New iBooks Next Tuesday?

[User Name:]

zagato27, I'm also torn over the 12" vs. 14" iBook. Initially I was looking at the 14", because the bulkiness doesn't make much difference to me, and larger screens are generally easier to work with. But there's the whole issue of both 'books having the same screen resolution, so you're not going to be able to fit anything more on the larger screen, though it will be easier to see. 1024x768 isn't a bad resolution for a 14" screen (personally, I think that resolution is fine up to 17"), but it would be nice to be able to make a little better use of the space. The larger screen would also come in handy for watching DVDs and looking at pictures, though when playing around on 12" iBooks, I certainly haven't had to strain my eyes or anything. As for the 12" Powerbook--it's out of my price range, and I really don't need that fast a machine (plus, if I went with a Powerbook, I'd want at least a 15" so as to take full visual advantage of all it can do).

It's still a tough choice for me. For identically upgraded (save the obvious screen size and processor speed) 12" and 14" iBooks, the 12" works out to be about $200 less. So for me it comes down to: Are 2 inches and 133mhz worth $200? I really don't know. Things might change if they upgrade, but I'm not too hopeful anymore. I think I'm gonna give it 'til July 20th before I buy. That gives me a couple weeks to figure out what I want.

 

[JonMaker]

My educated guess is that the new iBooks will get:

1.33 GHz (12") and 1.42 GHz (14")
512 MB RAM on the MoBo.
40 GB HD at the low end.
64 MB graphics card.
Bluetooth standard.

I'd like to see higher res. screens (1280x960), but I somehow doubt it will happen.

So... what's on your list of things you would like to see on the next rev.?

 

[zagato27]

If you go with the 12" I'd recommend an external display for her. My 15" PB was my only computer for about a year and I bought a 17" LCD because I thought writing papers on the PB was a bit of a pain. I like to be able to bring up other articles or web pages often while I'm working, and the extra screen real estate is a big plus. The other thing is that, as delivered, the iBook only mirrors to external displays as far as I know. There is a workaround for this, but I'm not familiar with it as I've never had to do it.

She's lucky either way.

You know, I was thinking about a Mac Mini w/ a 17" LCD. I think it worked out that it was about the same price but she wants a laptop. Kids. Kind of getting tired of making the comparisons, going back and forth. Almost resolved in getting the 14" iBook. Still holding out hope for a revison. Will know in a week or two. Cheers

 

[JasonL]

You know, I was thinking about a Mac Mini w/ a 17" LCD. I think it worked out that it was about the same price but she wants a laptop. Kids. Kind of getting tired of making the comparisons, going back and forth. Almost resolved in getting the 14" iBook. Still holding out hope for a revison. Will know in a week or two. Cheers

14" iBook sounds like a good idea to me. I know 2 people that use them for school and love them.

 

[guylafleur]

I gave up on the ibook and am so glad I did

Instead of waiting (I think forever) for an Ibook, that may never come, why not spend a little more money on a certified/refurbished Powerbook? The price isn`t that much different and the speed is well worth it. I`m now ripping (my own, of course) 6.5GB DVDs in 40 minutes with a 1.5ghz 12" powerbook. I`m also using the Audio Line In to convert old cassettes, and (now useless) MDs into CDs, and set up an external TV tuner card thingy to watch TV. We`ve decided to give the TV to the in-laws, and the desktop to my brother-in-law. Just don`t need them anymore.

I`m not trying to brag about being a powerbook owner, I`m pretty useless with computers relatively speaking on this site, and a cheapskate after all and bought it refurbished, I`m just saying that it`s a steal of a deal for the speed you get. I waited for 8 months for the new ibook, and it never came out. I`m so glad it didn`t.

 

[User Name:]

I`m also using the Audio Line In to convert old cassettes, and (now useless) MDs into CDs

Does the iBook also have an audio line in? I don't see why it wouldn't, but if anyone knows offhand, I'd appreciate it.

 

[cooknwitha]

Does the iBook also have an audio line in? I don't see why it wouldn't, but if anyone knows offhand, I'd appreciate it.

No, there's isn't an audio in with the iBook. If you want one you need to buy an interface.

 

[Sol]

And one more thing... x86 Macs

Apple could introduce the x86 Macs this week. iBook and Mini would both be able to run OS X and Windows. This would be a Switcher-aimed strategy, with the i-apps providing the main functionality. It should hurry software development for OS X x86 applications, especially games. Professional applications like Photoshop would be in no pressure to be ported while there are no professional x86 Macs.

 

[guylafleur]

x86s are coming out starting in 2006

said Steve Jobs in San Francisco.

I wouldn`t expect much more than a bump, if even that.

 

[icarusflies]

Apple could introduce the x86 Macs this week. iBook and Mini would both be able to run OS X and Windows. This would be a Switcher-aimed strategy, with the i-apps providing the main functionality. It should hurry software development for OS X x86 applications, especially games. Professional applications like Photoshop would be in no pressure to be ported while there are no professional x86 Macs.

Apple won't release x86 yet - the developers models have only just gone out.
The developers macs should be a bit of a two way street - if there is anything wrong with the setup there would still be time to fix it. Apple will be asking for feedback from the developers - in the 'real world' (as opposed to apple labs) there will still be 'issues' to sort out with rosetta etc when using 'real world' coding.

I expect an x86 to be out no earlier than Feb2006 - and then it will be powermacs first. That's why they are called the POWER series ie Power Users! Look at the way Apple have ALWAYS rolled out new chips (G3-G5), Powermacs first, then powerbooks (skipped with the G5 because of cooling), then the imac, then the ibook and then the macmini and emacs
Why should they do anything differently with the intel rollouts?

Going on that logic, and keeping to this thread, I don't expect an intel ibook until at least Q3 next year. The lower macs will get faster PowerPC chips until then (steve did say there's plenty more products with PowerPc to come). That is why Apple are so committed to Rosetta and Universal Binaries.

Apple do have to keep the ibook in the market so expect a revision very soon - possibly enough to last until Q3 next year

 

[icarusflies]

I've heard that Adobe uses a different development system than xcode
- so their conversion to intel may be slightly more than just clicking 'compile for intel'

Having said that, as they are so committed to pcs already, their development platform may already be crossplatform. It would make sense

I know Adobe, as most developers do, work on SEVERAL future releases. ie Creative Studio 3,4 and possibly 5. Steves comment about 'your next release' could be a little simplistic in that case.

 

[DHagan4755]

I've heard that Adobe uses a different development system than xcode
- so their conversion to intel may be slightly more than just clicking 'compile for intel'

But you know, sure as hell, that Apple will be 'assisting' Adobe in the port of their most popular Apps to OS X for Intel. Steve Jobs wants to make Photoshop work with Core Image, and I betcha that it would behoove Apple to help Adobe there.

 

[cooknwitha]

Now this could be pure coincidence but the Powerbook I have on order despite being told it would be in my little hands by this Friday has "Ships on or before 07/07/2005" in the order status.

It's taking longer than I expected so it could be nothing or maybe there's a planned upgrade on a few lines.

If not... then why hasn't my new Powerbook shipped yet?!?

 

[timmyb]

Now this could be pure coincidence but the Powerbook I have on order despite being told it would be in my little hands by this Friday has "Ships on or before 07/07/2005" in the order status.

It's taking longer than I expected so it could be nothing or maybe there's a planned upgrade on a few lines.

If not... then why hasn't my new Powerbook shipped yet?!?

I really hope so, then we might get iBooks with them. I remember reading in another forum (can't remember which, i'll look around for a link) that a large chain had run out of PowerBooks and iBooks and were expecting shipments on either the 7th or 11th of july.

 

[CoMpX]

Apple won't release x86 yet - the developers models have only just gone out.
The developers macs should be a bit of a two way street - if there is anything wrong with the setup there would still be time to fix it. Apple will be asking for feedback from the developers - in the 'real world' (as opposed to apple labs) there will still be 'issues' to sort out with rosetta etc when using 'real world' coding.

I expect an x86 to be out no earlier than Feb2006 - and then it will be powermacs first. That's why they are called the POWER series ie Power Users! Look at the way Apple have ALWAYS rolled out new chips (G3-G5), Powermacs first, then powerbooks (skipped with the G5 because of cooling), then the imac, then the ibook and then the macmini and emacs
Why should they do anything differently with the intel rollouts?

Going on that logic, and keeping to this thread, I don't expect an intel ibook until at least Q3 next year. The lower macs will get faster PowerPC chips until then (steve did say there's plenty more products with PowerPc to come). That is why Apple are so committed to Rosetta and Universal Binaries.

Apple do have to keep the ibook in the market so expect a revision very soon - possibly enough to last until Q3 next year

This is not the way it wil work with the Intel transition. Jobs said that the lower-end models (ie. Mac mini, iBook) will switch to Intel in 2006. Then, in 2007, he said that the more professional line of computers will switch to Intel. (ie. PowerBook, PowerMac) The other models such as eMac and iMac will be updated sometime in between the most low-end and the most high-end products.

So, it's low-end first, high-end last. Don't ask me why, this is just what jobs said in the keynote!

 

[seinn]

New Ibooks

Just been on the phone to Applestore re my iBook order. It now has a ship date of end July!

The guy in the store said maybe an updated model is coming! Lets hope so, this week I guess!

 

[timmyb]

Just been on the phone to Applestore re my iBook order. It now has a ship date of end July!

The guy in the store said maybe an updated model is coming! Lets hope so, this week I guess!

Was it the stock model or were there lots of BTO options?

 

[tsk]

I sure hope so. If not then, at leat before September. Come on Apple!! Hit the back-to-school crowd with new iBooks!

Some rumors sites say that Apple will be releasing AT LEAST ONE updated Macintosh computer on Thursday. So, it's looking good for us!! The iBook has been waiting the longest for an update out of all the Apple products.

What sites are those? If there is one product line updated, I guess that's a fair chance it's the iBook, but Apple could sucker punch us also and do the Mini.

 

[deetschei]

What sites are those? If there is one product line updated, I guess that's a fair chance it's the iBook, but Apple could sucker punch us also and do the Mini.

that's true. the mini looked to be a big candidate for upgrade even a couple of weeks ago...still, we clearly deserve it more!

 

[tsk]

This is not the way it wil work with the Intel transition. Jobs said that the lower-end models (ie. Mac mini, iBook) will switch to Intel in 2006. Then, in 2007, he said that the more professional line of computers will switch to Intel. (ie. PowerBook, PowerMac) The other models such as eMac and iMac will be updated sometime in between the most low-end and the most high-end products.

So, it's low-end first, high-end last. Don't ask me why, this is just what jobs said in the keynote!

I'd suspect that by high-end last, he meant the PowerMac/XServe will be last.

It seems to me, that the first updated will be the iBook/PB/Mini with the Pentium M. I don't know what Intel has to offer that can be used in place of the G5 desktop (64 bit). That's why I see those last.

I really doubt that the iBook will get an Intel before the PB though.

Edit: Corrected my last sentence.

 

[JonMaker]

I'd suspect that by high-end last, he meant the PowerMac/XServe will be last.

It seems to me, that the first updated will be the iBook/PB/Mini with the Pentium M. I don't know what Intel has to offer that can be used in place of the G5 desktop (64 bit). That's why I see those last.

I really doubt that the PB will get an Intel before the iBook though.

I'd bet that Apple will put Intel into the low end first because of two major factors:

1. Intel chips are cheaper to fab, and would make for a cheaper Mac.
2. The lower end still has the G4 processor (and has had it for a painfully long time), and will never see a G5 (consider a G5 mini, or a G5 iBook). Thus, the lower end needs the update.

 

[tsk]

I'd bet that Apple will put Intel into the low end first because of two major factors:

1. Intel chips are cheaper to fab, and would make for a cheaper Mac.
2. The lower end still has the G4 processor (and has had it for a painfully long time), and will never see a G5 (consider a G5 mini, or a G5 iBook). Thus, the lower end needs the update.

Everything you say about the lowend basically applies to the PB as well. I think the PB and iBook get it at the same time (announced in January, shipping around April).

BTW, I switched PB and iBook in my last sentence (which I have since corrected).

 

[Tahko]

I'd bet that Apple will put Intel into the low end first because of two major factors:

1. Intel chips are cheaper to fab, and would make for a cheaper Mac.
2. The lower end still has the G4 processor (and has had it for a painfully long time), and will never see a G5 (consider a G5 mini, or a G5 iBook). Thus, the lower end needs the update.

I agree. Also, the G5 processor is far superior in heavy graphics processing when compared to Intel counterparts. I think the Power Mac (maybe iMac) will have G5 processors at least whole year 2006.

 

[DHagan4755]

Jobs said that the lower-end models (ie. Mac mini, iBook) will switch to Intel in 2006. Then, in 2007, he said that the more professional line of computers will switch to Intel. (ie. PowerBook, PowerMac)

Jobs never said that in the keynote. He didn't say anything anywhere about what was moving to Intel first.

He did say:

Now this is not going to be a transition that happens overnight. It's going to happen over a period of a few years. Again, we've got great products right now. And we've got some great PowerPC products in the pipeline yet to be introduced. But starting next year, we will begin to introducing Macs with Intel processors in them, and over time this transition will occur. So when we meet here again this time next year, our plan is to be shipping Macs with Intel processors by then. And when we meet here again two years from now, our plan is that transition will be mostly complete. And we think it will be complete by the end of 2007. So this is a two year transition.

 

[CoMpX]

Jobs never said that in the keynote. He didn't say anything anywhere about what was moving to Intel first.

He did say:

I see. Thanks for clearing that up, but I did see somewhere that the lower-end products (mini, iBook) WILL be updated to Intel in 2006, and the higher-end products (PowerMac) will be ported over in 2007. I suppose it was not in the keynote, but I did get this information from somewhere I remember as a reliable source. Basically, G4s will be switched in 2006, G5s in 2007.