Steve Jobs to Keynote WWDC 2005

[visualanté]

64bit

dont win laptops have 64bit processors already......or is it not true 64bit? the only thing i want on new pb is topgrade lcd.....is dual core g4 64bit processing

 

[hoppo99]

Yep, too right. People are getting bored with speed bumps on the Powerbooks.

The only people getting 'bored' with the incremental speed bumps are people who are closely following the company like you and me who are likely to buy a Mac anyway. Any potential switcher who is not a Mac fan is really going to realise that or indeed care. The current PowerBooks look light years ahead of any PC notebook on the market, even if under the hood they aren't quite as cutting edge as they used to be.

Another minor update for the PowerBook line is my prediction.

 

[tdewey]

The only people getting 'bored' with the incremental speed bumps are people who are closely following the company like you and me who are likely to buy a Mac anyway. Any potential switcher who is not a Mac fan is really going to realise that or indeed care. The current PowerBooks look light years ahead of any PC notebook on the market, even if under the hood they aren't quite as cutting edge as they used to be.

Another minor update for the PowerBook line is my prediction.

There are some very nice PC notebooks out there.

Generally, I think there needs to be better price/power parity between Mac and Win than there has been recently.

Going back two years or so: there was much better bang-for-your buck when comparing a PB to an equivalent PC notebook. Now not so much.

I'd like to see:

(1) A cheap 14" <$899 Mac laptop (call it the eBook) with an MR 9200 (if that is a QuartzExtreme-able gpu--not sure) aiming at the same kind of audience as the Mac mini.

(2) ibooks with the 7448 and MR 9600, at the same price-point as they are now.

(3) PBs with the MPC8641/8641D and upgradable graphics (may not be possible in the form factor).

I'd buy the 15" PB the day it was released (ah to be on the bleeding edge again), and get the cheap eBook laptop for one of my sister.

 

[wdlove]

We already have the lower priced iBook, which is for low end users. Don't think that Apple would produce another line, unless you have heard a rumor from somewhere?

 

[~Shard~]

We already have the lower priced iBook, which is for low end users. Don't think that Apple would produce another line, unless you have heard a rumor from somewhere?

I agree that this seems unlikely.

 

[shadownight]

PowerBooks G5

Hope it's PowerBooks G5s. This is supposed to be a pro machine, it needs a G5 processor ! And maybe iBooks too... but I doubt it. Very likely is a video or bluetooth iPod if it hasn't come before. On the software side, well... iTunes 5, perhaps ?

 

[~Shard~]

Hope it's PowerBooks G5s. This is supposed to be a pro machine, it needs a G5 processor !

Whether it "needs" one or not is irrelevant - it is a simple matter of Engineering. Apple is no doubt working on it, but it isn't as easy as some people may think.

 

[wdlove]

Whether it "needs" one or not is irrelevant - it is a simple matter of Engineering. Apple is no doubt working on it, but it isn't as easy as some people may think.

They are going to have to overcome the heat problem. Hear that the last test of a PowerBook G5 caught fire.

 

[~Shard~]

They are going to have to overcome the heat problem. Hear that the last test of a PowerBook G5 caught fire.

That wouldn't surprise me in the least. That's what you get when you try shoehorning a server-class chip into a 1" enclosure. A dual-core G4 is probably more feasibe to see in a laptop than a G5, but who knows. It's great to see the G5s in the xServes and the iMacs, which are more confined spaces, so there is hope, but there is still a BIG Engineering hurdle to overcome - putting a G5 in a 2" enclosure (iMac) is one thing, putting it something half that size? Good luck.

 

[PARL0PH0NE]

That wouldn't surprise me in the least. That's what you get when you try shoehorning a server-class chip into a 1" enclosure. A dual-core G4 is probably more feasibe to see in a laptop than a G5, but who knows. It's great to see the G5s in the xServes and the iMacs, which are more confined spaces, so there is hope, but there is still a BIG Engineering hurdle to overcome - putting a G5 in a 2" enclosure (iMac) is one thing, putting it something half that size? Good luck.

If Mac does use a dual G4 core in the updated notebooks they will probally call it the G5 mobile, or something of that nature. The G in mac processors just states the generation of the processor. In reality the processors are made by IBM. If a dual core G4 is used mac will most definately call it a G5. Because a dual core G4 is definately a generation ahead of the current single G4

 

[~Shard~]

If Mac does use a dual G4 core in the updated notebooks they will probally call it the G5 mobile, or something of that nature. The G in mac processors just states the generation of the processor. In reality the processors are made by IBM. If a dual core G4 is used mac will most definately call it a G5. Because a dual core G4 is definately a generation ahead of the current single G4

I don't think Apple would do this - they already has their naming convention set, and this could lead to confusion and issues. G5s are Apple's name for the latest generation chips from IBM, and G4s are Apple's name for the Motorola chips. Due to association and previous conventions, I don't think Apple could get away with branding a Freescale chip as an IBM chip. The majority of the public may be oblivious to this and not care, but from a legal perspective it would be another matter, as this would be considered misleading.

Perhaps then Intel should just release a "Pentium 4 Mobile" but actually make the chip a 700 MHz Pentium 3 - that wouldn't cause any trouble for people thinking they're getting a "new" Pentium 4... 🙄

 

[CmdrLaForge]

I don't think Apple would do this - they already has their naming convention set, and this could lead to confusion and issues. G5s are Apple's name for the latest generation chips from IBM, and G4s are Apple's name for the Motorola chips. Due to association and previous conventions, I don't think Apple could get away with branding a Freescale chip as an IBM chip. The majority of the public may be oblivious to this and not care, but from a legal perspective it would be another matter, as this would be considered misleading.

Perhaps then Intel should just release a "Pentium 4 Mobile" but actually make the chip a 700 MHz Pentium 3 - that wouldn't cause any trouble for people thinking they're getting a "new" Pentium 4... ;rolleyes:

I don't see it this way. From my perspective they could call every CPU with 64bit and a fast FSB G5.

Cheers

 

[JackSYi]

I really think Powerbook G5s are a ways away; but a dual core G4 seems more likely to me. I also hope they redesign the 12" model, maybe with a widescreen?

 

[wdlove]

My thought would be is a G4 capable of being 64 bit?

 

[~Shard~]

I don't see it this way. From my perspective they could call every CPU with 64bit and a fast FSB G5.

Cheers

Perhaps. I guess we'll ust have to wait and see. 😎

 

[law guy]

My PB still keeping pace with PCs

I have a new thinkpad T42 1.7 GHz courtesy of my employer. Now, there is a 1.8 out there, but I note this new, rather expensive PC laptop is not light years ahead (or even ahead at all) of my 1.5 GHz G4 PB that is now a year old. I have 128 MB of VRAM in my PB. This is a BTO in the Thinkpads, but no difference. I have a 1.5 G4 that seems faster than my 1.7 GHz intel 32 bit mobile chip in opening apps, switching apps, etc. I can burn DVDs in my PB, can't in my TP. My PB, though a year older is both thinner and lighter.

So to recap - thinner, lighter, faster, more goodies built-in - that's not really being outpaced by the PC folks is it? That all said, it would be nice to really get ahead of the PC curve by putting 64 bit into a notebook of reasonable size (not those literal "desktop replacements"), but the current PBs are right there.

 

[zap2]

a price drop on the i/powerbook line. I would like to see ibooks starting at 799 or 850. Powerbooks lower too

 

[berkleeboy210]

Is this safe to assume?

Since we are so close to WWDC, is it safe to say we wont see any significant hardware updates until then?

My Predictions for WWDC are:

iPod Videos 60gb and 80gb $499-$599

Here's what I'm thinking regarding the laptop line.

Maybe Apple would drop the iBook line, --- and make the Dual Core the Pro Notebooks, and leave the single processor powerbooks for standard consumer needs.

I highly dought this would happen, but who knows.. -- If they do upgrade the iBooks at WWDC, then PowerBook Updates can't be far behind, or they'll probably update them both at the same time.

My 2cents.

 

[Schleggie]

Tablet Macs!!!!!

I am counting on a Tablet Pc like Mac!!!!! WOW that would rock for College!!

 

[Val-kyrie]

64 bit mobile chip for Macs

dont win laptops have 64bit processors already......or is it not true 64bit? the only thing i want on new pb is topgrade lcd.....is dual core g4 64bit processing

My thought would be is a G4 capable of being 64 bit?

Freescale has a 64-bit e700 core slated for development and production after the e600, but I fear these are a long ways off--think: when Apple releases a true 64 bit OS or 1 and 1/2 to 2 years away.

 

[~Shard~]

Maybe Apple would drop the iBook line, --- and make the Dual Core the Pro Notebooks, and leave the single processor powerbooks for standard consumer needs.

Apple will not drop the iBook line itself. If anything, the new iBook line could essentially become the existing PowerBook line, with the PowerBook line receiving a major overhaul, but Apple would never drop the iBook line - that would be like dropping the iMac line for single processor PowerMacs. Ideally, the iBook will become essentially as powerful as the PowerBooks currently are, and the PowerBooks will see dual-core G4s or some other form of a major overhaul.

 

[Willy S]

PB seem to be overpriced and Apple seems to have problems in making them more powerful. At the moment, I don´t see many reasons to buy a PB instead of an iBook.

So if Apple cannot give the PBs a major boost like the G5 or a dual core, they will probably integrate iBooks and PBs into one line.

 

[xrayzed]

The only people getting 'bored' with the incremental speed bumps are people who are closely following the company like you and me who are likely to buy a Mac anyway. Any potential switcher who is not a Mac fan is really going to realise that or indeed care. The current PowerBooks look light years ahead of any PC notebook on the market, even if under the hood they aren't quite as cutting edge as they used to be.

Another minor update for the PowerBook line is my prediction.

As a potential switcher I'd say "not necessarily".

I'm currently leaning very strongly towards switching to a Mac, and PowerBook's are the computer of choice for a number of reasons: portability (otherwise I'd go iMac G5 in an instant) + video editing capacity (otherwise I'd go iBook) - however the power/performance issue is why I didn't place an order a month ago.

A substantial boost to PowerBooks and I'll place my order at the speed of a thousand ducks. If PowerBooks are unchanged or only given a slight tweaking, I might hold off.

What will probably still tip me towards a Mac is the new Final Cut Studio, which is looking rather phenomenal. But I am still weighing the Mac vs PC options up.

And I really, really want a good reason to go Mac.

 

[Piarco]

I really, really have no idea what will be announced at WWDC. Looks like Apple must have killed the leak.
What I'm hoping for are PB updates, forced by the release of new iBooks. The iBook spec must be that of the current 12" PB (I mean, what else can it be?!?) and I'm intrigued to see a form factor change, I don't know what it will so won't speculate.

This has got to force a update to the Powerbooks. Speedbump? Quite possibley. Can't see any new processors (dual core G4, definately NOT G5) making it in yet. What I would actually love is a 13.3" Powerbook replacing the 12". If the iBooks move widescreen wouldn't a 4:3 PB look dumb?

I've recently sold my 15" PB in my sig, after owning it for a mere week, to replace it with a fully loaded 15" bought with a educational discount I didn't think I was eligable for. But I've owned several 12" PB's before the 15", and was really missing the size. So if Apple release a 13.3" PB I'll be the first in the queue. Especially if it has an updated gfx - the FX5200 is just too old to be used in the PBs now. I could live without the PCMCIA slot, FW800 and just use the dongles for VGA/DVI/S-Video out.

But give me the widescreen and I'll be happy....... I'll be waiting until the 6th before ordering anything

 

[Onkelskrue]

As a potential switcher I'd say "not necessarily".

I'm currently leaning very strongly towards switching to a Mac, and PowerBook's are the computer of choice for a number of reasons: portability (otherwise I'd go iMac G5 in an instant) + video editing capacity (otherwise I'd go iBook) - however the power/performance issue is why I didn't place an order a month ago.

A substantial boost to PowerBooks and I'll place my order at the speed of a thousand ducks. If PowerBooks are unchanged or only given a slight tweaking, I might hold off.

What will probably still tip me towards a Mac is the new Final Cut Studio, which is looking rather phenomenal. But I am still weighing the Mac vs PC options up.

And I really, really want a good reason to go Mac.

I agree with xrayzed - I have never used a Mac, but I want to switch. However, as I am getting into image work (still & video) and I need a portable solution, I am holding out for a faster PB (a higher resolution screen is also a requirement). I am watching the different forums very carefully, looking for clues to such an upgrade. When that upgrade is annonced, I will be among the first to put in my order.