Tuesday 25th January 2005 is set to be the release date of some new Apple products (from 2x sources):

Source 1
A reliable source has informed macosXrumors that Apple may be preparing to release new Powerbooks as well as new eMacs next Tuesday. The renewal of both Powerbook and eMac lines have been expected for some time now, while first signs of EOL were noticed earlier this week. Confirmation on the technical details of the new Powerbooks and revelations on the new eMacs’ specifications have also been provided by the source.

A processor speed-bump to 1.5Ghz (12″) and 1.66Ghz (15″ and 17″), improved graphics and other minor enhancements are expected for the new Powerbooks (as mentioned on our earlier postings), while the new eMac should be based on the PowerPC G5 processor running at 1.6Ghz and may also have improved graphics, according to the source.

More confirmation comes from a reseller in Canada who says there is a “strong indicator” of EOL for Powerbooks and eMacs, as estimated time to arrival is 4 to 5 days across the Powerbook and eMac lines, which usually means there is a line renewal. Moreover, one big tech retail chain in France, which is not Fnac (mentioned in recent news), has only 1 Powerbook in stock and availability on new orders are 7 to 10 days.

Although we feel pretty confident about the new Powerbooks and eMacs technical specifications, we are a bit more cautious for the release date, as even reliable sources have lately been inaccurate on that kind of information. Anyway, we are quite sure that the update will happen either this coming Tuesday, or the week after.

UPDATE: ThinkSecret confirms that new Powerbooks are coming next Tuesday or the week after.

Source 2
The next iPod mini, code-named Q22B and referred to as Osiris inside Apple, will sport a higher capacity hard drive, very likely 5GB. Sources speculate that Apple will tap Seagate for the part, abandoning current iPod mini drive supplier Hitatchi for the time being. Hitatchi's one-inch hard drive currently tops out at 4GB, although 8GB and 10GB versions are due for release later this year and may very well find their way into a future iPod mini.

Other changes arriving with the next Pod mini are less clear, although its updated firmware may bring with it new functionality. The form factor is expected to remain the same, but Apple may add or change the colors that it offers.

While Apple is expected to finish the next iPod mini in early February, it could take more than a month before Apple announces and rolls the product out.

5G iPod

Information pertaining to Apple's fifth-generation iPod is extremely scarce as Apple has gone to extraordinary measures to protect the confidentiality of its cash cow music player. The 5G iPod, which Think Secret doesn't expect will appear until the middle of the year at the earliest, will move away from the iconic white form factor towards a more silver enclosure that matches the Mac mini, PowerBook, and Power Mac products, sources say. The new iPod is currently in development under the code-name Q98.

Apple is expected to tap Toshiba for the company's new 80GB 1.8-inch hard drive when it becomes available later this year, although more appealing is the single-platter 40GB hard drive Toshiba is also developing. Current 40GB iPods use a Toshiba drive with two 20GB platters, which accounts for that model's added heft compared to the 20GB iPod. A single-platter 40GB drive will enable a 5G iPod to be as thin as today's 20GB model.

PowerBooks

Channel supply of current PowerBook G4 models is completely dry, sources say, leading Think Secret to believe that the updated models, reported earlier this month, will probably arrive in a quiet announcement on Tuesday, January 25 or, at the latest, February 2.

The new models will boost the PowerBook G4 line from 1.33/1.5GHz to 1.5/1.67GHz. Other changes include faster hard drives, more video memory at the high end, and Bluetooth 2.0. See our January 10 report for more details.

Cool, now I wonder how long before I can scrap together enough for a 12" powerbook .

Finally, thanks

I think its a little too quick for a 5G iPod...

Ya, they should wait for the ipod sales to go down before coming out with the 5G or else many people will feel ripped off

Do any of you think that the PowerBooks will be less expensive after that?

A thinner 40GB model would be sweet.

Indeed, I didn't realise how much thinner the 20GBs were compared to the 40GBs until I was in the Apple store in London yesterday. I guess it's worth waiting to get an iPod Mini as well, I was gonna pick one of those up asap but I guess I can wait a while.

Dazzla, are you on a different computer now or did you not ship it out yet?

new emacs coming?

Wow, a new G5 eMac might switch my desicision from Mac mini to eMac.

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking too...

I was going to order a Mac Mini till I saw eMac G5

Let's hope it's on it's way soon...

If the 5G comes out that soon, I am going to have to murder some bitches.


Seriously.

(40gb 4g owner)

Right behind you...

I can't decide if I want to go on and buy the PowerBook when it's update next week or the week after, or do I wait and buy the PowerBook G5 when it comes out

Behind you also. The just updated them at the end of July.

i'm definitely going to pick up the new revision powerbook g4 if they come out in the next couple of weeks.

edit: so 12" will be upped to 1.5ghz?

Why would anyone need an 80GB ipod? I can't even fill my 20GB ipod...

i just sold my 40gb in anticipation of the new 5g. I borrowed my friends extra 20gb...and i can't stand not having all 30gb's of my music on it...so much work to pick the 20gb's that i want on it.

Like tetuyeda, I'll also buy the next revision of PowerBooks when they're released. I'm tossing up between the iBook, Mac Mini and PowerBook but depending on money, I think I'll go the PowerBook 12".

They'll most likely be 1.5GHz tetuyeda, from 1.33.

score...that just sealed the deal. i was going to buy a 12" pbook this weekend. but i can most definitely wait for the new ones. possibly wait until next paycheck and spoil myself some more (superdrive or something)

Indeed, I just bought my iPod Mini last year! And they're selling something with an extra GB? Crap is all I can say...

Really? you rich nugget ...

Hmm, how much quciker do you think the new 17" Powerbooks will be than my current one?
I have a 1.5ghz and 1gb of ram with a 128mb radeon 9700.

I dont think the speed increase will warrent me getting a new one, what do you think?

I think i will wait for the g5 powerbooks if they ever come out

because the world doesn't revolve around you and some people have 100+gb of mp3s.

"Momma",
I think they're upgrading the 15 and 17" Powerbooks from 1.5 to about 1.7 GHz.

Seeming as you've got a top of the range 17" PB, its probably pointless you upgrading the the new one, as the increase in speed is a mere 0.2GHz. Ud be better off waiting for the G5s (hopefully Q3-4 2005)

edit: Apple are probably going to add a few other updates, like bluetooth 2.0 and maybe a couple of other things, like making standard video memory for the 15"super and 17" 128meg as standard.

and even if they did, i dont think it's a worthy upgrade for Momma.

This is great news if it's true. I am seriously considering buying a 12" Powerbook and if the speed does go to 1.5GHz (G5 or not) I will be one happy camper.

The funny thing is, I can't imagine Apple releasing new Powerbooks that are only G4's. I mean, that just doesn't make any sense to me ... unless they are really having a tough time cooling the G5's in notebook form.

well i just sold my 3g 20gb for 145GBP, so im going to wait for more info on the 5G before i go out and buy the IRiver H320

BLOODY HELL!!!!!!!

NOW THEY'RE UPGRADING THE IPOD MINI????????

sons of bitches

who the **** needs 80 gb?

who the hell has lived long enough to amass 20,000 songs unless apple can come up with a way to import records

^that... would be awesome

How much do you think I can sell a 20gig 4G iPod for? Damn Apple upgrading to the 5G's so early.

Does it really matter if you don't have the latest and greatest as long as the product does what you want?

i think 80gb for an ipod, is a bit outrageous

It'll be unlikely, but I hope they'll bump the Mac mini to Bluetooth 2.0

Yes, it does matter. If I want the latest I will get the latest. Does that really apply to you?

I'm going to hit my iPod's storage wall sometime in the upcoming months. I've got ~21 gigs right now. 14 gigs more doesn't seem too far off.

I'll upgrade when the 60 or 80gb only costs 400 dollars.

Geez, people should read more. They aren't upgrading the iPod now. The report said at least mid year. 80 Gb is great. There are people out there with 20,000 song libraries. And to those who don't, then it would be extra storage space!

Also, the iPod mini needs to be upgraded anyway. It was introduced in January last year and shipped in July.

So stop complaining cause technology is always moving forward. You kinda expect that. There will always be people who buy it and it gets upgraded the next day.

i totally agree with you Phillip, i couldnt understand why there were people wanting to sell their ipods etc now when the 5G is some time away. i hope the new emacs are sleek looking the current ones are pretty ugly.

80gbs would be nice for 2 reasons.. 1 there is some great storage space for backing up files or even transfering them from one computer to another that arent on a network or something and also ofcourse for those with rediculously large music libraries or who like to have music entirely in 320kbs. the second point could be with an 80gb model we might see a reduction in the other items.. i mean sure its unlikely with such a great selling product at the price they are at but i cant imagine too many people buying the 80gb version if its not at a reasonable price.

i would also hope that the new mini / 5G ipods could come with colour.. i mean the ipod photo hasnt been doing as well as they wanted and personally i think its a joke it doesnt have USB2GO cause its no good if your on the go and want to store it and take more pictures. it would be nice to see them combine the photo with the regular.. although again this is all hopeful thoughts and i cant see it comming to fruition or however you spell it.

Interesting stuff, just as well i didn't order an iPod min last night for the girlfriend!

Do we know if the eMac is going to be a flat panel?? Something like the iMac G4 was perhaps? I read a rumor a few days ago that apple was wanting to move away from crt displays.

Dougal.

Line-in and some audio recording software like Roxio's Jam?

i feel sorry for those that sold their ipods

like previous posters have mentioned, the articles state that the 5G iPod is still in the works and will be released mid year at the earliest.

the only thing i would expect to be released are updated PowerBooks and possibly a 5GB iPod mini

You actually think I would really sell it that quickly? I only asked to see what peoples opinions are about how much it would sell for. I do plan to sell it in the future so I can get it. I mean come on people its only rumors right now. RELAX.

i was referring to the other posters who have claimed to have already sold their iPod based on these articles

So what happened to these updates? Was hoping they would have happened by now!!

Dougal.

I wasn't saying that the 80GB iPod isn't a good idea. In fact, I love the idea of having a huge extremely portable harddrive that is a great music player too boot. What I am saying is that I think upgrading to the latest and greatest iPod just for the newness factot is rediculous. Especially if the current iPod you have holds all of your music and works just fine.

I'm thinking about getting an iPod once some financial stuff is taken care of.....next few weeks I think.

Do you think that the 5G is worth waiting a few months for? My intention was to only get the 20g 4G since at most I've got like 8gigs of MP3s. I'd be using the extra space for files, contacts, etc.

Seriously, what more besides longer battery life (12hrs is pretty damn good) or a better display could they do?


T

You'd be better off waiting because with the release of the 5g Apple is sure to bring the price/per gigabyte down. Even if you're not going to use all the space, you might save some money depending on the price structure for the new ones, and you don't want to get screwed out of $100 or so just because you didn't wait a few months.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/01/27/ap...e_powerbook_g5/

Saw that earlier today, bit of a random clue that!! maybe it will come to fruition, we shall see.

Dougal.

I hope updated PowerBooks come, even if they are not G5's. I was looking at getting an iBook, on the cheap in, 12" with combo drive, Airport and bluetooth (upgrade ram from a place like Crucial). I am going to sell my iMac to do this, plus my new job nets me in a lot more money. I was thinking instead at looking at the current PB models, getting a 15" combo drive 1.33GHz, backlit keyboard and APP (I aint' going without a warrenty again for laptop, stupid Dell POS I had last...) I am either going to use my student discount, or get the Student ADC membership, I'll save $100 by getting that instead. I wanta laptop again, and selling my iMac to get a iBook or PowerBook lets me keep a Mac, and get a portable. I was leaning more towards the 15" PB for the Radeon 9700 in it for playing World of Warcraft on the side too, when I am on the go and have a net conncetion. I was going to be selling the iMac here soon, so I'm waiting to see what Apple comes out with, G5 or not.