New iBooks, Mac minis and iPod shuffles at MWSF 2006?

[thejadedmonkey]

Everyone's worried the iBook'll overtake the Powerbook, OMG hell will freeze over, etc etc.

Why not just discontinue the Powerbook for the two months between the new iBooks and Powerbooks. that way, you don't have to worry about your $2000 powerbook being outperfomed by a $1000 iBook.

But what if you need a powerbook? Obvious. Apple would sell their powerbook line as referbs for those two months, and you can get a powerbook for $1000, same price as the iBook, not feel so cheated, and it would be the PPC proc.

Relax guys, Steve's got it covered.

 

[kasei]

Good news since I've managed to convince 3 people to switch to a Mac (Mac Minis). Hopefully the prices will drop on the older version of Mac Minis making them a steal. I also need to get an iBook for my wife so hopefully the prices will drop on those also.

 

[iEdd]

But what if you need a powerbook? Obvious. Apple would sell their powerbook line as referbs for those two months

Wow... That's about all I can say, sorry.

 

[Randall]

Everyone's worried the iBook'll overtake the Powerbook, OMG hell will freeze over, etc etc.

Why not just discontinue the Powerbook for the two months between the new iBooks and Powerbooks. that way, you don't have to worry about your $2000 powerbook being outperfomed by a $1000 iBook.

Just for saying that, I hope that Apple puts a Celeron processor in the iBook. Especially for you

 

[aristobrat]

True, but an architecture transition doesn't excuse the fact that you should get what you pay for. At no point in time should a lower end machine be better then the same generation of higher end machine. Unless of course you're trying to piss off all of your high end customers. A business model like that would defy all logic, no matter how breif a time.

Unless the new iBook has a PC slot, a 15" 1400x960 screen, a backlit keyboard, digital audio in/out, FireWire 800, dongleless DVI-D, and everything else that sets the PBs apart from the iBooks, "being faster" is not going to make a new iBook magically better for a lot of people.

 

[xyian]

Has anyone stopped to think that Apple might be trying to introduce it's consumer line first because they are trying to switch more people over? C'mon, all power users are going to wait anyway before they switch so why not try to get some new users on board with the better operating system in the PC world?
I think it would be a super smart step on Apple's behalf to introduce the Mini and iBook to the masses before unleashing some real stuff on the Pros. That would give them time to iron out some bugs and issues with the new Intel stuff.

 

[d_and_n5000]

Everyone's worried the iBook'll overtake the Powerbook, OMG hell will freeze over, etc etc.

Why not just discontinue the Powerbook for the two months between the new iBooks and Powerbooks. that way, you don't have to worry about your $2000 powerbook being outperfomed by a $1000 iBook.

But what if you need a powerbook? Obvious. Apple would sell their powerbook line as referbs for those two months, and you can get a powerbook for $1000, same price as the iBook, not feel so cheated, and it would be the PPC proc.

Relax guys, Steve's got it covered.

actually, that doesn't sound too horrible. Just remember that a lot of stuff looks good on paper, but is really horrible in practice. Good insight, though.

 

[strange days]

The Pentium D which by most accounts is a craptastic implementation of dual cores kicks the snot out of Yonah in this preview benchmark of video encoding.

...this is just not true; check out the new and improved YONAH benchmarks :

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2648

...we're looking at an A64 X2 4000+ category processor in a laptop ( or hopefully in a Mac Mini )

 

[ariechel]

If Apple wants to compete with Dell on low cost laptops, they don't have to provide much in the way of features. The basic ($499) entry-level Inspiron B120 has a 14" screen, Celeron M 1.4 GHz processor, 256MB RAM, 40GB hard drive, and a CD-RW/DVD optical drive (and no wireless). The mid-range (~$700) Inspiron B140 has a 15" screen and adds an additional 256MB RAM, 20GB hard drive space, and wireless.

Using a Celeron M processor and integrated graphics and removing Firewire support might put the iBook in the range of these computers, pricewise. The performance and features of such an iBook would be superior to the Dell (due to its integrated software [iLife] and hardware [e.g. Airport] solutions). But it would not encroach on Powerbook territory.

 

[iEdd]

Using a Celeron M processor and integrated graphics and removing Firewire support might put the iBook in the range of these computers, pricewise.

Wtf? The day apple does that is the day I hang myself. If you can't buy a $1000US laptop with a few decent features you use or not, you shouldn't buy a mac.

 

[ariechel]

BTW what makes everyone so sure that Apple is in a hurry to push Intel machines onto the market? The laptop line has worked with G4 processors for years already; what's another few months more?

In a few months, more universal binary applications are likely to be available, Merom may be available (or not), the single core Yonah should be an option...

 

[Hiroshige]

How much faster would a dual core intel at 1.5Ghz be than a 1.5Ghz G4? Would that speed increase overshadow the Current P-book line?

Don't forget faster memory access compared to the G4 167 Mhz bus.

 

[ariechel]

Wtf? The day apple does that is the day I hang myself. If you can't buy a $1000US laptop with a few decent features you use or not, you shouldn't buy a mac.

I am not saying that they will abandon the $1000+ iBook but rather that they could additionally introduce a sub-$1000 laptop. For some people, having a Celeron processor and integrated graphics and lacking Firewire might not be a problem.

If you are using your computer for word processing, email, and Internet, you probably don't need more processing power or graphics capabilities than this type of laptop would offer. And if you have the money to purchase accessories that need Firewire (external hard drives, digital camcorders), you probably are not going to go for a sub-$1000 laptop.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Norse Son has great reasoning on this Dual Core Yonah's showing up in the PowerBooks;

NAPA >> remember & think do you think Apple will allow an iBook have 2MB L2 cache (something in 7 pages no1 mentioned) even though shared by 2 cpus' (its quite possible 1 cpu if not over powered could use all 2MB of the L2 cache) to outspec the PowerBooks.

Another thought ... this new Intel cpu & board components will support 802.11b/g/a thats right A as well. This is new terrritory for Apple. I'd rather see better support for 802.11i/e for Quality of Service for Video transport over WiFi along with smoother VoIP usuage.

And best of all, speculative but possible, APPLE make this new PowerBook support UPnP over WiFi. Apple worked with Nokia over 7months for their new browser in the upcoming Nokia E61/N80/E70/N92!!

UPnP go out for the bike ride in the trails or hanging out this spring with the other love birds and take 3MP pics and qVGA videos on the N80 and do iSync over BT v2.0, or transport and view pictures (in slideshow) videos images on your Mac!!!! OR Vice versa.

Heck better yet allow support for the iMac/iSight for Photo Booth over your UPnP of your 3MP Nokia N80 smartphone~!!!! uhhh mmm, I think I just creamed myself.

But seriously there is a lot of power in this to go into the consumer lineup.

But I wonder what Apple is planning for the consumer target lineup to women? An iBook fashioned Razr type notebook to go with their Moto Razr Pink shipping in time for say February 14/05 .... Valentines Day?!

 

[strange days]

i'd like to see an option to configure your Mac Mini with any available Yonah processor inside, if you're willing to pay the price...

...i'd be even happier to see an option to configure the graphic card including the X1000 AVIVO series from ATI.

i would pay 1000$ no problem for a 2.0Ghz Mac Mini with an X1000 AVIVO card inside ( don't care if it's revamped to accomodate a 3.5" HD; actually, that could even be better ! )...

 

[digitalbiker]

I don't consider a Higher Resolution screen an "upgrade" any more then just a "Sorry we can't get the G5 into a Powerbook, so here is your higher resolution screen to hold you over until June of 2006 because we're going to make the iBooks better then your Powerbook I hope you don't mind"

Have you used a new PB?

It is really an excellent laptop. The screens are magnificent. It runs much cooler and longer than the older model. Pro software runs as fast as you could want. It multitasks beautifully. Mine has a 100 GB 7200 rpm drive with 2gb or ram and it kicks but.

Without using power saving I easily get about 5 - 6 hours on my battery now. I even get 3.5 to 4 hours watching DVD's. It has a very fast dual layer DVD burner. My business partner has an Insprion POC with a Pentium-M 2.1 Ghz processor. I can encoded DVD's, run mail, surf the internet, and run OpenGl Starry Night Pro Plus all at the same time much faster and smoother than my partner.

He lusts after my PB!

I'm very happy and I think people are inflating the expectations for this first Intel-Apple laptop to unreal status. I will happily wait while Apple brings the new Intel Laptop along until it reaches the level of maturity and quality that my new PB G4 is right now.

 

[digitalbiker]

What is it that makes you believe the pro apps haven't already been ported as universal binaries?

Well the leading 3rd party software developer ADOBE has already said it would be late 2006, early 2007 before their native version of the CS would be released and now that they own Macromedia I guess it is a double whammy of pro apps.

Also Microsoft has made several off handed remarks about in the same time frame as ADOBE.

Alias is always playing catch up with MAYA. So I wouldn't say that it is too much of a stretch to think that alot of x86 native Pro Apps won't be available until late 2006.

 

[backdraft]

http://blogs.zdnet.com/open-source/?p=348

 

[Peace]

Well the leading 3rd party software developer ADOBE has already said it would be late 2006, early 2007 before their native version of the CS would be released and now that they own Macromedia I guess it is a double whammy of pro apps.

Also Microsoft has made several off handed remarks about in the same time frame as ADOBE.

Alias is always playing catch up with MAYA. So I wouldn't say that it is too much of a stretch to think that alot of x86 native Pro Apps won't be available until late 2006.

Adobe and Microsoft arn't the only "pro apps" companies out there.

But I was actually referring to Apple's pro apps more than Adobe..
Any "pro app" user wouldn't be using a low-end iBook for "pro apps" anyway.

 

[themacman]

Adobe and Microsoft arn't the only "pro apps" companies out there.

But I was actually referring to Apple's pro apps more than Adobe..
Any "pro app" user wouldn't be using a low-end iBook for "pro apps" anyway.

but they are the main pro app companies. Apple Adobe and Micrsoft make a large majority of pro apps.

 

[Peace]

but they are the main pro app companies. Apple Adobe and Micrsoft make a large majority of pro apps.

I'd be willing to bet Apple's "pro apps" are universal binaries right now

<edit> Look at it logically..Steve Jobs tells people there really was another build of OSX for the Intel platform all along and at the same time Apple didn't compile their pro apps to run on that very same platform ??
HA!
</edit>

 

[digitalbiker]

Adobe and Microsoft arn't the only "pro apps" companies out there.
But I was actually referring to Apple's pro apps more than Adobe..
Any "pro app" user wouldn't be using a low-end iBook for "pro apps" anyway.

No, I realize what you are saying but Adobe, Macromedia, MS,etc kind of set the pace for the Pro Mac community. I'm sure that Apple will release their x86 Pro software soon however they probably do have their hands full with OS X, iLife, and the other consumer apps.

Obviously the ibook is not intended for the Pro user and that is why it probably makes more sense to update it to Intel first.

 

[tjwett]

Good news since I've managed to convince 3 people to switch to a Mac (Mac Minis). Hopefully the prices will drop on the older version of Mac Minis making them a steal. I also need to get an iBook for my wife so hopefully the prices will drop on those also.

Apple doesn't drop prices, they increase features.

 

[digitalbiker]

I'd be willing to bet Apple's "pro apps" are universal binaries right now

<edit> Look at it logically..Steve Jobs tells people there really was another build of OSX for the Intel platform all along and at the same time Apple didn't compile their pro apps to run on that very same platform ??
HA!
</edit>

Well this is kind of misleading isn't it. I mean originally OS X started on x86 with NEXT Computer. Basically it was converted and optimized for PPC. So bringing forward an x86 version wasn't really a big deal, but it didn't get all of the nice updates it was just a shell step child.
Now that OS X is switching back to x86 they are working like crazy to get the x86 version updated and optimized. Sounds like they are just about there already.

 

[Peace]

Well this is kind of misleading isn't it. I mean originally OS X started on x86 with NEXT Computer. Basically it was converted and optimized for PPC. So bringing forward an x86 version wasn't really a big deal, but it didn't get all of the nice updates it was just a shell step child.
Now that OS X is switching back to x86 they are working like crazy to get the x86 version updated and optimized. Sounds like they are just about there already.

But OSX86 did get all those updates along side the PPC..Jobs said they kept pace with each other.
I just can't see the engineers playing in the lab with OSX for both platforms and not saying to themselves " say..since we're doing this maybe we should be ready with our flagship apps too"

It just makes sense ( to me at least ) that Apple would keep up to date on the apps side too.