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11 Replies Last post: Feb 9, 2004 12:49 PM by Mac-Ale  
Click to view pollacjw's profile New Member 103 posts since
Feb 5, 2004
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Feb 5, 2004 10:22 AM

Update cycle

I am a possible mac convert. I just cant stand my dell laptop anymore. Nonetheless, have been thinking about getting a powerbook 15' in the next few weeks.

Heres the issue, I will be backpacking June through August this summer and theres little need for a laptop...

So whats the update cycle on mac products? I can bare my dell for a few more months if it means getting a better powerbook come September-October.

According to one of the guys at the Apple Store, the G5 PB wont be out until Dec 04 Jan 05 at best.

I know this is all speculation but your guess is better then mine.
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Click to view mystery_stain's profile Enthusiast 1,197 posts since
Feb 2, 2001
1. Feb 5, 2004 10:43 AM in response to: pollacjw
Re: Update cycle
The cycles aren't that predictable. We waited forever for the current 15", which only came out a few months ago. I would wait until you got back, if only because, over three months, a computer will move much closer to being obsolete, and you won't be getting any use out of it while it does that. You'd probably prefer to pay for having the old laptop go obsolete while idle instead of paying for the new laptop to go obsolete while idle.
Click to view maranellof1's profile Member 362 posts since
Aug 14, 2002
2. Feb 5, 2004 12:20 PM in response to: mystery_stain
Re: Update cycle
update cyces are roughly every 6 months.... and since motorola has stopped producing the g4 chip, the next revision of the powerbooks i think will be very cool.... either a g5, or a totally modded up g4 built by ibm... totally wait dude... cheers...
Click to view TempleOwls's profile New Member 146 posts since
May 25, 2001
3. Feb 5, 2004 12:49 PM in response to: maranellof1
Re: Update cycle
I would vote for waiting too. Sometimes, not all the time though there are updates to the line just in time for the new school year.
Click to view pdrayton's profile Enthusiast 1,823 posts since
Sep 19, 2003
4. Feb 5, 2004 5:09 PM in response to: pollacjw
Re: Update cycle
Are you a student at a University/College?

If so, Apple had a great "Buy a bundle, save a bundle" student promotion last Fall. Normally I don't advise people to wait, but in your case I don't think you'll be missing out on much if you do.

Of course, just because Apple had a great student promotion last year doesn't mean they'll do it this year. I would expect at best a variation on last year's promotion. Even with no promotion it still seems to make sense to wait.
Click to view nkasuri1's profile Member 463 posts since
Jan 11, 2003
5. Feb 5, 2004 11:50 PM in response to: pdrayton
Re: Update cycle
Going by the regular 6 month update cycle, the PB's should be up for a revision in about a month. I believe it will be a minor upgrade. The next upgrade after that will probably by the G5 Powerbook. I believe they will arrive some time later this year.
Click to view rstorm40's profile New Member 43 posts since
Dec 14, 2003
6. Feb 6, 2004 4:48 AM in response to: nkasuri1
Re: Update cycle
Another vote for waiting? You have nothing to loose!
Click to view gyroscope4's profile Member 642 posts since
Jan 5, 2004
9. Feb 8, 2004 6:05 PM in response to: pollacjw
Re: Update cycle
depending on your computational needs, if you buy an ibook you may find you don't need a whole powerbook. (speaking as someone who is still in love with her ibook afte 2 great years.) i say don't wait, buy the ibook (or powerbook) now!

In reply to:<hr />
If my argument has merit, ill get an i-book now, cozy up to OS X and then come 05 throw down for a new machine.


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Click to view stockscalper's profile Member 325 posts since
Jul 20, 2001
10. Feb 9, 2004 12:42 PM in response to: gyroscope4
Re: Update cycle
From macosrumors Feb 6th:

Next-generation Powerbook G4 details: A modest update to Apple's pro laptops, to bridge the considerable gap between the current models and the Powerbook G5 that will be introduced in the late third quarter, is expected early this spring. The update will be almost entirely in the specifications list and will not introduce any major enclosure or architectural changes.

Details include PowerPC 7457 G4 processors at 1.25, 1.33, and 1.467 or possibly 1.533GHz. There may be 1MB DDR backside L3 cache memory on some high-end models, a feature that is missing from the current Powerbooks. The models which now employ the Radeon 9600 Mobility will probably be upgraded to the Radeon 9700 Mobility, offering a 30% boost to 3D performance along with reduced power consumption and operating temperatures. Larger hard drives and high-performance disk options (5400 and 7200RPM) are expected to round out the update. It is widely expected to be announced with little fanfare, but should keep new buyers interested until the PBG5 drops in August or September at 1.6-2.0GHZ.
Click to view Mac-Ale's profile Member 298 posts since
Aug 3, 2001
11. Feb 9, 2004 12:49 PM in response to: pollacjw
Re: Update cycle
Updates are hardly clock work on six month cycles, and rumor sites are more often wrong than right...get a G4 laptop and learn the OS, its not going to be a dinosaur by 2005 or anything...