Review: Apple's Hardware Line Updates and Hints

[MacRumors]

Apple made a few changes to their hardware lineup this past week, which drew the attention of the Mac faithful.

Apple quietly dropped their original (CRT) iMac from their linueup. The CRT iMac remained on the low-end of their consumer line for price-conscious consumers ever since the LCD iMac was introduced. The item, however, still appears in Apple's educational offerings.

As noted here, Apple also introduced a new Xserve configuration designed for clustering.

The new Xserve configuration also sports a slightly different design from the original Xserve.

The revised Xserves will be first demoed at Bio-IT World Conference which starts on March 25th 2003.

Meanwhile, Apple's delay of WWDC with specific mention of Panther (next OS X revision) raises a few eyebrows. This delay could also be related to the striking rumor that Apple may debut their PowerPC 970 strategy at this WWDC. Further hints (here and here) indicate that Apple PowerPC 970 motherboards are in the final design phase, approaching production.

In terms of shipping news -- Apple's Powerbook 17" finally appears to be shipping... but according to sources, it may simply be a small symbolic supply, as reports indicate that Apple is still having significant production problems with these machines.

 

[puffmarvin]

well the hype they once had is sure over...

 

[maxterpiece]

original iMac

anyone know how many original iMacs (CRT) apple was selling in the last few months? Just curious.... It was a cool computer - probably had more personality than any computer ever.

 

[Hemingray]

Yes, as many pointed out, the drop of the CRT iMac was quite unceremonious... especially for such a "revolutionary" design. At least they gave OS 9 a headstone!

If indeed those PPC 970 rumors are true and we do see their "introduction" at the WWDC, well I'll be absolutely thrilled. But I'm personally not holding my breath...

 

[GrizzlyHippo]

Powerbook news?

Welcome back Arn, hope you aren't too tired!!!

Over here in England we are approaching the end of many people's tax year (including mine) on the 5th April and I really want/need/want to buy a new Powerbook and claim the tax back on it within the current year, therefore helping my tax burden for the following year etc.

The only thing is that the 15" is the version that suits my needs perfectly - 12" too small & not fully spec'd, 17" too big etc. and as many of the rumors suggest, a 15.4" AlBook is just around the corner...

...so my question is, do you have any firm-ish hardware rumors on when the new 15" will be announced / launch / be available?

Many thanks,
Grizzly

 

[jamilecrire]

Just release the dammm 15.4" Powerbooks

I hate that dell has beat apple to the punch. The only thing I'd like would be the resolution options that dell offers (even though I'd be shocked if apple did this).

I guess you can't have a 15.4" with a greater resolution than the 17" so we'll be stuck with the 1280x800 instead of the preferrable resolution of1680x1050 or 1920x1200).

Oh well, guess i'll get a TiBook instead, the only reasons I'd prefer the Aluminum case are better airport reception and the case. Dont need lit keys, dont need fw800, certainly dont need a geforce mx card (over the ati card), ...

I hope WWDC is worth a damn b/c it's going to cost a boatload $1695 (select membership included) to attend. I guess that's the price for being an apple developer. (If anyone else is going I suggest the Clift House, very choice if you can afford it).

Oh btw here's what you can get for the Dell. 2GHz, 512MB DDR, 60GB HD, Geforce 4 4200 (non MX version), DVD/CDRW, Extra Battery, Case, 3years support (without extra cost of applecare). $2134 (no tax unless you're in TX)

I'm a mac lover but it's no wonder business users don't switch. I have 10 employees. If the Apple 15.4" costs 2300 (sans DVDR which none of my employees need) + Tax everywhere, I'll pay 3500 more. That comes out of my pocket (as the owner). Not to mention let's say I want applecare (add another 2500-3500). I don't care about the processor speed. 1GHz is fantastic on OS X. I do however care about costs. Just compete on cost Apple!!!! Please!

 

[sparkleytone]

It looks like the eMac is probably going to take the place of the iMac. If this is true, expect updates to be as sparse as the iMac was in the last couple years. Its a great inexpensive machine. I hope I'm happy when mine gets to the apartment.

As far as Panther and the PPC970 goes, it seems promising. The latest reports I read/heard were a solid manufacturing deal to begin on Mar. 28 for a product first run. That would place a June WWDC date as a great opportunity to give the hardware a good tirekicking session. Here's to hoping.

 

[mymemory]

Are we missed you :...( people were fighting, insulting each other it was terrible! the mods started everything banning everybody and insulting too :...(.

I'm kiddin, everything was fine, just calm and relaxition, we didn't even realise there was a war out there

 

[IJ Reilly]

Originally posted by Hemingray
Yes, as many pointed out, the drop of the CRT iMac was quite unceremonious... especially for such a "revolutionary" design. At least they gave OS 9 a headstone!

If indeed those PPC 970 rumors are true and we do see their "introduction" at the WWDC, well I'll be absolutely thrilled. But I'm personally not holding my breath...

Well, "officially" the G3 iMac didn't exist in the Apple product line after January 2002 when it was replaced by the G4. They just sort of kept making it. Maybe old iMacs are like old soldiers -- they don't die, they just fade away...

 

[nanosound]

The delay on the 17"ers is very frustrating. Even more disturbing is reports that people can get them by walking into Apple stores ahead of those that ordered them after the keynote. Is Apple screwing their resellers?

 

[yzedf]

Originally posted by nanosound
The delay on the 17"ers is very frustrating. Even more disturbing is reports that people can get them by walking into Apple stores ahead of those that ordered them after the keynote. Is Apple screwing their resellers?

Yes they are. To the point that a choice few have sued over it. Resellers _always_ are the last to get something new, and never really hear about anything important in advance (thank you internet).

 

[vniow]

Did anyone else notice that the new Xserve's optical drive is now slot-loading?

Some changes on the inside too, the heatsink is now attached to the processor as opposed to them being seperate, maybe that's why they're quieter now?

 

[nanosound]

Originally posted by yzedf
Yes they are. To the point that a choice few have sued over it. Resellers _always_ are the last to get something new, and never really hear about anything important in advance (thank you internet).

As frustrating as it is, I will rather wait and stick to my reseller and not buy from Apple. I am fed up with their business practices. I just hope resellers don't go the way of the clonemakers. What Apple forgets is resellers are selling Apple products as well which can only help their marketshare.

 

[unfaded]

Originally posted by nanosound
As frustrating as it is, I will rather wait and stick to my reseller and not buy from Apple. I am fed up with their business practices. I just hope resellers don't go the way of the clonemakers. What Apple forgets is resellers are selling Apple products as well which can only help their marketshare.

Yeah, you show Apple by buying from a reseller. Surely that will teach them.

They still get your money...you just get your computer late. *shrugs* do what you want, but that's a ridiculously idiotic protest to make.

 

[schemers]

I got my 17" powerbook (ordered through Stanford) on Friday. I'm having a lot of trouble with DHCP when coming out of sleep mode. I also get a high-pitched whine every once in a while while using Safari.

roland

 

[MarkCollette]

Originally posted by unfaded
Yeah, you show Apple by buying from a reseller. Surely that will teach them.

They still get your money...you just get your computer late. *shrugs* do what you want, but that's a ridiculously idiotic protest to make.

Yes it may force the person to sacrifice, but in a free market the only power you have is in how you buy goods. Plus, by waiting, they'll probably get a faster computer anyway

 

[Griffindor73]

Does anyone else feel rather sad at the end of the original iMac- this little blighter saved Apple and its sort of slipped away mainly un-noticed. This is the computer that made the world stop and go 'Wow' when it first appeared and will be a classic design of the 20th century (it is the VW Bettle of the computer world). It seems a bit sad that they couldn't send it out with a bit of a bang- you know- some kind of limited edition in a mad colour or something (or, as a huge statement of irony, beige!!!)

 

[Langdon]

OK this stuff is all great but what about the iBooks and iPods. They are yet to be upgraded when everything in Apple's line has been.

 

[crapple33]

Does anyone else feel rather sad at the end of the original iMac- this little blighter saved Apple and its sort of slipped away mainly un-noticed. This is the computer that made the world stop and go 'Wow' when it first appeared and will be a classic design of the 20th century (it is the VW Bettle of the computer world). It seems a bit sad that they couldn't send it out with a bit of a bang- you know- some kind of limited edition in a mad colour or something (or, as a huge statement of irony, beige!!!)

Well maybe in a few years, they'll release a new one. You know, like the New Beetle? It can come in even more attractive colors (Anyone read the Foxtrot cartoons about the iFruit?) and stuff... It would be just like the 20th Anniversary Mac.

 

[Hemingray]

Originally posted by crapple33
Well maybe in a few years, they'll release a new one. You know, like the New Beetle? It can come in even more attractive colors (Anyone read the Foxtrot cartoons about the iFruit?) and stuff... It would be just like the 20th Anniversary Mac.

I could definitely see Apple doing something to that effect... maybe in 2018. (another true TAM!) That would be pretty cool.

 

[MasterX (OSiX)]

(referring to the arn post)

That doesn't mean no one got their 17"s, ie my brother: http://homepage.mac.com/djtechron/PhotoAlbum17.html

 

[The Shadow]

17" PowerBook

Originally posted by MasterX (OSiX)
(referring to the arn post)

That doesn't mean no one got their 17"s, ie my brother: http://homepage.mac.com/djtechron/PhotoAlbum17.html

Checked out the photos.

After spending all that money on the big Powerbook, you'd think you're Bros would fork out for some desk real estate. Still, good to see he's got his priorities right.

I'm interested to know what the old Mac is on the desk beside it, with the 3 front loading slots. I'm not sure we got that model in Australia. Although, I didn't keep up between purchases in those days.

Cheers

 

[MasterX (OSiX)]

He's still in college, so getting more desk space isn't an option. Heh, that's what the stand is for i suppose.

His old machine is a very cool educational-only All-In-One G3 mac. It came out right after the iMac, and actually is an amazing machine.

266Mhz G3
Apple Identity Slot (analog video in/out)
6GB HD
Zip 100, CD-Rom and Floppy

Pretty slick computer, short run, only saw one other.

 

[polyesterlester]

Originally posted by MasterX (OSiX)
His old machine is a very cool educational-only All-In-One G3 mac. It came out right after the iMac, and actually is an amazing machine.

Actually, it came out before the iMac. My old high school had it quite a while before the iMac. My technology director seriously dissed the translucent plastics used.

 

[MasterX (OSiX)]

Are you sure? I distinctly recall that my brother had his machine after I got my iMac (and I waited at the store for the truck of iMacs to get there).

Maybe he ordered it later than he could've. Anyway it's a slick machine, he's installing his external SCSI CD-RW into it now. Unplugged the Zip drive to get an internal connection. Crazy stuff.