PowerBook & eMac EOL'd?

[robshakir]

Can I just pose a question here? I haven't seen an answer in this thread.

I bought a G4 Powerbook (15", 1.5GHz, 512MB 1-DIMM, 128MB Graphics, 80GB 5400rpm, backlit keyboard, Combo drive) in October. It got stolen in December ( ) and I've just had to put in the insurance claim for it, I couldn't delay it any longer. If Powerbook updates are available on Tuesday, would you think that an ordered Powerbook (say on Tuesday itself) would be upgraded to the new specification, if the model being ordered was no longer available?

Thanks,

Rob

edit: I'm not overly concerned whether I get an updated model, I just want a Powerbook again!

 

[Tthx3]

Where do you think those G5's that went to Redmond in '03 went to?

Funny. But ooops, what happened to the pallet behind there in the truck??

 

[ebunton]

I'm going to hazard a guess concerning the length of time between the powerbook revisions, and say that it's far too long between the last one... each and every day it remains un-revised it loses money for Apple.

Let's put it this way, in the automotive industry, the optimal time between model revisions is about 6 years (before sales growth of the model begin to decline). That is to say that if Mercedes Benz wanted to ensure that they are getting the best returns for their cars (eg the SL) they need to revise it every 6 years (although they can't afford to).

In the same way, I think the time between powerbook revisions in Apple is a problem. In the general industry, windows notebooks are revised absurdly quickly, and although I don't know this for a fact, I posit that the time between their revisions is far more optimal in terms of returns for the notebook company.

This leads me to think that Apple has basically a captive market where its customers can't simply jump ship and go to a competitor running Mac OS X, and that's why they can afford to strrrrrretch out the times between their updates.

Ok, enough of my ranting

 

[rockandrule]

Okay, my opinion as for the iLife update in the Powerbook is; why would Apple DOL a product when they're just adding software? I believe that Apple would send iLife '05 software with the PowerBooks, and if you were to go to the store, they'd just give you the software if that's all that this was concerning. The Mac Mini comes with iLife '04 preinstalled and with iLife '05 software on a disk. Lets hope for revisions, this iLife factor doesn't seem to make much sense to me.



...patiently waiting...

 

[shamino]

Okay, my opinion as for the iLife update in the Powerbook is; why would Apple DOL a product when they're just adding software?

As others have written, it's a matter of the accounting/inventory procedures.

Each stock configuration (meaning with no BTO options) has a separate SKU number in the catalog. Any time a stock configuration changes, no matter how minor, they change the SKU. This way, one can always look at the number on the box and know precisely what's inside. And the inventory system knows precisely what configurations are where in the pipeline.

Upgrading an existing model to the current version of iLife will require changing the SKU numbers. Other minor changes (like the brand/model of hard drive, OS revision, etc.) may also require new SKU numbers.

Orders that were placed, but not yet fulfilled, for the old SKU will either be canceled (or more likely, replaced with orders for the new SKU) when the pipeline for the old SKU runs dry.

At the same time, the order-entry system will refuse any new orders for the old SKU. Which is the definition of "EOL".

I believe that Apple would send iLife '05 software with the PowerBooks, and if you were to go to the store, they'd just give you the software if that's all that this was concerning.

They'll do that for the older SKU units that are still in the pipeline, since a recall would be far far more expensive. But at the same time, they're going to want the new units to have the software preloaded.

The Mac Mini comes with iLife '04 preinstalled and with iLife '05 software on a disk. Lets hope for revisions, this iLife factor doesn't seem to make much sense to me.

I'm sure there will be a revision to the hardware, although I'm expecting a pretty minor one. Not because of any EOL rumors, but simply because it's been a long time since the PowerBooks were last updated, and there's a new generation of G4 chips (at 1.7GHz) available.

Of course, I could be completely wrong about all this. If I actually knew, I probably wouldn't be allowed to tell.

 

[qzak]

i work for a big company with designers and our mac guy mentioned today he can't order anymore PB from the reseller bc they dont have any and that the company's rep told him there is a slight possibility of a few coming in the 22nd, but other than that theres no word on them gettin anymore in. sooo here's hopeing for tuesday!?!

 

[geoffism]

Yeah.....

Let's keep hoping.

I love the theory of the "space" reserved on the Apple harward page for the new PB.

http://www.apple.com/hardware/

Let's see, right?

 

[wisof]

Originally Posted by rockandrule
I believe that Apple would send iLife '05 software with the PowerBooks, and if you were to go to the store, they'd just give you the software if that's all that this was concerning.

They'll do that for the older SKU units that are still in the pipeline, since a recall would be far far more expensive. But at the same time, they're going to want the new units to have the software preloaded.

When I was at the Apple Store in SOHO last week, they were giving people who were buying new machines (PB included) vouchers for free iLife 05 upgrades once the software became available.

p.s. They had no MacMini, Shuffles or anything else released at the recent conference, and said they would be getting them this week.

 

[BN Evans]

New PBs & new eMacs

Come on guys! Let's be realistic and not live in a fantasy world!

1. There will be NO PowerBook G5's for some time yet! At WWDC this summer at the earliest. I suspect, possibly, not even then.

2. So, expect updated PB G4s to be announced soon (probably next week). Speedbumps of 1.5Ghz to 1.7Ghz. Probably higher VRAM. Possibly 512MB RAM as standard across the board with the exception of the PB 12". And modest price cuts. Nothing too sexy I'm afraid. But PB's are overpriced at the moment so the price drop will be welcome.

3. As for the eMac, I reckon we will see a long-overdue update next week. The eMac will NOT house a G5 processor! It will remain with a G4. Expect a modest speedbump of 1.33Ghz to 1.5Ghz. vRAM will remain at 32MB and with same card. Probably a better CRT screen, however (higher refresh rate etc.). Price to either remain the same or a modest drop.

When? I reckon next Tuesday or early in February.

 

[danvdr]

Realistically

G5--not after the "mother of all thermal challenges" statement

Dual G4--Slight possibility, but doesn't line up with the Freescale time frame.

Single G4 @ roughly 1.7--we have a winner--(+perhaps faster FSB/RAM/ Hard drive)

Personally, I'd like the dual G4--low power consumption and for most things faster than a single G5.

 

[MacSA]

The 12" Powerbook is £400 more than the 12" iBook. Pretty pricey I dont think what it has to offer is really worth that price difference right now, so a price drop would be a good idea

 

[SiliconAddict]

Single G4 @ roughly 1.7--we have a winner--(+perhaps faster FSB/RAM/ Hard drive)

I thought I'd read several discussions on the FSB issue here on macrumors that stated that the G4's FSB in its current state can't go any faster then what its currently at. Consequently a speed bump isn't going to do jack squat, or next to Jack Squat which resides Sid Bupkis, in terms of overall system performance.

People need to stop being delusional. Anything other then a new chip and a new chipset is not going to do anything for the current PowerBook line. Any speedbumps released at this point is like a paramedic giving a patient the paddles. Its a temporary solution to keep the patient alive but in the long run something more has to be done. As it stand the PowerBook line, IMHO, is on a life support and is being fed intravenously.

 

[kaneda]

G5

*sighs* People just don't get it. We've gone though 15 pages of explaining why Apple would go to a G5. Why it might not be possible, why it would be possible and then someone comes onstage with a bold statement without knowing anything about why 64-bit is and isn't important. Why does anyone even bother?

Don't underestimate engineers people @ Apple. imac is pretty thin.

 

[evilernie]

2. So, expect updated PB G4s to be announced soon (probably next week). Speedbumps of 1.5Ghz to 1.7Ghz. Probably higher VRAM. Possibly 512MB RAM as standard across the board with the exception of the PB 12". And modest price cuts. Nothing too sexy I'm afraid. But PB's are overpriced at the moment so the price drop will be welcome.

VERY welcome. Although, I'd be surprised if they drop the prices much, if at all, because then there would be no reason to get the iBook (unless they drop the prices on those as well )

 

[chaos86]

Don't underestimate engineers people @ Apple. imac is pretty thin.

its twice as thick, with about almost 17x17 inches of room compared to the powerbooks 3/4inch bottom half with around 10x14 inches of room. also the imac is vertical (hot air rises) rather than flat. so basically, imac wasnt that much harder than the powermac, but the powerbook? not easy maybe not even possible without a drastic case redesign.

 

[0098386]

so basically, imac wasnt that much harder than the powermac, but the powerbook? not easy maybe not even possible without a drastic case redesign.

possibly the cause of this delay/shortage?

 

[FosterKanig]

its twice as thick, with about almost 17x17 inches of room compared to the powerbooks 3/4inch bottom half with around 10x14 inches of room. also the imac is vertical (hot air rises) rather than flat. so basically, imac wasnt that much harder than the powermac, but the powerbook? not easy maybe not even possible without a drastic case redesign.

I hear they are going to leave off all of the vowels on the keyboard so the heat can escape.

 

[ph0rk]

I hear they are going to leave off all of the vowels on the keyboard so the heat can escape.

as long as I can keep my y key...

 

[wamadej]

new powerbook options

just read this about the new mini...

"but is also the first Macintosh to ship with support for a new breed of SuperDrive that now also supports DVD±R/RW media"

new SuperDrive in the powerbook maybe?

 

[dongmin]

I thought I'd read several discussions on the FSB issue here on macrumors that stated that the G4's FSB in its current state can't go any faster then what its currently at. Consequently a speed bump isn't going to do jack squat, or next to Jack Squat which resides Sid Bupkis, in terms of overall system performance.

The MPC7448 supports a 200mhz bus, an increase of 20%. Plus it supports 1MB of L2 cache, scales beyond 1.5 ghz, and has better power-management features than the 7447. It'll be an all-around nice boost if Apple can get these into the new PBs.

 

[noelister]

The MPC7448 supports a 200mhz bus, an increase of 20%. Plus it supports 1MB of L2 cache, scales beyond 1.5 ghz, and has better power-management features than the 7447. It'll be an all-around nice boost if Apple can get these into the new PBs.

Is this CPU ready to be used? Does it call for a redesign of the motherboard? If something like that was going to be released I would be content... atleast till the second or third revision of the powerbook G5 was released. sorry if those were dumb questions.

 

[iRobot]

Is this CPU ready to be used? Does it call for a redesign of the motherboard? If something like that was going to be released I would be content... atleast till the second or third revision of the powerbook G5 was released. sorry if those were dumb questions.

The 7448 has started sampling during this half of the year, and so could conceivably be ready for the next update from an engineering/production perspective.

Furthermore, the 7448 is pin-for-pin compatible with the 7447-series. Meaning all you have to do is drop this baby in.

If they don't put this in the powerbooks and just give us the crap speedbump then I may consider buying one of these on the side...... ::sly look::

 

[GonzoRob]

The 7448 has started sampling during this half of the year, and so could conceivably be ready for the next update from an engineering/production perspective.

Furthermore, the 7448 is pin-for-pin compatible with the 7447-series. Meaning all you have to do is drop this baby in.

If they don't put this in the powerbooks and just give us the crap speedbump then I may consider buying one of these on the side...... ::sly look::

buy 7448 chip and just slap it into and old PB ?
thats nuts .........

 

[Lacero]

Modest upgrade in CPU speeds of 0.17 Ghz after 10 months is insane. Can we expect faster PBs at WWDC? Because if not, I seriously think they should just start cutting the prices of current PBs to 2/3 current pricing.

 

[lupine]

This thread has certainly been an interesting read... it took me all day (with a few breaks for Down Periscope and other distractions to break things up a bit). There's been some interesting points, but I think I'm inclined towards a minor improvement, rather than some of the wilder guesses being made here.

I ordered a PB 17" BTO from my local (Australian) Apple reseller way back on December 22, blissfully unaware of any update rumors. It's now been a month since I ordered, and while I was prepared to wait a little while to get it, I'm now under a little pressure to start getting some work done. I imagine when I call them back next week, I may get another "yeah, probably still a few more weeks away" response. It's really killing me! As far as pricing goes, with an educational discount and favorable US-AUD rates, my system comes out reasonably close to a friend's dell with a slightly larger screen and "faster" CPU (and their accidental damage warranty was nearly enough to keep me on the ugly side for another year at least).

For what I hope to use my PB for (developing software for realtime video analysis in a hospital), I'm sure any additional performance enhancements will be beneficial, but probably not worth loosing any sleep over if they don't eventuate soon. If it's something more powerful within say the next few weeks, I'll be kicking myself, and then hoping that my machine fails spectacularly while still under Applecare.

I really am only looking for it to be comparable (or better) than my Athlon XP 2400+, which currently does the job reasonably well. From what I've read, and what others have told me, I should be able to achieve this, particularly if I can make good use of AltiVec. Then I just have to learn an entire new platform and architecture, and port my DirectX code to Quicktime -- easy!

So, in short: Apple, please stop torturing me! Either announce a new or improved product now and give me one ASAP, or give me the current model and don't announce anything for a while. I want to do something other than read rumor sites!