PowerBook G5 coming in Q2?
It's on! We knew that Apple was having a heck of a time getting the PowerBook G5 out the door (the G5 processor
presents some mighty heat and power consumption issues to overcome), but we've got some good news to report. For
whatever reason they sort of bury it in a chart that accompanies the story, but Digitimes says that Quanta Computer,
the Taiwanese contract manufacturer that builds the PowerBook for Apple, has received a massive order for the PowerBook
G5. Delivery date: Q2. Start saving now.
[Thanks, Max]
Filed under: Laptops
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Billy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
The article says about iBook G5 so I am a bit on the cautious side.
mike s. @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
Read the CHART, idiot.
Billy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
Thanks for the name calling, and yes I did not read the chart.
Jason Deraleau @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
I have to agree with Billy. The page says there's going to be an iBook G5 in Q2 as well. Somehow, I really doubt Apple's going to put G5s in both lines at once. They haven't historically and with the slight differences between the two lines now, I'm sure Apple is anxious to put a G5 in the PowerBook to make it stand out. In addition, the Q4 results call even made mention of thermal issues.
It's more likely that it's supposed to be "G4" on the linked article. That would make much more sense. For example, speed-bumped PowerBook G4s shipping in Q2 wouldn't seem that odd of an idea; it was even rumored in the lead-up to Macworld.
bwhaler @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
Mike S,
If you are going to call people idiots, try to be right. the G5 iBook is right above the the Powerbook. You're obviously either not too detail oriented or a little dim.
Either way, the egg is on your face, putty lips.
mike s. @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
whatever, the point is, "billy" posted a comment without even paying attention to the article he was commenting on. try and look more closely at exactly what he was saying in his comment.
Wuddel @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
Well, on the other hand Apple never switched from one CPU supplier to another. Maybe they just "projected" that loosing PowerBook-customers to G5 iBooks is still cheaper than maintaining both CPU-lines in the company. The sooner they stop to sell G4s the sooner they can drop 32bit support (well I guess after 5 years from selling the last G4 or so).
Peter Kirn @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
Ain't no way: you DON'T tell investors a G5 is going to be hard to do and then ship it by Q2. (Not even if you're Apple.)
I'm guessing this means a revision of the PowerBook and iBook, yes, but NOT powered by the G5. We haven't seen G5 revisions from IBM that would reduce heat and power consumption enough to make a G5 laptop practical. Count on a next-gen G4 instead. But, hey, depending on what they've got cooking, that could be a good thing.
dolapo @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
I wonder how they went about resolving the heat and power consumption issues. All I ask is for a nicer res display!
Philip @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
Also, DigiTimes is NOT a reliable source. They often have information wrong. They said Apple would have 15.4" wide laptops - they remained from the titanium to the aluminum enclosures at 15.2"
They also stated that the 12" PowerBooks would pick up key illumination - none yet.
Other problems with the chart. Quanta is also making the Mac Mini - not Foxconn. As far as I know Foxconn just makes cables and circuit boards.
As someone mentioned above - it was clearly stated that one of Apple's biggest challeges EVER is the PowerBook G5 thermal issues, but the it continued to hint that we WILL see one this year.
I imagine PowerBooks go to 1.75Ghz first THEN we see a 1.8Ghz and a 2.0 Ghz G5 released next to 2.75 and 3.0Ghz G5 desktops.
rlarue @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
Wuddel: They just released the Mac Mini w/G4 and the emac also carries the G4, so I doubt they are in a rush to get rid of the G4 or to put a G5 in the iBook.
Wuddel @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
Well, they propably did not really solved the issues. Feed a power hungry CPU and the fans to cool it in a notebook? I don't thik so. This is Apple! Not a low-end company selling "computer bricks" with desktop CPUs.
It is more likely that they, or better IBM, developed a notebook-G5 from the ground up. Avoiding the heating in the first place, rather than trying to cool it. Like Intel did with the Pentium M.
@rlarue
This is indeed true. Although I think they will either drop the eMac or put a G5 in it quite soon,
Jason @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
TYPO! they have the ibook and powerbook both as G5, im sure they meant G4.
JBliss @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
From "the mother of all thermal challenges" two days ago to this... honestly! I'll believe it when I see it.
Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
I'm in the market for a powerbook. I don't need the power of the G5 for what I will be using it for. Should I go ahead and buy now, or do you think prices will drop?
Uncle Sam @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
maybe it's a trap!
lossless @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
I'm in the market as well for a pb. Like many others, I was hoping for an upgrade announcement.
From what I've gathered in the comments at this site and others, people seem to be expecting / hoping some kind of speed bump relatively soon (within 3-6 months).
The commenters were torn about G5. Some folks feel it will never happen.
preetam rai @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
Lets see if Apple sues digitimes. If they do then we know it is true.
Dan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
From Mac Rumors Saturday December 18, 2004 11:37 PM EST
http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2004/12/20041218233747.shtml
Taiwanese newspaper Apple Daily reported yesterday that ASUSTeK Computer Inc. has received an order to manufacture about 5 million iPods based on flash memory for delivery next year, with the deliveries beginning in the first quarter of 2005. The FOB (wholesale export) price is said to be $65.
Taiwan-based ASUSTeK is a major manufacturing company, capable of producing two million motherboards and 150,000 notebook computers each month, as well as SCSI cards, video cards, network cards, and other peripherals.
From Digi Times article:
Shipments of the iPod shuffle from Asustek, which currently also produces iBook notebooks for Apple, are expected to reach 400,000 to 500,000 units a month, due to the aggressive pricing for the new products and brand recognition for Apples iPod music players, the sources said. Sales of the iPod reached 4.5 million units in the fourth quarter of 2004, according to data released by Apple.
These numbers jive. So maybe there is some hope here for the G5 PB. Just email Steve Jobs. He'll either not comment or sue your ass.
Jeremiah @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
There seems to be A TON of talk around Motorola and their dual-core G4 chips. I would imagine that would be what they are going to release.
However, this is on some of the other websites:
http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=839
http://www.macnn.com/news/27671
Both of those sites mention G5 NOT G4 chipsets in the iBook and PBook line. Kinda makes you wonder if it is more than just a set of typos!
lmao @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
They will put G5's in the ibook and PB. It makes sense. The G4, albeit a fantastic chip, is really a bit behind on processing power--its time for a full upgrade for both books. They will probably just do what they did before--give the PB a nicer look, more VRAM, and the ability to push large monitors.
The remaining G4's they will sell off easily with the mini mac.
Christopher @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
The chart indicates "iBook/iBook G5"
...what is the 'first' iBook? I would imagine that is the current (G4) model(s)...so they differiniated the second iBook name to also add the G5 model in those numbers.
They will be selling both CPU models, obviously.
Michael @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
Phillip....historically....the release of a New CPU it does not start out with the new CPU being released at a faster speed......usually the speed is lower or matched....at least with apple's the big exception to this rule is the G5 because its a 64 bit processor
Harry @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
I was just reading an article about a study done that shows extended laptop usage (when actually used on the lap) lowers mens' sperm count. This is due to the way you have to position your legs together to sit the laptop on them - but mostly because of the heat produced by the laptop.
The Powerbook G5 is sure to render an entire generation of Mac users sterile.
Mark @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
There's no way Apple is releasing an iBook G5 at the same time as the Powerbook G5. It's just not going to happen. Apple doesn't operate that way. The most we'll see is an iBook G4 speed bump when the Powerbook G5s are released -- but even that's unlikely because Apple updates the two product lines at different times.
sturmnacht @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
Apple intends to make the Powerbook as small as possible, but right now, Sharp Actius MP30 is currently being crowned as the smallest notebook with a integrated optical drive. The information can be found in the Sharp Systems of America website.
The current model uses Transmeta Efficeon 1.6GHz processor, which the processor is known for its excellest power conservation.
There were rumours saying that the next Sharp Actius (MP70 I think) will have a DVD-RAM drive built-in, along with more hard drive space.
Falkenad @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
I hope this new Powerbook won't be huge, with the G5 in there. I think they will release a dual-core G4 processor in the next update.
macstibs @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
I'd love to see Sharp continue the MM line with an MM30 running the 1.6Ghz Efficeon chip. Sadly, I'd don't think it'll see the light of day.
OTOH, the PB G5 will be something I order as soon as it's announced. Period. End of Story.
Jimbo @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
Well I've read the chart and I still don't believe it. It's obviously a typo. I guarantee Apple won't announce G5 Powerbooks and iBooks on the sam e day. It's ridiculous.
andy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
I would have to agree with lots of other people. Both the iBook and Powerbook lines will not have simultaneous upgrades to G5 or be realeased so soon even though I want to believe it. For one thing it would take sales from lots of other computers through its performance (ie lowend models, the iMac, Mac mini, eMac, etc). Also in the past the iBook did not go G4 until well after the Powerbook G4 release for the same reason (stealing sales). Another thing is if a G5 was to be put in a laptop as of this quarter or the next
I doubt it would even go above 1.6 ghz.
Congaman @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
I'll believe this article the same day you tell me the Mac Mini is shipping with a G5. Too hot, too hungry... I chalk this one up as a type-o, nothing more.
an idiot @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
I reckon the g5 ibook is the typo - and the g5 p-book is the reality.
Most likely is the ground-up theory...this is an old and predicted issue (the heat on the laptop G5) so they have had time to pursue this route by now.
Josh @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
bah... we all know that a g5 powerbook is on the way, but i sincerly doubt that it is possible for ibm to change the powerconsumption, which is a function of heat dissapated through the chips integrated circuits. Now if they used say the 65 nm process... it may be possible, are they not currently using one at around 90 nm or 95, well i forget, but the smaller they get the better power conservation you get :)
Caleb @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
The Powerbook will see a jump to G5 before the iBook does. This article is more than a little confusing but could be a clever ruse to get the hype built even more, the rumors flowing, and the want for a G5 Powerbook even higher. This spring sees me in my second year of a doctoral program for mathematics. My Mac mini is already ordered, but I desperately need a more poweful G5 laptop after the collapse of of both of my Dells, one a desktop and one a laptop. I want to believe.... but I just can't.
tom @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
Hey. Ive always used PC's and need to upgrade my laptop. I would normally head straight for a top of the range IBM Thinkpad T series. But, i've heard from many users that Apple are the way to go. Im willing to make the swap. I've been doing some research and have decided that the 15 inch Power Book would be the most suitable option. I want to know if i should wait for the new G5 or go for the G4 or stick with what i know in the IBM range. I just need to know if its worthwhile waiting around, and if the G5 will make a great difference to the system on a whole. If you guys could give me some advice either way that would be good. Thanks.
Nick @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
do u think the new powerbook will larger in size than the g4
Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
Have any of you guys actually looked at the numbers for the G5 (PPC970FX) vs. the G4(7447A)? Had you done this, you'd find out that the G5 draws less than the G4 at the same clock speed.
At 1.4GHz, the G4 consumes 21W...the G5 at 1.4GHz consumes 13.2W. At 2.0GHz, the G5 only consumes 24.5W. It's above the 2.0GHz mark where the G5 starts to draw a lot of power...it sharply increases right around 2.3GHz...hmn...anyone wonder why Xserves were 2.3GHz instead of 2.5GHz anymore?
The only thing holding Apple back from a complete switch over to the G5 is IBM and their production issues. IBM can't meet the demand yet for the chips.
G4 (7447A) Power consumption: http://www.atmel.com/dyn/resources/prod_documents/doc5387.pdf
G5 (970FX) Power consumption: http://www-306.ibm.com/chips/techlib/techlib.nsf/techdocs/7874C7DA8607C0B287256BF3006FBE54/$file/PPC_QRG_2-22-04.pdf
Michael Flores @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
I need to buy a powerbook. I don't know what to do. 1. The mac mini just came out. I think this may mean that they will blow out all of their G4 processors with this new unit. 2. They raised the processor speed from 1.5 to 1.67ghz on the G4 powerbook. and 3. they just dropped the price on the G4 powerbook by 100 dollars. These factors must mean that something is brewing. Do I buy a 1.67ghz powerbook or do I wait for what might not be expected to happen for quite some time?
Mark @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
Why would Apple try to create hype about a computer that's not ready to ship? Their sales must go down when everyone starts holding for the next big thing.
If I had solid evidence that the PB G5 wasn't going to come out for a while, I'd buy a PB G4 today.
Has anyone read about the img placeholder for G5 on apple's powerbook page?
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/01/27/apple_site_powerbook_g5/
Josh Strike @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
God, I want one...but even if they come out this quarter I'm going to wait. I remember when the defects started cropping up in the first batch of G4 powerbooks, especially the loose battery issue...who knows what kind of monstrous problems the G5s are going to have when they first hit the market.
aldo de anda @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
When is Q2....i mean...........what does Q2 stands for????????
Jon @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
Q2 stands for second quarter. Meaning the second quarter of the year...April, May, June.
It's July!
Maybe Apple is waiting on Intel?
Exilm @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
I can't wait no more
when is G5 Powerbook going to come out!!!???
nick @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
Its already October 1st and nothings happened. I think they are waiting for x-mas time.
go @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
Forgive me, but the date Q2 means when?
Jon Lesser @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM
I know this is going to sound CRAAAAZY, but Steve Jobs told me at a party that there isn't going to be a G5 portable. Rather, Apple is switching to intel chips starting in Q1 06!!!