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andreas_g4 · May 10, 2004, 12:56 PM

� my current iBook (900 MHz G3) is my third in the white iBook series (500MHz, 600MHz, 900MHz) and I don't want a fourth of that row. I mean, I don't need a new laptop, I just want it. The 1 GHz is a good value, and quite a bit faster in Photoshop work, that I do occassionally. But the same design again, come on. It is still a beautiful machine, especially for first time owners. But I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who desperately want's a fresh design, am I?

cenutrio · May 10, 2004, 01:11 PM

Move to the 12" AluPB

Lateralus · May 10, 2004, 02:07 PM

^^^Well, that is pretty much the same design but a different color.

I think the reason that the iBook has not received a face lift in so long is because most people feel comfortable with the design of the machine: it has yet to get old. From the second the Clamshell iBooks appeared, people felt uncomfortable with their look and they grew old rather quickly. But Apple knows that even though most people are content with the current design, they have to do certain things to keep interest on the iBook, such as redesigns. I imagine that Apple is at some point in development for a replacement to the current iBook, an iBook 3G if you want to think of it that way. When we will see it is another story though.

sniffer · May 10, 2004, 06:01 PM

Originally posted by cenutrio:
Move to the 12" AluPB

It's the iBook in a new dress.

d4nth3m4n · May 10, 2004, 06:32 PM

all of the apple 'books share basically the same design. youre stuck, and i have a feel its going to be a while before you see that change.

BobVB · May 10, 2004, 07:38 PM

Originally posted by d4nth3m4n:
all of the apple 'books share basically the same design. youre stuck, and i have a feel its going to be a while before you see that change.

What could you really change? Apple learned its lesson with the variable colors of the first iBooks - I don't see that happening again. And the distinctive case really makes it stand out - I get lots of lookie-lous when I use it at my local Starbucks for sipping and surfing...

Really - what could they do that wouldn't be change for just changes sake?

His Dudeness · May 11, 2004, 04:45 AM

Originally posted by PowerMacMan:
^^^Well, that is pretty much the same design but a different color.

I think the reason that the iBook has not received a face lift in so long is because most people feel comfortable with the design of the machine: it has yet to get old. .

You notice how many Windows machines are now coming with white keyboards? You realize how much money on R&D most Windows machine makers save just by copying Apple?

andreas_g4 · May 11, 2004, 12:22 PM

Originally posted by BobVB:
Really - what could they do that wouldn't be change for just changes sake?

When is a design then to be changed in the first place? Of course, you're right when you say that it would be no use if there would not be an increase in sales dut to the update. But the iBook's design is now three full years old, and there are a lot of mac users that have already had several iBooks. And, there's (hopefully) a growing number of PC-users that are watching the mac market carefully. If there's no advance in design, that is not the best image. Apple needs a redesign of their notebook line. The Powerbooks will get this when they go G5 (can we say MWSF2005?). I see no reason for Apple not to advance one of their best selling products design wise.

And I want a redesigned iBook!

sniffer · May 11, 2004, 01:10 PM

Originally posted by andreas_g4:
And I want a redesigned iBook!

Isn't new "iBook" fonts enough for you? Damn, some people are never satisfied!

BobVB · May 11, 2004, 02:18 PM

Originally posted by andreas_g4:
When is a design then to be changed in the first place? Of course, you're right when you say that it would be no use if there would not be an increase in sales dut to the update. But the iBook's design is now three full years old, and there are a lot of mac users that have already had several iBooks. And, there's (hopefully) a growing number of PC-users that are watching the mac market carefully. If there's no advance in design, that is not the best image. Apple needs a redesign of their notebook line. The Powerbooks will get this when they go G5 (can we say MWSF2005?). I see no reason for Apple not to advance one of their best selling products design wise.

And I want a redesigned iBook!

Good points - what would you suggest that would be enough of a visual change to be striking yet maintain the essential qualities of the iBook?

A simple color change wouldn't be enough I would think - hard to change the rectangular form factor. I'm not the most creative person though - surely there is something you could do that would make it new but still be basically the same? Higher screen resolution? Built in webcam?

The durability is the main reason I just bought a new G4 12" iBook maxed out rather than spend the few bucks more and get a 12" powerbook just be cause the iBooks are tanks. I am really rough on my laptops - my fear with a redesign would be a loss of toughness.

Oh just got a Bluetake bluetooth mouse - they have an all white one and it is smaller than the Belkin and has an on/off switch making it much better for portable use. Great for when at Starbucks - where I am right now amazingly enough.