JasonDawg18 said:
You're right, it would have been better if they had not done any upgrades at all. Then you wouldn't complain, right?
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Updates from New York Media Event
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You're right, it would have been better if they had not done any upgrades at all. Then you wouldn't complain, right?
Finally a PowerMac I would buy! Yes, previous models were good, but I wanted better screen-resolution. And to all you nay-sayers: PowerBooks are fine machine, and the performance is just fine. It might not be as fast as some x86-laptops, but there's more to laptops than mere performance.
I wasnt particualrly impressed with the powerbooks. Would have been a LOT better if they used the 7448 CPU with a updated vid chip. But lookin on the brightside we did get res upgrades with brighter screens. a BIG thing IMHO is the battery life . up to 5.5 hours!!! GOOD GOD thats centrino good. also is the optional 7200rpm hard drive would should do wonders. Plus a 200 dollar price drop. not to bad. i ordered one
Apple still has a Power Mac G5 Dual 2.7 on their site. Click the link for PCI-X in the store.
Specs:
$2,799
Dual 2.7GHz PowerPC G5 processors
1.35GHz frontside bus per processor
512K L2 cache per processor
512MB DDR400 SDRAM expandable to 8GB
250GB Serial ATA hard drive
16x SuperDrive (double-layer)
Three open PCI-X expansion slots
ATI Radeon 9650 graphics with 256MB DDR video memory
Specs:
$2,799
Dual 2.7GHz PowerPC G5 processors
1.35GHz frontside bus per processor
512K L2 cache per processor
512MB DDR400 SDRAM expandable to 8GB
250GB Serial ATA hard drive
16x SuperDrive (double-layer)
Three open PCI-X expansion slots
ATI Radeon 9650 graphics with 256MB DDR video memory
LagunaSol said:
Maybe that's because the iMac is for the price range you're looking at? The Power Macs are the "luxury" item, and are priced higher because they offer more power and more features. The iMac is for the $1200-$1600 range. It's just logical. Do you also complain that Rolls Royce doesn't offer a sub-$10K car?
And you drop 2 grand for a machine that does a whole lot more that just hold 512megs of ram and a 160GB hard drive. Or are we all back to just comparing numbers again?
Honestly, now...Man, the complainers are out in force today.
How about think about the big picture: Apple JUST LAST WEEK announced a brand new iPod and new iMac that they have been working on. But they also found time to upgrade the PowerMac, PowerBooks, and develop new software for photos. WHAT WILL MAKE YOU ALL HAPPY??? It's like Apple can do nothing right for you so-called 'fans' of Apple.
Ok, done with rant.
Brighter screen for the 15" PB
Can anyone confirm the 15" is getting a brighter screen as well? There's a highlight on the applestore for the 17" claiming a 46% brighter screen or whatever, but no similar remarks for the 15". Is it possible the 15" is only getting the higher resolution?
Can anyone confirm the 15" is getting a brighter screen as well? There's a highlight on the applestore for the 17" claiming a 46% brighter screen or whatever, but no similar remarks for the 15". Is it possible the 15" is only getting the higher resolution?
Raw performance is why Apple's going to Intel (sooner rather than later, I'd say). Freescale can't deliver. Apple can only do what is possible.JasonDawg18 said:
It would be hard to be someone who HAS to buy now... but keep in mind: you won't have to worry about Rosetta or software compatibility. Being an early Intel adopter isn't without its rough edges.
Evangelion said:
The performance of the PB depends on what you are doing - Java performance is very poor, even on the 1.67Ghz...
Email, word processing ( Word gets slow ), web browsing, iPhoto, all fine...
Converting video encoding, OTOH, so very slow.
PowerBook isn't really suited for a typical Pro user anymore- i.e., heavy graphics, video ; mid range, at best. Fine for developers ( not so much Java ).
I can't wait to get a Quad G5 so I can surf the web!
Seriously though, I wonder how the dual-core chips compare to comparable dual setups.
Seriously though, I wonder how the dual-core chips compare to comparable dual setups.
Too bad about the 12inch PB. The superdrive standard is nice, but it would have been nice to see a backlit keyboard. And this thing still doesn't comes with 512 sodered in, it has 256 and a removable 256. So the ram of the 12inch ibook is more upgradable than the 12inch PB.
The Powerbook Dump 2005 misery...
WHAT A DISAPOINTMENT!!!! APPLE should be ashamed of these PB updates
Still that old 7447a CPUs, 2 years old GPUs, and they ask 2000 euros for that, what a slap in the face...
WHAT A DISAPOINTMENT!!!! APPLE should be ashamed of these PB updates
Still that old 7447a CPUs, 2 years old GPUs, and they ask 2000 euros for that, what a slap in the face...
F-
Lame and overpriced all the way around. $3300 for a powermac with a dead end chip? No thanks.
Lame and overpriced all the way around. $3300 for a powermac with a dead end chip? No thanks.
I don't think they give you 16 GB, that's the maximum you can put in, still only comes with 512 MB. I'd rather spec and add it myself than let Apple charge me for extra anyway (and decide the slot configuration for me). I don't know why it's such a big deal to anyone. 512 MB is a decent base amount for Tiger.ro2nie said:
<rant>
I don't understand why so many people are miserable about these upgrades. I think people just still don't believe that there is a REASON we are going Intel. PPC is great, but not being advanced. As long as it doesn't advance, Apple can do nothing. Well, some people will just always complain, I guess.
That said, the G5 updates are nice. It is nice to see us in dual-core mode and it's even nicer to "quad"-core mode. I don't understand the complaint about RAM. We all know Apple just boosted their minimum to 512 and probably shouldn't expect them to boost it again for some time. However, nobody was really complaining as much when the price was $2999 for 2 processors, so why is $3299 all of a sudden bad when it is for FOUR processors?
The Powerbook updates were as expected (to me). Helloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo????????????????????? We are going to Intel. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. We are going Intel.... and we are going for a reason. The G4 WAS a good chip for its ORIGINAL time, but is not a good chip for our current time in 2005. Those of you that were expecting a dual-core G4 were smoking something. When..... WHEN has Motorola (Freescale, if you must) delivered anything good since the 500MHz debacle?
If you're that upset about this round of updates you have a few choices:
- Go get a Windows PC and join the spyware/adware/virus crowd.
- If you don't absolutely NEED a computer, continue to work/play on the one you have.
- If you need more power than your laptop is offering but want to stay with Apple, go get an iMac.
- Lastly, if you can wait for Intel, then wait. Unless Intel becomes the new Moto/IBM, we should have good things soon.
</rant>
I don't understand why so many people are miserable about these upgrades. I think people just still don't believe that there is a REASON we are going Intel. PPC is great, but not being advanced. As long as it doesn't advance, Apple can do nothing. Well, some people will just always complain, I guess.
That said, the G5 updates are nice. It is nice to see us in dual-core mode and it's even nicer to "quad"-core mode. I don't understand the complaint about RAM. We all know Apple just boosted their minimum to 512 and probably shouldn't expect them to boost it again for some time. However, nobody was really complaining as much when the price was $2999 for 2 processors, so why is $3299 all of a sudden bad when it is for FOUR processors?
The Powerbook updates were as expected (to me). Helloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo????????????????????? We are going to Intel. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. We are going Intel.... and we are going for a reason. The G4 WAS a good chip for its ORIGINAL time, but is not a good chip for our current time in 2005. Those of you that were expecting a dual-core G4 were smoking something. When..... WHEN has Motorola (Freescale, if you must) delivered anything good since the 500MHz debacle?
If you're that upset about this round of updates you have a few choices:
- Go get a Windows PC and join the spyware/adware/virus crowd.
- If you don't absolutely NEED a computer, continue to work/play on the one you have.
- If you need more power than your laptop is offering but want to stay with Apple, go get an iMac.
- Lastly, if you can wait for Intel, then wait. Unless Intel becomes the new Moto/IBM, we should have good things soon.
</rant>
Macrumors said:
I had placed an order for a 17" PowerBook last Wednesday, but cancelled it on Friday when I heard of the NY Media Event. I just ordered it now and am excited because not only will I get a better PowerBook, but they dropped the prices and I'm saving $415 (I'm a student, so get education discount) over what I ordered last week! Awesome, can't wait for it to come in!
Apple just decided to replace my powerbook (applecare), and ive yet to ship my computer back to them. They said theyll ship a new one out, once they recieve my old one, am i going to get this model? They said this computer will be right off the production line. And as of 2 days ago when i made the repair i dont think theyd still be making the old models, and already making these.
I want a new one, SUPERDRIVE
and some crazy resolution, apple gave me a dude to ask and help me thorugh my replacement, shouldi ask him, or will it make me sound to happy to get a brand new computer?
Powerbook updates..droolll...
I want a new one, SUPERDRIVE
and some crazy resolution, apple gave me a dude to ask and help me thorugh my replacement, shouldi ask him, or will it make me sound to happy to get a brand new computer?
Powerbook updates..droolll...
Oh Well
The single-processor dual cores look like they're probably slower than the machines they replace (or at least that any speed gain is due to the DDR2 memory) and they no longer offer any video card with an ADC option, just a choice of a not-quite-top-of-the-range mainstream nVidia card (why a 6 series and not a 7 series?) and a "it costs HOW Much?" professional video card.
The quad seems to offer better bang for the buck, but it's a heckuva lot of bucks, and Apple still give the "buy a new monitor or a $99 adapter" dilemma.
At least they kept the memory down to 512MB. I don't see why people keep complaining about this. Nobody actually uses them with 512MB, and nobody in possession of their marbles pays Apple's memory prices. You buy the thing with 512MB and on the same day order the amount of memory you really want from Crucial, where a 1GB DDR2 DIMM is around $140 now. When the Mac arrives you pull out the 512MB, and put the real memory in.
I'd hoped to max the machine out, but i just can't afford or justify maxing out a 16GB machine, esp since 2GB DIMMs aren't as good value as the 1GB ones. If I end up buying one, it'll be 8 1GB DIMMs in it.
The quad is too much, the other two are too little, and I'm not going to pay good money for a year-old design. Me, I'd have been happy as a clam if they'd made the other machines quads, at suitably increased price point. A 2.3GHz quad processor for $2800, a 2GHz quad processor for $2200, those I'd have bought.
Al
The single-processor dual cores look like they're probably slower than the machines they replace (or at least that any speed gain is due to the DDR2 memory) and they no longer offer any video card with an ADC option, just a choice of a not-quite-top-of-the-range mainstream nVidia card (why a 6 series and not a 7 series?) and a "it costs HOW Much?" professional video card.
The quad seems to offer better bang for the buck, but it's a heckuva lot of bucks, and Apple still give the "buy a new monitor or a $99 adapter" dilemma.
At least they kept the memory down to 512MB. I don't see why people keep complaining about this. Nobody actually uses them with 512MB, and nobody in possession of their marbles pays Apple's memory prices. You buy the thing with 512MB and on the same day order the amount of memory you really want from Crucial, where a 1GB DDR2 DIMM is around $140 now. When the Mac arrives you pull out the 512MB, and put the real memory in.
I'd hoped to max the machine out, but i just can't afford or justify maxing out a 16GB machine, esp since 2GB DIMMs aren't as good value as the 1GB ones. If I end up buying one, it'll be 8 1GB DIMMs in it.
The quad is too much, the other two are too little, and I'm not going to pay good money for a year-old design. Me, I'd have been happy as a clam if they'd made the other machines quads, at suitably increased price point. A 2.3GHz quad processor for $2800, a 2GHz quad processor for $2200, those I'd have bought.
Al
sfwalter said:
They have faster memory, support up to 16 GB of RAM, support the use ECC memory (not required), PCIe for expansion and video attachment (2x 4 lane, 1x 8 lane and 1x 16 lane PCIe, 16 lane for video basically) and of course larger on die caches with faster/lower latency cross core data paths.
If the more detailed tech spec page (or developer page) was up I could tell ya more. ... Ok it is up now...
Ah so you have the option for NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GT with 256MB of GDDR3 SDRAM, just the store doesn't yet list it.
stealthboy said:Maybe that's because the iMac is for the price range you're looking at? The Power Macs are the "luxury" item, and are priced higher because they offer more power and more features. The iMac is for the $1200-$1600 range. It's just logical. Do you also complain that Rolls Royce doesn't offer a sub-$10K car?
And you drop 2 grand for a machine that does a whole lot more that just hold 512megs of ram and a 160GB hard drive. Or are we all back to just comparing numbers again?
Man, the complainers are out in force today.
How about think about the big picture: Apple JUST LAST WEEK announced a brand new iPod and new iMac that they have been working on. But they also found time to upgrade the PowerMac, PowerBooks, and develop new software for photos. WHAT WILL MAKE YOU ALL HAPPY??? It's like Apple can do nothing right for you so-called 'fans' of Apple.
Ok, done with rant.
I agree with the OP. There should be a Mac in the sub-$1500 range that has some open expansion ports, upgradable GPU, and a free drive bay or two. Preferably it should be under $1000. They should ditch the iMac and sell something about the sane size/shape as the cube PM in two flavors that come in at $1000 and $1500 depending on the CPU, preinstalled RAM, GPU, and HDD size. Sell 20" ACDs at a discount if you buy them in a package.
You shouldn't have to drop $2000+ on a midrange desktop if you want to use your own/old display and be able to upgrade more than adding RAM or REPLACING the harddrive in a year or two.