New Laptop model on October 15th. - Page 5

[quote]Originally posted by satchmo:
<strong>Is the real reason so many people here are hoping for a speed bump is so that they can then pick up the current 800 model for cheaper? </strong><hr></blockquote>

&lt;Where's that box of cookies at..&gt;

Does this really mean that we won't get updated Powerbooks until January? I am one of the so called switchers but I have been waiting to jump until a revised powerbook as I do not like the current form. If it is going to be January though, I might just have to go get a Sony or even worse a Dell. This is annoying.

[quote]Originally posted by jpp1cd:
<strong>Does this really mean that we won't get updated Powerbooks until January? I am one of the so called switchers but I have been waiting to jump until a revised powerbook as I do not like the current form. If it is going to be January though, I might just have to go get a Sony or even worse a Dell. This is annoying.</strong><hr></blockquote>The current model has been out for just over 5 months. Even if it's updated in January, that's only 8 months. Even a January update would be on the early side, as updates go.

You don't like the form? It's almost universally regarded as one of the most beautiful laptops ever.
<img src="confused.gif" border="0">

[quote] You don't like the form? It's almost universally regarded as one of the most beautiful laptops ever.<hr></blockquote>
By form I actually mean the guts. I will have a hard time buying anything less than a 1 gig G4 for $3000. The Powerbook in its beauty is why I originally wanted to switch. Now obviously the main reason is Jaguar.

[quote]Originally posted by Jon Rubinstein:
<strong>

Is it seriously as hot and slow as you all say? I'm getting nervous now that I ordered mine... <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>


yep it runs fine & gets hot as hell when you
do anything gfx intensive & then the fan comes
on. by hot i mean you cant use it on your lap
without getting burnt

for the other posters who are comparing laptops
try one before commenting

i also use a dell laptop at work & the heat
isnt an issue due to the polycarb body
on the titanium it is

speedwise i'd put my ti 800 (1gb ram) in the same
class as my dell p3 650 (512mb ram)
nb. i am running oracle9i on the dell & c++
compilers on top

so form factor & looks & a beautifull lcd = thumbs up
speed & heat issues = thumbs down

if you don't do any intensive dba work or low
level coding then its a great machine
10.2.1 runs fine on it ....i think the aqua
layer is really whats slowing it down at the
moment beacuse my linux install blazes when
i had it running

all in all a nice machine, for new buyers
i'd suggest waiting for a price drop
otherwise the vaio's are equally nice machines
the dells are ugly but can handle some abuse
no experience with the toshiba's

Just because it feels slow doesn't mean it actually is.

Now, we didn't get the update today. Bummer.

I think if we don't get it tomorrow, at least we have hope at hearing some possible hints from the earnings conference call. There have always been subtle suggestions after these conference calls. Like when questioned about iChat and incorporating video conferencing, Steve Jobs said, "working on it."

I agree. I'm going to wait at least till Friday. Then I will decide to either pick up an updated Powerbook or the Ti800.

The Wednesday earnings conference call should tell us some things.

here's *still* hoping that we get new powerbooks this week

- trowa

Introducing the Powerbook G4 Alaskan Edition:
Dual 1.25 Gzh G4 proccessors*
2 GB 167 mzg ram
120 GB hard drive
Same size and form factor.
only $6000 dollars

*Computer can only run when the room tempreture is below zero. Even then wearing hotmits may be required. Opperating aboze zero will void the computer's warrenty. <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" /> <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />

seems like the french mac site Macbidouille is suspecting powerbook updates to occur in first week of Nov.

I babelfished the text:

Rumour on Powerbook [ MÃ*J ] - Lionel - 06:11:04 Several concordant sources, seem to fall from agreement; there will be the new one on the portables at the latest at the end of the first week of November.

Attention, it is possible that the machines are delivered only later.

We will not speculate in the technical specifications.
Let us wish just that BlueTooth is integrated into the mother chart, history to be able to give a real attraction to iSync when it leaves in final version.

[ MÃ*J ] of new sources confirmed the nearest arrival of new portables. One speaks about Powerbook and iBook!
Information more prone to guarantee speaks now about a renaming for a product. It is enough to one nothing to dream with iPad...

--- end of translation

*sigh* will it ever end?

Now I'll wait till the end of the first week of Nov. but this is the last time!

- trowa

I am torn. I don't know If i would prefer the Powerbook now with a minor revision (bluetooth, 933mhz, ATI 9000) or a major homerun type revision in January or Febuary (new case, superdrive, 1ghz+, etc). I have now waited so long I am jaded and do not care any more. I have accepted the fact that Apple may never release the damn thing, I have lost most of the exitement I had around the begining of Sept. Now I am just rationalizing my growing frustration by thinking they are delaying it to make it better, when deep down I know Jobs is just waiting to get rid of all the old 667mhz models before he gives us a half-assed upgrade. Here's hoping something happens eventually. <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" />

I wonder if they are delayed because of the dock lockout?

Good chance that the dock lockout has something to do with no new PB. Whatever happened with David Pogue and his two weeks to bluetooth in something comment? Nothing has materialized yet, and its now two weeks later.

Unless Palm releases their new pda this week (yawn), the odds are that he was leaking some new PB info. His comment was before the dock business got a lot of press.

Apple has been very active with press releases recently. It seems that there is something new every week. Usually not anything mind blowing, but still, they haven't let too many weeks go by without some sort of product announcement.

While the IBM news (gossip) is big, it certainly doesn't count as Apple - yet. Elvis? Hardly worth mentioning. Jimmy Carter???? The financial stuff probably isn't going to be earth shattering and it doesn't fall into the new product category. This week would be (or have been) a good time for something more.

Besides, I need one of those damn PBs, and I to am not willing to spend all that money on the current specs.

[quote]Originally posted by kittylitterdesign:
<strong>Its now October the 15th!!!! - Please please you have got to believe me - there will NOT be a revision until Feburary next year.
Come on - it aint rocket science to suss out Apple.

Jools</strong><hr></blockquote>

So explain your reasoning, because I'm not seeing it, or is this another one of your random trollings?

[ 10-16-2002: Message edited by: off/lang ]</p>

I think the real question for thousands of us is:
WHEN are we getting new Powerbooks? Should I go ahead and blow the $$$ on the 667 or wait. I think that most would agree that those that can wait should, but this is getting PAINFUL. Are we stuck here until January/February? <img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[No]" />

[quote]Originally posted by KidRed:
<strong>I wonder if they are delayed because of the dock lockout?</strong><hr></blockquote>

No, because as Apple has stated many times in it's conference calls like the one today that all it's portables are shipped by air.

I'm waiting for my GPUL PowerBook anyway...and if other people are on the fence, get an 800 and it'll last you well until those bad boys hit the market.

[quote]Originally posted by Nebrie:
<strong>

No, because as Apple has stated many times in it's conference calls like the one today that all it's portables are shipped by air.</strong><hr></blockquote>
wait, shipped by apple to the consumer by air or from the production line to apple by air? there's a big difference.

[quote]A look at Apple's hardware sales
by Peter Cohen, pcohen@maccentral.com
October 16, 2002 6:15 pm ET

Apple's fourth quarter results show some interesting trends in demand for its hardware across the board. For the quarter, the company moved some 734,000 units total across its entire product line, a sequential quarterly drop of 9 percent and a 14 percent drop from the same quarter a year ago. All told, the company's hardware sales comprised $1.094 billion of its $1.443 billion in revenue.

<strong>The PowerBook G4 line saw a 38 percent drop in units sold from the previous quarter, from 94,000 to 58,000 units. That's a bit better than the same quarter a year ago, when Apple moved about 57,000 units. Apple CFO Fred Anderson attributes weak sales of the PowerBook to continued economic issues among Apple's professional consumers.</strong>

At 176,000 units sold, demand for the Power Mac G4 dropped year over year as well -- Apple moved 248,000 Power Mac G4s for the same quarter in 2001. Apple saw the release of new dual-processor Power Mac G4s this quarter, however, which may help to explain why sales were up 5 percent quarter-to-quarter.

iBook demand continued strong -- up 8 percent quarter to quarter to 182,000 units, but down year-to-year about 27 percent. Apple's iMac figures (which include the 17 inch CRT-equipped eMac system) show a sequential drop of 16 percent to 318,000 units, but a year over year improvement of 8 percent. <hr></blockquote>



Economic issues among professional customers???

What the F?

No, Mr. Fred Anderson...it's because #1, we "professionals" aren't going to buy outdated technology! 667...800 Mhz...C'mon Apple! Your PowerMacs are up to 1.2 GHz. Your low-end PowerBook is almost half the speed. Secondly, why should we pay megabucks for something we "professionals" feel is outdated. Plain and simple...update the friggin thing...will ya? Geez <img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[No]" />

[quote]Originally posted by admactanium:
<strong>
wait, shipped by apple to the consumer by air or from the production line to apple by air? there's a big difference.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Air Freight. Meaning they drop crate-fulls of laptops onto planes, and fly them over here. If there are some bound for consumers, they'll split up the order after it arrives and those will ship separately from within the US.

what do you guys think about the mosr report from this week saying that new ibooks are coming really soon? it's been like pulling teeth to make a move and buy a portable now!

[quote]Originally posted by whoami:
<strong>what do you guys think about the mosr report from this week saying that new ibooks are coming really soon? it's been like pulling teeth to make a move and buy a portable now!</strong><hr></blockquote>

MacosRumors doesn't know anything. Never use them to determine your buying decisions. They are as clueless as the rest of us about new hardware and announcements.

The way I see it. Wait at least till The end of the first week of Nov (if you can). If no new Powerbooks come out then, buy the current TiBooks. They are no slouches. They will get the job done. *If* new Powerbooks come out a few weeks later, you can still sell your TiBook for a good price and spend a little more for the latest PB.

From Apple's Financial report it doesn't seem like they are selling that many TiBooks. So that means there are a lot of Tibooks sitting in warehouses, collecting dust. I don't think they will be releasing new Powerbooks due to this problem. Believe me I hope I am wrong. But it is just hard to think Apple will release new PB's and swallow the loss on the old ones. You would think they would at least lower the cost of the current TiBooks to clear out some space (those RAM/Power Couple deals don't count).

From reading this board and Macnn it seems there are a fair number of people waiting to buy new PB's. It may be in Apple's interest to add a third config to the PB line with a faster processor (933 or 1 GHz), bigger HD, and updated graphics (ATI Radeon Mobility 9000 64MB RAM). That way they sort of "refresh" the line but still sell the old models (at reduced cost). This would probably be good for both Apple and new PB buyers. Faster system bus, DDR, bluetooth are things I can wait for in the next evolution of the powerbook.

that's just my opinion though...

*still* hoping new PB's come out soon!

- trowa

[quote]Originally posted by madmax559:
<strong>
speedwise i'd put my ti 800 (1gb ram) in the same
class as my dell p3 650 (512mb ram)
nb. i am running oracle9i on the dell & c++
compilers on top

. . . .

if you don't do any intensive dba work or low
level coding then its a great machine
10.2.1 runs fine on it ....</strong><hr></blockquote>

If you call c++ low level coding, I'm going to laugh at you. The mac is much better for low level coding, because it's essentially impossible to do on something as cryptic as an x86, unless you have a lot of time and a lot of experience. And, if you're so inclined, you can call 1:1 altivec routines in your C, objC. SSE is a bitch.

For high level coding, I tend to prefer Project Builder over VS or any of the GNU tools.

Next, the G4 800 is significantly faster than a p3 650. The compiler sucks though, but even so, the g4 800 will outperform a p3 650. There are some fundamental differences, obviously, between Win and Mac that account for true and perceived speed bonuses. (try running a lot of simultaneous bg processes on the mac. Latency is a lot less on the mac here).

So, in reality, the PPC/Mac would be a much better choice for running a huge Database. Pretty weird, huh?

New PowerBook G4 May Use Variable Timing
Fri, 18 Oct 2002, 08:03
Tequila Mockingbird

The PowerPage has received word that Apple is working on a revision to the professional PowerBook that has a completely new motherboard with a revised architecture for increased throughput across all buses.

Prototypes have been seen sporting a new "variable timing bus and processor" in which the processor and the bus speed are governed by processing demand, a sort of high/low mode which effectively doubles battery life for such mundane tasks as watching DVDs or listening to music CDs.

The actual speed of the processor goes up and down, and the timing speed of the various buses also changes. This reduces the battery discharge rate, and lengthens battery life significantly.

The new variable timing technology has not been confirmed for the January 2003 update but appears possible. It could also could be for the next (or even next next) generation model. Pretty cool actually.


i think that if the gen powerbooks have this then wow!
then i feel the next rev will have ddr etc. anyone agree with me?

cheers,

m2

Well I have been waiting for the new PB so long, that it's like when you're so hungry and you don't eat -- you knew you were hungry, but you aren't anymore. I'm going to ride it out to the next revision, but I'm no longer excited about it -- I'm numb.

thats too bad... right now i'm using 800ti ... the thing is great... but i see your point... if i needed to but one now then yes i would wait but when these puppies came out i was happy it was perfect... it had a great video card and the processor is perfect for the bus... but my next purchase will probly be a desktop... since i feel this laptop can last for a good 2 years until i get a new one...
i have always been happy with apples 3rd revs of laptops ... i have a wallstreet 300 and that was the rev of that model and i have a pismo and that is the 3rd rev of the curvy g3s and now the 800ti... not trying to say there is number thing going on here but generally apple gets it right 2 or 3 revs in the model... so what i'm hopping for the waiters is that they get the same form but better a class up on the innards...


so good luck ... and hope the thing really screams


cheers,

m2

[quote]Originally posted by Splinemodel:
<strong>
If you call c++ low level coding, I'm going to laugh at you. The mac is much better for low level coding, because it's essentially impossible to do on something as cryptic as an x86, unless you have a lot of time and a lot of experience.
So, in reality, the PPC/Mac would be a much better choice for running a huge Database. Pretty weird, huh?</strong><hr></blockquote>

the c++ stuff is based on ace & the stl so its portable accross multiple os's
for places where i dont have a choice i use
a mix of c & asm
for db's production wise solaris & compaq true64
are better choices than a ppc. im simply running a very small oracle instance on the laptop
gcc is an excellent compiler & since i dont use
any vc++ specifics it works fine for me
x86 is not cryptic if you know what your doing
i havent tried project builder but will look at
it i dont need a front end for low level systems
at this point.

the ti800 is still a good machine, but people should wait before paying so much..
$3400 is a lot of money with the economy the way it is at the moment, but it upto the consumers
to use common sense before spending their $$
apple will like any other corp use their customers
to their advantage, its upto the customers to ensure they are getting a good deal by voting
with their $$.
so i dont think waiting a couple of weeks
is gonna kill anyone


there got that off my chest

interestingly since no one else has posted this

if theres no new pbooks but a rev d then maybe
apple can try the following

1.80gb hdd std
2.933 + l3 cache (maybe bump the cache up ?)
3.increase total ram to 2gb
4.64mb radeon 7500 or nvidia2go

most predictions have focused on gfx & the bus
but it also be nice to have more ram.
dont see any reason why portables cannot goto 2gb

any thoughts on this ?

you guys are freaking ridiculous... If you had gotten the PB a month ago when the oct 15th rumors started, you would have gotten to use the computer a month longer then if the new computers came out.... but the new computers didn't come out... the waiting game doesn't do you any good.... i wasted 2 months of the summer waiting for a pb before i realized how retarded it is to wait... if you can get the PB at any kind of decent price (edu, etc.) you should be eating them up... it is a great machine, but i bet if they lowered the low end to $2000 they would sell a boatload of them... its just a question of whether or not they are going to be making any money off them...

as for new products... i wouldn't expect a PB update until MWSF and even then there is a good chance that it will be a new enclosure.... meaning that there will be Rev. A problems with the machine.... remember when the first Ti's came out? people were buying 500 Pismos because they felt they were a better deal. it wasn't until the Rev C machines (with the res upgrade... at least thats what did it for me) before the "new" form factor became better then the pismo...

so if you wait, you will never be happy...

just bite the bullet, get the PB and be happy with it... its not like when the new models come out you computer will be any worse...

the TiBook is a good machine, regardless of whether or not a better model comes out in the next month.... because there will most likely be problems associated with that as well...

that said... it would be nice if apple did make one more model of the TiBook like an ultimate config and drop the price of the 667 to $2300-$2400 and the 800 to $2900-$3000 and price the 1GHz ultimate config at around $3600-$3700... but why would that happen... since when has apple been reasonable and rational (at least to its consumers...) take a look at the iMac pricing... its been all over the map!!

[ 10-19-2002: Message edited by: Paul ]</p>

yup the ti800 is the best of the lot...
i agree 100% with paul there.....
it badly needs a price drop....
frankly some of the sluggishness will go away
if apple really goes all out & optimizes aqua
which is the biggest cpu/mem hog at the moment
its a little ridiculous to see x running quicker
than aqua (if you install gentoo linux which is
a superb distro ,,,www.gentoo.org)

for the people who need machines right away
get a ti800 & live with it....just make sure
its a rev c

apart from the heat issue i havent had any paint
issues after 4 months of daily use

for the airport stuff ...changing channels to something other than 1 dramatically improved
reception for me ...YMMV....

enjoy
pete

grin~!~ on the other hand waiting till nov 1
wont kill you either

Paul - I don't think you address the reason why a lot of people are waiting to buy (like myself...). I have no problem with the current machine. I am not waiting to buy because I want the latest and greatest... In fact, given how prude Apple tends to be with updates, I am not expecting a significant increase in cpu performance. I am, however, hoping for a better price. Once a slightly faster processor comes out, I'd like to get the Ti800 for what is currently the Ti667 price. I am guessing that many other who are looking to get a pb are in the same boat. The prospect of paying the original price for what is generally considered a "stale" product on most of these rumor boards does not have me running to the bank.

[ 10-20-2002: Message edited by: Miles ]</p>

According to this <a href="http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,3959,634711,00.asp" target="_blank">eWeek</a> article:

[quote]Mac OS X 10.2.2 will be the second interim upgrade to Apple's Unix-based OS since Jaguar shipped for $129 on Aug. 24. Apple reportedly seeded a pre-release build to developers earlier this month, minus the Elvis enhancements. While the company didn't provide a list of changes and bug fixes, testers said the update modified system files dealing with Address Book, Mail, Sherlock, NetInfo Manager, and Terminal utilities. <strong>Changes</strong> were also made to disc recording, <strong>power management, and drivers for ATI and Nvidia graphics processors.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Interesting that 10.2.2, expected in mere weeks, seems to have some tune-ups to Power Management, and some newer drivers for ATI graphic cards. HMmmmmm...sounds like the 10.2.2 update is partly for the new version of PowerBooks???

How many times do I have to tell you all! - I dont quite understand where any off you are coming from - I have told you a million times...

APPLE WILL NOT!!! I repeat NOT update the G4 powerbook until Feb 2003.

Please get over it and wait will Feb.

Jools

[quote]Originally posted by kittylitterdesign:
<strong>How many times do I have to tell you all! - I dont quite understand where any off you are coming from - I have told you a million times...

APPLE WILL NOT!!! I repeat NOT update the G4 powerbook until Feb 2003.

Please get over it and wait will Feb.

Jools</strong><hr></blockquote>Well then, supposing you're right, Apple is a pack of assholes. They need to update the PowerBook, and no, I don't think they'll let it shrivel until February of next year. Where the hell are you getting that info?

Kitty litter, you're so full of crap.

kittylitterdesign, those famous words come to mind:
'Put up or Shut up'
In other words, qualify the source of your 'inside' information on Aplle's schedule for the PowerBook.
You can't just make a such grand statement without backing it up with actual evidence.
If you don't then we can only assume youre statement is completely unfounded.

How this one for ya? A guy on the MacNN PowerBook forums (link <a href="http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=128279" target="_blank">here</a>) says his two sources told him that a new model may be out on Wednesday 10/23.

[quote]Originally posted by bradbower:
<strong>Kitty litter, you're so full of crap.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Isn't that what kitty litter is FOR?

A TiBook will be my first ever apple computer. Should I wait for the 1ghz models? How does OSX perform? Is 1ghz going to give me that last little boost that kills any lag I may experience?

Thanks,
-Chris

The 800Mhz Ti screams with Jaguar. You probably won't notice any additional interface snappiness with the 1GHz model, since it's about as fast as it's going to get right now, IMO. (All apps launch in a single bounce, windows take less than a half-second to appear, etc.)

The only thing you'll get with the 1GHz Ti will probably be things like faster encoding of QuickTime movies, better game performance, etc.

EDIT: Yes, I own a 800 Ti. You will probably want to wait, though; new models are rumored for October 23rd, but we've heard that tripe before.

[ 10-21-2002: Message edited by: Steve ]</p>

Thanks for the response. I guess I have waited all this time to become an Apple user, (hopefully) a couple more days won't matter. Then again I'd hate to see the lead time on those systems once they are released. Whats the usual turn-around time for new hardware like the powerbooks?