I don't think any enclosure in metal would be good for the ibook. It would seem to get too hot like the Tibook. The plastic does a nice job of distributing the heat rather than acting as a heat sink itself.
<strong>I know that this means nothing, but I wanted to mention it just in case....
My boss has a friend in Cupertino that says the new enclosure will be aluminium.
That is all. Back to more concrete spectulation...</strong><hr></blockquote>
Dosnt the current iBook use a magnesium inner frame? Why would they use aluminum to replace that? It might be cheaper, but at a loss of structural integrety or gain in weight. If I recall Magnesiu, is stronger lb for lb, that is why it is used in racing bike frames rather than aluminum.
Complaining about post-MWNY compaints are so passé. It is what it is. We'll all just have to deal.
Personally, I don't care about tiny 100MHz speedbumps, and I don't think we need a model for every niche. I don't really mind the iBook enclosure or the PowerBook titanium. Even the prices are sufficient, and the promos are great, the best in years. All I would really like to see is an inventive, revolutionizing, wonderous digital communication device. If it's anything close to just a few of the iPhone rumors flying, such as the rumors were before the iPod, I think I'd be wholly satisfied with the PDA/phone/audio player convergence device.
<strong>...or the PowerBook titanium. Even the prices are sufficient...</strong><hr></blockquote>
NO, they're NOT! Considering that Powerbooks once cost 2199, and that components in this day are much cheaper than they were when 2199 described the entry price, 2299 is still the wrong price for a sub Ghz powerbook. They should be inching towards 1999 on the entry level powerbook. People shouldn't need an edu discount to buy macs at only slightly (as opposed to grossly) inflated prices.
<strong>They should be inching towards 1999 on the entry level powerbook.</strong><hr></blockquote>
They seem to be doing so, just not as fast as you'd like.
I can definitely see Apple revisiting the iBook as part of an attempt to retake education. They've already put the low end model in a simpler, cheaper case and pushed it down to $899 for edu customers.
It might not be ideal for Apple to update the iBook again after a mere two months, and frankly I'm not expecting it, but there are points in favor:
Engineering projects are done when they're done. The bump to the iBook consisted mostly of drop-in enhancements: A faster G3, a bigger HDD, and a better graphics chip that's pin-compatible with the older one. The one exception was the new case for the bottom line. Point being, it took Apple very little time and effort to offer that bump, and in the mean time, maybe the big change got done a little faster (or a little slower) than they hoped. Apple needs to make a big splash in education now, so they might be prepared to take a small hit in order to do so. I'm hewing to my original speculation that the iBook line with bifurcate into a lower-line, education-friendly model with the white plastic case and aggressive pricing, and an "iBook DV" (although they probably won't use that name) line with a snazzier case, more power, and more options. Maybe a larger screen as well?
If the iBook gets a SuperDrive (which means it gets a G4) then Apple can continue to ship the G3 iBook as the low end model, and use the .13 micron G4 in the midrange model. This will allow them to credibly target both the strategic sub-$1K market and the lucrative sub-$2K market.
I still think it's funny that Apple's best low-end value is a laptop. I can only hope this means an aggressive low-end desktop strategy. I know, I was against this before, but for better or for worse, the edu market has spoken.
<strong>Ther Powerbook prices aren't that bad compared to how they've been at other times but I don't see why they can't lower it a little more.</strong><hr></blockquote>
...and the main reason I'm not big on Apple's pro stuff. Simply overpriced and underpowered (for the money paid for them).
The iStuff (and the eMac) is where the real zingy value is.
A $999 iBook, the eMac models and the lower two LCD iMacs...SWEET!
The G4 towers and the PowerBook can go pound sand until they get a little more sane in the price/performance arena.
I'm SO glad I'm not a "pro" or - gasp! - a "power user". It's nice having modest needs and expectations...and have them more than met by cute little AFFORDABLE computers.
Engineering projects are done when they're done. The bump to the iBook consisted mostly of drop-in enhancements: A faster G3, a bigger HDD, and a better graphics chip that's pin-compatible with the older one. The one exception was the new case for the bottom line. Point being, it took Apple very little time and effort to offer that bump, and in the mean time, maybe the big change got done a little faster (or a little slower) than they hoped. Apple needs to make a big splash in education now, so they might be prepared to take a small hit in order to do so. I'm hewing to my original speculation that the iBook line with bifurcate into a lower-line, education-friendly model with the white plastic case and aggressive pricing, and an "iBook DV" (although they probably won't use that name) line with a snazzier case, more power, and more options. Maybe a larger screen as well?
</strong><hr></blockquote>
I've been clamouring for a 13.3 inch iBook for about a year now. However, if we look at it logically, Apple would more likely save development and manufacturing costs and keep the basic 14" model as is (perhaps some cosmetic changes). The change would be as you mentioned, internal such as CPU and hopefully just providing a higher resolution LCD.
... and use the .13 micron G4 in the midrange model.</strong><hr></blockquote>
My opinion. As soon as the MPC7457 is available, a G4 will be used in the iBook, with equal MHz ratings used in currently shipping iBooks. When, I don't know, but I think Apple would like all their computers to be Altivec capable. Maybe Motorola will astonish everyone and have the MPC7457 available for MWSF, doubt it though.
You know what? I'm going against EVERYONE here (and all conventional wisdom) and say (time for my yearly "I get it all wrong anyway MWSF prediction":
Jobs' "oh yeah, just one more thing..." WILL be a G4 iBook.
Don't slam me too hard. No one is expecting it, no one thinks it exists, etc.
I don't think it'll be THE only iBook. It could be a special/limited edition type of thing. Maybe they'll keep the two lower-end G3 iBooks and somehow place this one at the top?
Two years ago, with their neatly organized and sensible 4-quadrant philosophy, I would've said "NO WAY!", but hell: in the past year or so, they've COMPLETELY mangled that to shreds and now have G3 iMacs, G4 iMacs, an iPod, an XServe, eMacs, two sizes of iBooks, two sizes of LCD iMacs, etc.
Honest to goodness, WHAT could it possibly hurt, at this point, to further clutter up the line-up with a cool G4 iBook that nobody is expecting?
Before you ding me TOO hard, think about how much Jobs likes to rattle on about the G4, the "digital hub", OS X, etc. We all know he probably hates that the iBook is the sole remaining G3-based thing in Apple's lineup. I bet he'd love to offer at least a higher-end ($1600-1800) G4 iBook for those that want one (and still maintain the $999 and $1299 G3 models for education or whatever).
Then he could say that "all our lineup ships with G4s..." or whatever.
Besides, who says Motorola HAS to "have it ready" by MWSF? If I recall correctly (and I think I do), Apple has, in recent years, made "introducing new snazzy models but not having them ready for immediate shipping" into somewhat of an art form.
Remember last year's LCD G4 iMac unveiling?
"The SuperDrive model ships later this month, the mid-range model will ship in February...". When "real-life" kicked in, those dates were actually pushed FURTHER back, and most stores weren't getting true, reasonable quantities until April or so.
I remember very well, because I was trying to BUY ONE!
Jobs could very well stand up there, pull a bitchin' G4 iBook out of his hat for a keynote-closing house-bringer-downer and tack on the little caveat: "we're announcing them today, and are taking orders for them starting now...and we expect to ship them in mid-late March..." (translation: late-April/mid-May).
Not like they haven't done it several times before, you know?
<strong>You know what? I'm going against EVERYONE here (and all conventional wisdom) and say (time for my yearly "I get it all wrong anyway MWSF prediction":
Jobs' "oh yeah, just one more thing..." WILL be a G4 iBook.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Preach on, brother! I'm with you in wrongness.
Steve himself has gone on and on about how kids today express themselves visually. You know he'd like nothing more than to have multimedia authoring tools all stuffed into a laptop under every student's arm. Of course, it's not going to happen tomorrow, but it'll start with a G4 and a SuperDrive in a mid-range iBook, and come down in price over time.
It will happen. It's just too much in sync with everything Steve's said he wants. Getting the SuperDrive into the PowerBook was the necessary first step. Getting the G4 to .13u was the second. I'm looking forward to this. I already have serious Apple notebook lust, and this would push me over the edge.
Comments
Who knows. DVD writer iBook with 1 gig G3 special edition?
G5 mid year.
What else of note is Apple going to do?
New case for iBook? I don't think so. Not this close to last update.
I think imac/emac updates and software.
That's yer san fran'.
Amen.
Lemon Bon Bon
My boss has a friend in Cupertino that says the new enclosure will be aluminium.
That is all. Back to more concrete spectulation...
But that's just a fuzzy confirmation......
What would we call the new aluminum ibook?
AIbook!!!!!
Remember you heard it here first.
[ 12-28-2002: Message edited by: trailmaster308 ]</p>
<strong>I know that this means nothing, but I wanted to mention it just in case....
My boss has a friend in Cupertino that says the new enclosure will be aluminium.
That is all. Back to more concrete spectulation...</strong><hr></blockquote>
Dosnt the current iBook use a magnesium inner frame? Why would they use aluminum to replace that? It might be cheaper, but at a loss of structural integrety or gain in weight. If I recall Magnesiu, is stronger lb for lb, that is why it is used in racing bike frames rather than aluminum.
Personally, I don't care about tiny 100MHz speedbumps, and I don't think we need a model for every niche. I don't really mind the iBook enclosure or the PowerBook titanium. Even the prices are sufficient, and the promos are great, the best in years. All I would really like to see is an inventive, revolutionizing, wonderous digital communication device. If it's anything close to just a few of the iPhone rumors flying, such as the rumors were before the iPod, I think I'd be wholly satisfied with the PDA/phone/audio player convergence device.
<img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />
<strong>...or the PowerBook titanium. Even the prices are sufficient...</strong><hr></blockquote>
NO, they're NOT!
And Apple are just bent over taking Dell up the ass.
No wonder their edu' 'bedrock' is being eroding.
It's call friction minus lubricant = hot little edu' rump marketshare.
In short, Matsu haveth a point.
Lemon Bon Bon
<strong>They should be inching towards 1999 on the entry level powerbook.</strong><hr></blockquote>
They seem to be doing so, just not as fast as you'd like.
I can definitely see Apple revisiting the iBook as part of an attempt to retake education. They've already put the low end model in a simpler, cheaper case and pushed it down to $899 for edu customers.
It might not be ideal for Apple to update the iBook again after a mere two months, and frankly I'm not expecting it, but there are points in favor:
Engineering projects are done when they're done. The bump to the iBook consisted mostly of drop-in enhancements: A faster G3, a bigger HDD, and a better graphics chip that's pin-compatible with the older one. The one exception was the new case for the bottom line. Point being, it took Apple very little time and effort to offer that bump, and in the mean time, maybe the big change got done a little faster (or a little slower) than they hoped. Apple needs to make a big splash in education now, so they might be prepared to take a small hit in order to do so. I'm hewing to my original speculation that the iBook line with bifurcate into a lower-line, education-friendly model with the white plastic case and aggressive pricing, and an "iBook DV" (although they probably won't use that name) line with a snazzier case, more power, and more options. Maybe a larger screen as well?
If the iBook gets a SuperDrive (which means it gets a G4) then Apple can continue to ship the G3 iBook as the low end model, and use the .13 micron G4 in the midrange model. This will allow them to credibly target both the strategic sub-$1K market and the lucrative sub-$2K market.
I still think it's funny that Apple's best low-end value is a laptop. I can only hope this means an aggressive low-end desktop strategy. I know, I was against this before, but for better or for worse, the edu market has spoken.
<strong>Ther Powerbook prices aren't that bad compared to how they've been at other times but I don't see why they can't lower it a little more.</strong><hr></blockquote>
...and the main reason I'm not big on Apple's pro stuff. Simply overpriced and underpowered (for the money paid for them).
The iStuff (and the eMac) is where the real zingy value is.
A $999 iBook, the eMac models and the lower two LCD iMacs...SWEET!
The G4 towers and the PowerBook can go pound sand until they get a little more sane in the price/performance arena.
I'm SO glad I'm not a "pro" or - gasp! - a "power user". It's nice having modest needs and expectations...and have them more than met by cute little AFFORDABLE computers.
[ 12-29-2002: Message edited by: pscates ]</p>
<strong>
Engineering projects are done when they're done. The bump to the iBook consisted mostly of drop-in enhancements: A faster G3, a bigger HDD, and a better graphics chip that's pin-compatible with the older one. The one exception was the new case for the bottom line. Point being, it took Apple very little time and effort to offer that bump, and in the mean time, maybe the big change got done a little faster (or a little slower) than they hoped. Apple needs to make a big splash in education now, so they might be prepared to take a small hit in order to do so. I'm hewing to my original speculation that the iBook line with bifurcate into a lower-line, education-friendly model with the white plastic case and aggressive pricing, and an "iBook DV" (although they probably won't use that name) line with a snazzier case, more power, and more options. Maybe a larger screen as well?
</strong><hr></blockquote>
I've been clamouring for a 13.3 inch iBook for about a year now. However, if we look at it logically, Apple would more likely save development and manufacturing costs and keep the basic 14" model as is (perhaps some cosmetic changes). The change would be as you mentioned, internal such as CPU and hopefully just providing a higher resolution LCD.
<strong>
... and use the .13 micron G4 in the midrange model.</strong><hr></blockquote>
My opinion. As soon as the MPC7457 is available, a G4 will be used in the iBook, with equal MHz ratings used in currently shipping iBooks. When, I don't know, but I think Apple would like all their computers to be Altivec capable. Maybe Motorola will astonish everyone and have the MPC7457 available for MWSF, doubt it though.
Jobs' "oh yeah, just one more thing..." WILL be a G4 iBook.
Don't slam me too hard. No one is expecting it, no one thinks it exists, etc.
I don't think it'll be THE only iBook. It could be a special/limited edition type of thing. Maybe they'll keep the two lower-end G3 iBooks and somehow place this one at the top?
Two years ago, with their neatly organized and sensible 4-quadrant philosophy, I would've said "NO WAY!", but hell: in the past year or so, they've COMPLETELY mangled that to shreds and now have G3 iMacs, G4 iMacs, an iPod, an XServe, eMacs, two sizes of iBooks, two sizes of LCD iMacs, etc.
Honest to goodness, WHAT could it possibly hurt, at this point, to further clutter up the line-up with a cool G4 iBook that nobody is expecting?
Before you ding me TOO hard, think about how much Jobs likes to rattle on about the G4, the "digital hub", OS X, etc. We all know he probably hates that the iBook is the sole remaining G3-based thing in Apple's lineup. I bet he'd love to offer at least a higher-end ($1600-1800) G4 iBook for those that want one (and still maintain the $999 and $1299 G3 models for education or whatever).
Then he could say that "all our lineup ships with G4s..." or whatever.
Be gentle...
Remember last year's LCD G4 iMac unveiling?
"The SuperDrive model ships later this month, the mid-range model will ship in February...". When "real-life" kicked in, those dates were actually pushed FURTHER back, and most stores weren't getting true, reasonable quantities until April or so.
I remember very well, because I was trying to BUY ONE!
Jobs could very well stand up there, pull a bitchin' G4 iBook out of his hat for a keynote-closing house-bringer-downer and tack on the little caveat: "we're announcing them today, and are taking orders for them starting now...and we expect to ship them in mid-late March..." (translation: late-April/mid-May).
Not like they haven't done it several times before, you know?
[ 12-29-2002: Message edited by: pscates ]</p>
<strong>You know what? I'm going against EVERYONE here (and all conventional wisdom) and say (time for my yearly "I get it all wrong anyway MWSF prediction":
Jobs' "oh yeah, just one more thing..." WILL be a G4 iBook.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Preach on, brother! I'm with you in wrongness.
Steve himself has gone on and on about how kids today express themselves visually. You know he'd like nothing more than to have multimedia authoring tools all stuffed into a laptop under every student's arm. Of course, it's not going to happen tomorrow, but it'll start with a G4 and a SuperDrive in a mid-range iBook, and come down in price over time.
It will happen. It's just too much in sync with everything Steve's said he wants. Getting the SuperDrive into the PowerBook was the necessary first step. Getting the G4 to .13u was the second. I'm looking forward to this. I already have serious Apple notebook lust, and this would push me over the edge.
[QB]"we're announcing them today, and are taking orders for them starting now...and we expect to ship them in mid-late March..." <hr></blockquote>
You know we're spending way too much time on his keynote addresses, when you can actually see Jobs saying these words verbatum.
I was looking to get one in 2003 anyway. If the above came to be, that would lock it in FOR SURE!