp]

Kinda pissed,

I got my iBook three weeks ago and now its bumped up by 200mhz and its cache doubled??? grrr...

At least I paid $849+tax for mine; I wonder who bought an iBook yesterday.

I orginally paln to get a 12" ibook as my first mac, however a superdrive option with the 14" was too temping, plus the superdrive option was only £40 in the UK (about $70)

 

[freddiecable]

Availability in the States?

I have a friend going to NY - Soho-store - do you think they will have the new 12" Powerbook by monday the 26th?

thx,
fred

 

[devman]

It Ends Well

see my earlier posting - 10 working days from receipt, Call apple, speak nicely, get reps name, ask for an RMA number - you're all set.

success to you

Thanks for the good wishes. It has a happy ending.

They (Apple rep at David Jones) rang me today (before I even rang them) and simply said they would credit the full amount and then let me order what I wanted from the new range. So I went in there this afternoon and did that. To help them out, and say thanks, I told them I would still spend the same $ amount as my original order so I used the leftover credit for other items.

I don't know who decided to do this (DJs or Apple) but I am grateful. It was the right thing to do.

(there's a few more details to it all - but this is the gist of it)

 

[floyd_gadget]

Thanks for the good wishes. It has a happy ending.

They (Apple rep at David Jones) rang me today (before I even rang them) and simply said they would credit the full amount and then let me order what I wanted from the new range. So I went in there this afternoon and did that. To help them out, and say thanks, I told them I would still spend the same $ amount as my original order so I used the leftover credit for other items.

I don't know who decided to do this (DJs or Apple) but I am grateful. It was the right thing to do.

(there's a few more details to it all - but this is the gist of it)

I bet this was david jones' doing. Apple australia do not have any price protection policy like they do in the US. David Jones on the other hand normally give you up to one month to ask for a refund of the price difference if any product suddenly goes on sale in THEIR store. I think what probably caused issues this time is that apple runs and staffs the apple area within David Jones themselves. In a perfect world the updated machine with a refund cheque from apple should have been sent last friday instead of sending out the old product. Were they hoping you just didn't notice?? Well done getting the refund. 🙂

 

[hmg]

Wow! David Jones = Good

Thanks for the good wishes. It has a happy ending.

They (Apple rep at David Jones) rang me today (before I even rang them) and simply said they would credit the full amount and then let me order what I wanted from the new range. So I went in there this afternoon and did that. To help them out, and say thanks, I told them I would still spend the same $ amount as my original order so I used the leftover credit for other items.

I don't know who decided to do this (DJs or Apple) but I am grateful. It was the right thing to do.

(there's a few more details to it all - but this is the gist of it)

Wow! Excellent luck for you!

I bought a 17" previous Saturday (10 April) and Apple this morning told me no go on any kind of change or compensation, the Apple shop in Hurstville where I bought it said the same. I guess my next one will come from David Jones!

Enjoy!

Jeroen.

 

[aswitcher]

I don't know who decided to do this (DJs or Apple) but I am grateful. It was the right thing to do.

(there's a few more details to it all - but this is the gist of it)

Excellent. Wouldn't mind hearing the extra details if they are relevant.

 

[Mokona]

What about the combo/super drives?

If I switch (again), I'm going to need a region free dvd. In order to patch the drive I choose I need to know the model number. Any ideas on this?

Would this work for the superdrive? http://superdrive.cynikal.net/

And what if I would go for the combo drive? Any options?

 

[RedEric]

Shipped

As of 01.40 GMT my new 15"er shipped.

Woohoo

Thanks Apple

 

[rdowns]

Excellent, welcome to the community! If you ever have any questions, don't hesitate to post them on MacRumors - helpful people are always around to assist you! As for the 12" PB, excellent choice, I know you won't be disappointed!

But one word of caution - you better use the term "Mac" and not "MAC" - I personally could care less, but there are a bunch of picky bastards on this site who would nail you for using the term MAC and would probably make some smartass comment about "Media Access Control" - yah, I know, some people... 😉 😎

My smartass, picky comment.

It's I couldN'T care less.

 

[patriotn11]

Thanks for info

I'd say 15 inch cause that's what i'm going to get when i have the money. i'm not sure if this is true but i believe (don't trust me on this) i think the 17 inch might have a shorter life due to the large screen also the 17 inch screen doesn't open all the way in airplane seats at least that's what i've heard.

Thanks for your advice

Michael
from San Antonio, Texas 😎

 

[patriotn11]

DELL + TEXAN = T-A-X........

Sales Tax loophole in Interstate Commerce

TEXANS:
Do not buy from Apple (except in Nevada) or you will pay sales tax.
Do not buy from a Texas Retail Store or you will pay sales tax.
DO buy from an out of state catalog store and you will NOT pay any sales tax...unless you want to pay a "use tax".
Any question?

TEXANS, DO NOT BUY FROM DELL, OR YOU'LL PAY THE FIDDLER TOO...... 😱

 

[patriotn11]

Bow to the KING..........

Patriotn~ get the 15" , thats the truth, enough said![/QUOTE]


Thanks your Royal Majesty...... 🙄

 

[cornboy]

soho store

I have a friend going to NY - Soho-store - do you think they will have the new 12" Powerbook by monday the 26th?

thx,
fred

dunno, I live here in NYC and they didn't have any new PB yesterday.Call them on Fridayto see if manager will reserve one for you with a credit card. Weekend sure to be busy. BTW, your friend will need to show photo ID to purchase with a card.