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New PowerBooks on Tuesday.

Originally posted by Nik_Doof
As a soon to be Mac owner (my first mac!) and its going to be a powerbook....problem being is that i was all ready for heading out to PC world to get it, only to read in a Mac magazine of possible powerbook updates.

Now being a first time mac user and twitching to have some of that Mac goodness in my hands, this is killing me :(

My plan is to get a 12" PB, i know people here are sayin they wont be updated but im not willing to take the risk :)
Click to expand...
I have to say that for a switcher, I think the 15" is a lot more awe-inspiring than the 12". But you gotta have the dough...
 
Period

I particularly like the period in the title of the original article. Don't usually see those in titles.:)
 
Originally posted by NicoMan
I have to say that for a switcher, I think the 15" is a lot more awe-inspiring than the 12". But you gotta have the dough...
Click to expand...

Yah well, im going for the portability factor. Also i must get rid of this Compaq 14" Pentium 2 monster which is the bain of my portable life.
 
Ship dates confirmed

I work for a photographic based apple reseller in the UK. I have been left as much in the dark as you guys regarding the powerbook updates as I also need to purchase a new 15" powerbook.
I have spoken to our apple rep who knows as much as everyone else it seems, ie nothing.
Today after seeing the rumour I contacted our vendor ( ingram micro) who confirmed that they were out of stock of both the 15" and "12 but had stocks of the "17. The interesting thing was they also confirmed shipments of the "15 were due in 3-4 days but could not say whether they would be the new updates pr not. As it is highly unlikely that if there is an update tomorrow apple would send out the old model to ingram 2 days later this can only sugest that the new models are in stock at apple ready to ship!
About fu*$ing time!
 
Originally posted by Nik_Doof
Yah well, im going for the portability factor. Also i must get rid of this Compaq 14" Pentium 2 monster which is the bain of my portable life.
Click to expand...
I don't know how big that P2 monster is, but I can only imagine. And I would guess the 15" is a lot more portable than that. It's quite impressive how light those PBs can be...
Personnally I feel a bit cramped by the 1024*768 12" screen (I currently own an iBook), but I may be a bit biased, because at work my dual 1.25 powers 4 Iiyama 1600*1200 LCDs... (I know I'm showing off but that's the truth. How sad can one man be?...)

I hope you have a good switching experience.
 
Originally posted by Nik_Doof
As a soon to be Mac owner (my first mac!) and its going to be a powerbook....problem being is that i was all ready for heading out to PC world to get it, only to read in a Mac magazine of possible powerbook updates.

Now being a first time mac user and twitching to have some of that Mac goodness in my hands, this is killing me :(

My plan is to get a 12" PB, i know people here are sayin they wont be updated but im not willing to take the risk :)
Click to expand...

The problem being that 12" PBs are also out of stock at most resellers (bar MicroAnvika). Apple have also extended their shipping time over the weekend from 3-5 days to 7-10 days for the little 12 incher. So my advice would be, wait until the new ones are released, or waste your money on a current model which will no doubt come down in price after tomorrow - good luck
 
Here's the thing...

Apple would NEVER have taken on the G5 if it didn't have a solid plan for it's portable computers. Period.

That said, G5 Powerbooks are either in late-development or ready. There is little question of this. Whether we see them tomorrow is anyone's guess.

It will happen - so I don't understand why people argue that a G5 can't be put into a laptop such as the range Apple currently offer. People said the same about the high clock speed G4s, and they were wrong.

The argument of this thread should be whether the Powerbook range will be updated tomorrow, and whether they're G4 or G5, based on our rumor knowledge.

(Also, there would probably be a bigger heat issue with a 1.4 G4 or Dual G4s than with a G5, which shuts those people up.)
 
Re: Ship dates confirmed

Originally posted by LOZ23
I work for a photographic based apple reseller in the UK. I have been left as much in the dark as you guys regarding the powerbook updates as I also need to purchase a new 15" powerbook.
I have spoken to our apple rep who knows as much as everyone else it seems, ie nothing.
Today after seeing the rumour I contacted our vendor ( ingram micro) who confirmed that they were out of stock of both the 15" and "12 but had stocks of the "17. The interesting thing was they also confirmed shipments of the "15 were due in 3-4 days but could not say whether they would be the new updates pr not. As it is highly unlikely that if there is an update tomorrow apple would send out the old model to ingram 2 days later this can only sugest that the new models are in stock at apple ready to ship!
About fu*$ing time!
Click to expand...

this indeed confims hardmac.com (macbidouille.com) info
still a good info site, even if they do not want to release rumors anymore.
 
Originally posted by gotohamish
Here's the thing...

Apple would NEVER have taken on the G5 if it didn't have a solid plan for it's portable computers. Period.

That said, G5 Powerbooks are either in late-development or ready. There is little question of this. Whether we see them tomorrow is anyone's guess.

It will happen - so I don't understand why people argue that a G5 can't be put into a laptop such as the range Apple currently offer. People said the same about the high clock speed G4s, and they were wrong.

The argument of this thread should be whether the Powerbook range will be updated tomorrow, and whether they're G4 or G5, based on our rumor knowledge.

(Also, there would probably be a bigger heat issue with a 1.4 G4 or Dual G4s than with a G5, which shuts those people up.)
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure the G5 is suitable for the PowerBook. But at present, I can't figure out how the rest of the architecture can be implemented in a laptop without concessions that would essentially cause the CPU to be hamstrung.

Mainly, the power requirements of the bus and the RAM look to be a challenge. I'd certainly love to find out tomorrow that Apple have a solution, and it's ready to go. No-one can completely rule out G5 machines tomorrow, but I'm certainly not expecting them right at this moment.

I think it'd be a shame to see G5 laptops released for the sake of it, without all the other system components in place to let the thing scream. The PowerMac G5 is a no-compromise system - it's as close to perfection as a complete machine can be.

Of course Apple have a roadmap for G5-based PB's. The 970's suitability for high-density blade servers immediately lends itself to laptops. If there are G5 PB's tomorrow, I'll be fascinated to see how the machine's been designed.

Lastly, a brief aside on the design of the PowerMac G5's enclosure. I think most of us now understand that the design is not a sign of Apple having to cope with extraordinary cooling requirements. Personally, I reckon the it was built with the future in mind. It's clear that a lot of R&D money went into the case. It'll be money well spent - that enclosure will be capable of housing many generations of future PowerMacs without expensive modifications, no matter what the form factor or heat dissipation of future processors.

Some genuinely useful information would be how much juice the PM G5's power supply provides to the logic board...
 
I wonder if Apple is going to start hyping up Macworld Paris. This would be a good bridge to Europe and the rest of the world.

The idea of expanding vision and market share world wide. I was in Germany when I saw and played with my first Mac. That was 1984/5.

Steve might just announce G5 PB in Paris for this whole reason
 
Originally posted by gotohamish
It will happen - so I don't understand why people argue that a G5 can't be put into a laptop such as the range Apple currently offer.
Click to expand...
I don't think anyone is disputing the fact that we will see a G5 in a PB. The issue is when and possibly why...
 
Originally posted by hmmm
The problem being that 12" PBs are also out of stock at most resellers (bar MicroAnvika). Apple have also extended their shipping time over the weekend from 3-5 days to 7-10 days for the little 12 incher. So my advice would be, wait until the new ones are released, or waste your money on a current model which will no doubt come down in price after tomorrow - good luck
Click to expand...

After a quick query with PCWorld, i got quite a newbie telesales person who i think might of slipped up to me...

He says they have 12" in stock but there not for general sale yet, im not sure how to take this....either:

a) they have 12" powerbooks at there depot and there being shipped to store.
b) a new version of the powerbook but there not allowed to sell it.

Its gonna be A i know it, well at least i've got a source for my PB after the annoucement :)
 
Originally posted by Nik_Doof
After a quick query with PCWorld, i got quite a newbie telesales person who i think might of slipped up to me...

He says they have 12" in stock but there not for general sale yet, im not sure how to take this....either:

a) they have 12" powerbooks at there depot and there being shipped to store.
b) a new version of the powerbook but there not allowed to sell it.

Its gonna be A i know it, well at least i've got a source for my PB after the annoucement :)
Click to expand...

Phone PCWorld back and ask the new guy if he can go and have a look at the spec written on the 12" box - you never know:)
 
Right, i got his name and did some further poking. i got bounced round 3 offices but i got him in the end :p

Looks like he was looking at the stock system, he couldn't tell me how many hes got in stock (there not allowed to due to security reasons, guess this is so no-one ram-raids the depot) but he said theres a halt on shipping on them....i asked until when but he said he couldn't disclose that either.

Bleh PCWorld....at least they've gimmie a little more info than needed :)
 
Originally posted by hmmm
Powerbook 12" estimated shipping has now gone from 3-5 days to 7-10 days... (I have an order in the pipeline - has been there for 10 days and there's still no sign of shipping).

Powerbook 15" estimated shipping is still at 3-5 days -
Powerbook 17" estimated shipping is still at 3-5 days -

So from looking at these figures, it seems that at least the 12" is being updated or maybe the 12" isn't quite ready yet... But the change in the shipping date does make me think an update is about to happen...
Click to expand...

Put this in conjunction with the thought of the 15" & 17" to be available immediately and a week delay on the 12". Hasn't it been going around that the 12" would be updated at a later point? Perhaps this is more proof of such.

edit: just took a look at Apple Store US and the 12" is still 3-5 days. ??
 
iPod is hot

Originally posted by skanker
On tuesday we will see – besides the PB updates – a new microphone for the iPod together with a firmware upgrade to add recording capability... iMic anyone? :)
Click to expand...

I agree. The iPod is hot right now and Apple will do its best to milk it for all its worth. We will propably see the iMic you mention as well as iTunes for Europe (well, France at least), iTunes for Windows announced, iPod car kits (I hope!), and maybe even the mythical SuperDock.

Other hardware to look out for would be new displays, Bluetooth mouse, Bluetooth keyboard and G5 Xserves.

As for software, I expect several downloads including the last 10.2 update and minor updates for QuickTime, X11, Safari, iCal, iSync, etc. Will Apple do anything about the lack of x86 emulation on the G5? I do not see why not, especially now that Microsoft has announced Virtual PC will need a major update to work on the new hardware.

As for the PowerBooks, after the G5's launch someone from Apple made a public statement saying that they plan to continue using G4s. Anyway, as someone posted here earlier, the 17" and the 12" are new designs and for that reason they are not likely to be completely re-designed (internally) for their next update.
 
Originally posted by crees!
Put this in conjunction with the thought of the 15" & 17" to be available immediately and a week delay on the 12". Hasn't it been going around that the 12" would be updated at a later point? Perhaps this is more proof of such.

edit: just took a look at Apple Store US and the 12" is still 3-5 days. ??
Click to expand...

yep, you're right the PB 12" is now back at 3-5 days - but this is a change from when I checked this morning.
 
Originally posted by hmmm
The problem being that 12" PBs are also out of stock at most resellers (bar MicroAnvika). Apple have also extended their shipping time over the weekend from 3-5 days to 7-10 days for the little 12 incher. So my advice would be, wait until the new ones are released, or waste your money on a current model which will no doubt come down in price after tomorrow - good luck
Click to expand...

It's been 7-10 longer than that-- I ordered my 12" on Wednesday and the estimate was 7-10 then.

If the current model gets price dropped, we'll get the new price. If it gets updated... who knows.
 
Originally posted by Lord Bodak
It's been 7-10 longer than that-- I ordered my 12" on Wednesday and the estimate was 7-10 then.

If the current model gets price dropped, we'll get the new price. If it gets updated... who knows.
Click to expand...

If it gets updated, the Apple Sales people tell me, you'll get the update

---------------------------------------

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a total mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm.
 
Originally posted by hmmm
If it gets updated, the Apple Sales people tell me, you'll get the update
Click to expand...

I would expect that if the price is the same. But what happens if the new 12" suddenly costs $1999 instead of $1599? They're certainly not going to give it to you free.
 
Originally posted by displaced
I'm pretty sure the G5 is suitable for the PowerBook. But at present, I can't figure out how the rest of the architecture can be implemented in a laptop without concessions that would essentially cause the CPU to be hamstrung.

Mainly, the power requirements of the bus and the RAM look to be a challenge. I'd certainly love to find out tomorrow that Apple have a solution, and it's ready to go. No-one can completely rule out G5 machines tomorrow, but I'm certainly not expecting them right at this moment.

I think it'd be a shame to see G5 laptops released for the sake of it, without all the other system components in place to let the thing scream. The PowerMac G5 is a no-compromise system - it's as close to perfection as a complete machine can be.

Of course Apple have a roadmap for G5-based PB's. The 970's suitability for high-density blade servers immediately lends itself to laptops. If there are G5 PB's tomorrow, I'll be fascinated to see how the machine's been designed.

Lastly, a brief aside on the design of the PowerMac G5's enclosure. I think most of us now understand that the design is not a sign of Apple having to cope with extraordinary cooling requirements. Personally, I reckon the it was built with the future in mind. It's clear that a lot of R&D money went into the case. It'll be money well spent - that enclosure will be capable of housing many generations of future PowerMacs without expensive modifications, no matter what the form factor or heat dissipation of future processors.

Some genuinely useful information would be how much juice the PM G5's power supply provides to the logic board...
Click to expand...


I see your point, but I think it's easy to judge Apple's hurdle on what they've made public. The portable side will have been in development for as long as the towers. The architecture and case of the towers may be the most efficient and quiet, which is why they went with them. It is a whole other ball game with the laptops as you know.

Good points too. Thanks for the comments! :)
 
PC world would know nothing

They are a reseller just like the company I work for and apple tell us NOTHING., and they deffinetly wouldn't ship us products before they had been announced.
As I have said in a previous post, ingram micro (largest apple trade distributer in the UK) are out of stock of 15" & "12 PB and are expecting stocks in either wednesday or thursday.
It doesn't need a genius to work out what that means.
 
Ok here is the scoop

12" speed bumps to 1ghz with DVI and super drive only, 15" speed bump to 1.25 w. super and combo drive options. Both with level 3 cache. NO G-5 It is just too new and runs too hot to be able to keep cool. But then again this is Apple so it could be right around the corner. But stock is way too low to prolong release of these any longer. I mean a 1ghz or 1.25 ghz is no slouch for a laptop that thin and light and portable.
 
Originally posted by Lord Bodak
I would expect that if the price is the same. But what happens if the new 12" suddenly costs $1999 instead of $1599? They're certainly not going to give it to you free.
Click to expand...

All I can say is that I phoned the Apple Sales people (I have a PB 12" on order) and that's what they told me. So keeping my fingers crossed.
 
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