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Oct 12 Event For Power Macs & Powerbooks?

I choose to combine the TS and AI reports into one compromise scenario:

* "One More Thing" event = the new Airport-related device, AND 5g iPods--but not video iPods.

* New PowerMacs and PowerBooks on the same day or at least soon, but not the main function of the press event. Maybe not even mentioned at it.
 
I'm liking this new ThinkSecret report. It makes more sense to upgrade the iPod with a larger HDD and smaller form now- save the 'revolutionary' video iPod for next year when hype surrounding the Nano has died down and the public are after the next big thing.

Next Wednesday:
80Gb iPod
PowerBook updates
PowerMac updates
Airport Express AV
 
Well maybe TS will turn out to be right but it seems like one hell of a circus to announce slightly thinner ipods and spec bumps on the pro machines.

I think I'd feel a bit p*$$ed off to be invited to THAT event!
 
nomad01 said:
Well maybe TS will turn out to be right but it seems like one hell of a circus to announce slightly thinner ipods and spec bumps on the pro machines.

I think I'd feel a bit p*$$ed off to be invited to THAT event!
Click to expand...

I agree. Why would they have special invitations to a Mac speed bump? Even a dual core desktop would not justify it. They must have an Intel Mac ready...
 
woo hoo...

i think higher resolution powerbooks, dual core powermacs, and 80 gig thinner iPods warrants and announcement... why the hell not...
 
Thinksecret has a pretty strong track record, stronger than AI's. However, I seriously doubt they will schedule an event for another lame PB update. My guess is: new pm's and pb's on tuesday, then new ipod at the event on wednesday. In a way I think they'll both be right.
 
The new G5 Powermac Lineup...

And without further ado... the new Apple Powermac Lineup:


$1899 =
Single 2.3Ghz G5 970fx Single Core Cpu
512 MB DDR400 SDRAM
250GB Serial ATA
16x SuperDrive
128 MB nVidia GeForce 6600GT

$2599 =
Dual 2.5Ghz G5 970fx Single Core Cpus
512 MB DDR400 SDRAM
400GB Serial ATA
16x SuperDrive
128 MB nVidia GeForce 6600GT

$2999 =
Dual 2.7Ghz G5 970MP Dual Core Cpus (Still Water Cooled)
512 MB DDR2 SDRAM
400GB Serial ATA
16x SuperDrive
256 MB nVidia GeForce 7800GT
2 PCI-Express SLI Slots for addition of second 7800GT


Ok... here's my thinking on this:

There are clearly going to be 2 New Motherboards released, per the technical bulletins (PowerMac 12,1 and PowerMac 11,1). It's also clear that at least ONE machine will have the dual core 970MP cpu in it. What isn't so clear is how Apple will distribute those CPUs in which systems.

However, it would seem to me that, as the actual MHZ of the CPUs are NO FASTER (both limited to 2.5Ghz) than the 970fx they are replacing, and there are two motherboards... it would seem hard to believe that Apple would expect consumers to pay the same price for a previous model 2.7Ghz (at a now lower price until inventory was cleared out) when they could get a faster dual-core G5 running at 2.5Ghz.

Did I lose you?

Let's recap:

Currently, the Dual 2.7Ghz 970fx boxes are $2999. Once the new dual core machines hit, those will be reduced in price to $2799 or $2499. However, it is important that those machines still be slightly faster than the new mid-range $2499 machine, else who in their right mind would buy the clearance inventory? And we all KNOW how much Apple likes to clear their inventory channels.

So... what I think they will do... is

Stay with me now...

There are two new motherboards. I'm betting that one of them is a dual-core with SLI support. ONLY for the top machine.

The other two would make sense that it is a revised 970fx board.

The low end sees a price drop of $100, and a drop of one CPU down to a single CPU... with a Mhz increase to 2.3Ghz.

This will still put it less than the newly discounted Dual 2.0Ghz machine once you add in the better video card and higher hard disk capacity.

The mid-range will see a price INCREASE of $100, and probably be priced about the same as the old 2.7Ghz machine. However, while a tad slower on the mhz for the same price, you now get a much better video card and bigger hard disk... so it's probably still a better buy. However, it's priced slightly higher so that more people will gravitate up to the top system... the lone dual-core box.

As only one machine will be utilizing the dual core motherboard design, they will no doubt price it so that most people will think twice about the old 970fx board, and spend the extra $400 for about 2x the machine...

And once you go there... you KNOW they are gonna sell you that second video card at an insane markup for that extra video slot, right?

So... that is my thinking on what will happen with the PowerMacs.

So... am I on target, do you think.... or just on too many drugs?

YOU DECIDE! HEHE!
 
But what about a new digital lifestyle product that utilises the new Airport Extreme AV. Smaller than a Mac Mini, you can plug it directly into your TV and it will stream HD video across from your computer. Hell, they could even integrate it into their upgraded cinema displays (But that would be completely useless as they are already connected to the computer in the first place :D )

Fair enough to say Computer updates on tuesday and iPod on Wednesday, but is a new iPod newsworthy enough to have a whole event for it :confused: Even the nano was coupled with the Motorola ROKR.

If Apple announces updates to the Power books/macs on tuesday expect a lot more than just an iPod on the following day.
 
Dual core PMs are one thing, but dual dual core PMs warrant a media event in my humble little opinion, more so if the motherboard supports PCI Express, DDR2 (ok, not a big deal there), and maybe some other architectural updates.

Same thing goes for the PowerBooks. Widescreen displays with 15% more pixels, a new widescreen 12.1-inch model, PCI Express for the laptops, etc. Of course, dual core mobile G4s would be a fantastic update, but not likely.

If a slightly slimmer 80GB iPod warrants a media circus, then the new PBs and PMs do too if they're more than just speed bumps. Hence, the iPod crazies get something, the PM crazies get something, and the PB crazies get something.

So a media circus isn't a bad idea after all.
 
Ino said:
ThinkSecret has a followup article!!

http://www.thinksecret.com/news/0510oct12b.html

:eek:
Click to expand...
OK, so the cancelling of my 60GB iPod wasn't all wasted. But I'm going to be royally pissed when Apple introduces video capabilites and do NOT include them in a firmware update for the models about to be introduced (assuming that they are video-capable, which according to podfuture they definitely are).
 
OK... Now my iPod update...

Now that I got the PowerMac forecast out of the way...

I'm thinking that the iPod update is going to be pretty slam dunk easy.

Upgrades to 40 GB and 80 GB for $299 and $399 price points... (same as current models).

I think there is a 100% chance of the above happening next Wed.

A smaller chance, however, is that these will be video enabled iPods... not true focus devices like some are saying... but just have the ability to play back little snippets you can get on the iTunes music store until they have their online VIDEO stuff sorted out. You can bet it is coming at some point, though ;)

Interesting reading... Toshiba has recently announced availability of their 80GB 1.8" Drive ;) What do you think THAT means? hehehe
 
ksz said:
Dual core PMs are one thing, but dual dual core PMs warrant a media event in my humble little opinion, more so if the motherboard supports PCI Express, DDR2 (ok, not a big deal there), and maybe some other architectural updates.

Same thing goes for the PowerBooks. Widescreen displays with 15% more pixels, a new widescreen 12.1-inch model, PCI Express for the laptops, etc. Of course, dual core mobile G4s would be a fantastic update, but not likely.

If a slightly slimmer 80GB iPod warrants a media circus, then the new PBs and PMs do too if they're more than just speed bumps. Hence, the iPod crazies get something, the PM crazies get something, and the PB crazies get something.

So a media circus isn't a bad idea after all.
Click to expand...

Going along with this (at least I think so).... Remember what was the big announcement at the world Apple Expo in Paris.... a mere software/service update to .mac.

If .mac was the featured product of a world expo, then any small update of a hardware line definitely deserves a media event.
 
c2104338 said:
I'm liking this new ThinkSecret report. It makes more sense to upgrade the iPod with a larger HDD and smaller form now- save the 'revolutionary' video iPod for next year when hype surrounding the Nano has died down and the public are after the next big thing.

Next Wednesday:
80Gb iPod
PowerBook updates
PowerMac updates
Airport Express AV
Click to expand...

It sounds like ThinkSecret is using an analyst as their source. A lot of "I don't see why they would do this so it can't be true" rationale. They're backpedaling. Actually it reads just like a MOSR article now that I think about it. What happened to one more thing? Everyone has known that higher capacity hard drives using the new perpendicular technology were coming to the iPod since early this year. Why would they invite the press and make a big deal over iPods that are thinner? They would be thinking "Steve, we know you're a Vegan and all but your supposed to eat the plants, not smoke them."
 
Just my thought on ThinkSecrets article.

iPod 80GB
Powerbook & Powermac (As they report)

But Also Airport Extreme 802.11 N, Airport Express AV, All other mac (eMacs, iMacs, iBooks & Macmini. (to support 802.11 N + DDR2)

Maybe this is why they have not released they mini specs yet. Because they are already shipping with Airport 802.11 N & DDR2

Just A Thought

Nothing to base this on, just letting my imgination run wild :eek:
 
PowerBooks are coming don't worry...

I was talking to an employee at the Apple store by me which I usually chat with while I'm there. We were talking about my PowerBook and how I'd like to buy a new one soon. We were talking for about 15 minutes and I asked what time I would be able to get a PowerBook 12" with the customized built-to-order options (RAM, AirPort etc). He looked around quickly and mentioned to me softly that I should wait at least 3 weeks because they're a chance they will be updated. He had a big grin on his face but, said he couldn't tell me anything else. I trust this guy because he was dead-on about the .Mac storage update.

Now the thing I want to know is, do I wait for this model and buy it or wait even more for the Intel models *sigh* :rolleyes:
 
I just had a thought...

What if the big announcement is actually...

Dual Core Machines 970Mp across the board, and new case revisions ... and they call them a

G6????

ANY chance of that piece of marketing brilliance right in time for the holiday season?
 
percheaven said:
Just my thought on ThinkSecrets article.

iPod 80GB
Powerbook & Powermac (As they report)

But Also Airport Extreme 802.11 N, Airport Express AV, All other mac (eMacs, iMacs, iBooks & Macmini. (to support 802.11 N + DDR2)

Maybe this is why they have not released they mini specs yet. Because they are already shipping with Airport 802.11 N & DDR2

Just A Thought

Nothing to base this on, just letting my imgination run wild :eek:
Click to expand...

The reason I suggest DDR2 memory is that Crucial has a sale on all of apple line (10%) Maybe it is nothing
 
I just heard on my local news station that Apple is expected to release an iPod that can play movies.
Also, the invitation had a picture of movie/theatre curtins on it. Sounds like a hint to me.
 
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