iBook Updates?

[TWinbrook46636]

Do you want them to remove pixels from the height, or add them to the width?

iBook G4 13" @ 1152 x 768
iBook G4 15" @ 1280 x 854

I would like to see Apple release new iBooks and PowerBooks using the same 13" and 15" screens and basic internal design. The PowerBook versions would be faster, lighter and with more features of course but by sharing basic components it would allow them to offer lower prices to us.

 

[aswitcher]

15 inch screen "1280 x 1024"
1.5 G4
512 Ram
dvd burner
64 mb graphics
right mouse button
abilty to scroll with trackpad
backlight keyboard "option"
audio in

for 1399-1499

You have just about described the current powerbook...I can't see Apple producing an iBook like this because it would muddle the line distinctions and cannablise powerbook sales...

 

[Duane Martin]

Wow, times have changed. When I was in high school, 64mhz was faster than most everything out there...And now 64mhz is negligible. I feel old...

Yeah, and when I was in high school I programmed in BASIC by marking cards with a pencil and feeding them into a Wang 2200. While walking five miles up hill with only a lump of coal for lunch. But try telling that to young ones today!

I still want to see new iBooks and Powerbooks next week, despite my failing eyesight (not iSight).

 

[billystlyes]

You have just about described the current powerbook...I can't see Apple producing an iBook like this because it would muddle the line distinctions and cannablise powerbook sales...

I know but its time to update the Powerbook as well. Apple is to slow to update its laptops. I would buy the 15 inch Powerbook but its just a litte out of my budget after just getting the new iMac. I really want a portable with good specs before tiger under 1500!

 

[iDave]

I have a couple of the 1600x1200 Samsung 21" LCDs, and a couple of the 1920x1200 24" Samsung LCDs.

I like the bigger screens - but no way would I want a 1600x1000 "widescreen" model. What a fraud to lose 320K pixels and claim that "wide is better". (But of course 1600x1000 is much better than 1280x1024 "narrow-screen".)

I thought this thread was about iBooks. I'm not sure what you're talking about (no offense).

If there was a new 13" wide screen iBook, the maximum resolution might be 1280x854 but I suspect that would be too much. 1200x750 might be nice.

 

[treefell]

I ordered a 12" Powerbook on the 7th. Apple originally said it would ship on the 14th. I got an email today saying that 'due to excessive demand it would now be shipped on or before the 20th'. The 20th is next Wednesday right?
So, there could just be excessive demand, or the order's been held back to account for the upcoming update...
Or is that just wishful thinking on my part?

 

[aswitcher]

I ordered a 12" Powerbook on the 7th. Apple originally said it would ship on the 14th. I got an email today saying that 'due to excessive demand it would now be shipped on or before the 20th'. The 20th is next Wednesday right?
So, there could just be excessive demand, or the order's been held back to account for the upcoming update...
Or is that just wishful thinking on my part?

No, it does look like an indicator supporting a new iBook rev...

 

[toughboy]

You have just about described the current powerbook...I can't see Apple producing an iBook like this because it would muddle the line distinctions and cannablise powerbook sales...

this does not sound "consumer" to me.. its more like pro-sumer.. but backlid keyboard may come with iBooks too.. we also can expect a speed jump.. but I dont expect to see nothing more in the current form factor... dvd burner in 12" would be nice though...

 

[Nermal]

Apple already released the iPod mini, they're now opening Apple mini stores, so the next logical step is the iBook mini (and the PowerMac mini, too, while we're at it). ;-)

Power Mac mini! New Cube!

 

[blogo]

Apple will probably reduce the price on the PowerBooks too if the price and specs on new iBooks get to competetive.

 

[~Shard~]

Apple will probably reduce the price on the PowerBooks too if the price and specs on new iBooks get to competetive.

So, if the price and specs of the iBooks becomes too competitive with the PowerBooks, Apple will remedy this by reducing the price of the PowerBooks, thereby making them even CLOSER in price to the iBooks and making things worse? Yah, that makes a lot of sense.

 

[iDave]

So, if the price and specs of the iBooks becomes too competitive with the PowerBooks, Apple will remedy this by reducing the price of the PowerBooks, thereby making them even CLOSER in price to the iBooks and making things worse? Yah, that makes a lot of sense.

What "things" would it make worse?

 

[AidenShaw]

I thought this thread was about iBooks. I'm not sure what you're talking about (no offense).

The comment to which I was replying wanted "a wide-screen iBook".

Sometimes "wide-screen" means "short-screen" - a smaller, shorter screen is touted as "wide-screen".

I like "wide-screen", if it means that *more* pixels are added to the width. I think "wide-screen" sucks if it means that pixels are subtracted from the height.

The Samsung 21" and 24" monitors are identical in height (both in cm and in pixels), and differ only in width. I like the extra 320 pixels in width on the 24" model.

 

[iDave]

The comment to which I was replying wanted "a wide-screen iBook".

Sometimes "wide-screen" means "short-screen" - a smaller, shorter screen is touted as "wide-screen".

I like "wide-screen", if it means that *more* pixels are added to the width. I think "wide-screen" sucks if it means that pixels are subtracted from the height.

Ok, I see your point now. Somehow I doubt any revised for wide screen iBook or 12" PowerBook would become 1024x640 but I suppose anything is possible.

 

[Sol]

iBook Mini RAM & Dock

From what I understand, OS X would work better with two identical RAM sticks. iBook Mini should have 512 MB built in and one empty slot. To speed performance and save some battery, another 512 MB could be ordered.

A re-charge dock should be optional with this. This dock should have the optical drive, not the body of the portable.

 

[~Shard~]

What "things" would it make worse?

The initial scenario you described is, of course, undesirable, with new iBooks becoming more attractive in relation to the PowerBooks, thus reducing the PowerBook's appeal. (i.e. "I can get practically everything the PowerBook has in the iBook for a lot less - screw the PowerBook!") The same thing happened with the eMacs and iMacs before the iMacs went to the G5 architecture. You then say that if this does indeed happen, (the iBooks become too competitive), Apple will probably lower prices on the PowerBooks. Then, you will essentially have 2 different machines targeted at different markets (pro and consumer), which are now almost indistinguishable in both specs and price. This blurs the lines and destroys product differentiation, which is of course a very crucial factor.

I'm not against it, I'm just saying Apple's Marketing department probably wouldn't allow them to do things this way.

 

[mypantsaretight]

Why I feel this rumor holds some truth:
1) Every Oct/Nov for the last 3 years the iBook has been updated. It is now due.
2) Change in shipping times at the Apple Store.
3) Upcoming Apple education focused event.
4) A wink and a nod from my local source of info.
5) The entry level laptops have passed the low-end pro laptops in CPU MHz before, on several occasions. Didn't stop Apple then, no reason to now.

Why I don't think the PB will be updated:
1) To what? Minor speed bump ain't gonna happen.
2) No event coming. The PB is the single biggest gripe many of you seem to have. Apple knows that and will make sure to update at an event you'll be watching.
3) No "dual-core is done" announcements or even hints from the chip maker.
4) Karma. Too many of you PB lovers blasphemed the new iMac. Enjoy your wait.

Why I think the "no-drive" iBook-mini is a garbage idea:
1) Duo
2) Duo
3) Duo
4) Did I mention that big hunk of crap that was/is the Duo?
5) The five of you who want them aren't going to buy enough to make Apple care.
6) Duo.

Why I think expanding the product line to 4 laptops is a garbage idea:
1) Performa series. Could anyone other than a Mac junkie keep any of them straight?
2) Remember Jobs' words when he simplified the line to 4 offerings + an ed model? There has been exactly zero indication of any change in this philosophy.
3) If you are so envious of the 10 pound "laptops" from Alienware and Dell, just buy an XServe and an Apple display. Then go to the local hardware store and get some duct tape. Tape the monitor in laptop fashion to the XServe. Then go to the autoparts store and buy a car battery. Tape the car battery to the bottom of the XServe. Hook the monitor and XServe to the car battery. Paint case grey and tell us how cool it is.

peace

 

[drsuse]

Why I don't think the PB will be updated...

so your thought is something big in january, maybe with pb price drops when the new ibooks come out so that apple can clear their old stock by the time the next generation comes out?

 

[aswitcher]

I'm not against it, I'm just saying Apple's Marketing department probably wouldn't allow them to do things this way.

Yeah, I think the only updates for the iBook will be slight speed bump, maybe access to a bigger HDD, possibly wireless as standard (but I doubt it), maybe a slight price drop and hopefully a 64 meg vram option for the 14".

Unless of course they plan to do over the iBook line and provide shell a new non-white mini ipod shell cover option...but that seems a bit risky - getting stuck with bright pink ipods...

 

[iDave]

If this rumor is true and iBooks are soon updated with better specs and a price reduction then I think the PowerBooks should be reduced too, unless maybe they're updated too.

IMHO, PowerBooks have been in the same relative price range for too long and should come down regardless. The 12" PowerBook in particular simply isn't worth $500 more than the 12" iBook when you compare the specs. Sure, there are a lot of little things like a better keyboard, faster memory, bigger hard disk, included Airport and DVI out. I just don't think those things add up to $500.

Please don't tell me that a big price difference is important just to separate product lines.

 

[AidenShaw]

you aren't the entire market

Why I think expanding the product line to 4 laptops is a garbage idea:
1) Performa series. Could anyone other than a Mac junkie keep any of them straight?
2) Remember Jobs' words when he simplified the line to 4 offerings + an ed model? There has been exactly zero indication of any change in this philosophy.
3) If you are so envious of the 10 pound "laptops" from Alienware and Dell, just buy an XServe and an Apple display.

1) The Performa days were crazy, not suggesting anything of the sort. There are people who want small/light - and nothing that Apple ships now qualifies. Anybody who couldn't understand one or two new options in laptops is probably too stupid to figure out a mouse with two buttons.

2) No, he simplified it to 3 - with an interesting 4th quadrant that was blank. The iBook filled the 4th quadrant. The eMac is a 5th, and the XServe is a 6th - so definitely, the 4 quadrant model is dead.

3) You're being silly with the XServe suggestion. People want a G5 portable - lots of people would take a large system for the power (musicians/video - think portable studio). The PB is already up to 7 lbs, add a couple more, make it thicker so that it has room to cool a G5. It doesn't need long battery life, people who demand great battery life will buy a Centrino ^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H one of the other 'Books.
____________________________


Too many people here are convinced that whatever they want is what everybody wants. Ain't so.

I don't want a tiny laptop, nor a huge one. I do want a DVD A 14" screen (4:3) and about 5 lbs with DVD+RW is right for me. (I have others, but my main laptop is a Dell Latitude D600.)

I wouldn't take a 10" or a 17" if it were free (well, maybe I would but they'd be on eBay without the box being opened). But do I say that companies are crazy to make a 10" or a 10 lb system?

Why is choice bad?

 

[Sol]

SuperSize Mac

3) You're being silly with the XServe suggestion. People want a G5 portable - lots of people would take a large system for the power (musicians/video - think portable studio). The PB is already up to 7 lbs, add a couple more, make it thicker so that it has room to cool a G5.

I for one do not think that the X-Serve-taped-to-Apple Display idea was silly. Some people say bigger is better and I agree.

Yes, I would like to up-size my Big Mac thanks.

 

[Stella]

Yea but not everyone has Powerbook mola!

You will then be waiting for a far while until your wish list appears in an iBook!

 

[jaromski]

I wish there was an option to lose the CD-Drive and make it 2 pounds. I really don't use my CD drive, it's just extra weight. Make an option to have a super portable book. 5 pounds is too much. Apple can do better.

i concur that would really push the envelope. i could totally do away with the drive altogether. i guess one would need some type of external firewire drive to compensate for when installing some cd-only software.

cd drives should be the next to go. cd drives = floppy drives for the 90's. plus it couldn't hurt the battery life.

jaromski

 

[VicMacs]

Why I feel this rumor holds some truth:
3) If you are so envious of the 10 pound "laptops" from Alienware and Dell, just buy an XServe and an Apple display. Then go to the local hardware store and get some duct tape. Tape the monitor in laptop fashion to the XServe. Then go to the autoparts store and buy a car battery. Tape the car battery to the bottom of the XServe. Hook the monitor and XServe to the car battery. Paint case grey and tell us how cool it is.

peace

yeah.. how do i hook up the poles to the xserve and the monitor???? ... ive been at it for like an hour now...

anyone...


please...