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dennis88 · May 14, 2003, 04:41 AM

Hi, I'm new here.

I really want a 15" powerbook, but I hear all this rumors about a new one, that is coming soon, but when?
I can't wait any longer than july-august, will it be out before then?

I have also heard rumors about the ati 9600 in the 15" powerbook, is this possible, or just a stupid rumor?

I'm going to get the cheapest 15" powerbook, so do you guys think that both the 15" powerbooks will have the ati 9600, if it's going to be put in the 15", or will just the expensive one have it?

So when is it possible that the new 15,4" powerbook will be launched?

Thanks!

dennis88 · May 14, 2003, 06:44 AM

Nobody knows?

Finrock · May 14, 2003, 07:37 AM

Right after they take the debug code out of OS X.

-Finrock

AssassyN · May 14, 2003, 07:44 AM

Hello & welcome to the MacNN boards!

If you use the Search function and search for this topic you'll be sure to find tons of results as this exact question has been covered numerous times, but most people are guesstimating between July-October of 2003, however there's no solid evidence to point towards their release anytime very soon.

eightoeight · May 14, 2003, 11:37 AM

How much will the new 15.4" cost about?

AssassyN · May 14, 2003, 11:45 AM

Originally posted by eightoeight:
How much will the new 15.4" cost about?

Most likely what the TiBooks costed before the 17" PBs came out and lowered their prices. I'd say around ~$3,000 for the SuperDrive model.

flahdah · May 14, 2003, 10:15 PM

theres some awesome deals on the tibooks right now, i wouldnt pass them up. the next 15" albook is bound to have issues, just like the 12" (and some 17's)

Originally posted by dennis88:
Hi, I'm new here.

I really want a 15" powerbook, but I hear all this rumors about a new one, that is coming soon, but when?
I can't wait any longer than july-august, will it be out before then?

I have also heard rumors about the ati 9600 in the 15" powerbook, is this possible, or just a stupid rumor?

I'm going to get the cheapest 15" powerbook, so do you guys think that both the 15" powerbooks will have the ati 9600, if it's going to be put in the 15", or will just the expensive one have it?

So when is it possible that the new 15,4" powerbook will be launched?

Thanks!

wavegroom · May 15, 2003, 02:50 AM

I want it now!

I will do it like the litte children, scream until you get what you want :-)

I will go to steve and scream as loud as I can, until he gives me a new 15" powerbook with PPC970 :-)

I hope they come out with a PP970... I don't think so, but I hope.....

go apple go....

I think WWDC will make think a little bit clearer.....

ae86_16v · May 16, 2003, 01:19 AM

I don't know...just to entertain you MOSR said sometime this Month

ASIMO · May 16, 2003, 01:44 AM

There's a shortage of aluminum, so it might be a while. Apparently Iraq had purchased a whole bunch of the world's supply for some reason or other.

wallinbl · May 16, 2003, 05:25 AM

Originally posted by ASIMO:
There's a shortage of aluminum, so it might be a while. Apparently Iraq had purchased a whole bunch of the world's supply for some reason or other.

So, then we just ship it back to the US while we're there!

(It's a joke, people.)

wallinbl · May 16, 2003, 09:51 AM

There are posts over on MacRumors suggesting that Kodawarisan (sp?) has info on an announcement next week for the 15" AlBook. Possible reasons for the lack of hype are that it is not an increase of anything - just a new case, FW800, AE, and BT. Nothing to brag about for Apple.

ae86_16v · May 16, 2003, 01:21 PM

Originally posted by wallinbl:
There are posts over on MacRumors suggesting that Kodawarisan (sp?) has info on an announcement next week for the 15" AlBook. Possible reasons for the lack of hype are that it is not an increase of anything - just a new case, FW800, AE, and BT. Nothing to brag about for Apple.

This should be interesting. Yeah, I don't think they could really upgrade the processor speed w/o having to upgrade the 17 as well.

BUt the new case is pretty nice...and Bluetooth would be nice to have.

MusicalTone · May 16, 2003, 02:52 PM

Man, I'm saving my penies for the 16" AlBook, due to launch in October. FW1600 and Airport Beyond Extreme. Can't wait.

;-)

mcs37 · May 16, 2003, 02:59 PM

Originally posted by wavegroom:
I hope they come out with a PP970... I don't think so, but I hope.....

It is possible, however unlikely, that they PPC970 could ship in the 15.4" PowerBook this summer. They did a major redesign of the 15" PB motherboard back in January, IBM is shipping tens of thousands of PPC 970 chips right now, the 15" PB is due for an update, and Jobs wanted to make this the "year of the laptop."

But then again they would have to update their 12" and 17" PowerBooks immediately for PPC970 (otherwise sales would die off for them), and we haven't heard many rumors about motherboard redesigns for that. So it's possible the "big motherboard redesign" for the 15" PB was merely preparing it for 1.25 GHz G4, keyboard lighting, AE, etc.

Kenstee · May 16, 2003, 03:54 PM

From MacWhispers:

"In June, there are two development tracks we have been watching closely that will have reached a point where an actual product release is possible. More likely, these products will be released in July, following a June announcement. Both the much anticipated new mid-size PowerBook and the new PowerMac towers are on very closely aligned development tracks, since the PowerBook was diverted into what was a major redesign process in late January. We have a number of (admittedly untested) sources in the Apple OEM channel telling us that both products will use the IBM PPC 970 chip, with the PowerMac debuting with both single and dual processor configurations.

The new PowerBook is being built around an all-new 15.4-inch LCD from Chi Mei Optoelectronics. We do not know the pixel resolution, but do know that the panel will have specifications "equal to or better than" the recently introduced 20.1-inch Cinema Display panel, also built by Chi Mei."

The Placid Casual · May 16, 2003, 04:33 PM

Originally posted by dennis88:
So when is it possible that the new 15,4" powerbook will be launched?

How long is a piece of string.

Just buy what you need when you need it. Our society dictates that there is always something better around the corner...

olli2 · May 17, 2003, 12:16 PM

I consider the 15" size as the perfect form factor for a laptop. The 17" is just too big, the 12" is hard to read (though, very portable).

I think that OS X really needs some juicy CPU beneath, all the G3-G4 line is perfect for a snappy OS 9, but only delivers sticky OS X.

So, I really wait for a 970, 15" PB coming out soon, and I believe it will be a long time companion to me.

The Placid Casual · May 17, 2003, 04:21 PM

A 970 in a Powerbook? Hmmm, I personally think this is not likely at all for the immediate future...

I have read in a few places recently, that there are as yet, no 'power management' widgets that would be suitable to work with the 970... Somewhat problematic for notebooks if true!

I think we could easily wait until mid 2004 to see the chip in a Powerbook... if even then.

I would look for a die shrunk G4(RM) on RIO, freed from the limits of the current bus. Or even an IBM G3+ chip (called G4+?) with SIMD, and huge FSB... Mohave or Gobi anyone?

Peace,

Marc

(Why do people set themselves up for disappointment, and the rest of us up for 'Apple is crap I'm going x86' whinging when the miracle doesn't happen?)

mrmister · May 17, 2003, 04:45 PM

There will be no 15" powerbook...it's all 12" and 17" powerbooks from now on.

wallinbl · May 17, 2003, 05:02 PM

Originally posted by mrmister:
There will be no 15" powerbook...it's all 12" and 17" powerbooks from now on.

That would be one of the worst moves I could think of.

wilsonX · May 17, 2003, 05:06 PM

Originally posted by mrmister:
There will be no 15" powerbook...it's all 12" and 17" powerbooks from now on.

There will be an AL 15" powerbook.

The Placid Casual · May 17, 2003, 05:32 PM

Originally posted by mrmister:
There will be no 15" powerbook...it's all 12" and 17" powerbooks from now on.

In unrelated news, Microsoft announced today they will no longer sell Windows XP, and recommend all users to switch to Linux.

Kenstee · May 17, 2003, 07:56 PM

I'll tell ya. If they shortly release the 15" w/ a 970. I'd be really pissed if I just shelled out $3,200+ for a G4 PB 17".

David Hagan · May 17, 2003, 09:23 PM

I wouldn't purchase any Apple product until WWDC. I don't think we're going to see the mid-size 15-inch PowerBook until WWDC (or later). I think it would be just foolish...we're right on the cusp of some new emerging technology....

Kenstee · May 18, 2003, 11:00 AM

Originally posted by David Hagan:
I wouldn't purchase any Apple product until WWDC. I don't think we're going to see the mid-size 15-inch PowerBook until WWDC (or later). I think it would be just foolish...we're right on the cusp of some new emerging technology....

On the other hand, we don't know how robust any of this new technology will be on any Rev 1's of any revised PBs. Might be best to keep your powder dry until Rev2 and the kinks are worked out. Given Apple's track record Rev 1's will initially be a big beta test.

wilsonX · May 18, 2003, 12:21 PM

Originally posted by David Hagan:
I wouldn't purchase any Apple product until WWDC. I don't think we're going to see the mid-size 15-inch PowerBook until WWDC (or later). I think it would be just foolish...we're right on the cusp of some new emerging technology....

I bought the 17" powerbook because of its new technology. I was going to get the 15 but decided not to. I figure the 17 will help satisfy me until the bugs are worked out on the new 970 desktops (rev B).

The 17 is perfect for my needs...video editing, taking work in progress to clients for revisions, etc. And, I will have time to save up for the better versions of the 970 desktops.