iBook Updates?

[bryng]

Interestingly, I have just had my current model iBook in for repairs. The logic board died and had to be replaced.

First time around Apple supplied a 700 MHz Board (for an 800 MHz iBook ). So I sent it straight back in (I can definitely say that there is a BIG difference between how the 700 and 800 MHz iBooks run, by the way...).

Second time around, Apple sent a board that...get this...had a battery connector not seen on any current or recent model of Apple laptop.

Could be a fabrication error, of course. Could also be a spare part for a laptop that hasn't been released yet...

I'm not drawing any conclusions, but it was certainly an interesting incident...

 

[twelve]

Originally posted by maka
Is the L3 so important for audio? I think the 12" PB must be fast enough... I'm planning on getting one along with a MOTU interface for Logic Audio.

performance tests on software show people doing audio stuff getting a huge boost in perfomance with the L3 cache. ibooks with a larger cache beat powerbooks with a faster processor and less cache. it does depend on the software of course. logic audio is altevic enhanced i believe so you should get pretty good performance on the 12 albook (though most of the mac audioheads i know were extremely dissapointed it did not have a bigger cache). A lot of audio people i know are switching to pcs now.

 

[maka]

audio pb

Maybe they're also switching because of the lack of VST support from Apple and Emagic? It'd be nice if the new ibook would be a good machine for audio work, I hope so, because I was planning on getting one too, for myself. (The 12"PB is for a small audio company I want to start with my friends) I've always loved the ibook, but never made the plunge... and my B&W G3 350 is getting a bit old (although it runs Jaguar surprisingly well)

 

[twelve]

Re: audio pb

Originally posted by maka
Maybe they're also switching because of the lack of VST support from Apple and Emagic?

no most are switching because they can get a better performance for a cheaper buck. VST has options on OS X already including Cubase SX and already a Free VSTi Host has been released in which the audio can be routed to logic (though a pain for the novice i hear) and it is only a matter of time before a rewire version is released so the VST issue should dissapear.

 

[Xerov]

Originally posted by bryng
Second time around, Apple sent a board that...get this...had a battery connector not seen on any current or recent model of Apple laptop.

Could be a fabrication error, of course. Could also be a spare part for a laptop that hasn't been released yet...

I'm not drawing any conclusions, but it was certainly an interesting incident...

Gotta Picture?

 

[bryng]

No, unfortunately not. Though a picture was apparently sent back to Apple, who haven't been willing to say what it was they sent in place of my logic board.

 

[JSRockit]

Originally posted by twelve
they need to have L3 cache and a PC slot. Apple really needs to release a laptop under 2000 for audio people.

That would be the 12" pBook...and don't even tell me it doesn't work for audio...because it is the only Apple laptop I own. The L3 Cache is a relatively new option introduced a little under a year ago in laptops...what did audio people do before that? The DVI TiBook was the first Apple laptop with an L3 Cache...not to mention that no PC laptop that I know of has an L3 Cache...and people use those for audio as well.

 

[JSRockit]

I believe we will see an updated iBook somewhere between May and August. When it is updated, it will be redesigned with very minimal speed bumps. I think AE and Bluetooth will be added, but no SuperDrive, FW 800, or G4. The G4 will no longer be used soon (if 970 speculation is true)...and the G3 is made by the same people as the 970. SuperDrives and FW800 will be added when they are the norm...not when they are cutting edge.

 

[twelve]

Originally posted by JSRockit
That would be the 12" pBook...and don't even tell me it doesn't work for audio...because it is the only Apple laptop I own. The L3 Cache is a relatively new option introduced a little under a year ago in laptops...what did audio people do before that? The DVI TiBook was the first Apple laptop with an L3 Cache...not to mention that no PC laptop that I know of has an L3 Cache...and people use those for audio as well.

yeah but PCs have raw power to waste a 12 pb, the macs need everything they can get to help performance. audio applications demand more these days and people are now working with multiple audio apps open at the same time. if the app code isn't altivec enhanced the mac performance is barely adequate at best.

 

[JSRockit]

Originally posted by twelve
yeah but PCs have raw power to waste a 12 pb, the macs need everything they can get to help performance. audio applications demand more these days and people are now working with multiple audio apps open at the same time. if the app code isn't altivec enhanced the mac performance is barely adequate at best.

Yeah...with multiple audio apps open, you do need as much ram as you can get...640mb is minimal...but the 12" pBook is really no sloutch...it has been great...much better than barely adequate...but I have been using a computer only system/studio since a 233mhz PII...and I rarely work in more than one app at a time. Just want to point out that alot of groups, producers, studios are still using older macs...not only the newest stuff...so, I don't it is as dramatic as you are making it out to be.

 

[aethier]

Originally posted by JSRockit
I believe we will see an updated iBook somewhere between May and August. When it is updated, it will be redesigned with very minimal speed bumps.

sounds like something mosr would say...

aethier

 

[JSRockit]

Originally posted by aethier
sounds like something mosr would say...

aethier

Unfortunately...I could not shed new light on this subject, but still wanted to weigh in....is that ok?

 

[ncbill]

G4 - too much heat for current iBook case

No one's mentioned the obvious reason for no G4 in the next iBook revision - too much heat.

The G3 is rated at 5W max

The current G4 (on a .18 micron process) consumes up to 30W (@1Ghz)
(>20W @800Mhz)

The iBook's polycarb case simply can't disspiate the extra heat.

Think about how hot the AlBook 12" gets with a metal case as the heat sink!

At the end of this year G4s (.13 micron) are supposed to be available in quantity (sampling this month), so it is possible that a G4 will be in the Dec/Jan iBook revision.