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im_noahselby · Apr 22, 2003, 06:37 AM

If my information is correct, the only model that used the cheaper white finish in the last revision was the $999 base model. This left the 800Mhz 12' Combo and the 14' Combo with the traditional iBook construction materials.

By looking at the above picture from Apple's website it clearly illustrates the use of the "cheaper white finish". Look at the edges of the display and you will be able to tell, and as this is the 14' iBook model, one cannot mistake it for the base model.

So it appears as if the whole iBook lineup has been affected by this change.

Noah

pat++ · Apr 22, 2003, 06:53 AM

I really hope you're wrong. But it seems you're right (the extra battery on the apple store is described as 'opaque white' for both, CD-ROM and Combo drive models.

rjenkinson · Apr 22, 2003, 07:16 AM

all the more reason to buy a 12" powerbook.

wait, i just looked at the picture again. doesn't the colour of the bottom case look different from the top casing? in that picture anyway, it looks like the top casing is silver in colour and the bottom is white.

-r.

Superchicken · Apr 22, 2003, 07:20 AM

grrr @ apple

im_noahselby · Apr 22, 2003, 07:27 AM

Originally posted by rjenkinson:
all the more reason to buy a 12" powerbook.

wait, i just looked at the picture again. doesn't the colour of the bottom case look different from the top casing? in that picture anyway, it looks like the top casing is silver in colour and the bottom is white.

-r.

It's just the lighting and angle of the shot.

Noah

xtal · Apr 22, 2003, 09:26 AM

If this is true, my iBook 800 is looking good.

stew · Apr 22, 2003, 10:15 AM

I don't think the opaque white finish looks cheap. When I saw an opaque white iBook for the first time, I was actually surprised how good it looked.

Cipher13 · Apr 22, 2003, 10:35 AM

Originally posted by stew:
I don't think the opaque white finish looks cheap. When I saw an opaque white iBook for the first time, I was actually surprised how good it looked.

It feels (and is) cheap.

It doesn't look like that picture shows the cheap finish, though...

murbot · Apr 22, 2003, 10:53 AM

Christ almighty, let that be untrue. If it is, I hope the bastards don't sell a single one. Cheap, ugly, unnecessary.

jokell82 · Apr 22, 2003, 11:08 AM

Originally posted by im_noahselby:

If my information is correct, the only model that used the cheaper white finish in the last revision was the $999 base model. This left the 800Mhz 12' Combo and the 14' Combo with the traditional iBook construction materials.

By looking at the above picture from Apple's website it clearly illustrates the use of the "cheaper white finish". Look at the edges of the display and you will be able to tell, and as this is the 14' iBook model, one cannot mistake it for the base model.

So it appears as if the whole iBook lineup has been affected by this change.

Noah

That picture *clearly* shows the same finish as the previous iBooks. First, look at the reflection of the light above the screw in the corner. That's definitely not opaque. Also, in the el-cheapo opaque finish, the entire iBook is the same color. However, in the shiny el-nice-o finish, the outside of the iBook is much lighter than the area inside, where the keyboard and trackpad rest. Just look at the side of the iBook with all the ports and you can see the different shades... This is also noticeable in the picture...

So that is definitely not an opaque iBook. But now the question is, is that an image of one of the current iBooks?

n~s · Apr 22, 2003, 12:16 PM

Yay! Speed bump, Hard Drive increase!
Boo! complaining about the finish of the outside, I spend most of my time looking at my iBook's screen. You should try it sometime.

escher · Apr 22, 2003, 12:23 PM

Originally posted by im_noahselby:
It's just the lighting and angle of the shot.

From what I remember, all images on Apple's website are computer renderings, not actual pictures of the hardware. The image of the 14-inch iBook above doesn't make anything clear. However, the opaque white batteries do seem to indicate a color change in the Combo 12" iBook model. Note that the 14" iBook has its own battery, which is not labeled as "opaque white." So I don't think the 14" iBook's color has changed.

Escher

xtal · Apr 22, 2003, 01:20 PM

Originally posted by n~s:
Yay! Speed bump, Hard Drive increase!
Boo! complaining about the finish of the outside, I spend most of my time looking at my iBook's screen. You should try it sometime.

*LOL*

Good point.

dfiler · Apr 22, 2003, 03:16 PM

Originally posted by escher:
From what I remember, all images on Apple's website are computer renderings, not actual pictures of the hardware.

I've heard this as well but can't track the claim back to a reliable source. Do you know the original source?

I'm willing to believe the rumor, but I find it far more likely that the images are retouched professional photography.

iamnid · Apr 22, 2003, 04:54 PM

I don't think the picture shows the all white ibook... but even if it does it doesn't bother me. I've seen the all-white book in the stores and it looks pretty good... the only thing i didn't like about that model was the white colored screen hinge... as long as they keep that silver, I'm happy. Again though, i don't think the picture shows an all white ibook... it's just the lighting.

BrettOZ · Apr 22, 2003, 10:28 PM

Personally the white looked ok, is it easier for the white finish to get dirty though?

Cipher13 · Apr 22, 2003, 10:44 PM

Originally posted by dfiler:
I've heard this as well but can't track the claim back to a reliable source. Do you know the original source?

I'm willing to believe the rumor, but I find it far more likely that the images are retouched professional photography.

Not true. MOST are renderings, but not all.

Those that are not are so heavily photoshopped they barely look real anyway.

Simon · Apr 23, 2003, 02:14 AM

Has anybody here seen a new iBook at an AppleStore yet? It would be easy to just put an old 700MHz white iBook next to a new 900MHz iBook and take a pic... Then this whole discussion would be over.

dfiler · Apr 23, 2003, 07:32 AM

Originally posted by Cipher13:
Not true. MOST are renderings, but not all.

Those that are not are so heavily photoshopped they barely look real anyway.

Not true? Heheh... but I made no factual claim to disagree with. (Good ol� agreeable Cipher

)

Seriously, how do we know that the product shots are rendered? Or do they just look rendered?

I really am curious about this. Is it common practice in the electronics or computer industry to use renderings in lieu of product photography? I have a pretty good eye for this sort of thing but have only noticed retouched photography.

xtal · Apr 23, 2003, 10:09 AM

Originally posted by dfiler:
Seriously, how do we know that the product shots are rendered? Or do they just look rendered?

I really am curious about this. Is it common practice in the electronics or computer industry to use renderings in lieu of product photography? I have a pretty good eye for this sort of thing but have only noticed retouched photography.

If someone was feeling really curious, they could post this image over in the Art/Design forum to see what the folks over there think.

Cop Rock · Apr 23, 2003, 11:18 AM

I checked the Apple Store at the Mall of America yesterday and all of the display models were the old 800MHz models.

chipchen · Apr 24, 2003, 01:57 AM

went to compusa today.. the new ibooks are indeed opaque white... all three models. cd, cdrw/dvd, and 14.1.... not the crystal white..... opaque.

Simon · Apr 24, 2003, 02:06 AM

Originally posted by chipchen:
went to compusa today.. the new ibooks are indeed opaque white... all three models. cd, cdrw/dvd, and 14.1.... not the crystal white..... opaque.

OK, now what is "opaque white".

Does this mean they all have the only-white finish or is this the white-on-the-outside-silver-around-the-keyboard finish?

jhunt5247 · Apr 24, 2003, 07:50 AM

Originally posted by Simon:
OK, now what is "opaque white". Does this mean they all have the only-white finish or is this the white-on-the-outside-silver-around-the-keyboard finish?

Yeah, I wish someone would explain that too.

I really hope Apple didn't take the "silver" from inside of the iBooks. A different variation of white on the outside is fine with me, but on the inside? No, say it isn't so.

Eug · Apr 24, 2003, 09:52 AM

Originally posted by n~s:
Yay! Speed bump, Hard Drive increase!
Boo! complaining about the finish of the outside, I spend most of my time looking at my iBook's screen. You should try it sometime.

The iBook and 12" PowerBook have similar quality screens (and I suspect they are actually the same make and model). They are both visibly inferior to the TiBook.

While I don't like the white opaque finish, it's not a huge deal. I'd rather have that minor downgrade and get a better screen, if I had the choice. But alas, it ain't gonna happen any time soon...

chipchen · Apr 24, 2003, 10:01 AM

opaque white is the finish and style of the 700MHz CDROM iBook just before the new ones were released.

jhunt5247 · Apr 24, 2003, 10:03 AM

Originally posted by Eug:
The iBook and 12" PowerBook have similar quality screens (and I suspect they are actually the same make and model). They are both visibly inferior to the TiBook.

So true. I have the TiBook 1ghz, and a fellow employee has the 12" powerbook. The screen difference is night and day. Just yesterday I had her laptop in my office sitting side by side, you could clearly see the drastic difference in the quality of the screens.

The 12" powerbook screen just don't seem to get bright enough -- not if your use to a TiBook 1ghz that is.

Now this raises a question for me. Are the 14" screens on the iBooks any better?

Scooterboy · Apr 24, 2003, 12:19 PM

The TiBook also has the densest ppi screens out of Apple's offerings, including the 17" AlBook.

Luca Rescigno · Apr 24, 2003, 06:44 PM

Nope, the iBook does, with 106 vs. 101 on the TiBook.

iamnid · Apr 24, 2003, 10:52 PM

okay, I'm confused by all this talk of "opaque white" and "crystal white."

what's the consensus? Are they the cheap white color of the old $999 model or are they the color that the 14" ibook has always been (white with silver)?

iDaver · Apr 25, 2003, 12:30 AM

Originally posted by Eug:
The iBook and 12" PowerBook have similar quality screens (and I suspect they are actually the same make and model). They are both visibly inferior to the TiBook.

Off-topic, but I disagree. As owner of both, a 600 DVD iBook and a 667 DVI PowerBook, I'd give the edge in display quality to the iBook. The iBook display is sharper and has better contrast. Both are very good. Perhaps the newer iBook displays aren't as good as the older ones; I don't know.

murbot · Apr 25, 2003, 01:03 AM

It may be the newer PowerBooks have better displays. I had an 800 MHz iBook and a 1 GHz PowerBook on my desk for a while, and the PB display was easily the better of the two. Surprisingly so.

Luca Rescigno · Apr 25, 2003, 01:32 AM

Originally posted by iamnid:
okay, I'm confused by all this talk of "opaque white" and "crystal white."

what's the consensus? Are they the cheap white color of the old $999 model or are they the color that the 14" ibook has always been (white with silver)?

All the current models are now the opaque white color that was previously only on the $999 700 MHz CD-ROM version.

ccsccs7 · Apr 25, 2003, 03:00 AM

Originally posted by jhunt5247:
Yeah, I wish someone would explain that too.

I really hope Apple didn't take the "silver" from inside of the iBooks. A different variation of white on the outside is fine with me, but on the inside? No, say it isn't so.

The opaque white iBooks (previously only the low end) have simply opaque (meaning not transparent) white plastic.

Crystal white iBooks have the transparent shell painted on the inside with white. Light from the power adapter ring actually travels through it from one side of the iBook to the other.

Edit: Forgot to mention: the opaque white iBooks don't have the pearly silver middle section (where the track pad, speakers, and ports are).

iamnid · Apr 25, 2003, 01:04 PM

okay... so I guess we've established that the new books are all white (no silver) and they use the plastic that is white, not the clear plastic with white painted on the inside. What I want to know now is... do they have a silver hinge or do they have a white hinge like the previous $999 model?

superblue · Apr 26, 2003, 10:59 AM

Originally posted by iamnid:
okay... so I guess we've established that the new books are all white (no silver) and they use the plastic that is white, not the clear plastic with white painted on the inside. What I want to know now is... do they have a silver hinge or do they have a white hinge like the previous $999 model?

They have a white hinge. Or at least the ones I saw in Tokyo today did - both the 12" and 14". And sat alongside the range of PBs, I'm not at all surprised at why - I think the extra white's needed to help differentiate between the lines. I actually prefer it, though I'm sure I'm in the minority with that opinion!

So just to clarify - they're all the same as the previous 700s now - in that the outer 'shell' is opaque white, and the inside surface surrounding the keyboards and ports is a (slightly off) matt white plastic. There is no metallic finish anywhere on them.

With the 12" and 17" Al PBs (and soon to follow 15") plus recent rumours elsewhere of an aluminium panel on the new 970s (G5s?) I think it's fair to predict that the consumer/pro lines will from now on be divided in this manner.

PenguinChiller · Apr 26, 2003, 11:35 PM

Here are some images to show the differences between the silver and the opaque white. Thanks to ThinkDiff on DSLreports for posting these.

Opaque on the left, silver on the right

Opaque on the left, silver on the right

Hope this helps everyone out

polendo · Apr 27, 2003, 01:29 AM

Hi all,

I'm all confused now. Do you guys prefer the opaque OR the all white finish?

I bought my Ibook (entry level CD ROM 700 mhz) two months ago and when I received it was the first time I saw it on real life, hence I didn't knew of a difference of colors. Last week I went to San Antonio and visited COMP usa and found an Ibook on display with this opaque white which to me it resembles a 1970's secretarial metal desk.. it looked really plain old.

Mine is all white.. but I cant figure out if this one is the color you guys dislike (not that really matters haha) , anyway I would take my all white to the gray think they put on below the keyboard anytime.

But I guess more important is what is inside.

regards

Simon · Apr 27, 2003, 02:52 AM

Originally posted by polendo:
I'm all confused now. Do you guys prefer the opaque OR the all white finish?

Ah shucks, confusion is indeed getting larger as this thread grows.

I think you're mixing it up: the opaque finish is the all-white finish, at least as far as I understood.

Let's see. Previously there was the 700MHz iBook with white non-transparent plastics, a white area around the keyboard/trackpad and a white hinge.

Then there were the 12" and 14" 800MHz models with transparent plastics painted on the inside with white paint, a silver area around the keyboard/trackpad and a metalic-looking hinge.

The new models are now obviously like the old 700MHz model all-white and with the opaque, non-transparent plastics and white hinge, regardless of size (i.e. 12" or 14").

I think a majority of the users here prefers the old transparent-white and silver finish, some saying that the opaque all-white finish looks cheap.

Now, is that correct? Did I sum it up alright?

Silencer · Apr 27, 2003, 07:19 AM

Dammit I haven't seen one yet I just hope it isn't as bad as I think it will be, I really liked the older type.

iamnid · Apr 27, 2003, 12:31 PM

I don't know... I don't think the all white looks that bad.

mishap · Apr 27, 2003, 12:45 PM

Originally posted by Silencer:
Dammit I haven't seen one yet I just hope it isn't as bad as I think it will be, I really liked the older type.

I was going to buy the 900... instead i went for the 800 older model just because of the case.

superblue · Apr 29, 2003, 12:27 AM

Could be wrong, but it looks to me like the new iPod follows suit with an opaque white fascia too... Difficult to tell without seeing one in the flesh, but see what you think

http://www.apple.com/music/video/
http://www.apple.com/ipod/

mishap · Apr 29, 2003, 12:24 PM

Originally posted by superblue:
Could be wrong, but it looks to me like the new iPod follows suit with an opaque white fascia too... Difficult to tell without seeing one in the flesh, but see what you think

http://www.apple.com/music/video/
http://www.apple.com/ipod/

i would agree... that's too bad