Apple Unveils Faster, More Affordable PowerBooks

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  • Reply 121 of 197
    gargar Posts: 1,201member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by shidoshi

    Of course, I'm also bothered a bit that Apple things adding things like a lighted keyboard and the new trackpad to their laptops really makes up for the lack of power in a number of areas inside. Don't get me wrong, I love those features, but they shouldn't be what is used to convince me to get a PowerBook versus the actual guts of the machine.



    "a lighted keyboard" would have made me buy a 12"pb.

    now, instead of wait another round.
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  • Reply 122 of 197
    gargar Posts: 1,201member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Chagi

    -- s n i p --

    only question is iBook vs. Powerbook.




    only question is: budget?
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  • Reply 123 of 197
    Where does it say anywhere on apples tie that the 30 inch display has dual dvi connectors. It relies on the graphics processor alone. there is not two connectors.
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  • Reply 124 of 197
    ryanhryanh Posts: 116member
    It is Dual link DVI. Basically one DVI connector that carries 2 channels of signal. Each signal processes half the image. That is why you can run dual 30" monitors off the 6800 Ultra; it has Dual Dual Link DVI connectors.
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  • Reply 125 of 197
    Microsoft has a tilt-wheel design-is Apple's anything similar (MS's scrolls horizontally and vertically)-I guess it's similar but implemented in a trackpad in a innovative method. Mobility 97000-fine (9800 is too hot for the PB). Dual link DVI is new to some models, BTO on one, standard on the 17".



    And BT 2.0!
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  • Reply 126 of 197
    While the glare on the Sony's may be of issue to some people, I still maintain that the Screens are in need of an update, and this has been somewhat of an on going complaint, that I've been reading over the past few months on these forums, every now and then someone will gripe about the screens. The panels look to be 2 years old, atleast.
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  • Reply 127 of 197
    e1618978e1618978 Posts: 6,075member
    Those of you that want a backlit keyboard in a 12", why don't you buy a 12" and replacement part for a 15" keyboard.



    Looking at them, it seems like 12", 15" and 17" all use the same keyboard, when you just stare at the keyboard section and skip between the three sizes on the apple page, the keyboard does not change size or shape at all - I bet you could do a transplant.



    Also - to the fellow a couple pages ago. When I say I don't really care about the speed of the computer or the processor, I don't think that I am being an apologist. All the laptops for sale today are fast enough - I wouldn't buy a PC laptop that was twice as fast and the same price, because it will fill with spyware and viruses, it would be heavy, hot, ugly, etc. The PC laptop would not meet my needs, so it does not matter how fast or cheap it is.



    In fact, the powerbook has redefined my "needs", just by existing:



    - 15" or 17"

    - Firewire 800

    - digital audio out (would have preferred mini AES/EBU, but I have a converter)

    - Dual-DVI

    - Bluetooth

    - 802.11n or 802.11g



    I doubt that I could buy any PC notebook like that, and if I could it sure would not weigh 6.9 lbs for the 17"



    If we only cared about $/hp in cars, we would all drive cameros. And if all cars are 500 hp, who cares if the ugly car over there has 1000 hp.
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  • Reply 128 of 197
    As far as I am aware of 802.11n hasn't been fully approved yet, so any products that use it may not work with the finalized version, not counting the fact that the PB doesn't have it.



    Personally, I would of liked to see about 100 dollar more price drop, an update on the screens. That would of made me a bit happier.



    Most laptops these days come with built in WiFi, bluetooth isn't so wide spread, but I don't know too many people who used bluetooth. I really don't see the purpose of the digital audio in/out's considering, this is targeted at professionals, who most likely use external firewire racks for audio.
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  • Reply 129 of 197
    e1618978e1618978 Posts: 6,075member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by scavanger

    As far as I am aware of 802.11n hasn't been fully approved yet



    I am using the Belkin pre-n router ($140 from amazon) right now - it kicks butt, much more reliable and faster than my old Linksys WAP-11. The only things wrong with it are:



    1) the mac config tool does not work, luckily I had a PC.

    2) you have to connect an ethernet cable to it to configure, which for me meant hauling a 100lb monitor and my PC downstairs.



    When 802.11n gets approved, I will either do a firmware upgrade or buy a new one.



    The great things about the router are better coverage with 11g, and it does not drop down to 11b if you have a single 11b computer using the network.

    If I could use the pre-n wireless card, it would be even nicer.
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  • Reply 130 of 197
    e1618978e1618978 Posts: 6,075member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by scavanger

    Most laptops these days come with built in WiFi, bluetooth isn't so wide spread, but I don't know too many people who used bluetooth. I really don't see the purpose of the digital audio in/out's considering, this is targeted at professionals, who most likely use external firewire racks for audio.



    Bluetooth is requred for wireless keyboard and mouse, and also cellphone sync is much better with it.



    The digital audio out is so that you don't have to rely on the crappy d/a converter in your computer - it is not just for professionals, but also for audiophiles.
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  • Reply 131 of 197
    Hey! What happened to the eMac upgrade that was rumoured to be coming with the PowerBook upgrade?



    Does this mean the eMac will go to G5 later in the year? Or maybe just a speed bump on the G4 CPU sometime soon - maybe Tuesday



    Maybe they didn't want to steal the Mac mini's thunder so soon after its release.



    Oh well, half the rumour was true \





    P.S. I hope the 512Mb RAM becomes standard across all Apple's.
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  • Reply 132 of 197
    Quote:

    Originally posted by etai_s15

    I've just placed an order for a 15" 1.67Ghz PB.

    It's costing me just under $3700 AUD with 100GB HD, 1GB ram & 128mb vram (not sure how useful this is given I don't own a 30" display).



    I've been an apple user for years, but I must admit osX on a PB can feel sluggish at times. My friend recently bought a 17"PB (the model prior to this update) and I must say osX seems sluggish compared to windows XP at certain tasks like loading CDs/DVD etc.



    But I figure this powerbook has got to be better than the 400MHz G4 Powermac desktop I'm currently using at home




    mate, (pity about lleyton hey but congrats on his engagement), your setup for $3700aud... one word... f8king sweet mate... make sure you run latest Mac Os X, 10.3.7, you're gonna have a bloody bonza time.



    ps. 128 vram will still be useful for graphics speed even if you dont use an external monitor



    edit: cd/dvd loading on your new PB shouldn't be an issue now, it'll just be several seconds for the drive to spin up, detect what kind of thingy it is, and display it on the desktop. if it is a DVD, it automatically loads DVD Player by default, so if you feel like watching a DVD, just plop it in, kick back, and your PB will handle it 'beaut...
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  • Reply 133 of 197
    Having read each post in this lengthy thread I ask myself:



    How much of the 'gosh, I'm really impressed' posts are nothing more than justification for folks who cannot resist new toys.



    (Emphasis on the toys.)
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  • Reply 134 of 197
    19841984 Posts: 955member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by e1618978

    Those of you that want a backlit keyboard in a 12", why don't you buy a 12" and replacement part for a 15" keyboard.



    Looking at them, it seems like 12", 15" and 17" all use the same keyboard, when you just stare at the keyboard section and skip between the three sizes on the apple page, the keyboard does not change size or shape at all - I bet you could do a transplant.




    Nope. The lighted keyboards require a different top case so it wouldn't work.
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  • Reply 135 of 197
    idaveidave Posts: 1,283member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Dave J

    Having read each post in this lengthy thread I ask myself:



    How much of the 'gosh, I'm really impressed' posts are nothing more than justification for folks who cannot resist new toys.



    (Emphasis on the toys.)




    This is an incremental upgrade. There are, however, several things added or improved that make it a bit more than the average speed bump. How much you're impressed depends on whether you've been planning a Mac purchase, whether you just bought one and whether you're a Mac enthusiast. I think, in the absence of a G5 or dual-core PowerBook, this is a nice upgrade. It's certainly better than no upgrade at all.
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  • Reply 136 of 197
    Quote:

    Originally posted by iDave

    This is an incremental upgrade. There are, however, several things added or improved that make it a bit more than the average speed bump. How much you're impressed depends on whether you've been planning a Mac purchase, whether you just bought one and whether you're a Mac enthusiast. I think, in the absence of a G5 or dual-core PowerBook, this is a nice upgrade. It's certainly better than no upgrade at all.



    ditto. now, there's no doubt there are those that wet themselves at every apple announcement. but for mobile professionals that enjoy Macs and are more productive with Mac OS X, this is a welcome offering for them, particularly if they have been planning to get a new portable around the start of 2005. it's decent, fun, and i think the best that apple can do given Freescale and IBM not providing a robust enough mobile pipeline for them thus far



    This update also buys Apple up to 6 months for the PowerBook G5 update, which will, in 6-8 months, be critical for them to get it right then.
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  • Reply 137 of 197
    I have to say, I think the PB updates rock. They give us what we need more than what we (think we) want. People don't need that kind of G5 speed in laptop! It would be nice, sure. But let's face it, serious rendering is done on computers that don't need to get unplugged an put in a backpack.



    Prices are lowered, better video, etc., etc. This is a GOOD thing!
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  • Reply 138 of 197
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Bart Smastard

    Hey! What happened to the eMac upgrade that was rumoured to be coming with the PowerBook upgrade?



    This was a strange Monday announcement. I'm expecting an eMac bump tomorrow, or something similar.
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  • Reply 139 of 197
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Chagi

    I've wanted a laptop for some time now, when I do get one, it's going to be a Mac, only question is iBook vs. Powerbook.



    I'm with you there. Although I've actually owned a TiBook, but gave it to my mom. But now, working regularly in video, I find myself sitting around waiting for renders to complete. A little laptop on the side might help productivity, with emails, ftp transfers, etc. I was leaning towards the 12" iBook, but now the 12" PB seems too delicious to pass up. It would be even more worthwhile if Apple got some FCP Rendezvous rendering going.
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  • Reply 140 of 197
    Anyway, nice update Apple, go ahead, roll it.

    I just recommended a 12" Combo to

    my co-worker, who is in the hall for

    a new Laptop. He glimpsed at an iBook.

    But now the story changed a bit.

    I haven't had much effort to convince

    this time



    Btw, regarding the *missing* digital sound i/o option

    on 12" and 15": there is a load of devices

    just in front of your dribbing noses.
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