So, when will we see new 15" Powerbooks?

[Marble]

Originally posted by chicagdan
I don't think you guys have proper respect for the engineering difficulties of laptops...could end up with another flammable PB fiasco on their hands.

I think most of us in this situation respect this, but our previous experience is that Apple has done amazing things to overcome obstacles like these, so our uncertainty still exists. If we were all as sure as you are that PowerBook G5s were such an impossibility in the near future, we would probably have less reservations about going ahead and ordering the current laptop of our choice.
For me, it starts to come down to whether portability is as important as a durable and long-lasting computer system. And again, for me, it's a terribly difficult choice.

 

[chicagdan]

f we were all as sure as you are that PowerBook G5s were such an impossibility in the near future, we would probably have less reservations about going ahead and ordering the current laptop of our choice.

Don't take my word for it ... look on the front page. Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president of Hardware Product Marketing, is quoted today saying "Our partnership with Motorola is not going away, G4s are in every other part of our product line. As you can see, [the G5] is not going in a PowerBook anytime soon." So unless you think Apple is lying, I'd say buy a G4 PB.

 

[fred_garvin]

I wish Apple would define "anytime soon". Is that 6 months, 12, 18, 24? If the .09 process 970's are slated for November or so, a MWSF introduction, shipping in Feb or so seems reasonable.

If only they released a 15.4" Albook g4 by march, I would have purchased, not wanting to wait a year. Now, if they don't have that until August, I might as well wait 6 more months until the time I figure I can get a g5 Powerbook with more than double the performance.

For now, I'll stay with my desktop and get a cinema display, if the rumored adjustable ones come out this summer.

 

[chicagdan]

Originally posted by fred_garvin
I wish Apple would define "anytime soon". Is that 6 months, 12, 18, 24?

Apple wants you to buy a PowerBook now, so they won't tell you that they'll plop in a G5 as soon as they can. But I'm sure they have a roadmap ... and if they don't release a 15 inch PB this summer, it's a good bet the road ends no later than MWSF 2004. If they do release a new 15" this summer, I think we're looking at another year.

 

[beefcake]

I never thought the G5 would be released in the powerbook simultaneously with the power mac. I was hoping that the 15" would be updated in other ways (firewire 800, usb 2, aluminum case, airport extreme). The fact that Apple still hasn't brought the 15" up to the standards of the 12,17" makes me wonder if they have something else planned for the powerbook in the near future (faster G4?).

 

[chicagdan]

Originally posted by beefcake
I never thought the G5 would be released in the powerbook simultaneously with the power mac. I was hoping that the 15" would be updated in other ways (firewire 800, usb 2, aluminum case, airport extreme). The fact that Apple still hasn't brought the 15" up to the standards of the 12,17" makes me wonder if they have something else planned for the powerbook in the near future (faster G4?).

That's an interesting thought -- maybe Apple is protecting its relationship with Motorola because they really do have some significant G4 improvements on the way. There have been credible rumors to that effect. Gobi, the G4+ and the G5 could comprise an excellent 12 to 18 month transition before the G5s and G6s take over entirely.

 

[cb911]

Gobi and G4+? but what proc's are available now, and will provide a performance boost over the current G4?

i want to know what proc will most likely be in the next PB's, then i can work out the availability of the chip and get a rough idea of when my wait for a new PB will be over.

 

[chicagdan]

Originally posted by cb911
Gobi and G4+? but what proc's are available now, and will provide a performance boost over the current G4?

i want to know what proc will most likely be in the next PB's, then i can work out the availability of the chip and get a rough idea of when my wait for a new PB will be over.

Apple didn't want to step on their G5/Panther story by talking about PowerBook roadmaps on Monday. It doesn't mean they won't have news soon ... clearly there's a new 15" enclosure on the way. It's going to be a G4 ... perhaps there will be a new Moto chip in it.

Companies wishing to sell products now can't talk openly about what's coming 6 to 12 months down the road. In a hyper-deflationary industry like computers, the last thing you want to do is give one more reason for consumers to delay their purchase.