PowerMac G5 Updates - March 23rd?

[MacAficionado]

When was the last time you saw an Hardware update this late?

This actually means updates are imminent, wether it is tomorrow or tuesday remains to be seen.

If by tuesday there is nothing new, it would the first time they do not update after the site going down like it did today. At least according to my experience.

 

[aswitcher]

When was the last time you saw an Hardware update this late?

This actually means updates are imminent, wether it is tomorrow or tuesday remains to be seen.

If by tuesday there is nothing new, it would the first time they do not update after the site going down like it did today. At least according to my experience.

Really? They update the website a few days prior to putting new stuff up? Why not just do it when new stuff goes up?

 

[173080]

Argh. I had my hopes up when I saw that the Apple Store was down. The first thing I thought was, "Updated PowerBooks!!!!!!!!111111111 ". But then they didnt change anything. Damn you Apple, for crushing my hopes.

 

[DHagan4755]

Forget the 23rd. My money is on the 16th.

 

[klaus]

Forget the 23rd. My money is on the 16th.

april?

 

[invaLPsion]

i always thought that they brought down the site right when they were about to update when it comes back up? Is this the case? Has the Apple Store ever gone down and there have been updates Tuesday?

The most significant thing that I see missing from the updated store as of yesterday was that they had absolutely no G5s in the special deals. No new, no refurbished, nothing...

 

[neonart]

Argh. I had my hopes up when I saw that the Apple Store was down. The first thing I thought was, "Updated PowerBooks!!!!!!!!111111111 ". But then they didnt change anything. Damn you Apple, for crushing my hopes.

I really do not think Powerbooks will get updated anytime soon. I may be wrong, but if they have delays on Xserves and Powermacs- how can they do Powerbooks this early?
G4 Powerbooks maybe- not G5.

 

[a17inchFuture]

I really do not think Powerbooks will get updated anytime soon. I may be wrong, but if they have delays on Xserves and Powermacs- how can they do Powerbooks this early?
G4 Powerbooks maybe- not G5.

I think that Apple will come up with something before mid-summer. I think they are holding off at the moment, but this wait is too long for a modest 100 mhz bump to the top end.

They are waiting longer than the average period of time because they are going to release something good, aka the g5. If it were a modest update, they would have come out with it already, as the pbooks are already behind, more than any other line. Plus the 1.5 mhz g4 from moto wont be available for another 2-5 months (at least), and that too is FAR too long for a 1.5 chip.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong, obviously.

 

[neonart]

I think that Apple will come up with something before mid-summer. I think they are holding off at the moment, but this wait is too long for a modest 100 mhz bump to the top end.

They are waiting longer than the average period of time because they are going to release something good, aka the g5. If it were a modest update, they would have come out with it already, as the pbooks are already behind, more than any other line. Plus the 1.5 mhz g4 from moto wont be available for another 2-5 months (at least), and that too is FAR too long for a 1.5 chip.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong, obviously.

I see your point. If all they can do is a 1.5 G4, and in 2-5 months, then why bother at all.
We may get G5's in the books next, but not before the towers or Xserves, I don't think. WWDC maybe?

 

[numediaman]

If Apple had a hardware update every time their store went down they would be updating every other day! There is only one sure way to know when Apple will introduce new products -- they publicly announce it!

By the end of the month everyone wanting rev b G5 should be happy. But if you really are waiting for a G5 PB, better be prepared to wait quite a while. I think the G5 will hit 3.0 well before the PB has a single G5 chip.

 

[Naimfan]

I think that Apple will come up with something before mid-summer. I think they are holding off at the moment, but this wait is too long for a modest 100 mhz bump to the top end.

They are waiting longer than the average period of time because they are going to release something good, aka the g5. If it were a modest update, they would have come out with it already, as the pbooks are already behind, more than any other line. Plus the 1.5 mhz g4 from moto wont be available for another 2-5 months (at least), and that too is FAR too long for a 1.5 chip.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong, obviously.

You could also be right. However, I think the assumption that the G5 in a PB will be "something good" might contain a little too much false optimism. I posted elsewhere that a 1.6 GHz G5 PB might well only be a little bit faster than the 1.25 GHz PB. That is based on an analysis of benchmarks that test both the 1.6 G5 PM and the 1.25 GHz PB.

I disagree with you about the PBs being so far behind. I got to compare a 1.25 PB with a Centrino 1.5, and they "felt" remarkably close. I was not doing "power" type stuff, and the difference there might well be more pronounced (if you can stand using XP--sorry, I just think XP is hideous!).

I do agree that the PBs probably need some sort of update, if only for retail purposes. Without knowing the specifics of Motorolas chips, and based on the last G4 PM update, I wouldn't be surprised to see the CPU change to 1.42 in the 17, 1.33 in the 15, etc, combined with faster HDs and an updated video card if necessary.

I'm itching for a new PB and am sorely tempted to take advantage of the educational offer to buy a new PB with Applecare and get $150 off an iPod. But I'm hesitant to pull the trigger out of concern that as soon as I receive it, Apple will come out with new models..... Having just ordered a refurbed eMac for my son, I'll play with that for a while--hopefully it will keep me diverted long enough for new PBs to come out.

Best,

Bob

 

[blue&whiteman]

I have been saving for a while now and only dipped into my upgrade fund to upgrade my blue and whites cpu a few months back. pretty much as soon as the new G5 towers come out I am going to buy the new base model dual 1.8. I have earned it as I have been using this blue and white since fall 99. I wasn't going to but the last while I have had a big speed itch. my original G3/350 in the blue and white got xbench scores of about 32. since I upgraded the cpu, ram, hd and video I now get 58+ but I just can't break 60 . looks like people with current dual 1.8 systems are getting 190+ so that will be a nice refreshing change. if it comes with 256 I will add another 2GB. is it yet confirmed if the new entry machine will be bumped to 8GB max or will it still be 4?

my current system is fine for everyday use and even graphic arts but once I get into gaming under osx with it I can't play anything more demending than tiger woods golf or an older ghost recon demo. this is shy I want the G5. I will also up it to a 9800 card to be 100% sure I can game like a mofo

 

[Sped]

This may be off-topic...

I need to buy a laptop before the middle of May because I will be going overseas without my family and want a way to video chat with my family. I want a 15" Powerbook but refuse to pay for the current gen when I expect new models this Spring. I have heard the arguments for buying now regardless and for buying later, and I have to say that I would prefer to wait to get cutting edge technology. I like to buy best available toy when I make purchases because I tend to hold onto things for a long time and don't like to constantly buy/sell/buy.

However, I don't have a choice this time. So, the bottom line is this - if Apple doesn't release a new powerbook by the end of April, I need to decide what to do. I have considered buying an ibook. It doesn't seem like I am giving up that much, however, being without the family is going to drive me to playing games so older/slower video/cpu performance will be annoying. Also, being alone will give me the opportunity to finally burn our home movies to DVD which Superdriveless ibooks won't cut.

The other alternative is buying a current PB on eBay. I haven't looked to hard at this option but I am sure my pocketbook won't sting as bad if I get a good deal on a current rev pb just as new models are introduced.

So what do you think? Hold out till end of April for new Powerbooks? Buy an iBook and be happy? Or buy a used current rev PB? I appreciate the advice.

 

[JohnnyTwoToes]

I need to buy a laptop before the middle of May because I will be going overseas without my family and want a way to video chat with my family. I want a 15" Powerbook but refuse to pay for the current gen when I expect new models this Spring. I have heard the arguments for buying now regardless and for buying later, and I have to say that I would prefer to wait to get cutting edge technology. I like to buy best available toy when I make purchases because I tend to hold onto things for a long time and don't like to constantly buy/sell/buy.

However, I don't have a choice this time. So, the bottom line is this - if Apple doesn't release a new powerbook by the end of April, I need to decide what to do. I have considered buying an ibook. It doesn't seem like I am giving up that much, however, being without the family is going to drive me to playing games so older/slower video/cpu performance will be annoying. Also, being alone will give me the opportunity to finally burn our home movies to DVD which Superdriveless ibooks won't cut.

The other alternative is buying a current PB on eBay. I haven't looked to hard at this option but I am sure my pocketbook won't sting as bad if I get a good deal on a current rev pb just as new models are introduced.

So what do you think? Hold out till end of April for new Powerbooks? Buy an iBook and be happy? Or buy a used current rev PB? I appreciate the advice.

You know Sped....I hate to say it, but why don't you look at a PC for your trip? It'd be more disposable and you can get something for less now that you could still stave some money that you could put towards a new top of the line PB when then come out. Plus, replacing that pc wont be a big deal. This is all under the notion that you could endure a PC environment for however long you're in europe.

 

[wdlove]

I see your point. If all they can do is a 1.5 G4, and in 2-5 months, then why bother at all.
We may get G5's in the books next, but not before the towers or Xserves, I don't think. WWDC maybe?

At this point yes, WWDC is looking very likely. If it is to be a major upgrade that everyone expects and wants. Then Steve Jobs is going to want to make the announcement personally.

 

[clr900]

I've been thinking about when I order my shiny new PowerMac be it on the 16th or the 23rd, if I should cut out the superdrive save 200 dollars, and then buy one at an online store for less than Apple's cost. What I am wondering is, is it easy to replace the combo drive in the PowerMac with the one bought seperately? How much would a comparable superdrive cost from a third party? Of course if Apple releases the second gen with 8x superdrives then I will just stick with that. 200 dollars off the price would be nice though, means an extra gig of ram.

 

[a17inchFuture]

At this point yes, WWDC is looking very likely. If it is to be a major upgrade that everyone expects and wants. Then Steve Jobs is going to want to make the announcement personally.

Yes, I think that the g5 pb will obviously be a big announcement, so Jobs will probably be here, or it will be unveiled in some huge way, like at the upcominf wwdc (what do you know?)

And to whomever said "the g5's might not be such a good thing, when compared t the g4", in your speech, you pointed out that it would still be better, which is why i would want it. It may not be an incredible amount better, but its the next gen chip, and having been left behind in the wake of os x (i use 9.2.2), I want to future-prrof my next purchase. At least this way in two years i wont have to look through every apps specifications to see if it can work with a g4 processor.

I pray nightly (and I'm an atheist) for pb g5's by wwdc. . . .

 

[form]

What of last year's July with portending announcements of 3ghz G5s by the same time this year?

Somehow, it seems like they might wait as long as that to announce any updates, and I don't think they'll be 3ghz. By or around then, 2.6 will probably be the top system.

 

[Photorun]

What of last year's July with portending announcements of 3ghz G5s by the same time this year?

Somehow, it seems like they might wait as long as that to announce any updates, and I don't think they'll be 3ghz. By or around then, 2.6 will probably be the top system.

Wellll, they ANNOUNCED G5 machines at 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 last July... then it took until September or even October for most people to actually GET their machines. Sooo basically this July they can announce 3.0 GHz for "this fall" (picture Steve doing it with gusto) and deliver right around December 14 before the Winter Solstice begins.

 

[aswitcher]

You could also be right. However, I think the assumption that the G5 in a PB will be "something good" might contain a little too much false optimism.

SNIP

I do agree that the PBs probably need some sort of update, if only for retail purposes. Without knowing the specifics of Motorolas chips, and based on the last G4 PM update, I wouldn't be surprised to see the CPU change to 1.42 in the 17, 1.33 in the 15, etc, combined with faster HDs and an updated video card if necessary.

SNIP
Best,

Bob

Clearly, if they do the G4 allot of people are going to be disappointed.

G5 vs G4 I don't think shows insignificant improvements

http://www.barefeats.com/pvp.html
http://www.barefeats.com/pvp2.html

And then there is the issue of holding onto this for 3-4 years (for me at least) and facing optomised software which should really make the G5 humm.

A minor (miniscule) speed bump is not going to be received enthusiatically.

Better graphics card and harddisk speeds are a good idea.

What about better resolution screens to bring them into line with the PC laptop market?

 

[Naimfan]

Aswitcher--

If you compare the improvement, almost all of it can be attributed to the higher clock speed of the G5. The benchmarks you referenced are exactly the ones I used. Also, the G5 is a desktop, which provides a lot more space for optimizing hardware for performance. And the desktop also has a 7200 RPM hard drive. So if an optimized desktop G5 offers Perhaps I should say that the G5 does not offer an improvement clock for clock. You've already seen my original post on the subject.

I'd agree with you that improved displays would be a good idea, though I've never looked at a PB and thought "that display isn't very good." For that matter, the display on my Pismo looks fine for what I do on it.... And I'd also agree a G5 would be more futureproof in terms of software--my Pismo (G3/400) already won't run certain apps at all (Garageband, iDVD, Final Cut Express 2, etc.) and runs others VERY slowly. And I can only wonder when the G4 will be in a similar spot...

Given the uncertainty, I'd buy the existing 1.25 PB right now if it were 200-300 less--that would provide enough economic incentive for me to not care if newer PBs came out the next day.

Best,

Bob

 

[3Dfx_man]

Pricing

Well, i guess the recent rise in the Apple stock reflects some insider info leaking into the financial market! That, more than the small speed increase, are good news!

Any pricing info?

------------

Same pricing as before it seems. But a little
more for your money it seems. Thinking on
a purchase myself just check apple.com
and youl get the picture.

 

[aswitcher]

Aswitcher--

If you compare the improvement, almost all of it can be attributed to the higher clock speed of the G5. The benchmarks you referenced are exactly the ones I used. Also, the G5 is a desktop, which provides a lot more space for optimizing hardware for performance. And the desktop also has a 7200 RPM hard drive. So if an optimized desktop G5 offers Perhaps I should say that the G5 does not offer an improvement clock for clock. You've already seen my original post on the subject.

Yeah, guess thats true, although the gap on the games seems pretty high... But once optimised software appears we should see some hikes pushing the G5 further out above the G4s.

I'd agree with you that improved displays would be a good idea, though I've never looked at a PB and thought "that display isn't very good." For that matter, the display on my Pismo looks fine for what I do on it.... And I'd also agree a G5 would be more futureproof in terms of software--my Pismo (G3/400) already won't run certain apps at all (Garageband, iDVD, Final Cut Express 2, etc.) and runs others VERY slowly. And I can only wonder when the G4 will be in a similar spot...

Given the uncertainty, I'd buy the existing 1.25 PB right now if it were 200-300 less--that would provide enough economic incentive for me to not care if newer PBs came out the next day.

Best,

Bob

Apple has
12.1-inch (diagonal), 1024x768 resolution,
TFT 15.2-inch (diagonal), 1280x854 resolution,
TFT widescreen 17-inch (diagonal), 1440x900 resolution, TFT widescreen

XGA 1024 x 768
SXGA 1200 x 1024
SXGA+ 1400 x 1050
WXGA 1280 x 800
UXGA 1600 x 1200
UXGA+ same but brighter
WUXGA 1920 x 1200
http://www.gregconquest.com/tests.html

UXGA has been in 15" pc notebooks for sometime now (like 2+ years).

Top end notebooks (and Apple is in that price range) from Toshiba (15" Tecra S1 etc) and Sony (Viao), but also mainstream like Dell (http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1103-991130.html)


I personally would like this for image work, use of Expose, HDTV (when that comes mainstream) etc

 

[neonart]

I've been thinking about when I order my shiny new PowerMac be it on the 16th or the 23rd, if I should cut out the superdrive save 200 dollars, and then buy one at an online store for less than Apple's cost. What I am wondering is, is it easy to replace the combo drive in the PowerMac with the one bought seperately? How much would a comparable superdrive cost from a third party? Of course if Apple releases the second gen with 8x superdrives then I will just stick with that. 200 dollars off the price would be nice though, means an extra gig of ram.

Replacing the optical drive in most Apple towers is a piece of provebial cake! (Unless you can't use a screwdriver.)
Btw, I just got an ad from OfficeMAx where they advertized a 4X dvd burner for something like $80 after rebate!

A search on Newegg for 4X Pioneer DVD burners comes up with listings as little as $84 shipped. Even if the new G5's have 8X burners, I think the $116 in savings is worth the sacrifice in speed.

It would be awesome if Apple sold their towers bare, with no optical drive, no RAM, no video card, and no hard drive as a BTO option. I end up replacing these things anyway and I re-install the OS every time I buy a machine! (But that can create problems due to losers that screw up their machines and then blame Apple.)

 

[hexor]

So what do you think? Hold out till end of April for new Powerbooks? Buy an iBook and be happy? Or buy a used current rev PB? I appreciate the advice.

Buy the powerbook and sell it when the G5 powerbooks come out.. If you will look at the prices even on Ebay for powerbooks they hold their value extremely well compared to desktops.