PowerMac Delays

[numediaman]

While I agree that it was smart of those who bought G5s a while ago instead of waiting -- I disagree with part of this:

In hindsight, those who purchased dual 2.0 in July-Oct 2003 were the smart ones. They STILL have the king of the personal computer industry, and probably will for several more weeks. Not to mention there were no flaws with the Revision A Power Mac G5, even though some feared there would be (and consequently, did not buy). Let's just say I am glad to be counted in the camp of the smart ones with my August 2.0 G5 DP Power Mac purchase.​

No flaws?:
1) Power Supplies -- for audio pros, the power supply is still a major problem. The best solution so far has been to go to Radio Shack to buy a Ground Loop Isolator. A number of people believe that fixing this issue is the one big item that is delaying the rev. b G5 announcement.
2) Graphic Cards -- the black screen of death is probably the single worst flaw I've seen in a Powermac. People who live in colder climates have been known pull out hairdryers to warm up their Macs before booting up in the morning. New cards seem to have solved the issue. (Another issue has been poorly seated cards in new units. easily fixed, but annoying nonetheless)
3) Huge fan noise -- many problems, many solutions including logic board replacement
4) Random sleeping caused by "Thermal Runaway" - in other words, the machine is too hot
5) DOA G5s -- a normal occurance, but certainly annoying if you are the one to buy the computer, open up the box only to find it won't boot up -- or do anything.

The first generation G5 is certainly a vast improvement in speed. But it is also a rev. a machine -- which I why I won't buy one. My Apple 2e, Performa 630, and PowerMac 8600 are still functioning today. But my Titanium PowerBook G4, and the new G5s, are not built to same level of quality control. I'm waiting until rev. b to buy a G5 -- simple as that.

 

[Multimedia]

Next Updates Will Be April 18 At The NAB Event - Not WWDC

The next updates will be at WWDC. Till then everyone stop getting your panties in a wad after every rumor heard on this.

Next Updates Will Be April 18 At The NAB Event - Not WWDC. Perhaps next G4 PowerBooks at WWDC. I don't see G5 PowerBooks until 2005.

 

[Zaty]

Next Updates Will Be April 18 At The NAB Event - Not WWDC. Perhaps next G4 PowerBooks at WWDC. I don't see G5 PowerBooks until 2005.

I don't think NAB is the right place to announce a speed bumped PM revision. Either they release the PMs silently or at WWDC. PBs will come out before WWDC, I'd say sometime later this month.

 

[Mr Maui]

Well, if its true that the 18th is the release date for the new G5's, then they'd better have them ready to ship. Im not holding my breath though.

At this point though, I might as well wait until WWDC to get a dual 3ghz....but after the track record this year, I wouldnt be suprised if they miss that goal as well. How upsetting would THAT be? Talk about empty promises.

You'd be waiting for WWDC for Apple to possibly ANNOUNCE the 3GHz. Even if that happened they'd likely not ship before "end of summer" (September 21, 2004).

 

[Mr Maui]

Apple should take a leaf out of the Intel based manufacturers book and release small incremental cpu upgrades frequently, that way the jump in performance is so insignificant that it makes waiting for the latest and greatest model pointless. Apple and in particular Steve Jobs seem to have this crazy desire for media attention, every release of every model has to be a MASSIVE media event and this is bad for everyone other than Steve Jobs who gets to be Mr Charisma for a couple of hours and his "way'd go" brigade who whoop him throughout.

The real issue for me isn't that Apple haven't released a new machine recently, it's that they are still charging the same price for something that is seven months old and likely to superseded for something significantly faster at the the same price point. Reduce the price and they can have my cash but don't take me for a mug.

Steve NEEDS media attention. After all, on $1 per year (*gag*), he deserves SOMETHING!!

 

[Mr Maui]

I am one of those people waiting for a Rev B G5.

It IS peculiar that NOTHING has been updated. I swear I think they are just sitting on their iPod sales. It would be UNWISE, methinks, to bank the company on the iPod, because sooner or later, that market may saturate.

I cannot imagine them waiting until WWDC to announce G5 updates? OK, I can imagine it, but it seems messed up!

I believe Apple will update EVERYTHING at once in a HUGE 20th Anniversary Celebratory BASH at WWDC! Seems like the one big thing to celebrate (since nothing else has happened this year).

 

[uzombie]

I want Pmac G5 Convertible

Hmmm... maybe Apple switched their business model to one the like of the "Car Industry". From now on, we'll have one update a year, in 2 or 3 flavors: The PMac G5 2005, PMac G5 2005 GT, PMac G5 2006, PMac G5 2006 GT, etc... Maybe we'll be able to ad tons of extras... or maybe they'll put more standard features.

I think you are confused with Ford.

And there will be a PMac G5 2005 Convertible

 

[Multimedia]

NAB IS Exactly The Right Place At An Unprecidented Event

I don't think NAB is the right place to announce a speed bumped PM revision. Either they release the PMs silently or at WWDC. PBs will come out before WWDC, I'd say sometime later this month.

NAB IS Exactly The Right Place. This is Apple's First Dedicated Press Event OFF EXPO FLOOR In The History Of NAB. Never Before Has Apple rented a ballroom for a press event the day before the NAB Expo opens. It is definitely a BIG DEAL event. I expect it will be broadcast to all Apple Stores as well.

 

[billyboy]

I believe Apple will update EVERYTHING at once in a HUGE 20th Anniversary Celebratory BASH at WWDC! Seems like the one big thing to celebrate (since nothing else has happened this year).

I was thinking that too. The quiet before a major birhtday storm. Brand new products, leading on to the 3GHz PM for the autumn, iTMS global for Christmas...

 

[Soire]

NAB IS Exactly The Right Place. This is Apple's First Dedicated Press Event OFF EXPO FLOOR In The History Of NAB. Never Before Has Apple rented a ballroom for a press event the day before the NAB Expo opens. It is definitely a BIG DEAL event. I expect it will be broadcast to all Apple Stores as well.

That's a really good point. I actually have hope again for updates!

I just hope if it's a letdown then I can make it to WWDC updates.

ps- if they were to be released on a weekend, you could order it then, but it wouldn't ship till monday, right? (yea, that's how badly I want one...)

 

[agreenster]

You'd be waiting for WWDC for Apple to possibly ANNOUNCE the 3GHz. Even if that happened they'd likely not ship before "end of summer" (September 21, 2004).

Yeah, agreed. But the only reason Im expecting 3ghz'ers at WWDC is because that's the venue last year that SJ famously made the "3ghz by next year" promise.

 

[Nny]

The first generation G5 is certainly a vast improvement in speed. But it is also a rev. a machine -- which I why I won't buy one. My Apple 2e, Performa 630, and PowerMac 8600 are still functioning today. But my Titanium PowerBook G4, and the new G5s, are not built to same level of quality control. I'm waiting until rev. b to buy a G5 -- simple as that.

Yeah.... but the Rev B is going to be the first 90 nm version of the G5 (one would think). I think a move of that extreme level is prone to just as many problems as a Rev A machine. This is a much bigger change than just a bump in clock speed, and that's why there is a delay (possibly... i dunno).

Not saying I'm not going to buy one. I plan on waiting for a Dual 3 GHz... whether that is Rev B or C remains to be seen. I like the fact that Steve announced where Apple planned to be in a year. That's what avoided my buying the Dual 2 GHz last Summer/Fall. Just wish Apple would have a public roadmap like many other tech companies. Curious: How many will buy the Dual 3 GHz if Steve says at it's announcement: "This thing has legs... we'll be at 4-5 GHz in a year"?

 

[numediaman]

NAB IS Exactly The Right Place. This is Apple's First Dedicated Press Event OFF EXPO FLOOR In The History Of NAB. Never Before Has Apple rented a ballroom for a press event the day before the NAB Expo opens. It is definitely a BIG DEAL event. I expect it will be broadcast to all Apple Stores as well.

I hope you're right -- but looking at the NAB site I see Apple as a minor presense at this show. First, Apple is not a sponsor of the event. Next, their booth space is pretty modest: two booths next to each other, with the location right next to a larger Avid booth. Finally, of all the conferences & events being held, Apple only has one QuickTime guy on one panel (Glenn Bulycz, who is the only panel member without a picture) -- and what's worse is that the keynote for that panel is being given by a guy from the Windows Media division of Microsoft!

NAB looks like a great event (too bad I'm on the print side of the media world), but Apple looks like a bit player.

 

[ghiangelo]

pm problems

http://appleinsider.com/article.php?id=413

yet another interesting bit of info about the G5 revision delay...

it mentions that prototypes were sent out to select individuals in january but that something went wrong.. i wonder if the things catch fire or something.

hmm looks like the 970 is still a work in progress. hope these new revB units don't end up having a high jinx factor.

i don't think 3Ghz is going to be available anytime soon.

ghi

 

[Mr Maui]

Yeah, agreed. But the only reason Im expecting 3ghz'ers at WWDC is because that's the venue last year that SJ famously made the "3ghz by next year" promise.

I believe the quotes were "within a year" (Announced June 2003) and "by the end of next summer" (September 2003).

 

[MacsRgr8]

I wonder.....

Is Steve already having nightmares over his "3 GHz this time next year" prediction?

I don't believe the coming G5 updates are going to reach 3 GHz. Having to sell 2 GHz G5s for a whole year, then suddenly upgrade to 3 GHz will get the non-rumor-knowing ( ) people pretty frustrated when they find out their expensive Dual PowerMac purchase has this massive upgrade for the same amount of money.
Many of us were pretty mad when Apple suddenly launched the Dual 1.8 for the same price as the old Single one. Imagine a whole GHz (Dual!) upgrade....

So, @ NAB? WWDC? Or no event at all... just an updated apple.com homepage...?
Whenever it will happen, it is already very close (or past) to the halfway mark: Last year's shipping date, and the promised 3.0 Ghz mark.

I think Steve can announce a new 3 Ghz promise....

 

[pgwalsh]

a decent video card (9800 XT 256 MB preferred)

That's argubaly the best video card.

some more storage (Dell is shipping 400 GB HDs in their configs now). What other features/improvements would you guys like to see?

That would be nice.

I am one of those people waiting for a Rev B G5.

I hear you... Ditto

It IS peculiar that NOTHING has been updated. I swear I think they are just sitting on their iPod sales.

I've been telling people that they're a digital device company. They're goint to release a monitor for the ipod and you can use it as your desktop with linux.

Why do these "delay" rumors about PowerMacs keep getting posted? There is no delay. There was no intention on Apple's part to upgrade until they went 3 GHz. There is no need to. None at all.

and you know this because you have an invisible camera @ Apple headquarters, right?

 

[Ambrose Chapel]

http://appleinsider.com/article.php?id=413

yet another interesting bit of info about the G5 revision delay...

it mentions that prototypes were sent out to select individuals in january but that something went wrong.. i wonder if the things catch fire or something.

hmm looks like the 970 is still a work in progress. hope these new revB units don't end up having a high jinx factor.

i don't think 3Ghz is going to be available anytime soon.

ghi

i saw this..it does seem rather ominous. nothing to do but count the Tuesdays, I guess.

 

[numediaman]

http://appleinsider.com/article.php?id=413

yet another interesting bit of info about the G5 revision delay...

... i don't think 3Ghz is going to be available anytime soon.

ghi

Reading the AppleInsider report, it doesn't look like 2.6, or 2.4, anytime soon either. I hope this report is wrong, because if it isn't, then they are pointing to very modest speedbumps for WWDC -- something along the lines of introducing a 2.2 model only! Yikes! Can the news get worse?

 

[ghiangelo]

i saw this..it does seem rather ominous. nothing to do but count the Tuesdays, I guess.

this does not bode well for Apple and it's resellers. i read that the introduction of the G5 was not as big a seller as anticipated and having the standard units hanging around without upscaling for this long does not spark the consumer. the frightening thing is that it seems the issue is in the engineering of the computer itself. 90nm chips look to be a problem (Intel is taking it's time on them too). all of us are assuming that IBM is able to easily throw together a new system without problem. maybe the revision is a WHOLE new machine design electronically and not just a simple case of popping in a faster chip...

not a good sign if each revision has to be a reinvention of the previous...

ghi

 

[wannaPM]

Is Apple kidding us?

From one of the latest AI rumors:

Meanwhile, Power Mac G5 revision specs, model numbers and rumored US government purchases touted elsewhere on the Web are completely false and fabricated, very reliable sources told AppleInsider. However, these reports are being fabricated by an individual and not the publications they appear on.

I started to believe that this is true and that this individual could be Apple... Consider that many G5 are still in the distributors stocks and probably they don't want any of them to be still there when the new models will be announced.
So Apple started to "fabricate" these false rumors and potential G5 buyers waiting for the revB models started to think: "the new G5s are again and further, too much delayed ... anyway when Apple will finally publish the announcement 80.000 units will be pre-ordered and will be shipped at least 2-3 months later ... let's buy that nice dual 2 GHz now and don't look back!".
To further enforce what's above see the following, always from AI, which I judge at least exaggerated:

Sources also confirmed that the absence of faster models is a direct result of an unanticipated setback. "Something has gone terribly wrong,"

Terrible, very very terrible!!! Probably that source no longer sleeps at night for this setback!
And I just would like to see the Apple guys assembling 80.000 - I wrote eighty thousands - Xserve and G5 for the USA gov in few weeks!
But I resist, Apple will not make me buy one old and chirping dual 1.8 ... that dual 2.4 must come home with me!

 

[Nny]

BTO options

That's argubaly the best video card.

Agreed, a Radeon 9800XT is the best right now. But by WWDC ATI and nVidia will have something newer (they both are expected to launch new chips this month).... I just expect Apple to be one step behind. I didn't mean to imply either that it should be standard in new models.... I think they should bump the ATI 9600 to a 128 MB version as standard, and offer an ATI 9800XT as BTO.

 

[pgwalsh]

Agreed, a Radeon 9800XT is the best right now. But by WWDC ATI and nVidia will have something newer (they both are expected to launch new chips this month).... I just expect Apple to be one step behind. I didn't mean to imply either that it should be standard in new models.... I think they should bump the ATI 9600 to a 128 MB version as standard, and offer an ATI 9800XT as BTO.

Well I think since the PowerMacs are the pro models they should have the best of everything. There should be no upgrade, they should come standard with the top-of-the-line.They charge a permium for those PM with no monitor or speakers etc etc etc. The only exception would be the base model.

 

[invaLPsion]

WWDC will NOT have 3 GHz powermacs

I firmly believe that MacWorld Paris was specifically moved back to the end of summer for the 3GHz upgrade. The event is usually held in mid-late September but has been pushed back this year to August 31st, still in summer. This way, Steve can keep his promise.

WWDC will be used to "G5ify" other consumer models. The iMac and powerbook will both be boosted to G5s at WWDC.

 

[oingoboingo]

In hindsight, those who purchased dual 2.0 in July-Oct 2003 were the smart ones. They STILL have the king of the personal computer industry, and probably will for several more weeks. Not to mention there were no flaws with the Revision A Power Mac G5, even though some feared there would be (and consequently, did not buy). Let's just say I am glad to be counted in the camp of the smart ones with my August 2.0 G5 DP Power Mac purchase.

I generally agree with what you're saying...9 months and counting is a long time to be without the fastest machine you can get your hands on if you're a professional user who needs the fastest Mac they can get their hands on. If people had known that it would be *at least* 9 months before the G5s were going to be updated, then possibly a lot more users would have placed their order straight after that famous WWDC keynote last year.

But with regards to the 'no flaws' comment, I cannot agree. While G5 problems may not be massively widespread, and I'm sure the majority of G5 owners are happy with their machines, there are plenty of faults to take your pick from. Chirping and noisy power supplies, a variety of logic board crashes, the 'Black Screen of Death' (BSOD) problem with cold booting from certain Radeon video cards, the issue of the misplacement of the drive bay heat sensor, and assorted other little things, like the front headphone socket not cancelling out the speaker output when headphones are plugged in. Check www.xlr8yourmac.com or the Apple Discussion Forums. My first G5 was declared DOA by Apple after an untraceable motherboard fault, and the replacement I'm currently using suffers from the BSOD when the weather is cold...I'm just waiting for the problem to recur with 100% reproducibility now that the Australia summer is fading away before I take it in for a warranty claim.

As I said, I'm not saying that the majority of G5s are flawed. But as the owner of 2 G5s in a row which had faults (which resulted in a lot of time spent on support forums tracking issues down), you'd better believe there is a nice little collection of manufacturing and design faults doing the rounds of some unlucky G5 owners. Hopefully Rev. B will sort them out.