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why ibooks have no superdrive option?

toughboy

toughboy

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
May 2, 2003
796
18
Izmir, Turkey
I want to buy an iBook, after a long time for deciding, I choose iBook but then I saw that no superdrive is available for ibook.. not even for the 14" one..

is it because superdrives need more system resource, or is it just a marketing decision that apple gave?...
 
Well its not marketing directly, its b/c it has a G3 processor, but the only reason it only has a G3 processor is marketing, I mean sereously how much more would it cost for them to put in a slow clock speed G4 into the ibook?
 
Originally posted by DavidCL23
Well its not marketing directly, its b/c it has a G3 processor, but the only reason it only has a G3 processor is marketing, I mean sereously how much more would it cost for them to put in a slow clock speed G4 into the ibook?
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Well I personally would prefer a fast G3 than a slow G4. But anyways it wouldn't COST them much in production, it would COST them alot in profits. For instance a small Pepsi and a large Pespi cost the same to produce. And yet one is expensive because it just makes common sense. There is a market for a low cost computer, but they certainly aren't going to put their fastest processors in their low end units....no matter if they cost the same to build.

But seriosuly the G4 is not good laptop chip. It's better for people who need a dektop replacement because they are travelling alot.
 
I think there's a clear line being drawn between the iBook and the AluBook. The fromer is more for the education/home use and the latter is for professional/work.

Is a superdrive all that important? I mean, I'm more than happy with my 18 month old iBook with her Combo drive. :rolleyes:
 
pure marketing

its soo simple if apple sells ibooks with superdrive for about 1500 or maybe 1200 no one would buy pb 12" 's they have to draw the line when selling products to different consumers.

and there are also technological restrictions. there is no g3 apple which has superdrive.

but when the 970 ppc come out the iBooks will use G4 processors and they will be superdrive integrated. but again apple has to draw the line and they would use 8x or 10x superdrives in 970, while the ibook g4 users would have maximum of 4x and so.
 
MCE just came out with a DVD-R upgrade for a lot of the modern Macs out there, including the iBook, cost depending on which Mac, but it's $449 for the iBook. Personally, I'd just get a 12" AlBook instead with a SuperDrive.
 
MPEG2 encoding takes much, much longer on a G3. The encoder must rely heavily on Altivec (or know enough to throw in a bunch of NOOPs if it detects a G3 ;))
 
I was in the market soon fo replacing my slightly aging ibook with either a new ibook or a powerbook.

However after seeing the new ibooks in stores over the weekend I've gone right off it. It now looks rather tacky with its entirely white (and slightly cheap looking) white plastic. Nowhere near as nice as my ibook, with its superior white/semi-transparent exterior and silver interior :(

If apple did this to push people to buying powerbooks then they've succeeded.
 
Re: pure marketing

Originally posted by phantommaul
its soo simple if apple sells ibooks with superdrive for about 1500 or maybe 1200 no one would buy pb 12" 's they have to draw the line when selling products to different consumers.

and there are also technological restrictions. there is no g3 apple which has superdrive.

but when the 970 ppc come out the iBooks will use G4 processors and they will be superdrive integrated. but again apple has to draw the line and they would use 8x or 10x superdrives in 970, while the ibook g4 users would have maximum of 4x and so.
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iBook wil never have a G4.

It's not very mobile and it's already maxed out almost completly. Apple would have to be crazzy to first of all put a horrible chip (for laptops at least) into their low-end portables and second of all sign unto a processor which has no future.
 
merhabalar Kardes!

Its cause iDVD wont even install on iBooks... let alone burn a DVD in under 6 hours... I tried it once with an external DVD burner... to fill up HALF of it took over 5 hours, and that was just data... :rolleyes: :( Wish I could burn the family movies... Ha... ben de Izmirliyim :p
 
i guess that it is mostly marketing, but if you're going to really use a superdrive, then you'll need the power of a G4 and all of it's altivec enhanced goodness. :D
 
The main reason is because of the iBook's G3. Now, with rumors of an alti-vec enhanced G3, you might actually see a G3 iBook that can burn DVD's at a good speed. The G4 also might have some life left, but Motorola would almost have to redesign the processor to consume less power and put out less heat...

You might see G4's in iBooks, or faster G3's with alti-vec.

Either way, the G3 just doesn't have enough power to do the encoding needed in a reasonable amount of time...
 
Originally posted by G4scott
The G4 also might have some life left, but Motorola would almost have to redesign the processor to consume less power and put out less heat...
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That would be the 7457/7447 G4. These are built on a .13 micron process and are slated for relase later this year. The 1 ghz chip puts out less than 10 watts. That should be cool enough for an iBook.
 
Originally posted by ftaok
That would be the 7457/7447 G4. These are built on a .13 micron process and are slated for relase later this year. The 1 ghz chip puts out less than 10 watts. That should be cool enough for an iBook.
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I still doubt it. Escpecially with all the rumors of the new G3 chipsets. I seriously doubt they'd put in a G4.
 
Originally posted by maracz
I still doubt it. Escpecially with all the rumors of the new G3 chipsets. I seriously doubt they'd put in a G4.
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I agree, i dont see apple putting a G4 in the iBooks, espeecially seeing that its almost dead. I think that apple will want to get away from motorola as soon as they can and not put it into new models as its beginning to max out.
 
Originally posted by Jaykay
I agree, i dont see apple putting a G4 in the iBooks, espeecially seeing that its almost dead. I think that apple will want to get away from motorola as soon as they can and not put it into new models as its beginning to max out.
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I respect that you doubt that Apple would use these 7457s, but I have to disagree with you.

Assuming that Apple wants to continue the iBook line after the Powerbook line goes to the 970, it makes sense to use the G4 in the iBook. They already have the motherboard designs for the G4, so it makes financial sense to use the 'tried and true' G4 for the iBook.

As far as the rumored G3 updates. I don't think Apple will make use of these since they'll need to design a new motherboard to take advantage of the 200mhz FSB. Why would Apple want to spend money on that endeavor when they can take "off the shelf" parts and cobble together a G4 iBook?

I suspect that when the Power lines go 970, the i lines will go G4-7457.
 
Originally posted by tazo
despite its slowness, I think if someone knowingly wants to make a dvd on an ibook, and knows that it will take a while, they should have the BTO option to do so; just my $0.02
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another reason they don't put a SuperDrive in the iBooks is because of differentiation between the consumer a pro lines. if you want a SuperDrive Apple makes you go for a Pro model, and so they make more money that way. one of the major selling-points of the PowerBooks are that they have the option of a SuperDrive. Apple would lose a significant amount of sales if they made the SuperDrive available in the iBooks.
 
sorry for the double post... i'm on some cruddy PC's at TAFE and my hands have all of a sudden gone useless after using the 3 y.o. keyboards and mouse...:eek:
 
Originally posted by cb911
another reason they don't put a SuperDrive in the iBooks is because of differentiation between the consumer a pro lines. if you want a SuperDrive Apple makes you go for a Pro model, and so they make more money that way. one of the major selling-points of the PowerBooks are that they have the option of a SuperDrive. Apple would lose a significant amount of sales if they made the SuperDrive available in the iBooks.
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Didn't I say that already? :rolleyes:

"I think there's a clear line being drawn between the iBook and the AluBook. The fromer is more for the education/home use and the latter is for professional/work."
 
yes celaurie, you did say that.... but i said... other important stuff.

there is a clear line, but some might not realise how important the SuperDrive is in defining that line. just like a G3 with Alti-Vec is (apparently) a G4, an iBook with a SuperDrive would be a PowerBook.
 
Originally posted by cb911
yes celaurie, you did say that.... but i said... other important stuff.

there is a clear line, but some might not realise how important the SuperDrive is in defining that line. just like a G3 with Alti-Vec is (apparently) a G4, an iBook with a SuperDrive would be a PowerBook.
Click to expand...

And your point is? ;)
 
errr... what about the emac?

another reason they don't put a SuperDrive in the iBooks is because of differentiation between the consumer a pro lines. if you want a SuperDrive Apple makes you go for a Pro model, and so they make more money that way. one of the major selling-points of the PowerBooks are that they have the option of a SuperDrive. Apple would lose a significant amount of sales if they made the SuperDrive available in the iBooks.
Click to expand...
If this is true, then why does the eMac have a Superdrive option?:confused:
 
Re: errr... what about the emac?

Originally posted by gambit
If this is true, then why does the eMac have a Superdrive option?:confused:
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Well, there is iDVD and DVD Studio Pro (I think) and the pro-consumer difference is obvious.

I don't think it's for pro's only but the processor speed of a G3 can't handle the burning.
 
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