How you can know that 970 machines are in MWNY03? What, if we still get G4 for PowerMac towers in MWNY03? Personally I think that Apple will announce 970 machines in January 2004 or later. This year will be as Steve has said: "The year of laptops".
<strong>How you can know that 970 machines are in MWNY03? What, if we still get G4 for PowerMac towers in MWNY03? Personally I think that Apple will announce 970 machines in January 2004 or later. This year will be as Steve has said: "The year of laptops".</strong><hr></blockquote>
Well... We don't? It's that simple!
Some rumors say that PPC 970 production is scheduled to start around July, while others say it already started here in this month..
I expect a PowerMac 970 around september, shipping immediately, or within a month.
Apple needs to pull this one through without hesitation!
<strong>How you can know that 970 machines are in MWNY03? What, if we still get G4 for PowerMac towers in MWNY03? Personally I think that Apple will announce 970 machines in January 2004 or later. This year will be as Steve has said: "The year of laptops".</strong><hr></blockquote>
Okay first of all, a new thread really wasn't needed to talk about this, but I'm going to leave it open since there already has been some good discussion in here.
In the future, try and keep discussion on similar topics confined to one thread please. Thanks.
As for the 970: If the 970 has started production this month, there is no reason that Apple couldn't have these machines ready to be shown at MWNY. Shipping could be any time from July 16 - October 1.
Yes, Steve Jobs did say this would be the "Year of the Laptop" but I think he said this for three reasons:
1.) To put the spotlight completely on the new 12" and 17" PowerBooks when they debuted at MWSF.
2.) Apple wants to sell you a PowerBook or iBook because they get huge margins on laptops and declaring this the "Year of the laptop" gets people thinking more about a 'portable desktop'.
3.) Jobs didn't have a clear picture that the Power PC 970 would be ready for Macs this early. I think that Apple may have been expecting the worst and prepared for they 'Year of the laptop' because Apple's portable offerings have always been more in line with the portables in the PC world.
But now that the 970 could (and should) be ready for MWNY, it opens up a few interesting possibilities.
Since Jobs *did* call this the year of the laptop, we might see a PowerBook with a 970 later this year. I might be too optomistic about this, but if power consumption is low enough and Apple has R&D time starting right now, they can be shipping PowerBooks with 970s in late October/early November. That would give even the 15" AlBook (when it comes out in April or May) a good run (in terms of shelf life).
Plus, even if we don't see 970s shipping until September/October, I feel Apple should at least announce them and take preorders. I've outlined my reasons for this here:
I think people put way too much stock in SJ's statement that "this is the year of the laptop". There are now 4 laptop models available from Apple, which is pretty significant, and something non-technical types can easily appreciate. Perhaps he meant "we're in the middle of the year of the laptop". Perhaps he was just flogging the new product? Whatever, it is a far cry from saying that "we're not going to introduce any desktop products in 2003 because this is the year of the laptop".
't Would be a good time to announce also *drum roll* system 11, or XI, or whatever name you wish to bestow on that forthcoming child (though I'm not thinking of 10.3). Number one feature, of course, full-blown 64-bit. And then some other stuff, which you all can decide on.
<strong>I think people put way too much stock in SJ's statement that "this is the year of the laptop". There are now 4 laptop models available from Apple, which is pretty significant, and something non-technical types can easily appreciate. Perhaps he meant "we're in the middle of the year of the laptop". Perhaps he was just flogging the new product? Whatever, it is a far cry from saying that "we're not going to introduce any desktop products in 2003 because this is the year of the laptop".</strong><hr></blockquote>
No, but on the other hand, Steve positioned the 17" the same way he's been positioning the 15": As a full-blown workstation that just happens to be portable. Now, let's say that the 12" PowerBook is a G4 iBook that came out of the starting gate a bit early so that Apple could test the waters (and the design). Let's say that Apple can drop a low-voltage 970 into the PowerBooks: 12", 15" and 17" alike, and move the iBook to the old PowerBook motherboard with the 7457. Now the consumer portables have the almost-workstation power that the PowerBooks currently do, and the pro portables have true-workstation power.
Sure, the desktops will perform even better, but when you can either get the current PowerBook's performance in a portable form at iBook prices, or 970 performance in a portable form, why get a desktop? You can always attach a PowerBook to a big monitor and run it in clamshell mode, or spanned. Suddenly, it's not so strange that Steve expects laptops to reach 50% of Mac sales.
I really think ( as many have said ) that Apple really needs to release a powermac with the 970 this year. The G4 has been around far too long as their flagship. People have already wet their appetite for the 970 in just about every corner of the Mac community.
I've got a G4 450 that I've beefed up as much as I can short of replacing the processor. If I did I'd still be stuck with a slow buss speed and 2 x AGP slot so what's the point? So here I am wanting to buy a new tower but why should I when I know at some point soon Apple has got to replace the G4 with something better?
I'm sure there are many people out there like this. Just waiting.
So given all of this if Apple doesn't do it this year can you imagine the collective groan of disapointment? Also I'm sure Apple's aware of this.
In the history of AI has everyone been this sure about something before and it turn up not to be true? Just wondering. <img src="confused.gif" border="0">
Come on guys leave the Pessimism for the Peecee users.
smacking Apple around is fun for a bit but we all know that Apple has used up too many of it's 9 lives and will need to hit the ground running. I have no doubts that they'll be aggressive.
The only crowd that will be pissed is the "I want a 970 in an iMac crowd".
[quote] What we have been told is that a set of CAD files detailing what "appears to be a final design for a pair of completely new motherboards" was given to at least two contractors this week for review and production price bidding. The deadline for bid responses is said to be March 28th.
Our source states that these designs "are obviously for new PowerMacs," and that "the architecture of the boards looks to be totally different" from existing models. We were told that this price bidding activity typically indicates a finalized product being readied for production, and that this point in the process usually precedes actual production by 3 to 4 months. <hr></blockquote>
[quote] Information from manufacturing sources indicates that Apple is preparing to release a Bluetooth wireless keyboard and mouse combo much sooner than we had earlier reported. <hr></blockquote>
Comments
<strong>How you can know that 970 machines are in MWNY03? What, if we still get G4 for PowerMac towers in MWNY03? Personally I think that Apple will announce 970 machines in January 2004 or later. This year will be as Steve has said: "The year of laptops".</strong><hr></blockquote>
Well... We don't? It's that simple!
Some rumors say that PPC 970 production is scheduled to start around July, while others say it already started here in this month..
I expect a PowerMac 970 around september, shipping immediately, or within a month.
Apple needs to pull this one through without hesitation!
<strong>How you can know that 970 machines are in MWNY03? What, if we still get G4 for PowerMac towers in MWNY03? Personally I think that Apple will announce 970 machines in January 2004 or later. This year will be as Steve has said: "The year of laptops".</strong><hr></blockquote>
You needed a new thread to say this why?
<strong>How you can know that 970 machines are in MWNY03? What, if we still get G4 for PowerMac towers in MWNY03?</strong><hr></blockquote>
What if we don't get even G4 in MWNY03?
<strong>I think when Steve said that this would be the year of the laptops it was just a smoke screen...</strong><hr></blockquote>
True, true.
Just because it is the "Year of the Laptop", it is a logical fallacy to conclude that it isn't the year of the desktop too.
low-fi
<strong>
What if we don't get even G4 in MWNY03?
what if apple stops producing hardware soon??? <img src="graemlins/surprised.gif" border="0" alt="[surprised]" />
In the future, try and keep discussion on similar topics confined to one thread please. Thanks.
As for the 970: If the 970 has started production this month, there is no reason that Apple couldn't have these machines ready to be shown at MWNY. Shipping could be any time from July 16 - October 1.
Yes, Steve Jobs did say this would be the "Year of the Laptop" but I think he said this for three reasons:
1.) To put the spotlight completely on the new 12" and 17" PowerBooks when they debuted at MWSF.
2.) Apple wants to sell you a PowerBook or iBook because they get huge margins on laptops and declaring this the "Year of the laptop" gets people thinking more about a 'portable desktop'.
3.) Jobs didn't have a clear picture that the Power PC 970 would be ready for Macs this early. I think that Apple may have been expecting the worst and prepared for they 'Year of the laptop' because Apple's portable offerings have always been more in line with the portables in the PC world.
But now that the 970 could (and should) be ready for MWNY, it opens up a few interesting possibilities.
Since Jobs *did* call this the year of the laptop, we might see a PowerBook with a 970 later this year. I might be too optomistic about this, but if power consumption is low enough and Apple has R&D time starting right now, they can be shipping PowerBooks with 970s in late October/early November. That would give even the 15" AlBook (when it comes out in April or May) a good run (in terms of shelf life).
Plus, even if we don't see 970s shipping until September/October, I feel Apple should at least announce them and take preorders. I've outlined my reasons for this here:
<a href="http://forums.appleinsider.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=003109"; target="_blank">http://forums.appleinsider.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=003109</a>;
So even though we are 'speculating', this seems to make logical sense based on what we know.
<strong>I think people put way too much stock in SJ's statement that "this is the year of the laptop". There are now 4 laptop models available from Apple, which is pretty significant, and something non-technical types can easily appreciate. Perhaps he meant "we're in the middle of the year of the laptop". Perhaps he was just flogging the new product? Whatever, it is a far cry from saying that "we're not going to introduce any desktop products in 2003 because this is the year of the laptop".</strong><hr></blockquote>
No, but on the other hand, Steve positioned the 17" the same way he's been positioning the 15": As a full-blown workstation that just happens to be portable. Now, let's say that the 12" PowerBook is a G4 iBook that came out of the starting gate a bit early so that Apple could test the waters (and the design). Let's say that Apple can drop a low-voltage 970 into the PowerBooks: 12", 15" and 17" alike, and move the iBook to the old PowerBook motherboard with the 7457. Now the consumer portables have the almost-workstation power that the PowerBooks currently do, and the pro portables have true-workstation power.
Sure, the desktops will perform even better, but when you can either get the current PowerBook's performance in a portable form at iBook prices, or 970 performance in a portable form, why get a desktop? You can always attach a PowerBook to a big monitor and run it in clamshell mode, or spanned. Suddenly, it's not so strange that Steve expects laptops to reach 50% of Mac sales.
Just a thought.
I've got a G4 450 that I've beefed up as much as I can short of replacing the processor. If I did I'd still be stuck with a slow buss speed and 2 x AGP slot so what's the point? So here I am wanting to buy a new tower but why should I when I know at some point soon Apple has got to replace the G4 with something better?
I'm sure there are many people out there like this. Just waiting.
So given all of this if Apple doesn't do it this year can you imagine the collective groan of disapointment? Also I'm sure Apple's aware of this.
<a href="http://www.envestco2.com/macwhispers/archives/000046.php"; target="_blank">http://www.envestco2.com/macwhispers/archives/000046.php</a>;
smacking Apple around is fun for a bit but we all know that Apple has used up too many of it's 9 lives and will need to hit the ground running. I have no doubts that they'll be aggressive.
The only crowd that will be pissed is the "I want a 970 in an iMac crowd".
I'm ready for "the year of the desktop"
<strong>I want the 970 in a Newton!
Me too.
Anecdotal evidence + rumors + wishful thinking.
<a href="http://www.envestco2.com/macwhispers/archives/000046.php"; target="_blank">Mac Whispers-Apple Readies New PowerMac Motherboards For Production </a>
[quote] What we have been told is that a set of CAD files detailing what "appears to be a final design for a pair of completely new motherboards" was given to at least two contractors this week for review and production price bidding. The deadline for bid responses is said to be March 28th.
Our source states that these designs "are obviously for new PowerMacs," and that "the architecture of the boards looks to be totally different" from existing models. We were told that this price bidding activity typically indicates a finalized product being readied for production, and that this point in the process usually precedes actual production by 3 to 4 months. <hr></blockquote>
<a href="http://www.envestco2.com/macwhispers/archives/000042.php"; target="_blank">Mac Whispers-Apple To Introduce Bluetooth Keyboard And Mouse. </a>
[quote] Information from manufacturing sources indicates that Apple is preparing to release a Bluetooth wireless keyboard and mouse combo much sooner than we had earlier reported. <hr></blockquote>
<a href="http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269-s2131244,00.html"; target="_blank"> ZD NET-IBM pumps PowerPC up to 2.5GHz. </a>
[quote] IBM is to show off a prototype of its PowerPC 970 processor at the CeBIT trade show next month, the company said. <hr></blockquote>
<img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" /> <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" /> <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />
[ 03-07-2003: Message edited by: tink ]</p>
<strong>I think when Steve said that this would be the year of the laptops it was just a smoke screen...</strong><hr></blockquote>
No it just meant the laptops would have a great year. Simple.
What!? I'd only be satisfied with a Power5 Newton!