Powerbook 15.4" Details?

[MacRumors]

Macnews.net.tc claims to have some details of upcoming Powerbook 15.4" updates:

The 15.4" screen to be used in the machine will reduce the resolution to 1280*800 pixels. The new PB15 will have Bluetooth and AirPort Extreme and, aren't we lucky, the illuminated keyboard.

15.4 inch Powerbook rumors were spawned by this Digitimes article which indicates that Compal will be providing 15.4" screens for Apple in 2003.

Accuracy of this source is unclear.

 

[Nermal]

1280x800? That's a bit of a downgrade! (previous was 1280x864). However that appears to be in 16:10 aspect now rather than the 3:2 used by the older PowerBook, so I guess this makes sense.

 

[yzedf]

woopee

so this guy is stating what we have been saying for how long now...?

 

[Mattski]

This update has to happen. Who would buy a 15" at the moment???

 

[MrMacMan]

Screens is spelled wrong.

And why make the resolution smaller?

No real reason... Well I hope apple updates this model a little more than bluetooth and extreme...

 

[Hemingray]

I'm assuming (hoping) these new 15.4" PowerBooks will also sport the new Aluminum enclosure? Those paint flakes are bad news. I addressed that issue at one of the Apple Stores and the saleslady sort of side-stepped it.

 

[G4scott]

Hmm... I'm going to go to college in the fall of 2003, and am looking for a replacement. Although the 12" PowerBook does seem nice, and meets my needs, I think it might be better to have the 15.4"... The bigger screen would be useful, and I don't think they 'd charge much over $2000 for them... Maybe $2200 or so. It'd be a hard choice...

 

[Eric-C]

Goodie! I can't wait to switch!

 

[dabirdwell]

any confirmation on this Arn?

 

[daRAT]

So this is a screen size and networking updates. Still not bad Wonder what the cost is going to be? I could be in the market of a Apple Pbook.

 

[Mr. MacPhisto]

The 15" Powerbooks desperately need an update. They look cheap and shoddy when set next to the 12" PB in the Apple Store. The double hinge looks weak compared to the single, sturdy one on the iBook and new PBs, and the Titanium doesn't feel or look as good as the aluminum. Funny thing is, the TiBook looked amazing before Apple released the new PBs, but the new designs just blew them away. If the new 15" PBs are introduced, my guess is we'll see new iBooks by summer - maybe with a rumored colored aluminum case.

 

[fred_lj]

Whadda mean who's buying the 15" books?

I still think the 15" TiBooks are beautiful machines, especially since I just bought a used 867 TiBook. It will be my first ever G4-based machine after this Pismo I'm on now! Indeed, the AlBooks are beyond gorgeous -- but some publishing pros on the go will want to boot into OS9, something the AlBooks can't claim.

 

[iAndy]

Re: Powerbook 15.4

Originally posted by Macrumors
Macnews.net.tc claims to have some details of upcoming Powerbook 15.4" updates:...

OK call me a cynic folks, but the Macnews.net.tc item contained absolutely NOTHING that hasn't been discussed to death on this board a thousand times already. The one newsworthy thing that they might have contributed was an approximate date/guesstimate for the new release of the PB15.4, but instead they resorted to the lame title "Soonowerbooks". Great reporting Macnews.net.tc, now I know why I never bothered bookmarking your website...

 

[Zband]

not impressed

I've been waiting to upgrade my pismo 400 for a couple of cycles now but with the introduction of the Al 17' and the 12'' and the dreaded slower GeForce video cards I will be forced to pick up and older Ti with the Ati radeon in it. I think the glow in the dark keyboard is kick ass- but not worth the slower scrolling geforce cards. I am miffed as to why apple choose these cards in the newer machines.

Oh well- I suspect there wil be a rush to pick up the older Ti giga hertz models after the 15.4's get released.

 

[jholzner]

Maybe the reason they are waiting to update it is so that there is at least one powerbook that can still boot OS 9.

 

[Stelliform]

Originally posted by jholzner
Maybe the reason they are waiting to update it is so that there is at least one powerbook that can still boot OS 9.

I can't find anything on Apple's page about the AluBooks not booting 9. The Power Macs definitly do not boot 9 (Except the sole os 9 system) Does anybody know if this is true or not?

 

[john123]

No, no, no, no, no....if a new model is introduced, IT WILL NOT BOOT IN OS 9.

That's why SO MANY PEOPLE -- like me -- bought the current model.

Apple has said -- repeatedly -- that all new Macs introduced this year will boot in OS X *ONLY*.

 

[moby1]

Will the price gap be too big?

What makes me believe this rumor is the suggestion that there will be no 867. That makes sense and I was wondering if that'd be the way Apple goes.

What worries me is that combo drive model will be above 2299 and there'll be too big a gap between it and the 12".

The 2299 price point is very attractive but then I can't see the SuperDrive model above 2699. That leaves a big gap to the 3299 17".

Well, we'll see in a few weeks.


moby1

 

[ChoMomma]

I'll take a slightly newer Ti

I've been powering around on my Ti800 for awhile now happy as hell!! But... I'd be inclined to swap it out for a 1Ghz Ti with that 64MB Radeon 9000 and maybe a Superdrive hehe!!

I'm waiting till they hit the sweet point of $1800-$2200.



my .02 cents.

ps.
never had any paint flake problems and I really use my TiBook constantly... no "special" sleeve or anything like that.

 

[moby1]

It's true.

Originally posted by Stelliform


I can't find anything on Apple's page about the AluBooks not booting 9. The Power Macs definitly do not boot 9 (Except the sole os 9 system) Does anybody know if this is true or not?

I have the 12" PB. Apple's first OS X only Mac.

Bye, bye 9. We hardly knew ye.

I'm actually thinking of removing the System Folder and Applications (Mac OS 9) folders but then I'm stuck in the future.

moby1

 

[MacBandit]

Originally posted by john123
No, no, no, no, no....if a new model is introduced, IT WILL NOT BOOT IN OS 9.

That's why SO MANY PEOPLE -- like me -- bought the current model.

Apple has said -- repeatedly -- that all new Macs introduced this year will boot in OS X *ONLY*.

Actually Apple backed off on that and said that some of them would be able to boot into OS9 but the absolute cut off would be July.

 

[Glossybear]

Sooner than later

Here is why I think the new powerbook is on its way soon.

I work at University of California at Santa Cruz, and for about a month before the October 7th updates to the portable line, our campus bookstore was blowing out the 800 PB for WAY under retail.

Now they are running a special on the 1Ghz PB w/Superdrive. 2200. with 3 years of applecare.

I figure they get deals from apple when they are trying to lower stocks.

So I figure march we'll find out about the new 15 incher.

Aluminium, Bluetooth, airportX, Superdrive, and DDR are pretty much given right?

But here is my question. will we see speed bumps? Will the have a 1Ghz and 1.25Ghz option? And if so, what does that mean for the 17 inch? does it get bumped too?

And will the iBook get an update/re-design?

 

[imagick]

Re: Sooner than later

Originally posted by Glossybear
But here is my question. will we see speed bumps? Will the have a 1Ghz and 1.25Ghz option? And if so, what does that mean for the 17 inch? does it get bumped too?

I don't think there will be a speed bump - 15" AluBooks will get 1 GHz CPUs (some rumor-sites state that there wont even be a 867 version). And that is to keep the 17" things interesting.
But I think we get enough new features to help us over it. I personally am satisfied with the speed of my Ti667 but I desperately want the new casing (and the glowing keyboard )

I think the next speed increase will come with the new Motorola-G4s that most likely need less power and will go up to 1.42 or so GHz.

 

[JBracy]

Originally posted by john123
No, no, no, no, no....if a new model is introduced, IT WILL NOT BOOT IN OS 9.

That's why SO MANY PEOPLE -- like me -- bought the current model.

Apple has said -- repeatedly -- that all new Macs introduced this year will boot in OS X *ONLY*.

Actually that's not quite correct. While it is true that the new PowerMacs, and PowerBooks won't boot 9, apparently the new iMacs will.

Basically anything with a new motherboard design, will be X only. And as Steve actually mentioned in his Keynote - The new PB's are X only.

 

[stewartv]

Bad design change

I hope they don't redesign the hinge...all the cords coming out both sides is LAME!!!