[selowitch]

I realize that some folks are sick of threads that ask "should I buy a PowerBook now or wait?"; nevertheless, if you'll bear with me, I believe I have a new tack on this topic that might be of interest to MacNN Forum readers.

Suppose some obsessive maniac (Who me? I'm not obsessive!) out there were to plot on a graph or in a database the significant price reductions on new-condition Apple laptops over their lifetimes. It probably wouldn't be too difficult to spot trends when this data is subjected to statistical analysis.

For example, it's widely reported anecdotally that a price drop on PowerBooks in late January is a fairly steady occurrence.

With that in mind, I'm delaying placing my order until about mid-February, when I'll finally give up waiting.

[NYCFarmboy]

The G4 powerbook prices will drop like a rock when the G5's Powerbooks are introduced.

When that is..who knows. The G4's are nice machines though...I've used several G4 powerbooks, including a 1.3 ghz 17" powerbook for a month.. it was VERY nice.

However, the G5's even if they are downclocked somewhat will still leave the G4's in the dust.

[ae86_16v]

Originally posted by selowitch:

With that in mind, I'm delaying placing my order until about mid-February, when I'll finally give up waiting.

So what if the new PowerBooks come out in March. Wouldn't you feel stupid then?

I still believe that if you need it now, just buy it now. If you could afford to wait, then wait.

[KidKit]

There is at least one rumour site out there that keeps track of the release and refresh dates of Apple hardware, and so that gives a *very* approximate indication of how far it is into a particular product's current life cycle...

But remember that Apple has surprised us before with long delayed as well as rapid successive refresh of their products before. So the old 'if you need it now, just buy it' adage still counts!

[todrain]

I doubt that with the pretty strong sales of the current group of PowerBooks that a price drop will happen anytime soon. The only case would be if new models are introduced, then they would drop the price of the old a couple hundred dollars.

[cambro]

Originally posted by NYCFarmboy:
However, the G5's even if they are downclocked somewhat will still leave the G4's in the dust.

I'm not sure about this for the vast majority of uses....

One of the principal bottlenecks in the PB (or any other portable) is the hard disk. Those things are just SO SLOW. Just compare a PB to an eMac or something. Many tasks seem much faster on the *slower* eMac because of its relatively superior hard drive.

Personally, I think usage on a PB would be much more substantially improved by a breakthrough in hard disks then by packing it with a G5.

That said...I still want my PB G5!!!

[Arch.]

The 700 trade in deal for ti books goes untill March. I bet thats when they release the new PB's. Anyone wanna buy my 17?

[selowitch]

Originally posted by cambro:
I'm not sure about this for the vast majority of uses....

One of the principal bottlenecks in the PB (or any other portable) is the hard disk. Those things are just SO SLOW.

In your experience, does swapping out the stock hard drive in favor of an aftermarket drive (e.g., IBM Travelstar or similar) make a big difference in performance? Also, do relative RPM levels really have an impact on speed?

[netjaws]

I think nextag.com has a chart which tracks the price of various products over time. They don't provide any sort of analysis, though

[Esaray]

i think the new powerbooks are coming out fall of next year?

[ebuddy]

Originally Posted by Arch.

The 700 trade in deal for ti books goes untill March. I bet thats when they release the new PB's. Anyone wanna buy my 17?

What do you mean by "The 700 trade in deal for ti books" ? What is that? I've got a 500mhz Tibook w/ two broken hinges. Does that mean someone will give me $700.00 for it?

[Luca Rescigno]

OH MY GOD someone lock this thread it's from a year and a half ago.