The Apple PowerBook Roadmap-No Fit For Me
I saw an article on Apple Insider stating that the 12 inch PowerBook is no longer on Apple’s roadmap. Unfortunately, that means I am not either, at least as far as PowerBooks are concerned. That’s too bad. I really like the machines.
The smallest PowerBook Apple intends to offer is the 15 incher. Ever tried to use one of those in an airplane? Frankly, they don’t fit on a seat tray; and I’m not of the mindset to cram one into my lap.
My needs for a laptop lie in two areas, i.e., work and air-travel. I use my PowerBook at work because it allows me to run OS X there, and it’s ergonomically and practically more comfortable for me. I travel by air either on the airlines (usually Southwest) or in my own aircraft. A 12 inch format is much easier to lug around or use on both aircraft. Using a 15 inch screen in either place is barely workable and is especially cumbersome if needed in the small confines of my Cheetah’s cockpit. So, a 15 inch notebook is out. I will buy a Windows powered 12 incher before hauling a 15 inch machine powered by OS X.
The story said that Apple would release a 13 inch widescreen iBook. Whether that remains a viable option depends on which CPU’s Apple puts in the machines. If it’s a dumbed down Celeron, I most likely would not bite. If it’s some kind of dual-core Pentium offering, I’ll be tempted.
Apple needs to be careful to ensure it’s not making a major marketing mistake with the move to Intel by also moving too far away from the product formats that have made it profitable. Apple can’t afford to consolidate its product line too much, or it risks losing customers to Windows simply because that platform offers more choices in specific areas the company has chosen not to compete in. Could it be that my current 1.5 GHz G4 PowerBook is my last Apple laptop?
The smallest PowerBook Apple intends to offer is the 15 incher. Ever tried to use one of those in an airplane? Frankly, they don’t fit on a seat tray; and I’m not of the mindset to cram one into my lap.
My needs for a laptop lie in two areas, i.e., work and air-travel. I use my PowerBook at work because it allows me to run OS X there, and it’s ergonomically and practically more comfortable for me. I travel by air either on the airlines (usually Southwest) or in my own aircraft. A 12 inch format is much easier to lug around or use on both aircraft. Using a 15 inch screen in either place is barely workable and is especially cumbersome if needed in the small confines of my Cheetah’s cockpit. So, a 15 inch notebook is out. I will buy a Windows powered 12 incher before hauling a 15 inch machine powered by OS X.
The story said that Apple would release a 13 inch widescreen iBook. Whether that remains a viable option depends on which CPU’s Apple puts in the machines. If it’s a dumbed down Celeron, I most likely would not bite. If it’s some kind of dual-core Pentium offering, I’ll be tempted.
Apple needs to be careful to ensure it’s not making a major marketing mistake with the move to Intel by also moving too far away from the product formats that have made it profitable. Apple can’t afford to consolidate its product line too much, or it risks losing customers to Windows simply because that platform offers more choices in specific areas the company has chosen not to compete in. Could it be that my current 1.5 GHz G4 PowerBook is my last Apple laptop?
posted by Andy Foster at
5:46 AM
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