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DigiTimes Reports PowerBook G5 and iBook G5 Contracts

If Apple can actually squeeze a G5 into a laptop, I dont see having iBook and PowerBook G5s at the same time that unlikley.

Lets say the iBooks go up to a 14" screen and a 1.4GHz G5 processor, then the PowerBooks start at 2.0GHz G5s with the screen sizes available now, bigger/faster hard drives, more RAM capacity, ect, I think that would draw a fine line between consumer and pro user and wouldn't hurt the sales of either one.

I'm actually rather surprised the mini didn't come with a 1.2ish GHz G5, you would think Apple would want to move their entire line away from older processors, especially when Tiger and other software will begin to take advantage of the G5 and 64 bit, it just doesnt seem wise to say something like "Introducing Tiger, supporting all the benefits of 64 bit computing, but guess what? Your brand new Mac won't offer those benefits!"
 
sjpetry said:
The iBook will always have at least a 12" screen for portability. ;)
Click to expand...
... 14 is still smaller than the mammoth 17, and far more portable than a g5...
 
sjpetry said:
The iBook will always have at least a 12" screen for portability. ;)
Click to expand...

I should have worded it better. I meant the sizes would be no bigger than 14", so the 12 and 14 we have now. my bad
 
.

yg17 said:
If Apple can actually squeeze a G5 into a laptop, I dont see having iBook and PowerBook G5s at the same time that unlikley.

Lets say the iBooks go up to a 14" screen and a 1.4GHz G5 processor, then the PowerBooks start at 2.0GHz G5s with the screen sizes available now, bigger/faster hard drives, more RAM capacity, ect, I think that would draw a fine line between consumer and pro user and wouldn't hurt the sales of either one.

I'm actually rather surprised the mini didn't come with a 1.2ish GHz G5, you would think Apple would want to move their entire line away from older processors, especially when Tiger and other software will begin to take advantage of the G5 and 64 bit, it just doesnt seem wise to say something like "Introducing Tiger, supporting all the benefits of 64 bit computing, but guess what? Your brand new Mac won't offer those benefits!"
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same thing about the Mac Mini being G4....

But, if you think about it, it could be a good thing that it is G4. Once Apple moves the PowerBook, iBook and eMac to G5 within the next year and half (or more...) they will need to continue to offer a G4 to use up the remaining supply, plus that will allow for them to do a couple revs without moving it to a G5. The Mac mini is going to stay G4 for a long time anyways, there has to be a reason for it.

And as far as tiger and 64 bit processors....um thats just crap. All Macs are going to see improvements with Tiger, whether or not they are G4 or G5 or even G3...
 
....

themacman said:
but there was something to devolope for it, theres nothing to develope for a g5 pb. Maybe it will become the profesional products expo, what came out last year.
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okay, your comeback is terrible. WWDC is used as a forum for Apple to display new products, even though it is centered around different topics than that of MacWorld SF.

WWDC 2003 - PowerMac G5
WWDC 2004 - New Apple Cinema Displays
WWDC 2005 - ????

Whether or not there is something to "develope" for it or not, Apple has a history of debuting their new hardware/software at any event that has a large Apple following present.
 
aesth3tic said:
I was thinking the same thing about the Mac Mini being G4....

But, if you think about it, it could be a good thing that it is G4. Once Apple moves the PowerBook, iBook and eMac to G5 within the next year and half (or more...) they will need to continue to offer a G4 to use up the remaining supply, plus that will allow for them to do a couple revs without moving it to a G5. The Mac mini is going to stay G4 for a long time anyways, there has to be a reason for it.

And as far as tiger and 64 bit processors....um thats just crap. All Macs are going to see improvements with Tiger, whether or not they are G4 or G5 or even G3...
Click to expand...

Do you have any idea how slow a G3 would be running 10.4?
 
drsuse said:
i would imagine similar to a g3 running panther.
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From what I have heard 10.4 will require a lot more performance than 10.3. Do remember it is a major release. ;)

P.S. Tiger is the first OS to be optimized for the G5 chip which is much faster than a G3 chip.
 
sjpetry said:
From what I have heard 10.4 will require a lot more performance than 10.3. Do remember it is a major release. ;)

P.S. Tiger is the first OS to be optimized for the G5 chip which is much faster than a G3 chip.
Click to expand...

It is amazing how easy it is to create any kind of myths, it all starts with 'from what I've heard...'

10.1 was much/noticeably faster than 10.0, 10.2 was much/noticeably faster than 10.1, 10.3 was noticeably/somewhat faster than 10.2, from what I've heard and from my own experience (the first two transitions I did on a G3, the last on a G4).
10.4 won't be much faster and perhaps not even noticeably than 10.3, simply because by now (i.e. with 10.3) they did all the easy/obvious/big-effect optimizations, but so far major releases have speeded up things rather than slowed them down.
Some additional stuff running in the background (i.e. indexing for Spotlight, or encrypting for FileVault in the case of 10.3) naturally can and will slow down things a bit, but I really can't see why '10.4 will require a lot more performance'. Believe me, the Apple programmers are smart enough to optimize code for the G5 without making it any more than marginally slower on a G3 or G4.
 
re-defining portable computing experience

I wonder how to judge the following job posting from apple.
Does it refer to G5 based portables? If so, would a rumored Q2/05 start not be too soon for the open position?

-----

Title: Senior Product Design Engineer
Req. ID: 2242221
Location: Santa Clara Valley, California
Country: United States
Req Date: 04-Jan-2005

As a member of a cross-functional design team at Apple, you will help to create the next generation of the world's finest portable computers and accessories. You will conceive, design, and bring into production products that will re-define the portable computing experience. You will work closely with many different cross functional teams including Industrial Design, Packaging, Safety, Hardware Engineering, EMC, and Marketing.
*
Required Experience:
* BSME required, MS Preferred.
* 2-10 years experience in product design.
* Requires demonstrated ability in plasti, sheetmetal, and cast part design.
* 3-D CAD skills essential.

-----
 
manu chao said:
It is amazing how easy it is to create any kind of myths, it all starts with 'from what I've heard...'

10.1 was much/noticeably faster than 10.0, 10.2 was much/noticeably faster than 10.1, 10.3 was noticeably/somewhat faster than 10.2, from what I've heard and from my own experience (the first two transitions I did on a G3, the last on a G4).
10.4 won't be much faster and perhaps not even noticeably than 10.3, simply because by now (i.e. with 10.3) they did all the easy/obvious/big-effect optimizations, but so far major releases have speeded up things rather than slowed them down.
Some additional stuff running in the background (i.e. indexing for Spotlight, or encrypting for FileVault in the case of 10.3) naturally can and will slow down things a bit, but I really can't see why '10.4 will require a lot more performance'. Believe me, the Apple programmers are smart enough to optimize code for the G5 without making it any more than marginally slower on a G3 or G4.
Click to expand...

Do remember that the public release of Tiger hasn't been released yet so of course it is from what I've heard. :confused:
 
I noticed that the article was moved to the front page from Page 2, and the biggest difference between the two is tha that page 1 rumors are much more trustworthy. Was it moved because it seemed more believable now to the mods (based on some new information or something), or was it just generating so much traffic that it made more sense to have it on the front page.
 
I agree, update the powerbook to a G5, then the iBook later. I just hope they update the look of the powerbook, even though I can't imagine Apple coming up with a better design than the current one. But then again, Apple never ceases to surprise me.

Fishes,
narco.
 
iBook G5, I don't think so..

unless PM G5 get bump up to 3.5,
then iMac to 2.2 and 2.0 ,
PB 2.5, 2.2 and 2.0,
and iBook will be 1.8 and 1.6.
But this will happen in next year......!!!

if iBook will update soon it could be G4 1.5 maximum. .his will not happen untill PB G5 out (and iMac G5 update).
 
Saweet

Man this is gonna be great isnt it, sure its been a while since the pbs have been upgraded, but i think the G5 is definatly worth the wait. This laptop is going to be faster than most DESKTOPS. As far as ibook g5s go, i dont see much use for them really, the g4 ibook is still a great tool for most productivity and similar softwares, the powerbooks need an over haul on video, processor, and system bus. I know macworld was big, but i think the wwdc has potential to be huge if g5 portables hit the market.
 
I give PowerBook G5s a 75% chance of happening this year. 50% by mid-year. 100% chance of SOME significant upgrade, even if it's still G4.

I give iBooks a 5% chance of getting a G5 before LATE 2006. 0% for 2005.

But when they do---the Mini's going to follow :)

The move to page one--without disclaimer--is puzzling. Mention of an iBook G5 just seems so likely to be an error by somebody.

If there's more evidence that turns this sci-fi into a real chance, I'd be intrigued!

(Don't worry, if I'm wrong I won't go all Bill Palmer :) )
 
I really don't believe. However, I am wondering if it is deemed reliable because it was moved from page 2 to page 1. I still don't believe it but what is going on?
 
It's interesting to note the projected production numbers for the Powerbook G5 are much lower than the iBook G5. I wonder what that means? I think there are 3 possibilities: Apple expects shortages of high-speed low-heat G5 processors such that the number of Powerbooks produced will initially be small, the Powerbook G5 will be too expensive for most people to afford, a typo, or any combination of the three.
 
didnt mean it as a comeback

aesth3tic said:
okay, your comeback is terrible. WWDC is used as a forum for Apple to display new products, even though it is centered around different topics than that of MacWorld SF.

WWDC 2003 - PowerMac G5
WWDC 2004 - New Apple Cinema Displays
WWDC 2005 - ????

Whether or not there is something to "develope" for it or not, Apple has a history of debuting their new hardware/software at any event that has a large Apple following present.
Click to expand...
just asking a ?
 
anubis said:
It's interesting to note the projected production numbers for the Powerbook G5 are much lower than the iBook G5. I wonder what that means? I think there are 3 possibilities: Apple expects shortages of high-speed low-heat G5 processors such that the number of Powerbooks produced will initially be small, the Powerbook G5 will be too expensive for most people to afford, a typo, or any combination of the three.
Click to expand...

Most people don't have $2000 to put into a notebook. I would bet that the iBook is always a much better selling item, even with the introduction of the G5 in a laptop.
 
I generally agree with Nagromme's percentages--I think a G5 PB likely, though not guaranteed, in 2005, while I cannot conceive of a G5 iBook this year.

As far as speed goes--I wouldn't be too sure a G5 PB will be all that much faster. A while ago I compared the benchmarks of the G4 1.5GHz PB vs the 1.6 GHz G5 PM. And the G5 Powermac was somewhat faster--but by less of a factor than the clock speed. And that was using a 7200 RPM HD, an 800 MHz FSB, etc.--the PM had all the advantages. I have no doubt that on other tests the PM would have shown more of an advantage.

Edit: I found the link: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/63754/

When I pointed out the lack of performance improvement, someone said the REAL point was to insure compatibility with future software. How ironic!

Best,

Bob
 
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