DigiTimes Reports PowerBook G5 and iBook G5 Contracts

[-hh]

Why G5 sooner, rather than later

Actually, what I'm saying is that without the 8 GiB of RAM in the system - bragging about 64-bit is just willy-waving. There's almost no point in running a 64-bit operating system on a PowerPC with 512 MiB of RAM.

I agree in that there is no substantial benefit from a "today" perspective.

However, I disagree from the perspective of there being no benefit whatsoever: not only is there the marketing and bragging rights angle, but you also need to strategically deploy 64bit hardware into your installed base "today" to be able to successfully transition to full 64bit "tomorrow".

The underlying reality here is that software vendors are going to be reluctant to investing in a 64bit rewrite until there's the signs of a viable marketplace to buy it. The way for Apple to build this marketplace is to strategically transition their hardware base so that its ready: needing to upgrade software is always going to be a smaller barrier to adoption than needing to upgrade both software and hardware.

In particular, what I'm saying is that a dual-core G4 PowerBook would be a lot more bang-for-the-buck than a G5 PowerBook at this point in time.

Technically, I wholeheartedly agree. My concern is merely from a non-nearterm viewpoint, this does not promote a strategy of moving forward to 64bit.

Of course, there are middle-ground approaches, such as going to a G5 for the Powerbook and notch up to a dual-core G4 for the iBook.

Note that the dual-core G4 is not stuck with the 133/167 MHz FSB, and also note that a follow-on 64-bit version is planned. It might be a year or two longer for the 64-bit version - but maybe by then we'll have reasonably large memory chips for laptops.

Also good points, and it would be interesting to see if Apple's willing to state that they're taking their time with rolling out 64bit hardware because their crystal ball of the RAM market shows that it is premature to put hardware out that people can't effectively afford to use. Even so, I think that Apple's move to the G5 for the iMac is telling that they believe that 64bit will probably happen within the lifecycle of that hardware (eg, <5 years).


-hh

 

[evilernie]

Tuesday...

So um, it's Tuesday.
Nothing?

 

[iRobot]

Yet....

Nothing yet, anyway...

Then again, it's only 8:30...

And it was just a holiday weekend. Our buds at apple might still be hung over.

If something doesn't happen around nine I'll be less hopeful, but its not over till the fat lady sings. Or noon.

 

[AidenShaw]

I agree in that there is no substantial benefit from a "today" perspective.

However, I disagree from the perspective of there being no benefit whatsoever: not only is there the marketing and bragging rights angle, but you also need to strategically deploy 64bit hardware into your installed base "today" to be able to successfully transition to full 64bit "tomorrow".
...

Even so, I think that Apple's move to the G5 for the iMac is telling that they believe that 64bit will probably happen within the lifecycle of that hardware (eg, <5 years).

I agree with your basic first point, and in fact my group is no longer buying any 32-bit desktops or servers, everything is Nocona and Opteron from now on.

I'm less sure that it's applicable to laptops, however, since memory restrictions block most of the 64-bit advantages for those systems.

As for the iMac G5 (and probably true for G5 'books), I think that it's less about being ready for 64-bit (due to the memory restriction) than it is about Apple marketing itself into a corner with the G5.

With all the smoke blowing about how much better the G5 is (and only some of it true) Apple knows that any G4 product would not get much attention.

A dual-core G4 with a faster FSB in a laptop could overcome this (since Apple is also on a full-blown hype about dual processors), but another slow bus G4 in the new iMac would have been greated with howls of protest.

 

[Hattig]

PowerBook G5 will be released first. I'm guessing May/June.

2 or 3 months later, the iBook G5 will be released. The earlier it is released, the more 'slow' G5 processors Apple has, and thus wants to get rid of instead of creating too much demand for the PowerBook G5 that it can't meet.

At the end of this year, the Mac Mini will also migrate to a G5.

Presumably somewhere in the middle, the PowerMac G5 will be updated to either be dual 3GHz, or dual dual-core 2.0-2.4 GHz.

Expect an iMac G5 speed bump at some point too.

Don't expect a jump in the base memory configuration for Apple computers though! Grrr. Still, Tiger will perform even better, and mask things like that even more.

 

[HomesliceJ]

G4 Staleness

PB updates are just inching along. Most likely 1.5-1.67 Ghz upgrade. Perhaps Airport Extreme2 to take advantage of 802.11 Pre-N. Price cuts for sure across the board.

I'm almost positive Apple will not and should not stick around for G4 (unless dualcore...). If apple wanted to do a 1.5-1.67 processor, they would have done it already to increase PowerBook sales to even out with iBooks. 802.11n is sill in process and knowing apple's mentality, they'll probably go: "it's not needed yet". 802.11g is more than sufficient and even 802.11b is still good and unnoticeable for many consumers. Belkin is trying to be in the lead of things with the 802.11n so Apple can turn their heads, but i'm sure apple is still faithful to their chinese company D-Link making many networking components for them.

Now an ibook sporting a 1.5-1.67, maybe. But Powerbook with it's name, can't suffice with a G4 processor. A G5 is needed to be in there.

Back to the 802.11n, the only thing i think may have 802.11n is the Airport Base Station. And that's just because of the distance. The speed may be a plus, but the radius of reception is the key to the device. But then this may drag down AirPort Express sales, because the key to Airport Express is to have more than one base station to bridge together, not just one base station for internet/printer/sound.

But again yea. G5 for sure. But i think there is a possibility we might see a watered down G5 chip itself. Like a PowerPC 970 mobile?? Actually maybe not, it makes it too complicated.

 

[wdlove]

So um, it's Tuesday.
Nothing?

Yes, it's after 12n and nothing new at apple.com. What were your expecting to happen today?

 

[iRobot]

Yes, it's after 12n and nothing new at apple.com. What were your expecting to happen today?

It's not after 12:00 noon in Cupertino.

Pacific Time folks...

Though I really doubt the update will happen today.

Next week, perhaps.

 

[evilernie]

Probably right.

Probably wishful thinking on my part.

Um, isn't it 10:05 in CA now?

 

[geoffism]

It's 9 AM somewhere....

Sorry guys. This is the way it happens. We can all hope, and I hope I am wrong because I would love to update my PB now. Who wants to be the one who buys and then next week... certainly not me.

I'm hearing two stories.
1) Small upgrade to the PB
2) G5 PB shipping in Q2.

Apple is much more of a "business" now than being a surviving renegade with loyal followers. They are doing much more to try and convert people to Mac and the "Mac-life" than to satisfy the current tribe of mac users.

Everything they put out this time at MWSF was for the home or casual user - low involvement. Don't want to spend money on a iMac, buy a mini. Don't want to buy a iPod, buy the shuffle.

Why would they put out an update, when the new model would surface in 6 mos.? Trade in program? Not likely. The PB cycle has been the longest, and will continue to be the longest. It's pretty damn good where it is at the moment. But I, just like everyone, wants them to hurry up and put something out there that is totally "next level".

I hope that as I write this, they are uploading some news to the site.

 

[3Memos]

Argh. I got to stop reading this thread! I already own the latest revision of the 12" PB. I am certainly not going to be buying the next one if and when it does comes out.

 

[iRobot]

Sorry guys.

Why would they put out an update, when the new model would surface in 6 mos.? Trade in program? Not likely. The PB cycle has been the longest, and will continue to be the longest. It's pretty damn good where it is at the moment. But I, just like everyone, wants them to hurry up and put something out there that is totally "next level".

I hope that as I write this, they are uploading some news to the site.

Hmm... I agree with you for the most part...

But do you really think they'll wait all the way until WWDC to announce the updates?!

That'd mean fifteen months between updates... That after 3 revisions to an aged product line....


That doesn't fly with me... that's too long of a product gap even for apple, I think...

I would expect something like an Apple special event sometime in the next couple of months... Possibly on Valentine's day. (Steve was searching for love, right? How 'bout some love for the powerbook!)

Ditto about the hope news is being updated as I write this...

 

[Photorun]

So um, it's Tuesday.
Nothing?

God, is this thread for suckers? Please people, read the smarter, wiser people posting about how ludicrous this rumor... RUMOR.. is, again, there will be NO G5 in a laptop any time soon, which is fine, if Freescale G4s get here, which can do 64 bit and do so with much greater energy savings, there's no need for the G5 at all. You're all buying into hype, G5 hype, what are you now, Windoze mentality sheep who think whatever Intel shovels out there is the latest and greatest? Knock it off, you're just spinning yourselves into the ground. Wait for the G4 freescale, it's got what you need. And Digitimes is a rumor site, not a fact site.

 

[3Memos]

We like to beat ourselves into a wild and uncontrollable frenzy over these G5 PowerBook rumors, even if it is not true. We shall not be swayed by you!!

 

[iRobot]

God, is this thread for suckers? Please people, read the smarter, wiser people posting about how ludicrous this rumor... RUMOR.. is, again, there will be NO G5 in a laptop any time soon, which is fine, if Freescale G4s get here, which can do 64 bit and do so with much greater energy savings, there's no need for the G5 at all. You're all buying into hype, G5 hype, what are you now, Windoze mentality sheep who think whatever Intel shovels out there is the latest and greatest? Knock it off, you're just spinning yourselves into the ground. Wait for the G4 freescale, it's got what you need. And Digitimes is a rumor site, not a fact site.

That's a healthy dose of Squirrely Wrath

 

[evilernie]

God, is this thread for suckers? Please people, read the smarter, wiser people posting about how ludicrous this rumor... RUMOR.. is, again, there will be NO G5 in a laptop any time soon, which is fine, if Freescale G4s get here, which can do 64 bit and do so with much greater energy savings, there's no need for the G5 at all. You're all buying into hype, G5 hype, what are you now, Windoze mentality sheep who think whatever Intel shovels out there is the latest and greatest? Knock it off, you're just spinning yourselves into the ground. Wait for the G4 freescale, it's got what you need. And Digitimes is a rumor site, not a fact site.

I was pointing out that it was Tuesday because I was hoping to hear something about those RUMORED G4 updates. Did I mention a G5? And even if I did, so what. If it upsets you so much why do you read these threads?

 

[Tthx3]

You're all buying into hype, G5 hype, what are you now, Windoze mentality sheep who think whatever Intel shovels out there is the latest and greatest? Knock it off, you're just spinning yourselves into the ground. Wait for the G4 freescale, it's got what you need. And Digitimes is a rumor site, not a fact site.

Well, I was actually waiting to see SOME upgrade, the 'confirmed speed bump' reported by Think Secret and others for example, rather than G5 Rev. A "Mother of all thermal challenges". I suppose it's just more convenient to concentrate all PB upgrade rumoring under one thread.

 

[Pringolian]

GET REAL

I like the way he types RUMORS in capital letters as if we are not in a discussion forum on a website called MacRumors.com, that's right MACRUMORS.COM

Grow up, the G5 is 1000% hype, everybody knows that. There is no real need for 64-bit at this time but G4/32 bit they are stale in terms of marketing. The dual cores may come and I'll be happy; but even they are a long way off for PowerBooks. Apple will do what is necessary to release a PowerBook that pleases 95% of this forums readers and their decisions will ultimately increase their profits - I can't wait!

 

[Kagetenshi]

God, is this thread for suckers? Please people, read the smarter, wiser people posting about how ludicrous this rumor... RUMOR.. is, again, there will be NO G5 in a laptop any time soon

Proof? I'm not saying that there is going to be one, but you've shown us ABSOLUTELY @#$%ING NOTHING to back up your continued claims that it's self-evident that there will be no powerbook G5. The only thing you've presented in defense of your claim is volume, and that doesn't say much.

~J

 

[pigwin32]

God, is this thread for suckers? Please people, read the smarter, wiser people posting about how ludicrous this rumor... RUMOR.. is, again, there will be NO G5 in a laptop any time soon, which is fine, if Freescale G4s get here, which can do 64 bit and do so with much greater energy savings, there's no need for the G5 at all. You're all buying into hype, G5 hype, what are you now, Windoze mentality sheep who think whatever Intel shovels out there is the latest and greatest? Knock it off, you're just spinning yourselves into the ground. Wait for the G4 freescale, it's got what you need. And Digitimes is a rumor site, not a fact site.

I'm with the suckers on this - I won't discount the possibility of a minor speed bump release in the next few weeks but I like the cut of the PB G5 info. Personally I think the PB G5 will be released with Tiger, it is the only timing that makes any real sense. There will be sufficient mods to the PB to require new system software and the Q2 timeframe also meshes with the release timetable for Tiger. I think Tiger will also include the required resolution-independent scaling for the higher resolution displays which will be in the new PB. Plus the only Freescale G4's of any interest/value are not sampling until H2, that is far too long to realistically consider them an option for the next PB.

 

[JoshK1124]

Arggghhhh

I've been waiting for a PowerBook update for quite a while now.

I've got the cash to go out there and buy a powerbook RIGHT NOW.

But what kills me is the POSSIBILITY that there might be an update.

I don't care if it is a G5 or a dual G4 or if it's just a speed bump.

Just anything, ANYTHING.

(Tiger release is not a problem, because I can pay $45 and get updates on the operating system up through 2006... w00t)

Yeah, so what do you guys think? Just wait out for a couple more weeks using public computers on campus, or just wait and be fed by rumors for the next couple of weeks... or months...

And my $.02, even if G5's were released, I think there would be a few problems in the first generation of those PBs. I honestly don't think that they would have G5's available even by Q2, but if they did, that would be nice... I can't wait that long, regardless...

 

[evilernie]

I've been waiting for a PowerBook update for quite a while now.

I've got the cash to go out there and buy a powerbook RIGHT NOW.

But what kills me is the POSSIBILITY that there might be an update.

I don't care if it is a G5 or a dual G4 or if it's just a speed bump.

Just anything, ANYTHING.

Me too. My 733 G4 is starting to show it's age. C'mon Apple, we're ready!

 

[kcm]

I've been waiting for a PowerBook update for quite a while now.

I've got the cash to go out there and buy a powerbook RIGHT NOW.

But what kills me is the POSSIBILITY that there might be an update.

I don't care if it is a G5 or a dual G4 or if it's just a speed bump.

Just anything, ANYTHING.

I've got the money ready to pull the trigger on whichever of the T-series or Powerbook lineup is updated first. The T43 should be announced soon, and so SHOULD a price drop / speed bump / ANYTHING to the PBs. They could drop the price $1 and I'd consider that enough .. it's just too much to spend on something that Apple has neglected for the last 9-10 months at this point, especially when the PC lineup these days simply blows them away hardware-spec-wise.

 

[geoffism]

Nothin but love for Steve

Yeah... we might be hopeless causes on the PB. So what... It's one giant supermarket tabloid.

I am looking forward to whatever jump the PBs take. Speed, heat, size, whatever - just started the new job and it's part of my deal. I guess that makes me a sucker. Pretty soon, my current tool is going to need a defibulator.

C'mon steve, throw the love man, throw the love.

And I, on the otherhand, have been thouroughly entertained by this thread.

 

[aswitcher]

Theres the possibility that they are not going to release any new PBs until Tiger IF they have gone for new screens with higher resolution that breaks the long standing 100dpi Apple uses. If Tiger allows full scaling, then they could release at least HD 1920x1080 for the 17" (1400x900) and hopefuly 15" as part of the year of High Definition...

Anyway, thats my guess. Same form factor G4 (maybe dual core) but with a sweet sweet screen, bigger HDD (100 gig), better battery life possibily, and maybe even a price drop.