PowerBook Updates Imminent?

[Jestered]

Well we all know what 2 cents will get you today...

As pointed out on these forums the technology to make an update HAS BEEN HERE for quite some time. What is the problem then we ask. It seems as though the focus has been off the powerbook line for close to a year now while ipods, ibooks, imacs and others have received their focus. The power users do not think anything so silly as a conspiracy is behind the delay. Rather someone has dropped the ball. If Apple would release the numbers of their portable sales between powerbooks and ibooks, I think the numbers would show, the powerbook sales have fallen dramatically. WE ARE NOT willing to blindly purchase a powerbook that so desperately needs an update. At this point ANYONE purchasing a powerbook is certainly making a foolish purchasing decision. It would be like purchasing a 2005 automobile at full price at the end of the season. Desperate and foolish.

So, as many blind supporters are so aptly willing to do, let me throw out a cliche as well. Get over it.

You are talking about technology that could be put in today... you know that Apple does not (most the time) do that. Everyone keeps talking about what Apple could do with the Powerbooks, but what happens if next week Apple announces a new Powerbook that blows that away? What happens if it is a redesign and blows everyone out of the water? What happens if that is the case and that is why it is taking longer? I don't know and I don't think anyone on this board does, but I would rather wait a little longer and get something new and exciting than for Apple to roll out a slightly updated box because there are a few people considering going to Sony (ughhh, go ahead). If all that would make you happy is the upgrades you said, then fine, that is great for you, I would rather wait for something new. And yes, that is assuming that something new is coming, but aren't you assuming that all it is is these simple updates? No one knows what is coming and why exactly it is taking so long. If Apple were to announce updates that you described, which would make you happy, and then a month later come out with something new and different, then you would be calling Apple pissed because they just sold you a computer that is now outdated and does not have all the cool stuff.

I don't think they are not releasing these easy updates because they are busy with iPods and iMacs. I think something bigger is coming and they are having problems with it up to this point (for whatever reason). But then again, who knows.

As far as people being dumb or whatever for buying a new powerbook now or last week or whenever... Is it dumb because you think so? I just bought the top of the line 15 inch and am loving it (while you are complaining about having your same old PB). It does everything I want it to and more. If it was not enough for what I need, then yes it would be dumb to have made the purchase, but just because you would not buy one now does not mean than anyone who does is dumb or buying blindly.

Believe me, I am on your side. I want new PBs. I want to sell mine when they come out and get one. I can't wait and it has been long enough, but I also don't know exactly what they are planning and why it is taking so long. I can tell you that Apple did not get where they are today by practicing bad business. Apple did not get where they are today by disregarding a product line as big as the PB line. Something big is probably coming and they are having some issues for whatever reason. When it is announced, I am sure that everyone will be all over Apple and stop all the bashing. I am sure it will all make sense once it happens.

I guess we will see. Hopefully next week.

 

[bryanc]

You are talking about technology that could be put in today... you know that Apple does not (most the time) do that. Everyone keeps talking about what Apple could do with the Powerbooks, but what happens if next week Apple announces a new Powerbook that blows that away?

... if that is the case and that is why it is taking longer

If Apple announces a G5 powerbook or even some more reasonable, but significant upgrade to the powerbook (like a dual core G4, or even a mother board re-design that supports PCIe) then yes, the delays will be explained and all will be forgiven.

However, I'll bet dollars-to-donuts that the next PB will be a modest speed bump (30 MHz to 1.7 GHz most likely) resulting from the drop-in of, now 6-month-old Freescale CPUs, possibly with GPU and monitor upgrades. These updates will likely be made without fanfare - just a press-release and an updated page on the Apple store.

The sad thing is, after waiting so long, I'll take such a modest crumb-of-an-update, and smile. Like the bad-old-days of Motorola, Apple customers have to be happy with the most meagre improvements in CPUs, while the PC folks have GHz to burn.

I really hope that, with the switch to Intel, we'll finally have hardware parity with the PCs.

Cheers

 

[Nereus]

I truly hope that we'll see PowerBook updates next week. Like everybody else I'm getting tired about the "waiting game", but it's a balance between how much you need it and how much you want it and currently my old PC will suffice for my needs. You have probably already read this but I quote it anyway. From ThinkSecret:

With the iMac G5 now sporting DDR2 memory and PCI Express functionality, rumored updates to the PowerBook and Power Mac lines will likely roll out in the very near future, probably within a week. Stay tuned...

And from MacOSXRumors:

One of the sources gave us good reason to believe this information is true by pointing out that on Saturday 9 (yes, Saturday), Apple had a meeting related to the October 12th announcements, with staff involved in Apple’s retail division. Attendees have also been informed that there is another meeting planed for Saturday the 15th.

Hopefully a meeting about the introduction of a new PB! Hope is the left that will leave me

 

[vidbuff]

7448 sampling not the same as mass production

I also have no doubt that Apple could almost effortlessly improve the PBs by swapping antiquated components (CPU, GPU, monitor, etc.) for better ones that have been available for months, if not years! The Freescale 7448 is a pin-for-pin compatible drop in replacement for the 7447/A that is in the current powerbooks, which is significantly faster, supports a 30% faster front side bus, and uses less power. The 7448 has been available since Febuary!
Cheers

That's not really true. Only limited quantity SAMPLES of the 7448 have been available since February. Actual PRODUCTION volumes were scheduled for October. Both of these dates were listed in a Freescale PDF linked earlier in this thread.

I also just Googled for "7448 availability" and found this brand new 7448 Errata sheet. Note that it's the initial version of the doc and it was created on 9/26/2005. So Freescale seems to be just on the verge of making the 7448 available.
http://www.freescale.com/files/32bit/doc/errata/MPC7448CE.pdf

So don't beat up Apple for not using a chip that isn't available yet.

I'm hoping the October will be our lucky month for new PowerBooks.

 

[slick316]

I think its reasonable to say that there probably won't be a significant upgrade to the Powerbook line soon (or the Powermac's).
I mean, they hold a big, invite only event this week to introduce a new iPod, an upgraded iMac, iTunes 6 and new media remote and media app, but make no mention of a PB/PM update. Why on earth would they do something as big as introduce a PB/PM with significant upgrades next week (Intel/G5/PCIe). I for one think, if there even is an update, that the PB's will probably get small cpu bumps, maybe DL burners, and possibly price drops (same goes for the PM).
I think that the Pro line products just need a small price drop ($200 across the line?) to stay competitive. It should tide them over to when they switch over to Intel.

 

[Nereus]

I mean, they hold a big, invite only event this week to introduce a new iPod, an upgraded iMac, iTunes 6 and new media remote and media app, but make no mention of a PB/PM update. Why on earth would they do something as big as introduce a PB/PM with significant upgrades next week (Intel/G5/PCIe).

I don't think Apple will mix the consumer and pro lines together in an event. The event yesterday was clearly a consumer event, not a pro one. Therefore no mention of a PB/PM update.

I would be happy with a minor update even if it only means slightly better processor, better GPU and better screens, that would suffice for me, I just want an update.

 

[al3000]

I truly hope that we'll see PowerBook updates next week. Like everybody else I'm getting tired about the "waiting game", but it's a balance between how much you need it and how much you want it and currently my old PC will suffice for my needs. You have probably already read this but I quote it anyway. From ThinkSecret:



And from MacOSXRumors:



Hopefully a meeting about the introduction of a new PB! Hope is the left that will leave me

Please let this be it! This saga of will they wont they has been going on for so long...in a way I will be sad when they release the powerbooks..no more scouting around for clues and making predictions.......although that will be forgotten by the joy of the new PB's! BRING THEM ON APPLE!

 

[jgrackmalloy]

Stop-gap

Is this what being a Mac-user is all about? Thrice since I've started to think of replacing my 3ish-year-old Dell laptop with a PB I've been told outright by current Macists that a) a G5 PB is coming out at WWDC'05, b) a 7448 is PB is coming out at MacWorld Paris, c) a 7448 PB is coming out Oct. 12. At this point, even if Apple releases a dual-core PB in the next month, my new skepticism will likely have me wait until the summer of '06 to make my upgrade. By then, I imagine we will see what Apple really can do for the professional market - if they even care about that market anymore (?).

In the meantime, I've upgraded my Ubuntu Linux with 3 quick commands to version 5.10 ('breezy badger'). I dare say Ubuntu is quite slick. Everything worked right off the bat except I had to fiddle with some code I'm writing to get rid of some warnings resulting from the gcc3->gcc4 transition.

Although OpenDarwin and Fink seem very commendable, right now I feel sort of relieved by Ubuntu's established release cycle - and the fact that I know exactly what's in each release, who's working on them, and how I can request and make changes.

Am I ranting? Maybe slightly, but right now I feel that Apple cares more about this guy than this guy, with all due respect to the clickie-i-take-picture guy.

 

[pjmurphy77]

Please let this be it! This saga of will they wont they has been going on for so long...in a way I will be sad when they release the powerbooks..no more scouting around for clues and making predictions.......although that will be forgotten by the joy of the new PB's! BRING THEM ON APPLE!

I worked briefly at an Apple Store (last holiday season) and when we had these meetings, it was always AFTER the fact. I really do not think store management knows about updates til publicly announced...

 

[fklehman]

You are talking about technology that could be put in today... you know that Apple does not (most the time) do that. Everyone keeps talking about what Apple could do with the Powerbooks, but what happens if next week Apple announces a new Powerbook that blows that away? What happens if it is a redesign and blows everyone out of the water? What happens if that is the case and that is why it is taking longer? I don't know and I don't think anyone on this board does, but I would rather wait a little longer and get something new and exciting than for Apple to roll out a slightly updated box because there are a few people considering going to Sony (ughhh, go ahead). If all that would make you happy is the upgrades you said, then fine, that is great for you, I would rather wait for something new. And yes, that is assuming that something new is coming, but aren't you assuming that all it is is these simple updates? No one knows what is coming and why exactly it is taking so long. If Apple were to announce updates that you described, which would make you happy, and then a month later come out with something new and different, then you would be calling Apple pissed because they just sold you a computer that is now outdated and does not have all the cool stuff.

I don't think they are not releasing these easy updates because they are busy with iPods and iMacs. I think something bigger is coming and they are having problems with it up to this point (for whatever reason). But then again, who knows.

As far as people being dumb or whatever for buying a new powerbook now or last week or whenever... Is it dumb because you think so? I just bought the top of the line 15 inch and am loving it (while you are complaining about having your same old PB). It does everything I want it to and more. If it was not enough for what I need, then yes it would be dumb to have made the purchase, but just because you would not buy one now does not mean than anyone who does is dumb or buying blindly.

Believe me, I am on your side. I want new PBs. I want to sell mine when they come out and get one. I can't wait and it has been long enough, but I also don't know exactly what they are planning and why it is taking so long. I can tell you that Apple did not get where they are today by practicing bad business. Apple did not get where they are today by disregarding a product line as big as the PB line. Something big is probably coming and they are having some issues for whatever reason. When it is announced, I am sure that everyone will be all over Apple and stop all the bashing. I am sure it will all make sense once it happens.

I guess we will see. Hopefully next week.

At this point, the only justification Apple can possibly offer for the ridiculous delay in PB updates WOULD be if the PBs saw a significant internal redesign: PCI-express, DDR2 ram, etc. The fact that the iMac got PCI-express actually does bode well for the pro line getting the same thing. But, as others have posted, the PBs haven't been cutting edge for a long time, even AFTER they've just been updated. I may just be cynical, but I expect Apple to drop in the easiest, pin-compatible parts to hold the line over until June--ATI Mobility 9800 saves them from having to do PCI-express R&D, 7448 saves them from having to do G5 or even dual 7448 R&D, they'll keep the same kind of ram, etc. It's what I would do in the current situation if I were Steve, although I'd like to think I wouldn't have let my pro laptop line become this miserable in the first place. Apple could have been putting in better HDDs and GPUs months ago to compensate for the CPU wall they were running into, and they didn't bother. Now we're in this crappy situation, and after all this waiting we will STILL end up with a crappy, lackluster "Sucker Bump"--my term for the typical PB update. We'll get the 9800 GPU, the 7448 with a .3 mHz bump, maybe a 7200rpm HDD, maybe a ram bump, and that will be it, even after all the waiting.

One other poster mentioned that the 7448 is only slated for consumer availability in October, which may be correct or incorrect, I don't know. If it's true, it won't matter. When we get it, along with the ATI 9800 and the other sucker bumps, it will only prove that Apple was waiting for October all along for the 7448 but didn't even bother trying to do anything more during the wait--they didn't bother trying to do PCI-express, they didn't bother trying to do DDR2, they didn't bother with HD displays, etc. etc. etc. Apple wasted its time and wasted our time, and instead obsessed over its consumer line. iMacs and iBooks have each been updated TWICE this year, with really good updates each time. The PB update on January 31 was a joke, and the October update, if it comes, will be little better. Apple has made it abundantly clear through its actions (or lack thereof) that it intends to coast its way to Merom 'books and will exert as little effort as possible on the PPC 'books in the meantime.

Sorry for the 'tude, I am out of kool-aid and feeling cranky...

2c

 

[maddav]

Oh no, they're going to kill the 12" Powerbook

edit: well it's either that or a slight upgrade for the 12" PB. Either way, I'm still getting one, I need the uber-portability.

 

[MacSA]

If the 12" Powerbook is dropped.......the 12" iBook could take its place in specs.

 

[mddharma]

If the 12" Powerbook is dropped.......the 12" iBook could take its place in specs.

The 12" ibook is heavier and larger - certainly not as 'classy' as the powerbook. Now don't take this the wrong way, it is a great laptop - but it is not a powerbook.

I do hope they make a substantial revision to the 12".

 

[mongoos150]

Well we all know what 2 cents will get you today...

As pointed out on these forums the technology to make an update HAS BEEN HERE for quite some time. What is the problem then we ask. It seems as though the focus has been off the powerbook line for close to a year now while ipods, ibooks, imacs and others have received their focus. The power users do not think anything so silly as a conspiracy is behind the delay. Rather someone has dropped the ball. If Apple would release the numbers of their portable sales between powerbooks and ibooks, I think the numbers would show, the powerbook sales have fallen dramatically. WE ARE NOT willing to blindly purchase a powerbook that so desperately needs an update. At this point ANYONE purchasing a powerbook is certainly making a foolish purchasing decision. It would be like purchasing a 2005 automobile at full price at the end of the season. Desperate and foolish.

So, as many blind supporters are so aptly willing to do, let me throw out a cliche as well. Get over it.

I have been waiting months for an update - but am tired of waiting. Finally, tomorow afternoon after my bio lecture I'm buying a PB 15" 1.67GHz and a 300GB external drive. I'm sick of waiting, I know that for their age and price they should be MUCH more powerful but I've been waiting for a PB too long to continue waiting. If a new PB comes out I will sell my PB (probably getting what I paid for it) and buy the new one. The waiting game is bad news people, and I'm not going to be it's b!tch.

 

[powerbook911]

I have been waiting months for an update - but am tired of waiting. Finally, tomorow afternoon after my bio lecture I'm buying a PB 15" 1.67GHz and a 300GB external drive. I'm sick of waiting, I know that for their age and price they should be MUCH more powerful but I've been waiting for a PB too long to continue waiting. If a new PB comes out I will sell my PB (probably getting what I paid for it) and buy the new one. The waiting game is bad news people, and I'm not going to be it's b!tch.

They really should be out early next week, according to all the information we have.

 

[mikev]

Well, this should stir up some flaming ha ha... Tomorrow is the last day I can return my new PB. (After restocking fee). What would most of you do based on the thought that the update will come next week or soon after? Not knowing what the price for the updated PB's is what is holding me up.
To me the possible update, if the thinksecret stuff is right, may not be worth the restocking fee alone.

 

[bousozoku]

If you feel the need to post profanity, go ahead and let the filter do its job. Circumventing the filter is not allowed. If you cannot post in a reasonable, civil manner, please don't post until such time as you are able to post reasonably.

 

[~Shard~]

If you feel the need to post profanity, go ahead and let the filter do its job. Circumventing the filter is not allowed. If you cannot post in a reasonable, civil manner, please don't post until such time as you are able to post reasonably.

Thanks for the cleanup work bousozoku, this thread was starting to get a little hard to read thanks to certain individuals getting carried away. Your work is appreciated.

 

[powerbook911]

Well, this should stir up some flaming ha ha... Tomorrow is the last day I can return my new PB. (After restocking fee). What would most of you do based on the thought that the update will come next week or soon after? Not knowing what the price for the updated PB's is what is holding me up.
To me the possible update, if the thinksecret stuff is right, may not be worth the restocking fee alone.

Did you get a 15 or 17 inch Powerbook? If so, you may want to consider returning yours. The 12-inch probably won't be updated.

The 15 and 17 inch Powerbooks will sport higher resolution displays allowing you to fit more data on the screen, which makes you more productive. I say that is a good update.

Next, they will have DDR 2 memory, so there may be some performance gains there. A dual layer superdrive is surely going to be put on the machines as well. There is a good bit of extra stuff, so you'll have to make a decision on these things we think will be included.

 

[mikev]

Did you get a 15 or 17 inch Powerbook? If so, you may want to consider returning yours. The 12-inch probably won't be updated.

The 15 and 17 inch Powerbooks will sport higher resolution displays allowing you to fit more data on the screen, which makes you more productive. I say that is a good update.

Next, they will have DDR 2 memory, so there may be some performance gains there. A dual layer superdrive is surely going to be put on the machines as well. There is a good bit of extra stuff, so you'll have to make a decision on these things we think will be included.

Yea, I got the 15" PB. I have less then 24hrs. to decide. Thanks for the input.

 

[rjc]

Yea, I got the 15" PB. I have less then 24hrs. to decide. Thanks for the input.

Mike, the 15" and 17" just moved to 3-5 days shipping on stock models. This makes an update next Tuesday very, very likely. Is whatever update they give worth the $200 restocking fee? Generally the answer is yes, but these updates look to be particularly anemic (I hope the rumor sites are wrong, as they have been lately). If I were you I'd take back my Powerbook. But I'm greedy for even the possibility of a 7448 and longer battery life.

 

[igetbanned]

Setup ya game up!!

Dells are rockin' 1920x1200 256MB nvidia go 6800, and 1GB DDR2 standard.

Let's go Apple!

This should be the standard for the 17", and the specs for the rest of the line should filter down from here.

 

[FilmSnob]

Cancelled PowerBook....$100 off??

Well after being rather upset for quite a long time waiting for PowerBooks to be updated, I got to the point where after I saw nothing from the "One More Thing..." Event the other day that I decided to order a 15" PowerBook. Of course, only two days later I see the AI and ThinkSecret rumors about changes coming really soon. So I decided to wait it out just a bit longer if possible and since my estimated ship date for the machine was on or before 10/24/05 I was able to cancel the order. When I talked to the Apple rep he tried to convince me not to cancel it and even offered me $100 off of the price if I didn't cancel. Any ideas?

 

[powerbook911]

Well after being rather upset for quite a long time waiting for PowerBooks to be updated, I got to the point where after I saw nothing from the "One More Thing..." Event the other day that I decided to order a 15" PowerBook. Of course, only two days later I see the AI and ThinkSecret rumors about changes coming really soon. So I decided to wait it out just a bit longer if possible and since my estimated ship date for the machine was on or before 10/24/05 I was able to cancel the order. When I talked to the Apple rep he tried to convince me not to cancel it and even offered me $100 off of the price if I didn't cancel. Any ideas?

I've been offered free shipping not to cancel orders. I just think they try, sometimes, a last attempt to keep you from canceling.

 

[lalcan]

"Apple Computer is once again gathering the press together as it rolls out new innovations. The latest invitation-only event will be held in New York City on October 19, 2005 on the eve of PhotoPlus Expo. Apple doesn't say exactly what the press conference will be about, but the invitation sent to MacCentral asks to join them as "we unveil Apple's latest pro innovations."

That's it! New Powerbooks next wednesday !!!