Shaddup about G5 PowerBooks already!

[Randman]

Sorry, but gotta rant on this one.
I am truly tired of hearing people ask about G5 PowerBooks as if they'll be some Holy Grail and completely revolutionize computing.
I own a PB17, rev c, and I've worked on G5 PowerMacs and G5 iMacs. And while the desktops are more powerful, in the long run, the increase in power won't be life-altering.
If more people just got a little more ram, performances would increase as much if not more than going to a 1.8 G5.

The PB line will go to G5 at some time, but the PM and iMacs line looks as if it'll be ahead of the curve then. Plus, you have rev a, which I've always been a little leery of.

If you have an older system, get an iMac or PM if you truly crave a G5. If you have a rev b or rev c PB, be happy with it until it's time to upgrade.
But jeez, having people create posts every other day asking if PowerBook G5s are coming around the corner is laughable at this point.

Am I alone in this thinking, or is it that I'm just immune to the Reality Distortion Field on this one?

[Zammy-Sam]

I actually agree with you, Rand. However, I think there is something behind major upgrades. You are right, there can't be so much increase in speed (if at all). But there is some magic behind new stuff that I can't describe. I am very curious how the cooling would work, how the new case (if) looks like, if they will renew the screens, how the battery duration will be.. It's not really about the G5 processor. We know how the G5s perform and that a G5 powerbook wouldn't out-perform the current PM. But..

[symphonix]

Yeah, I feel the same way as you Randman. For anyone who has asked me recently if its worth waiting for a G5 PowerBook to be released, I've told them simply No. These are not likely to be released in the first half of this year, and even when they are released, they're not going to be much faster than the existing G4s. Now, if you want to hang around until September-December-ish which is what my best info suggests is the date for the launch of the G5 PowerBook, and then wait another 6-8 weeks for one to be delivered, and then have a cry on the forums because a 1.6 ghz G5 is only marginally faster than a 1.5 ghz G4, then frankly I don't want to hear it.

The current PowerBook is powerful, well designed, proven and very affordable. If that's not good enough for you, you will not find a better laptop anywhere else - period.

[Pengu]

I think maybe people expect other updates with the G5.. Optical audio, SATA, decent speed FSB, faster RAM, etc..

[Randman]

Originally Posted by Pengu

I think maybe people expect other updates with the G5.. Optical audio, SATA, decent speed FSB, faster RAM, etc..

Like any of those things couldn't come with a rev d G4?

[Cat]

Indeed, some couldn't. G4: "decent speed FSB" sold separately. The G5 PMs have ~ TEN TIMES the FSB speed of the G4 based machines. That could be worth waiting for IMHO ... if indeed they come out this year.

[Pengu]

Im not saying they couldn't.. but given that most of those things are controlled by the new co-developed system controller in the G5, im guessing they won't come soon... I mean. RAM is still fast. and you can add a USB optical port.. but stuff like the FSB and SATA have REAL benefits, but are somewhat a limitation of the G4 (well, FSB is at least)

[Perseus]

Yes, I was curious at some point about powerbook G5s, but not because I thought it would be some life altering thing. I was only wondering, plain and simple.