Comments on: Powerbook G5: A Hard Look http://theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/ TheAppleBlog, published by and for the day-to-day Apple user, is a prominent source for news, reviews, walkthroughs, and real life application of all Apple products. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:41:51 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Nick Santilli http://theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-607 Nick Santilli Sun, 30 Jul 2006 05:18:22 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-607 Randy, Well there is no PowerBook G5. Rather, Apple switched to the Intel platform of processors, so there's a CoreDuo powered MacBook Pro. You'll find a lot more about that if you look around a bit. Randy,
Well there is no PowerBook G5. Rather, Apple switched to the Intel platform of processors, so there’s a CoreDuo powered MacBook Pro. You’ll find a lot more about that if you look around a bit.

]]> By: Randy http://theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-606 Randy Sun, 30 Jul 2006 05:06:33 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-606 Hi all, new to the blog thing... but got a comment... since the powerbook g5 is out, why cant I find more comments/blogs on it? I really like the idea of running both os's, mainly for work, any advice where to find more info? Thanks Hi all, new to the blog thing… but got a comment… since the powerbook g5 is out, why cant I find more comments/blogs on it? I really like the idea of running both os’s, mainly for work, any advice where to find more info? Thanks

]]> By: nick santilli http://theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-604 nick santilli Thu, 10 Feb 2005 00:44:09 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-604 Fred - thanks for the great details. Definitely lends some optimism to the G5 PB sooner than later. Though after the recent speed bump, MacWorld Boston may be a bit soon to have an announcement. But still, I'd love to hear it! Fred – thanks for the great details. Definitely lends some optimism to the G5 PB sooner than later.

Though after the recent speed bump, MacWorld Boston may be a bit soon to have an announcement. But still, I’d love to hear it!

]]> By: Fred http://theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-605 Fred Thu, 10 Feb 2005 00:25:57 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-605 The 100w power Nick quoted must be total power not cpu. The PPC970 consumes anywhere from 12 to 45w depending on clock speed and has power management built-in. If you look at the new imacs their form factor isn't that different from the powerbook and they seem to handle the power dissipation issue (180w max continuous) fairly well and it has a 600MHz FSB. Now they will have to package a battery and keyboard in as well but after seeing what the Apple engineers did with the mini, It wouldn't be too hard to imagine a 1.8 GHz G5 Powerbook in time for MacWorld Boston. The 100w power Nick quoted must be total power not cpu. The PPC970 consumes anywhere from 12 to 45w depending on clock speed and has power management built-in. If you look at the new imacs their form factor isn’t that different from the powerbook and they seem to handle the power dissipation issue (180w max continuous) fairly well and it has a 600MHz FSB. Now they will have to package a battery and keyboard in as well but after seeing what the Apple engineers did with the mini, It wouldn’t be too hard to imagine a 1.8 GHz G5 Powerbook in time for MacWorld Boston.

]]> By: norb http://theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-603 norb Thu, 03 Feb 2005 13:53:44 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-603 I agree with a few of you, why do we think the new PB has to look or feel like the last PB? Also, why doesn't Apple start to look at other processors or get away from IBM and G whatever anyway? I agree with a few of you, why do we think the new PB has to look or feel like the last PB? Also, why doesn’t Apple start to look at other processors or get away from IBM and G whatever anyway?

]]> By: flyermoney http://theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-602 flyermoney Thu, 03 Feb 2005 13:49:50 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-602 ...and depending on how the forthcoming Cell processor evolves, possibility is that PowerMacs and PowerBooks will jump to the new architecture before PowerBook G5s ever appear... …and depending on how the forthcoming Cell processor evolves, possibility is that PowerMacs and PowerBooks will jump to the new architecture before PowerBook G5s ever appear…

]]> By: flyermoney http://theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-601 flyermoney Thu, 03 Feb 2005 13:47:39 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-601 The PowerBook G5 would have great marketing appeal, but the fact is that having a 64-bit processor gets really interesting only when you throw boatloads of RAM at it (2GB is the max when it comes to laptops) to address Big-Science challenges (astrophysics, bio-sciences), humoungous Photoshop files, insane multitasking or gigantic databases, and a totally 64-bit operating system (Tiger). Apple will surely offer energy and heat-efficient dual-core G4 laptops with faster buses (the current 167MHz mega-hurts performance) before going G5... The PowerBook G5 would have great marketing appeal, but the fact is that having a 64-bit processor gets really interesting only when you throw boatloads of RAM at it (2GB is the max when it comes to laptops) to address Big-Science challenges (astrophysics, bio-sciences), humoungous Photoshop files, insane multitasking or gigantic databases, and a totally 64-bit operating system (Tiger).

Apple will surely offer energy and heat-efficient dual-core G4 laptops with faster buses (the current 167MHz mega-hurts performance) before going G5…

]]> By: daver http://theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-600 daver Thu, 03 Feb 2005 06:05:00 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-600 <i>What if there never is a G5 Powerbook?...what if they’ve diverted their resources to the Next Thing...? </i> Why wouldn't the Next Thing have the same issues that the G5 has? Unless it's this new 'crossbar latch' thing from HP (which is probably years down the road), it seems to me that every advance in processor tech will have the same issues as the one before it, and will require a little (or a lot) more work to squeeze it into a small, lightweight space. So it will always trickle down from desktop to laptop because desktop is inherently easier: space and weight is less of an issue, so it's easier to solve the problems there first, then tackle the harder problems. Maybe there will be a breakthru on the portable side, but it seems to me that in that case it would be introduced in all systems simultaneously, for the simple reason that anything you can do in a portable you can do at least as easily, if not easier, in a desktop. What if there never is a G5 Powerbook?…what if they’ve diverted their resources to the Next Thing…?
Why wouldn’t the Next Thing have the same issues that the G5 has? Unless it’s this new ‘crossbar latch’ thing from HP (which is probably years down the road), it seems to me that every advance in processor tech will have the same issues as the one before it, and will require a little (or a lot) more work to squeeze it into a small, lightweight space. So it will always trickle down from desktop to laptop because desktop is inherently easier: space and weight is less of an issue, so it’s easier to solve the problems there first, then tackle the harder problems. Maybe there will be a breakthru on the portable side, but it seems to me that in that case it would be introduced in all systems simultaneously, for the simple reason that anything you can do in a portable you can do at least as easily, if not easier, in a desktop.

]]> By: Jon http://theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-599 Jon Thu, 03 Feb 2005 05:48:07 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-599 Be careful when attributing a cause-and-effect to the G5 "requiring" 9 fans to cool it. The 9 fans are <b>not</b> needed for cooling. Apple could have done it with far fewer fans, like on PCs. Apple chose 9 fans to cool it <b>quietly</b>, distributing the load across the cooling zones so that each fan doesn't have to turn as fast. Be careful when attributing a cause-and-effect to the G5 “requiring” 9 fans to cool it.

The 9 fans are not needed for cooling. Apple could have done it with far fewer fans, like on PCs. Apple chose 9 fans to cool it quietly, distributing the load across the cooling zones so that each fan doesn’t have to turn as fast.

]]> By: deepkid http://theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-598 deepkid Thu, 03 Feb 2005 04:46:23 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-598 Don't worry, there will be a G5 powerbook introduced. Even if it's not the chips previously mentioned. Till then, I'll be satisfied with my recent move from a tibook 550 to an albook 1.33. That rocks my own world. Don’t worry, there will be a G5 powerbook introduced. Even if it’s not the chips previously mentioned.

Till then, I’ll be satisfied with my recent move from a tibook 550 to an albook 1.33. That rocks my own world.

]]> By: nick santilli http://theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-597 nick santilli Wed, 02 Feb 2005 21:04:23 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-597 I was teetering on saying there may not be a G5. I couldn't bring myself to do it though (Because I want one so bad, or because i don't believe it...not sure) Very good points about THink Different. Maybe their next portable is a Tablet-esque machine. Who knows. But in the end, as Different as Apple is, I don't think they could afford to let the PB line stagnate and not produce a G5 predecessor. That would be a costly mistake in the year of Apple. They've got too much momentum to hold off in lieu of the next big thing. Just my opinion of course. Whatever their next portable upgrade is, it'll be something to blow us away (as you said), and continue the mass exodus over to the Apple side. I was teetering on saying there may not be a G5. I couldn’t bring myself to do it though (Because I want one so bad, or because i don’t believe it…not sure)

Very good points about THink Different. Maybe their next portable is a Tablet-esque machine. Who knows.

But in the end, as Different as Apple is, I don’t think they could afford to let the PB line stagnate and not produce a G5 predecessor. That would be a costly mistake in the year of Apple. They’ve got too much momentum to hold off in lieu of the next big thing.

Just my opinion of course. Whatever their next portable upgrade is, it’ll be something to blow us away (as you said), and continue the mass exodus over to the Apple side.

]]> By: tim http://theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-596 tim Wed, 02 Feb 2005 20:58:29 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-596 Also, one more point: Where is it written that all leaps forward in the computer world have to start on the desktop, then trickle down to portable devices? I know heat and size are a huge factor, at least with the G5, which went from an enormous tower to a smaller, but still fairly large and thick enclosure for the iMac, but is it technologically conceivable that the next great leap can be made first in the portable arena, then migrate back to the desktop? Also, one more point: Where is it written that all leaps forward in the computer world have to start on the desktop, then trickle down to portable devices? I know heat and size are a huge factor, at least with the G5, which went from an enormous tower to a smaller, but still fairly large and thick enclosure for the iMac, but is it technologically conceivable that the next great leap can be made first in the portable arena, then migrate back to the desktop?

]]> By: tim http://theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-595 tim Wed, 02 Feb 2005 20:52:21 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-595 What if there never is a G5 Powerbook? What if Apple has already run all the scenarios and decided, nope, it just won't happen, for all the reasons cited above. And what if they've diverted their resources to the Next Thing (The Processor That Will Not Be Called G6) already? What if they've written off 2005 as a holding year, with incremental bumps to the G4 line and are working on some kickin' liquid-cooled, super-fast 3 ghz machine? And, finally, what if what we think of as laptop form factor isn't what they come back with? After all, we thought we knew desktops, then we saw the iMac flatscreen. We thought we knew all-in-one design, then Apple came out with the iMac G5 with its long "chin." We even thought that music players absolutely had to have a screen and along came the Shuffle. My point is, I fully expect Apple to come up with a portable solution that makes us all drool AND slap our head at the same time. What if there never is a G5 Powerbook? What if Apple has already run all the scenarios and decided, nope, it just won’t happen, for all the reasons cited above. And what if they’ve diverted their resources to the Next Thing (The Processor That Will Not Be Called G6) already? What if they’ve written off 2005 as a holding year, with incremental bumps to the G4 line and are working on some kickin’ liquid-cooled, super-fast 3 ghz machine?

And, finally, what if what we think of as laptop form factor isn’t what they come back with? After all, we thought we knew desktops, then we saw the iMac flatscreen. We thought we knew all-in-one design, then Apple came out with the iMac G5 with its long “chin.” We even thought that music players absolutely had to have a screen and along came the Shuffle.

My point is, I fully expect Apple to come up with a portable solution that makes us all drool AND slap our head at the same time.

]]> By: nick santilli http://theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-594 nick santilli Wed, 02 Feb 2005 18:28:21 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-594 Ha! Yeah, I'm going in to edit it now... Ha! Yeah, I’m going in to edit it now…

]]> By: Chris http://theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-593 Chris Wed, 02 Feb 2005 18:26:36 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-593 Easy. Use the Energy Saver prefs pane. Nick - perhaps "capacity" wasn't the best word to use here ;) cl Easy. Use the Energy Saver prefs pane.

Nick – perhaps “capacity” wasn’t the best word to use here ;)

cl

]]> By: nick santilli http://theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-592 nick santilli Wed, 02 Feb 2005 18:24:05 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-592 Sorry Jon, poor wording on my part. I meant that I don't use power saving measures on the cpu (via System Prefs) when I'm running on battery, I keep it running full tilt. I didn't mean that it was over-clocked or anything like that. Sorry Jon, poor wording on my part. I meant that I don’t use power saving measures on the cpu (via System Prefs) when I’m running on battery, I keep it running full tilt.

I didn’t mean that it was over-clocked or anything like that.

]]> By: Jon http://theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-591 Jon Wed, 02 Feb 2005 18:21:16 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/02/02/powerbook-g5-a-hard-look/#comment-591 About your 17" PB, you said: "I usually run the processor at its highest capacity"... how can you change the processor's capacity???? About your 17″ PB, you said: “I usually run the processor at its highest capacity”… how can you change the processor’s capacity????

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