New Laptop model on October 15th. - Page 11

The ship time for standard config powerbooks has just bumped to 3-5 days from the 1-2 days it has been forever (US apple store, no build-to-order modifications). For real this time. I'm hoping this means maybe the Nov 5th date is for real. At least it's some progress!

Items you have selected \tPart No. \tEst Ship \tQty \tUnit Price \tExt. Price
PowerBook 15.2TFT/800-L3/512SD(2 SO-DIMMS)/40G/Combo/32VRAM/56K/AIRPT \tM8592LL/A \t3-5 days \t Remove \t$3,199.00 \t$3,199.00
512MB SDRAM - 2 SO DIMMs \t
AirPort Card \t
40GB Ultra ATA drive \t
Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English \t
Combo Slot Load Drive \t
800MHz PowerPC G4 \t
PowerBook 15.2TFT/667-L3/256SD/30G/Combo/32VRAM/56K \tM8591LL/A \t3-5 days \t Remove \t$2,499.00 \t$2,499.00
256MB SDRAM - 1 SO DIMM \t
30GB Ultra ATA drive \t
Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English \t
Combo Slot Load Drive \t
667MHz PowerPC G4 \t

\tSubtotal \tPlease note that your subtotal does not include sales tax or rebates. \t$5,698.00

Find out how to get your order for $126.00 per month*.

Yup, it's real this time. Just checked it out. 3-5 days. Maybe the guy who told me Halloween was right. Naaaa. Someone mentioned that November 7th was a big day for Microsoft and their TabletPC initiative so getting this out earlier is important from a PR standpoint.

Yep, it is 3-5 days when I checked too. Now we wait.

Here's hoping I wake up to new Powerbooks.

Wouldn't a 3-5 day delivery time preclude a November 5th announcement as it's 7 days away? Well, I suppose Apple wouldn't have to stick to the schedule perfectly. I have not ordered from the Apple Store yet.

[ 10-30-2002: Message edited by: apple.otaku ]</p>

The ship time periodically jumps to 3-5 days. It was 3-5 days for a day or two at the beginning of last week as well.

On the Apple Canada store website, both the Powerbooks and the iBooks have gone to 3 to 5 days. No such change in shipping time to anything else. Looks to me like something is about to happen (and could it be sooner than November 5th? isn't the point of extending the shipping dates to avoid customers ordering something that is about to be rendered obsolescent? if so, oct. 30 plus 5 days brings us to monday at the latest...or am i missing something?)

[ 10-30-2002: Message edited by: macramedia ]</p>

[quote]Originally posted by macramedia:
<strong>On the Apple Canada store website, both the Powerbooks and the iBooks have gone to 3 to 5 days. No such change in shipping time to anything else. Looks to me like something is about to happen (and could it be sooner than November 5th? isn't the point of extending the shipping dates to avoid customers ordering something that is about to be rendered obsolescent? if so, oct. 30 plus 5 days brings us to monday at the latest...or am i missing something?)

[ 10-30-2002: Message edited by: macramedia ]</strong><hr></blockquote>

Yea but if it 'ships' on Monday it still wouldn't be in the hands of users till after the 5th then wouldn't it? Not that any of this really means anything (on its own) but when add all the 'facts' up (and mix with rumors) it seems as if new laptops are on the way.

Dave

As an aside, I would ask some of you to consider the word "OBSOLETE" - especially when talking about the current PowerBooks when the "new" ones come out.

OBSOLETE is defined as:
Outmoded in design, style, or construction

These computers have timeless design, great style, and are constructed well for 98% of their users (minus the paint)

The fact is that an 800 mhz PB G4 is not going to be "obsolete" when the new ones come out. It is still going to be more computer than most people need. (they need iBooks anyway)

So ESFOS is pleading that we are careful with the word "OBSOLETE" - A TRS-80 is obsolete. A 386 is obsolete. A 2002 PB G4 is NOT, no matter what comes out. <img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" />

[quote]Originally posted by DaveGee:
<strong>

Yea but if it 'ships' on Monday it still wouldn't be in the hands of users till after the 5th then wouldn't it? Not that any of this really means anything (on its own) but when add all the 'facts' up (and mix with rumors) it seems as if new laptops are on the way.

Dave</strong><hr></blockquote>


Also, the wait time before shipping is in business days. 3-5 business days would put it at monday-wednesday. Perfect.

[ 10-30-2002: Message edited by: off/lang ]</p>

All good points re the meaning of "3-5 days to ship", particularly the business days point. Re: the point about my using the word "obsolescent": I'd point out that while it is true enough that Apple design is timeless, this does not stop Apple from ceasing to sell timelessly-styled product X available today to replace it with newer, faster, even-more-timelessly-styled product Y tomorrow. To that extent, the older product becomes obsolete, imho.

[quote] ESFOE Said: OBSOLETE is defined as:
Outmoded in design, style, or construction <hr></blockquote>

Hmmmmm, I wonder if you may want to look that up again! I am certain that fuctionality plays into is somewhere. I just don't want it said that we mac people are too superficial!!

[ 10-30-2002: Message edited by: warpd ]</p>

I still think Nov 5 is an odd day for an update, it's Election Day.

[quote]Originally posted by hledgard:
<strong>I still think Nov 5 is an odd day for an update, it's Election Day.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Given 60% of the American public doesn't even know when election day is (or if they do know they don't vote) I don't think it's odd at all..

Very sad yes.. but not odd.

Dave

[quote]Originally posted by DaveGee:
<strong>

Given 60% of the American public doesn't even know when election day is (or if they do know they don't vote) I don't think it's odd at all..

Very sad yes.. but not odd.

Dave</strong><hr></blockquote>

60% Where did you read that? Seems kinda high.

[quote]Originally posted by DaveGee:
<strong>

Given 60% of the American public doesn't even know when election day is (or if they do know they don't vote) I don't think it's odd at all..

Very sad yes.. but not odd.

Dave</strong><hr></blockquote>

[shameless simpsons plug]

"kent, 60% of statstics are made up. 37% of the people know that..."

[/shameless simpsons plug]

I didn't just make it up... (as per that simpsons plug) <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />

Kent, I'm not gonna tell you what group I think you fall into but if you did vote and kept up with politics you'd know those numbers were right...

Voting declined between the last three presidential elections:

61% in 1992
54% in 1996
51% in 2000

<a href="http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/cb98-146.html" target="_blank">http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/cb98-146.html</a>

These are turnouts for presidential elections... in non-presidential elections turnouts are even lower. Not since 1970 has turnout even reached 40% in national elections in non-presidential years.

Since we are not in a presidential election the turnout will be low 30-40% at best.

Heck I wish these were numbers I pulled outta the air... The sad fact is they aren't.

Dave

[ 10-30-2002: Message edited by: DaveGee ]</p>

Welcome to Election Central. Where are you Dan Rather to tell us how the chad count is going?

OK, back to PB, if the 5th gets us a combo drive all the merrier, since I don't plan to order one, so hope that maybe the price of the others will go down? :confused: <img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[No]" /> Well OK, so I still want my speed bumped. <img src="graemlins/embarrassed.gif" border="0" alt="[Embarrassed]" />

I just don't quite believe apple is going to update the PB's and iBooks on the same day. Actually I don't even see what the hell they are going to put in them. Here's hoping for a Radeon 9000 in the PBs! Ummmm...I still hold for no update until Jan. Remember thinksecret has said nothing about a PB update. If such an update was eminent I think they would have posted something. Actually this Nov 5 rumor seems kind of shaky to me. We'll see...

\tJust a side not:
\t\tI go my iPod 10GB today!!! It rocks!!! I LOVE IT!!!

There ya go, a flaky rumour <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" />

I just talked to Steve Jobs on the phone. He said he wasn't going to release new PowerBooks until MWSF. Then he said, "Boom," or something. I dunno.

[quote]Originally posted by DaveGee:
<strong>


Very sad yes.. but not odd.

Dave</strong><hr></blockquote>

What's really sad are all the negative slur campaigns. I have never seen it so bad. No one taking a stand on anything, just saying how bad the other candidate is. I don't think I will vote this year. They all suck.

I agree!!!! I think I'll vote for Steve Jobs. Neither the republicans or the democrats are any good. All the people running suck, especially McBride.
\tAny way back to the PowerBook's. So, Steve you talked to Steve Jobs uh? What is his number? I think I'll give him a call tomorrow to tell him to run for president next year. And maybe as a side note I'll check up on these PowerBooks. Ummm...why do I feel like you are making this talking to Steve business up? ...I just can't quite put my finger on it...

[quote]I don't think I will vote this year. They all suck.<hr></blockquote>
Don't vote. Don't complain. You lose the right.

I have needed a computer for a longass time and after th oct. 15th rumor suckered me in and then led to another disappointment, I decided to pack it in and order a ti800. I'm within the '10 day' guarantee, so when nov. 5 comes along with new powerbooks, I'll either trade mine back (unopened) for a new one, or get a lot of money back.

But, If this nov. 5 rumor turns out to be a bunch of crap like the previous ones, I'll have my pb.

waiting sux.

[quote]Originally posted by cowerd:
<strong>
Don't vote. Don't complain. You lose the right.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Yeah, that makes sense. What a crock. If I offer you a choice between Saddam and Osama who will you vote for? Remember, if you don't vote you can't complain! You must vote for one of them! Yeah, this example is a stretch but what you said comes up all the time and doesn't apply to the real world. Give me a break. Just saw a feature on TV showing a bunch of these slur campaign ads. They said this year is the worst so far (obviously) and may have the lowest voter turnout as a direct result. The candidates should not be allowed to say anything about each other or make comparisons. Instead just state their objectives, what they stand for, what they have accomplished in the past. Will never happen though.

Okay, this is getting off track. Switching gears. It seems as though we will only see speeds of 800 and 933 Mhz this time around as the G4 needed to push 1 Ghz on the PowerBooks is not due until early next year. The inclusion of a Superdrive seems to be a little less certain than before too. If these PowerBooks are shipping in 3-5 days it probably isn't going to happen. I'm not sure they could have them ready to go so soon. If the PowerBooks were shipping in 2-3 weeks it would be a different story. It does look like the iBooks will be getting updated simultaneously though. Keeping fingers crossed!

[ 10-31-2002: Message edited by: apple.otaku ]</p>

UK Apple store has iBooks at 6-8 days....
More hope?

BTW: Think Secret jumped on the <a href="http://www.thinksecret.com/news/nov5portables.html" target="_blank">Nov. 5 bandwagon</a> this morning. I have quite a bit of confidence in TS's reporting and do believe that we'll get bumps to both 'Books but without SuperDrives (especially not in the iBook).

Escher

If think Secret says we will see new PowerBooks we will see them. I admit I was wrong about no updates...Ummm these aren't going to be to amazing me thinks. Of course they could put DDR in them and a 167Mhz bus. I am most interested in the price cuts in the iBooks. I have a friend that wants one but doesn't have much money. So this should be great for her.

<a href="http://www.thinksecret.com" target="_blank">www.thinksecret.com</a> Not sure why they would drop the prices of the iBook before the Powerbook. The iBook is probably the most price competitive of any Apple computer, and the PowerBook is the least. All I know is they better be cutting at least $200 of the updated Powerbook if they want to sell any of them.

[quote]Originally posted by hotboxd:
<strong><a href="http://www.thinksecret.com" target="_blank">www.thinksecret.com</a> Not sure why they would drop the prices of the iBook before the Powerbook. The iBook is probably the most price competitive of any Apple computer, and the PowerBook is the least. All I know is they better be cutting at least $200 of the updated Powerbook if they want to sell any of them.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Do you mean sell any of them to you, b/c Apple is not having a problem selling Powerbooks overall, especially in a slow CPU market. Slow sale in the last quarter arise because people always stop buying Apple's pro computers 4 months or so after they are released in anticipation of a new model. Show me a PC with all the same features that costs less...hint: there is not one.

[ 10-31-2002: Message edited by: FlashGordon ]</p>

Guess it sucks not having a local Apple store, huh? I can hardly remember the feeling... I suppose it would also make me go into aimless discussions about politics in a forum that is actually about future Apple hardware....
Seriously, now, I'm looking for useful info onPB's because cause I'm not going to buy one because I'm waiting for Steve to unveil some awesome stuff on January.

[focus!]
-------------------------------------
"Logic can take you from A to B. Imagination can take you anywhere"
-Albert Einstein

[quote]Originally posted by RANSOMED:
<strong>
Seriously, now, I'm looking for useful info onPB's because cause I'm not going to buy one because I'm waiting for Steve to unveil some awesome stuff on January.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Here is some useful information for you then: There is absolutely no evidence for anything awesome coming out in January. Steve has pulled shit out of nowhere before but if you are waiting for something new and awesome, be prepared to wait until at least July.

TS has been dead on so it's 99% CONFIRMED now

All right, 99% confirmed, there ya go. <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" />

[quote]Originally posted by apple.otaku:
<strong>

What's really sad are all the negative slur campaigns. I have never seen it so bad. No one taking a stand on anything, just saying how bad the other candidate is. I don't think I will vote this year. They all suck.</strong><hr></blockquote>

What's really sad is that those ads actually work. Polling data shows a strong correlation between TV ad spending and polling data.

That really saddens me because even a totally positive ad that described a candidate's positions wouldn't be a reasonable basis for anyone to decide who to vote for. How much information can you possibly glean from a 30-60 second TV ad?!?!? Not enough to explain one's stances on complex issues of today.

The negative ads are even worse, but possibly even more effective. All they do is play to the voter's fears, basically the candidate polls to see what makes people fear someone the most, then they run ads to stir up that fear. Facts are virtually nonexistent, most quotes are out of context, and a candidates voting record is either misrepresented, or their stance on an obscure bill (probably filled with pork barrel riders) is used to insinuate their position on a broad issue.

The end result of all this is a strong correlation between money spent on advertising and election outcome. Of course, since advertising is so expensive, this means that whichever candidate gets the most corporate donations will win. Government of the corporations, by the corporations, and for the corporations. And since the mainstream media is run by corporations, this link is under-reported. It's why the media doesn't report on the influence of oil corporations upon the oil men in the current administration.

Sorry for the rant, but the American political system makes me sick to my stomach. It selects for bad people.....anyone who refused corporate money and who ran a positive campaign would lose, because of media bias, and more importantly, because the voters simply don't give a shIt about the quality of our politicians.

[quote]Originally posted by apple.otaku:
<strong>

Yeah, that makes sense. What a crock. If I offer you a choice between Saddam and Osama who will you vote for? Remember, if you don't vote you can't complain! You must vote for one of them! Yeah, this example is a stretch but what you said comes up all the time and doesn't apply to the real world. Give me a break. Just saw a feature on TV showing a bunch of these slur campaign ads. They said this year is the worst so far (obviously) and may have the lowest voter turnout as a direct result. The candidates should not be allowed to say anything about each other or make comparisons. Instead just state their objectives, what they stand for, what they have accomplished in the past. Will never happen though.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I don't think repressing the freedom of expression is the answer.

Low voter turnout is definitely part of the problem. If you're upset about negative ads, then get your lazy ass down to the polls on Nov. 5 and vote for someone who didn't use negative advertising! You have more than two choices you know...there are usually a few third party candidates.

And please, none of our politicians deserve to be grouped with Bin Laden and Hussien. That's ridiculous. You have MORE than two choices, and furthermore, you can vote in the primary, so that later on the two major party choices are better.

I agree--don't vote, then don't bitch and whine later on.

If all the lazy bastards who decide not to vote because they don't like negative ads instead made the choice to vote for a candidate who ran a positive campaign, then negative ads would disappear REAL FAST.

The media doesn't help either. They give attention to the candidates who run negative ads, even devoting entire "features" to them. Why don't they run features about candidates who run positive campaigns? Wouldn't a positive feature foster more debate about the issues? Wouldn't it be better to reward positive campaigners with attention, rather than "featuring" negative campaigners?

I think a big part of the problem is the media. People don't realize how easily the media can manipulate people's attention on issues, how that subtle bias creeps into news even by things as simple as choosing what issues and events to cover, and which to sweep under the rug.

Sorry, I'm off topic and ranting . I'll shut up now.

Where I live none of the candidates ran a positive campaign. There isn't always an honest alternative on the ballet. There should be a none of the above selection on the ballet. That way people's dissatisfaction with the cadidates would show up in the polls. I wrote letters of complaint to their campaign offices and to local newspapers but I sure as hell am not going to vote for one of them. That would be self-defeating. I will restrain myself this time for commenting further as it is not the place to discuss it. I should not have posted earlier but that one comment "forced" me to defend myself.

Anyway, it is looking like this next wave is not going to be anything special. I would consider another revision in March at Macworld Tokyo a good possibility though. By then the Matsushita slot-loading Superdrives will be available in substantial quantity and the 1 Ghz+ G4 (7447) should be as well. I was really hoping we would get it as a high-end configuration now though. That way it would become the low-end configuration the next time around. Something I could actually afford. Now I will probably have to wait twice more. Oh, I may give up on the PowerBook and get an iMac in the end. It's time to sell my current PowerBook anyway.

[ 11-01-2002: Message edited by: apple.otaku ]</p>

so i ordered my ti800 on saturday, and now it seems from most accounts that the update really will be happening on the 5th. I also took a closer look at the return clause, and it says no returns allowed on custom config machines (I got the 1 gig RAM upgrade promotion).

so am i screwed out of the new pb if it is released on tuesday? My pb has NOT shipped yet from apple online store, and i'm wondering too if there may be some slim chance i'll actually be getting a new model instead, or will they be going "ha ha this guy gets one of the few remaining old crappy models"

of course, if I can't return it, I'd imagine there'd be a nice refund I'd qualify for, but i'd rather get the new model.

any thoughts?

[quote]Originally posted by wordgib:
<strong>so i ordered my ti800 on saturday, and now it seems from most accounts that the update really will be happening on the 5th. I also took a closer look at the return clause, and it says no returns allowed on custom config machines (I got the 1 gig RAM upgrade promotion).

so am i screwed out of the new pb if it is released on tuesday? My pb has NOT shipped yet from apple online store, and i'm wondering too if there may be some slim chance i'll actually be getting a new model instead, or will they be going "ha ha this guy gets one of the few remaining old crappy models"

of course, if I can't return it, I'd imagine there'd be a nice refund I'd qualify for, but i'd rather get the new model.

any thoughts?</strong><hr></blockquote>

wordgib:

ummm... I'm sorry to break it to you, but unless you read differently on Apple's purchase policy, you're screwed, In other words, you're stuck with what you paid for at the amount you paid. Your best bet is (if you don't want to pay shipping charges) to drive to your nearest Apple store and return it and tell them that you are dissatisfied with the product's performance and [very sternly] tell them you want a refund. Face to face is best than over the phone... That's just my opinion, hope it helps...

How could you buy a TiBook 800? The rumors are just as good as the TiBook. They give me the excitement of the TiBook without actually having to spend the money (lol). I am actually a PC user getting ready to switch when the new TiBooks come out. I have never owned a Mac and I am very excited about what Nov. 5th could hold in store. Heres to hopes of a vid card upgrade/superdrive/1ghz TiBook.

-Chris