PowerBooks on Feb 2nd?

[Marc the Mac]

Re: If they can fit a G5 into an Xserve then why not a PB?

Originally posted by kbrening
Apple obviously must be getting some lower-heat, smaller-process G5 chips from IBM, so WHY NOT try and stick some of them in their "Industry Leading" PORTABLES?

This G4 business is getting to be VERY old news-- where's the heat? (pardon the pun)

G5's for the 15" and 17" I say!!!!!!

Could the vents in the G5 Xserve be due to heat generated from versions with dual processors and multiple hard drives. Hard drives do produce quite a bit of heat. In a Powerbook there is one drive and one processor - maybe a 1.6Ghz 90 nano G5 would sit within a powerbook without too much problem?

 

[johnnyjibbs]

Originally posted by Mercury
It seems unlikely, since, as was mentioned, February 2nd is a Monday...Apple usually makes announcements on Tuesdays, and since the specific date would be wrong, it seems less credible.

The new 20 and 40 gig iPods and new iMacs were introduced on a Monday, last September. Apple is trying to break away from their regular patterns with new product releases.

I'm not convinced we'll see anything new in the PowerBooks for a while. A small bump such as 64Megs graphics in the 12" may just manifest itself, maybe 4x superdrives, but no big deal about it.

As for G5s, while anything's possible, that would require new motherboards and the like. I still doubt they will come before late summer.

At least no-one's mentioned dual G4s. That's a sigh of relief!

 

[Flickta]

Re: Re: If they can fit a G5 into an Xserve then why not a PB?

Originally posted by Marc the Mac
Could the vents in the G5 Xserve be due to heat generated from versions with dual processors and multiple hard drives. Hard drives do produce quite a bit of heat. In a Powerbook there is one drive and one processor - maybe a 1.6Ghz 90 nano G5 would sit within a powerbook without too much problem?

It's clear that Apple will put faster G5s in Xserves, right? So, all those vents are for future expansion (new procs). Much like the G5 Tower' case. Powerbook can handle a G5. But is this new model ready? Isn't it cheaper to go with G4? Especially new 7447 or whatever - which can presumably be clocked higher?

Dunno. But there had been a lack of updates recently in iMac and eMac lines. (20" iMac is nothing new besides that screen, agreed?) eMac is plain ancient. Perhaps, they are to be upgraded to G5 simultaneously? But then, will it be wise to leave a Notebook from the Power line lacking "status"? G4 is still a good chip, but its reputation...

 

[johnnyjibbs]

It has only been 4 months since the iMac and PowerBooks were updated. There have previously been much longer gaps between releases than this. The eMac, I agree, needs an update soon.

 

[Flickta]

Originally posted by johnnyjibbs
It has only been 4 months since the iMac and PowerBooks were updated. There have previously been much longer gaps between releases than this. The eMac, I agree, needs an update soon.

I didn't say anything about PowerBook updates. As for the iMac... You are right. Patiently waiting two more months...

 

[luggnutt]

ibook - Powerbook separation

Besides all the above banter, perhaps apple wants to speedbump to help distinguish the PB line from the ibooks.

A top-o-the-line ibook performs comparably to a lower PB for much less $$. I know about graphics card, cache, backlight, form, yadda yadda, but to many/most ppl I would purport that those "class" features do not nearly warrent the many hundred dollar price jump.

As has been mentioned, this would be a very minor speedbump, but if it comes with some other hardware improvements it could help distinguish the PB line and further justify it as a premier line over the ibooks.

 

[johnnyjibbs]

True, although the iBooks don't look half as refined as the PowerBooks. iBooks are designed for a budget, while the 12" PB gives people like me a chance to get a powerbook (15/17" way out of reach).

To me, the iBooks look cheap and they do scratch much more easily, but they are very good value. In fact, my brother wants to get a PC notebook this coming September - so far the iBook beats all the PC laptops in features and price (he's looking at the sub £1000 range). Any additional features on the PowerBooks would be welcome though. FW 800 and backlit keyboard on the 12"? Why not?!

 

[justytylor]

Originally posted by macer1
the idea of a laptop is to be PORTABLE, and do the basic jobs like web work , movie edit and such not.

if you wana play games or use final cut BUY A POWERMAC.

I do have to take issue with this, as FCP runs fine (though without all the RT goodness) on my PowerBook 667. It runs so fine that I'm guilty about thinking about doing the trade-in program to pick up a new 15" PowerBook. Apple's portables are very capable machines. That said, I still can't wait to see a G5 in there.

 

[Flickta]

Originally posted by justytylor
I do have to take issue with this, as FCP runs fine (though without all the RT goodness) on my PowerBook 667. It runs so fine that I'm guilty about thinking about doing the trade-in program to pick up a new 15" PowerBook. Apple's portables are very capable machines. That said, I still can't wait to see a G5 in there.

May be it is because of memory (256 MB), but even iMovie is slow as hell on my 12 incher rev. B.

And no Photoshop work, of course. (Higher then 144 DPI A4)

FCP? HD in Powerbooks is slow, you'll need an external one. And that will eliminate portability and, more important, add MUCH noise.

Games? No...

What's a notebook for? Text work.

Well, I know they are capable machines. But, you know, I can't afford two computers. Tower or Portable. I chose portable. Regrets? Only when my PC-using friends ask about Unreal performance or when I have a work to be done. For everything else (home use) it's ok.

Long live the PB!

 

[pinapplex]

I dunno what you´ve done to your machine, but I think you´ll experience something nice if you get some more RAM. FCP and the whole Adobe range work quite decent on these machines...

 

[johnnyjibbs]

Originally posted by Flickta
FCP? HD in Powerbooks is slow, you'll need an external one. And that will eliminate portability and, more important, add MUCH noise.

I have had no problems using my PowerBook's internal 80GB 4200RMP drive as Final Cut Express' scratch disc. Not a hitch. Just glad I got the max space because I use most of it when I'm capturing (can't afford an external HD).

 

[Snowy_River]

Originally posted by Flickta
What's a notebook for? Text work.

Uh... I'd have to disagree with this, too. I have a rev A 12" and I use it for a wide variety of pro-level uses. Primarily, I design complex parts in a 3D CAD package. While I'd love to have the somewhat higher speed that a G5 would give, even if it were under clocked to fit in a PowerBook, my G4 is quite a powerful machine.

Text work only? I think not!

 

[spaceballl]

Moving from 1.33 to 1.42 is really not that significant of an upgrade. Considering though, that the G4 doesn't want to go much higher, i'm surprised Apple doesn't get a little more creative.

First of all, they could up the 9600 video chips on the laptops to 9600 Pros, ATi's slightly higher version.

Second, they could boost the system bus and memory speed. Right now the bus is 167 mhz. Why not boost that to 200 mhz? This would allow for a faster system bus and DDR400 instead of DDR333. With this FSB, it would be possible to release either a 1.4 (200x7) or 1.5 (200x7.5) ghz machine. I'd rather have a 1.4 ghz machine on the 200 mhz BUS than a 1.42 ghz machine on the 167 mhz BUS...

As far as hard drives, the power usage for 7200 rpm drives is HARDLY greater than that of 5400 rpm drives. However, this comes back to marketing. 7200 rpm laptop drives top off at 60gb, and I don't think Apple wants to market an 80gb 5400 rpm drive and then charge more just to downgrade capacity to 60gb, even if you are getting a faster drive. I feel that as soon as Hitachi can get out a bigger version of that 7200 rpm drive, they can count Apple in as a buyer.

In any case, all the upgrades I listed would significantly help out the Powerbook. However, like everyone is saying, the G5 upgrade is what we're all waiting for.

Oh ONE more thing though... I am pretty certain that Apple wants to put a low end G5 into the iMac in the near future. However, with the iMac marketed as a consumer machine and the powerbook marketed as a PRO machine, I find it VERY unlikely that Apple would ever have the iMac outperform the Powerbook. Thus, Apple should be trying to get that G5 in the powerbook ASAP so they can also fix up their iMacs.

-Kev

 

[Mineral]

how can i overclock my current pbook??

 

[crees!]

Originally posted by Flickta May be it is because of memory (256 MB), but even iMovie is slow as hell on my 12 incher rev. B.

I have a 15" 1.25 Al PB with 512 RAM (my one and only Mac) and have had no problems at all with iMovie.

And no Photoshop work, of course. (Higher then 144 DPI A4)

I'm a web designer and I use Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, and Dreamweaver all the time. No major performance issues here.

FCP? HD in Powerbooks is slow, you'll need an external one. And that will eliminate portability and, more important, add MUCH noise.

Hey check me out, I'm just a well rounded designer. I also use FCP and Adobe Premiere. No problems here.

Games? No...

I just played and beat Medal of Honor Allied Assault and am now working on MOH: Spearhead.

What's a notebook for? Text work.

Maybe yours, but not mine.

Regrets?

None.

 

[singletrack]

Re: ooooohhhh, g5's pleeeeez!

Originally posted by kbrening
I'm trying to decide between the 12" and 15" PowerBooks, and after a trip to the store today there's absolutely no question-- the 12" is like a frying pan!

No more so than an iBook IME. The hard drive is in the same location in both, under your left hand. Keeps it nice and warm. ;-)

Neither are unbearable and both the iBook and PB12 are a lot cooler than some PC laptops I've used.

 

[Flickta]

Originally posted by crees!
I have a 15" 1.25 Al PB with 512 RAM (my one and only Mac) and have had no problems at all with iMovie.

I'm a web designer and I use Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, and Dreamweaver all the time. No major performance issues here.
Hey check me out, I'm just a well rounded designer. I also use FCP and Adobe Premiere. No problems here.
I just played and beat Medal of Honor Allied Assault and am now working on MOH: Spearhead.
Maybe yours, but not mine.
None.

512 MB RAM is twice as much as 256. RAM really makes a difference.
Photoshop is sluggish. I don't mean 72 dpi average res pictures, I mean larger images.
FCP on my fathers 17" rev. A works ok, but occasionally (well, often) drops frames.
The only 3d Game (besides Oni & Rune, which are old) I have is UT2K3, and that is SLOW. Your 1,25 Ghz PB is somewhat different than my 12"

I am a little bit disappointed with it - using it after 800 Mhz Titanium Pb w 512 Mbs.
I just expected more. I use my PB not for text work. And it is a good machine. But...
Forget it.

 

[johnnyjibbs]

My 12 incher was not slow even with 256 MB RAM. But put more in (get it up to 768) and it'll fly. I'm very happy with my PowerBook.

 

[Flickta]

Originally posted by johnnyjibbs
My 12 incher was not slow even with 256 MB RAM. But put more in (get it up to 768) and it'll fly. I'm very happy with my PowerBook.

I'll get, I'll get...
We'll see, we'll see...

 

[Snowy_River]

Originally posted by Flickta
... RAM really makes a difference...

Aren't you answering your own question here? Get More RAM!!

You can get a 512MB RAM card for the 12" PB for on the order of $100 (or less if you shop around a little), which is trivial next to the price of the machine. I'd love to get a 1GB card for my PB, but they're still a bit expensive, especially as I already have a 512MB card installed...

 

[crees!]

Originally posted by Snowy_River
Aren't you answering your own question here? Get More RAM!!

You can get a 512MB RAM card for the 12" PB for on the order of $100 (or less if you shop around a little), which is trivial next to the price of the machine. I'd love to get a 1GB card for my PB, but they're still a bit expensive, especially as I already have a 512MB card installed...

Exactly, that's why I upped my RAM to 512 when I bought my machine. The 1 GB modules were, and still are, too expensive and I figured I could throw one in later when prices are more reasonable... making it at 1.5 GB and screaming.

 

[johnnyjibbs]

That's what I thought. The prices are coming down quite rapidly on the 1GB module. In a couple of years, it will be nothing and I can upgrade (or even to 2 or 4GB )

 

[isus]

Originally posted by filipp
Looking at those giant air-intakes on the new Xserve G5 with same 90nm-processors, I highly doubt that G5 is coming to powerbook line anytime soon.

I guess IBM has yet to produce G5-Lite (or something like that) to go with powerbooks

/ filipp

don't forget that the g5 xserve has more to cool... at sometime it may need to cool 3 hard drives and the power supply giving them all that juice... and then there is the fact that those xserves are running at 2ghz.

i would bet $10 right now that a 1.2ghz g5 beats a 1.33ghz g4 because the g4 is stuck on a 133mhz bus, while the g5 should technically get a 600mhz fsb.

 

[Stoffel]

Will they ever put these nice backlit keys in the 12"? If not, I will go for a 12" ibook.

 

[johnnyjibbs]

Originally posted by Stoffel
Will they ever put these nice backlit keys in the 12"? If not, I will go for a 12" ibook.

I don't see why they don't make it an option. I would have paid extra for it if they had...