Is this a Powerbook/Macbook Pro prototype?

[ddTaylor]

i like how most forum users, when they see something cool / odd, they try - as a first reaction - to prove that it's false / faked / photoshopped...
and use the most retarded of arguments to prove their claim...
it's like they can't take other people being cool (-er than them).
why can't our first reaction just be to congratulate the man for a nice rare find and his son Luke (please tell me you did a "Luke, I am your father" joke when he was born, 🙂 )...
what is the world coming to?
anywho, congrats mate on the find and the addition to your family.
i'd say keep the mac - if you're that sort of person - but if you don't care just post it and ask for at least $2000 😉
peace...

That is the best post I have seen on MR in a LONG TIME! Hats off for that one...

D

 

[LimeiBook86]

Wow nice find! 🙂

It's clear to me that this is a prototype machine. It's kind of obvious, the way it was put together, the SuperDrive, the ports without icons, the older name etc. No doubt that this is a testing unit for before the MacBook Pros were released. In June 2005 Apple gave out Intel Developer machines to developers. So of course they could have had Intel machines produced, in fact Jobs stated that they did have OS X running on Intel machines as far back as Mac OS X 10.0! 😛 So probably by 2004, maybe 2003 they were dabbling with their own intel-based machines. Never hurts to test something out before you make a big switch! It's no secret that Jobs & Co had spent a while preparing for the switch and getting everything ready.

This is indeed a prototype Intel Apple laptop, named PowerBook - the MacBook name probably came later on, but even if it was already created who cares? I doubt developers and testers matter what a bezel on the screen says. Plus it might help to keep the product hidden or go unnoticed.

This is a fantastic find and I wouldn't just give it away cheaply. Hang onto it for a while, as you can see here there's already a lot of interest. Good luck with your Intel PowerBook. It's truly a one of a kind find! 😀

 

[KielderWolf]

I know somebody with a pre-production Cube that he refuses to sell. Apparently it ran better than the actual production models, but it died recently after the logic board failed, and he can't get any replacements because apparently his model "doesn't exist" on the database 🙄

This PowerBook Pro 🙂D) is beautiful. I mean obviously it's not finished, the recessed logo and lack of IR sensor (or lack of the polished black cover at least) as well as odd other cosmetic works, point to this being a machine that was completed internally for testing and developing.

I agree with some other posters that it is likely that they left the PowerBook stencilling so as to not give the game away when they released the MacBook Pro; I mean we all know Apple loves to surprise us when they release a new -Book.

The 'sticky' trackpad issue sounds more than likely attributed to firmware that may have needed tweaking, or hardware that wasn't quite right. Or it may just be damaged, I know the bottom left extreme of my BlackBook pad doesn't respond unless I really put pressure on it since I dropped a steel pencil shaver on it.

If you are going to sell it I hope you get some good money and not much trouble about it. If you decide to keep it, I would. I mean you have the only 'PowerBook' we know of that is capable of running Snow Leopard!

 

[Furrybeagle]

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.

I doubt this is "one of those first" machines… they announced the Intel transition 5 months before this machine's serial number indicates it was made. I'm sure Apple had many prototype Intel laptops even before the Intel announcement (remember the bit about every version of OS X had been compiled for Intel and PPC, just in case?).

But I guess that's just nitpicking. 🙂

 

[fyrefly]

I'm curious about the Processor - it's outputting and on the sticks says it's T2600 - 2.16Ghz, but appears in Finder and such as 1.83. Is it just being downclocked for some reason? Heat?

I'm reminded of the Macbook Pro announcement - where they were supposed to be 1.66Ghz and 1.83Ghz and by release dates they were bumped to 1.83 and 2.0Ghz. Were the 1.66 just going to be downclocked 1.83s and they figured out a way to manage the heat between Jan-March?

Either way, congrats to the OP - sweet find!!

 

[deedas]

To the OP: If you do keep the notebook do not pursue trying to bring the cpu clock-rate back up to 2.16GHz, you will most likely start getting heat related problems.

Now if you decided to sell, let us know. I want to be in the run to be the next owner of that laptop. 😎

 

[iCantwait]

I have read this whole thread and NOBODY has suggested the possibility of a 12" intel PowerBook prototype out there in the wild🙄

Congrats to the OP on the two new additions to his family and Blue is a much better colour than red for a logic board.

 

[deedas]

I was just thinking, the most likely scenario here is that an engineer/developer never returned this test unit and it's probably still property of Apple. I'd be highly hesitant of selling this on a site that could get petitioned by apple to release your personal info.

Now does Apple have the time/care enough to do just that? Probably not, but this thing is a rare find, I wouldn't risk loosing it.

On the plus side, maybe Apple will be cool enough to give you a new MBP if you agree to return it. I wouldn't put it past Apple to create such great PR.

 

[damieng]

I think you guys have missed something quite obvious in the original system profiler screenshot he posted:

I'm actually using it right now. Here's a quick screen shot

The model number here contains the letters ADP - quite likely Apple Developer Program.

During the Intel migration even basic membership got you the ability to purchase pre-production Intel Mac Pro's. I can imagine their higher tier top-level developers got other options at the time for testing and compatibility.

This would explain why it is seemingly more refined than a prototype or engineering sample but obviously not a retail model.

[)amien

 

[michael.lauden]

I have read this whole thread and NOBODY has suggested the possibility of a 12" intel PowerBook prototype out there in the wild🙄

Congrats to the OP on the two new additions to his family and Blue is a much better colour than red for a logic board.

yeah it's so cool that you will never see it ever.

 

[Nitrocide]

I think you guys have missed something quite obvious in the original system profiler screenshot he posted:



The model number here contains the letters ADP - quite likely Apple Developer Program.

During the Intel migration even basic membership got you the ability to purchase pre-production Intel Mac Pro's. I can imagine their higher tier top-level developers got other options at the time for testing and compatibility.

This would explain why it is seemingly more refined than a prototype or engineering sample but obviously not a retail model.

[)amien

Im rpetty sure this was pointed out a few posts ago, though yeah they did take their time.

 

[Tshapi]

Can you say Pre-production run, and marketing!

Just take a look at the recent snow leopard, at the very last build to distinguish it from leopard, they entirely changed the Packaging!

re: the PB vs MBP
PB has one thing in common with the MBP the exterior of aluminum!

to clarify that the New computer they came out with that had an Intel chip, was properly distinguished from the PB the changed the Name of the Product to incorporate MAC mainly from a marketing standpoint! thats why iMAC is still iMAC, They felt it was time the Marketed Mac! its all about brand recognition and product distinction!

ibook became Macbook, Powerbook became Macbook Pro... instead of saying I want to buy a Mac IBOOK, it became i want to buy a MACBOOK! and so one, the name changed at the last second most likely for marketing purposes!

also look, they are now called Intel Mac's! ALL ABOUT BRANDING

 

[thedbp]

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?

Actually, there's quite a few explanations. My guess would be a hoax. Take a look at the lettering of PowerBook, especially the "e." See how its tilted off kilter? Also the hook of the "r" doesn't look like it is fully extended.

 

[jpo287]

Actually, there's quite a few explanations. My guess would be a hoax. Take a look at the lettering of PowerBook, especially the "e." See how its tilted off kilter? Also the hook of the "r" doesn't look like it is fully extended.

Ummmm, and your guess would be wrong

 

[mkvowner]

It is definitely a prototype.

 

[Matthew Yohe]

Sheesh. I'm sick of these people trying to call out fakes.

This is definitely a prototype to the MacBook Pro, called "M1"


Looky here:

These are both from a post back in March, where someone else had a similar product, but with a green board. Shows M1 codename, same "SAMPLE FOR EVALUATION ONLY" sticker etc etc...

Here's that thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/669165/

Also, here is an early reference to M1

And the corresponding MR article.

OP: It looks like yours might be a later revision than the one I just linked to... The one I linked had a BIOS, I assume yours does not?

 

[mrparet]

I believe this to be a prototype, but how does something so secretive like this get out into the wild? It's not like Apple just throws them away, is it?

 

[electroshock]

I believe this to be a prototype, but how does something so secretive like this get out into the wild? It's not like Apple just throws them away, is it?

Nothing unusual; happens with some regularity. Ways it can occur:

- Employee takes it home, Apple ends up not doing an audit and demanding it back. Employee eventually sells it at some point. Or gives to a relative or friend who later sells it.
- VIP journalist gets an early copy for evaluations and perhaps loses it (or 'loses'...)
- Engineer with a copy dies and estate, not knowing what they're looking at, sells it off
- It ends up in a dusty storage shelf in a closet somewhere and eventually it's cleaned out and sold
- Third party manufacturer rep takes or "loses" a prototype -- common in SE Asia (so they can make some money selling it to the highest bidder, often an interested competitor)

I once bought an Apple IIGS main logic board and then realized I was looking at an engineering prototype (late into their testing) because it had special type of socketed EPROM chips so they could easily flash new PROMs as needed during testing, amongst a few other hints about its prototype status. The production boards didn't have them; just regular ROM chips directly soldered on and had some other changes.

Another time, I bought two Apple IIGS logic boards (to serve as spares) for $2.74 each off eBay from a school district in Kansas selling them off. The secretary who put them up for auction said they were emptying out their "ancient junk" from their authorized Apple repair supplies, as they obviously had not been using Apple IIs for many years and were required to make a good faith effort in getting some money for them. Upon receiving them, I was very startled to see they were still new-in-box boards in the original sealed plastic cover in the original apple authorized repair boxes, having never been opened even once since it left the factory over 20 years ago.

In both cases, the seller was totally oblivious to what they had (and I didn't know until the transaction was final and received the shipment).Things like that is how 'interesting stuff' can eventually become public.

 

[Arne200]

Me thinks it's a HOAX

Look at the pics in detail:

e.g. one sees this type of thing when the clone tool in a photo editing application is not used with care: Straight edges straight no longer.

e.g. compare the angles of the "e".

e.g. compare the height and size of the "r".

 

[electroshock]

Look at the pics in detail:

e.g. one sees this type of thing when the clone tool in a photo editing application is not used with care: Straight edges straight no longer.

e.g. compare the angles of the "e".

e.g. compare the height and size of the "r".

May I ask if you also believe the original poster went to great lengths to also forge the Profiler information? If it was just the lettering alone, then I see your point. But given the other supporting data with details that seems legitimate, not sure I'd concur.

 

[jpo287]

Sheesh. I'm sick of these people trying to call out fakes.

This is definitely a prototype to the MacBook Pro, called "M1"


Looky here:

These are both from a post back in March, where someone else had a similar product, but with a green board. Shows M1 codename, same "SAMPLE FOR EVALUATION ONLY" sticker etc etc...

Here's that thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/669165/

Also, here is an early reference to M1

And the corresponding MR article.

OP: It looks like yours might be a later revision than the one I just linked to... The one I linked had a BIOS, I assume yours does not?

No BIOS

Interestingly, I bought mine off of a "PC" technician stating the keyboard/trackpad was replaced because the original had stopped working but the new keyboard/trackpad didn't work either. Since their expertise was in PC's and not Macs, they decided to sell it as a parts machine. I replaced the topcase cable/ribbon and while the keyboard works fine, the trackpad is still a little flaky. That must have been a problem with the M1.

Thanks for the info and link. I never realized it was there. And I agree, mine looks to be a slightly later version.

 

[hollerbach]

Hoaxy hoax hoax hoax.

Look at the pics in detail:

e.g. one sees this type of thing when the clone tool in a photo editing application is not used with care: Straight edges straight no longer.

e.g. compare the angles of the "e".

e.g. compare the height and size of the "r".

I agree with Arne200. I won't presume to call you a liar -- you may well have a crazy awesome prototype of some kind. But you gotta admit it, dude, there is something wonky in those photos.

Just post some more pics of the 'PowerBook' logo from a few different angles and prove us wrong.

 

[evitica]

You guys are wonky. It's clearly real.

 

[Markov]

To those who are trying to prove this item fake: Go find a real hobby, sitting on a computer and trying to convince everyone these photos are fake is flat out pathetic. It's annoying and a waste of posts. The original poster clearly has better things to do (like tend to his newborn) than fabricate a story like this. Simply put, it's not a fabrication, it's a real prototype, get over it.

To the OP: Nice find man, hang onto this! And congrats on Luke! I for one think it's real. My reasoning is that the iSight is present while the title "Powerbook" is present and the PB never had an iSight. As far as the fudged lettering goes, it looks like Apple didn't care to touch up the glossy finish. It's clear that it has been etched into the bezel correctly.

 

[MagicBoy]

To those who are trying to prove this item fake: Go find a real hobby, sitting on a computer and trying to convince everyone these photos are fake is flat out pathetic. It's annoying and a waste of posts. The original poster clearly has better things to do (like tend to his newborn) than fabricate a story like this. Simply put, it's not a fabrication, it's a real prototype, get over it.

To the OP: Nice find man, hang onto this! And congrats on Luke! I for one think it's real. My reasoning is that the iSight is present while the title "Powerbook" is present and the PB never had an iSight. As far as the fudged lettering goes, it looks like Apple didn't care to touch up the glossy finish. It's clear that it has been etched into the bezel correctly.

It can't be a standard PowerBook Bezel - 15" PowerBook G4s used a 16:9 screen and the MBP changed to a 16:10 ratio so the dimensions are totally different...