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Is this a Powerbook/Macbook Pro prototype?

Oh man, that would be amazing to have. I always planned that if I ever upgraded to a MBP, I'd get one of the older Aluminum ones and have the name re-silkscreened to "PowerBook", so that machine is pretty much just my dream :D

BTW, if anyone from Apple is reading this, I would give you anything for a PowerBook G5 prototype... Just saying ;)

<3 PowerBooks
 
OP:

Can you do a quick

Code: 
sysctl -a hw

and let us know what the output is?

Thanks!
 
ppc750fx said:
OP:

Can you do a quick

Code: 
sysctl -a hw

and let us know what the output is?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

screen%201.jpg
 
My guess is that it is 100% a prototype and Apple decided to introduce the "MacBook Pro and MacBook" lines of computers shortly after this was manufactured.


Maybe they thought it was time for a name change?
 
Benguitar said:
My guess is that it is 100% a prototype and Apple decided to introduce the "MacBook Pro and MacBook" lines of computers shortly after this was manufactured.


Maybe they thought it was time for a name change?
Click to expand...

The name change actually makes sense. If I remember correctly, Apple built their early Macs around the PowerPC processor which was a platform co-developed by Motorola and IBM (RISC architecture). The PoweMac name was a reflection of the PowerPC processor powering the units. When Apple finally switched to Intel processors, it really didn't make sense to continue use of the "Power" nomenclature in the product name. What's interesting is that they went so far as to develope a new icon/look for the Powerbook logo before abandoning the name.
 
What a fantastic read. Going to have to keep an eye on this thread! Surely Apple wont want such an old prototype back?
 
Damn! You're lucky! I'd do some upgrades on that in the future like give it a cpu with 64-bit support and stuff (here comes the time where people yell at me: no! it's a prototype! preserve it!). That or sell it for money.. Just m opinion ;)
 
Hm. That helps. I actually meant

Code: 
sysctl -a

If that's not too much trouble...

(Sorry for my mistake!)
 
wow thats epic. maybe if you send it back they will give you a new one because they didnt want it to get out :D
 
I wonder if it has a dual layer DVD burner. I remember my 1st generation Intel MBP only had a single layer (something to do with finding a dual layer to fit the slightly thinner chassis of the MBP) . That would make it somewhat superior to the 1st gen MBPs.
 
jpo287 said:
The name change actually makes sense. If I remember correctly, Apple built their early Macs around the PowerPC processor which was a platform co-developed by Motorola and IBM (RISC architecture). The PoweMac name was a reflection of the PowerPC processor powering the units. When Apple finally switched to Intel processors, it really didn't make sense to continue use of the "Power" nomenclature in the product name. What's interesting is that they went so far as to develope a new icon/look for the Powerbook logo before abandoning the name.
Click to expand...

Actually the first Powerbooks weren't PowerPC, it took a while for the PowerPC to come to the Powerbook.
 
Benguitar said:
My guess is that it is 100% a prototype and Apple decided to introduce the "MacBook Pro and MacBook" lines of computers shortly after this was manufactured.


Maybe they thought it was time for a name change?
Click to expand...

Actually, to clear all this up :D
After they found out that the G5 processors were not suitable for laptops, they decided to change the processors. Coincidently, then then wanted the word 'mac' in all of their products, hence the name change :)
(macbook + ibook, macbook pro + powerbook) :)
fact :D
 
TheSVD said:
Actually, to clear all this up :D
After they found out that the G5 processors were not suitable for laptops, they decided to change the processors. Coincidently, then then wanted the word 'mac' in all of their products, hence the name change :)
(macbook + ibook, macbook pro + powerbook) :)
fact :D
Click to expand...

But why did they want to change the name? I assumed it was because the "Power" in Powermac and Powerbook had been there the entire time Motorola had been supplying the processors. Since Motorola is no longer supplying the processors, it just makes sense that "Power" would no longer be a part of the product names.
 
ppc750fx said:
Hm. That helps. I actually meant

Code: 
sysctl -a

If that's not too much trouble...

(Sorry for my mistake!)
Click to expand...

I ran the sysctl -a but the output was way too much to post here. is there something in particular that you are looking for?
 
jpo287 said:
But why did they want to change the name? I assumed it was because the "Power" in Powermac and Powerbook had been there the entire time Motorola had been supplying the processors. Since Motorola is no longer supplying the processors, it just makes sense that "Power" would no longer be a part of the product names.
Click to expand...
Yes, that's correct.

Just watch the MBP introduction keynote and you will hear Steve say "were kind of done with power... And we wanted the word Mac in all of our products." or something along those lines.
 
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