Powerbook G5 Hints?

[Eastend]

I work for the largest Apple reseller in Australia, over the past 2 weeks we have received memos regarding the immediate clearance of current model PB's. This also includes firesale units.

We are also unable to order current CTO models and stock units due to "constraint issues".

I have seen this before, as have many others. Apple has subtle ways of informing channel members of new models, as it is in Apples best interests to clear all models. The delay in announcement may be attributed to an oversupply of PBs in the channel, and Apples reluctance having to offer price protection.

Next Tuesday, im sure.

I really want it to happen all of it, the G5 everything. I checked the Apple Store in Australia, it looks like a mirror image of the Japanese store, but in English instead of Japanese. There is a 5 to 7 working day wait for PowerBooks in Australia as well as Japan. Still waiting... Hoping.

Brian

 

[propropro]

I work for the largest Apple reseller in Australia, over the past 2 weeks we have received memos regarding the immediate clearance of current model PB's. This also includes firesale units.

We are also unable to order current CTO models and stock units due to "constraint issues".

I have seen this before, as have many others. Apple has subtle ways of informing channel members of new models, as it is in Apples best interests to clear all models. The delay in announcement may be attributed to an oversupply of PBs in the channel, and Apples reluctance having to offer price protection.

Next Tuesday, im sure.

What do you think as a worker of an Apple reseller: Major or minor update?

EDIT: And BTW, what's "firesale units"?

 

[AmigoMac]

I work for the largest Apple reseller in Australia, over the past 2 weeks we have received memos regarding the immediate clearance of current model PB's. This also includes firesale units.

We are also unable to order current CTO models and stock units due to "constraint issues".

I have seen this before, as have many others. Apple has subtle ways of informing channel members of new models, as it is in Apples best interests to clear all models. The delay in announcement may be attributed to an oversupply of PBs in the channel, and Apples reluctance having to offer price protection.

Next Tuesday, im sure.

if not true, you should get banned!! Dude, I'm not kidding!

 

[claughery]

http://web.archive.org/web/20040215100433/http://www.apple.com/ca/fr/displays/asd17/

from Feb. 2004: " L'Apple Studio Display nécessite un Power*Mac*G4 avec un connecteur ADC ou un PowerBook G4 avec un port DVI vers ADC Apple"

Well this clearly wasn't here a little bit ago. That HTML was altered to talk about the Powerbook G5 sometime recently.

I think this actually means something

 

[gmanrique]

what, PowerMac = PS3

The PS3 is going to have 4 cells. I would say the PowerMac should be an 8 cells beast, at least.

While this is not new info, I find this interesting:
http://www.forbes.com/technology/fe...7656165938380688.html?partner=yahoo&referrer=

This article talks about CPUs from IBM and AMD getting a 24% boost while keeping power requirements the same (or, current performance but with lower power requirements). This definitely sounds like a contender for a laptop, eMac, mini, and future iMacs.

AMD claims they will be releasing their first version of this chip in the first half of this year. IBM doesn't specify but I can't see them being very far behind, if at all, considering they worked on this jointly.

Of course, now the Cell processor sounds the most interesting. 1 cell in an iBook... 2 cells in a powerbook... 4 cells in a powermac. I can dream, can't I?

 

[dongmin]

but when??????

All these bits of evidence are nice, but we've known for a loooooooong time that Apple is working on a G5 PowerBook. They've admitted as much for the past year or two (here and here). The question has always been about when, not if. And none of these 'disclosures' reveal when.

Really not much for me to get excited about. Show me some specs (like fuel cells, carbon-fiber case, Bluetooth 2.0, wireless firewire, etc.). Show me some dates.

 

[Zaty]

Just an info from Hong Kong. Prices of PBs are dropping massively. Today the 17" is down from 21,500 to 18,000 HKD. 15" in the same ratio. Only the 12" didn't drop, but some retailers give a free airport express with it. Anything like that anywhere else too?

So keep fingers crossed for a good upgrade of the PBs. G5 Carbon?

Apple Europe dropped prices on all hardware items (except for iPods) almost four weeks ago (prices were adjusted in light of the current US$ weakness).

On the main topic of this thread. Rest assured Apple will come out with a PB G5 sooner or later. They just have to because there are so many people holding off for it. The only questions remaining are:
1. What CPU will they put into a PB "G5" (most probably not a PPC 970FX, but they could put in whatever CPU they choose, it only has to be 64bit, and call it a "G5").
2. When will they launch the PB G5. My guess would be WWDC, but there's no evidence to support a launch anytime soon.

In a nutshell, the PB G5 will come but not now. Get ready for the next PB G4 revision which will be announced within the next few days. So far all rumours point towards a speed-bumped Albook revision. However, I wouldn't completely rule out a redesigned PB G4, which would mean that the PB G5 won't materialise in 2005.

 

[Caiwyn]

Okay, now we are looking way too hard. Finding an article or a support page that says "PowerBook G5" doesn't mean anything. It is most likely a typo. Let's not go crazy and make such a big deal out of somebody mistakenly writing a 5 instead of a 4, on a "Power----".

Okay, look. It's not just that the url read "apple_g5_powerbook." It's that if you check out the Internet Archive back in May, that entire section didn't even exist.

The Powerbook line has not been updated in that time. So why was the page changed?

In fact, that section still doesn't exist on the iBook page. So somebody added this section to the page just recently, in anticipation of a new release.

Yes, it's possible that it's a typo. But considering that this section exists on the PowerMac G5 page, the iMac G5 page, and NOT on the iBook page -- especially when the iBooks were updated more recently than either of those -- it makes for a pretty hefty rumor. So everybody complaining that this is "ridiculous" and "belongs on page 2" hasn't bothered to read the original discussion that led to this rumor.

 

[Pringolian]

Okay, look. It's not just that the url read "apple_g5_powerbook." It's that if you check out the Internet Archive back in May, that entire section didn't even exist.

The Powerbook line has not been updated in that time. So why was the page changed?

In fact, that section still doesn't exist on the iBook page. So somebody added this section to the page just recently, in anticipation of a new release.

Yes, it's possible that it's a typo. But considering that this section exists on the PowerMac G5 page, the iMac G5 page, and NOT on the iBook page -- especially when the iBooks were updated more recently than either of those -- it makes for a pretty hefty rumor. So everybody complaining that this is "ridiculous" and "belongs on page 2" hasn't bothered to read the original discussion that led to this rumor.

Well said Mate, good insight to the whole debate.
Maybe the whiners will give it a rest

 

[themacman]

cant be an acident

there are way to many mistakes i say powerbook G5 very soon

 

[chiwawa2004]

There is not gonna be a Powerbook G5 until 2006 or later, damm folks...

There might me a chance that Apple will anounce! a new Powerbook with the 7448 but there arent avaible until april!

The 7448 is great, it has 1 MB Cache, needs low voltage and has 200 Mhz FSB, AND its working on the current Motherboards!

They can be deliver in second Quarter 2005 but Apple maybe! already have them,so that it is avaible in March/April!

The other possibility is that there be minor updates now, the 7448 later this year with new PB Design, but if they are going to build them now, the PB will base on this Chip for the next Update, so first Update Febuar 2006, and THEN Powerbook G5 on the Macworld!

So, Powerbooks with G5, 2006 or later...

 

[Zaty]

Okay, look. It's not just that the url read "apple_g5_powerbook." It's that if you check out the Internet Archive back in May, that entire section didn't even exist.

The Powerbook line has not been updated in that time. So why was the page changed?

In fact, that section still doesn't exist on the iBook page. So somebody added this section to the page just recently, in anticipation of a new release.

Yes, it's possible that it's a typo. But considering that this section exists on the PowerMac G5 page, the iMac G5 page, and NOT on the iBook page -- especially when the iBooks were updated more recently than either of those -- it makes for a pretty hefty rumor. So everybody complaining that this is "ridiculous" and "belongs on page 2" hasn't bothered to read the original discussion that led to this rumor.

Right, but we all know how secretive Apple is about new products, especially about the big things. So I really don't think Apple would update existing web pages early. They would rather exchange all the pages. I agree there can't be that many typos, still I don't believe we'll see a PB G5 soon. Whether I'm right or wrong, one thing's for sure, if the PB G5 isn't announced at an expo (MWSF, WWDC, Apple Expo Paris), they will announce them at a special event. As long as we don't hear anything about such an event (they have to send out invitations at least a few days in advance), there is no reason to believe the advent of the PB G5 is imminent. Also, it's been a mere three weeks since MWSF. I can hardly see Apple announcing such an important new product so soon after MWSF. I don't buy arguments such as "there were too many things to be announced at MWSF", or "they want to have an event just for the PB G5". If PB G5s were ready to be shipped anytime soon, they would have been announced at WMSF (Unless there's a really good reason Apple just couldn't do so). Just imagine what kind of press Apple would have got if they had announced Mac mini, iPod shuffle and PB G5 on the very same day. I rest my case.

 

[Zaty]

Well said Mate, good insight to the whole debate.
Maybe the whiners will give it a rest

I doubt anyone would be disappointed if Apple announced PB G5s next Tuesday. I only think one should be realistic rather than overly optimistic. Because if you are, you will only be disappointed in case they don't materialise until MWSF'06 or even WWDC'06. (I'm not saying this is going to happen, but I wouldn't rule it out, either.)

 

[kaimon]

wow my first post on macrumors

i ordered a 17" PB on december 30th from my local retailer, and the sales rep said he expected a maximum of two weeks wait (Australia has a stupid way of getting units to the west of the country, apparently). Well, after two weeks was up I gave him a call and asked what was up, said there was no progress reported, i.e. the unit hadn't left China yet. It has now been over four weeks since i placed the order. I rang again the other day and asked again, and i was told (in quiet confidence) that they'd heard word from high up that all back orders for PBs had been halted for a while - good news, apparently. He hinted at an upgrade in the works. This has all been stated in another thread i perused the other day on macrumors. So, for the moment, it looks like the minor update to 1.67GHz and 100GB on the high-end models might be true.

 

[Pringolian]

I doubt anyone would be disappointed of Apple announced PB G5s next Tuesday. I only think one should be realistic rather than overly optimistic. Because if you are, you will only be disappointed in case they don't materialise until MWSF'06 or even WWDC'06. (I'm not saying this is going to happen, but I wouldn't rule it out, either.)

Yeah, I do understand and actually agree with some parts.
But Apple have made it known that they have been working on the PBG5 since day one even though a difficult task.

2006 is too late, the G6 will be under way (late development) and the G5 marketing franchise will be slowing down. PowerBook has to arrive in 2005 otherwise it will be missing out the G5 and I cant see that one happening. It's not rocket science getting a G5 variation into portable form, no more than G4 was a head scratcher for Apple a few years back. Each new chip presents problems, this one is no different and these problems will be (or are) ironed out. They have the money and the expertise to have this machine on the market in June, which is the 'realistic' release date.

 

[Caiwyn]

Right, but we all know how secretive Apple is about new products, especially about the big things. So I really don't think Apple would update existing web pages early. They would rather exchange all the pages.

The content pages, yes. But the page has server-side includes on it. It says so in the comments. That appears to be what this entire section is. So there's no surprise at all that it could show up early.

Personally, I don't think it's a typo at all. I think somebody did throw it in early, to track the difference in traffic when the new product is announced. The question is, how early? It's feasible that someone would begin that kind of monitoring process 6 months to a year early, and that this new update is just a speedbump, and that we won't see the G5 until later this year or early next. So typo or no, it could still be irrelevant.

That's not the point. The point is that, even if it is a typo, this is substantial information from an eagle-eyed reader that does mean *something*... we just don't know *what* yet.

 

[pubwvj]

One day apple will finally have out the G5 powerbook, if they want to. I don't think the G5 offers benefits that a much less wattage freescale G4 couldn't produce.

Definitely. Processing power is no longer the issue. Any of the current crop of G4 PowerBooks and iBooks is fast enough for 99.99% of the typical users work and even 99% of the "Power Users" (like me! ).

The real issue is energy consumption and heat. We need portable computers that will run for days or even weeks at a time, sipping at the ol'juice when on battery. Much better power management is the key. Clocking down, dual lower speed processors, compartmentalized power managment, capacitance, etc are all very important.

The other thing is the skin of the machines should be all made of solar electric collectors so that just sitting in ambient light the machines are constantly charging. This might not be enough to power a machine at full raging glory, but it could trickle in all the time making a real diffence in battery life.

Then when you plug into AC the machine could run up to higher power, but still sip the juice when not in use. (hmm... catch slogan there...)

I would take dual or even quad-G4 at 1GHz over a single G5 at 4GHz any day.

 

[Zaty]

The content pages, yes. But the page has server-side includes on it. It says so in the comments. That appears to be what this entire section is. So there's no surprise at all that it could show up early.

Personally, I don't think it's a typo at all. I think somebody did throw it in early, to track the difference in traffic when the new product is announced. The question is, how early? It's feasible that someone would begin that kind of monitoring process 6 months to a year early, and that this new update is just a speedbump, and that we won't see the G5 until later this year or early next. So typo or no, it could still be irrelevant.

That's not the point. The point is that, even if it is a typo, this is substantial information from an eagle-eyed reader that does mean *something*... we just don't know *what* yet.

You might be onto something. To be honest, I've never thought about such a monitoring process, you could be right. Anyway I agree, the question is not if but when Apple will launch the PB G5.

 

[matticus008]

The 7448 is great, it has 1 MB Cache, needs low voltage and has 200 Mhz FSB, AND its working on the current Motherboards!

They can be deliver in second Quarter 2005 but Apple maybe! already have them,so that it is avaible in March/April!

The 7448 is compatible with current mainboards, but there will have to be new hardware to facilitate the 200MHz bus. New system controllers, CPU interface, and memory subsystems would all be necessary, along with a PCB print update, because the current traces probably can't do 200MHz. So, while they could upgrade with this (and it could indeed be the reason for the delay), it would need new parts, which Apple would have to buy in volume. Whether or not Apple has spared some engineers for this, taking away from the G5, is up for debate. If this is the update, then it has to be available NOW. Apple can't waste a redesign on hardware that won't ship for another 3 months, because by then it will be much too late for the 7448 introduction to do any good. I think Apple knows its best bet is to get a stable G5 out by Tiger's release at the latest.

The MPC7448 is an excellent choice for an iBook or Mac mini update, but it's not going to cut it for their PowerBook line, now that the iMac has a G5. It might be enough to string us over for a few more months (and then use the upgraded leftover hardware for the iBook/Mac mini) so the G5 can be finished. But if this update does happen, we can expect another revision before the average 8-9 months. The G5 should have filtered into their whole pro family (PowerMac, xServe, and PowerBook) before hitting the consumer iMac. Engineering problems pushed it back, but now they know that anticipation is reaching its peak and hurting sales. The next update will either be a small bump with some feature upgrades or a major revision with a G5. What it will be, and when it will come, is anyone's guess, but G5 by Tiger's release is pretty important to Apple's viability.

 

[Caiwyn]

http://web.archive.org/web/20040215100433/http://www.apple.com/ca/fr/displays/asd17/

from Feb. 2004: " L'Apple Studio Display nécessite un Power*Mac*G4 avec un connecteur ADC ou un PowerBook G4 avec un port DVI vers ADC Apple"

Well this clearly wasn't here a little bit ago. That HTML was altered to talk about the Powerbook G5 sometime recently.

I think this actually means something

Actually... I think that one *is* a typo. I can find a page from the Internet Archive from back in March, but that's as recent as it gets. The requirements listed are "PowerMac G4 with ADC or Powerbook G4 with DVI" and it was obviously updated to say "PowerMac G5." It seems likely that whoever updated that also changed it to read "Powerbook G5" by mistake. If we had a cached page somewhere that read "PowerMac G5 with ADC or Powerbook G4 with DVI," then we could be sure that this is more than that. Otherwise, I'm inclined to dismiss this one as an error.

 

[maddav]

Just a thought...

Wouldn't it be really funny if Apple was purposely inserting these little 'typos' just to get everyone's hopes up, so they can toy with them at WWDC...

Steve: We have something very special for you now, the new Powerbook... it's got a higher capacity hard-drive, faster processing power, let's have a look at the Powerbook 4.5!!!

Crowd: BOOO! *Throws rocks*

 

[oskar]

Okay, look. It's not just that the url read "apple_g5_powerbook." It's that if you check out the Internet Archive back in May, that entire section didn't even exist.

The Powerbook line has not been updated in that time. So why was the page changed?

In fact, that section still doesn't exist on the iBook page. So somebody added this section to the page just recently, in anticipation of a new release.

Yes, it's possible that it's a typo. But considering that this section exists on the PowerMac G5 page, the iMac G5 page, and NOT on the iBook page -- especially when the iBooks were updated more recently than either of those -- it makes for a pretty hefty rumor. So everybody complaining that this is "ridiculous" and "belongs on page 2" hasn't bothered to read the original discussion that led to this rumor.

What happened Caiwyn? I'm on your side... What I was saying was that I didn't believe that the "PowerBook G5" on the French page was significant.

I DO believe the html code on the US PowerBook page is something significant and that it does mean something, most likely that we will be seeing a new PowerBook in the coming weeks.
In fact, I've been trying to convice others that have probably not been following the whole thread, that the "g5" on the source code was NOT a simple typo, because:

1. A few weeks or months ago, the whole section of the code that says "AVENUE A", "apple_g5_powerbook" , etc. did not exist.

2. Wednesday night (actually it was already Thursday) someone on MacRumors that was looking at the code found a part of the html that referred to a PowerBook G5.

3. Thursday afternoon The Register published it as news, and a about a couple of hours later, the html code that unmistakenly read "apple_g5_powerbook" was changed to "apple_g4_powerbook" on Apple's website. Which means that someone in Apple was listening to either MacRumors or The Register.


So... I think the "apple_g5_powerbook" DOES mean that we are about to get a new PowerBook. On the other hand, I believe that the "g5" on the French page is nothing more than a typo.
What I was trying to say is that people are making the initial "leak" look like just a rumor, because it begins to lose credibility when compared to a mere typo.

I hope I explained myself right.

 

[Caiwyn]

The 7448 is compatible with current mainboards, but there will have to be new hardware to facilitate the 200MHz bus.

Absolutely. Though I wouldn't put it past Apple to drop the 7448 into their current design. The 200MHz bus would be wasted, but the doubled L2 cache and higher clock speed would not.

Whatever we get, I just hope a faster hard drive is involved. That's really the bottleneck for everything I want to do, and a 7200rpm option would be a very welcome addition.

 

[Caiwyn]

What happened Caiwyn? I'm on your side... What I was saying was that I didn't believe that the "PowerBook G5" on the French page was significant.

Oh, dude, I'm sorry... I totally misunderstood you. I do agree with you on that one.

 

[iRiKliAN]

Firesale units are usually ex demo models bought at auction from Apple. They are excellent value and come with 3yr warranties, ask your local resellers.

Our own Apple Australia rep on Tuesday was suprised that new PBs weren't released and hinted as to next week. I believe we will see an incremental G4 update this coming Tuesday.