Upcoming PB lineup...
If anyone has been following some of the threads regarding the desperately-awaited 15" Al PB, and the current 17" you've probably read about all kinds of portability/performance needs, rumors about new models, complaints about video cards, etc.
But yesterday, I had this idea... not that I could really do much about it, but it just made a lot of sense to me... what if Apple released twice as many PB's as it currently has? I mean for each size, you'd get two different configurations to choose from, so the PB's could further accommodate to your specific budget, portability and performance needs. It dosen't seem to far from reality, does it? Check this out:
What if they release something like this?
12" PB's
Config 1:
867MHz PowerPC G4
256MB DDR266 SDRAM
40GB Ultra ATA/100
Config 2:
1 Ghz PowerPC G4
512MB DDR266 SDRAM
60GB Ultra ATA/100
15" (Al) PB's
Config1:
1GHz PowerPC G4
1MB L3 cache
512MB SDRAM
60GB Ultra ATA/66
Config 2:
1.2 GHz PowerPC G4
1MB L3 cache
512MB SDRAM
80GB Ultra ATA/66
17" PB's
Config 1:
1GHz PowerPC G4
1MB L3 cache
512MB SDRAM
60GB Ultra ATA/66
1.2 GHz PowerPC G4
1MB L3 cache
512MB SDRAM
80GB Ultra ATA/66
(these would of course include all the awesome extras we love so much ie. superdrive, light up keyboard, etc.)
See, this way they could drop the prices on the current models, and keep selling them, while introducing newer, better machines at current top-of-the-line prices. What do you think??? Does it seem viable?
But yesterday, I had this idea... not that I could really do much about it, but it just made a lot of sense to me... what if Apple released twice as many PB's as it currently has? I mean for each size, you'd get two different configurations to choose from, so the PB's could further accommodate to your specific budget, portability and performance needs. It dosen't seem to far from reality, does it? Check this out:
What if they release something like this?
12" PB's
Config 1:
867MHz PowerPC G4
256MB DDR266 SDRAM
40GB Ultra ATA/100
Config 2:
1 Ghz PowerPC G4
512MB DDR266 SDRAM
60GB Ultra ATA/100
15" (Al) PB's
Config1:
1GHz PowerPC G4
1MB L3 cache
512MB SDRAM
60GB Ultra ATA/66
Config 2:
1.2 GHz PowerPC G4
1MB L3 cache
512MB SDRAM
80GB Ultra ATA/66
17" PB's
Config 1:
1GHz PowerPC G4
1MB L3 cache
512MB SDRAM
60GB Ultra ATA/66
1.2 GHz PowerPC G4
1MB L3 cache
512MB SDRAM
80GB Ultra ATA/66
(these would of course include all the awesome extras we love so much ie. superdrive, light up keyboard, etc.)
See, this way they could drop the prices on the current models, and keep selling them, while introducing newer, better machines at current top-of-the-line prices. What do you think??? Does it seem viable?
Comments
But wait! Okay! Okay! The second thing he did... ...kill off the plethora of configurations/product divisions...
Let me think... The first was to axe the Newton... Rage transference from Sculley canning him...
;^p
(I couldn't help myself!)
Originally posted by RANSOMED
seems excessive, huh? Well, It's onlt two configuration per product... but, then again, read my signaure
I like your sign. My I license it?
Originally posted by Chucker
Six PowerBook configs, in addition to the hardly different three iBook configs? Um, no.
You also have to remember that Apple currently lets you pick optical drives, i.e. Combo- or SuperDrive. Retaining the choice of optical drive would lead to more than six different PowerBooks. I just want Apple to release a less crippled 12-inch PowerBook, i.e. with the power and ports of the 15-inch PowerBook.
Escher
Originally posted by hmurchison
I like your sign. My I license it?
sure, Einstein quotes are some of my favorites
As good as they are, the 15 and 17 are in dangerously high priced territory. Up to a few months ago there were no challengers, but with the advent of Centrino X86, PC notebooks are a LOT closer to the mark, they've even exceeded it on a few points, and comparably spec'd offerings are undercutting the 15 by quite a bit.
The 12 is great, but it does not excuse the lack of a 2K 15" model, right where the Centrino hits beautifully with power AND battery life to spare. Apple can't really sit comfortably in laptop land any more. Prices have to start dropping there too.
I say
drop the 12" down to 1799 with Superdrive
slot a 15" al book in at 1999 with combodrive
a 15" Al book at 2399 with superdrive and more HD space/VRAM
and
drop the 17" down to 2999-3099.
Wintel is right there at Apple's doorstep, threatening to knock it down.
AS for the iBooks.
2 models only.
14" widescreen a la Pscates' gorgeous mock-up
999, DVD-rom
1299, Combo.
Originally posted by musicaltone
Isnt 2 versions of the 15 what we have already? Would seem only logical for Apple to continue this in future. Where is the revolution?
see? I'm not the only crazy one... two configs per size would seem resonable, no?
g
HD size/rpm
optical drive
RAM
MHz doesn't need to be BTO IMO. So you get to choose between 1 GHz and 1.2 GHz--big deal, it's not like a G3 vs. G4 vs. 970. Most people can't even tell a 15-20% MHz difference, and for a laptop, I'd personally care more about HD speed and RAM than a few MHz.
--
Uhhhh.....I just checked the Apple store, and there are options for BTO on all the items I listed above! All that's left is CPU and video chipset. There's only a 15% difference in CPU speed, not very significant, so only video chipset is left.
It would be nice if Apple would BTO different video chipsets on laptops, but this would be expensive to do since they're soldered on. As is, the powerbooks are well equipped for screen size, and Apple even offers a choice on the 15" model.
Originally posted by Junkyard Dawg
It would be nice if Apple would BTO different video chipsets on laptops, but this would be expensive to do since they're soldered on.
This is no longer true across all lines. The graphics chipset on the two new PowerBooks is on a daughtercard, which makes it much easier for Apple to switch chipset generations (and vendors!) and which also opens a possible upgrade/BTO market.
Wait for the new 15" before Apple does anything like that, though. It would be simpler if that kind of BTO was simply a PowerBook feature, no ifs, ands or buts.
All this thread points out is that Apple's manufacturing is inadequete.
The idea of having 3 variants of each machine is great, for the shops. A buyer can walk in and choose from a clearly defined scale how much they want to spend, and not have any decisions to make. Its great for sales people.
This is coupled with BTO for experienced buyers. Unfortunately BTO basically lets you add more RAM. Not really very flexible.
In the case of the powerbooks, the defining factor is the screen. I should be able to go to the BTo, choose my screen ( the three shop configs provide the basis ), and then mix and match the other features to my hearts content.
I want a 12" PB, with fast video, and an L3 cache. Those sorts of thing should be BTO. I wouldnt mind if they were hidden in an advanced section.
This stuff applies just as equally to the iMac, the eMac, and the PowerMac. The iBook has such a simply line up that its not really affected.
Originally posted by Amorph
This is no longer true across all lines. The graphics chipset on the two new PowerBooks is on a daughtercard, which makes it much easier for Apple to switch chipset generations (and vendors!) and which also opens a possible upgrade/BTO market.
Wait for the new 15" before Apple does anything like that, though. It would be simpler if that kind of BTO was simply a PowerBook feature, no ifs, ands or buts.
Cool! This is so awesome, now Apple can BTO the video chipset, and maybe PB owners can even upgrade their video cards!
I'm becoming terminally attracted to that 12" Powerbook. It's just too much......I'm going to have watch myself around banks and armored trucks until this lust dies down.
These days, Apple wants you to use their products exactly as they intended them to be used. A number of widespread standards are simply not making it into Macs because Apple doesn't deem them "worthy" or something, like USB 2. If we don't even get USB 2, a feature present on just about every PC these days, then I seriously doubt we'll get any form of graphics upgradability. Currently, I think Dell is the only one that provides graphics upgrades for laptops, and even then it only applies to their top-of-the-line models. You can get a GeForce 4MX for an Inspiron 8100, for example.
Maybe some company will come up with graphics upgrade kits (or send-in services that don't void your warranty) eventually, but I have a feeling that it'll be more cost-effective to just replace the entire computer.
Originally posted by Matsu
I think the PB lineup could stand some price drops.
- Mr Predictable