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No PowerBook Updates Before 2005
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Dell and "choice"
To an extent, this is true - but I'm not sure why somone really interested in a Macintosh would see this as a big negative?
1. On the PC side, you have two big competing CPU makers trying to outdo/outsell the other. This has resulted in a myriad of incremental CPU speeds and feature-sets, all offered at the same time - when in reality, there's not much "real world" difference unless you go from the low extremes to the upper extremes. (EG. My desktop PC is an Athlon 64 3000+. I could opt to spend another $150 or so and move up to a 3200+ or 3400+, but I've already compared these all and the difference between them is marginal, if you're not just fascinated by benchmark numbers.)
2. If you're really interested in an Apple laptop, you're probably largely interested because it runs OS X, not Windows. That means you really don't care what Dell is offering or how they've configured it, because it can't run your OS of choice anyway.
3. I'll agree with you that it'd be nice if Apple would start using the higher resolution LCD panels, and I suspect they will, eventually. They're not likely to be interested in offering either the "lower res/original panel" or the "new high-res panel" at the same time though. Why? Because they don't want to be put in situations where they have to stock large quantities of old parts long after they're out of production, just so they can use them for extended warranty work and "service replacement parts". Dell sells enough volume, this is probably less of a concern for them.
It seems to me like Apple has done a pretty good job of offering several configurations of each product line they've sold, which pretty well cover people's needs. You have to remember, some of these "options" are really dirt-cheap to put in a notebook anyway. IMHO, there's no reason to sell a laptop that doesn't have built-in wireless anymore. You can find OEM PCMCIA wi-fi cards for PCs for as little as $18.95 or so if you look around enough. You can spend more than that on simply upgrading your shipping from "3 day delivery" to "2 day delivery"! Same with Bluetooth support, really. The little add-on "dongles" aren't all that expensive, so people saying "I want to order my new laptop without Bluetooth and save some money!" aren't gonna really see much savings. And then, they're stuck with a laptop that's less desireable to many people when they try to resell it later....
To an extent, this is true - but I'm not sure why somone really interested in a Macintosh would see this as a big negative?
1. On the PC side, you have two big competing CPU makers trying to outdo/outsell the other. This has resulted in a myriad of incremental CPU speeds and feature-sets, all offered at the same time - when in reality, there's not much "real world" difference unless you go from the low extremes to the upper extremes. (EG. My desktop PC is an Athlon 64 3000+. I could opt to spend another $150 or so and move up to a 3200+ or 3400+, but I've already compared these all and the difference between them is marginal, if you're not just fascinated by benchmark numbers.)
2. If you're really interested in an Apple laptop, you're probably largely interested because it runs OS X, not Windows. That means you really don't care what Dell is offering or how they've configured it, because it can't run your OS of choice anyway.
3. I'll agree with you that it'd be nice if Apple would start using the higher resolution LCD panels, and I suspect they will, eventually. They're not likely to be interested in offering either the "lower res/original panel" or the "new high-res panel" at the same time though. Why? Because they don't want to be put in situations where they have to stock large quantities of old parts long after they're out of production, just so they can use them for extended warranty work and "service replacement parts". Dell sells enough volume, this is probably less of a concern for them.
It seems to me like Apple has done a pretty good job of offering several configurations of each product line they've sold, which pretty well cover people's needs. You have to remember, some of these "options" are really dirt-cheap to put in a notebook anyway. IMHO, there's no reason to sell a laptop that doesn't have built-in wireless anymore. You can find OEM PCMCIA wi-fi cards for PCs for as little as $18.95 or so if you look around enough. You can spend more than that on simply upgrading your shipping from "3 day delivery" to "2 day delivery"! Same with Bluetooth support, really. The little add-on "dongles" aren't all that expensive, so people saying "I want to order my new laptop without Bluetooth and save some money!" aren't gonna really see much savings. And then, they're stuck with a laptop that's less desireable to many people when they try to resell it later....
AidenShaw said:
G4 OR G5
Hi Folks.. Just a quick question does anyone have any information about the long awaited G5 powerbook, are we going to see one in the next few months maybe spring next year. Its just im going to the states to buy a new powerbook G4 17" and the last thing i wanna do is fly out to the usa and buy one fly back to the uk and find apple launches new G5 powerbook, any help on this matter would be great theres no point buying one hear as its nearly 3000 pounds which is 6000 dollars ???
Hi Folks.. Just a quick question does anyone have any information about the long awaited G5 powerbook, are we going to see one in the next few months maybe spring next year. Its just im going to the states to buy a new powerbook G4 17" and the last thing i wanna do is fly out to the usa and buy one fly back to the uk and find apple launches new G5 powerbook, any help on this matter would be great theres no point buying one hear as its nearly 3000 pounds which is 6000 dollars ???
i think you will find a 17" powerbook is £1950, and that is $3748 compared to the us price of 2799 which dose not include sales tax which is $3000 with sales tax, now when you take your powerbook you loose applecare so you have to buy uk applecare at £279 ($541) that gives a total of $3541 and remember import duty which you may have to pay as they may require you to present proof that you took the powerbook into the country.
otherwise good luck
otherwise good luck
VideoShooter said:
You realize though that if Apple does indeed announce some sort of G5 PowerBook (as unlikely as that is), that it will definitely not be shipping for 4 months out. As I've expressed before, I don't think we'll see a G5 PowerBook in the hands of users for quite some time.
I hope things turn out for you, but just remember, those who play the waiting game are always waiting!
Hector said:i think you will find a 17" powerbook is £1950, and that is $3748 compared to the us price of 2799 which dose not include sales tax which is $3000 with sales tax, now when you take your powerbook you loose applecare so you have to buy uk applecare at £279 ($541) that gives a total of $3541 and remember import duty which you may have to pay as they may require you to present proof that you took the powerbook into the country.
otherwise good luck
Thanks Hector, Yea i see what your saying i do have some family in California. They are flying to the UK next summer so i may get them to bring it over, that way i wouldnt have to worry about customs or import duty. Its a lot of hassle, but the price in the UK compared to the US is a big rip off. The machines are the same and they support both UK & US voltage. Do you know of any stores in california i could try on the net to get some prices i found one and they quoted me $2569 including shipping and tax (If i bought it within the states). If a family member bought one, then fly it over for me when they visit UK it would then cost me around £1250 a saving of around £1700 it does seem worth the hassle unless apple bring out a G5 powerbook.
Old or New?
Truth is I also almost bought the 17in PB here in Japan, it's real cheap here now, Japanese like small not big. I too decided to wait for MWSF to see what comes out. However, I do not know about the states, but in Japan when the new comes out it is then next to impossible to find a new older model, they disappear or become expensive, probably because everyone wants it then.
Brian
VideoShooter said:
Truth is I also almost bought the 17in PB here in Japan, it's real cheap here now, Japanese like small not big. I too decided to wait for MWSF to see what comes out. However, I do not know about the states, but in Japan when the new comes out it is then next to impossible to find a new older model, they disappear or become expensive, probably because everyone wants it then.
Brian
Benj said:
I am from Spain and i bought my powerbook in California last summer. (and an iPod
). No problem through customs, and i brought all the boxes. It would be bad luck if they make you open your suitcase, and if you left the boxes in California, you can always say its yours...Ah!, and don't forget to get the tax refund when you get out of the US, if you're not an US citizen.
Enjoy your pb as much as i enjoy mine
VideoShooter said:
Those are all definitely possible around the MWSF timeframe - I hope it pays off for ya!
Benj said:
If your a american citizen and your coming to the uk for holiday's or business you would'nt have a issue when bringing the powerbook over, customs would only stop you if you were a uk citizen returning from the usa, but if your a american citizen coming to the uk and you had one laptop as part of your hand luggage they cant say anythink. Lots of people use laptops on flights it would be fine, but if fly out to the usa and bring one back there is a chance i would get stopped.
Gracias evohe,
Yea sounds like you did ok with the powerbook i dont want to risk it thou i think its easier to let a family member bring it over next year as part of there hand luggage in a laptop bag with the software and leave the boxes in the usa.
Portable Power (At the moment, I don't think so!)
I know this has probably been said before, but.........
Are these slightly upgraded PowerBooks gonna be keynote worthy?
If they are such minor upgrades why were they not released quietly along with the iBook? Makes no sense to close the gap between the two portable machines just before the holidays and then go and upgrade it in Jan by 166/200mhz, it's not enough for the mobile-pro (POWERbook!) line.
If Apple are going the revision route, i expect they will release:
1.8Ghz G4 with minimal boost to the bus, higher res screen, 5400rpm drive as standard and the new 'whatevermakeitis' 7200rpm drive as an option.
Maybe with a slight revision in design too?
BUT and I must say BUT again...
It has also been mentioned that the G5 PowerBook is not as far off as you think... Announced in Jan, shipped in March (but delayed until April May)
MWSF - It's going to be interesting.....
I expect the new revised PowerMac and G5 PowerBook to be available for Tigers release, and we all know that Steve is going to release Tiger earlier than previously stated on these sites (June, pushed forward to March?)
I know this has probably been said before, but.........
Are these slightly upgraded PowerBooks gonna be keynote worthy?
If they are such minor upgrades why were they not released quietly along with the iBook? Makes no sense to close the gap between the two portable machines just before the holidays and then go and upgrade it in Jan by 166/200mhz, it's not enough for the mobile-pro (POWERbook!) line.
If Apple are going the revision route, i expect they will release:
1.8Ghz G4 with minimal boost to the bus, higher res screen, 5400rpm drive as standard and the new 'whatevermakeitis' 7200rpm drive as an option.
Maybe with a slight revision in design too?
BUT and I must say BUT again...
It has also been mentioned that the G5 PowerBook is not as far off as you think... Announced in Jan, shipped in March (but delayed until April May
)MWSF - It's going to be interesting.....
I expect the new revised PowerMac and G5 PowerBook to be available for Tigers release, and we all know that Steve is going to release Tiger earlier than previously stated on these sites (June, pushed forward to March?)