Realistic Specs for Next iBook?

[xisforextreme]

When?!

it's all well and good to sit and speculate about possible specs, but does anyone know when these updates are coming out? According to the buyers guide, it should be pretty soon. The reason I ask is that I too am waiting to buy an iBook, I just don't want to buy it and find out it's been updated.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

The iBook will most likely not have a clock speed of 1.42 GHz. 1.42 GHz is a G4 speed on 167 MHz System Buses. The iBook uses a 133 MHz system bus. The speeds are as follows for a 133 MHz system bus: 1.2 GHz, 1.26 GHz, 1.33 GHz, 1.4 GHz, 1.46 GHz, 1.53 GHz, 1.6 GHz, 1.67 GHz, 1.73 GHz, and so on.

Well, I was hoping they would increase the bus speed, too... (and also increase the PBs bus to 200 MHz, which I think is the max supportet bus for the G4s.)

 

[emotion]

the only way they have to go in this instance before they trip over the powerbooks is smaller

so i say an ibook mini would make sense:

10" widescreen (the powerbooks will all go widescreen before this comes out. ie. 12" will go to 13" WS)
1.2Ghz
512MB
64MB GPU

ok, there's an element of wishful thinking here

 

[Dark Horse]

... when <are> these updates coming out? ...The reason I ask is that I too am waiting to buy an iBook, I just don't want to buy it and find out it's been updated.

Me too, but not sure I can wait beyond tiger release date (which is now tomorrow!!).....I only really care for 512mb RAM

 

[gamestriker]

Like I said in another post, I think that Apple would miss a major opportunity by not releasing an iBook update on or before the Tiger release, but there is no sign that the iBook (or the new iMacs and eMacs) will be released tomorrow. It's pretty likely thought that next week the consumer line (iBook, iMac, eMac, and maybe even a new Mac mini ) will be updated.

 

[Yvan256]

Me too, but not sure I can wait beyond tiger release date (which is now tomorrow!!).....I only really care for 512mb RAM

You only care for a memory upgrade that's already available in BTO options?!

 

[metsfan489]

Like I said in another post, I think that Apple would miss a major opportunity by not releasing an iBook update on or before the Tiger release, but there is no sign that the iBook (or the new iMacs and eMacs) will be released tomorrow. It's pretty likely thought that next week the consumer line (iBook, iMac, eMac, and maybe even a new Mac mini ) will be updated.

I agree that an entire upgrade of the consumer lines looks plausible for next week probably tuesday, althought with apple you never know

 

[ZildjianKX]

These are my wishes (being totally realistic).

- 64 meg core image compatible graphics card
- 5400 RPM BTO option
- Bluetooth 2.0 BTO option
- New trackpad (like powerbook)

 

[Yvan256]

These are my wishes (being totally realistic).

- 64 meg core image compatible graphics card
- 5400 RPM BTO option
- Bluetooth 2.0 BTO option
- New trackpad (like powerbook)

- 64MB, better-than-Radeon9200 GPU is the only thing I'd want.
- 5400 RPM as BTO seems fine (but I doubt they'll give you the option of getting as-fast-as-PowerBook HDs in iBooks) though I wonder if a 4200 RPM HD preserves battery life (which is essential for a laptop, IMO).
- Bluetooth 2.0 as BTO is fine with me
- I don't really care for the new trackpad (especially with all the problems they seem to be having with it). In fact I hate trackpads, I'd rather have IBM's trackpoint instead (why not put both in the laptops?)

At least we get Tiger and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy tomorrow.

 

[ravenvii]

iBook G5!

You heard it here first!

 

[mkrishnan]

iBook G5!

I'm thinking dual processor, because the PowerBook is clearly going DP. Maybe even three or four of the bad boys. And you won't need a furnace or a fireplace in the winter!

 

[Aaon]

In fact I hate trackpads, I'd rather have IBM's trackpoint instead (why not put both in the laptops?)

At least we get Tiger and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy tomorrow.

I totally agree with you about the trackpads. I have always loved the trackpoint on the thinkpads. Many people are scared off when they see them, but if they would give them a shot, I think they would love them. You don't have to move your hands off the keyboard, or move your fingers all over the place. It sounds like a minor thing, but it makes using your laptop so much more convenient. It is suprisingly easy to pick up the use of it too. I would love to see this in an iBook!

And I'm excited about HHGTTG as well!

 

[xisforextreme]

Even if the upgrades come next week, do you think they'll be the only ones we'll be seeing for a while (as in a major upgrade) or will it just be a minor tweaking, with a bigger upgrade possible some time in the near future?

 

[weg]

- I don't really care for the new trackpad (especially with all the problems they seem to be having with it). In fact I hate trackpads, I'd rather have IBM's trackpoint instead (why not put both in the laptops?)

Actually I thought this thing was called nipple- or clit-mouse

 

[rosalindavenue]

Even if the upgrades come next week, do you think they'll be the only ones we'll be seeing for a while (as in a major upgrade) or will it just be a minor tweaking, with a bigger upgrade possible some time in the near future?

My bet is that the upcoming ibook upgrades will be the only ones for a LONG while. They'll get a 64 meg videocard, 512 Ram and a tiny processor bump, then then'll stary right where they are until after the powerbooks get a huge upgrade/redesign. Don't forget, until about 18 months ago the ibooks were G3-- Apple wants a bigger gap between i- and power- books if they can get it. After this ibook upgrade I dont think you'll see another one in 2005.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

My bet is that the upcoming ibook upgrades will be the only ones for a LONG while. They'll get a 64 meg videocard, 512 Ram and a tiny processor bump, then then'll stary right where they are until after the powerbooks get a huge upgrade/redesign. Don't forget, until about 18 months ago the ibooks were G3-- Apple wants a bigger gap between i- and power- books if they can get it. After this ibook upgrade I dont think you'll see another one in 2005.

I think you're right... the next iBook (after the imminent one) will be a brand new line, G5 or whatever, and we will not see those in a while...

 

[redeye be]

They will also upgrade to 512MB RAM standard, if they plan to preinstall Tiger on them. The operating system needs 256MB just run, so unless users just plan to turn the computer on and look at it, they'll need the extra memory to run applications.

Just to be anal here: a 256 Mb RAM apple with tiger will be able to run other programs. Bigger apps like iPhoto or PS will not like it, but for basic computer uses 256 should work (although maybe slightly uncomfortable).

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Just to be anal here: a 256 Mb RAM apple with tiger will be able to run other programs. Bigger apps like iPhoto or PS will not like it, but for basic computer uses 256 should work (although maybe slightly uncomfortable).

Well, I would NOT be satisfied with 256 MB RAM...

From iLife ’05 System Requirements:

# 256MB of physical RAM (512MB recommended)
* 512MB RAM required to use HD features of iMovie HD

...so even if Tiger will run on 256 MB it kind of silly not to support the software that is included with every iBook (the first revision after the introduction of iLife '05), isn't it...? (Which is one of the reasons I cross my fingers for a single layer superdrive BTO option also with the 12"es.)

 

[Jo-Kun]

so i say an ibook mini would make sense: 10" widescreen

10" is quite small 12" is just fine but small too ;-)

I think they will update all the graphics cards to 64mb vram minimum so every new mac will support core image from Tiger.

just to give people with "older" machines a reason to upgrade to get everything out of Tiger, hence sales sales sales ;-)

I don't think we'll see other major updates soon... maybe a processor boost on the iMac and maybe a new eMac, or no more eMac at all since the iMac without optical drive is "educational" and only available for education, as was the eMac in the beginning...

 

[redeye be]

Well, I would NOT be satisfied with 256 MB RAM...

hey man, easy man, don't bite of my nose!

I totaly agree and i had my mini delivered with 512 BTO, it should have been standard, and it should be like that on all Macs.
Like i said, i was just being anal about not being able to run any apps with 256 Mb RAM which would all be souped up by a hungry tiger.

Hell, i'm allready thinking of going 1 Gb on the mini.

 

[iApollo]

I really wish they would give it a new design. I mean, the first ibooks at least changed color over the few years... and why can't they make them slim like the old powerbooks?

I'd like to see a new ibook line that is slim and tinted metal to match the different ipod minis!

 

[mersea]

I'd like to see a new ibook line that is slim and tinted metal to match the different ipod minis!

Sorry, but ewww. I quite like them the way they are now, if they redesigned the form it'd have to grow on me. But coloured metal ones? I shiver at the thought...