[Satchmo]

Kind of slow in the future hardware forum these days with many of Apple's hardware updated recently.
That said, I thought I'd throw out the idea of Apple re-introducing a black coloured Powerbook in the new year.

Should a G5 based PB be in the offering in mid to late 2005, it may warrant a slightly thicker form factor. And to further distinguish it as the top of the line laptop, it could be clad in black. They could even keep the current G4 Aluminums as a mid-line model.
Besides, Jobs' neXT machine was black, he wears black turtlenecks, and the U2 iPod is black.

[709]

If the carbon fiber rumors are true, then yes, I'd expect a black G5 PB. In fact, that *is* what I'm expecting.

[LoCash]

Maybe I just don't hang out in this forum enough, but... what carbon fiber rumors?

[psmith2.0]

Nooooo...it's so nice right now: aluminum for pro stuff, white plastic for the consumer gear.

Nice clean division, easy to get and understand. And the PowerBooks look so nice next to the Cinema Displays, in that matching aluminum bod. Apple isn't going to change the displays because that would mean changing the G5s.

I think the next PowerBook (G5 or whatever) will still be aluminum/silver.

I hope so.

I bet aluminum stays around for a good while, as the official, understood "pro look". Rather, should I say "silver" (other materials than aluminum might be used in a G5 PowerBook, but the coloring of today's pro stuff could remain). And should.

[kscherer]

How about a silver-colored, carbon fiber-cased, G5 dual-core, 2GB RAM, 250GB HDD, 10 battery, blah, blah, blah . . .

I love PowerBook rumors. They are just too much fun!

Edit: How about 10 HOUR Battery!

[BuonRotto]

I think the next PowerBook will come with a cotton sweater. Maybe in fashionable black.

[applenut]

white for the consumer products is NOT attractive. it's cheap looking.

[Powerdoc]

Obviously Apple have tried all kind of colors for the powerbook : white, grey, black, colored, titanium, pearled white.
Now that they have tried everything, it's possible that they try a carbon black I mac.

It remind me TV : ten years ago, all TV where blacks, some where white. Now they are almost grey (metalised).
Unfortunately for TV, black is more easy to marry with your decoration than the alu look.

[Satchmo]

Originally Posted by pscates2.0 And the PowerBooks look so nice next to the Cinema Displays, in that matching aluminum bod.

You got a point there...but ever since the Titaniums were introduced, I've thought Apple was getting a bit too much form over function. They claimed the physical strengths of the Ti's, and less so with the Aluminums.

I harken back to those black Lombards. While heavy, they were tanks that could take quite a beating. No scuff marks. Perhaps there's a middle ground between durability and sexyness.

[kscherer]

Originally Posted by Satchmo You got a point there...but ever since the Titaniums were introduced, I've thought Apple was getting a bit too much form over function. They claimed the physical strengths of the Ti's, and less so with the Aluminums. I harken back to those black Lombards. While heavy, they were tanks that could take quite a beating. No scuff marks. Perhaps there's a middle ground between durability and sexyness.

If you recall, Apple claimed the strength of the G4 Powermacs until just shortly before the end of their production run. I would guess that Apple is no longer touting the strength of the PowerBook line because they are nearing the end of the production run and are gearing up for a new release.

By the way, keep in mind that Carbon Fiber objects of the complexity required for a PowerBook are difficult to mass-manufacture and would be extremely expensive. While Carbon Fiber is very light and very strong, the strength/weight ratio would likely be offset by the high price. I don't think there are many Mac faithful who would like to see the return of the $4000.00 plus PowerBook. In fact that kind of pricing would likely kill the forward momentum Apple has created in the PowerBook line.

[psmith2.0]

Originally Posted by applenut white for the consumer products is NOT attractive. it's cheap looking.

That's your opinion, nothing more. Others might share it, but I'm guessing plenty more like the clean, "goes with anything" look of it. Otherwise there would be this HUGE outcry of reviewers, customers, Macworld, Walt Mossberg and David Pogue types, artists, writers, etc. slamming Apple from every angle over this dreaded white plastic look, and demanding a change.

I don't see that happening, and in every review I read of consumer Apple gear I don't recall the white plastic EVER coming up as a negative or "con". If anything, most reviews and articles comment on how nice, clean and modern it looks.

What would you suggest for the consumer line (be serious...I'm genuinely curious)? Black? Gray? Platinum/beige? A return to colors? Clear acrylic? Graphite? Dark IBM blue? Earthy tones?

[psmith2.0]

Originally Posted by Satchmo You got a point there...but ever since the Titaniums were introduced, I've thought Apple was getting a bit too much form over function. They claimed the physical strengths of the Ti's, and less so with the Aluminums.

I recall upon the intro of the 12" and 17" PowerBooks in January 2003, Jobs talked about how this aluminum was stronger (or lighter)? Can't remember, but he framed his comments in such a way that it seemed as though he was praising aluminum over the previous Titanium.

Someone can check the keynote to confirm, but I swear I remember him praising the new aluminum quite a bit. Whether or not he was engaging in RDF-enhanced marketing hyperbole isn't the point...the point is he mentioned it, talked about it, compared it to Titanium in a more favorable way, etc.

I'd bet my eye on it. Someone have the video?

[kscherer]

One big problem with white is that it shows dirt and stains quite readily. It does look nice, when new and shiny, but can get kind of worn looking pretty fast. I like the look, but I do think that alternatives should be explored in the next true revision of the iBook. Colors are nice and I think that anodized aluminum enclosures would kick butt on the white stuff, although it is more expensive. How about anodized PowerBooks? Ti-dye, anyone?

[BuonRotto]

White shows dirt. Black shows dust. Both show fingerprints.

[Jay]

Originally Posted by BuonRotto White shows dirt. Black shows dust. Both show fingerprints.

Thats what I love about my Powerbook I can hardly see any fingerprints and it takes quite a bit of dirt to really be noticeable. Even then a little window cleaner on a rag and it's back to new.

[Mac+]

'scates I think Jobs did mention the Al favourably in comparison to Ti, but you and I both know he is *the* master of "spin".

Although I can't remember it exacty, I think it was something along the lines of lighter and still strong. Perhaps not as strong as Titanium - they certainly touted that as one of the lightest and strongest metals known to man when the TiBooks were introduced.

As for black - sure it would be a great change ... would suit music equipment and definitely look good on stage as well, but I agree with Paul, the aluminium look for the Pro gear is what ties it all together nicely. If they changed the PowerBook casing colour, I would think that would necessitate a display and possible G5 case colour change at some stage in the future too. Considering those displays were finally updated this year - not before time - I don't see it happening too soon in the future.

[BarracksSi]

Originally Posted by kscherer One big problem with white is that it shows dirt and stains quite readily.

That's so that everyone cleans it more often.

I honestly also believe that it's a side effect of the iPods' mirror-and-ice finish that people are more careful with them than with other music players.

I've had people say that the carbon fiber spoiler/wing on my car makes it look "ricey", as in tasteless riceburner car fashion. Imagine a riced-out carbon fiber Powerbook.

Carbon fiber does look awesome as a texture, though... but it's electrically conductive, too.

[El Guardo]

For what it's worth, carbon fibre doesn't necessarily mean black. As the below pictures show, and as any good cyclist willl tell you, carbon fibre can be made into any colour now - and the below silver/pearl colouring would suit a Powerbook offering.


In this picture, the frame, seatpost, seat, cranks, stem and handlebars are all carbon fibre.


A closer look.

[kscherer]

Yeah, but Bianchi sucks. Crappy Italian bike!

[Satchmo]

I'll pass on the carbon fibre idea if that bike is any indication of what it can look like. That patterned look is so bling, not even a blind rap artist could appreciate it.

[BarracksSi]

Originally Posted by Satchmo I'll pass on the carbon fibre idea if that bike is any indication of what it can look like. That patterned look is so bling, not even a blind rap artist could appreciate it.

You think a carbon fiber laptop is bling bling?

Ah, my friend, think again...

http://www.mrbling.com/

(found by googling the phrase, "this is bling"... lol )

[colonelforbin]

i love the wall street/pismo style powerbooks - i for one would definitely put durability above the aluminum look. if apple released new powerbooks in a similar form factor, especially with interchangeable drive bays, i would buy in an instant.

mind you, i will likely buy in an instant as soon as the new ones come out anyways.

[Messiahtosh]

A return to colors in the consumer line is what I'm looking for. iPod mini colors.

Originally Posted by kscherer Yeah, but Bianchi sucks. Crappy Italian bike!

Actually, it's swedish

[DMBand0026]

I like the look of the AlBooks. I'd be really happy to see Apple stick with the current form factor and materials, if possible.

[Messiahtosh]

The aluminum PowerBooks are cool, compared to the plastic trash the PC laptops are made out of. I would think that a black, with a wet-looking jet black would be even better than the aluminum though.

[Dave Hagan]

I have been thinking "black" for awhile now. Now just to be different and to fence with the regulars here, what if the PowerBook G5 had a pleasing use of both black and silver?

[Messiahtosh]

I see no reason why Apple has to stick to a Pro/Consumer industrial design scheme. It does not matter. During the color days, all of their products were colorful, except for the black PowerBook.

Just because some people here think it's cute and convenient, maybe even logical and easy to differentiate products based on design...does not mean that it works. Who the hell knows, other than Mac fans, that Apple does this?

The iPod is the perfect example of where Apple has contradicted this supposed law of differentiation. Metal/Plastic, wtf mate?

[Mac+]

Originally Posted by Dave Hagan I have been thinking "black" for awhile now. Now just to be different and to fence with the regulars here, what if the PowerBook G5 had a pleasing use of both black and silver?

I could dig it!

[Miko]

Lets not forget that Apple's hidden agenda is to be taken more seriously in the corporate world. So I do not see any carbon fiber PB coming out unless it is colored not to look like carbon fiber.

But I'm not corporate so I will buy whatever they put on the shelves as long as it's fast & cool.