Fiber Optic In/Out is only available on the 17" model. No 128MB graphics option on the 1.5 GHz model anymore. What good are price cuts if you are forced to pick from the more expensive options? Damn you Apple.
That decides me, I need the 17" to get the optical output.
I wonder what drive is being used for the Superdrive. Same as the Mac mini but without the firmware limiter? Someone please run System Profiler when you receive it. Thanks!
Very nice, the new goodies make it tempting. However I think I'm still going with the next Mini since I'm poor.
I wonder, is that new trackpad scrolling in software or hardware? In other words, could they update current PowerBooks for that?
Nice bump, good hard drives finally. Only thing is the NVIDIA. NVIDIA sucks in laptops. The G4, oh well, what can you do. Hopefully next time, Freescale will deliver.
Oh come on, you can configure a much better system than that.
Inspiron 9200
17" Ultrasharp
Pentium M 2.1ghz "Dothan"
1gb DDR333
ATI Radeon Mobility 9700 128mb
100gb hard drive
8x DVD +/- dual layer burner
$2396
There, more powerful than the 17" Powerbook and cheaper too.
OK - I was comparing the 12" SuperDrive as that's what I'd be in the market for, and in UK prices, as that's where I'd buy it, so looking for a realistic alternative.
OK - I was comparing the 12" SuperDrive as that's what I'd be in the market for, and in UK prices, as that's where I'd buy it, so looking for a realistic alternative.
But well done anyway, I'm sure.
M.
Ok, we'll look at another 12" from Dell.
Inspiron 700M
Pentium M 1.6ghz
1GB DDR333
8x DVD +/- dual layer burner
60gb hard drive
Integrated Intel Extreme Graphics
Graphics aren't as good as the 12" powerbook. I think the one you configured would be a bit better.
Also, Dell has coupon codes out all the time that can be found at www.gotapex.com
In october they were giving $750 off notebooks.
That said, i'm actually selling my 2 dell notebooks so I can get a 17" powerbook.
Oh come on, you can configure a much better system than that.
Inspiron 9200
17" Ultrasharp
Pentium M 2.1ghz "Dothan"
1gb DDR333
ATI Radeon Mobility 9700 128mb
100gb hard drive
8x DVD +/- dual layer burner
$2396
There, more powerful than the 17" Powerbook and cheaper too.
More powerful how, exactly? Is there one task that you can perform on that machine that you can't on the Powerbook? Or is it just some task that will take, like, 10 milliseconds longer on the Mac? Or just that some of the numbers are bigger?
Frankly, everyone here gets so worked up over there own fantasies of G5 ultra cheap mind-reading portables that anything seems disappointing. But my little iBook keeps chugging along, keeping me entertained and making me money.
More powerful how, exactly? Is there one task that you can perform on that machine that you can't on the Powerbook? Or is it just some task that will take, like, 10 milliseconds longer on the Mac? Or just that some of the numbers are bigger?
Ah, bigger numbers then. In real world applications, the 'Faster' cpu will make almost no difference. Comparing the different architectures is difficult--but for most of what a laptop is used for, I can't a big difference. I can't make my presentations run any faster, email any faster, and any speed gained on the bits of video I do would be lost trying to find a software package with as nice an interface as iMove or Final Cut Express.
RAM is cheap, and I always choose to go with the minimum possible from the vendor and upgrade for cheap elsewhere.
Just to be clear, the PC is not bad. It may be better in some ways and for some tasks. But the Apple is competitive--and it's just a pet peeve of mine when people compare numbers on machines, rather than looking at the tasks that need to be done with them. I can't count the number of people at work who have kick-ass video cards, and then just do email and word-processing. But the video card has bigger numbers, so they think they need it.
Ah, bigger numbers then. In real world applications, the 'Faster' cpu will make almost no difference. Comparing the different architectures is difficult--but for most of what a laptop is used for, I can't a big difference. I can't make my presentations run any faster, email any faster, and any speed gained on the bits of video I do would be lost trying to find a software package with as nice an interface as iMove or Final Cut Express.
RAM is cheap, and I always choose to go with the minimum possible from the vendor and upgrade for cheap elsewhere.
Just to be clear, the PC is not bad. It may be better in some ways and for some tasks. But the Apple is competitive--and it's just a pet peeve of mine when people compare numbers on machines, rather than looking at the tasks that need to be done with them. I can't count the number of people at work who have kick-ass video cards, and then just do email and word-processing. But the video card has bigger numbers, so they think they need it.
I understand what you are saying. But if you can get more power for less, why not? For your uses more power would'nt make a difference, but a lower price would.
It's only gamers and video editors that need more power.
I understand what you are saying. But if you can get more power for less, why not? For your uses more power would'nt make a difference, but a lower price would.
It's only gamers and video editors that need more power.
But my point is, numbers don't equal power. A smaller size, a better interface, and great application are more equivalent to "power" than a few more mhz that really won't make any difference to my tasks.
Just to make a ridiculous example, say you could get a video card that was twice as fast as you current one, for free, but it caused you machine to crash once every half an hour. Would this make you machine more powerful? No, even if they paid you to take it, it would still be a bad deal.
That's why the question when buying a computer has to start with what you wish to do with it, what applications you want to run, and what operating system you are comfortable with. You don't buy a car based solely on horsepower, and the engine may not even be the most important thing you are looking for.
why would apple wait to roll out this update? considering their powerbook sales sucked last quarter, why wouldn't they introduce these models in early novemeber for example for the holiday season?
maybe they are trying to stretch out this out because the g5 powerbook is really going to take a while and this update has to last a looong time.
i'm guessing next macworld for a powerbook g5 announcement at the earliest based on this speedbump.
if not then someone in the powerbook division needs to fired.
at least we can see what future ibook specs look like after the powerbook goes g5.
I understand what you are saying. But if you can get more power for less, why not? For your uses more power would'nt make a difference, but a lower price would.
It's only gamers and video editors that need more power.
But the money saved would need to be spent on new software to replace iMovie and FinalCut Express, as he clearly points out.
And then you're still running windows, so you're more power is lost as the CPU gets clogged with spyware (or with virus and spyware removal tools running non-stop). And then all your productivity is lost just trying to remember how windows works when. [One of my biggest pet peeves is that certain actions in Windows work differently depending on specific states or criteria. For example, double-clicking a CD may or may not open the CD, or it might launch an installer, or it might launch a slide show or WMP. Another irritating example. Double-clicking a network connection will show the status, if its enabled. But if its disabled, it'll enable it. And sometimes, you'll go right to the properties screen. Do you know how hard it is to help a family member through some computer problem over the phone when you're not sure how anything is going to display or work each time they do a task? OK, enough venting, get the impression I spent way too much time on the phone last night trying to get networking working again?]
Comments
Originally posted by 1984
Fiber Optic In/Out is only available on the 17" model. No 128MB graphics option on the 1.5 GHz model anymore. What good are price cuts if you are forced to pick from the more expensive options? Damn you Apple.
That decides me, I need the 17" to get the optical output.
Originally posted by e1618978
Also, the 256+256 ram is only on the 12", the other two models have 2 DIMM slots that you can fill as you like
(no on-board ram).
Well spotted - thanks!
Re: comparing well to a PC, I went and tried to configure something similar on Dell's site. I ended up with:
Lattitude D400, 12" screen
2 GHz Pentium M
512 Mb
60 Gb Disk
(lose the insurance)
8xDVD+RW
No floppy drive
So basically a rather nasty laptop, missing several of the bits on the 12" SuperDrive PB, but with a better warranty and a bit lighter.
But it's a Dell, so it's cheap right?
GBP 1035, fifteen quid more expensive than the PowerBook.
Kudos to Apple, excellent work guys.
Martin.
I wonder, is that new trackpad scrolling in software or hardware? In other words, could they update current PowerBooks for that?
Nice bump, good hard drives finally. Only thing is the NVIDIA. NVIDIA sucks in laptops. The G4, oh well, what can you do. Hopefully next time, Freescale will deliver.
Mac OS 10.4 comes out. Any chance for the new OS to come out before
April though?
Originally posted by datamodel
Well spotted - thanks!
Re: comparing well to a PC, I went and tried to configure something similar on Dell's site. I ended up with:
Lattitude D400, 12" screen
2 GHz Pentium M
512 Mb
60 Gb Disk
(lose the insurance)
8xDVD+RW
No floppy drive
So basically a rather nasty laptop, missing several of the bits on the 12" SuperDrive PB, but with a better warranty and a bit lighter.
But it's a Dell, so it's cheap right?
GBP 1035, fifteen quid more expensive than the PowerBook.
Kudos to Apple, excellent work guys.
Martin.
Oh come on, you can configure a much better system than that.
Inspiron 9200
17" Ultrasharp
Pentium M 2.1ghz "Dothan"
1gb DDR333
ATI Radeon Mobility 9700 128mb
100gb hard drive
8x DVD +/- dual layer burner
$2396
There, more powerful than the 17" Powerbook and cheaper too.
Originally posted by archer75
Oh come on, you can configure a much better system than that.
Inspiron 9200
17" Ultrasharp
Pentium M 2.1ghz "Dothan"
1gb DDR333
ATI Radeon Mobility 9700 128mb
100gb hard drive
8x DVD +/- dual layer burner
$2396
There, more powerful than the 17" Powerbook and cheaper too.
OK - I was comparing the 12" SuperDrive as that's what I'd be in the market for, and in UK prices, as that's where I'd buy it, so looking for a realistic alternative.
But well done anyway, I'm sure.
M.
Originally posted by datamodel
OK - I was comparing the 12" SuperDrive as that's what I'd be in the market for, and in UK prices, as that's where I'd buy it, so looking for a realistic alternative.
But well done anyway, I'm sure.
M.
Ok, we'll look at another 12" from Dell.
Inspiron 700M
Pentium M 1.6ghz
1GB DDR333
8x DVD +/- dual layer burner
60gb hard drive
Integrated Intel Extreme Graphics
Graphics aren't as good as the 12" powerbook. I think the one you configured would be a bit better.
Also, Dell has coupon codes out all the time that can be found at www.gotapex.com
In october they were giving $750 off notebooks.
That said, i'm actually selling my 2 dell notebooks so I can get a 17" powerbook.
Originally posted by archer75
Oh come on, you can configure a much better system than that.
Inspiron 9200
17" Ultrasharp
Pentium M 2.1ghz "Dothan"
1gb DDR333
ATI Radeon Mobility 9700 128mb
100gb hard drive
8x DVD +/- dual layer burner
$2396
There, more powerful than the 17" Powerbook and cheaper too.
More powerful how, exactly? Is there one task that you can perform on that machine that you can't on the Powerbook? Or is it just some task that will take, like, 10 milliseconds longer on the Mac? Or just that some of the numbers are bigger?
Frankly, everyone here gets so worked up over there own fantasies of G5 ultra cheap mind-reading portables that anything seems disappointing. But my little iBook keeps chugging along, keeping me entertained and making me money.
Originally posted by D.J. Adequate
More powerful how, exactly? Is there one task that you can perform on that machine that you can't on the Powerbook? Or is it just some task that will take, like, 10 milliseconds longer on the Mac? Or just that some of the numbers are bigger?
More ram, faster CPU.
Originally posted by archer75
More ram, faster CPU.
Ah, bigger numbers then. In real world applications, the 'Faster' cpu will make almost no difference. Comparing the different architectures is difficult--but for most of what a laptop is used for, I can't a big difference. I can't make my presentations run any faster, email any faster, and any speed gained on the bits of video I do would be lost trying to find a software package with as nice an interface as iMove or Final Cut Express.
RAM is cheap, and I always choose to go with the minimum possible from the vendor and upgrade for cheap elsewhere.
Just to be clear, the PC is not bad. It may be better in some ways and for some tasks. But the Apple is competitive--and it's just a pet peeve of mine when people compare numbers on machines, rather than looking at the tasks that need to be done with them. I can't count the number of people at work who have kick-ass video cards, and then just do email and word-processing. But the video card has bigger numbers, so they think they need it.
Originally posted by D.J. Adequate
Ah, bigger numbers then. In real world applications, the 'Faster' cpu will make almost no difference. Comparing the different architectures is difficult--but for most of what a laptop is used for, I can't a big difference. I can't make my presentations run any faster, email any faster, and any speed gained on the bits of video I do would be lost trying to find a software package with as nice an interface as iMove or Final Cut Express.
RAM is cheap, and I always choose to go with the minimum possible from the vendor and upgrade for cheap elsewhere.
Just to be clear, the PC is not bad. It may be better in some ways and for some tasks. But the Apple is competitive--and it's just a pet peeve of mine when people compare numbers on machines, rather than looking at the tasks that need to be done with them. I can't count the number of people at work who have kick-ass video cards, and then just do email and word-processing. But the video card has bigger numbers, so they think they need it.
I understand what you are saying. But if you can get more power for less, why not? For your uses more power would'nt make a difference, but a lower price would.
It's only gamers and video editors that need more power.
Dell laptops suck. That Inspiron 9200 starts at 7.7lbs before you add in battery and optical drive. That's damn near a 9lb laptop.
Now check the Powerbook 17"
Weight: 4.6 pounds (2.1 kg) with battery and optical drive installed (8)
Which do "YOU" want to carry around for any length of time?
i was going to order when they updated but now i have to sit back and think about things for a minute
i LOVE these updates except one thing really ticks me off...
WHY does apple Add an extra 215mb ram card instead of giving us ONE 512mb ram card. DAMN IT this would have made me buy one right now!
i wish the 12" had firewire800 and ati graphics (& maybe optical out) or at least a BTO option for these but that isnt such a big deal to me
...i guess ill have to really think hard about all this (as usual)
decisions decisions
Originally posted by archer75
I understand what you are saying. But if you can get more power for less, why not? For your uses more power would'nt make a difference, but a lower price would.
It's only gamers and video editors that need more power.
But my point is, numbers don't equal power. A smaller size, a better interface, and great application are more equivalent to "power" than a few more mhz that really won't make any difference to my tasks.
Just to make a ridiculous example, say you could get a video card that was twice as fast as you current one, for free, but it caused you machine to crash once every half an hour. Would this make you machine more powerful? No, even if they paid you to take it, it would still be a bad deal.
That's why the question when buying a computer has to start with what you wish to do with it, what applications you want to run, and what operating system you are comfortable with. You don't buy a car based solely on horsepower, and the engine may not even be the most important thing you are looking for.
maybe they are trying to stretch out this out because the g5 powerbook is really going to take a while and this update has to last a looong time.
i'm guessing next macworld for a powerbook g5 announcement at the earliest based on this speedbump.
if not then someone in the powerbook division needs to fired.
at least we can see what future ibook specs look like after the powerbook goes g5.
chung
Originally posted by archer75
I understand what you are saying. But if you can get more power for less, why not? For your uses more power would'nt make a difference, but a lower price would.
It's only gamers and video editors that need more power.
But the money saved would need to be spent on new software to replace iMovie and FinalCut Express, as he clearly points out.
And then you're still running windows, so you're more power is lost as the CPU gets clogged with spyware (or with virus and spyware removal tools running non-stop). And then all your productivity is lost just trying to remember how windows works when. [One of my biggest pet peeves is that certain actions in Windows work differently depending on specific states or criteria. For example, double-clicking a CD may or may not open the CD, or it might launch an installer, or it might launch a slide show or WMP. Another irritating example. Double-clicking a network connection will show the status, if its enabled. But if its disabled, it'll enable it. And sometimes, you'll go right to the properties screen. Do you know how hard it is to help a family member through some computer problem over the phone when you're not sure how anything is going to display or work each time they do a task? OK, enough venting, get the impression I spent way too much time on the phone last night trying to get networking working again?]