Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
DigiTimes Reports PowerBook G5 and iBook G5 Contracts
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I doubt this is the case. I wish I could say I think it's true, but in my gut I just don't think it is. Again, who knows, no one can know for sure, but if I had to guess, in my gut, I don't think we will be seeing any G5 Books for a while. They probably still have lots of engineering to do, to squeeze that powerful G5 into that little package. I wouldn't expect to see them for a while. But who knows? Maybe they will surprise us and release them at WWDC. 
gazmark said:
Most of the G4s don't go into Apple computers. They'd go into embedded systems like most of Freescale's market.
~J
Considering that "G5" (like "G4" and "G3") is nothing more than Apple marketing jargon, couldn't a high-end Freescale processor with speed somewhat comparative to IBM's 970 etc. be called a "G5"?
Therefore, if Freescale has a notebook-ready processor in that range waiting in the wings (or, at least, in late development), we could indeed see a PowerBook G5 soon (the iBook part seems a little far-fetched, but then again I said an iMac G5 seemed far-fetched).
Either way, I'm following these developments closely. I'm looking to replace my two primary Macs (Power Mac G4 733mhz and an iBook G3 500mhz) with one high-end 15" PowerBook sometime later this year. My preference is for it to be in the G5 class or, at least, a dual-G4.
Therefore, if Freescale has a notebook-ready processor in that range waiting in the wings (or, at least, in late development), we could indeed see a PowerBook G5 soon (the iBook part seems a little far-fetched, but then again I said an iMac G5 seemed far-fetched).
Either way, I'm following these developments closely. I'm looking to replace my two primary Macs (Power Mac G4 733mhz and an iBook G3 500mhz) with one high-end 15" PowerBook sometime later this year. My preference is for it to be in the G5 class or, at least, a dual-G4.
Out of the top of my head: IBM is working on the 970GX, which is the single core (low power) version of the 970MX (dual core).Stella said:
And I have also heard that IBM is also working on a completely dedicated low power laptop chip (which might not even based on the 970 at all) for apple.
And where are the rumors about the 975 and 980?
I think it's not a typo but a misenterpretation
Most logical would be that the Powerbook G5 will have a freescale dual core, which is also dubbed G5. So G5 is just a marketing name. Note that the article does not specifically state 970. And the powerbook will get upgraded before the ibook anyway.
/Off topic
The article also states that apple expects to sell 500.000 shuffles a month. Personally I think that apple won't be able to sell that much a year! They are gonna burn their hand badly, because that product will not stand on brand recognition and aggressive pricing. It's lacking any feature! In fact it doesn't even have things you expect as standard. I name: screen, clock, Volume indicator.
Off topic/
achmafooma said:
I wouldn't have thought so - especially when you consider that the current G5 is 64-bit, and this new G4 derived version most likely wouldn't be (as far as I understand it)...would make for all kinds of confusing compatibility issues in the eyes of the consumer.
My guess is that the author has got the wrong end of the stick in their interpretation and assumptions of being told "new laptops with new chips"...2+2=G5 kinda thing...Its most likely that the revisions will indeed have new chips, but Freescale G4s, and not G5s.
Doubt it....when they say ship they prob mean to a super secret Apple bunker warehouse under Cheyenne Mountain. There is NO
.absolutely NO chance in hell of Apple shipping a PowerBook G5 before Jobs demos it at WWDC. Which is in 2nd qt. Hmmmm
Hears hoping its true. My loan for a PowerBook is sitting here collecting dust waiting for Apple.
Hears hoping its true. My loan for a PowerBook is sitting here collecting dust waiting for Apple.
I guess I can see Apple announcing a G5 PowerBook as early as the WWDC, with an expected shipping date in July, which then slips to late August / early September for the majority of orders. I'm more inclined to think we will be see a major (either a G5 or a dcG4) rev at MWSF 2006. I'd love to be wrong about that.
IMO, there's no way that the iBook gets a G5 at the same time as the PowerBook. Apple needs to create some separation between the two lines, and not just with a slightly slower processor and lower hd/GPU specs.
If I'm guiding Apple, I let the PowerBook run the G5 for at least 6-9 months (until rev. B) before I bring the iBook G5 to market.
I think this report is misinformed at best. But what the heck do I know?
IMO, there's no way that the iBook gets a G5 at the same time as the PowerBook. Apple needs to create some separation between the two lines, and not just with a slightly slower processor and lower hd/GPU specs.
If I'm guiding Apple, I let the PowerBook run the G5 for at least 6-9 months (until rev. B) before I bring the iBook G5 to market.
I think this report is misinformed at best. But what the heck do I know?
I didn't realize Macrumors was posting humor articles. Um, yeah, right... G5 Powerbooks are right around the corner, as they were for the last two years. This sucks... why? Because all your whining bellyaching dellusional G5 owners will chew on this like it's the holy grail. Move along kids, nothing to see here, ain't happening. NEXT!
powermac666 said:I guess I can see Apple announcing a G5 PowerBook as early as the WWDC, with an expected shipping date in July, which then slips to late August / early September for the majority of orders. I'm more inclined to think we will be see a major (either a G5 or a dcG4) rev at MWSF 2006. I'd love to be wrong about that.
IMO, there's no way that the iBook gets a G5 at the same time as the PowerBook. Apple needs to create some separation between the two lines, and not just with a slightly slower processor and lower hd/GPU specs.
If I'm guiding Apple, I let the PowerBook run the G5 for at least 6-9 months (until rev. B) before I bring the iBook G5 to market.
I think this report is misinformed at best. But what the heck do I know?
Why wouldnt they? The ibook sells way more then the powerbooks do, look at how many they are expected to produce, 1.3-1.5million ibooks, and around 600k powerbooks. As far as money goes, they make just as much if not more money with ibook G5s.
jadam said:
Sure, and while you are at it, why not upgrade the Mac Mini to G5 as well?
Apple makes as much money on one Powerbook sale as on two iBooks, I'd recon. It is basic marketing to upgrade the ailing pro line first and the well-selling consumer line second.
there is no way they will release G5 PB AND iBook at the same time!
if they release a 1.8 ghz G5 powerbook we will see a 1.5 Ghz G4 iBook initially.
if they release a 1.8 ghz G5 powerbook we will see a 1.5 Ghz G4 iBook initially.
There is no way they are going to release a $499 mac!!
There is no way they are going to release a $99 ipod!!
There is no way they are going to release a G5 iMac!!!
**** happens people. G5 ibook/G5 Powerbook here I come!
Plus, these probablly wont be running on the 970 series processors, most likely they will be running on the new freescale e600 cores and Apple will be calling them G5s. Going by this, there is no reason to deny that apple wont put in a MPC8641 on both the powerbook and ibook. Most likely, the MPC8641 = G5 mobile
There is no way they are going to release a $99 ipod!!
There is no way they are going to release a G5 iMac!!!
**** happens people. G5 ibook/G5 Powerbook here I come!
Plus, these probablly wont be running on the 970 series processors, most likely they will be running on the new freescale e600 cores and Apple will be calling them G5s. Going by this, there is no reason to deny that apple wont put in a MPC8641 on both the powerbook and ibook. Most likely, the MPC8641 = G5 mobile
Some people are confused here. quarter 2 = fiscal quarter 2 ... fiscal quarter 2 is not june/july, it's now. Fiscal quarter 3 starts in a few months. If they release a new powerbook, it won't be shipping for like 2 months, but I'd still buy one.
Also, don't you realize that it's been 2 years since the G5 came out? The powerbook is coming soon. Hopefully it won't be too buggy.
Also, don't you realize that it's been 2 years since the G5 came out? The powerbook is coming soon. Hopefully it won't be too buggy.
mkwilson68 said:
I agree. No way will Apple release a G5 iBook the same time as a Powerbook. Unless they were going to a G5 only lineup which would put the G4 Mac mini where? Besides I don't think we would see G5 Powerbooks announced at any small event. My guess is announced in June and shipping in September.
the_mole1314 said:Mac mini G5!
I heard from a reliable source that revision B of the Mac mini will be a 2ghz G5 and will be announced on January 25th!
Why would they do this, you ask? Because on the same day they will release the PowerBook G5, iBook G5, and eMac G5... as well as the PowerMac G6!
jadam said:
Thats what I was gonna say... Apple may take a cue from Intel and market a revamp version of an older chip as a mobile version of a newer one... (The Pentium4M is a redesigned and improved P3). If you look at how well that worked (P4M laptops are very powerful machines and sell very well, and are now being found in desktop machines, especially small footprint, low power/noise ones), Apple has a great oppertunity to have a G5-M in the PB and iBook, then next year update the mini to a G5-M as well, while keeping the 970 G5 in the other desktop machines.
Seems perfectly plausable marketing to me...
Rob
swissmann said:
Actually with the heat issues that have been mentioned about the G5 in a notebook, could it be that there will be two lines for a short time? A G4 series that is thinner, and a G5 series that are a bit thicker?
Remember, never say never with Apple. Just we have found out this week.
maya said:
Well the one you pointed out was first. Maybe they could combine both.
jadam said:
Single for both. I highly doubt that they are going to start off dual core. Its still a possibility, stranger things have happened, but I doubt it.
This seems like a typo to me. I'm not sure how an iBook would be produced in almost 2-to-1 ratios against the PowerBook. That is, if this is the whole story. There could be another contractor to complete the remaining PowerBook orders.
What do you guys think? I'm not so sure about this info, but it certainly doesn't seem like it was intentionally forged.
What do you guys think? I'm not so sure about this info, but it certainly doesn't seem like it was intentionally forged.