PowerBooks on Feb 2nd?

[maclamb]

After playing it for a few weeks I think waiting is a suckers game -
Unless there is a significant architecture release impending
AND you have a usable machine - then wait. (like g4 to g5 or if we were SURE a G5 PB was coming- and from what I read it ain't even breathing hard - though it IS hot. LOL)...

Otherwise, why wait at all? Save what? 10% of the cost? Gget a machine maybe 10% faster? Sheesh

Excpeptions to this, as stated elsewhere, are big events- MW, Anniversarys ;-) Super bowl.
I am ready to buy and have my order saved - (1.6 Combo, 9600, BT, Ipod 15G -- which meets my needs just fine).

If something happens before the 3rd I'll change (like a 2.0G SP to replace the 1.6) - otherwise I'll buy a week from tuesday AND be happy and not look back (but maybe start saving for my next machine in 2006...)

 

[MacRAND]

Something is up...and I KNOW WHAT!

Originally posted by JonRaven
...my custom 1.25 pbook shipped two days ago and it arrived at the authorized dealer store where I ordered it. Everything i ordered custom on it was the way I ordered it...except...I ordered the standard 80gig 4200rpm drive to be swapped out for the faster 5400 rpm 80 gig...but.... they shipped it with the 4200rpm drive and said...deal with it...the 5400 rpm drives were back ordered.

What is going on here? I am not picking my PowerBook up until I get some answers tommorrow that is for sure!

Do you all think I should just take it with the 4200 rpm drive in it and buy a after market 5400rpm and get the repair guy at the store to swap it for me and I will put the apple drive into an external case....or should I wait the 3 weeks apple says it will be before I can get the right drive I asked for?

Legally, since what they are trying to deliver to you is "non-conforming goods" of a special manufacture/order, you have an absolute right to refuse it and demand that they give you a complete refund.
Do it. Take the refund NOW!

Come Feb 2nd, your chosen PB will very likely get a 10% speed bump at the same price you paid, and since 7200 rpm (true FireWire speed) Hard Drives are already available for PB, maybe that will be a new option then. Regardless, if you elect to swap the 4200 rpm 80GB drive for something, why not pay a little extra for a fast 7200 rpm drive?

PREDICTION: I'd love it, but I don't think we will see 8x DVD write speed in PB SuperDrives for a while, not until they are common in the next G5 towers, which I do expect in the next G5 updates. Likely either Pioneer or Plextor. But when they hit the PB, look for the 17" to get it first because it is the Video Editor Special, then watch it trickle down to 15" and eventually 12"

Why expect 8x DVD? you ask, well
1st 8x SuperDrives have been out for several months now already,
2nd Apple historically has been on the cutting edge of offering the fastest DVD write speed SuperDrives as available, and Apple started the DVD revolution before PCs ever dreamed of it
3rd Apple is heavily invested in video editing and DVD media (FinalCut Pro, DVD Studio, iDVD, iMovie, GarageBand, etc.) so they have to stay at the cutting edge or get passed up by the big guys in the PC world; and
4th If you look at the drop in Apple's price of 4x and 2x DVD blanks at the Apple Store online to about half current retail at Apple Retail Stores, this is either the new price OR Apple is dumping heavy over stock in slower speed blanks in anticipation of a run on 8x.
How about BOTH!

DVD-R Media
These products are new and unopened units.
Apple 2x DVD-R media kit (5 pack) Add $7.99 normally $14.99
Apple 4x DVD-R media kit (5 pack) Add $9.99 normally $19.99

I would expect to see added to the above list:

Apple 8x DVD-R media kit (5 pack) Add $19.99


http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APP...cTyR/0.0.7.1.0.5.13.0.3.0.0.0.0.3.1.1.0?76,28

 

[JonRaven]

Well..I talked with apple!

Ok folks here is what happened.

I talked to apple and they said that there is definatly soething wrong if the store did that to me...and that they would guarentee me a full blown custom to my specs in 15 business days or less no matter where I am in north america.

So knowing that I called the store I ordered mine from and they were appologizing profusly as you can imagine for what they did and we worked out this deal.

I gget to keep this powerbook for now so I have something to use...and they ordered me a standard 1.25 with superdrive from their stock warehouse to be sent directly to me for this wednesday coming as well so that I will have my gig of ram they are sending me two corsair or kingston 512 ram chips to drop in. And then when I get it wednesday they will send a courior over to pick up the one I am using now.

This way I will have my 1.25 pbook with my 1 gig of ram, 80 gig 4200rpm drive and a Superdrive...I didnt want a sdrive just yet cause they are too slow but they are giving it to me for a good discount (roughly $175 CDN off) and as far as my wanting the faster 5400rpm drive instead of the standard 4200rpm?...Well I will use the $180CDN I was planning on spending on the upgrade to buy a 7200rpm when they come down a bit in price. I will then have 2 hard drives...The 4200 I will put in an external pocket case for mp3s and file backup.

I am getting the whole pakage wth applecare for $5100 canadian (CDN)

I atleast feel now that I am going to have rooughly the same custom I ordered...but now maybe better cause I will have options.

Anyone hear about the 1 gig ram chips yet? Are they roughly the same price as two 512 chips? Cause if so maybe I should get a 1 gig chip instead of the 2x512 ones and I will have 1.25 ram as well as a 1.25 processor hahhahaa.

Talk more soon. sorry for writing such long letters on here...hope some of you like reading about it atleast.

Jon

 

[JonRaven]

Oh...almost forgot.

When I was talking with the Apple sales guy (frankly the nicest one I have ever talked to - CANT NAME NAMES THOUGH)

He said... "frankly we arent told anything...BUT...I will tell you one thing...everyone here is soo preoccupied by getting the mini ipods ready for shippment on the 15-16th of feb thhat I highly...and I mean highly doubt we will be releasing anything else until those are released."


Just thought I would let ya''s in on the conversation and what he said...take from it what you will.

Jon

 

[floatingspirit]

I'm no expert and I've mentioned this elsewhere, but is it fair to say that a G5 equipped computer will only get faster as the OS evolves whereas the G4 equipped PowerBook will see only a limited to nill improvement in comparison? I'm trying to get the best value I can, so I'm wondering about what I buy now will be like in the future.

 

[MacRAND]

1GB RAM chip for 15" PB, where?

Good for you Jon, sounds like they are taking good care of you, exactly like they should.

RAM
1GB DDR333 SDRAM SODIMM for 17" & 15" (alum) G4 PBs
$699.99 each 1GB chip

http://www.macfriends.com/pages/products/ram.html

System Type: Laptops
System Manufacturer: Apple
System Model: 15" PowerBook G4 1.25GHz (M8981LL/A)

Memory Specifications

Standard Memory:
512 MB (removable) or
512 MB = 256 MB (removable) + 256 MB (removable)

Maximum Memory:
2.0 GB (if 2 x 1GB chips are used) $700 each

Memory Expansion Slots: 2 sockets
Additional Notes: PC2700 DDR333 SDRAM SODIMMs

 

[JonRaven]

hey thanks for the RAM help.

Hey thanks for the RAM help!

I guess at those prices it is more feesable for me to just stick with the 2x512 Meg chips for now and either store the 2x256 chips for awhile or sell them somewhere in order to help fund my 7200rpm drive swap.

I can't wait to get my 1.25 machine Wednesday...but for now...this 1 ghtz machine will do me till then.

Talk more later.

cheers everyone!

 

[Icekey]

I'm curious. Is it really possible to sell those 2 x 256mb ram that comes with the powerbook somewhere? Like, is there a demand for 256mb chips? I didn't want to go through the hassle so I paid $90 for that stupid option, but ...

 

[JonRaven]

well....honestly

Honestly it doesnt really matter if I can sell them...cause here was the issue.

To upgrade from the 2x256 chips to the 1x512 it was gonna cst me $150 Canadian. I would then buy an aftermarket 1x512 to fill the two slots and have 1 gig of ram. But the thing is...I found out that kingston and crucial both sell a 1x512 chip for $150 canadian....so...I opted to just take the standard configured powerbook 1.25 and buy 2x512 chips for $300 canadian and keep the 2x256 chips while still haveing 1 gig of ram in the machine....other then having paid the $300 Canadian to just have the 2x512 chips and nothing else...you understand? I just wasn't willing to throw the other ram chips to the wind. Doesn't that make sense?

It does to me anyways.

Cheers to my fellow mac lovers on thsi Friday evening!

Jon

 

[ectocooler]

I ordered a 15" powerbook @1.25ghz, backlit keyboard, 512mb ram, 60gb hard drive, combo drive on 1/16/03 along with a powermac g4. the powermac g4 shipped no problem on the 20th i think. the powerbook was supposed to ship by the 21st. didnt happen. the date was pushed back to feb 3rd...

now i'm wondering if i should cancel and reorder. its probably a good idea. i emailed the apple store and this was my reply:

Dear Valued Apple Customer,

__ _We appreciate your recent Apple Store Order XXXXXXXXXX

__ _Due to an unexpected supply delay, we are unable to ship the following
__ _item(s) by the date that you were originally quoted:

__ PBG4 15.2/1.25GHZ/512/60/CMBO/AP/BL/LL
__ _will now ship on or before 02/03/2004

__ _Please note that product availability can change rapidly, and it is
__ _possible that your order may ship much sooner than we anticipate. _You
__ _may even receive a shipment confirmation between the time we send this
__ _email and the time that you read it.


hmmm... what to do...

 

[Snowy_River]

Re: Well..I talked with apple!

Originally posted by JonRaven
Anyone hear about the 1 gig ram chips yet? Are they roughly the same price as two 512 chips?

At this point the 1GB RAM chips are still notably more than two 512MB chips. However, the price quoted earlier is not nearly the best price around...

Originally posted by MacRAND
RAM
1GB DDR333 SDRAM SODIMM for 17" & 15" (alum) G4 PBs
$699.99 each 1GB chip

http://www.macfriends.com/pages/products/ram.html

As compared to OWC's price:

1GB (1024MB) PC2700 DDR-SO 333MHz
$479.99

While I have seen slightly better prices than those offered at OWC, I have had absolutely outstanding customer service from them (including having them overnight a replacement RAM chip when the first one they sent didn't work, so I could install it for my parents before I had to go back home). So, I highly recommend OWC.

 

[aswitcher]

Originally posted by ectocooler
I ordered a 15" powerbook @1.25ghz, backlit keyboard, 512mb ram, 60gb hard drive, combo drive on 1/16/03 along with a powermac g4. the powermac g4 shipped no problem on the 20th i think. the powerbook was supposed to ship by the 21st. didnt happen. the date was pushed back to feb 3rd...

now i'm wondering if i should cancel and reorder. its probably a good idea. i emailed the apple store and this was my reply:

Dear Valued Apple Customer,

__ _We appreciate your recent Apple Store Order XXXXXXXXXX

__ _Due to an unexpected supply delay, we are unable to ship the following
__ _item(s) by the date that you were originally quoted:

__ PBG4 15.2/1.25GHZ/512/60/CMBO/AP/BL/LL
__ _will now ship on or before 02/03/2004

__ _Please note that product availability can change rapidly, and it is
__ _possible that your order may ship much sooner than we anticipate. _You
__ _may even receive a shipment confirmation between the time we send this
__ _email and the time that you read it.


hmmm... what to do...

Pray that the delay is due to an imminent upgrade

 

[Deggy]

I was just about to order

I wonder if the 10 day rule works if you buy through a third party like PC World Business (UK), as I have an excellent price quoted for the 1.25 superdrive.

They have the unit in stock, so it wouldn't be subject to a delay from them as with the Apple store.

I was going to order mid next week, as I am getting a bit desperate putting off my purchase so long already. I'm the CTO of our company and the Sales Director has a 1.25, seems wrong that the techie has a lower spec machine.

What to do? Order now and risk it, or loose a few more days play time, and still get no speed bump.

My daughter (age 7) will be pleased when I do finally get it as she is having my 2 year old PB550

 

[redAPPLE]

Re: 12" 1.25 GHz

Originally posted by McMike
Why won't they speed-bump the little PB?

But seriously, I can't wait G5 PB, not any speed-bumps. However I have one problem: Can anybody tell me how Apple is gonna put the G5's in the 12"? I know additional heating is great but maybe not directly on my knees!

i may be speculating here, but have you seen the xserves? the ones with the holes in front? that would do ok for the powerbook right? but Apple might give away umbrellas for free

 

[redAPPLE]

Re: Re: Wow...really?

Originally posted by crees!
Here's a rule of thumb to go by. Never, NEVER, buy a product 1 month before or after a keynote.

there is one problem... Apple almost ceased to announce products only during keynotes.

 

[NNO-Stephen]

Re: Re: 12" 1.25 GHz

Originally posted by redAPPLE
i may be speculating here, but have you seen the xserves? the ones with the holes in front? that would do ok for the powerbook right? but Apple might give away umbrellas for free

yeah, those also have 3 hard drives, and two 2.0Ghz CPUs in them, in addition to PCI-X, and many others that won't make it to PowerBooks. and besides, those are built for future hotter processors, as were the G5 cases. PowerBooks won't have one of the processors, two of the HDs...

here is what the Xserve comes with

Each Xserve model features dual FireWire 800 ports, one FireWire 400 port, two USB 2.0 ports, an industry standard DB-9 serial port. You can expand the system using the latest 133MHz PCI-X expansion protocol with throughput of 2GBps. Add one full-length card running at 133MHz or 2 short form running at 100MHz.

PowerBooks will have 1 FW800, 1 FW 400, two USB 2.0 ports, no DB-9 serial, no PCI-X slots. that cuts a lot out of it... on top of that, they are running 7200 RPM S-ATA HDs... THREE OF THEM! PowerBooks will run 4200, or maybe 5400 RPM HDs, smaller, and only one of them. so yeah, the air vents are there for a reason... more ****, and future faster processors... that and you stack these dual processor systems in racks where the heat has not as much room to go as a PowerBook, so they are crucial.

 

[MacRAND]

just about to order

Originally posted by Deggy
I wonder if the 10 day rule works if you buy through a third party like PC World Business (UK), as I have an excellent price quoted for the 1.25 superdrive.
They have the unit in stock, so ...no delay from them as with the Apple store.
... getting a bit desperate putting off my purchase so long already.
I'm the CTO of our company and the Sales Director has a 1.25, seems wrong that the techie has a lower spec machine.
What to do? Order now and risk it, or loose a few more days play time, and still get no speed bump.
My daughter (age 7) will be pleased when I do finally get it as she is having my 2 year old PB550

Deggy, the only way you are going to know what the "return policy" is for PC World Business (UK) is to ASK them and get it in WRITING.
Since the 15" PowerBook is loaded with features, except for the slow speed and small size of its one standard Hard Drive, meaning you should consider the option of enlarging and speeding up the HD, and the standard RAM configuration, which has already been thoroughly discussed and well thought out above, JUST DO IT!

While you might wait past the 2nd of February to see if there is indeed a 10% bump in speed about then, there are other indications that nothing will happen until after the 15th, if during February at all.
Unless you plan to use your PB for CPU intensive work like video editing or major Photoshop creating, that 10% bump in G4 speed is almost meaningless when compared to possibly waiting forever.
Maxing out the only 2 RAM slots available and installing a faster HD are excellent solutions for the 2 most notorious speed bottlenecks in a PB (I especially like the idea of buying the PB with the slow, small size standard drive, then immediately replacing it with a fast aftermarket IBM, Hitachi, or other brand 60 or 80GB 7200 rpm drive since you would still have the original drive which can be inserted into an external enclosure [FireWire or USB 2] and the cost of the new high-speed replacement would be only nominally more than what Apple charges for its mere 5400 rpm upgrade option).

Seven years old is NOT too young to learn how to touch type with both hands and all 10 fingers a la Broderbund's Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing® 9 for Macintosh, Typing Instructor Deluxe 16, or some other typing software for kids, and
25 wpm on a standard typing test is not an unreasonable goal or condition to her gaining "title" ownership of your old PB.
Then having learned how to type, she can play all the games she wants

 

[BagelTycoon]

Re: Re: Re: Wow...really?

Originally posted by redAPPLE
there is one problem... Apple almost ceased to announce products only during keynotes.

It sure seems that way. The MWSF keynote was a letdown for hope for hardware ike G5 PBs, G5 iMacs, etc.

All Jobs did was keep to his 'we've got great things in store for 2004' minset

It's become nothing more than a teaser to juice up the rumors on what might happen....clever marketing, but obviously a let-down for users

 

[MacRAND]

Timing new hardware releases?

Originally posted by BagelTycoon
The MWSF keynote was a letdown for hope for hardware like G5 PBs, G5 iMacs, etc.
All Jobs did was keep to his 'we've got great things in store for 2004 mindset

It would be nice to have a new hardware release every MWSF or other conference, but timing is dictated more by supply and manufacturer's schedules. Apple obviously has design and technology problems (mostly heat related) to solve before a G5 is going into PowerBooks, which will undoubtedly be solved over TIME.

IBM is designing and producing smaller, faster and more efficient G5 chips all the time, which will benefit Mac production once IBM can deliver 10 or 20 thousand of them at a time, thereby permitting Apple to build a run of new Mac models.

I think the rhyme & reason to hardware releases has more to do with coordinated timing and luck than marketing strategy or anything else. Steve isn't going to release a new model until it has been properly tested and Apple has enough stock to distribute properly, otherwise corporate Apple may have to eat an expensive load of returns that catch fire, have dead pixels or "white spots", the laser drive eats DVD & CD blanks for lunch, or the motherboard hates Panther paws. Apple cannot afford to suffer a black eye to its reputation.

Sometimes I feel that our rumor speculations over new hardware releases is akin to a bunch of five year olds wondering what brightly wrapped packages will be under the Christmas tree, and wishing Santa Steve and his Apple Elves would hurry the hell up! Then when the fast new apple red X-model bike we are hoping for isn't there Christmas morning, we pray it will show up on our next birthday, or maybe just as a surprise 'cause we've been good!
(I'm guilty, how about you?)

Besides the inevitable G5 chip for PBs, I wish Apple would
stop putting 4200 rpm HDs in PowerBooks and iBooks, make 5400 rpm standard and 7200 rpm as a reasonably priced option, and
start putting 8x write DVD SuperDrives in towers and laptops alike, and even
sell 8x Pioneer or Plextor SuperDrives direct as upgrades and replacements for existing Mac towers and laptops; and make
printable surface DVD blanks for all speeds as standard issue - besides direct printing with an Epson R300, 900, or 960 photo printer, writable/printable surfaces are easier to write on.

And, oh I can't wait for the next generation of bigger & brighter Cinema Displays with higher resolution and a thiner aluminum frame suitable for wall mount or desktop. Where's my 30"?

 

[Bear]

Re: Timing new hardware releases?

Originally posted by MacRAND
...
start putting 8x write DVD SuperDrives in towers and laptops alike, and even
sell 8x Pioneer or Plextor SuperDrives direct as upgrades and replacements for existing Mac towers and laptops; and make
printable surface DVD blanks for all speeds as standard issue - besides direct printing with an Epson R300, 900, or 960 photo printer, writable/printable surfaces are easier to write on.
...[/B]

I expect we'll see the faster superdrives as soon as Apple can get a reasonable supply of them guaranteed.

As for the media, there are plenty of places to buy media from. Go there for the media. You'll get better prices than Apple could ever give you at the other places.

 

[Bear]

Re: Re: Re: Wow...really?

Originally posted by redAPPLE
there is one problem... Apple almost ceased to announce products only during keynotes.

True, however, last year they announced products over the month following the keynote at Macworld SF. I expect Apple will do announcements as the equipment is ready,

Also, by seperating the announcements out, the sales people can learn one new product set in a given week. This means they'll be able to give more accurate information faster, Alsp, the Apple store gets overloaded enough with one system update, why kill it by update several things at once?

 

[MacRAND]

Timing new hardware releases?

Originally posted by Bear
I expect we'll see the faster superdrives as soon as Apple can get a reasonable supply of them guaranteed.

Yes, I agree. That's what Apple did with little or no fanfare when 4x came out. But, I'd like to see 8x speed in the laptops too.
P.S. I really am disappointed with the lack of performance in the SONY drawer style Combo drive in my iBook 700. Although a sound plays when the Eject button is pushed, the Drawer will not open by itself.
I have to use a PaperClip, which has now become the iPaperClip attachment.
Plus, the SONY is bad (hangs up, ) when reading DVD-R discs, compared to my G4 DP 1GHz or JVC DVD player.

As for the media, there are plenty of places to buy media from. Go there for the media. You'll get better prices than Apple could ever give you at the other places.

Not necessarily. Availability of 8x especially "printable" DVD blanks is thin everywhere. And, Apple pioneered cheaper prices for DVD 2x and 4x and could do the same for 8x. When Apple introduced SuperDrives, iMovie and iDVD, DVD-R blanks were over $23 each. Initially, Apple offered 5 for $49, which quickly became $25, then $19 and then $15, and recently $7.99 (oops! all the 2x are gone from the Apple Store online, just 4x 5-pack for $9.99)
The problem with non-Apple DVD blanks is questionable compatibility with my Mac (not easy to determine quality since no real standard) and the usual "bulk buying" requirement to get a competitive price. Nothing like being able to buy an Apple 5 pack of DVD-R blanks guaranteed to burn right every time on a Mac.

 

[NNO-Stephen]

Re: Timing new hardware releases?

Originally posted by MacRAND
Yes, I agree. That's what Apple did with little or no fanfare when 4x came out. But, I'd like to see 8x speed in the laptops too.
P.S. I really am disappointed with the lack of performance in the SONY drawer style Combo drive in my iBook 700. Although a sound plays when the Eject button is pushed, the Drawer will not open by itself.
I have to use a PaperClip, which has now become the iPaperClip attachment.
Plus, the SONY is bad (hangs up, ) when reading DVD-R discs, compared to my G4 DP 1GHz or JVC DVD player.

Not necessarily. Availability of 8x especially "printable" DVD blanks is thin everywhere. And, Apple pioneered cheaper prices for DVD 2x and 4x and could do the same for 8x. When Apple introduced SuperDrives, iMovie and iDVD, DVD-R blanks were over $23 each. Initially, Apple offered 5 for $49, which quickly became $25, then $19 and then $15, and recently $7.99 (oops! all the 2x are gone from the Apple Store online, just 4x 5-pack for $9.99)
The problem with non-Apple DVD blanks is questionable compatibility with my Mac (not easy to determine quality since no real standard) and the usual "bulk buying" requirement to get a competitive price. Nothing like being able to buy an Apple 5 pack of DVD-R blanks guaranteed to burn right every time on a Mac.

I just got like four SIX packs of SONY DVD+R media for less than ten bucks each... great price, and they have exceptional quality and never have messed up once. also, this is on a brand new after market Pioneer DVR-A06 drive I just put in my Quicksilver G4, but still, they work great, and are cheaper than Apple's.

 

[crees!]

8x DVD drives? Why not 16x since Apple likes to be ahead of the curve.

 

[JonRaven]

FASTER DVD Burners? It's about time!

Thank heavens...I thought I was the only one here who has been thinking for a long long timethat 2x burning is simply too long a burn time. I guess we as a society are becoming Tech Snobs and spoiled into wanting fast burning times with CDs and DVDs.... but I am ok with knwoing I have a problem...hehehehe. I Initially as I said in my prior posts think the 2x burners are too slow for my likeing enough that I was opting to swap out the superdrive in my new custom 1.25 pbook...but after all my problems with getting it swapped out and all I have decided to give in and take the superdrive afterall...and now after changing my mind...I have come to the conclusion it is better to have the option to burn a DVD (even if a slow burn) then not.

My prior thoughts of spending that $300 Canadian on an external burner that is much faster... is indeed like some of you have suggested to me...not the greatest idea..as I would then have more to carry around wiith my laptop...and then where would the "Portability" idea..go? Right?

Anyways....Again....just my thoughts...but....

I was glad to hear someone say in a recent post, that they thought my idea of swapping the 4200RPM hard drive that is standard in our powerbooks with a faster after market drive and then putting the standard drive into a usb/firewire small pocket enclosure was a goood idea. Thanks man for saying so and making me feel I am a little... less crazy then I sometimes feel!

Take care everyone...and can't wait to see what the all mighty apple is showing us Tommorrow!

Cheers