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    Macworld SF: PowerBook G4's to Get Speedbumps, but no G5 (yet) UPDATED

    Discussion in 'Notebook News and Reviews' started by Barry J. Doyle, Jan 10, 2005.

  1. Barry J. Doyle

    Barry J. Doyle Notebook Geek NBR Reviewer

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    Macworld SF: PowerBook G4's to Get Speedbumps, but no G5 (yet)

    1/11/05 UPDATE: At the official keynote today, there was no announcement regarding any updates to the current PowerBook line. Perhaps Apple will quietly release these new models following MacWorld. We will keep you posted, so check back soon!

    [​IMG]

    The latest news floating around is that there will indeed be PowerBook G4 updates.Although we may need to wait until June or later for the announcement of thePowerBook G5, it has been confirmed by many sources that the PB G4's will get a few new modifications.

    According to sources, the new PowerBooks willpeak at1.67GHz (17"). It is safe to assume that the 12" will be boosted to 1.5 GHz. The 15" and 17" modelsare said to go from the 80GB, 4200 RPM hard drivesto a 100GB 5400 RPM drive. Sources also mention that the ATI Radeon 9700 will still remain for the video card, but there will be an option to go to a 128MB chip. The PowerBook SuperDrive will support for DVD+R media.

    All PowerBook modelswill be upgraded to the new Bluetooth 2.0 specification, allowing a 3x faster connection and less power consumption.

    The official keynote from Steve Jobs will be on Tuesday January 11th at 9:00 A.M. Pacific time. After the talk is over you can check out Apple.com for all the new products.

    Barry J. Doyle

     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 12, 2015
    Barry J. Doyle, Jan 10, 2005
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  2. viewsonic

    viewsonic Newbie

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    The 128MB graphics memory upgrade was already available since the release of the previous generation, as well the superdrive could also burn to DVD+R/W discs, it's just that Apple did not explicity state this.

    I think the update is that 128MB in the Radeon 9700 mobility is now standard; as for the superdrive "upgrade", it's just marketing because it's the exact same as before.

    check: thinksecret.com
     
    viewsonic, Jan 10, 2005
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  3. Barry J. Doyle

    Barry J. Doyle Notebook Geek NBR Reviewer

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    Thanks for the clarification on these "rumors". It will be interesting to see how Steve Jobs/Apple presents this issue with the Superdrive, as I have heard complaints about it's lack of standards for the last few releases. Good call on the 128MB Radeon option. Perhaps it will now fall down to availability on the 15" as well. I have to say that the faster Bluetooth might be a dream come true for file transfer and BT mouse response.

    Barry J. Doyle
    Editor in Chief
    TabletPCReviewSpot.com
    www.tabletpcreviewspot.com
     
    Barry J. Doyle, Jan 10, 2005
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  4. titan0111

    titan0111 Notebook Geek

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    PowerBook Speedbump remains as a rumor.

    Steve didn't mention anything about PB in MacWorld.


    --------------------
    I want

    Apple PowerBook G4 1.5Ghz 17"
    ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 128MB DDR SDRAM
    2GB DDR333 SDRAM
    80GB Ultra ATA drive @ 5400rpm
    SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
    Apple Cinema HD Display (23" flat panel)
     
    titan0111, Jan 11, 2005
    #4