Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
New G4 iBooks
- Thread starter MacsRgr8
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
i've heard that the G4 the iBook is using..
has no velocity engine.. and is made by IBM..!!!
a dutch website http://www.macned.nl says that on their main page..
more info soon!!
has no velocity engine.. and is made by IBM..!!!
a dutch website http://www.macned.nl says that on their main page..
more info soon!!
Re: Re: max memory?
Or you could go out today and buy a 1GB stick, which would mean 1.25GB. But in that case the (hypothetical) max would be 2.1GB, not 1.25 (since you'd be able to change the second 128MB stick too).
At any rate, confusion reigns as with most Apple updates.
Or you could go out today and buy a 1GB stick, which would mean 1.25GB. But in that case the (hypothetical) max would be 2.1GB, not 1.25 (since you'd be able to change the second 128MB stick too).
At any rate, confusion reigns as with most Apple updates.
I can't be bothered to go through all the posts but G3 iBooks are still being sold on the Apple Store:
G3 iBooks on Apple Store
G3 iBooks on Apple Store
Re: Is the 12" fast enough
In that case, the iBookG4 (12", for example) is more than enough. Max out its RAM, but otherwise everything is cool.
Re: iBook == Consumer =/ CHEAP!
I would generally agree. Keeping the old iBook, maybe rebadged as an eBook, and sold for $500-$600 would be AWESOME.
However, there's a lot more to building a laptop than the processor. Apple (intelligently, IMHO) refuses to build a laptop that isn't full-featured. They all have wireless, ethernet, modem, CD-ROM drive, etc. The average PC laptop at $500-$600 doesn't have all of that.
I would generally agree. Keeping the old iBook, maybe rebadged as an eBook, and sold for $500-$600 would be AWESOME.
However, there's a lot more to building a laptop than the processor. Apple (intelligently, IMHO) refuses to build a laptop that isn't full-featured. They all have wireless, ethernet, modem, CD-ROM drive, etc. The average PC laptop at $500-$600 doesn't have all of that.
Re: Re: Re: max memory?
The other RAM memory bank is soldered to the motherboard.
So max memory using 1GB DIMMs is 1.25 (1280MB).
The iBook G4 has 128MB soldered on the board so the "theoretical" max is 1.125 (1152MB), and the BTO max at the Apple Store is 640MB.
There are two banks of RAM, though only 1 slot.
---
If you look here you'll see the stuff on the RAM for the PB12.
Which shows 1 RAM expansion slot.
Take a look at the picture of the PB12 on the previous page, it has ONE DIMM slot.
The other RAM memory bank is soldered to the motherboard.
So max memory using 1GB DIMMs is 1.25 (1280MB).
The iBook G4 has 128MB soldered on the board so the "theoretical" max is 1.125 (1152MB), and the BTO max at the Apple Store is 640MB.
There are two banks of RAM, though only 1 slot.
---
If you look here you'll see the stuff on the RAM for the PB12.
Which shows 1 RAM expansion slot.
Re: "All G4's have Velocity Engine"--Apple
I don't think it's the 7447/7457, since the L2 cache is smaller than the new PBs. Probably the 7445.
I don't think it's the 7447/7457, since the L2 cache is smaller than the new PBs. Probably the 7445.
Re: Re: iBook == Consumer =/ CHEAP!
The G3 and G4 are internal Apple numbers. IBM and Motorola don't refer to them this way. There's nothing that requires Apple to make all G4s the same.
The G3 and G4 are internal Apple numbers. IBM and Motorola don't refer to them this way. There's nothing that requires Apple to make all G4s the same.
this is very interesting if this is a ibm sort of g4, if that is the case we may be seeing the last of moto g4's in current products and a switch to all IBM cpu's very soon. no word of altivec or velocity engine at the ibook site.
Re: Re: Re: suggestion
Still, this is pretty off-topic since the original question was about performance comparisons.
-Richard
Actually, you generally can - people use both all the time. Fot that matter, you can also get a (stackable) 10% off coupon (more useful if its over $1000) just by joining their mailing list, et cetera. If you check places like bensbargins.net you often find some incredible deals - the specific model might change, but even if you only want one specific one, there's usually a great deal at least once a week. Street price on the Dells is way under their list price - one of the big differences between them and Apple. If a deal goes away, there'll be another one out there... really.
Still, this is pretty off-topic since the original question was about performance comparisons.
'Scuse me? The Pentium-M is almost unrelated to the P4 or the P4M, and outperforms most other intels clock-for-clock in the same way that the Motorola procs do. Don't fall into the inverse megahertz myth. But don't take my word for it, look at benchmarks by Apple fan sites such as Barefeats between the PM-Centrino machines and the new PowerBooks. intel also releases new chips on a much tighter schedule than motorola does - the 1.3ghz PM measured in the Cinebench test isn't even offered in the Dells, for example, and a 1.5ghz is just $50 additional (up to a 1.8 is available, without notable additional power requirements from the 1.4). Apple has done a good job playing catch-up with the IBM processors in the desktop arena, they just have some work to do in the laptop space where the PM is already clock-for-clock similar to the G5. And while XP doesn't have some of the features of OSX (and vice versa), its very responsive and really isn't all that bad any more. Apple has some serious competition out there - and the new iBooks are a great step in the right direction as far as getting into the fight. That doesn't make them perfect, or better at every task.
-Richard
deep breath of relief...
http://www.apple.com/education/products/ibook/
Right Hand Column:
What's New?
- Fast G4 processor. The PowerPC G4 with Velocity Engine delivers unparalleled processing power.
so it does have it after all... (hopefully)
http://www.apple.com/education/products/ibook/
Right Hand Column:
What's New?
- Fast G4 processor. The PowerPC G4 with Velocity Engine delivers unparalleled processing power.
so it does have it after all... (hopefully)
Re: Re: Re: Re: suggestion
I don't want to give the wrong impression - even the 800mhz iBook is going to be plenty fast enough for web-browsing, email, and basic document tasks. You'll get some small delays launching applications, et cetera, but their target audience really won't notice much, or care. Games may be more of a problem, but if you're not into high-quality graphic intensive games, this is a great computer.
I was merely trying to dispell some "Apple is always better" FUD about the processor. On the BareFeats Cinebench test, for example, the G4 is taking about 284 seconds on a nominal 1ghz chip (scaled) and the PM is taking 195. So saying that a 0.93ghz G4 (300 secs) is faster than a 1.4ghz PM (140 secs) is more than a bit off. Heck, the G4 is a wonderful chip - and its pretty impressive, considering that its been out for years - but a quote like "Apple's 1 GHz machine under Mac OS X ran almost head to head with the equally clocked Pentium III" (from heise.de) that's really impressive when the test is first done, loses some steam after a couple of years when they're still pushing the same chip.
Note that Apple also does a lot of tricks - using QE, for example, gives a much more efficient graphics system and helps compensate somewhat for the added load that Aqua would otherwise be hitting the CPU with. That won't help when doing tasks like compressing MP3s, opening large files, etc though where the processor speed is all that really matters.
But for most casual users, today, even an 800mhz g4 is more than fast enough.
-Richard
I don't want to give the wrong impression - even the 800mhz iBook is going to be plenty fast enough for web-browsing, email, and basic document tasks. You'll get some small delays launching applications, et cetera, but their target audience really won't notice much, or care. Games may be more of a problem, but if you're not into high-quality graphic intensive games, this is a great computer.
I was merely trying to dispell some "Apple is always better" FUD about the processor. On the BareFeats Cinebench test, for example, the G4 is taking about 284 seconds on a nominal 1ghz chip (scaled) and the PM is taking 195. So saying that a 0.93ghz G4 (300 secs) is faster than a 1.4ghz PM (140 secs) is more than a bit off. Heck, the G4 is a wonderful chip - and its pretty impressive, considering that its been out for years - but a quote like "Apple's 1 GHz machine under Mac OS X ran almost head to head with the equally clocked Pentium III" (from heise.de) that's really impressive when the test is first done, loses some steam after a couple of years when they're still pushing the same chip.
Note that Apple also does a lot of tricks - using QE, for example, gives a much more efficient graphics system and helps compensate somewhat for the added load that Aqua would otherwise be hitting the CPU with. That won't help when doing tasks like compressing MP3s, opening large files, etc though where the processor speed is all that really matters.
But for most casual users, today, even an 800mhz g4 is more than fast enough.
-Richard
Re: Re: OMG
Right, I really wanted to be able to edit video and then output to a dvd, I knew I would be kickin myself later if I hadn't got it
I bought the 12" 867 Powerbook last nite from apple, the refurbished one is $1399
so, not much more than the ibook,peace
daniel
Right, I really wanted to be able to edit video and then output to a dvd, I knew I would be kickin myself later if I hadn't got it
I bought the 12" 867 Powerbook last nite from apple, the refurbished one is $1399
so, not much more than the ibook,peace
daniel
Final Cut Pro & New Ibook
I have a dual 1gig Powermac at home, but was hoping to be able to use the new G4 Ibook for some limited editing when away from home. I can max out the ram and get a bigger HD in the Ibook for the sam price as a low-end powerbook.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to what would be best.
Thanks in advance.
I have a dual 1gig Powermac at home, but was hoping to be able to use the new G4 Ibook for some limited editing when away from home. I can max out the ram and get a bigger HD in the Ibook for the sam price as a low-end powerbook.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to what would be best.
Thanks in advance.
Well observed!
Guess this is a call from the marketing dept. I know those people do something in their suits.
Re: Re: max memory?
So where did that 1.2GB number come from??
The worst is, I keep reading the tech specs over and over, and I still see just 1 memory expansion slot, which according to Apple, supports up to 512MB of RAM (even though I don't see why not a 1GB SO-DIMM) for a total of 640MB...
So where did that 1.2GB number come from??
I'm not sure why so many people are having trouble understanding that Apple's iBook G4 DOES have AltiVec. The only thing to suggest otherwise was the word "AltiVec" missing from the product description. A simple mistake, not a vast Apple advertising conspiracy.
It's real simple..."G" stands for generation according to Apple marketing.
G1 - All of the original Apple machines based on the Motorola 680x0 processors.
G2 - Apple's machines after the switch to Motorola's PowerPC 60x processors.
G3 - Apple's marketing term for ANY processor based on the original PPC 750 instruction set. Made both by IBM and Motorola. Even IBM's latest PPC 750 GX, with speeds over 1 GHz, are considered G3 chips by Apple.
G4 - Up until now, Apple's marketing term for ANY processor based on the original PPC 7400 instruction set by Motorola, which essentially was an enhanced G3 + AltiVec. Based on that definition, IBM's upcoming (announced, not myth) PPC 750 VX would be considered a G4, because it's a 32-bit G3 with AltiVec.
G5 - Apple's marketing term for IBM's 64-bit PPC 970 processor with AltiVec.
Apple would not market a machine as G4 that didn't have AltiVec. And when Apple dumps Motorola and starts using IBM's PPC 750 VX instead, those machine will NOT be called G3+ or some other moniker. They will continue to be called G4 machines, by Apple's definition. 32-bit processors with AltiVec will always be G4, no matter which company makes them.
Sorry for the rant...just trying to clarify.
It's real simple..."G" stands for generation according to Apple marketing.
G1 - All of the original Apple machines based on the Motorola 680x0 processors.
G2 - Apple's machines after the switch to Motorola's PowerPC 60x processors.
G3 - Apple's marketing term for ANY processor based on the original PPC 750 instruction set. Made both by IBM and Motorola. Even IBM's latest PPC 750 GX, with speeds over 1 GHz, are considered G3 chips by Apple.
G4 - Up until now, Apple's marketing term for ANY processor based on the original PPC 7400 instruction set by Motorola, which essentially was an enhanced G3 + AltiVec. Based on that definition, IBM's upcoming (announced, not myth) PPC 750 VX would be considered a G4, because it's a 32-bit G3 with AltiVec.
G5 - Apple's marketing term for IBM's 64-bit PPC 970 processor with AltiVec.
Apple would not market a machine as G4 that didn't have AltiVec. And when Apple dumps Motorola and starts using IBM's PPC 750 VX instead, those machine will NOT be called G3+ or some other moniker. They will continue to be called G4 machines, by Apple's definition. 32-bit processors with AltiVec will always be G4, no matter which company makes them.
Sorry for the rant...just trying to clarify.
I'm a very poor university student who's university is planning on introducing WiFi next year. I see this as a great opportunity to pick up a cheap but feature packed iBook. Now that I think about it, a 12" with a small fee paid for more ram and perhaps an extra 10 gigs on the hdd wouldn't be too bad either.
I'll be picking up one of these little beauties ASAP.
I'll be picking up one of these little beauties ASAP.