New iBook and Mac mini Part Numbers?

[budugu]

the answer!

Secondly, Apple's G5 system controller has quite severe problems making disk access on a G5 slower than a G4. The current eMac and Powerbooks beat the PowerMacs in real world disk tests.

Aha now i know why it takes such a long time to burn DVDs on mt dual 1.8 G5!!

 

[ncbill]

A heretical thought from looking at the Dark Side

Primarily: Why does everyone think the iBook will be 13" widescreen?

I just got a Dell 700m 12" widescreen
(specs: 12.1-inch Wide Screen crystal clear TFT XGA active-matrix display,1280 x 800 resolution)

and while most of the computer is as shoddily built as you imagine, the screen is gorgeous.

The 700m itself is only 0.75" wider than the iBook, so I think if it is widescreen at all it would be a 12" widescreen, not 13" widescreen for the new iBook.

BTW, the 700m doesn't feel as large to me as even a regular 13" notebook - that's important since the 12" iBook is still the best seller (people want the smaller form factor, another argument for 12" widescreen)

 

[devilot]

BTW, the 700m doesn't feel as large to me as even a regular 13" notebook - that's important since the 12" iBook is still the best seller (people want the smaller form factor, another argument for 12" widescreen)

Good to know that it doesn't really "feel" bigger because I wholeheartedly agree; I love the smaller size and compactness of the 12"ers.

 

[BGil]

i was shocked while I saw VAIO type A 17" notebook have the same resolution as our 23 inch cinema HD display. Basically along the line Apple powerbook / iBook displays are of too low resolution.
I am not sure if they are considering minimum font size in menubar that could be easily read...but for this issue, M$WinDows can customize the size and get solved.

2560 x 1600 would never be practical. Im sure you don't need it in a 12 inch LCD. However, a reasonable increase in resolution would be nice and welcomed.

HP, Compaq, Dell, and a myriad of other smaller companies offer 1900x1200 on 15 inch displays too. Apple is really behind (at least 2 years) in laptop screen technology and resolution.

 

[Hattig]

HP, Compaq, Dell, and a myriad of other smaller companies offer 1900x1200 on 15 inch displays too. Apple is really behind (at least 2 years) in laptop screen technology and resolution.

Often the ultra-high resolution displays lose out in colour resolution however, being 6-bit panels, not 8-bit (and use rapid switching between two adjacent values to simulate the latter 2-bits). However if Apple can source a decent 8-bit high resolution panel, I certainly think they should use it. Time to move on from 100dpi to 120dpi please Apple.

 

[budugu]

Let's not get our hopes too sky high. Then, when the iBook/Mac Mini update comes out we won't be disappointed.

Anyone read notebookreview.com? They run this benchmark called SuperPi. I tried it on my 12" 1.5 GHz PowerBook G4 and got 2 minutes 40 seconds to calculate pi to 2 million digits. I don't think that would be too far behind a 1.5 GHz Pentium M (400 MHz FSB). I still think the G4 has some life left to be used in Apple laptops. They just need to find out how to make it run cooler, if that's even possible. My fan is pretty noisy and my PowerBook runs hot, although not as hot as the original (867 MHz) 12-inch version.

So SuperPi exists for mac too? I thought it was a windows only program!

 

[Rod Rod]

Apple has never dumped inventory into a liquidator like overstock, but this is an extraordinary situation, obviously - who would want the old architecture?

I will, considering PPC will still be current for another two years, and it'll take at least two years (my guess) before the universal binaries versions of the pro apps run better on Intel than PPC.

Hopefully the prices of PPC Macs on the secondary market will fall based on all this "old architecture" business. Then maybe I'll build a cluster like they have at Lowry Digital or Virigina Tech. (j/k).

 

[Rootman]

I will, considering PPC will still be current for another two years, and it'll take at least two years (my guess) before the universal binaries versions of the pro apps run better on Intel than PPC.

The mass market doesn't run pro apps on Minis. Pro Intel Macs are waiting for 65nm. Apple is doing consumer first on Centrinos. Pros will be PPC for some time.

On (or off) another topic, Microsoft just announced it will call Longhorn "Windows Vista."

 

[Squire]

Rootman,
You sound eerily confident in your proclamation. The crazy part is that it actually makes sense. (That's not the same as saying, "I also think it's going to happen.")

I've mentioned this myself several times: Apple has to get something intel-based out the door fast. While there was no mention of it in the keynote, having the iBooks and minis fill this role is ideal. What does the average user do? Music. Digital photos. The Internet. According to Steve (unless I misinterpreted it), that stuff's already done; the iLife apps are all ready to go, aren't they? The bigger machines, on the other hand, will have to wait for the CPUs (see AidenShaw's post) to start shipping and the developers to finish their "homework" assignment.

With that, what's stopping Apple from throwing an intel chip in the aforementioned low-end machines right now? In fact, maybe intel whipped up that mini clone several months back just to show Apple how easy it would be.

Squire

<edit> However, didn't Steve actually say that they would start the transition (sales-wise, at least) in 2006? [Looks at calendar and sighs]

 

[leekohler]

Those who think that the iBook and the Powerbooks are too similar (spec wise) are right. The "i" and "Power" prefix are really losing their consumer and prosumer meanings.
Then again, I think that the iBook has it's own charms too, and are perhaps better suited for the mainstream market (who don't put that much weight on the specs).

Or the iBook is for those of us who already own PowerMacs and see no reason to spend tons of cash on a PowerBook.

 

[RichardCarletta]

I used macs since the 9" screens of the Mac Plus

However, since I tried my mom's 14" ibook , I would be hesitant to buy any 12" laptop . Let's face it, the 12" combo drive Powerbook is just plain overpriced compared to its 12" iBook cousin. If someone really is going to spend that extra amount of cash for a Powerbook a combo drive Powerbook or a 12 " Powerbook is not good enough. Apple should restrict 12 " combo drive models to the iBook . A 14 or 15 " laptop is not that much bigger or heavier to carry around ( unless you're an invalid ) . A 12 " iBook is a bargain buyer item. ( even my mom who is a bargain buyer type did not buy the 12 " IBook. )

A Widescreen 14 or 15 " iBook would be a great idea . Any resolution greater than the current iBook would be an improvement. Apple would probably keep the 12 " iBook the same 4:3 ratio screen size. I could see Apple putting a 1.42 GHZ G4 in the 12 " iBook and a 1.5 GHZ G4 in the 14" Widescreen iBook and 1.6 GHZ G5 in the entire Powerbook lineup this year. Around April , I would see Apple upgrading the iBooks for a final 1.6 GHZ G5 upgrade for the 14 " models and a 1.4 GHZ G5 for the 12 " iBook. As for Powerbooks if Apple can make the switch to Intel by April, they might. That would allow Apple to test the waters using the Powerbooks. If the Intel switch can't happen in the spring , If IBM does not have an improved 970FX G5 , then they will stay the same until at least the summer of 2006 ( I imagine IBM will have a 1.8 GHZ 970FX chip by March . That is 8 months away. )

 

[amac4me]

Once the mini's are updated I will be purchasing one.

 

[Rod Rod]

The mass market doesn't run pro apps on Minis. Pro Intel Macs are waiting for 65nm. Apple is doing consumer first on Centrinos. Pros will be PPC for some time.

On (or off) another topic, Microsoft just announced it will call Longhorn "Windows Vista."

Rootman, what happened to your funny posts? Anyhow I don't disagree with what you're saying, and I only meant to answer the (probably) rhetorical question you posed by saying that PPC is best for me in my situation for the next two years.

 

[Rootman]

However, didn't Steve actually say that they would start the transition (sales-wise, at least) in 2006? [Looks at calendar and sighs]

Steve didn't want to kill two months of Mini and iBook sales. And he got us all used to the idea of Intel inside (and we're eagerly anticipating them, after the first shock), which would have caused heart attacks if they just sprung these things on us on 26 July. I think the masses might have risen up and burned Cupertino. There is no way he would announce a new architecture that was a year off unless he was being strategically deceptive. If you look at his words, you can interpret them different ways. Intel demonstrated an Intel Mini clone (remember?) after the Apple Mini unveiling - and that little box will run OSX and iLife apps like a rocket. And Firefox. And Windows.

 

[Rootman]

Rootman, what happened to your funny posts?

This is not a time for levity. They are putting INTELS IN MACS, for Godsake! Soon cats will be lying down with dogs. The endtimes are upon us.

 

[manu chao]

Often the ultra-high resolution displays lose out in colour resolution however, being 6-bit panels, not 8-bit (and use rapid switching between two adjacent values to simulate the latter 2-bits). However if Apple can source a decent 8-bit high resolution panel, I certainly think they should use it. Time to move on from 100dpi to 120dpi please Apple.

A couple of years ago I was told that LCDs were almost all 7-bit screens. When did this change and when did 8-bit panels become available and did Apple ever use (or do they still use) 7-bit panels?

 

[Squire]

Steve didn't want to kill two months of Mini and iBook sales. And he got us all used to the idea of Intel inside (and we're eagerly anticipating them, after the first shock), which would have caused heart attacks if they just sprung these things on us on 26 July. I think the masses might have risen up and burned Cupertino. There is no way he would announce a new architecture that was a year off unless he was being strategically deceptive. If you look at his words, you can interpret them different ways.

(Bold added) Well, therein lies the million dollar question: was he just throwing us a line or was he being genuine?

Intel demonstrated an Intel Mini clone (remember?) after the Apple Mini unveiling - and that little box will run OSX and iLife apps like a rocket. And Firefox. And Windows.

Yeah, that was what I was getting at. So, again, strategically, it seems like a sound move. Technically, it seems conceivable. The only thing holding me back from joining in on the crusade is what old Steve-o actually said. I mean, he could have easily said, "...toward the end of the year or early next year," and it wouldn't be labeled as a blatant lie. But 5 months ahead of his announcement...?

Squire

 

[Rod Rod]

This is not a time for levity. They are putting INTELS IN MACS, for Godsake! Soon cats will be lying down with dogs. The endtimes are upon us.

That's more like it. Now let's come up with some good puns for Vista being delayed; there were plenty of good ones for Longhorn (such as long-overdue, etc). I guess the most obvious is "hasta la vista," as in "see you later."

 

[Ravenflight]

Where's the modem?

That's the beauty of this design- (Which is not mine btw- I saw it at www.123macmini.com) Get rid of the useless modem and replace it with something useful. Until they start building in modems that are DSL compatible it's just a waste of space. Now a built in DSL modem- THAT I would be willing to pay extra for! Or at least one of the modem makers could make a DSL modem in shiny white- to match my iMac and AirPort. This ugly black and silver Speedstream 5360 just totally ruins the aesthetic of my setup.

 

[manu chao]

Steve didn't want to kill two months of Mini and iBook sales. And he got us all used to the idea of Intel inside (and we're eagerly anticipating them, after the first shock), which would have caused heart attacks if they just sprung these things on us on 26 July. I think the masses might have risen up and burned Cupertino. There is no way he would announce a new architecture that was a year off unless he was being strategically deceptive. If you look at his words, you can interpret them different ways. Intel demonstrated an Intel Mini clone (remember?) after the Apple Mini unveiling - and that little box will run OSX and iLife apps like a rocket. And Firefox. And Windows.

I don't know of any publically released final build of Intel compatible software for the Mac (there are a handful of nightlies and probably quite a number of first internal builds).

Apple cannot release a computer for which there is no native third-party software, period.
Even for OS X 10.0.0 a couple of native programs were available at the start (Internet Explorer, OmniwebAcrobat Reader) and with the Intel transition Apple is by far under less pressure to get things out as fast as possible.

 

[tex210]

a few points...

• Texas' tax free day is for clothes... and not all clothes either. No appliances or computers mentioned.
• Only bump the ram if it won't affect the price.
• People are at the gates with pitchforks crying for core image... I really just want video encoding to be on that hardware (hello pvr/dvr).
• widescreen sounds neat, but, wouldn't it be grand if we finally had our tablets?
• If this is the jump to intel, I guess I'll look for a good deal on a rev.A PPC.

-edit-
• Not a real issue for me, but these guys have gotten lots of ports in a small space, sometimes by extending them off of the motherboard...
http://www.viaembedded.com/product/index.jsp

 

[devilot]

That's the beauty of this design- (Which is not mine btw- I saw it at www.123macmini.com) Get rid of the useless modem and replace it with something useful.

Before someone tears you a new one... I think that there are some folks w/ no access to wireless (yes, in some geographical areas) and need a trusty ol' modem.

:edit: Manu Chao-- just noticed your name, man I love his music! Clandestino, Desaparecido, Bongo Bong... mm.

 

[pubwvj]

Just in time as we're looking!

 

[Rootman]

Apple cannot release a computer for which there is no native third-party software, period.

Yes they can, and they will. iLife has everything the targeted buyer needs. Third-party apps run in emulation for the time being. If you have unusual needs, you can also install Windows, for which there are numerous third party apps, I believe. This is very comforting for the switcher psyche.

 

[Gordy]

Or at least one of the modem makers could make a DSL modem in shiny white- to match my iMac and AirPort. This ugly black and silver Speedstream 5360 just totally ruins the aesthetic of my setup.

have a look at netgears adsl modem and routers they are white . The would match macs perfectly.

Wish tho that belkin would make a similiar wireless router adsl modem that looks like their tunestage product

http://images.belkin.com/F8Z901/PRN1_F8Z901.jpg