Updated PowerBooks this week?

Well, we know that Steve Jobs isn't going to be introducing any new iPods at this week's Apple Expo in Paris, but PowerPage, which has at least enough of a track record of accuracy to have been subpoenaed by Apple, reports that Apple is probably going announce updated PowerBooks later this week. Don't get your hopes up, though, they say that the first Intel-based PowerBooks won't ship until sometime in mid- to late-2006 and that we're looking at a minor upgrade in processor speeds and RAM and hard drive capacity.

[Jason @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

How about some decent screen resolutions? 1920x1200 on the 17" and 1600x1080 on the 15" AT LEAST... Then I'd consider it...

[mrqcho @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Well, I don't know if they would call that a minor upgrade in processor speeds, since I've read of going to a G5 on the Powerbooks, though we would have to see how they manage the heat. I've also read a G5 Mac mini, but I think that would be highly unlikely, it would be more like a Mac mini sandwich, the mac mini sandwiched in between two fans to keep it cold. I'm about to purchase a Mac Mini though, and I'll be hold off a week more, just in case.

[Jake @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

I think the only way they are going to update powerbooks is if they have the first intel chip ready, because the powerbooks are already great and had a sorta recient update.

[Raph @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

We all read crazy stuff, but don't expect a g5 powerbook, if they can make it now that mean that they can make some good move with g5 so why moving to intel.
Just expect small upgrades to keep customer happy. That's apple world!! Smile because you like it ;-)

[Jay Contonio @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Either way, without the Intel chips in them, the powerbooks are just too slow. Mine is collecting dust now because I just cant get what I want done fast enough.

[Digital Dave @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Yeah, it is time to upgrade the powerbook line. Jason is right on the nose with the weak screen resolution. They should also transform the 12' model to a widescreen with some decent resolution.

With the iBook creeping up in speed they really need to do something with the powerbook line. Until, then I'm going to continue to use my g5 iMac and my Dell Inspiron 8600 (1920x1200).

I need a Powerbook and I'm not going to wait for the Intel based books. Which means I'll probably be spending some money in a few short weeks once they refresh the line.

[FregTK @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Jake, PowerBooks were updated all the way back in January.

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2005/jan/31powerbook.html

Not sorta recent at all.

[Baumann @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

ThinkSecret's spin on it is a complete contrast:

"Contrary to other reports, Apple's PowerBook line, last revised in February with only incremental upgrades, will likely not see an upgrade before Macworld Expo San Francisco in January 2006, at the earliest."

TFA: http://thinksecret.com/news/0509g5.html

[umijin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Yuck - ditch the 12"PB? I hope not. They need to keep that screen size, and make the bugger thinner and lighter. Or make a freaking tablet / handheld.

And they are WAY late on an update to this line. The G4 chips they use now are ridiculously behind what their consumer desktops use, and their screens look pretty crappy next to intel laptops, and they are playing catch up to windoze in the feature set. (Before you flame, yes I'm a PowerBook user).

My guess is they won't make anything that kewl because they are hedging bets on Intel laptops, and Apple is too fascinated with fluff like iPods to get their computing hardware act into gear.

[Jay @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Minor or not, a revision to the already perfect powerbook is always welcome. I need one, and if they release one tomorrow, I'm buying. The new powerbook is gonna rock whether its G4, G5, Intel based or running off nitros. We all know this...this is Apple :-)

[Manny @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

I was planning to avoid a PB upgrade for years, but when they added 30" output capability in January, I sprang. I'm typing this on my 17" PB next to my 30" display, the second or third most important gadget in my personal history (first laptop definitely more important, first cell phone maybe).

Anyway, they called it a minor PB update in January. For me it could hardly have been bigger.

[clicclic @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

#2 - the Mac Mini is so worth it. I bought the cheapest one they had and it hasn't felt slow yet. USB 2.0 means you can attach anything to it. Plus it has DVI, which almost NO PC laptops have yet (absurd). Can't wait to hear what they'll bring out in January.

[Craig @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

almost no laptops have usb 2? are you mad? my laptop is a good year and a half, was cheap and has three usb 2s!!!!!!!

[902SH guy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Craig, chill. clicclic was talking about DVI output.

FSM is my master

[jazzay @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

...he was talking about DVI, which is standard on high end laptops, with no relevance to a Mac Mini, you can get a 30 dollar upgrade to get DVI on a PC, or 1200 to get dual 7800s, and thats what makes this country great

but yeah, cheap mac mini not feeling slow? maybe with you webbrowsing and emailing, but try to do video editing or video compression on that badboy of a macintosh you got there.

USB 2.0 means you can attack anything to it eh? too bad USB 2.0 devices are compliant with 1.1, so its not really something to brag about

go ahead, spend your money on a new laptop every time theres a .2Ghz upgrade, at least we know what makes stevie rich

[Alex @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

1280x960 (12"), 1680x1050 (15") and 1920x1200 (17") are probably more preferrable resolutions for many people... Anything higher than those will likely to make the words *very* hard to read on the screen.

I don't care much about the processor speed, HD size, and RAMs... a mere 300MHz bump won't help much in performance; 80GB HD is good enough; 512MB RAM is fine. I rather have 128MB VRAM by default, and 256MB as an optional upgrade for the higher-end pb, so that the lower-end pb's can also use the 30 inch screen.

Hmm... I've probably asked for too much in a "minor revision"

[IK @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

I'm not a professional by any means, but here are my suggestions for any powerbook updates in the future.

12" Powerbook:
-1280x768 Screen Resolution. This allows users to natively veiw 720p content, as well as have enough room for most computing tasks. (The Current 12" model has a 1024x768 screen)
-Thinner product. The current 12" model is much too thick. By using more heat and energy efficient machines, Apple can keep the product both thinner and lighter.

15" Powerbook:
-1680x1050 Screen Resolution. A perfect 16:9 aspect ratio is excellent for watching widescreen content. The huge working space is also a big bonus.

17" Powerbook:
-1920x1080 Screen Resolution. This is allows the user to watch 1080p content natively right on the notebook.

All Models:
-XBrite Gloss on the Screen. This helps enhance the contrast of the display, and improves it aesthetically as well.
-Backlit Keyboard Upgrade. The next generation of Backlit Keyboards should slowly change hues so that one does not become sleepy by looking at an unchanging colour.
- Scratch-proof Ceramic. The age of aluminum was fun, but now it's gotten old. Aluminum is great because it is light and fairly strong. however, as many PB owners have learnt the hard way, aluminum can suffer nasty scratches. Ceramics have been developed that are unscratchable in most cases, and are strong and light enough to use in applications such as in the Powerbook.
- System Files stored on internal flash drive. Having all the system files loaded on a flash drive means that one can boot the computer instantly with one button-push. This not only boosts productivity, but increases performance and prolongs battery life.
- New color! I am tired of the current colour of the Powerbook. It is a nice colour, but it needs to be more masculine. I suggest maybe making it a tad darker? Imagine a high polished dark aluminum top, with a black ceramic bottom.
- Integrated Webcam. Sony has it. It's good. Why doesn't Apple? It should have autofocus and optical zoom. Just like the iSight.
- Magnetic connectors. The PBs should ship with magnetic connectors so that people to transport their PBs don't have to fumble with Ethernet wires and AC plugs. Just contact them and they click on with magnets.
- Peltier thermal system. Peltiers work by using convection to electrically transport heat from one area to another. They can trasfer heat from the CPU and GPU to the top of the screen where a copper disspation plate would be installed.


Those are just some of my crazy ideas.

Peace,
IK

[Lee Gibson @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

"USB 2.0 means you can attack anything to it eh? too bad USB 2.0 devices are compliant with 1.1, so its not really something to brag about"

WTF?

It's comments like this that make me wonder why I bother with these comments...

[Andre @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Posted Sep 19, 2005, 1:51 PM ET by Jay

Minor or not, a revision to the already perfect powerbook is always welcome. I need one, and if they release one tomorrow, I'm buying. The new powerbook is gonna rock whether its G4, G5, Intel based or running off nitros. We all know this...this is Apple :-)

---

Kinda contradicting yourself there arent we buddy? "a revision to the already perfect powerbook is always welcome." - A revision would not be needed if it was perfect. Lets have a look at the definition for revise.
***
re�vise Audio pronunciation of "revising" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (r-vz)
tr.v. re�vised, re�vis�ing, re�vis�es

1. To prepare a newly edited version of (a text).
2. To reconsider and change or modify: I have revised my opinion of him. See Synonyms at correct.
3. A proof made from an earlier proof on which corrections have been made.
***
So yeah, your powerbook is not perfect or Apple would not have to correct/change/modify anything; other than the usual things like speed, which is a given.

[sturmnacht @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Currently, Sony has the upper hand in terms of size. The new 11" Vaio TX is ridiculously thin, literally making the 12" Powerbook look like a giant. They managed to shrink the product to less than an inch thin, while still keeping the DVD (Dual layer that is) burner drive. I hope the next Powerbook will be 0.9" thin. Just use LED backlighting and the LCD screen will be 50% thinner. Sony did that.

I think Apple should also look at carbon-fiber casing, because Sony has it. Sony also dominate Apple in battery life. I must admit that the Sony's new black TX is very stylish, and retains the professional feel to it.