Released 25/01/05: iPod mini, 5G iPod & PowerBooks

[DjmUK]

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 afUPDATE: ThinkSecret confirms that new Powerbooks are coming next Tuesday or the week after.r.<Source 2l][/b]u>

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 5G iPodod

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 moPowerBooksks

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.s.

[SonComet]

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

[Detroit]

Finally, thanks :)

[robniep]

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

[Detroit]

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

[dt]

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

[giga Veteran]

A thinner 40GB model would be sweet. :yes:

[Dazzla Veteran]

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.

[Detroit]

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

[.Joa]

new emacs coming?

[anthony]

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

[.Joa]

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

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

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

[asdflkjsdrhthfhrhr]

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

Seriously.

(40gb 4g owner)

[robniep]

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

Seriously.

(40gb 4g owner)

585339459[/snapback]

Right behind you...

[Hurmoth]

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 :huh:

[mikedc1760]

Right behind you...

585339929[/snapback]

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

[tetuyeda]

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?

Edited January 23, 2005 by tetuyeda

[Hills420]

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

[tetuyeda]

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

585340885[/snapback]

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.

[Huy]

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.

[tetuyeda]

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.

585340898[/snapback]

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)

[SaLiVa]

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

585335226[/snapback]

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

[Winston]

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.

585340898[/snapback]

Really? you rich nugget :p...

[Momma]

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

[s0ldats]

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

585340885[/snapback]

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