[siflippant]

Originally Posted by Mr. Gogarty

budster101, happy now?

Funny though, it wasn't as large as OogaBooga's sig... (not complaining OogaBooga!)

But hey, I've never wanted to be a Moderator...

[Pierre B.]

Originally Posted by Eug Wanker

How much better is it?

I guess this depends on the code. You would perhaps see a mere 2-5% boost in some cases, but much more in others.

[LMaung]

Hello All,

My first post. I have been waiting for a new pookbook.

I am currently using IBM T42 1.86 centrino. I love my IBM but hey grass is always greener on the other side. I am ready to switch to mac.

So, When do you guys think the new intel chip pb will come out? jun 06?

[subzero]

My guess would be approx. jun 06, as stated from Steve Jobs.

[SMacSteve]

Originally Posted by Flip500

forget the apple and man part, all they're about is SALES. I rarly trust them, unless they're telling me where the bathroom is...

Next time I'm sending you to the ladies room.

[madmacgames]

Originally Posted by brent0saurus

i just read on macrumors that they are speculating new powerbooks as early as this week.

Did nobody catch this? This is no revelation, and is almost certainly guaranteed to be true, unless Apple goes out of business before it makes a new powerbook.

My sources tell me we will have a widely accepted alternative energy source as early as next week...

[Flip500]

Thanks SMacSteve, always looking out for your customers!

To add to madmacgamers: We're going to go to Neptune as early as this week!

[LadyBlue]

As much as I would love to see new powerbooks come out, I'm just as happy w/ my 1ghz version (rev. b I believe). ::shrugs:: it just technology and no matter what you buy, next week someone has something better.

Its like that commercial w/ a guy driving around in his car so proud of his new top of the line computer (model B1266 or something) and just as he is going home, a billboard is being changed to show off the even newer line of model B1267. He was like "omgwtf!" hehe.

[redheadfred]

Originally Posted by LadyBlue

As much as I would love to see new powerbooks come out, I'm just as happy w/ my 1ghz version (rev. b I believe). ::shrugs:: it just technology and no matter what you buy, next week someone has something better.

Its like that commercial w/ a guy driving around in his car so proud of his new top of the line computer (model B1266 or something) and just as he is going home, a billboard is being changed to show off the even newer line of model B1267. He was like "omgwtf!" hehe.

haha yeah I remember that commercial. So true it hurts...

I just can't wait for a new powerbook to come out so I can replace this old 800MHz piece. It works, but it could use an upgrade

[gee308]

I'm going crazy waiting for a new pbook!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by redheadfred

haha yeah I remember that commercial. So true it hurts...

I just can't wait for a new powerbook to come out so I can replace this old 800MHz piece. It works, but it could use an upgrade

[runejoha]

Originally Posted by gee308

I'm going crazy waiting for a new pbook!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, the missing PB G5 makes the PB Al (with "upgrades") the longest living laptop ever :-) Since 2003. The same model for 3 years..

[gee308]

I was going to wait for a g5, but since that is never going to happen, I need one next week!!

[salaryman]

Originally Posted by gee308

I was going to wait for a g5, but since that is never going to happen, I need one next week!!

i've been waiting for a significant upgrade for about 3 months now, but it looks like it's not going to happen until mid-2006

the current top-of-the-range pb isn't up to scratch imo. 100gb hdd should be standard, as should 1gb ram, better 128mb video card and a much improved display. the pb used to blow all competitors away but now it's spec is tired, especially for the huge cost.

sort it out apple!

[runejoha]

Originally Posted by salaryman

i've been waiting for a significant upgrade for about 3 months now, but it looks like it's not going to happen until mid-2006

the current top-of-the-range pb isn't up to scratch imo. 100gb hdd should be standard, as should 1gb ram, better 128mb video card and a much improved display. the pb used to blow all competitors away but now it's spec is tired, especially for the huge cost.

sort it out apple!

The new Intel CPUs are now delayed with even more months, and there are no more "new" G4s left to even bother an another upgrade. It is hard to be the little bother in this market. A significant PB upgrade is therefor excpected to be just before xmas next year. Have a nice wait. My PB G4 15'' Al Rev B is going to have a loong life. Because rev B probably is the better choice for a mactel (considering the SW etc.) I would believe that a new PB today will last for more than 1 year as "state of the art" and another year as the best pick (and is therefore worthly to buy).

[DKeithA]

I say bollocks to the above. I'm very sure that Apple is not going to put off updates (however small) to the PowerBook line for another 14-15 months when it has already been 8 months since the last update. Come on, get real.

[Simon]

Originally Posted by DKeithA

I say bollocks to the above. I'm very sure that Apple is not going to put off updates (however small) to the PowerBook line for another 14-15 months when it has already been 8 months since the last update. Come on, get real.

True.

But, Moto doesn't have that much to offer. Apple will update, but it won't be huge.

[Tesseract]

a 7448 may not look like a big upgrade (1.7 or 1.8 GHz tops) but it would be enough to get me to buy a PB. Lower power, faster bus, etc. And pin-compatible with the current chips - the only thing stopping Apple from dropping them into the current PowerBooks is the lack of supply from Motorola.

I would love to see the Freescale 8461D G4 in a PowerBook. It's the Yonah of G4s: dual core, 1.8GHz, 667MHz bus, a real DDR2 controller, and other goodies. Too bad it probably won't be shipping until after Apple's announced an Intel Powerbook.

[brokenjago]

The rumored updates supposedly compromise a bigger HD standard on the 17" (120GB I believe), a higher resolution standard, a switch to the 7448 (I think they're trying to get it up to 2Ghz but are having problems.) And some other stuff I'm sure they've got tucked up their sleeve.

Oh, and I think they're considering dropping the 12" PowerBook all together :O

[Tesseract]

Originally Posted by brokenjago

The rumored updates supposedly compromise a bigger HD standard on the 17" (120GB I believe), a higher resolution standard, a switch to the 7448 (I think they're trying to get it up to 2Ghz but are having problems.) And some other stuff I'm sure they've got tucked up their sleeve.

Oh, and I think they're considering dropping the 12" PowerBook all together :O

Rumored by who?
Release date predictions?

[NateEssex]

Drop the 12" PB!?! What blasphemy!

[teney7]

If they drop the 12'', I will be pissed.

So pissed, in fact, that I will just end up buying another PB in a few years...

[Tiresias]

Originally Posted by brokenjago

Oh, and I think they're considering dropping the 12" PowerBook all together :O

Your sources?

[bleee]

I'm not sure what you mean by bad battery life I get 2 and a half to 3 hours at MAX performance and full brightness on my powerbook and that plenty of time for me to get to a charger. I've never used a newer iBook my last ibook was a late 2001 G3 600Mhz, its still kicking and it's great. I've never had to ask a Apple Sales guy for advice I do most my shopping online first than goto the store and buy when I know what I want. I can tell you the technicians are very good at what they do.

[Tesseract]

Originally Posted by bleee

I'm not sure what you mean by bad battery life I get 2 and a half to 3 hours at MAX performance and full brightness on my powerbook and that plenty of time for me to get to a charger.

The earlier TiBooks could get 5 hours easily. A later G3 PB (Lombard or Pismo) could do over 10 (though that was with two batteries installed). Many current PC laptops of similar size/weight to a PowerBook can get 4-6 hours. It's not that the battery life is awful, it's just not very good when compared to previous Macs and current PC laptops.

[brokenjago]

Rumored by who?
Release date predictions?

Your sources?

AppleInsider
They were supposed to be released at the Apple Expo, but I guess they ran into those aforementioned technical problems. Here's to hoping they actually get around to releasing these babies.

[runejoha]

Originally Posted by DKeithA

I say bollocks to the above. I'm very sure that Apple is not going to put off updates (however small) to the PowerBook line for another 14-15 months when it has already been 8 months since the last update. Come on, get real.

Probably there will be small upgrades, but as stated before, there will be no revolution in the PB line before the mactels. In fact, the upgrades are propbably only for marketing and not performance issues unless they dramaticly chance current design. A dual core G4 CPU will kill battery life time and is not probable to get into the PBs. The PBs have been out of date for at least 1 1/2 year compared to other laptops, considering the HW. (Of course the SW/HW monopoly makes it possible to be that delayed thanks to the old and ugly outdated G4 (troll)).

I don't mean to be mean, but get real. If you need a PB buy it now. For 1 year (at least) there will be very small upgrades and for another year you avoid to be a part of the Apple test team for x86 porting.

The Apple monopoly is both a weakness and an advantage for the endusers. For PB users I would claim that the latter is not our case.

[Simon]

Well, AppleStore update time has passed so I guess no new PowerBooks this week (again).

[Agent69]

Originally Posted by Tesseract

I would love to see the Freescale 8461D G4 in a PowerBook. It's the Yonah of G4s: dual core, 1.8GHz, 667MHz bus, a real DDR2 controller, and other goodies. Too bad it probably won't be shipping until after Apple's announced an Intel Powerbook.

According to this site, it has been delayed until the second half of 2006.

[gee308]

there is a mini update, but still no powerbook!??!?!?

[DKeithA]

yeah, what's the deal, Apple??

[Simon]

While we wait for Apple to drop a new PowerBook on us, we could play some what-if...

• what if the next PowerBook rev is going to be the last PPC rev before Intel
• what if Apple will release Intel PowerBooks no earlier than June 2006 because Merom won't be available till the beginning of next year
• what if Apple wants to have the last PPC rev around for no longer than 6-8 months because they are afraid it wouldn't sell well while people anticipate the Intel PowerBooks

...that would mean the next rev gets released no earlier than November. Just in time for holiday buying season.

[Simon]

Speaking of Merom, what happened to Yonah for the PowerBook?

[urrl78]

The larger Powerbooks better have dual sided DVD burning and HDV viewing with no stuttering. Otherwise I will surely give a yawn and keep my 1.5 Ghz.

A PC card slot in the 12" models and better, brighter screen would make me sell my Sony T250. But somehow I feel another yawn comming on....

[ink]

Originally Posted by urrl78

A PC card slot in the 12" models and better, brighter screen would make me sell my Sony T250. But somehow I feel another yawn comming on....

Why? Do you want a floppy drive to go with it??

I think the last time I used a PC card (PCMCIA back then) was in 1996.

[habibman]

or just a stupid 128 Video capability on the 12- even if it is just an upgrade option. that and a faster/bigger ram/hardrive on all of them. I mean, that would be the bare bones minum that could at least make it somewhat worthwhile and keep the line in check.

[gee308]

so when is the next pwerbook coming? I'm waiting until October 4th, if still not a new one, I am buying one.

[Dave Hagan]

I don't think there will a PowerBook update for awhile, at least not for the next month or so the way I see it. You're looking at no sooner than, say, October 25th. A look at macprices.com shows pretty much everyone in stock of all models. When you start to see a lot places out of stock, that will be a pretty good sign that an update is coming.

[budster101]

How would you know how their stock is? You don't.

[Flip500]

I think that the new PB up grades aren't going to come until a good while in to 2006 maybe even 2007, basically i think this thread was started to early...

woah, budster's been baned... lol.

[runejoha]

Ok, lets say this straight out! Any upgrades before (estimated) June (mactels), or probably September next year (due to the delayed Intel CPUs) will be unsignificant.

If you need a laptop with OS X now, but a PB NOW. If not wait one year for the mactels. If you want the unsiginicant update, wait 12-9 monhts=3 months from now, given that the PentiumBook is released in September next year. If you can wait 3 months, you can wait 12 months.

Thus, the PentiumBooks will for sure have som initial problems due to the x86 porting, which means it is beneficial to have a PPC into year 2007. Get real, invest in your laptop today (if needed).

[Eug Wanker]

Personally, if I wanted a new PowerBook and had a couple of months to spare, I'd wait. A G4 7448, a faster bus, and a new GPU are nothing to sneeze at.

And if I depended heavily on my PowerBook to make money, I'd strongly consider buying a PowerPC PowerBook in late 2005 instead of an Intel PowerBook in early 2006. The Intel PowerBooks will be faster, but may not work with some software initially, and who knows what the very first x86 PowerBooks are gonna be like in terms of reliability.

Originally Posted by Simon

Speaking of Merom, what happened to Yonah for the PowerBook?

Nothing. Yonah is still the most likely first PowerBook chip IMO.

[RogerR]

If you expect Yonah to be the first Intel chip in a Powerbook (and you may very well be right), I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for a 7448 G4 Powerbook. Yonah isn't that far away. I realize that would mean a year, possibly a bit more, between the most recent upgrade and Yonah Powerbooks, but Apple may decide to bite the bullet and wait it out with what they currently have on the market.

[powerbook911]

Originally Posted by RogerR

If you expect Yonah to be the first Intel chip in a Powerbook (and you may very well be right), I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for a 7448 G4 Powerbook. Yonah isn't that far away. I realize that would mean a year, possibly a bit more, between the most recent upgrade and Yonah Powerbooks, but Apple may decide to bite the bullet and wait it out with what they currently have on the market.

Although I think there could be benefits if they went ahead and updated the Powerbooks, I can see your point of view too. If they could really release Intel Powerbooks in January, it might be a good idea to go ahead and allow sales of the Powerbooks to slow as they roll into an entire new line.

However, I still suspect we're more likely to see a PowerPC update this fall, and an Intel Powerbook in Spring or Summer 2006.

[iBorg]

Originally Posted by powerbook911

Although I think there could be benefits if they went ahead and updated the Powerbooks, I can see your point of view too. If they could really release Intel Powerbooks in January, it might be a good idea to go ahead and allow sales of the Powerbooks to slow as they roll into an entire new line.

However, I still suspect we're more likely to see a PowerPC update this fall, and an Intel Powerbook in Spring or Summer 2006.

When Jobs announced the change to Intel, in June, he said Mactels would debut in a year. I interpret this to mean June, '06, at the earliest, if there are no delays. I doubt very much that we'll see ANYTHING Mactelish in January.

As others have said, "version A" of any new product has "buyer beware" written all over it, and I won't buy any Mactel until "version B" arrives, and most of the kinks are worked out.

Also, if Apple goes with Yonah for the first Mactel PowerBook, how long before 64-bit Merom is available for PowerBooks? I'd hate to wait all this time for a YonahBook, and have MeromBooks available 6 months later. Merom may be "version B" for MactelBooks?

I'm waiting for the upcoming PowerBook updates with the type of perks that Eug Wanker listed above - I'll buy that, to replace my almost-3-year-old 1GHz Titanium, and plan on buying a MeromBook in a couple of years. C'mon, Jobs! We're waiting!!!



iBorg

[Dave Hagan]

Originally Posted by budster101

How would you know how their stock is? You don't.

The site macprices.com posts the stock of each of the resellers. Go look at it. I look at it all of the time. For example, CompUSA had been out of stock on the high-end 15 and the 17-inch for awhile, and now they have stock of them. Usually when there's a pending update, there's a lot of red dots (out of stock). Right now there's a sea of green. It's a great site that helps in fortelling Apple updates.

[Eug Wanker]

Originally Posted by RogerR

If you expect Yonah to be the first Intel chip in a Powerbook (and you may very well be right), I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for a 7448 G4 Powerbook. Yonah isn't that far away. I realize that would mean a year, possibly a bit more, between the most recent upgrade and Yonah Powerbooks, but Apple may decide to bite the bullet and wait it out with what they currently have on the market.

The 7448 is a drop-in replacement for the 7447A. It's a no-brainer upgrade. Plus, such a machine will be very attractive to those requiring PowerPC Macs to run specific software.

Also, I don't expect Yonah PowerBooks to appear until calendar Q2 2006 anyway. The last update was Jan. 2005. If the next update is November 2005, then an April 2006 Yonah PowerBook will be perfect timing.

BTW, I'm starting to think I might just wait until the version B MacTel PowerBooks come out before I upgrade from my iBook 1.33 (which I bought to replace my TiBook 1 GHz before the warranty was up). It'd be nice to get a 2007 Q1 PowerBook with:

1) Faster dual-core CPU with 64-bit support, just because.
2) H.264 decode/transcode acceleration on the GPU.
3) An HD-DVD reader.
4) Less bugs
5) Better 3rd party software support

Mind you, if 3rd party software support is good by April 2006, I may be tempted to upgrade this July 2005 iBook 1.33, before its warranty is up too.

[urrl78]

Originally Posted by ink

Why? Do you want a floppy drive to go with it??

I think the last time I used a PC card (PCMCIA back then) was in 1996.

Uh, seeing how you are so well informed on PC's; the T250 does not have a floppy drive or parallel port; and with the Verizon PC5220 PC card I get broadband access without routers or base stations. I can get on the net in a car, on a train etc. EVDO is just too much fun, especially since monthly prices have dropped from the outrageous $80 per month to a more reasonable $59 per month.

Say, don't the 15" and 17" models STILL have PC slots? Looks like the 1996 option is still with Apple also, yes? Believe it or not there are people out there that still need PC slots to expand laptop capability and they appreciate the versatility. I guess some don't, like yourself. Nothing wrong with that though...I just like to have as much capability as possible, you know, especially for future technological advances like say, the wireless freedom of National Access and Broadband access put together in the form of a PC card.


I wouldn't even LOOK at a 12" Powerbook till they either get that slot or have EVDO capability built in (like what I hear is comming soon to PC laptops), but seeing how long it took for the two button Apple mouse I am not going to hold my breath... (Double Yawn...)

[Randman]

Mods: Make this a sticky!

[urrl78]

From Eug Wanker:

1) Faster dual-core CPU with 64-bit support, just because.
2) H.264 decode/transcode acceleration on the GPU.
3) An HD-DVD reader.
4) Less bugs
5) Better 3rd party software support

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now THAT's what I'm talkin' about...

[runejoha]

Originally Posted by Eug Wanker

Personally, if I wanted a new PowerBook and had a couple of months to spare, I'd wait. A G4 7448, a faster bus, and a new GPU are nothing to sneeze at.

And if I depended heavily on my PowerBook to make money, I'd strongly consider buying a PowerPC PowerBook in late 2005 instead of an Intel PowerBook in early 2006. The Intel PowerBooks will be faster, but may not work with some software initially, and who knows what the very first x86 PowerBooks are gonna be like in terms of reliability.

Nothing. Yonah is still the most likely first PowerBook chip IMO.

The last PB Als updates have no significant performance upgrades. To expect a great one now, just before the mactels, is very unlikely. So, you can discuss this to the moon and back. If you need a PB buy it today, unless you are in a situation you can wait for 1 year, at least.

As I have said before, and what someone have repeated, the first x86 based macs WILL have som problems due to porting problems. (not HW).