[brainchild2b]

Okay I've got a couple questions / ideas.

Will I be able to upgrade to airport later if I don't buy it now? I assume the anntenna is built in and I'd just need to open it up and put in an airport card.

Also I'm guessing the 1 ghz AI books use the same processor as the 1.25 ghz books. Has anybody figure out what has to be changed to fix this?

What about if I order with the combo drive? In theory I should be able to take it apart and put in the DVD burning superdrive right?

Obviously most of these aren't supported by Apple, but it seems like they could be done.

Any thoughts?

[grumio]

Will I be able to upgrade to airport later if I don't buy it now?

Yes - The Al books use the Apple standard AE module. While there are no apple docs yet showing this, it looks to be a CIP (Customer installable part). The slot for the AE module is in the side of the battery bay in the new 15s.

Also I'm guessing the 1 ghz AI books use the same processor as the 1.25 ghz books ?

Not sure about this one. Both the 1Ghz/1.25Ghz processors are the Moto 7447. The processor speed on this chip is set using a group of 5 (I think) config pins. It may be possible with by jumpering a few mobo traces to overclock a 1Ghz book to a 1.25 Ghz. Look up the processor docs on Moto's website for more info.

However, Apple may be using procs only qualified for 1Ghz operation in the 1Ghz books, or they may just used underclocked 1.25 Ghz parts. Someone with a 1Ghz book will have to pull it apart and report the exact processor code they are using to confirm this. If they are using parts only qualified for 1Ghz operation, operating at 1.25 Ghz may not work. The bus slewing feature on the new books may also be involved here.

What about if I order with the combo drive. In theory I should be able to take it apart and put in the DVD burning superdrive right?

In theory yes. The new books are using a UJ-816 superdrive mechanism, which is not yet available anywhere else. You could buy an earlier UJ-815 mechanism, and load in the firmware which is floating around to give 2X DVD burning and DVD-RW support. The form factor and connector of all the recent Apple CD/DVD mechanisms is the same, so there would be no issue with physically fitting it in.

[x user]

I wouldn't assume that processor speed with the 15"er's. But from the cool-running descriptions of the 12" models I've heard so far, i'd imagine they're underclocked.

[brainchild2b]

I'm sure they can be overclocked some. Also what is this I here? Is it true if I order the 1ghz AI book that I don't get the lighted keyboard?

[all2ofme]

Brainchild2B - you can BTO a backlit keyboard on the 1GHz model.

Grumio - The firmware flasher available for the UJ-815 here in the first Superdrive PBs has been tried with the older drives and once flashed to the new firmware the drive reports itself as being an 816 instead of an 815. I think it's just a new firmware which Apple have put in the new range, though I'm not certain of it.

[brainchild2b]

So for $68 I can get the lighted keyboard on my 1ghz book. I'm assuming this is BTO and I wouldn't be able to walk into the apple store and get this option? I'd really like to get my powerbook this saturday, so I was going to buy it at the Apple retail store. I assume for the lighted keyboard I'll need to order it special through the website?

Since it's only $68 i'm guessing they all have the feature it's just the difference in the actual keyboard. So in theory later on I should be able to replace my standard unlite keyboard with a $68 lite one?

[all2ofme]

I'm not sure how it works with respect to upgrading it, but I'd wait and order BTO if it means that much to you. Provided you *can* wait!

Originally posted by brainchild2b:
Since it's only $68 i'm guessing they all have the feature it's just the difference in the actual keyboard. So in theory later on I should be able to replace my standard unlite keyboard with a $68 lite one?