New iBooks Next Tuesday?

[BKKloppenborg]

WOW, alot of peeps wanting a follow-up. Wish I had more news but at least I can say this. My "friend" is All Apple, not an apple store employee. The Powerbooks are probably going to end up with 1.67Ghz low and 1.8Ghz high before we see them jump to G5. When that happens they will all have Radeon 9700 Pro's with 128MB ram.

Let me try and answer some of these, the iBook will not have any "new" slots in them, same USB and Firewire count. Price should come down another $50-100 on them, and Tiger of course will be pre-installed. There is also the possibility of a new screen in them, or an updated screen. it is possible Apple is going to hold off the announcment of the iBooks til WWDC, cause now my buddy is telling me widescreens all the way. Also possible and very likely is a regular 12", a new wide 12", and a wide 14" so then we will have 3 models to choose from. The regular 12" will start at $899.

Powerbooks are going to be exciting on the next revision, possible new form factor on those as well as the iBooks, I am trying to get anything out of my friend as possible, we have knows each other over 10+ years but as you can understand it is very difficult for him to just come flat out and say.. Here it is and here are the exact specs. He hints well and he is very excited for all the new "books" so I know there are surprises in store.

Stay tuned, I will update when I hear something

Cheers.

damn to much excitment...*Gets a Heart attack and dies on the keyboard*

 

[CaptainCaveMann]

I seriously dont understand all these :::waiting (nerd voice)::: people. The current ibooks are awesome. I own two. Both 1.2 models with 80 gig hd's. I came from a peecee with a 1800+ amd processor, 512 memory at 400, 120 gig hd 7200 rpm, 128 nvidia fx5200 card, and i can honestly say this ibook does just fine for everything i used the peecee for. Both my ibooks have 256 of memory! So to me thats really saying something about the ibook. If you want it go buy it. You wont be dissapointed. Even if they come out with a new ibook with the specs this guy wrote at the top of the thread, YOU WILL STILL BE HAPPY WITH THE CURRENT IBOOK.

 

[BKKloppenborg]

I seriously dont understand all these :::waiting (nerd voice)::: people. The current ibooks are awesome. I own two. Both 1.2 models with 80 gig hd's. I came from a peecee with a 1800+ amd processor, 512 memory at 400, 120 gig hd 7200 rpm, 128 nvidia fx5200 card, and i can honestly say this ibook does just fine for everything i used the peecee for. Both my ibooks have 256 of memory! So to me thats really saying something about the ibook. If you want it go buy it. You wont be dissapointed. Even if they come out with a new ibook with the specs this guy wrote at the top of the thread, YOU WILL STILL BE HAPPY WITH THE CURRENT IBOOK.

only reason i don't call RIGHT this min is because i don't know if 32mb Video will be enough and i can't upgrade it latter... I am sure its a good computer i don't know if it will run Warcraft 3, or Unreal 2004 ok though i KNOW i need alot of ram and that usally helps with gaming ALOT and overall speed of Computer... These are the most demanding games i would play...

(I think) ?!!

 

[bigben334]

chasingapple........

hey chasingapple, thanks a lot for the follow up. i know ur probably sick of the questions now but u got me too excited now lol. please tell me, who is this friend of yours, i mean not his real name or anything but like wat does he do for apple, where/who does he get the info from, is he really prime time like just below steve jobs or wat, thanks again

 

[LGRW3919]

only reason i don't call RIGHT this min is because i don't know if 32mb Video will be enough and i can't upgrade it latter... I am sure its a good computer i don't know if it will run Warcraft 3, or Unreal 2004 ok though i KNOW i need alot of ram and that usally helps with gaming ALOT and overall speed of Computer... These are the most demanding games i would play...

(I think) ?!!

if you play the waiting game, you might have to wait till WWDC. personally, i'd wait because of a new video card. the one in right now won't do you much good a few years down the road and will hurt the resale value a little. it's not upgradeable, by the way.

 

[rblprd]

Shipping Delays ?????

There's no chance. The current models still are shipping same day. Apple always delays the shipping times a week or so in advance of an update, so that an old model doesn't show up on someone's doorstep after a new one has already been released, at which point the person could just ship it on back and get the new one.

I ordered an iBook on 4-29-05, and on the status page it is still showing 'Sent to Manufacturing' was to be shipped on or before 5-04, then pushed back to 5-10 (being 11:15 PM CST {9:15 Apple time} 05-10-05 right now)
I am betting it will not go out today, and I have a feeling that at 3AM + I am going to get yet another push back notice (at which point I will call Apple in the morning and ask what is happening, I am being deprived of my new iBook goodness.

So hopefully this LONG delay means an upgrade is in the cards, I just hope it is soon.


Added 1:16 AM CST 05-11-05
AHHHHHHHH
they bumped it back to the 16th dangit,, I think I need to cnacell my frelling order and see what ahppens in June, or maybe just chill out and let it ride, maybe be one of the lucky first to get any upgrades they do to the 12" iBook. dangit I hate waiting for a new toy!!!!!!!!!

 

[chasingapple]

hey chasingapple, thanks a lot for the follow up. i know ur probably sick of the questions now but u got me too excited now lol. please tell me, who is this friend of yours, i mean not his real name or anything but like wat does he do for apple, where/who does he get the info from, is he really prime time like just below steve jobs or wat, thanks again

Well if I came out and said it my friend would castrate me, but I will say this... He is not in the mailroom but he does not exactly carry around Steve's donuts either

 

[joey4127]

I can`t understand why so many people are doubting (including me) that there is a new ibook update soon if the buyers guide says that there is one comming soon.

Product: iBook
Last Release: October 19, 2004
Days Since Update: 204 (Average = 158)
Recommendation: Don't Buy - Updates soon
Special Notes: none.

 

[entropik]

If this is true about a new form-factor for the Powerbooks, would you guys recommend buying one now or waiting for the new form factor? I understand Apple tends to have the occasional issues with the initial release of new form factors, particularly with the laptops. Is Apple good about taking care of these?

(Dying to switch, waiting for WWDC)

 

[WolfgangK]

If this is true about a new form-factor for the Powerbooks, would you guys recommend buying one now or waiting for the new form factor? I understand Apple tends to have the occasional issues with the initial release of new form factors, particularly with the laptops. Is Apple good about taking care of these?

I'm in the same boat with the iBook. I'm really torn between ordering one now, and owning a rev., stable machine vs. getting a rev. A/new form factor, that may or may not come with numerous "rev. A" type issues.

 

[Intruder]

Out of stock?

Hello folks,

Well to put more oil on the rumors here is what I found out from Amazon


Electronics > Computers > Notebooks > Apple > Series > iBook

We're sorry. We are currently out of these items. Please visit our Welcome page or Store Directory.

I know Apple site still mention shipping same business day, but Amazon are saying they dont have any of them. Some models at Bestbuy seem to also be out of stock like someone mentionned already.

Could the iBook update just around the corner? I hope also they can fix the battery life problem with Tiger (several people complain on the Apple forums about loosing half the battery life when upgrading to Tiger, for example from 5 hour to to 2.5/3 hour).

 

[timmyb]

Hello folks,

Well to put more oil on the rumors here is what I found out from Amazon


Electronics > Computers > Notebooks > Apple > Series > iBook

We're sorry. We are currently out of these items. Please visit our Welcome page or Store Directory.

Unfortunately I think this is just an error in amazon. If you do a search for iBooks then it comes up with plenty, with shipping time of 1-2 days.

Could the iBook update just around the corner? I hope also they can fix the battery life problem with Tiger (several people complain on the Apple forums about loosing half the battery life when upgrading to Tiger, for example from 5 hour to to 2.5/3 hour).

I haven't heard of this. Does it mean that the battery only lasted 2.5 hours when actually installing it, or after installing is it always down to 2.5 hours? I'm looking to get the next iBook rev so that's a bit worrying.

 

[timmyb]

AHHHHHHHH
they bumped it back to the 16th dangit,, I think I need to cnacell my frelling order and see what ahppens in June, or maybe just chill out and let it ride, maybe be one of the lucky first to get any upgrades they do to the 12" iBook. dangit I hate waiting for a new toy!!!!!!!!!

I remember reading in another Mac forum that someone's school ordered a bunch of iBooks at the end of April and Apple said that they wouldn't get them until 16th May as well. The 16th is a monday but recently, that hasn't meant much. Anything is possible, just keep in there

 

[Intruder]

Timmyb

Ah ok, just find that strange, since just a few days ago it didnt do that. Sadly they didnt pre announce some new iBook either ;-p (like they did for the new PowerMac G5 hahahaha!)

Not during the installation, but after the upgrade has been completed. People test their battery life with Panther which was around 5 1/2, but then when they check again after the upgrade (of course after having recharche the battery) now the max. is 2.5 to 3 hour which is very bad. Some people pointed out that they were some new apps like Virex which is always running and take some CPU and those widgets thing also. I hope this can be fix, since one of the reason I very like the iBook is the battery life that you can get compare to the typical PeeCee laptop!

 

[BKKloppenborg]

wow since Amazon charges no tax, it saves you 100 dollers about right off, and then you can still do 100 student edu rebate should i just get it here? or Apple even though they charge tax?

 

[jonomo]

wow since Amazon charges no tax, it saves you 100 dollers about right off, and then you can still do 100 student edu rebate should i just get it here? or Apple even though they charge tax?

Amazon doesn't charge tax? why is that?

 

[rblprd]

Finally a Change

Well the status changed sometime today to Preparing to ship,
when I called Apple this morning, the guy thought it strange that it was so delayed, his guess was a hardware stock issue, which would be either the bluettoh or the hard drive. Either way, I am getting free overnight shipping since it has been on hold so long. I am happy now, soon, I will have my iBook goodness.

 

[Astral Cars]

Not that it means much, but yesterday the estimated ship was same day, now it's 1-2 days. This is on apple.com and for both the iBooks and Powerbooks (the twelve inch with super drive is 1-3 days)

Also, was it meant that this upcoming update might have a form factor update or was that meant for the next update after this one?

Is it possible that this guy is being fed incorrect information? I know they tend to throw out a bunch of rumors to employees to see which ones surface and then they know who told.

edit: Everything has changed to 1-2 days, so forget that.

 

[chasingapple]

Not that it means much, but yesterday the estimated ship was same day, now it's 1-2 days. This is on apple.com and for both the iBooks and Powerbooks (the twelve inch with super drive is 1-3 days)

Also, was it meant that this upcoming update might have a form factor update or was that meant for the next update after this one?

Is it possible that this guy is being fed incorrect information? I know they tend to throw out a bunch of rumors to employees to see which ones surface and then they know who told.

edit: Everything has changed to 1-2 days, so forget that.

We shall see

 

[Superdrive]

Why would the PB get a new form factor without any internals to upgrade? Unless I am missing something, I wouldn't expect anything until Dual Core or G5 for the form factor to change.

Currently where I am sitting, I have my 12" rev. D as a stopgap until the next great thing comes along. I am anticipating a top end iBook replacing this because my 12" is essentially an iBook now. I once was set on the 15" but after taking this baby home and working on her for four months, anything larger is going to feel like a PC laptop.

Also regarding iBook form factor change- As durable as they are now, I would love to see some new styling come into play here. If they can work durability in with style over this next revision, that is great. In the mean time, get me something that has the color of an iMac (Tangerine please) and the style of a PowerBook and watch my wallet empty out.

 

[Astral Cars]

Here's my thought on a future apple laptop form factor:
Seems like it might be black, a carbon fiber thing maybe. What with the black theme of Tiger and there was something else too...
As for the shape I see it kinda like a larger mac mini, but much flatter as well. Sort of a rectangular thing with some corners/edges rounded and others not. Notice that is the style of the mac mini, the iPod mini, and the Displays.

Anyone agree?

 

[Jschultz]

Ok guys, I have a question.

IF they were to update the ibooks, what would happen?

The consensus is saying

512 mb rab standard
32 vram goes to 64 vram
maybe a cpu speed bump.

Is this correct? I'm selling my G3 iBook on eBay right now, and am going to put the money towards a G4 iBook. I don't like playing the waiting game, and would like to get into a new iBook as soon as possible. I'd like to know if the waiting game is for someone like me. I was planning on maxing out my ram to a gigabyte anyways, and I could care less about cpu speed bumps as all I do is use Safari, iTunes, and iChat. What I'm curious about is the vram upgrade, and compatibility with core image. I don't play games or do photoshop...so am I going to miss out if I buy a current iBook? Will I really benefit from the bigger vram and core image? Should I really wait?

Thanks guys!

 

[iDave]

...and I could care less about cpu speed bumps as all I do is use Safari, iTunes, and iChat. What I'm curious about is the vram upgrade, and compatibility with core image. I don't play games or do photoshop...so am I going to miss out if I buy a current iBook? Will I really benefit from the bigger vram and core image? Should I really wait?

I think core image will be more relevant in the future as more applications are built to take advantage of it. But, it's not likely to have much effect on future versions of Safari, iTunes and iChat. That said, I'd definitely wait, as upgrades are overdue; unusual for the iBooks. It's always a shame to buy at the end of a revision cycle if you don't have to, when you could get a better deal by waiting a little longer.

 

[aswitcher]

Ok guys, I have a question.

IF they were to update the ibooks, what would happen?

The consensus is saying

512 mb rab standard
32 vram goes to 64 vram
maybe a cpu speed bump.

Wait.

expect as you say 512 ram / 64 vram and a cpu bump

possibly cheaper or built in BT and/or AE

possibly a better screen on the 14"

Maybe an entirely new form factor

 

[Jschultz]

Wait.

expect as you say 512 ram / 64 vram and a cpu bump

possibly cheaper or built in BT and/or AE

possibly a better screen on the 14"

Maybe an entirely new form factor

So I should bank on them announcing SOMETHING on June 6th? Mind you, here's my situation...Im jumping at a new iBook because of 1) my education discount and 2) the rebate for students, on TOP of the student discount. Otherwise, I wouldn't be upgrading. Apple says they HAVE to recieve the rebate and process it by the 24th, otherwise, that is invalid and void. My worry is that they announce newer iBooks, everyone rushes out to upgrade, my apple retail store doesnt stock them and then I have to order one, by which time My rebate form doesnt get sent out and I miss it entirely. Get my point? Trust me, coming from a 2002 iBook G3 700 to a brand spankin new 1.2 ghz G4 and Tiger will be a big enough jump for me. If I have to wait, it better be worth it.