joemama said:
That is really sweet.
Updates are coming ! But still these prices are great. For $1900 you get the 1.6GHz G5 with 17" screen. Even an updated iMac will cost around that. And is not upgradeable
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That is really sweet.
Updates are coming ! But still these prices are great. For $1900 you get the 1.6GHz G5 with 17" screen. Even an updated iMac will cost around that. And is not upgradeable
joemama said:
Updates on the 30th seem more and more likely...
The last week in March is when Apple Insider said is the earliest that we can expect powermac updates.
now your on to something
Now your on to something. I think Apple is just trying to boost the 1st quarter sales.
P.S. not trying to be a pessimest, just a realist (an Apple realist that is).
klaus said:
Now your on to something. I think Apple is just trying to boost the 1st quarter sales.
P.S. not trying to be a pessimest, just a realist (an Apple realist that is).
I'm not so concerned about the Powermacs. Atleast they are still somewhat competitive with the current crop of desktop PC's. Whats the deal with the Powerbooks and iMac. The new 90nm G5 can actually reduce processor speed down to about 2 mhz (no thats not a typo). It can vary its speed thousands of times per second and, according to IBM themselves, is perfect for desktop and laptop computers. Almost everyone is of the belief that putting these processors in an iMac at least would be very easy. I really dont know what these guys at Apple are smoking these days. I really do believe that these delays are being caused primarily due to poor Apple enginneering. A 1.8 Ghz powerbook, if released at the end of this year, will be a joke (albeit less of a joke than the current iMac and Powerbook).
I mean, if this is what Apple is going to put out with the backing of a company like IBM then god help them. We all had a good time bashing Motorolla when they couldn't get fast enough G4's out the door. Well, Apple doesn't seem to be doing much better. I mean, its been a year since they updated the Powermac. This is practically unthinkable when IBM is producing faster processors in large quantities. They are building up production to a level where they will soon be supplying the entire console industry with G5's so I don't think its a production problem on their end. Oh well, if things keep going like this a $200 Xbox 2 will be faster then a top of the line G5.
I am actually starting to get the feeling that they may be looking to de-emphasize on the Mac. There are rumors of some new Apple super gizmo. Maybe they want to concentrate more on high end handhelds (ie. iPod Smartphone) and phase the Mac out over the next four or five years. This is the only instance in which I can see the current approach making sense. It might not even be such a bad idea since more and more developers are dropping Apple. Their international market share is less the 2 percent. Once its below 1 percent, the Mac will anyway be dead for all practical purposes. Perhaps they realize that the only way to stay in the game is to start shifting their business focus.
I mean, if this is what Apple is going to put out with the backing of a company like IBM then god help them. We all had a good time bashing Motorolla when they couldn't get fast enough G4's out the door. Well, Apple doesn't seem to be doing much better. I mean, its been a year since they updated the Powermac. This is practically unthinkable when IBM is producing faster processors in large quantities. They are building up production to a level where they will soon be supplying the entire console industry with G5's so I don't think its a production problem on their end. Oh well, if things keep going like this a $200 Xbox 2 will be faster then a top of the line G5.
I am actually starting to get the feeling that they may be looking to de-emphasize on the Mac. There are rumors of some new Apple super gizmo. Maybe they want to concentrate more on high end handhelds (ie. iPod Smartphone) and phase the Mac out over the next four or five years. This is the only instance in which I can see the current approach making sense. It might not even be such a bad idea since more and more developers are dropping Apple. Their international market share is less the 2 percent. Once its below 1 percent, the Mac will anyway be dead for all practical purposes. Perhaps they realize that the only way to stay in the game is to start shifting their business focus.
Ok, I am semi-mac newb (started using apples as my first computers, IIe->MacPlus->Classic) and am just now starting to get a feel for the mac world, but here is my prediction...
No SIGNIFICANT PowerMac upgrades are coming soon. Seems like they are just getting enough of the new G5 cores to start shipped limited quantities in XServes; I am unsure that they will be able to deliver enough for PMs. I am thinking that there will be a price drop, and maybe the single CPU system will go to a 1.8ghz. I would be VERY suprised if they improved the top model, but if they do it wil be small, like 2.15 or something like that. This will be soon, next few weeks/a month tops.
iMacs/eMacs will get a little spec bump coupled with a small price drop. I'm thikning 1ghz will go to 1.25, 1.25's will goto 1.33, add some more RAM to some of them, a slightly improved video card (GF4MX in eMacs? maybe some more VRAM in the iMacs?). I am guessing this will be shortly after the PM upgrades.
PowerBooks will get a nice bump, but no G5's. I predict 1.25ghz in the 12" SuperDrive line, 1.25 in the Combo 15", 1.33 in the Super 15", and a new 1.42 in the 17". 512MB RAM will become standard in the Combo 15", HD's wont change, except they will add a 120GB 5400rpm option on the top end. Video cards will get some chages, likely in the top two models we will see the 128MB version of the 9600. Not sure if they will put it into the Combo 15". This will be soon, I am eyeing the 30th. Significant price drops will come with.
iBooks will see some small improvements shortly after the PowerBooks, maybe the same day, but more likely a few weeks later. It'll be a simple CPU swap. the 12" will get a 933mhz, the 933mhz 14" will get a 1ghz, and the 1ghz will get a bump up to 1.25ghz to match the lowend PowerBooks. RAM will be added. I am hoping that it will be in the form of 256MB on the motherboard, for a new 768 max ram configuration. HD's will get bigger, I think 40/60/80. Not sure if the 9200 has 64MB version, but look for it in the 14" models if there is. If not, I have a feeling that there will be a video syste, shoft for the 14" but not the 12'. Something with 64mb of vram. I also think a small price drop will accompany.
This, to me, falls in line with everything. It will give a nice 7-8 month window for G5 powerbooks, and keep the ibooks relative performance/rpice wise. The PowerMacs won't hit 3ghz this year, from what I can tell. I bet they will announce it in December, but they won't ship 'till late 1Q 2005. This will fall in nicely, as there will be a big bump in speed later this year as shipments of the new G5 core increase, and then about 6 months later the big leap to 3ghz. It probably wont be till then that we see some 1.6-1.8ghz G5s in the powerbooks, and the iBook like will get the fastest G4s they can still dig up.
So there it is. If I am right than you all we me a beer.
Rob
No SIGNIFICANT PowerMac upgrades are coming soon. Seems like they are just getting enough of the new G5 cores to start shipped limited quantities in XServes; I am unsure that they will be able to deliver enough for PMs. I am thinking that there will be a price drop, and maybe the single CPU system will go to a 1.8ghz. I would be VERY suprised if they improved the top model, but if they do it wil be small, like 2.15 or something like that. This will be soon, next few weeks/a month tops.
iMacs/eMacs will get a little spec bump coupled with a small price drop. I'm thikning 1ghz will go to 1.25, 1.25's will goto 1.33, add some more RAM to some of them, a slightly improved video card (GF4MX in eMacs? maybe some more VRAM in the iMacs?). I am guessing this will be shortly after the PM upgrades.
PowerBooks will get a nice bump, but no G5's. I predict 1.25ghz in the 12" SuperDrive line, 1.25 in the Combo 15", 1.33 in the Super 15", and a new 1.42 in the 17". 512MB RAM will become standard in the Combo 15", HD's wont change, except they will add a 120GB 5400rpm option on the top end. Video cards will get some chages, likely in the top two models we will see the 128MB version of the 9600. Not sure if they will put it into the Combo 15". This will be soon, I am eyeing the 30th. Significant price drops will come with.
iBooks will see some small improvements shortly after the PowerBooks, maybe the same day, but more likely a few weeks later. It'll be a simple CPU swap. the 12" will get a 933mhz, the 933mhz 14" will get a 1ghz, and the 1ghz will get a bump up to 1.25ghz to match the lowend PowerBooks. RAM will be added. I am hoping that it will be in the form of 256MB on the motherboard, for a new 768 max ram configuration. HD's will get bigger, I think 40/60/80. Not sure if the 9200 has 64MB version, but look for it in the 14" models if there is. If not, I have a feeling that there will be a video syste, shoft for the 14" but not the 12'. Something with 64mb of vram. I also think a small price drop will accompany.
This, to me, falls in line with everything. It will give a nice 7-8 month window for G5 powerbooks, and keep the ibooks relative performance/rpice wise. The PowerMacs won't hit 3ghz this year, from what I can tell. I bet they will announce it in December, but they won't ship 'till late 1Q 2005. This will fall in nicely, as there will be a big bump in speed later this year as shipments of the new G5 core increase, and then about 6 months later the big leap to 3ghz. It probably wont be till then that we see some 1.6-1.8ghz G5s in the powerbooks, and the iBook like will get the fastest G4s they can still dig up.
So there it is. If I am right than you all we me a beer.
Rob
jsw said:
It's quite a bit faster. The drives are something like $215 for the 73GB but they're worth it. It's _really_ noticable.
Like the previous poster mentioned, I think putting one of these as your system drive is a great idea. The only drawback is they are on the smallish size (and of course pricey).
MCCFR said:
Wouldn't it be funny if there is no set day for the announcement, it'll just be whenever enough of the old stock has been sold? Wouldn't it be funny if the rumors community was slowing down sales, and thus being the cause of the delay in new products? That'd be hilarious!
So, we've got to tell people how now is the opportune moment to be a new computer. That it doesn't matter how good the new machines will be, but that they'll save money on the discounts
Oh course we ourselves will still hold out for the new stuff...
You know someone's right when another say he is FUDing...
Too scared to accept the truth eh? Maybe he can tell "the future" and you cannot.
the future said:All hail the FUDmeister...
Too scared to accept the truth eh? Maybe he can tell "the future" and you cannot.
mrgreen4242 said:
I have to say that, even if what you write turns out to be completely wrong, it has a definite feel of "correct" to it.
Very nice predictions.
It all makes sense to me... THAT'S why it was "hurry, hurry!" on my purchase of 630K of Macs. But I never chase upgrades, it's fruitless. I can't wait a month for a 20% speed bump or a new fancy display. The current stuff works great. I will be pissed, though, if the 100 eMacs part of the order will come in G5, but I doubt they will.
Les Kern said:
Are these all eMacs for an educational order? Company order? Thats very cool.
I think most people, like myself, just want to get the most bang for the buck at the time of purchase. For those who got the G5's back in October, they've fully enjoyed being on top of the Mac food chain for many months. But someone who is about to make a personal purchase and is not pressed for time, waiting can give them higher specs (which yield longer life of the product) at similar or even lower prices. That's what makes so many wait. Now if you worry about EVERY update that comes out, or you try to stay on top of the tech industry, you need to either be VERY wealthy or have a very nice company paying for your habits!
But if you need machine NOW to get work done. Get one. Waiting for the next thing WILL NOT pay the bills.
Well, I am really hoping for a significant price drop on the PowerBooks, personally. They need to go down in price by about 15%, as well as add in some additional ram as standard equipment to be at all competative with the PC side of the world.
Ya ya, higher quality, get what yo upay for, etc etc, but fact of the matter is that peoples wallets are making the choices more often than not, and even the PB's are definately behind in the speed area, so price is where they gotta make up for it. (Not that at 15% less they'd be cheaper than most PC laptops, but they'd be in line for what you are getting).
Ya ya, higher quality, get what yo upay for, etc etc, but fact of the matter is that peoples wallets are making the choices more often than not, and even the PB's are definately behind in the speed area, so price is where they gotta make up for it. (Not that at 15% less they'd be cheaper than most PC laptops, but they'd be in line for what you are getting).
mrgreen4242 said:
I think they will jump straight to 3Ghz if we wait more than a couple of months, or to whatever proves to be the best they can squeeze out of the chip. I really think Apple need to get to 3Ghz as promised, and I think they will and that's why Intel (or was it AMD) just changed the way they are going to classify chip performance (going away from Ghz) because Apple would have overtaken then within 2005...
I think eMacs will get the new G4
I think iMacs will jump to G5 with a new form factor and likely some surprises to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the (affordable) Mac...
I think G5s...I think that's why we are waiting. If they do G4 I expect to see G5's within 3 months, and I think G4PB sales would suffer badly as everyone continues to hold off for the real deal. iBooks are so close behind the PBs as they are, a minor tweak to performance and specs won't do much for sales...
G5PB will have 512 minumum ram yes.
Absolutely graphics card will be a boost or an option.
I think iBooks will also get the new G4s, so better specs than this. I think they will be delayed until the PBs have gone G5 (maybe simultanous release) so that they don't continue to steal sales. I wonder if they will get better screens with the 14" getting better resolution. Better base ram yep.
Ok, I am more optomistic (also read blinded by desire for my switch to a G5PB) than you...time will tell.
aswitcher said:
I was feeling that same optomism, but squashed it down deeeep inside. I am a switcher-to-be (well, a switcher backer, so to speak... was a mac user till around OS7). I'm going to get a Mac laptop in June... I would love for it to be a G5 PB, but I'm not holding my breath. But, I know, realistically, that even if Apple launched a new G5 PB tomarrow, I won't be able to afford one. I nicely equipped 15" 1.6ghz G5 PB is gonna be in the $2200-2500 range, which is significantly more than I am prepared to spend.
Given my choices now I am debating over a 14" 933mhz iBook, or a 1ghz PBook... The price drop in the refurbed Pbooks has dropped the difference down to $400, and you get a whole lot of computer for that extra $400... If they make a nice little bump in the G4's coupled with a price cut before launching G5's later in the year then either a) I can get a new middle of the road PBook for just a bit over my budget, or b) get a used/refurb old model 1ghz pbook for even less than they are now. Hopefully it will be a win/win for me
.Rob (who wants.. no needs... a 1.25ghz 15" pbook with 768mb's for less than $1600 in June! It doesn't even need the superdrive!)
mrgreen4242 said:
I think Apple will need to keep it at the same price point...they are already pricey machines, to punch to price higher is going to hamper sales. Other people have shown that over the years they try and stick to the price point...so that's my hope, else I will probably have to rethink switching. I love OSX and Applehardware is so slick, but if they push the price up, I could save a bundle by staying in the MS world...maybe Toshiba or Sony for a compromised cool look laptop...
They should at least bundle OEM the new Office to try and get switchers in as well...
Given my choices now I am debating over a 14" 933mhz iBook, or a 1ghz PBook... The price drop in the refurbed Pbooks has dropped the difference down to $400, and you get a whole lot of computer for that extra $400... If they make a nice little bump in the G4's coupled with a price cut before launching G5's later in the year then either a) I can get a new middle of the road PBook for just a bit over my budget, or b) get a used/refurb old model 1ghz pbook for even less than they are now. Hopefully it will be a win/win for me
Rob (who wants.. no needs... a 1.25ghz 15" pbook with 768mb's for less than $1600 in June! It doesn't even need the superdrive!)
I very much doubt the iBooks will get bumped before the PBs...already the iBooks are right behind the PBs, a bump could push them past with that new G4 chip tech...
If you hang out for G5PB then of course G4s should fall...and new iBooks might appear at the same time offering more power (and maybe a new mini ipod surface texture look
aswitcher said:If you hang out for G5PB then of course G4s should fall...and new iBooks might appear at the same time offering more power (and maybe a new mini ipod surface texture look
Well, I'm going to buy in the early/mid June time frame, one way or he other... I will probably just pick a budget and get the most machine I can at that time. Which is, of course, how I buy all my computers. That said, the way it looks, the 15" aghz PB should definately be within my means by then, and hopefully, the 1.25ghz or something better will be as well.
I agree, btw, that there is no way the iBook will get updated before the PB. In fact, I may revise my earlier predictions and say that unless the PB gets a G5 the iBooks may get nothing at all!
mrgreen4242 said:
Don't forget the illuminated keyboard option.
Try and get a 512 ram stick ontop of the base ram...Panther will purr all the more.
I'm not really a fan of the illuminated keyb. Seems like a gimmick that Apple uses to justify the $300 or so extra dollars between the 1ghz and 1.25ghz models (when equipped similarly).aswitcher said:
I'll of course be adding my own RAM, I can't believe Apple has like a 60% markup on memory!
mrgreen4242 said:
Well the clock speed and illum keyboard may not be worth it...but its still cool...
apple refurb store uk---open!
why do people think this is open again, trying to get old units out in time for next tuesday? its been open now tues/ wed/ fri this week.
would they sell old models with nothing wrong with them at all through the refurb store? surely not?
the illuminated keyboard is a welcome addition!
why do people think this is open again, trying to get old units out in time for next tuesday? its been open now tues/ wed/ fri this week.
would they sell old models with nothing wrong with them at all through the refurb store? surely not?
the illuminated keyboard is a welcome addition!