All I really wanted from the PB update was a 64 MB video card, and no one seems to think this is likely. Damn, damn, damn.
Also, 933 will be disappointing after waiting this long. 1GHz w/ 64 MB Radeon and my money belonged to Apple in a heartbeat. 933 and 32 MB? Maybe.
(Edit: Just saw that macuser uk is reporting that not only will video cards still be only 32 MB instead of 64, but that they will continue using the Radeon 7500 instead of the 9500!!! WTF? Of course, I should just be waiting for an iMac instead, and go complain in that thread! That's even worse...)
[ 11-01-2002: Message edited by: I Have Questions ]</p>
You can't get upset about rumors that, in the very recent past, have been false. If I like what comes out the pipe on the 6th, I am going to make the PC->Apple switch. But there's no way I am going to get upset about everyone's speculation. It just isn't worth it. What I'm saying is made totally in good spirits as we all want the new TiBooks to kick some major butt. But stay excited about what could happen, instead of being upset about what might not happen. Even though people are saying there might not be a 1ghz/64mb Raedon/superdrive that I would buy in a heartbeat, I am still excited that they could all be guessing wrong! They pulled the company out of the toilet to make the best looking machines ever made, don't under estimate em.
Seanyepez from the MacNN boards in the infamous thread about New PowerBooks stated that his sources said new iBooks with G4 processors. Low-end at 600 MHZ and high-end at 733 MHz. I just think, that, in combination with 13-inch widescreen displays is interesting, don't you?
<strong>Seanyepez from the MacNN boards in the infamous thread about New PowerBooks stated that his sources said new iBooks with G4 processors. Low-end at 600 MHZ and high-end at 733 MHz. I just think, that, in combination with 13-inch widescreen displays is interesting, don't you?</strong><hr></blockquote>
I wouldn't put much faith into the Macworld UK article. I think they pulled it out of thin air. No Superdrives because of Pioneer? Panasonic is making the Superdrive for the PowerBook, not Pioneer. Recent iMacs are shipping with Superdrives made by Hitachi. Nothing rests on the shoulders of Pioneer. Speeds of 867 and 933 Mhz? I doubt they would go for only a 66 Mhz difference. More likely 800 and 933 Mhz. I think Ryan Meader writes thei material.
I am sorry but, honestly, it is a bit ridiculous for Apple to put off updating a product seven months and then only add the 133mhz and bluetooth to the Powerbook. Seriously, that cannot be a engineering choice, an 8th grade science class could do that. I guess I just had higher thoughts of what Apple could do. I am sure they are just holding back to put it all in some later model (just in time to be obsolete I am sure). Apple has dissapointed on every release for the last 2 years, so why should I be surprised. If only they could make them pretty AND fast. Sorry but I have put off buying a Powerbook for 9 months and they just keep letting me down. It still does not meet the needs I put on a computer that I would pay 4 grand for.
I just hope the 933, 7500 Radeon rumors are wrong.
<strong>I am sorry but, honestly, it is a bit ridiculous for Apple to put off updating a product seven months and then only add the 133mhz and bluetooth to the Powerbook. Seriously, that cannot be a engineering choice, an 8th grade science class could do that. I guess I just had higher thoughts of what Apple could do. I am sure they are just holding back to put it all in some later model (just in time to be obsolete I am sure). Apple has dissapointed on every release for the last 2 years, so why should I be surprised. If only they could make them pretty AND fast. Sorry but I have put off buying a Powerbook for 9 months and they just keep letting me down. It still does not meet the needs I put on a computer that I would pay 4 grand for.
I just hope the 933, 7500 Radeon rumors are wrong.</strong><hr></blockquote>
"put off updating for seven months"? So you're accusing them of not updating the product right after they released it? sheesh. Just over 6 months is fast for a powerbook upgrade cycle.
"put off updating for seven months"? So you're accusing them of not updating the product right after they released it? sheesh. Just over 6 months is fast for a powerbook upgrade cycle.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Read the whole post if you are going to flame me jack ass. The april 29th update did not meet my expectations, so I waited...and waited...and waited...and now I get 133 mhz, and thats it. And I did not say anything about the cycle, I am aware of the 6 month Apple trend, just not the 6 months and ONLY 16% clock increase and bluetooth(worthless to 90% of people including myself)trend. Now do you understand what I meant and why I am disapointed or do I need to explain it some more for you, Nebrie?
<strong>macuser claimed that the new PowerBook will be 933Mhz top. Not GHz</strong><hr></blockquote>
The whole report can be found <a href="http://www.macuser.co.uk"; target="_blank">here</a> (free subscription required?)
Apple will upgrade the entire PowerBook range by the end of this month, according to US industry insiders. However the new line is expected to offer little more than a speed bump and, possibly, built-in Bluetooth capability.
Over the past two months inventory of today's 667MHz and 800MHz PowerBook G4s has been run down in Apple's distribution channels. Distribution giant Ingram Micro now has less than three weeks worth of PowerMacs in its US warehouses, and sources at the company report that Apple has not shipped any PowerBooks to it for some time.
Apple reported a drop of nearly 40 per cent in unit sales for the PowerBook during its September financial quarter (compared to the previous three months) another sign that the range is being destocked ready for an upgrade.
Sources close to Apple familiar with the new machines said that, contrary to industry rumours, the new PowerBooks will not breach the psychologically important 1GHz barrier, due to problems with cooling and battery life. Instead the fastest PowerBook will be 933MHz (up from 867MHz) and the entry level 667MHz model will be speed-bumped to 867MHz.
The system bus will continue to run at 133MHz, rather than moving to the 167MHz motherboard introduced with the current top of the range Power Mac G4s, said the sources.
The same sources have also ruled out the introduction of a SuperDrive-equipped model, as the drive manufacturer, Pioneer, has not yet rolled out a slot-loading version with a form factor that fits the PowerBook's casing.
'Apple is not going to change the PowerBook's casing, even though its getting on for nearly two years since it first came out, and that means no SuperDrive. But this will be probably be the last minor upgrade before a whole new PowerBook design comes out,' said one source.
The upgraded PowerBooks will stick with the existing ATI 7500 Mobility Radeon graphics rather than upgrading to the more powerful ATI 9500 Mobility system
However, one potential surprise, according to one source, will be the introduction of built-in Bluetooth connectivity, which would make the PowerBooks the first ever Macs to support the short range wireless technology without requiring an adaptor. Since the release of Mac OS X 10.2 which supports Bluetooth and the launch of iSync, the first Mac application to make use of the technology, Apple has become one of the leading supporters of the emerging standard. And the company is expected to unveil Bluetooth peripherals as early as next January.
There are some mistakes, I think 867MHz should be 800MHz in both cases, but what a difference an extra 67MHz would make to the 933MHz.
However, one potential surprise, according to one source, will be the introduction of built-in Bluetooth connectivity, which would make the PowerBooks the first ever Macs to support the short range wireless technology without requiring an adaptor. Since the release of Mac OS X 10.2 which supports Bluetooth and the launch of iSync, the first Mac application to make use of the technology, Apple has become one of the leading supporters of the emerging standard. And the company is expected to unveil Bluetooth peripherals as early as next January.
]</strong><hr></blockquote>
Is it just me or does anyone else not get excited by Bluetooth?
If this article is correct and if Bluetooth is "the feature" reason to upgrade to the new Powerbooks, I'll pass.
Comments
Also, 933 will be disappointing after waiting this long. 1GHz w/ 64 MB Radeon and my money belonged to Apple in a heartbeat. 933 and 32 MB? Maybe.
(Edit: Just saw that macuser uk is reporting that not only will video cards still be only 32 MB instead of 64, but that they will continue using the Radeon 7500 instead of the 9500!!! WTF? Of course, I should just be waiting for an iMac instead, and go complain in that thread! That's even worse...)
[ 11-01-2002: Message edited by: I Have Questions ]</p>
You can't get upset about rumors that, in the very recent past, have been false. If I like what comes out the pipe on the 6th, I am going to make the PC->Apple switch. But there's no way I am going to get upset about everyone's speculation. It just isn't worth it. What I'm saying is made totally in good spirits as we all want the new TiBooks to kick some major butt. But stay excited about what could happen, instead of being upset about what might not happen. Even though people are saying there might not be a 1ghz/64mb Raedon/superdrive that I would buy in a heartbeat, I am still excited that they could all be guessing wrong! They pulled the company out of the toilet to make the best looking machines ever made, don't under estimate em.
<strong>
:eek: Competitive pricing from Apple?</strong><hr></blockquote>
<img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />
<strong>Seanyepez from the MacNN boards in the infamous thread about New PowerBooks stated that his sources said new iBooks with G4 processors. Low-end at 600 MHZ and high-end at 733 MHz. I just think, that, in combination with 13-inch widescreen displays is interesting, don't you?</strong><hr></blockquote>
You both are going to be so disappointed. Sorry.
[QB]1GHz w/ 64 MB Radeon and my money belonged to Apple in a heartbeat. 933 and 32 MB? Maybe.
<hr></blockquote>
You took the words right out of my mouth. The graphics card is all I'm waiting for.
Radeon 9000 64? YES!
Radeon 900 32? Maybe <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />
Radeon 7500 32? No way!
Current\t\t
600 MHz
$1,199\t\t
700 MHz\t
$1,499\t\t
700 MHz\t
$1,799\t\t
Updated
700 MHz\t\t
$999\t\t
800 MHz\t\t
$1,299\t
800 MHz\t\t
$1,499
<a href="http://www.thinksecret.com/news/nov6ibooks.html"; target="_blank">Link.</a>
[ 11-02-2002: Message edited by: Ensign Pulver ]</p>
I just hope the 933, 7500 Radeon rumors are wrong.
<strong>Think Secret has revealed iBook pricing. Speed bumps, all G3, same case, $200 price cuts across the board
Current\t\t
600 MHz
$1,199\t\t
700 MHz\t
$1,499\t\t
700 MHz\t
$1,799\t\t
Updated
700 MHz\t\t
$999\t\t
800 MHz\t\t
$1,299\t
800 MHz\t\t
$1,499
<a href="http://www.thinksecret.com/news/nov6ibooks.html"; target="_blank">Link.</a>
[ 11-02-2002: Message edited by: Ensign Pulver ]</strong><hr></blockquote>
At least these numbers are a good deal, especially for Apple. Now if they stopped crippling the G3 with a 100 bus
<strong>I am sorry but, honestly, it is a bit ridiculous for Apple to put off updating a product seven months and then only add the 133mhz and bluetooth to the Powerbook. Seriously, that cannot be a engineering choice, an 8th grade science class could do that. I guess I just had higher thoughts of what Apple could do. I am sure they are just holding back to put it all in some later model (just in time to be obsolete I am sure). Apple has dissapointed on every release for the last 2 years, so why should I be surprised. If only they could make them pretty AND fast. Sorry but I have put off buying a Powerbook for 9 months and they just keep letting me down. It still does not meet the needs I put on a computer that I would pay 4 grand for.
I just hope the 933, 7500 Radeon rumors are wrong.</strong><hr></blockquote>
"put off updating for seven months"? So you're accusing them of not updating the product right after they released it? sheesh. Just over 6 months is fast for a powerbook upgrade cycle.
<strong>
"put off updating for seven months"? So you're accusing them of not updating the product right after they released it? sheesh. Just over 6 months is fast for a powerbook upgrade cycle.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Read the whole post if you are going to flame me jack ass. The april 29th update did not meet my expectations, so I waited...and waited...and waited...and now I get 133 mhz, and thats it. And I did not say anything about the cycle, I am aware of the 6 month Apple trend, just not the 6 months and ONLY 16% clock increase and bluetooth(worthless to 90% of people including myself)trend. Now do you understand what I meant and why I am disapointed or do I need to explain it some more for you, Nebrie?
[ 11-02-2002: Message edited by: FlashGordon ]</p>
[QB]All I really wanted from the PB update was a 64 MB video card, and no one seems to think this is likely. Damn, damn, damn.
<hr></blockquote>
Why in gods name would you want 64mb of VRAM in a laptop???
Barto
[q]Why in gods name would you want 64mb of VRAM in a laptop???
[/q]<hr></blockquote>
Because QE is VRAM hungry and we have to do some work that involves using that VRAM for something other than screen-drawing pulsing interface buttons
[ 11-02-2002: Message edited by: robster ]</p>
<strong>
You both are going to be so disappointed. Sorry.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Hey Outsider, I'm not bothered about the G4 but do you KNOW we won't get a 13" screen? What about bluetooth?
Can you lay it on the line...list the specs for us
<strong>
Why in gods name would you want 64mb of VRAM in a laptop???
Barto</strong><hr></blockquote>
You're kidding right? Since the graphics card on any laptop is set for the life of the machine, here's a bunch of reasons.
1. Excellent performance on current games
2. Decent performance on future games
3. Superior Quartz Extreme support, especially down the road as the technology is further integrated with the OS and third party apps
4. Improved DVD playback
5. Improved dual display support
6. Portable 3D rendering rivaling current desktops.
7. Parity with high end Wintel laptops
8. "128k ought to be enough for anybody" and similar past ridiculous statements regarding current technology supposedly reaching its effective limit.
<strong>
Why in gods name would you want 64mb of VRAM in a laptop???
Barto</strong><hr></blockquote>
A 1920x1200 pixel 23 inch Apple Cinema High Definition Display running alongside the built-in 1280x854 pixel display...maybe?
<strong>macuser claimed that the new PowerBook will be 933Mhz top. Not GHz</strong><hr></blockquote>
The whole report can be found <a href="http://www.macuser.co.uk"; target="_blank">here</a> (free subscription required?)
Apple will upgrade the entire PowerBook range by the end of this month, according to US industry insiders. However the new line is expected to offer little more than a speed bump and, possibly, built-in Bluetooth capability.
Over the past two months inventory of today's 667MHz and 800MHz PowerBook G4s has been run down in Apple's distribution channels. Distribution giant Ingram Micro now has less than three weeks worth of PowerMacs in its US warehouses, and sources at the company report that Apple has not shipped any PowerBooks to it for some time.
Apple reported a drop of nearly 40 per cent in unit sales for the PowerBook during its September financial quarter (compared to the previous three months) another sign that the range is being destocked ready for an upgrade.
Sources close to Apple familiar with the new machines said that, contrary to industry rumours, the new PowerBooks will not breach the psychologically important 1GHz barrier, due to problems with cooling and battery life. Instead the fastest PowerBook will be 933MHz (up from 867MHz) and the entry level 667MHz model will be speed-bumped to 867MHz.
The system bus will continue to run at 133MHz, rather than moving to the 167MHz motherboard introduced with the current top of the range Power Mac G4s, said the sources.
The same sources have also ruled out the introduction of a SuperDrive-equipped model, as the drive manufacturer, Pioneer, has not yet rolled out a slot-loading version with a form factor that fits the PowerBook's casing.
'Apple is not going to change the PowerBook's casing, even though its getting on for nearly two years since it first came out, and that means no SuperDrive. But this will be probably be the last minor upgrade before a whole new PowerBook design comes out,' said one source.
The upgraded PowerBooks will stick with the existing ATI 7500 Mobility Radeon graphics rather than upgrading to the more powerful ATI 9500 Mobility system
However, one potential surprise, according to one source, will be the introduction of built-in Bluetooth connectivity, which would make the PowerBooks the first ever Macs to support the short range wireless technology without requiring an adaptor. Since the release of Mac OS X 10.2 which supports Bluetooth and the launch of iSync, the first Mac application to make use of the technology, Apple has become one of the leading supporters of the emerging standard. And the company is expected to unveil Bluetooth peripherals as early as next January.
There are some mistakes, I think 867MHz should be 800MHz in both cases, but what a difference an extra 67MHz would make to the 933MHz.
[ 11-02-2002: Message edited by: RodUK ]</p>
<strong>
However, one potential surprise, according to one source, will be the introduction of built-in Bluetooth connectivity, which would make the PowerBooks the first ever Macs to support the short range wireless technology without requiring an adaptor. Since the release of Mac OS X 10.2 which supports Bluetooth and the launch of iSync, the first Mac application to make use of the technology, Apple has become one of the leading supporters of the emerging standard. And the company is expected to unveil Bluetooth peripherals as early as next January.
]</strong><hr></blockquote>
Is it just me or does anyone else not get excited by Bluetooth?
If this article is correct and if Bluetooth is "the feature" reason to upgrade to the new Powerbooks, I'll pass.