Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Is this a Powerbook/Macbook Pro prototype?

J

jpo287

macrumors member
Original poster
May 21, 2009
49
0
I recently bought a Macbook Pro for parts. It was actually listed as a Powerbook but the specs stated it had an intel processor and I could clearly see the camera above the lcd in the picture so I just assumed the seller was confused/wrong. When it arrived though, it clearly had a Powerbook logo on the lcd cover. The odd thing is that the logo is finished just like the Macbook Pro logo. That is to say, it has a chrome/metallic finish as opposed to being printed on. In addition, the botton of the top case (keyboard assembly) also says Powerbook. I looked the serial number up and it has a build date of Nov. of 2005 which is 7 months before the first MBP's shipped.

The specs are: 2.16 DUO (shows up as 1.83 though), ATI with 256MB memory and it has a glossy screen.

I am pretty sure this is a prototype which is not really a big deal but I am confused about the logo/name.

Is this really a Powerbook with an Intel processor? Did Apple start off keeping the Powerbook name with the Intel processors and then change their mind? Does anyone have any history of the Intel transition?

Here are a few pics that might help:

P1020061.JPG


P1020057.JPG


P1020015.jpg


P1020032.jpg
 
thewireman

thewireman

macrumors regular
Nov 6, 2007
194
0
Michigan
Its a property of Microsoft...

J/K but NICE FIND!

By the way, I've notice that it has an iSight and Powerbook never gotten one. This is really special find. For sure. Just like that Prototype Macbook Air.

Also, Under Powerbook name never had Intels.
 
angemon89

angemon89

macrumors 68000
Feb 5, 2008
1,849
110
Northern CA
That has to be a prototype. There's no explanation for the powerbook logo + isight camera on the same bezel.

Plus the label on the superdrive.

Nice find. How much did you pay for it?
 
angemon89

angemon89

macrumors 68000
Feb 5, 2008
1,849
110
Northern CA
jpo287 said:
Did Apple start off keeping the Powerbook name with the Intel processors and then change their mind? Does anyone have any history of the Intel transition?
Click to expand...
Apple tried putting a G5 processor in the powerbook but that resulted in a machine with less performance per watt. I believe that's when they started to look elsewhere and ended up looking into intel processors. This could have been (probably is) one of those first machines they tested with an intel processor.

I am sure the name "powerbook" was probably one of the last things they changed about it, and that is why your prototype still has powerbook written on it. They wanted to make sure they had a capable machine before they even thought of changing its name.
 
thewireman

thewireman

macrumors regular
Nov 6, 2007
194
0
Michigan
angemon89 said:
Apple tried putting a G5 processor in the powerbook but that resulted in a machine with less performance per watt. I believe that's when they started to look elsewhere and ended up looking into intel processors. This could have been (probably is) one of those first machines they tested with an intel processor.

I am sure the name "powerbook" was probably one of the last things they changed about it, and that is why your prototype still has powerbook written on it. They wanted to make sure they had a capable machine before they even thought of changing its name.
Click to expand...

I agree....
 
J

jpo287

macrumors member
Original poster
May 21, 2009
49
0
angemon89 said:
I am sure the name "powerbook" was probably one of the last things they changed about it, and that is why your prototype still has powerbook written on it. They wanted to make sure they had a capable machine before they even thought of changing the name of it.
Click to expand...

That makes sense but why would they change the "look" of the icon or name if they weren't planning on keeping the name.
 
ziggyonice

ziggyonice

macrumors 68020
Mar 12, 2006
2,385
1
Rural America
Wow... that is actually quite awesome and could probably be worth something.

A sort of PowerBook/MBP hybrid...
*gasp*... A PowerBook G5... !
 
spinnerlys

spinnerlys

Guest
Sep 7, 2008
14,328
7
forlod bygningen
Why call Apple?

I don't know about the legal ramifications of possessing an Apple prototype, but make sure, that by contacting Apple, you will not get into trouble.
 
E

Eddyisgreat

macrumors 601
Oct 24, 2007
4,851
2
spinnerlys said:
Why call Apple?

I don't know about the legal ramifications of possessing an Apple prototype, but make sure, that by contacting Apple, you will not get into trouble.
Click to expand...

He obtained it through a legitimate sale. If anyone would get in trouble it'd be the guy that ripped it off from Apple in the first place. Probably gone or moved into a different department now.
 
Shake 'n' Bake

Shake 'n' Bake

macrumors 68020
Mar 2, 2009
2,186
2
Albany
Just to confirm that it is a prototype I ran the serial # through a decoder and got nothing.

Really nice find. How much did you pay for it? You could probably get $1500 or more.

FYI, a few months someone posted here and discovered that their MBP had a prototype AirPort card in it. The logic board was green and it said "Apple Development Team" somewhere.
 
J

jpo287

macrumors member
Original poster
May 21, 2009
49
0
pics

I'll try to get some more tomorrow. It may be late though as my wife is expecting (past due actually) and we could get stuck at the doctors/hospital.
 
J

jpo287

macrumors member
Original poster
May 21, 2009
49
0
Shake 'n' Bake said:
Just to confirm that it is a prototype I ran the serial # through a decoder and got nothing.
Click to expand...
I found a decoder online (German site I think) and it said it was built in Nov of 2005 and was the first built that week at China plant #8 or something like that - W8546001UTM
 
spinnerlys

spinnerlys

Guest
Sep 7, 2008
14,328
7
forlod bygningen
Can't she wait until you confirmed the MBP's status? Priorities, Priorities, Priorities.

Just kidding, good luck to your wife and you giving birth. It's quite an experience. And don't forget about the epidural.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom