I personally don't think Apple will reengineer the PowerBook case just to put a tray-loading drive in there. They seem far more interested in the "one-inch-thick" marketing angle, and I can't imagine them making the next generation thicker.</strong><hr></blockquote>
That's my other reasoning. They're not pushing 1" thin any more. It is mentioned on the Digital Hub page but it used to be THE thing about the Powerbook, now it's just another feature.
Blackcat, you just want new PowerBooks WAY too much.
The one-inch-thick business was a big deal when the Ti was introduced, but I think someone else (Sony?) has since come out with a portable that's just as thin. So it's not such a bragging point any more. But come on, this is Steve Jobs. He's probably in the engineering offices right now cracking a whip and screaming "I want it THINNER! HALF AN INCH, do you hear me?!"
I wish Apple would make the PBs the same (not counting dual processors since that's a no-go) in terms of speed. Especially since the PB G4s cost a pretty penny. It would make me feel a little better buying one and not losing out on the same kinda power I got with my desktop. I'd want to go all portable, just the issue of cost/performance.
I think if we see new towers based on a .13 G4 like a 7470 or 7500 w/new mobo architecture then those chips could probably go into a PB G4 revision, assuming heat issues. .13 would make them better suited though. I don't think they could do DDR like the propsed new PowerMac mobos, because most likely that would require a big redesign. The design is aging however (but still slick). Another option that I'd like to see is higher resolution and maybe a FirelGL 8800 Mobility (not sure the exact name of it) w/64 MB DDR.
The PowerBook may not be the thinnest (I think there's a .71" out there), but that doesn't make its thinness any less important. Apple has prided itself in the past on being able to squeeze a full-featured computer into a compact laptop. 1" is still a great selling point, especially compared to the 2" monsters that are appearing (making a comeback? ) on the other side..
Well, I think it will be updated in Sept. Why? because I keep predicting they will introduce a new power mac or powerbook at every event and I have always been WRONG! So, my logic tells me that I can't be wrong any more. Statistically speaking, I have got to be getting close to being correct on one of my predictions..i just can't fail again....can I? Please no..i want a powerbook so bad with all the updated features and the superdrive....Please Santa?
<strong>Blackcat, you just want new PowerBooks WAY too much.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
Er, yeah, you might have a point there!
[quote]<strong>
The one-inch-thick business was a big deal when the Ti was introduced, but I think someone else (Sony?) has since come out with a portable that's just as thin. So it's not such a bragging point any more. But come on, this is Steve Jobs. He's probably in the engineering offices right now cracking a whip and screaming "I want it THINNER! HALF AN INCH, do you hear me?!"</strong><hr></blockquote>
It wouldn't surprise me if they got it down to 0.8" or something equally non standard. A 1" Titanium tablet would be nice though.
Honestly, besides the cool factor, what is the point of making it much thinner. I would rather it be 1.3 inches and be able to hold the standard superdrive and larger HDs, maybe even a better video card. As it is these things have all advanced and become smaller so we may get them in the next rev, but we could already have them if the tibook was just a tiny bit larger.
Mine loves me!! It's working better than ever, probably out of fear because new powermacs are coming soon.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Mine has no sound now... not even plugging in headphones works. It hates me and only wants me for my money- so I can get a PowerBook and it can have a companion.
<strong>Honestly, besides the cool factor, what is the point of making it much thinner. I would rather it be 1.3 inches and be able to hold the standard superdrive and larger HDs, maybe even a better video card. As it is these things have all advanced and become smaller so we may get them in the next rev, but we could already have them if the tibook was just a tiny bit larger.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Agreed, my Pismo is a nice form factor. It's not too thick and has drive bays which are REALLY useful. I'd swap them for a Superdrive and Bluetooth though...
Sidebar: In July I ordered an extra battery for my PowerBook along with a copy of 10.2, and I keep getting e-mail from Apple saying it isn't available. Yesterday I got one saying the battery would not ship for at least 14 days and I had to let them know if I wanted to cancel. I called them up and demanded to know if this meant new PowerBooks were coming, but the guy said no; I have the battery on the same invoice as 10.2 and since that can't ship until August 24, the system keeps kicking my battery out as "unavailable."
(I should have started a new thread: "14-day delay on PowerBook battery! New form factor coming?" to see how many people would bite.)
I tried to talk him into shipping both the battery AND 10.2 immediately, since that would solve everyone's problems, but no dice. <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />
The Powerbook is the ONLY laptop at 1" thick with integrated CD-RW/DVD drive availaible worldwide.
There are sub .7" thick laptops but the powerbook is the lightest thinnest laptop with the most features in the world.
The powerbook is the best ballanced laptop in the world. Sure there are lots of laptops with more features or fatter specs, but these are all much larger, heavier and not practical for true day to day portability.
<strong>As far as black goes, Apple would have to paint the metal black (which would look horrible once the machine had accumulated some wear and tear) or use a metal other than titanium for the case. You can anodize titanium to any color you want, as long as it isn't black. </strong><hr></blockquote>
Yep. I was wondering if anyone would bring this up. There is a company in California that does a special anodizing proccess on medical implants. This proccess is intended to keep portions of hip joints, etc from knitting to tissue. Supposedly, this proccess produces a charcoal-grey color - kinda like polished hematite. That would be pretty in itself, but it's the closest to black I've found (in 10 years of looking, off and on).
As an aside, I'm surprised nobody's started up an anodizing sevice for out-of-warranty TiBooks yet. You thought Key Lime was eye-melting, picture a neon-purple TiBook.
Yep. I was wondering if anyone would bring this up. There is a company in California that does a special anodizing proccess on medical implants. This proccess is intended to keep portions of hip joints, etc from knitting to tissue. Supposedly, this proccess produces a charcoal-grey color - kinda like polished hematite. That would be pretty in itself, but it's the closest to black I've found (in 10 years of looking, off and on).
As an aside, I'm surprised nobody's started up an anodizing sevice for out-of-warranty TiBooks yet. You thought Key Lime was eye-melting, picture a neon-purple TiBook. </strong><hr></blockquote>
How 'bout a glowing green TiBook? Just sprinkle on some radon powder...
Comments
<strong>
I personally don't think Apple will reengineer the PowerBook case just to put a tray-loading drive in there. They seem far more interested in the "one-inch-thick" marketing angle, and I can't imagine them making the next generation thicker.</strong><hr></blockquote>
That's my other reasoning. They're not pushing 1" thin any more. It is mentioned on the Digital Hub page but it used to be THE thing about the Powerbook, now it's just another feature.
The one-inch-thick business was a big deal when the Ti was introduced, but I think someone else (Sony?) has since come out with a portable that's just as thin. So it's not such a bragging point any more. But come on, this is Steve Jobs. He's probably in the engineering offices right now cracking a whip and screaming "I want it THINNER! HALF AN INCH, do you hear me?!"
<strong>and when do you think this will happen...I soo soo need a new computer, my B&W G3 hates me
Mine loves me!! It's working better than ever, probably out of fear because new powermacs are coming soon.
I think if we see new towers based on a .13 G4 like a 7470 or 7500 w/new mobo architecture then those chips could probably go into a PB G4 revision, assuming heat issues. .13 would make them better suited though. I don't think they could do DDR like the propsed new PowerMac mobos, because most likely that would require a big redesign. The design is aging however (but still slick). Another option that I'd like to see is higher resolution and maybe a FirelGL 8800 Mobility (not sure the exact name of it) w/64 MB DDR.
Now that would own.
The plan is to next buy a 22" Cinema display to hook up to it. With the DVI action I'm good to go.
I figure when the performance of the PB starts to lag ( probably around the time of the 3rd rev of the G5) I'll buy a Power Mac then.
I was a good boy and waited three months for MWNY and I just couldn't take it anymore.
My guess is that the next rev of the Powerbook will happen in the early Fall -and it will include a speed bump and a Super Drive.
Bear in mind that the Super Drive is ssslooow at burning CD's. I've heard of people trading their SD's for CDRW's with other PM users because of this.
[ 08-05-2002: Message edited by: popz ]</p>
<strong>Blackcat, you just want new PowerBooks WAY too much.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
Er, yeah, you might have a point there!
[quote]<strong>
The one-inch-thick business was a big deal when the Ti was introduced, but I think someone else (Sony?) has since come out with a portable that's just as thin. So it's not such a bragging point any more. But come on, this is Steve Jobs. He's probably in the engineering offices right now cracking a whip and screaming "I want it THINNER! HALF AN INCH, do you hear me?!"</strong><hr></blockquote>
It wouldn't surprise me if they got it down to 0.8" or something equally non standard. A 1" Titanium tablet would be nice though.
[ 08-06-2002: Message edited by: Blackcat ]</p>
<strong>
Mine loves me!! It's working better than ever, probably out of fear because new powermacs are coming soon.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Mine has no sound now... not even plugging in headphones works. It hates me and only wants me for my money- so I can get a PowerBook and it can have a companion.
<strong>Honestly, besides the cool factor, what is the point of making it much thinner. I would rather it be 1.3 inches and be able to hold the standard superdrive and larger HDs, maybe even a better video card. As it is these things have all advanced and become smaller so we may get them in the next rev, but we could already have them if the tibook was just a tiny bit larger.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Agreed, my Pismo is a nice form factor. It's not too thick and has drive bays which are REALLY useful. I'd swap them for a Superdrive and Bluetooth though...
(I should have started a new thread: "14-day delay on PowerBook battery! New form factor coming?" to see how many people would bite.)
I tried to talk him into shipping both the battery AND 10.2 immediately, since that would solve everyone's problems, but no dice. <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />
There are sub .7" thick laptops but the powerbook is the lightest thinnest laptop with the most features in the world.
The powerbook is the best ballanced laptop in the world. Sure there are lots of laptops with more features or fatter specs, but these are all much larger, heavier and not practical for true day to day portability.
<strong>As far as black goes, Apple would have to paint the metal black (which would look horrible once the machine had accumulated some wear and tear) or use a metal other than titanium for the case. You can anodize titanium to any color you want, as long as it isn't black.
Yep. I was wondering if anyone would bring this up. There is a company in California that does a special anodizing proccess on medical implants. This proccess is intended to keep portions of hip joints, etc from knitting to tissue. Supposedly, this proccess produces a charcoal-grey color - kinda like polished hematite. That would be pretty in itself, but it's the closest to black I've found (in 10 years of looking, off and on).
As an aside, I'm surprised nobody's started up an anodizing sevice for out-of-warranty TiBooks yet. You thought Key Lime was eye-melting, picture a neon-purple TiBook.
<strong>
Yep. I was wondering if anyone would bring this up. There is a company in California that does a special anodizing proccess on medical implants. This proccess is intended to keep portions of hip joints, etc from knitting to tissue. Supposedly, this proccess produces a charcoal-grey color - kinda like polished hematite. That would be pretty in itself, but it's the closest to black I've found (in 10 years of looking, off and on).
As an aside, I'm surprised nobody's started up an anodizing sevice for out-of-warranty TiBooks yet. You thought Key Lime was eye-melting, picture a neon-purple TiBook.
How 'bout a glowing green TiBook? Just sprinkle on some radon powder...