PowerBook to gain iSight, iBook to go widescreen in 2006

[ZorPrime]

PSP uses UMD (universal media disk) not Bluray. Bluray devices are not yet out at least in large scale.

fair enough I stand corrected, it is technically not Blu-Ray but the video codec used and encoded on UMDs and BD are one in the same, MPEG-4/H.264. the only difference is resolution.

Blu-ray devices are available in large scale in Japan and have been for a couple of quarters now. I picked up a BD camcorder for testing on my last business trip to Kyoto.

 

[Val-kyrie]

There's lots of people in the world that don't have access to broadband yet, and won't for quite some time. Sure, drop the modem on the home systems, but don't drop it on the mobile systems, you never know when you want to get online and the only option is via a modem.

And this is why I disagree with Apple's decision to drop the modem on the iMac. I can no longer counsel my parents confidently to buy an iMac when the only internet access available to them is via modem. Why should they have to pay extra just to buy a component that should come with their computer? How neat and tidy is a USB dongle? Be honest. Dumbest thing I've seen Apple do recently; or perhaps tied with removing Firewire from the Nano and iPod.

 

[ZorPrime]

Yup...

HD-DVD is a dead end. Virtually every manufacturer in existence is producing Blu-Ray drives. Panasonic (Apple's favorite OEM supplier for their drives) has a slot-loading Blu-Ray model that handles all other recordable CD and DVD media including DL support.

That's right... I remember reading about that drive. It would be awsome if Apple put one of those babies in their next PB... maybe they should call it a HyperDrive or something like that.

 

[LaMerVipere]

I feel the same way. Also, I don't like the idea of some stationary camera that's one step/hack away from being controlled remotely staring at me... would if iTunes 8 or something detects pirated songs or software... is it going to snap a picture and then send it to the authorities? it's a little too Orwellian for me. (sips his eighth cup of coffee)

Agreed.

 

[Val-kyrie]

Beginning in January

thats what ive been wondering about. I know they support Blue-Ray and Blue-Ray is coming out via PS3 during springish so when are the players gonna come out too? hhmmm

Dell is supposed to start shipping Blu-Ray drives in their PCs beginning in January.

 

[dansgil]

If Apple is going to release a PB with iSight, they should offer the Powerbook with or without cameras as standard models, not BTO.

Also, it would be great if Apple introduced Blu-Ray drives in the PB's, at least Blu-Ray readers, I don't expect burners.

Originally Posted by Val-kyrie
Dell is supposed to start shipping Blu-Ray drives in their PCs beginning in January.

Where did you hear Dell is shipping PC's with Blu-ray in January?

 

[SiliconAddict]

Agreed. I really <i><b>DON'T</b></i> want to be seeing "Intel Inside" stickers, or any others, on my machine. But I highly doubt Jobs would ever allow that. You can apply all the stickers you want after you get it but I will bet good money that it will come clean.

Just take the bloody sticker off. Its not like its laser etched onto the system. One of the first things I did when I got my ThinkPad was remove the Windows and Intel stickers. No big deal.

 

[~Shard~]

Where did you hear Dell is shipping PC's with Blu-ray in January?

Blu Ray burners begin shipping to many manufacturers later this month, actually.

 

[hulugu]

They'll likely have a similar clock speed (if not the same) but there's much more to a computer's speed than simply the CPU.

I agree.

At least with the move to Intel we can put most of these discussions to rest, I'm tired to having to argue about the differences between PPC and x86. Of course, on further thought it will be just as bad as there are differences between AMD and Intel.

People need to remember that a computer is a tool and just because you have a .2ghz difference between one machine and another doesn't mean you're going to get more done.

 

[hulugu]

Just take the bloody sticker off. Its not like its laser etched onto the system. One of the first things I did when I got my ThinkPad was remove the Windows and Intel stickers. No big deal.

Powerbooks have those large protector stickers across the back as well, I just carefully peel it away. Frankly, I've never understood why many Windows users still have the Intel-inside and Windows stickers still on their machines after a few days.

And another thing...

And this is why I disagree with Apple's decision to drop the modem on the iMac. I can no longer counsel my parents confidently to buy an iMac when the only internet access available to them is via modem. Why should they have to pay extra just to buy a component that should come with their computer? How neat and tidy is a USB dongle? Be honest. Dumbest thing I've seen Apple do recently; or perhaps tied with removing Firewire from the Nano and iPod.

I can see that the modem is on its way out and that it will seem a quaint addition, but right now I don't think it's quite there. Really the modem should be an option, but buying a $19 dongle isn't that big of a deal. Removing firewire on the other hand is just brain-damaged.

 

[mzlin]

Firewire is here to stay

This point may have been made already -- I wasn't about to read 11 pages of posts to check -- but Firewire will be staying for sure. There are many reasons, but one that guarantees that Apple will never get rid of it is that Firewire allows you to use your computer as an external hard drive. Not only is this very useful in allowing you to transfer files from one computer to another or recover files from a system that won't boot (although this hasn't happened to me yet), but it is of course an absolute requirement for Apple's Setup Assistant to transfer your settings from a previous computer after a clean installation, as of Tiger.

Of course the fact that Firewire ports supply more power, e.g. enough to run an external 3.5in hard drive off bus power (see Wiebetech), is very useful to many users, and is an advantage I am sure Apple is very fond of as well.

So I think we can stop wasting time and getting worked up over the non-possibility of Firewire going away.

 

[EricNau]

Isn't USB 2.0 faster than firewire now?

Based on what Apple & Intel say, USB 2.0 should be faster than Firewire, however, all tests I've seen say Firewire is faster.
Intel claims USB 2.0 can go at 480 mb/s
Apple claims Firewire 400 can go at 400 mb/s (800 mb/s for Forewire 800)

Here's a good site that answers the question

 

[EricNau]

I do too. And I don't like Google. While for a while they were making the best of the best (Google Earth, Google Search, GMail), now they're products are all second-rte (Desktop, Talk).

Google didn't "make" Google Earth, they bought it, it used to be called "Keyhole."
You might like this thread I started a while back

 

[kanaka]

While for a while they were making the best of the best (Google Earth, Google Search, GMail), now they're products are all second-rte (Desktop, Talk).

Off Topic: I'm not even sure Google deserves too much credit for Google Earth. My understanding is that they bought out a satellite imaging company called Keyhole in Oct. 2004. Keyhole's software already had most/all of the features we see today in "Google Earth".

Edit: Darn you EricNau! You beat me by a full 11 minutes. I really need to stop going to the kitchen for a snack while I'm in the middle of writing a post.

 

[iEdd]

Edit: Darn you EricNau! You beat me by a full 11 minutes. I really need to stop going to the kitchen for a snack while I'm in the middle of writing a post.

lol. That happens to me, I open heaps of threads in tabs and I post something without refreshing first.

 

[mattster16]

built in webcam

The Sony Vaio FJ series laptops have a built in webcam. I'd expect Apple to do something similar to this. (Hopefully with less of a border around the lcd though.)

Sorry if somebody already mentioned this..

 

[EricNau]

Edit: Darn you EricNau! You beat me by a full 11 minutes. I really need to stop going to the kitchen for a snack while I'm in the middle of writing a post.

I may have beat you, but you had dates.

 

[Superdrive]

With a new form factor...

How about we make use of some new materials? The one downfall of the PowerBook, IMHO, is the aluminum. For a portable, this thing should be stronger than the old pop cans it is made from. In either book, I wouldn't mind seeing something lighter and more durable coming into play.

With that said, I am going to be a Rev. A tester for everyone on here. Depending on what we see first, the iBook could be the first mac I buy in 06. I'll mark my words in case I have to refer to this post in the spring time, "It can't be that bad."

 

[aswitcher]

How about we make use of some new materials? The one downfall of the PowerBook, IMHO, is the aluminum. For a portable, this thing should be stronger than the old pop cans it is made from. In either book, I wouldn't mind seeing something lighter and more durable coming into play.

Yeah, I would be happy with something else if its better in durability, feel and look than brushed metal.

 

[FFTT]

And this is why I disagree with Apple's decision to drop the modem on the iMac. I can no longer counsel my parents confidently to buy an iMac when the only internet access available to them is via modem. Why should they have to pay extra just to buy a component that should come with their computer? How neat and tidy is a USB dongle? Be honest. Dumbest thing I've seen Apple do recently; or perhaps tied with removing Firewire from the Nano and iPod.

Apple is absolutely right using an external dial-up modem for those
who still require one.
You really run the risk of taking out your motherboard when a modem
is attached to or part of your main board.

I've had lengthy conversations with Global Village, Verizon and Belkin after
losing 7 "surge protected" modems over the past years to voltage in the phone lines.

I was told by the Verizon area supervisor that when a surge hits the phone
lines, it travels so fast that most surge protectors simpy can't react fast enough to catch it.

Add to this the hassle and expense of replacing an internal modem in
a mini or and iMac and it makes perfect sense to use an in-line modem
like the one they offer now.

 

[Will_reed]

it's not just alluminum off a coke can this is the stuff they use in airplanes. apple choose it because it's durable light and good lookin.

 

[iEdd]

it's not just alluminum off a coke can this is the stuff they use in airplanes. apple choose it because it's durable light and good lookin.

Exactly. And heat dissapating (sp.). It's not as strong as steel, but it's much lighter, and not much weaker. Titanium is about the same weight, but stronger. I don't think apple ever had real titanium for powerbooks, but if they did it wouldn't have been a really great grade due to the cost.
Dad's an orthodontist and he upgraded from stainless steel to titanium handpieces which made the price 2-4x more expensive.
As for the external modem, I don't mind as I use broadband. I do however, want apple to keep the internal modems in laptops, as I use dialup when mobile.

 

[Mitch1984]

Ok, this comment is just ignorant. "Should be"? What if people don't have access to broadband because there is no service in their area? I live in the countryside and I don't have any possible access; my brother lives in the city and he doesn't have any possible access either. The companies refuse to pay to run high-speed infrastructure to where he lives--and no, he doesn't live in the slums.

Fair enough, but it is annoying that things can't move forward because people are still stuck on dial up. I'm not saying this is always the consumers fault.
I don't know what it's like from where you from but here it's not that much dearer to get broadband (if it's available in your area).
Apple are helping people to move on and get broadband for those who can, for those who can't they are offering an external modem.
Peep the Apple Store and select iMac.

Nor will it be for quite some time. BTW, this is also very contradictory. If you acknowledge that "digital distribution isn't everywhere yet" how can you also say that if people aren't using broadband, "they should be" ???

Well maybe, but untill syncing, streaming your data & media to work/car/house seamlessly. The optical drive is here to stay.

 

[Mitch1984]

Based on what Apple & Intel say, USB 2.0 should be faster than Firewire, however, all tests I've seen say Firewire is faster.
Intel claims USB 2.0 can go at 480 mb/s
Apple claims Firewire 400 can go at 400 mb/s (800 mb/s for Forewire 800)

Here's a good site that answers the question

800 mb/s that IS fast!!!

 

[bbyrdhouse]

Todays PowerBooks are WEAK.

Apple need something to boost their laptops.. so what if the Pro software isn't ready... iBooks and especially PowerBooks needs catching up with the competition - reality - they are SLOW. Only fan boys and the clueless would deny this.

I hope this rumour is true...

I agree with you that the portable line does need attention, but I work with Adobe Photoshop CS2, Illustrator CS2, Office, GoLive , Handbrake (for encoding) etc... and I use a Powerbook and a Powermac G5 D2.7. While my co-workers uses Dell laptops. (P4 2.8 Ghtz, and PM1.4 Ghtz) and in all of these apps my Powerbook is faster and crashes or hangs up (spinning beach ball vs rotating hour glass) far less.

The areas where my Powerbook lags behind are:
1. Battery life (3.5 hours tops, usually 2.5)
2. Cooling (It gets very hot)

The G5 Powermac actually only beats the Powerbook at certain apps and only in certain functions.
Ex. Encoding in Handbrake G5 faster at encoding to MP4, but about the same as the Powerbook at encoding to H.264

Encoding in Quicktime 7.0.3 to Ipod video = about the same

Photoshop = G5 wins here, but only in applying alot of filters and styles.

Keynote is the same on both G5 and Powerbook

Pages is the same on both

GoLive is the same

I just don't see where all of the "Intelbooks blow away Powerbooks" come from.

I have and use both.

I have a 2.8 Ghtz P4 Dell with 128 vidram, 2 Gb Ram and it runs noticably slower than my Powerbook.

Call me what you will but I was a Windows user for many years, even Win95 and 98 certified, but the Macs are a much more stable and reliable machine, and those things do count in the consideration of speed because they take/save time depending on if you are a win useer or mac user.