Predictions for new iBook----->

[shadowmoses]

We have all established a new iBook is due out sometime soon...very soon, so instead of speculating over that why not speculate over what the update will be?

I think-->

1.Changed form factor-->im sure apple will do a good job maybe thin it out but keep it looking quite simular.
2.Higher resolution screens-->possible widescreen
3.Superdrive available on 12"
4.Graphics card which supports tiger fully
5.Same amount of RAM as standard but expandable to 2gb
6.Simular CPU speeds
7.60-100gb Hard drives


SHADOW

 

[wdlove]

We have all established a new iBook is due out sometime soon...very soon, so instead of speculating over that why not speculate over what the update will be?

I think-->

1.Changed form factor-->im sure apple will do a good job maybe thin it out but keep it looking quite similar.
2. Higher resolution screens-->possible widescreen
3. Superdrive available on 12"
4. Graphics card which supports tiger fully
5. Same amount of RAM as standard but expandable to 2gb
6. Similar CPU speeds
7.60-100gb Hard drives


SHADOW

That sounds like a good list to me. Hopefully that will add 512 MB of RAM as standard.

 

[Jschultz]

We have all established a new iBook is due out sometime soon...very soon, so instead of speculating over that why not speculate over what the update will be?

I think-->

1.Changed form factor-->im sure apple will do a good job maybe thin it out but keep it looking quite simular.
2.Higher resolution screens-->possible widescreen
3.Superdrive available on 12"
4.Graphics card which supports tiger fully
5.Same amount of RAM as standard but expandable to 2gb
6.Simular CPU speeds
7.60-100gb Hard drives

SHADOW

With the current pb lines, 5-7 are definitely not possible without stepping on the toes of the pb.

Why would I buy a powerbook if an iBook had same hdd space,as much expandable ram and similar processor for 500-700 bucks less? The differences have been so foggy since the iBook switched to G4 processors. What apple needs to do is not so much cripple the iBook, but really ramp up the pb with a different G4 mobile cpu (see other thread here somewhere) double the FSB speed, and keep the 5400 rpm drive, or add a super quiet 7200 (yeah right, just a wish) ..

I can't imagine how bad 12" powerbook sales may slumping due to a bit of conflict with it's little brother.

My predictions? GPU is upgraded to the same as the 12" powerbook (NVidia GoFX 5200) and RAM is standard at 512 mb.

Man. That closes the gap between the pb, and iBook too close...so all you're really buying a pb for is the 5400 rpm hdd, and a few more megahertz.

 

[Daveway]

I really only foresee a new form factor, a Tiger compatible vid. card, and one of those "Apple" innovations to go along with it.

Right now the iBooks are sufficient for their target market in the areas of HD space and CPU speed without getting in the way of the Powerbooks.

 

[willyhunt]

I have decided that I am probably going to buy an iBook when it gets updated. What I am really hoping for is a new GPU thats Tiger compliant and a Superdrive option on the 12". Give me that and i'll be a happy chap.

 

[ITASOR]

If you think about it....I wonder why the Superdrive in 12" isn't an option. It wouldn't hurt them any to offer it except drive sales away from the PB.

 

[macbaseball]

If you think about it....I wonder why the Superdrive in 12" isn't an option. It wouldn't hurt them any to offer it except drive sales away from the PB.

The pb is more expensive, so driving sales away from it means less profit. Not going ot happen. I only see a design change and a compatible video card. That's it. The updates will probably suck, unless Apple updates the PB first.

 

[Mr Maui]

Why not take the top of the line Powerbook. put it in a plastic case and sell it for $299, just so Apple can appeal to all the people out there who don't want to spend anything on a super-powerful. extremely-portable, high-definition, high-capacity computer that can play/record CDs/DVDs, edit video, play top-notch high-quality, graphics-intense video games, etc. They can call it the new "i2cheap".

 

[Mr Maui]

If you think about it....I wonder why the Superdrive in 12" isn't an option. It wouldn't hurt them any to offer it except drive sales away from the PB.

Exactly! Guess they might actually know what they are doing after all.

 

[macbaseball]

Why not take the top of the line Powerbook. put it in a plastic case and sell it for $299, just so Apple can appeal to all the people out there who don't want to spend anything on a super-powerful. extremely-portable, high-definition, high-capacity computer that can play/record CDs/DVDs, edit video, play top-notch high-quality, graphics-intense video games, etc. They can call it the new "i2cheap".

Lol, maybe because the world doesn't work like that. They aren't going to make their professional line look like a piece of crap. What you are describing would be 3 grand easy on a pc due to the good graphics card, speedy processor, lots of RAM etc. Just think what it would cost for a mac... Your are describing a professional machine, not a consumer machine. A low end pc isn't capable, why would a low end mac be...

 

[Mr Maui]

Lol, maybe because the world doesn't work like that. They aren't going to make their professional line look like a piece of crap. What you are describing would be 3 grand easy on a pc due to the good graphics card, speedy processor, lots of RAM etc. Just think what it would cost for a mac... Your are describing a professional machine, not a consumer machine. A low end pc isn't capable, why would a low end mac be...

HINT: SARCASM!!

 

[macbaseball]

HINT: SARCASM!!

, lol sorry about that. Didn't quite catch the sarcasm...

 

[Tamer Brad]

It's getting quite stupid though, don't you think?

Why on Earth is Apple competing with itself? It needs to compete with the PC laptop market right now, NOT itself, even if that means making their pro line look a bit bad. Crippling a product line just so a more expensive one sells better is just dirty.

 

[macbaseball]

It's getting quite stupid though, don't you think?

Why on Earth is Apple competing with itself? It needs to compete with the PC laptop market right now, NOT itself, even if that means making their pro line look a bit bad. Crippling a product line just so a more expensive one sells better is just dirty.

That's how Apple does it though. They have been doing that as long as I can remember. (Which isn't very long). Anyways, they have always used crappy video cards, and slower processors in the iBooks to make you want a PB. Also that code that doesn't let you span screens with a iBook, that's also trying to get you to buy a PB. There's no function to having that.

 

[Tamer Brad]

That's how Apple does it though. They have been doing that as long as I can remember. (Which isn't very long). Anyways, they have always used crappy video cards, and slower processors in the iBooks to make you want a PB. Also that code that doesn't let you span screens with a iBook, that's also trying to get you to buy a PB. There's no function to having that.

It's nonsensical though. They sell way more iBooks than Powerbooks. Do they really need two laptop lines competing with eachother? Would it be so ludicrous to have one line, ranging from low-end to high-end?

Go where the market is, Apple ... I'm waiting to make the big switch, here. >_>

 

[Mr Maui]

It's getting quite stupid though, don't you think?

Why on Earth is Apple competing with itself? It needs to compete with the PC laptop market right now, NOT itself, even if that means making their pro line look a bit bad. Crippling a product line just so a more expensive one sells better is just dirty.

I'm not quite sure how the iBook line is being "crippled". They are a lower level machine. They are not designed to compete with the higher-end, professional level computers. That's almost like saying ... "Why not give the Ford Escort all of the fancy features of the Crown Victoria since Ford has the means and ability to do it?" If a consumer wants the more powerful system and all of the additional features and capabilities, Apple has a right to ask them to kick out the extra cash for something better, just like Ford has the right to ask them to kick out the extra cash for the Crown Victoria with all of its bells and whistles. Otherwise, why not sell BMWs and Mercedes for $20,000 like Escorts. The iBook is designed to be an affordable and efficient means to portable computing, and that is exactly what it is. It is NOT designed to compete with the best computers out on the market in every aspect. I personally believe the iBook kicks butt for the price. It's not designed to get 50-60-80 FPS on Doom 3, process intense video quickly, or complete other high-level, high-demand, high-intensity tasks. That's what the Pro line is for, and you get what you pay for. Just my opinion.

 

[Mr Maui]

That's how Apple does it though. They have been doing that as long as I can remember. (Which isn't very long). Anyways, they have always used crappy video cards, and slower processors in the iBooks to make you want a PB. Also that code that doesn't let you span screens with a iBook, that's also trying to get you to buy a PB. There's no function to having that.

For the record, if Apple uses the "better stuff" (video cards, RAm, processors, etc.) in the iBook, it doesn't sell for $999, and many people already complain that the iBook is priced too high. Unfortunately, Apple will never please all the people, all of the time.

 

[THX]

Well, this is from a PC user perspective. I will be buying a laptop for university, I want an IBook but at the same time I'm tempted by PC's because they appear so much more powerful than apple's lineup and cost less. Obviously the downside is: no MacOSX. However, they have to boost their specs if they want to attract more PC users to the Mac.

What am I going to do? Buy a mac of course, I'm dead set on doing so. But at the same time, I will feel a bit guilty doing so; seems like I'm spending more money than I have to.

 

[Mr Maui]

It's nonsensical though. They sell way more iBooks than Powerbooks. Do they really need two laptop lines competing with eachother? Would it be so ludicrous to have one line, ranging from low-end to high-end?

Go where the market is, Apple ... I'm waiting to make the big switch, here. >_>

What is keeping you from making the switch. The two lines are not competing against each other. One is targeted to Pro users, and the other to consumers and students. It sounds like you are one of the consumers who wants the Pro line for the Student price.

 

[rosalindavenue]

Right now the iBooks are sufficient for their target market in the areas of HD space and CPU speed without getting in the way of the Powerbooks.

IMO, hard drive space is an idiotic way to differentiate the power- and i- book lines. My 30 gig ipod is nearly full; why should I have to commit 75% of a 12" ibook's 40 gig hard drive to my ipod contents? That's crazy. Apple should give the ibooks what has been standard in PCs for 2 years-- 60-80 gigs. Punish the ibook buyers with lesser processors, soldered-on 128 RAM, etc. but don't limit the storage.

 

[Mr Maui]

Well, this is from a PC user perspective. I will be buying a laptop for university, I want an IBook but at the same time I'm tempted by PC's because they appear so much more powerful than apple's lineup and cost less. Obviously the downside is: no MacOSX. However, they have to boost their specs if they want to attract more PC users to the Mac.

What am I going to do? Buy a mac of course, I'm dead set on doing so. But at the same time, I will feel a bit guilty doing so; seems like I'm spending more money than I have to.

Appearances can be deceiving and OSX is a huge selling point in my opinion. Anything Apple makes with OSX is better than anything PC with Windows. I sympathize with your present state.

 

[Mr Maui]

IMO, hard drive space is an idiotic way to differentiate the power- and i- book lines. My 30 gig ipod is nearly full; why should I have to commit 75% of a 12" ibook's 40 gig hard drive to my ipod contents? That's crazy. Apple should give the ibooks what has been standard in PCs for 2 years-- 60-80 gigs. Punish the ibook buyers with lesser processors, soldered-on 128 RAM, etc. but don't limit the storage.

Is 60-80 GB standard in the sub-$1000 PC portables? Do they have more RAM? Are they Faster? Does their operating system and ease of use even compare? You have to compare Apples to apples, and with PCs, they all have worms. JMO

Besides, I do believe the hard drives can be replaced within the iBooks. I don't believe THEY are soldered in.

 

[leekohler]

We have all established a new iBook is due out sometime soon...very soon, so instead of speculating over that why not speculate over what the update will be?

I think-->

1.Changed form factor-->im sure apple will do a good job maybe thin it out but keep it looking quite simular.
2.Higher resolution screens-->possible widescreen
3.Superdrive available on 12"
4.Graphics card which supports tiger fully
5.Same amount of RAM as standard but expandable to 2gb
6.Simular CPU speeds
7.60-100gb Hard drives


SHADOW

I think thinning the iBook would drastically decrease it's durability which is a big selling point. It's made to take a bit of abuse. Mine does- that's one of the reasons I chose it. It gets knocked around quite a bit and still looks new after almost a year. Well it's had a little help from IceCreme to fix the scratches.

Widescreen would be nice.

I could see them upping the RAM and not much else you listed. Otherwise, why get a PowerBook?

 

[Tamer Brad]

What is keeping you from making the switch. The two lines are not competing against each other. One is targeted to Pro users, and the other to consumers and students. It sounds like you are one of the consumers who wants the Pro line for the Student price.

No, but I can get a WinTel laptop that has better specs than an iBook for the same price. I'm not saying I will, but come on ... what's stopping both lines from getting an update?

And what's keeping me from switching? I don't have money right now

 

[bbarnhart]

Since this was an iBook prediction thread, I'll give mine.

1. Jobs introduces it next week during his keynote
2. Minor form factor change
3. No widescreen
4. 512 RAM on mother board - one open slot
5. Core Image graphics card
6. 1.33 GHz 12" 1.5 GHz 14"
7. 40 Gig HD 12" 80 gig HD 14"
8. I don't really care what the CD-R DVD+-R Combo Super Drive DVD RAM Blue light Slot load drive is as long as it's DVD something. Read only is fine with me
9. Ordering it right after the keynote will take 5 weeks to arrive because of pent up demand
10. Just to round it out to 10 and throw in something that I want and would order it if it didn't come with it - Bluetooth standard