Powerbook G4 - 3rd Week of Oct?

Kodawarisan posts some more information about upcoming PowerBook G4 upgrades (Excite Translation)

Most significantly -- the Superdrive is not expected to be an internal option.

Less crappy Babelfish translation, anyone? :rolleyes:

"September 15 of 2002 day
As for new PowerBook G4 in next month 3rd week announcement

According to information, that as for the new PowerBook G4 of rumor there is no substantial frame modification with the clock of the 1ghz/800Mhz, the Superdrive of expectation regrettable does not become with built-in, is announced with option of outside attaching type it seems."

Speeds: 800 to 1000MHz, as rumored countless time before
Drive: Probably Combo internal, attachable DVD-Burner (probably via Firewire, add maybe $500)

I most likely think it will come with 10.2.1 and iDVD, but I'm pondering whether or not PC2100/PC2700 will make its way into the Ti enclousre.

just got the 667 about two months ago and as always the new models come out 6 months later. I might upgrade in about 6 months. But i'm very happy with how my 667 performs.

I knew the "slim Superdrive" rumors for the PBG4 sounded too good to be true. This sounds a lot more realistic. I would be VERY happy if Apple finally does have the sense to give Powerbook users the option of using an external DVD-RW drive (legally even!) and iDVD. Maybe that's just wishful thinking though...I guess we'll see what happens...

how reliable is that site? anyone know? None the less I was hoping that the update would come in a little over 2 weeks. Instead it seems we have over a month to twiddle our thumbs.

Someone mentioned that they should start making the Powerbooks out of Magnesium (lighter, stronger, etc.). Weren't the NeXT Cubes made out of magnesium? Any good reasons not to switch?

magnesium? you mean magnesium paint? I thought the current PB didn't have any titanium parts on it, it was just the paint? at least that's what the rusting pictures seem to integrate


I think it's actually a good idea for the DVD-RW to be external, assuming that it's much less than what it would cost to just buy one third party. on one hand it's not so super portable, but on the other hand 1) can you even burn an entire DVD with a full battery and 2) why would you want to waist all your battery power burning a DVD when you could do something else and just burn it later?

Someone mentioned that they should start making the Powerbooks out of Magnesium (lighter, stronger, etc.). Weren't the NeXT Cubes made out of magnesium? Any good reasons not to switch?

Hey that is an idea, 'MagBook'.
Would Magnesium work better on the Airport? I can see them done in a cool black metal industrial design, think the Maglight, gone laptop w/ a hearty little Apple in the middle.
Although I doubt that it would come out in this update, but probably done when Apple flips over to it next incarnation next year.

Originally posted by formasfunction
how reliable is that site? anyone know? None the less I was hoping that the update would come in a little over 2 weeks. Instead it seems we have over a month to twiddle our thumbs.

Someone mentioned that they should start making the Powerbooks out of Magnesium (lighter, stronger, etc.). Weren't the NeXT Cubes made out of magnesium? Any good reasons not to switch?

The only reason I can think of that Apple isn't switching the TiBooks to MgBooks is that "magnesium" doesn't conjure up the same images as "titanium" in the minds of uninformed consumers.

Originally posted by Choppaface
magnesium? you mean magnesium paint? I thought the current PB didn't have any titanium parts on it, it was just the paint? at least that's what the rusting pictures seem to integrate

Do you have a link to those rusting pictures? I've never heard of a TiBook rusting... Do you mean the edges, around the palm rest? If so, that part of the TiBook is actually black carbon fiber painted light gray.

I always thought the metal part of the TiBook was extremely thin titanium, with a coat of matte silver paint on top to make it uglier and more prone to scratching.

well the speed bump to 1ghz i could see happening...but the internal superdrive? i think they are right. after reading comments all over from the engineers saying what a pain it was to even get the combo drive into this case and how tough it is to make these suckers i can see no internal superdrive and no bid desire on apples part to alter the case.

thats just what i think