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SiliconAddict said:
We still have a user in my office with a Windows 3.11 system that is hooked up to a reel to reel drive. :rolleyes: Its a secondary system only but still. A Pentium 90Mhz with 16MB of RAM needs to be shoved into lava pit. :p
Take away his red stapler... maybe he will leave (or burn the place down).
 
digitalbiker said:
I call troll here. How can you say a G4 PowerBook will ALWAYS be slower than a Centrino based laptop?

First this is a rumor site and the specs reported here are rumors. No one knows the details of this update.

What if the last of the PPC PB's goes out with a bang and Apple comes up with a new system board that uses DDR2 with a high speed dual core Freescale chip and a potent GPU such as the GeForce Go 6800u or the ATI mobility X850? Or what if they use two low power 7448 in a dual processor 17" machine? Who knows?

The current PB is only slightly slower at some operations than the current Centrinos, it is faster at others. The primary issue holding back the G4 is a slow FSB. However if Apple figures out a way around this limitation like more L2 cache, dual core or dual processor, and new memory controller then the current crop of Centrino laptops fall to second place.

I doubt the Geforce 6800u is coming because it's PCI Express and hot as hell. Even a X800 would be too hot. An X600 or X700 would be good though. If Apple can get PCI Express in those machines then they're golden. I doubt it's going to happen though.

DDR2 is a great update though. It uses less power than DDR1 so it extends battery life.
 
How about one of the biggest factors holding the 12" PB back? *on-board RAM*


Ok... here's my thoughts:

12" gets: 512MB RAM built-in, processor bump to 1.67 (or better), Digital audio in/out, option for the 128MB GPU, and std 100GB hard disk. They will not get higher res screens built in, as Apple will probably move to a wide screen for this. (and this won't happen until the Intel invasion) And as much as I would love to have more features from the bigger boys in the 12", there simply isn't room.

15" gets: all the 17" has now as standard (digital audio, std 100GB HD, 128MB GPU), CPU bump to 1.7 (or better) and possible screen res upgrade. Maybe std superdrive with option for dual-layer sd.

17" gets: CPU bump to 1.7 or better, screen res upgrade, hard drive bump (if there is such a creature as a 120GB or 160GB sitting on Toshiba's or Whoever's shelves...), dual-layer superdrive, and possible 1GB RAM as standard.

Who knows? At least this will bring the iBook/Powerbook features ratio back into balance. But it this enough for a "last hurrah"??
 
It is going to be interesting

Surreal said:
i wondered about that too. i hope it's a g5. even if it is 1.5 in the top.

DDR2 would make a lot more sense with a low power G5. Maybe Apple IS delivering the G5 PB at 1.5 - 1.8 Ghz with a very high speed FSB and new graphics subsystem. That would be exciting!

There are several recent occurings that may support this rumor.

1) Steve Jobs said at WWDC 05 "We haven't been able to deliver a G5 PowerBook YET". Why say "yet", if he knew it was never going to be released. Why not say "IBM is not going to give us the chips we need to deliver a G5 PowerBook so we are moving on without them."

2) It is well known that Apple was working on a G5 PB as long as 2 years ago. That's a lot of R&D for a product that will never surface.

3) Apple needs a really big splash announcement going into the Christmas season to boost laptop sales. A G5 Powerbook would definitely sell and hold it's selling Power for at least 9 months to a year.

4) Apple may be waiting for the Intel 64 bit Merom chip for the PB and will time the release with Leopard say in Jan 2007 at MW.

5) IBM pissed at Apple releases press announcement about the low power G5. Maybe they were suppose to wait until after Paris, so Jobs could be the first to announce the G5 and surprise everyone.
:D
 
^^^
shares my vision :cool:

crazzyeddie said:
A 1.5ghz G5 would be noticably slower than a 1.8+ghz G4, plus put out more heat and have shorter battery life...


even in pro apps?

i'm thinking of Logic....and why would it be "signifigantly slower?" if the FSB was around 400 and it used DDR2ram and such. iu suggested G5 for the architecture..not so much the processor. (but in the case of logic..yes the processor..the optimizations make the G5 run logic like nothing i've seen.)

not to be defensive...but wouldnt those improvements equal better pro app experience?
 
Been reading for quite awhile...first time poster.

What's everyone think about the rumored screen resolution update? 1920x1200 would make the 17" PB share the same res as the 23" Cinema Display...that's HUGE, and probably the most dramatic improvement that we may see in this update...(the "go out with a bang" that another poster mentioned?)

Although if Apple were to update the resolution for just the 17", I think it'd be embarrassing to showcase the 15" PB (or 12" PB, iMac G5, 20" Cinema Display...the list goes on) next to it in an Apple Store. Well maybe even the 23", since anything bigger *should* have more resolution? But I know some PC laptops that already have stunning resolution, and it's surely about time Apple's portables did too! I love my PB and was convincing myself to stay calm when reading that post on AI; but the resolution thing keeps tearing at me....now it's just wait and see...
 
PB 12" and iMac G5 getting changed over?

This might not mean much, but Best Buy Canada is offering up 12" PBs for $1799 Cdn and the 20" iMac G5 for $1999 Cdn. These are both $100 Cdn LESS than the EDUCATIONAL prices I can get.

I'm not sure about the iMac G5, but it could be sign that the current version of the 12" PB is on its way out. I spoke to a local Apple Tech and he stated that Best Buy and some other large chains are not authorized Apple sales centres because they do not have techs, but do carry stock from Apple, especially when Apple is trying to move out older inventory.
 
DaveP said:
I agree. When was the last update that was actually impressive? (The G5 iMacs and new Mac Mini's were the last couple I can remember that impressed me)

And why did it impress you (and really a lot of other people)?

Because it was decent tech in a great new form factor and impressive design.

Now, anything new with *only* decent tech but no new form factor will fail to impress the masses.
 
Rod Rod said:
I predict black anodized aluminum (similar to the Motorola RAZR v3 in black) for the x86 PowerBooks.

The last PPC PowerBooks will still be the same bare aluminum color.

However, if Apple is desperate to sell the PPC PowerBooks, they could charge maybe $100 extra for a black option.

I kinda like that idea... it would be very cool to have black, but like shinny black... not like PCs and a white Apple symbol in the middle. instead of Silver and White it could be Black (Pro) and Silver (Consumer).
 
Man that thing is FUGLY!

SiliconAddict said:
Yah dell had an ad on TV the other day with someone asking to touch the thing. IMHO the thing is butt ugly. The only reason I would want to touch the thing is to throw a paper bag over it. The engineers hit that computer with an ugly stick while they were creating it. :eek:

I agree with you SiliconAddict. Dell maybe impressed with the looks on the XPS laptop but I think that thing looks like it got stuck in a trash compactor with a serated plunger and reynolds wrap. :eek:
 
mddharma said:
I would think A LOT OF PEOPLE would be pissed if they discontinue the 12" PB. It would be insane. I am waiting for the next revision to buy a 12"PB as I want the smallest most powerful mac laptop I can get. If they discontinue it, I will be left wondering what direction to go in. 15" is just to big for portability, and the 12" Ibook just doen't cut it with the features.

What if it was replaced by a Tablet with all features??? I think that would be awesome.... Touch screen and everything.
 
w_parietti22 said:
I kinda like that idea... it would be very cool to have black, but like shinny black... not like PCs and a white Apple symbol in the middle. instead of Silver and White it could be Black (Pro) and Silver (Consumer).

I think BLACK Powerbooks with the Intel Processor would be in keeping with the move to the Dark Side.
 
Sheesh... How Not to Write a Rumor!

Come on, Apple Insider, Any One could do better than that!

If Moto/Freescale says the 7448 is available at 1.7 ghz, then Apple can, as has been proven by a long past track record, get a 1.8 ghz version!

Give Me a Break!

:rolleyes:
 
from this thread
https://forums.macrumors.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=1552565

twinsen said:
This is my first post on this site, but I've read plenty of threads discussing how the next PowerBook would look like and I thought it was time for me to offer my own expectations. I've also been reading articles on Freescale, ATIs and NVidias homepages.

I think the updated PowerBook line will look like this:
12" ComboDrive
1024x768
1.6Ghz G4 (7448) @ 200mhz
ATI MobilityRadeon 9700 64MB512MB DDR400
80GB@5400RPM
ComboDrive (CD-R/DVD)

12" SuperDrive
1024x768
1.6Ghz (7448) @ 200mhz
ATI MobilityRadeon 9700 64MB
512MB DDR400
100GB@5400RPM
SuperDrive 8x

15" ComboDrive
1600x1068
1.6Ghz (7448) @ 200mhz
ATI MobilityRadeon 9800 64MB
512MB DDR400
100GB@7200RPM
ComboDrive (CD-R/DVD)

15" SuperDrive
1600x1068
1.8Ghz (7448) @ 200mhz
ATI MobilityRadeon 9800 128MB
512MB DDR400
100GB@7200RPM
SuperDrive 16x

17" SuperDrive
1920x1200
1.8Ghz (7448) @ 200mhz
ATI MobilityRadeon 9800 256MB
512MB DDR400
100GB@7200RPM
SuperDrive 16x

I'm most uncertain when it comes to the graphic chip. I'm not sure if it's possible to use Radeon 9800 in a small portable, the only laptop that use this at the moment is a monster from Dell. However it's the only upgrade avalible that is AGP compatible.

Screen updates is also a bit uncertain. I'm not sure how much job it is for Apple to change the LCD panel. If it's only a small upgrade it would be smart of Apple to do it, it would make the current PowerBook more attractive despite the Intel upgrade around the corner.

These are only my humble suggestions and I would really like your comments!
I think the new PowerBooks would be released in september/october.

I think these will be the specs along with DDR2 memory and also the 15" resolution is 1680x1050 instead of 1600x1068 and also possibility of Dual layer DVD burner.
 
Quote:"What if it was replaced by a Tablet with all features??? I think that would be awesome.... Touch screen and everything."

Now that would be something to get excited about! But ONLY if they ignored what Acer/Toshiba/Hp were trying to accomplish, and look to Fujitsu...

If you're going to make a Tablet, MAKE IT A TABLET!!! Don't try to make it a laptop AND a tablet. You can get some pretty small (or foldable/rollup) keyboards these days.
 
I'm always surprised when Apple announces new PowerBooks just after the main back-to-school buying season. They did this in 2001, 2002, and again in 2003 if I remember correctly, always during the fall semester, never before it. Yes, these announcements are in time for the "holiday buying season", but PowerBooks are especially well-suited to students, and it seems like wasted opportunity that Apple hasn't adjusted its release cycle accordingly.

Edit: See related thread.
 
bodeh6 said:
from this thread
https://forums.macrumors.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=1552565


I think these will be the specs along with DDR2 memory and also the 15" resolution is 1680x1050 instead of 1600x1068 and also possibility of Dual layer DVD burner.

I think the @7200 rpm hard drives is wishful thinking.
Apple seems to LOVE the 5200 speed. battery life?

Although, I'd Love the 7200 rpm speed as an Option.
This would clearly bump up XBench benchmark points.
But, generally, adding more memory to the system is possibly a better use of money in a laptop.
 
digitalbiker said:
DDR2 would make a lot more sense with a low power G5. Maybe Apple IS delivering the G5 PB at 1.5 - 1.8 Ghz with a very high speed FSB and new graphics subsystem. That would be exciting!

There are several recent occurings that may support this rumor.


[Removed the wonderful acid trip.]


*sighs* Guys. A G5 isn't happening. Unless Apple has had a chipset ready for a year and it was simply sitting around waiting for a chip its not going to happen. Why? Because of Jobs standing on stage with a Big G5? and a PowerBook under it. If Apple knew that IBM had the chips and were sampling them Jobs wouldn't have had that graphic. And lets say for the sake of argument that the week AFTER WWDC IBM up and produced a G5 out of thin air that works in a PowerBook it would take months of thermal testing, testing the hardware to make sure it doesn't overheat, tweaking the fan settings, tweaking the powermanagement settings, and ramping up production of the chips on IBM's part and so on. WWDC killed the G5 PowerBook for all intents and purposes. Even if they somehow produced the chip Apple is close enough to bringing out a dual core Pentium M PowerBook (In all likelihood less then a year now.) that from a $$$$ standpoint it doesn't make much sense for them to bring out an entire new platform now.
Is there a chance? Yah. But to summarize again the following would have to occur IMHO:

-Apple would have to have a chipset ready NOW. The bugs would have to be already worked out and such by this time. Because right now they would be fabing the mainboards as we speak at this point.
-IBM would have had to have sent Apple samples of this new cooled chip months ago. Prob around the beginning of 2nd quarter. (Which brings us back to Steve's onscreen graphic.)
-Apple would have to have beta testers of this new laptop out there NOW and be out there since at least the beginning of second quarter. So literally they slapped the chips in the system and said "Here...enjoy"
-They would have had to do so battery tests to find the right mix of power to battery life. I'm assuming this G5 can scale in speed to a certain extent right? Well finding that mix isn't done overnight. They would also have to figure out when the fan turns on. What is an acceptable thermal threshold for the CPU, the mainboard, the GPU, the hard drive, etc. Figure out what size battery to put in it.
-IBM would have to be able to ramp to meet the insane demand. Think about it. The last PPC mobile system on the market that prob would increase the performance pretty drastically. Everyone who has PPC apps (Which is everyone.) would want to get their hands on this puppy so they aren't stuck with rosetta. Apple would need some massive guarantee from IBM that they can meet the demand within weeks of launch.

That is simply off the top of my head and I'm not even an engineer. I'm certain someone who works in the field could spell it out more clearly but the fact is the window to put out a G5 PowerBook is so narrow its really not even a possibility at this point.

Guys I want to beleive but realistically it just ain't going to happen. If you asked me this 6 months ago I would say its a 50/50% chance or better. Now its something like 80/20. Its not going to happen. That's just my take on it. *shrugs*
 
CIVENG said:
Quote:"What if it was replaced by a Tablet with all features??? I think that would be awesome.... Touch screen and everything."

Now that would be something to get excited about! But ONLY if they ignored what Acer/Toshiba/Hp were trying to accomplish, and look to Fujitsu...

If you're going to make a Tablet, MAKE IT A TABLET!!! Don't try to make it a laptop AND a tablet. You can get some pretty small (or foldable/rollup) keyboards these days.

Just as long as it had an optical drive... I've seen tons of tablets that are bigger than the current 12" and it doesnt have an optical drive! It would also be cool if Apple made a docking station that could also be use on the go. In an Airplane for instance. It could even have its own battery so that it doesnt drain the battery completely.

It coiuld be a great "In-between" for the iBook and the PB. Tiger is prettermuch ready too... maybe a few apps like a on screen keyboard but Tiger already has a screen flip thing so that you could use it either way. (portrait or landscape)
 
Doctor Q said:
but PowerBooks are especially well-suited to students, and it seems like wasted opportunity that Apple hasn't adjusted its release cycle accordingly.


You are assuming they weren't being held back by chip manufacturers. What was the rumor about Jobs being pissed as hell at Moto about 2 years ago or something. :confused:
 
Doctor Q said:
I'm always surprised when Apple announces new PowerBooks just after the main back-to-school buying season. They did this in 2001, 2002, and again in 2003 if I remember correctly, always during the fall semester, never before it. Yes, these announcements are in time for the "holiday buying season", but PowerBooks are especially well-suited to students, and it seems like wasted opportunity that Apple hasn't adjusted its release cycle accordingly.

Its just cause Apple thinks that more pros than students are going to weant a PB.
 
w_parietti22 said:
Its just cause Apple thinks that more pros than students are going to weant a PB.
If they think students should be using iBooks instead, my same point applies. iBook releases have been in October or November in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004, never in July or August. A particular chip delay, as SiliconAddict mentions above, can cause a glitch in a schedule once in a while, but the evidence is that Apple's product cycle reveals a lack of Apple interest in hitting the back-to-school crowd with portables, and I find it puzzling.
 
bodeh6 said:
from this thread
https://forums.macrumors.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=1552565



I think these will be the specs along with DDR2 memory and also the 15" resolution is 1680x1050 instead of 1600x1068 and also possibility of Dual layer DVD burner.

The dual layer is definite. It's in the iMac, and it makes sense that they would update the drive to the maximum available. Also, I don't think they have 16x slot loads. But, the rest of the specs seem good to me as well, with the exception of the combo drives. I think it's time to get rid of at least the 15" combo drive model, although I don't know how popular that is.
 
Its NOT a troll.

Maybe I should be more specific ( for the hard of thinking ), G4 PowerBooks will ALWAYS be slower than the equilivent top of the line Centrino based laptops...

Like it or not, recent Centrinos perform better than G4 Powerbooks. Fact.

PowerBooks perform ALOT slower than Centrinos. There are plenty of benchmarks to back this up.

Apple are not currently using unreleased freescale 200FSB G4s or dualcore. They may never do. Todays G4 PowerBooks against today's latest Centrino laptops is pitiful.

digitalbiker said:
I call troll here. How can you say a G4 PowerBook will ALWAYS be slower than a Centrino based laptop?

First this is a rumor site and the specs reported here are rumors. No one knows the details of this update.

What if the last of the PPC PB's goes out with a bang and Apple comes up with a new system board that uses DDR2 with a high speed dual core Freescale chip and a potent GPU such as the GeForce Go 6800u or the ATI mobility X850? Or what if they use two low power 7448 in a dual processor 17" machine? Who knows?

The current PB is only slightly slower at some operations than the current Centrinos, it is faster at others. The primary issue holding back the G4 is a slow FSB. However if Apple figures out a way around this limitation like more L2 cache, dual core or dual processor, and new memory controller then the current crop of Centrino laptops fall to second place.
 
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