New Apple PowerBooks

[Eug]

http://www.apple.com/powerbook/

All come with Bluetooth 2.0, Airport Extreme 802.11g, and the new scrolling trackpad.
The DVD burner is 8X.
The 17" supports the humungous 30" Apple LCD. It's also an option on the 15".

$2,699.00
17-inch TFT Display
1440x900 resolution
1.67GHz PowerPC G4
512MB DDR333 SDRAM
100GB Hard Drive
ATI Mobility Radeon
9700 (128 MB DDR)
Backlit keyboard
Gigabit Ethernet
FireWire 400 & 800
Digital/analog audio
DVI & S-Video out
Dual link DVI <-- Compatible with 30" Cinema Display

$2,299.00
15.2-inch TFT Display
1280x854 resolution
1.67GHz PowerPC G4
512MB DDR333 SDRAM
80GB Hard Drive
ATI Mobility Radeon
9700 (64 MB DDR)
Backlit keyboard
Gigabit Ethernet
FireWire 400 & 800
Analog audio in/out
DVI & S-Video out <-- Upgrade option to dual link available.

$1,999.00
15.2-inch TFT Display
1280x854 resolution
1.5GHz PowerPC G4
512MB DDR333 SDRAM
80GB Hard Drive
ATI Mobility Radeon
9700 (64 MB DDR)
Backlit keyboard
Gigabit Ethernet
FireWire 400 & 800
Analog audio in/out
DVI & S-Video out

$1,699.00
12.1-inch TFT Display
1024x768 resolution
1.5GHz PowerPC G4
512MB DDR333 SDRAM
80GB Hard Drive
NVIDIA GeForce FX
Go5200 (64MB DDR)
Full size keyboard
10/100BASE-T Ethernet
FireWire 400
Analog audio in/out
Mini-DVI out

$1,499.00
12.1-inch TFT Display
1024x768 resolution
1.5GHz PowerPC G4
512MB DDR333 SDRAM
60GB Hard Drive
NVIDIA GeForce FX
Go5200 (64MB DDR)
Full size keyboard
10/100BASE-T Ethernet
FireWire 400
Analog audio in/out
Mini-DVI out

 

[Wuzup101]

I think I'll wait until the rev b G5 powerbooks to upgrade... by that time I'll have the money saved...

 

[RichieZ]

disappointing, but not unexpected. I wonder about the trackpad tho, is it done in software, could we get that for current powerbooks and ibooks?

 

[addragyn]

DLDVI and standard 512MB RAM in one stick is nice over just a speed bump. Not much else they can do at this time...

 

[Commodus]

Originally posted by: Wuzup101
I think I'll wait until the rev b G5 powerbooks to upgrade... by that time I'll have the money saved...

It's just as well - there's not much point in going to a marginally faster PowerBook, and even a 2 GHz G5 PowerBook could only give you so much more.

 

[qaa541]

I was going to buy a 12" powerbook and I kept waiting and waiting for this upgrade to come at MWSF but it didn't and I got tired of waiting so I got a Thinkpad instead.

The upgrade seems marginal at best.

 

[kenan921]

I like that they include the backlit keyboard in all the 15" powerbooks. The motion sensor and vertical scrolling are also pretty useful additions. I just wish they were able to put out more than 1.5ghz for the $1799 - after student discount 15" powerbook. Got my 1.33 ghz 256 mb powerbook with a 20gb ipod for $30 less AR 5 months ago from the apple education store. I'm glad I didn't wait, I would've been disappointed.

 

[klocwerk]

such a depressing video card in the 12" ones.
If they'd put in a freakin useful card it might be worth getting one instead of an ibook...

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: RichieZ
disappointing, but not unexpected. I wonder about the trackpad tho, is it done in software, could we get that for current powerbooks and ibooks?

Different hardware (and software).

I want the backlit keyboard in the 12". I'd pay extra for it too. I'd also prefer a 13.3" 1152x768 widescreen.

Anyways, I'm waiting until October at least. If the PowerBook doesn't impress me then, then maybe I'll just replace my 1 GHz TiBook with an iBook or something. (I don't want a 15" laptop anymore. Too bulky.)

 

[DarkAmeba]

Is the 128mb vram upgrade worth it??? I'm close to ordering one of the new PBs

 

[Eug]

^^^ The 128 MB GPU memory is worth it really only if you're going to be using an external monitor. Exposé loves GPU memory.

--

P.S. For those of you who are considering the iBook 12" vs. the PowerBook:

12" iBook 1.2 GHz
? 512MB DDR266 SDRAM (256MB built-in & 256MB SO-DIMM)
? 60GB Ultra ATA drive
? Combo drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
? AirPort Extreme Card
? Bluetooth Module
? ATI Mobility Radeon 9200 w/ 32MB DDR video memory
$1199

12" PowerBook 1.5 GHz
? 512MB DDR333 (256MB built-in + 256MB SO-DIMM)
? 60GB Ultra ATA drive @5400rpm
? Combo Drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
? AirPort Extreme Card
? Bluetooth built-in
? NVIDIA GeForce FX GO 5200 with 64MB DDR Video Memory
$1499

Benefits you get for $300:

300 more CPU MHz
33 more bus MHz
CoreImage capable GPU
32 MB more GPU memory
Scrolling trackpad
Lighter weight
Better keyboard
5400 rpm hard drive
DVI
Extra speaker
Audio line-in
Official monitor spanning support

I think for $300 it's definitely worth it. Plus you can get the SuperDrive in the 12" PowerBook. If I were buying now I'd get the PowerBook for sure. However, I'm going to wait for the next revision.

 

[RichieZ]

Originally posted by: Eug
^^^ The 128 MB GPU memory is worth it really only if you're going to be using an external monitor. Exposé loves GPU memory.

--

P.S. For those of you who are considering the iBook 12" vs. the PowerBook:

12" iBook 1.2 GHz
? 512MB DDR266 SDRAM (256MB built-in & 256MB SO-DIMM)
? 60GB Ultra ATA drive
? Combo drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
? AirPort Extreme Card
? Bluetooth Module
? ATI Mobility Radeon 9200 w/ 32MB DDR video memory
$1199

12" PowerBook 1.5 GHz
? 512MB DDR333 (256MB built-in + 256MB SO-DIMM)
? 60GB Ultra ATA drive @5400rpm
? Combo Drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
? AirPort Extreme Card
? Bluetooth built-in
? NVIDIA GeForce FX GO 5200 with 64MB DDR Video Memory
$1499

Benefits you get for $300:

300 more CPU MHz
33 more bus MHz
CoreImage capable GPU
32 MB more GPU memory
Scrolling trackpad
Lighter weight
Better keyboard
5400 rpm hard drive
DVI
Extra speaker
Audio line-in
Official monitor spanning support

I think for $300 it's definitely worth it. Plus you can get the SuperDrive in the 12" PowerBook. If I were buying now I'd get the PowerBook for sure. However, I'm going to wait for the next revision.

Do people really need the bluetooth module and upgraded HD on the ibook? I got the base one for just around $700 from amazon after all was said and done. Does the powerbook have 3 speakers?

I think the only thing I really miss is the DVI and the upgraded HD. Its really a transitional laptop for me, to test the water if I wanted to get a Powermac or a G5 powerbook later. Official monitor spanning isn't an issue, screen doctor hack is so easy, but the clamshell mode doesn't always work right.

Hopefully the rev b g5 powerbook will come out before my ADC discount expries (i plan to sign up as late as possible, like late june '05)

 

[Eug]

The 12" PowerBook has 3 speakers.
30 GB is not enough for me. And 5400 rpm is much faster.
I have a Bluetooth phone, and may get a Bluetooth mouse. And I dislike having to use a dongle.

 

[imported_Lucifer]

I am considering a 15'' Powerbook with a superdrive and the Dual Link DVI 128mb 9700 right now.

 

[Whaspe]

Going to go for a 17" myself, glad the upgrade finally came. For a guy who started shopping 3 weeks ago I can now get what I want plus more and for cheaper.

 

[frazzled]

Going to go for a 17" myself, glad the upgrade finally came. For a guy who started shopping 3 weeks ago I can now get what I want plus more and for cheaper.

You're going to enjoy that 17" PB Whaspe .... I spent the whole weekend glued to mine writing to meet a deadline, propped up on an iCurve, bluetooth KB and mouse and a pair of Apple Pro speakers via iFire. Dashing back and forth from Word to InDesign to Photoshop with iTunes blasting away. Felt just like a good desktop. Especially with a 7200RPM HDD in a FW enclosure for a scratch disk. I love mine .

Now, will that stop me from picking up a nice 12" PB for a bunch of overnight trips I have coming up? Nope!

The Powerbooks are a pleasure to use.

JT

 

[Bust]

can someone tell me about what I could expect for battery performance on these PBs? I would be interested in knowing all three sizes.

 

[halfadder]

I'm glad I bought my PowerBook 14 months ago. It's been great fun and the newest 15" PowerBook isn't *that* much better.

No Radeon Mobility X800
Same 167 MHz FSB
No direct brain interface

*yawn*

 

[imported_Lucifer]

Time to update the eMac now!!

 

[hopejr]

Originally posted by: Thin Lizzy
Time to update the eMac now!!

I reckon! Please be a G5!!

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: Eug

Originally posted by: RichieZ
disappointing, but not unexpected. I wonder about the trackpad tho, is it done in software, could we get that for current powerbooks and ibooks?

Different hardware (and software).

I want the backlit keyboard in the 12". I'd pay extra for it too. I'd also prefer a 13.3" 1152x768 widescreen.

Anyways, I'm waiting until October at least. If the PowerBook doesn't impress me then, then maybe I'll just replace my 1 GHz TiBook with an iBook or something. (I don't want a 15" laptop anymore. Too bulky.)

Yeah I'd LOVE a 13.3" with a 16:10 resolution.

1152x768?! 1.5

And I hope it is lighter then it currently is some how.

Koing

 

[jdogg707]

Originally posted by: Bust
can someone tell me about what I could expect for battery performance on these PBs? I would be interested in knowing all three sizes.

Battery life isn't the greatest. On my 15" 1.5GHZ PB, I could get around 3 hours with just surfing the web through Airport Extreme and with the screen turned down. My GF has a 12" and gets closer to 4-4.5. I don't know about the 17, but would figure it is less than the 15, since they have the same battery.

 

[trikster2]

uggg 1280x854 resolution??????

Why oh why no screen upgrades????????

Guess I'm not switching.

 

[Commodus]

Have you tried using OS X? 1280x854 is fine, at least with Exposé.

Anyways, I suspect that Apple would only up the resolution in 2005 if there are PowerBook G5 updates. Why give people fewer incentives to buy the PB G5 when you can give them a faster system and a higher resolution in one shot?

 

[Eug]

I doubt Apple will change the resolutions much, unless they actually change the screen sizes. The ultra-high rez screens are truly liked by only a small portion of the population. According to a Taiwanese study, it turns out that the vast majority of users prefer screens up to around 110 ppi. The ultra high rez screens are >120 ppi and some much higher.

I can't tell you how many people I've come across who buy high rez screens, only to run them at a very blurry lower rez.

An option for the very few who truly need it would be nice, but if you have to choose, choose what is the best. And that's a screen that's less than 110 ppi.

Personally I wouldn't buy a PowerBook if it was over 110 ppi. I wouldn't buy any laptop at this point like that. Neither XP nor OS X are suited for high pixel densities. When you start increasing the ppi settings, things get screwed up. Dialogue boxes don't show up properly and text on web pages goes where it isn't supposed to be. Only when resolution independence truly exists in an OS, will high ppi screens be more mainstream. Until then, Apple is choosing the right type of screen for the job.