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New iBooks 'Any Day Now'
teewurstmann writes "Thinksecret reports that 'sources have confirmed that Apple's consumer laptop will receive a long overdue refresh very soon, possibly as early as this week.' They speculate that the new iBooks might have a widescreen display.
I sure hope they are right! I've been waiting to buy one of those suckers for half a year now!"
Oh, no! I just bought an iBook ten months ago! Now it's obsolete. Apple obviously doesn't care about customer loyalty.
If you check the Mac Buyer's Guide it's way overdue.
http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/
Because it has already been 9 months or so since the last update of the iBook, and Mactels aren't due until 2006. They need something fresh on the market for back to school.
/usr/games/fortune
Can they make any significant CPU-upgrade at all? The iBooks are already close to the PowerBook, and if they dont upgrade the PowerBooks the difference will be insignificant.
I hope for more RAM and lower price. The current CPUs are fast enough, and I dont want any more heat/less battery time.
The iBook will have to wait another year for the Intel CPUs - they are probably the last ones (along with the eMac) to switch from G4.
Because some people like (need) to be productive now, not a year from now.
Because the new laptops will be just as effective at tasks as they would have been without knowledge of a new processor line.
Because computers are always being upgraded and waiting for the next best line to come out means you never make a purchase.
I think that about sums up most of the arguments.
-- i am jack's amusing sig file
For those who don't want to read the article (or links), I believe the gist is as follows:
- The rumour for widescreens is substantiated by an internal Asustek memo indicating that Apple is buying wide screen laptops.
- The forthcoming iBook update is at least furthered by the lack of an iBook update in a very long time (for iBook updates). See, e.g. Macrumours Buyers Guide. It's been 274 days since an iBook update, where the average is 158. It's writing on the wall.
- It almost certainly won't have an Intel processor. Apple's plans to move to Intel supposedly start in Q1 2006.
Time will tell, of course.
Mabey they will introduce a tablet version?
I find that hard to swallow.
In August, they'll be announcing the new range of PowerBooks. These will be powered by 2.5GHz ARM CPUs. And in September, the new Xserve 65816s will be launched, running the latest generation 6502s. SPARC based iMacs will follow in November.
Finally, in January, you'll see the first Intel based Mac. While some will consider a 4.77MHz 8088* a little slow in today's computing environment, there's little doubt that the power savings alone will make the switchover worthwhile.
* Note, selected models will feature the NEC V20, depending on availability and demand.
You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
I agree.
I think Apple's screen quality is surrounded in a lot of hype. I'm a real Mac die-hard these days, but I don't think the screens live up to what I've heard. I remember people claiming the iBook and PowerBook screens were amazingly "bright and crisp". Okay, the color accuracy is amazing, but bright? My iBook is not particularly bright at full brightness, and neither are any of the PowerBooks I've looked after or worked on. Put it this way, my father's Acer (avoid with a barge pole) has a much brighter and crisper screen than any Apple notebook I've seen. Even better are those Sony glare-free "coated" TFTs, which have insanely bright and vivid colors.
"Prosumers." You know, people who think they have to spend $600 more to get features like dual-monitor support that Apple cripples out of the iBook*.
(Posted from a 12" PowerBook)
* Apparently you have to hack an iBook to get its graphics card to do something it was built to do.
For more information, click here.
I understand the desire for consistency in display pitch, but Apple seems stuck on the idea that no one wants a small hires display. After using a Thinkpad with a 14 inch SXGA+ (1400x1050) and a Zaurus with 640x480 on a 3.7 inch display for a couple of years, the usual 15-in XGA seems positively clunky. Hell, the Dell D800 my new employer gave me seems ridiculous -- who the hell wants to lug around a monster 8-lb 17-in screen and get only a wXGA display? Surely the market will support an iBook or PowerBook with a hires (SXGA on 12-14 or UXGA on 15-17in) display.
And no, I do not have extraordinary eyesight -- I wear glasses. It's just a matter of seeing more = more work done faster, and I don't think that's uncommon for mobile computer users.
I think not...(*poof*)
I bought a 12" iBook because it does what I need and I couldn't justify the extra $500.00 for the Powerbook. I use it on the road, not as a desktop replacement. I do my CPU intensive stuff on my G5 Powermac on my desk. For me, and I can't speak for anyone but myself, the iBook was what I needed.
Boobies never hurt anyone. - Sherry Glaser.
"Experts agree that the best type of computer for your individual needs is one that comes on the market about two days after you actually purchase some other computer."
--Dave Barry
Apple has "historically" (the last 2-3 years) done upgrades AFTER major buying times. Instead of getting a new model out for "back-to-school" shopping, they run "extra RAM" or other promotions for back-to-school folks to think that they are getting a good deal, sell out their existing inventory at basically full price with the shopping season (schools upgrade labs, parents buy kids computers, etc), then roll out new computers in October... It's annoying, but smart business... Most schools/universities turn over their fiscal year in either August, September, or October, to either roll the school year into one (September), or basically do that but not being trying to do year close-outs during the transition (hence August/October).
That means if they have money left in the budget to spend on the year, they buy the soon-to-be-closed out models at full price, then Apple starts a separate buying frenzy soon after.
For that reason, iPods tend NOT to get upgraded in late October (announce, ship in November) (in time for Christmas shopping, they get upgraded in January).
It's a margin maximizing move.
Now, with Apple's increased market (37% year-to-year increase in Computers, with US Marketshare at 4.5% last quarter), they may have just sold their inventory, so rather than making an old computer, they announce an upgrade and sell it... as I'd imagine as Freescale improves processors, there is no price break on the older ones, so Apple will upgrade, but we shall see.
Alex
"Prosumers." You know, people who think they have to spend $600 more to get features like dual-monitor support that Apple cripples out of the iBook*.
. html
(Posted from a 12" PowerBook)
* Apparently you have to hack an iBook to get its graphics card to do something it was built to do.
Here is the hack: http://www.rutemoeller.com/mp/ibook/supportlist_e
Buy a 5 lb. laptop and lose 4 lbs. of weight.
"Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus."
I really can't understand why people still drool over this POS hardware. FYI the logic board problems have not been resolved yet. The G4 iBooks are plagued with the exact same logic board problems as the G3s. This wouldn't be that bad if the G4s were covered under Apple's recall program but unfortunately they're are not. It will probably take another class action before they even acknowledge the problem. I seriously hope that Apple have learned from their past mistakes and have designed a completely new logic board for this iBook update. If not, be prepared for another round of whacky trackpads and dead screens.
And the only thing we know about Longhorn is that it will eventually exist.
These "nothing to report yet" stories do get annoying don't they?
Everyone is clambering to report that they don't know more than ysterday, but that they're the first to report it.
Lost at C:>. Found at C.
Apple sells their displays at a premium because fanboys will buy them and people will pay for the brand. It's good business.
I was almost stupid enough to purchase the 20" Apple display with my Mini a couple months ago. Then... in a moment of clarity... I pulled my head out of my ass and did a bit of research and ended up getting a Samsung 21.3" screen with a MUCH better resolution (1600 x 1200) and brightness for like $200 cheaper.
Seriously, the only reason I was even considering the Apple display is so everything would "match." Again, I pulled my head out and remembered I was going to use my Logitech mouse and unmatching speakers. For a moment though, it was like my computer was making me go all "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy."
Anyway, I'm not really defending Apple except to say that their reasons are fiscally sound for them. I love my Mac, but I also have no illusions about the fact that Apple is a business.