MacWorld Expo!

[Tariq]

I will also miss pc card support for digital cameras, this makes me wonder when they

BlueTooth would not be fast enough to transfer large photos from a camera to the laptop if it only runs at 1mbps. Remember mbps does not equel MB pers second.

Tariq

 

[artistry]

Re: Hello MacWorld ! Goodbye Desktops?

Originally posted by rhfactor
(I'm late to this thread... perhaps everything I have to say has been covered already...)

"Year of the Notebook"

"We want to replace Desktops with Laptops" is a fantastic goal, and combined with Airport Extreme wireless, Apple's got all the right stuff to redefine (again!) the way we use computing machines.

I have an original TiPB on my desk at home sitting on a Lapvantage dome which makes it the same eight as an LCD iMac. I have Airport and a Pro keyboard and mouse.

When I give a lecture I take the Powerboo off its stand, put it in a bag, and walk to work.

My laptop is a desktop computer. I was considering getting an iMac with Superdrive for making DVDs and music, but now I'm thinking of the 17" PowerBook and selling my current model.

I know a laptop at the moment doesn't cut it for many uses, but for me it's fine. More than fine. I think a lot of people need to start realising that there comes a point when speed is not an issue, it's the quality of the experience (Macs' advantage over PCs) and for me personally, a faster Mac than the one I've got won't actually benefit me. For me, Keynote is a much better development than a G5 chip!

As someone else pointed out elsewhere, blue and white G3s were top of the range when they came out, and still do what they were doing then. Maybe we're spoilt these days. I remember using Photoshop on a IIFX, then a Centris 650, then an LC475. In many ways, speed is a backward step cos in those days i used to get a lot more coffee breaks!

 

[artistry]

Re: nostalgia

Originally posted by spikeovsky


Hard Drive??? 120 Megs??? Luxury!
Now *I* remember when I got my external double-density floppy drive for my Mac Plus - before that, if a program couldn't fit on one diskette, it would take ages to load - I had sit there waiting for it to read data off one diskette, then eject it and ask me for the second one, then eject that and ask me for the first and so on. I can still remember sound of a Mac Plus ejecting a diskette - it haunts my dreams.


-spikeovksy

You were lucky. I had to get up at 5am, half an hour before I went to bed, just to make sure my MacPlus was booted up byt the time I got to work.

And you tell the kids of today that, they won't believe you!


ah... I miss the sounds that machine used to make.

PS and I am a Yorkshireman, and yes, we do talk like that.

 

[KarenM]

17" PB & OS9 Apps: Basic questions

I'm a non-teckie, non-"pro" Mac user w/some simple, practical questions.

When they say you cannot boot from OS9 on the new 17" PB, does this also mean that you cannot open any of your apps which ran on 9?

For example, I have many documents from versions of Wordperfect, [I never got or used Word] all email folders & bookmarks on OE/IE, etc. Would I not be able to access them at all? Or, could I install OS9 from the most recent disc package which came with my 2001 iBook to allow me to still access these files?

I'm now using Jaguar on the iBook for most everything else, but did not use it's Mail program bec I was familiar w/IE & OE, & bec I never figured out how to get my TCP/IP settings into Mail so it'd work.

I'm considering the jump to the 17" PB, but am concerned about these issues. Any clarifying, simplifying comments will be appreciated.

 

[iShater]

Re: Re: Re: 12 inch Powerbook real disappointment

Originally posted by nickmcghie

I'm not saying that its a "bad" machine, cuz it certainly isn't.. but it'll cannibilize sales of ibooks. Yes, I know that Apple will probably get higher profit margins from these new powerbooks, but they could've kept their ibook sales strong AND gotten into a totally new market. As the guy I quoted said, many business users need only the most basic funtions, such as email, internet, presentations, etc... therefore, power shouldn't have been the main issue in designing this new 12" powerbook, weight and portability should have. What I think Apple should've done: get rid of the optical drive (make it external), use a 1.8" hard drive, and make a true ULTRAPORTABLE... something under an inch thick and less than 3lbs.

but oh well.. here's to hoping that they will indeed release a true ultraportable sometime in the future

Amen brother!

 

[Squire]

Joined

Hi. I just joined.

I've been checking out this site- nice predictions, by the way- for the last month or so. Looks like I'll be buying my first Mac (probably the new 12" PB) as soon as they arrive here in Korea. Originally, I had my heart set on a new new iMac, but the last thing I wanna do is buy one and have them upgraded the next day. (Already happened when I bought my Canon Powershot G2.)

My wife was drooling over a little Sony notebook last week but I want a Superdrive. Looks like the new 12" is the best compromise.

Question: Why does the average Joe need Bluetooth? I don't get the part about "not having to reach into my backpack to get my phone."

BTW, my streaming video was almost flawless. I got up at 2 AM- 9 AM PST, Tuesday- to take a leak and decided to check out the Keynote. Being a newbie, I thought it would only be 20 minutes or so.

Cheers.

 

[PretendPCuser]

Re: 17" PB & OS9 Apps: Basic questions

What it means is that your OS9 apps will run in "Classic" mode. You should still be able to use your OS9 apps, so full speed ahead for you! If you do, go to an Apple store if you can and go for the "early bird special"

http://www.apple.com/retail/

And a "Mac Genius" will install any software you purchase then and there, get 10% off, and will probably be able to configure your TCP/IP settings and answer any of your other questions far better than i could. Good luck!!

Originally posted by KarenM
I'm a non-teckie, non-"pro" Mac user w/some simple, practical questions.

When they say you cannot boot from OS9 on the new 17" PB, does this also mean that you cannot open any of your apps which ran on 9?

For example, I have many documents from versions of Wordperfect, [I never got or used Word] all email folders & bookmarks on OE/IE, etc. Would I not be able to access them at all? Or, could I install OS9 from the most recent disc package which came with my 2001 iBook to allow me to still access these files?

I'm now using Jaguar on the iBook for most everything else, but did not use it's Mail program bec I was familiar w/IE & OE, & bec I never figured out how to get my TCP/IP settings into Mail so it'd work.

I'm considering the jump to the 17" PB, but am concerned about these issues. Any clarifying, simplifying comments will be appreciated.

 

[etype]

Given the width & depth of the 17" PowerBook, could it

1. Run much cooler than present 15" models?
2. Fit a second processor in the future, if they figure out solution that doesn't drain too much battery power?

(Sorry, just thinking out loud...)

 

[ryan]

Re: 802.11g

Originally posted by Deltan
I really don't mean to troll.. but...

I see people nattering on about AlBook specs, how neat Safari is, and iLife, but doesn't it piss you off that 802.11g isn't available to current ibook and tibook owners?

I'm absolutely livid!

Actually there are 802.11g PC Cards that would work in the TiPB if there were proper drivers for it... But I have to say hearing people b*tch when previous generation devices don't support new generation features gets sooo tiresome. At some point a company simply needs to draw a line and say, sorry, you'll need to upgrade to take advantage of the new technology.

 

[spikeovsky]

Re: Re: nostalgia

Originally posted by artistry

ah... I miss the sounds that machine used to make.

Yes, I miss it, but when you had to USE a program on several floppies...The horror!

Originally posted by artistry

PS and I am a Yorkshireman, and yes, we do talk like that.

The horror! The horror!

Originally posted by RogueLdr

LOL Bummer of a story there!

It certainly was a bummer - I loved that machine and had just maxed out its RAM to 4 megs. BTW, the smell of an exploding Mac Plus is awful. (The horror! The horror! The horror!)

To pretend that this message is on topic, I will add the following rough transcript of the reaction here to the new 17" PowerBook:

spikeovsky to roommate: YOU HAVE TO GET IN HERE NOW.
roommate to spikeovsky: Oh mah face! That just blew my mind.

-spikeovsky

 

[NicoMan]

Re: Joined

Originally posted by Squire
the last thing I wanna do is buy one and have them upgraded the next day. (Already happened when I bought my Canon Powershot G2.)

Well tell me about it, not only can i relate to your experience for the G2, but I also bought in november an iBook combo thinking there would be some time before the laptop line is updated again...DANG!!

Originally posted by Squire
Question: Why does the average Joe need Bluetooth? I don't get the part about "not having to reach into my backpack to get my phone."

At the moment there aren't that many things that use Bluetooth: synchronizing you Palm Tungsten-T or your SonyEricssonT68i wirelessly is nice but it is not the end of the world either. I suppose in the near future we will see more practical apps using Bluetooth once it becomes ubiquitous (like the Microsoft mouse/keyboard, but better I can only hope).

NicoMan

 

[artistry]

Re: Re: Joined

At the moment there aren't that many things that use Bluetooth: synchronizing you Palm Tungsten-T or your SonyEricssonT68i wirelessly is nice but it is not the end of the world either. [/B]

I've got a Tungsten and a T68. The Tungsten won't sync with my mac using Bluetooth - I have to use the cradle (why???)

However, running iSync and then hearing my phone beep in my coat pocket the other side of the room as it is updated is still what I call a 'Star Trek' moment...

You know, when I stop to think how ,uch we take for granted these days and how far we've come from when I was born (1970) I wonder if we should sometimes stop and say 'Wow'. That's what I was thinking during the Keynote with 'simple' things like integration of itunes libraries in iPhoto, and the bookmarks listing in Safari. Just little things but... 'wow'.

 

[artistry]

Safari and Applescript

Somebody asked about Safari and Applescript (maybe it wasn't here - I get so confused).

Well I just planned a great script to produce a tab-like solution involving writing a floating window app and - should've done this first! - was horrified to see that Safari has nothing that I would describe as 'scriptableness'. You can open and close windows, get the URL, possibly save a page in RTF format and that's about it.

Very poor - but, hey, still only beta I suppose. I hope this improves in the full version.

 

[iShater]

Originally posted by etype
Given the width & depth of the 17" PowerBook, could it

1. Run much cooler than present 15" models?
2. Fit a second processor in the future, if they figure out solution that doesn't drain too much battery power?

(Sorry, just thinking out loud...)

I was thinking the same thing. There seems to be more room available in there if they ever had to go dual. Now the problem would be the battery life, but I am sure they can turn off one processor on the battery.

 

[chetwilliams]

Re: Re: 802.11g

Originally posted by ryan

Actually there are 802.11g PC Cards that would work in the TiPB if there were proper drivers for it... But I have to say hearing people b*tch when previous generation devices don't support new generation features gets sooo tiresome. At some point a company simply needs to draw a line and say, sorry, you'll need to upgrade to take advantage of the new technology.

You are right and yet so wrong. Yes technology does march on and some things will be outdated. However, this is not one of them. The Airport card for iBooks/PowerMacs/15" TiBooks is just an Orinoco PCMCIA card with the antenna pulled off and replaced with a connector for the integrated antenna's included by Apple. There is no reason for Apple to not provide a new PCMCIA card that supports Airport Extreme. There are plenty of vendors out there that would sell it to Apple with a nice Airport Extreme logo on it (and would probably right some drivers for Apple too).

In fact, there is every reason for Apple to allow older users to buy a new Airport Extreme capable card:
- There would be a lot of people who would buy a new card and Apple could pocket the ~$30 profit margin for these. No card, no purchase.
- There would be a lot of people who would go out and buy a new Airport Extreme Base Station. The majority of these purchases would be replacing existing Airport Base Stations. Apple pockets some money on these too. Now, the kicker is that there is absolutely ZERO reason for most people to replace there existing Airport Base Station with the Extreme version. Why, you ask. Because if there is just one non-Extreme Airport laptop around the base station throttles down to the old 11Mbps speed to remain compatible. You lose the entire reason for upgrading (discounting the wireless bridging and USB printer sharing which I don't think are big enough reasons for most people to shell out $200). This means that even if an organization bought a bunch of new 17" PBs, it still would not be worth it to get AP Extreme if they have any legacy laptops since you can't pop in a new AP Extreme card in those laptops.

Everybody is right to be upset about this. It is just a bad move because it gives a huge reason for not going AP Extreme. The only reason that Apple could be using to justify it is that people will go out and by these new laptops because of AP Extreme. That is ludicrous. These new laptops have a lot of cool features but I am not going to go shell out $3300 just so I can have a 55Mbps wireless connection.

 

[matznentosh]

Does anyone know if iDVD 3 will run on external dvd burners? Since I don't have a supedrive mac, it's important.

 

[blueBomber]

12" powerbook blues

alright, heres the deal... I'm a new switcher, and I ordered a 12" powerbook as my first ever os X machine (my previous mac was an old 604 that was a hand-me down). Seriously, is the specs and performance of the 12" PB supposed to be that bad? I'm happy to be able to say that I'm free of Microsoft, but I also want to have some confidence in what I'm buying. I waited forever to actually buy a new machine and debated endlessly on if I should buy an ibook or the new PB. One of the things that helped me decide was the G4 that is in the PB, and now I'm hearing that the G3 in the ibook is probably going to be faster due to larger cache? C'mon, I'm a nervous wreak over here! Ugh, nobody said switching would be easy, but my stomachs in knots because of comments like this.

 

[Rocketman]

Re: Re: Re: 12 inch Powerbook real disappointment

Originally posted by xrhajj


I concur with you about it has the edge on Sony in the ultraportable area, but it still needs a PCMCIA slot for mobile wireless cards, like to use with your cellular phone provider and for Firewire 800 expansion!!!

Doesn't the PBG4 have FW800, APExtreme, and BTooth thus is offering everything you just said? I have a PBG4 with a PC card slot that is very lonely. I suspect the only thing it will ever see is a 802.11g device when Apple refuses to do what it should and make one that fits in the Airport 1 card slot.

Rocketman

 

[smelias]

It's all about the $$$$$$

I am soooooooo disappointed to read how many people replied to this thread indicating how this was the best Macworld ever. Given that not a single revolutianary product was announced (FW-800 & 802.11g not included because they are part of the evolution of the PB), I personally believe that this was one of the most boring. Yes, the evolution of the PowerBook has it's cool factor, but it pales to the announcement of the original PowerBook, the Newton, the Cube, the iMac, the TiBook, the iPod, Airport etc... Those were products the defined their respective category.

It is my belief that the Mac community has lowered their expectations so much that they now confuse evolution with innovation. I seriously wonder what it was that you people expected?

I personally expected an innovative digital lifestyle product. I think it is great to see how far they have come along on the software side, but how about a Newton PDA, an Apple TiVo, Video iPod etc... what happened to those innovations??

My feeling is that they are going after the $$$$$. Like previous post indicated, PB's are highly profitable products for Apple, so if they are going to introduce bluetooth, 802.11g, and FW 800, it might as well do so using the PB as the launch pad. Once the early adopters pluck down their $$$, other, less expensive products will arrive which will also take advantage of their new "connectivity" bundle. The fact that Airport Extreme is only $199 makes me quite confident that there will be a range of new devices that work around 802.11g and will focus around video streaming/transfer. These are the devices that will be innovative, not a rebadged iBook or a Biggie sized PB.

BTW, what were the 6" Apple Store product displays that everyone was talking about for?

 

[mangoman]

Re: It's all about the $$$$$$

Originally posted by smelias
BTW, what were the 6" Apple Store product displays that everyone was talking about for?

Hmmm. Good question... Anyone?

 

[bentmywookie]

Re: 12" powerbook blues

Originally posted by blueBomber
alright, heres the deal... I'm a new switcher, and I ordered a 12" powerbook as my first ever os X machine (my previous mac was an old 604 that was a hand-me down). Seriously, is the specs and performance of the 12" PB supposed to be that bad? I'm happy to be able to say that I'm free of Microsoft, but I also want to have some confidence in what I'm buying. I waited forever to actually buy a new machine and debated endlessly on if I should buy an ibook or the new PB. One of the things that helped me decide was the G4 that is in the PB, and now I'm hearing that the G3 in the ibook is probably going to be faster due to larger cache? C'mon, I'm a nervous wreak over here! Ugh, nobody said switching would be easy, but my stomachs in knots because of comments like this.

Ok, I'm one of those people saying the iBook will probably be faster, BUT that's just my speculation. I wouldn't worry about your purchase - I personally think they powerbook 12" is very aesthetically pleasing, and the ability to have a slot loading superdrive seems awesome. Ok, so your concerns are about performance, well I never doubted it would perform well, I just don't know how it will compare to a G3 iBook. Someone previously mentioned that they had been playing around with the 12" powerbook at the expo and that it seemed to run really well.

The 12" powerbook is a fine computer in my opinion, there are just some things I personally want to wait for to be included in it. Otherwise, it seems like a beautiful machine to me.


On another note - I can't wait for the 15" powerbook to be updated to the same specs as the 17" (with backlit keyboard and everything) - that will be a real sweet computer for those not minding the extra size and weight.

 

[blueBomber]

thanks for putting my mind at ease, all of my mac friends were telling me that buying a G3 would be like buying a Pentium 3 when the Pentium 4's are not much more expensive, and waaaaay faster. I have another question too, I've checked all of my hardware (my hp scanner and printer, my Wacom Tablet, my Intellimouse, etc.) to make sure it will work perfectly. The only concern I still have left is if my Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro (with media buttons) will work on my new mac. Does anybody know the answer to this one? As you know, Apple doesn't make a natural keyboard, and given a choice, I prefer it.

 

[bentmywookie]

Re: It's all about the $$$$$$

Originally posted by smelias
I am soooooooo disappointed to read how many people replied to this thread indicating how this was the best Macworld ever. Given that not a single revolutianary product was announced (FW-800 & 802.11g not included because they are part of the evolution of the PB), I personally believe that this was one of the most boring.
It is my belief that the Mac community has lowered their expectations so much that they now confuse evolution with innovation. I seriously wonder what it was that you people expected?

Hardware-wise, I was a little dissappointed - the new powerbooks are cool, but until the new processors come, apple's not so well of. I do think it was a smart move to focus on the laptops though since there is much room for innovation there that could outweigh speed benefits. I personally don't feel like they really did have anything innovative, but I am glad they are focusing on the portables.

I personally expected an innovative digital lifestyle product. I think it is great to see how far they have come along on the software side, but how about a Newton PDA, an Apple TiVo, Video iPod etc... what happened to those innovations??

I was really hoping for an Apple Tablet, but alas none came. I don't feel like a Video Ipod is very innovative though, plus Archos has had a similar product out for a while.

Again, hardware-wise I was definitely dissappointed. Software-wise, I was very pleased. This was truly the highlight of the keynote for me.

 

[Bali Cockfight]

Which is better?

The ATI 9000 or the GetForce, which is better?

 

[justdavid]

Originally posted by pilotgi
Apple website says Safari is even faster than Chimera.
167Mhz bus on the 17" powerbook.

What's the deal with iTunes3? I already have iTunes 3.

It shipped with hidden features that weren't usable, because the new versions of iMovie, iPhoto, and iDVD (which tie into those features) haven't shipped yet.


D.