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Apple Opens The Book On 17" PowerBook Specs

Posted by timothy on from the r2d2-has-a-hologram-of-this dept.

maxentius writes "Apple released detailed specs on the new Aluminum 17-inch PowerBooks, apparently intended to spur compatible hardware development. A PDF is available."

6 of 35 comments (clear)

  1. Apparently... what? by Twirlip+of+the+Mists · · Score: 4, Insightful

    ...apparently intended to spur compatible hardware development.

    Huh? This technote isn't "apparently intended" to do anything. It's just part of Apple's normal documentation. Every time a new product comes out, Apple releases a technote documenting that product.

    In fact, technotes just like this one are available for every Apple product going back to the original Mac Classic.

    --

    I write in my journal
  2. Not compatible *computers* by 0x0d0a · · Score: 3, Insightful

    No, this is not being done to allow production of compatible *computers*, just compatible peripherals. Apple has always done this for all their computers. Why is this news?

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    May we never see th
  3. Great feature by Eslyjah · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This is not new for the Powerbook, but...

    The Ethernet port on the PowerBook G4 17-inch computer supports Auto-MDIX. It switches between MDI (Medium Dependent Interface) and MDI-X operation automatically, so it can be connected to another device by either a straight-through cable or a cross-over cable.

    This attention to detail is why I love Apple hardware. Why don't all computer companies do this?

    1. Re:Great feature by captainbonehead · · Score: 4, Funny

      3. Apple only does it for bragging rights.
      That must be why they have so many ads spotlighting auto-mdix ....

    2. Re:Great feature by Ster · · Score: 3, Interesting

      1. Cost.
      2. Number of people who use it.
      3. Apple only does it for bragging rights.

      1. I doubt that it costs more than a dollar (maybe two tops) at the volume that Apple runs.
      2. Almost everyone I know who has a machine with this capability has used it at some point or another.
      3. Nope. See (2). I've personally used it for large file transfers w/ PCs using SMB. (They don't have FireWire, so no target disk mode, and can't mount HFS+ natively anyway.) It's great for setting up appliances (i.e. Base Stations) or SSHing into a box who's GUI has locked (much less frequent of late, thankfully!).

      -Ster
  4. Re:Wonderful by LordNimon · · Score: 3, Insightful
    If you are paying for quality, then is it really a shame that the prices are high? Doesn't that also imply that the quality is high?

    I think it's hypocritical to praise Apple for producing high-quality products and then criticize them for charging more.

    --
    And the men who hold high places must be the ones who start
    To mold a new reality... closer to the heart