After 40 weeks since the last iBook release, Apple finally updated its iBook line. The release is pretty much in line with previous predictions:
12" screen
1.33 GHz G4 7447A
40 GB HD
512 MB RAM
Core Image GPU (Radeon 9550, better than the predicted GeForce FX 5200U)
We also see built-in Airport Extreme (as before), included Bluetooth 2.0, Sudden Motion Sensor technology to protect the hard drive, and the scrolling trackpad. What we don't see is 64 MB RAM for the GPU. Given the relatively low resolution of the screen, 32 MB is usable, even though 64 MB would have been preferred. We didn't see a widescreen form factor, but that seemed unlikely in the first place. The price is unchanged, at US$999.
The 14" iBook now has a built-in SuperDrive as well, whereas it used to cost $1499 with the SuperDrive. If you don't need the SuperDrive, you can select a combo drive to bring down the current 14" model's price to $1199. Interestingly, the 14" iBook has a 142 MHz bus, which doesn't exist on any other Mac as far as I know.
Overall, the new iBooks look like a very nice buy. I bought the new iBook 12" in fact.
However, the Mac mini updates, although reasonable, are more of a mixed bag. They didn't get a clockspeed upgrade, and they did not get a fully Core Image compliant GPU. In the era of Tiger, I would have hoped that all Macs would support the full Core Image feature set in hardware. More important however is the fact that the Mac mini did not receive an increase to the amount of GPU RAM included. While 32 MB is passable on the iBook (with its built-in 1024x768 screen), it is too little for a 2005 desktop in my opinion. Running Exposé with 32 MB on a 17" screen is not ideal (although acceptable for many), and can be outright painful on a 20" screen.
The 1.42 GHz Mac mini seems like a more reasonable upgrade. Apple has stopped including the modem on those units, but instead have included internal Airport Extreme and Bluetooth, a nice upgrade. Thus, it seems the new bang-for-the-buck Mac mini unit is the $599 1.42 GHz Mac mini. It's still stuck with the 32 MB GPU RAM though.
One wonders if part of the reason the Mac mini did not get a speedbump relates to the power output and cost of the CPU. Freescale's datasheet claims the 1.42 GHz G4 7447A has a maximum power output of 30 Watts. Keeping the CPU at 1.42 GHz keeps costs down, and makes it easier to keep Mac minis from overheating. Mind you, the 12" PowerBook handles the 1.5 GHz G4 just fine, and the 15" PowerBook goes up to a 1.67 GHz G4.
Because the Mac mini's upgrades are not as impressive as they could have been, those looking at the Mac mini really should look hard at the iMac G5 too. It is a very good value, and in my opinion represents the better buy for most customers.
[Update 2005-05-27]
Sergey asked if I'm sure the Radeon 9550 supports Core Image. The answer is yes, I'm sure it has full hardware Core Image support. It seems that Apple's Core Image page just hasn't been updated yet.
By the way, my iBook shipped today. :)
[Update 2005-05-27 Part 2]
Apple's Core Image page has now been updated to include the Radeon 9550.
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4 comments:
I find this update rather weak. The increase in cpu power won't matter much, and the touchpad thing is allready possible with the right software. Anyway it's time they updated their iBooks, but not enough to convince me to replace my iBook 14" 1Ghz.
And a nice site btw :)
Are you sure about the Radeon 9550? According to Apple's own Core Image supported hardware list, the Radeon 9550 is not a Core Image compatible chip.
Could you test the ripple effect for me when the iBook will be delivered? :P And could you also test if the screen spanning hack works?
If those two things are working, I will buying one of these next week :)
Well that's good news. I guess I should consider the iBook after all ;)
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