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New PowerBooks - Finally

wow, 12 inches, really?

since this fits into the realm of speculation, one of my main concern with the 12ai was the heat issue. does anyone care to guess how the update answered that issue? i'll stop by the store and hope to check out first hand this weekend, but if anyone wants to input any assumptions i'll appreciate it.

i do like the updates, by the way. it's not the world, but it's pretty nice.

thanks.
 
Originally posted by Frobozz
Good prices, good performance. Overall, I'm psyched about the top of the line 15" model and the option for a 5400 RPM drive.
Click to expand...

But on the PC side, 7200rpm drives are the option these days... Apple's behind on hard drive specs (again.) The difference in performance from a 5400rpm to 7200rpm is greater than a 4200rpm to 5400rpm; hard drive tech for laptops has advanced that much (I've done all of these upgrades and I couldn't imagine going back down to 5400rpm)
 
Originally posted by cybermat
Is the new 15" the same thickness as the previous 15"? or did they trim some fat from the 12"? They have the same thickness now according to the specs.

Honestly, does the additional .25Ghz make a lot of difference? I am deciding between the 12" superdrive and the 15" superdrive.

Thanks for your input.
Click to expand...

I think one advantage of the 1.25ghz is that it comes with the backlit keyboard. The 1ghz does not have a backlit keyboard according to the specs on the apple store.
 
12 Inch Powerbook Ram

I just ordered my new 12 inch, and would like to upgrade the ram. I always do this with a 3rd party (transintl - they have been great to me) and would like to place my order now, so I don't even have to turn on my new machine with its pokey 256.

My questions is, will the ram being sold for the 12 inch 867 work with the 12 inch 1ghz?

I think it will, but that is a big purchase to make a mistake on!

----
12 in 1Ghz
60 gig
APE
iSight
External Mouse (Kenningston -love scrwhl)
 
Best things for me??? By waiting this long, I:
1)Got a better 15"
2)Got a better ipod for same price (40GB)
3)Still saved $300 through education
and SURPRISINGLY (if their estimates are correct) 4)Got ALL this stuff in time for the ipod and printer rebates!! (Totalling another $300 savings). Quite a deal I must say. 8Þ
 
G5 Laptops

I know a lot of people were hoping for G5 laptops (heck, some were absolutely certain they'd be announced).

Don't hold your breath... it takes a long time to engineer something like that, and quite a bit longer to get it ready for market. And, of course, there's the question of cooling (ask anyone with a 12" PB if they want a machine that runs "just a few degrees hotter").

I wouldn't expect to see G5 laptops before Q2 of next year. That's why I bit the bullet and bought a G5 desktop. Plus, with the laptops I'd wait until at least Rev. B before buying.
 
Originally posted by Photorun
Explain exactly the true advantage of a backlit keyboard aside from the "oooh ahhh" factor?
Click to expand...

It seems you underestimate the "oooh ahhh" factor. Very powerful indeed it is.
 
Mini DVI - DVI

The US store, under specs, shows:

"mini-DVI to DVI adapter, mini-DVI to VGA adapter"

under standard video accessories. So, to the best of my knowlede, the ones you can purchase are for extras or replacements, because this model should come with one. Don't know about the previous models with updates.
 
Nice technology. Great looking powerbooks.

Only thing is they ought to have been released in June.

now they are getting a bit slow in comparison to what they ought to have been by now.

Ahhh.... i think i want them to update the ibook and then i will go out and get a G5 laptop when they come in the spring
 
Re: 12 Inch Powerbook Ram

Originally posted by doubting_me
I just ordered my new 12 inch, and would like to upgrade the ram. I always do this with a 3rd party (transintl - they have been great to me) and would like to place my order now, so I don't even have to turn on my new machine with its pokey 256.

My questions is, will the ram being sold for the 12 inch 867 work with the 12 inch 1ghz?
Click to expand...
Nope, sure won't. Talk to Crucial (they have live support). Basically, you need PC2700 RAM. BTW, they don't carry the 1gb piece yet, but they have the 512mb ones for $87. If the 256mb wasn't soldered in, you could just get two of 'em. Ah, well. Still, it sure beats the $300 Apple wants you to pay for the upgrade.

-Richard
 
Originally posted by Photorun
Explain exactly the true advantage of a backlit keyboard aside from the "oooh ahhh" factor?
Click to expand...

agreed...

I've used it and other than peaking other people's interests, it's functionality leaves a bit to be desired. The demand seems to come from the "have-not"s not the "have"s. (I guess you're more "Apple"y if you have a backlit keyboard, even if it is pretty useless for typing in the dark)
 
If only they had the ordering option of having a non-backlit keyboard knocking off $100 from the price I'd do it. And with my edu discount that'd make the 1.25 15" only $2199... not too shabby!
 
backlit keyboard

Originally posted by Photorun
Explain exactly the true advantage of a backlit keyboard aside from the "oooh ahhh" factor?
Click to expand...

I play live this is a very useful thing to have on stage. Also in the studio.
 
Originally posted by Julianne
I must say I was abit dissapointed to see only a .33Mhz increase in processor speed, but to be able to have 2 gigs of memory and a 64mb video card.... it's almost like a dream come true. Oh yeah can't forget the USB2 as well. (btw I'm talking about the 17" version :) )
Click to expand...

First off it's 330 Mhz increase. The old 17" had the ability to take 2 GB of ram, this is nothing new. Same with the 12".

Too bad I didn't wait. Needed a new laptop in june.
 
Wow! Actually through the Apple edu store if I reconfigure the 1.25 15" PB down to the 60 GB HD, drop the RAM down to 256 (3rd party is much cheaper than Apple anyways) and opt for the combo drive as opposed to superdrive it brings the price under $2,000!

Giddyup!
 
Re: 12 Inch Powerbook Ram

Originally posted by doubting_me
I just ordered my new 12 inch, and would like to upgrade the ram. I always do this with a 3rd party (transintl - they have been great to me) and would like to place my order now, so I don't even have to turn on my new machine with its pokey 256.

My questions is, will the ram being sold for the 12 inch 867 work with the 12 inch 1ghz?

I think it will, but that is a big purchase to make a mistake on!



Yes, it works.
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by skymac
btw should I get apple care now or at the end of the first year?
Click to expand...

Just my two cents...

Wait to order Apple Care and take the year to think about it before you buy it on an impulse. I've owned Macs for 18 years now and I've bought AppleCare on a few models and thankfully have never had to use it so I've just blown the money.

If you think about it, most problems you encounter are software related so if you feel comfortable troubleshooting software without calling Apple Tech support then you've got yourself covered for the most part. Now, taking into account hardware failures, most serious failures due to a problem with a machine are going to happen in the first year of ownership when you're covered anyway. Either you got a bum model or you didn't. So you're covered there.

Keep in mind AppleCare doesn't cover anything like accidental damage or theft which are going to be your primary source of hardware problems.

So, in my opinion, if you feel comfortable troubleshooting software issues then AppleCare is just a waste of your money. You're much better off spending a few bucks a year and adding on some supplemental Laptop Coverage onto your home owners or renters insurance policy.
 
The backlit keyboard is pretty much a non-factor if typing a paper or something in the dark, but it is quite nice if you're trying to do work in photoshop, flash, pyware or other programs where your hands frequently move to hotkeys or are moved away from the keys and need to be reset.

It's a quite handy feature in certain cituations, but by no means a necessity.
 
Another Apple Announcement....

Late Breaking News!!!!

Apple just announced that the Univeristy of Hawaii has purchased 1,500 new powerbooks in order to create the world's largest MP3 distribution center.

As a result, all 15" and 17" powerbooks will be delayed another month.

In addition, all 12" models will be sent to K-12 users in Peru.

Finally, any orders for the new systems will be converted to iBooks, so they ship on time.

An unrelated press release spoke of Apple's ability to produce hardware in a timely manner.
 
I don't think anyone should be disappointed by this update. It's not anything to blow us away, but exactly what's been rumored. Anyone that was hoping for a G5...well, you set yourself up for a major disappointment.

Hear me now, there will be no G5 PBs at MWSF2004. I think the best case scenario is for a March-April time frame, but probably more like May. It all depends on when the .09 process 970s ship in volume, not before March for sure.
 
Originally posted by JBracy
Man, chill.

My point was that technically if he really wanted the new one and had had his current one for less than 10 BUSINESS days (2 weeks is exactly 10 business days FYI) then he could return it and buy the new one. If he does not have all of the origional packaging, then he will get stuck with a 10% charge, but if everything is exactly like new then he's OK.

I just got my 17" last week, so I'm debating sending it back and getting the 15", but probably won't as I got it for $2500 through an Apple employee.
Click to expand...

if you open the box, you get charged the 10%. does not matter if you have all the packaging or not. "restocking fee" compensates for the fact once a machine is returned, apple can no longer sell it as "new" and only as a "refurb" even if it's in mint condition.

sorry about the tone, i wasn't mad or anything... :rolleyes:
 
not all Mac users live in the US

Originally posted by nickmcghie
umm not all mac users live in the US..

i hate ignorant americans :mad:
Click to expand...

I believe Nick was trying to be funny.

I'm not partial to anyone who jumps to conclusions without available information...it's like jumping off a building without anything to land on--it's going to hurt and make you look dumb!
 
I don't know too much about Watts/Volts and junk but comparing the 4200rpm to the 5400rpm, how much hotter and wear on the battery life do you all expect the faster drive will have? The previous stats posted are foreign to me and I need someone to translate.. thanks.
:)
 
Value of backlit keyboard

Originally posted by Photorun
Explain exactly the true advantage of a backlit keyboard aside from the "oooh ahhh" factor?
Click to expand...

1. We aren't all touch typists.
2. When your eyes turn 50, you'll understand
 
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