“Apple Computer Inc. cut prices on PowerBook computers by as much as 13 percent and introduced updated PowerMac machines to capitalize on consumer interest from its iPod digital music player,” Connie Guglielmo reports for Bloomberg News. “PowerBook notebooks have a higher-quality display, longer battery life and now include a SuperDrive for creating DVDs, Senior Vice President Philip Schiller said today at Apple’s Cupertino, California, headquarters.”
Guglielmo reports, “Mac shipments are at a five-year high, with sales of Apple’s most-profitable products spurred by interest in the iPod, the top-selling digital player. Apple’s new PowerBook and PowerMacs, unveiled a week after the company updated its popular iMac computer, may help maintain computers sales momentum as Apple prepares to switch to processors made by Intel Corp. by June. ‘There’s going to be an inevitable lag in Mac sales as people wait for the Intel machines, but if you’re a professional and you need a new machine, you will get a new machine,’ said Kathleen Maher, an analyst with Jon Peddie Research in San Francisco. ‘These new machines should help Apple.'”
Full article here.
Advertisements: The new Power Mac G5. Dual-core PowerPC processors, PCI Express, and wicked-fast workstation graphics. From $1999. Free shipping.
The new PowerBooks are here. Higher resolution. Better mileage. From $1499. Free shipping.
The New iPod with Video. The ultimate music + video experience on the go. Buy it now at the Apple Store. From $299. Free shipping.
The New iMac G5 – Built-in iSight camera and remote control with Front Row media experience. From $1299. Free shipping.
Rumors of a lag in Mac sales as people wait for Intel-based Macs have been greatly exaggerated. On June 6, 2005, Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced the transition to Intel. In Apple’s Q3 2005 quarter (March 27 – June 25, 2005), Apple shipped 1,182,000 Macs. In Apple’s Q4 2005 quarter (June 26 – September 24, 2005), Apple shipped 1,236,000 Macs. Perhaps Apple could’ve increased Mac sales even faster without the Intel transition looming, but the unit figures clearly show that people are not holding off on new Mac purchases in any great numbers so far.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
Enderle: ‘Surveys indicate demand for Apple’s products is dropping like a rock’ due to Intel switch – August 01, 2005
Analysts don’t see Apple’s Intel switch dimming ‘iPod Halo Effect’ – July 30, 2005
Apple’s pending Intel switch not hurting PowerPC-based Mac sales – July 25, 2005
Apple continues to grow worldwide Macintosh market share – July 25, 2005
Report: Apple to benefit from Intel chip switch; Mac sales on the rise – July 13, 2005
I’m waiting for Intel powerbook
waiting, 2.
Most people still don’t know there’s an Intel switch coming. Most people have a life and don’t watch Apple every minute like us losers.
I saw an article about overclocking the Powerbook today. It came at a good time. I’d suspect it might cause heat problems an void your warranty, but hey, we’re “enthusiasts” right?
Naraa Haras:
Where can I find that article about overclocking your powerbook?
MW: take – I’m going to “take” a chance on overclocking one of my Powerbooks.
Still waiting…damn it’s painful!
Apple is hoping to make a killing again like it did when the dual G5’s first came out and everyone and his uncle was using them to make supercomputers.
As soon as a quad X-Serve comes out expect a ton of orders for more supercomputers.
I don’t think Apple will switch to Intel chips on the PowerMac and X-serve lines, the chips are extremely high on the performance for cost ratio and produces a ton of sales. Professionals need heavy iron at low cost.
Now on the average joe machines they will go to Intel, especially for the HDCP and other DRM schemes.
Since all future apps will be combiled with universal binaries anyway, Apple can enjoy the best of both worlds.
we got the goods today! Pony up for your Power Mac G5 Quads and fly!!!
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”wink” style=”border:0;” />
CT =====]———- Nice wave
“[…] introduced updated PowerMac machines to capitalize on consumer interest from its iPod digital music player.”
Connie? Quick note: The PowerMacs have nothing to do with consumers–especially not at $3300.
What I’d really like to see is some comparative benchmarks between this new architecture – where even the standard “duals” are probably faster than the duals they replace because of DDR2 and other improvements – and some Dell/Wintels of a similar spec.
However, in response to the article, the only thing I can say is “Duh!”…
New faster, better specced Power Macintoshes and better specced PowerBooks should be good for Apple – well, who would have guessed.
The Intel migration is not going to affect Pro purchasers of systems like the new “Quad”, because a) the migration for Pro systems probably isn’t going to happen for around 18 months, b) it’s not like OS/application support for these new systems is going to become a factor until the OS after Leopard and c) the possible ROI on having machines that are so scaldingly fast is immense.
Analyst: I am a moron. Feed me! Feed me!
There will be no “inevitable lag in Mac sales as people wait for the Intel machines” because everybody is looking for a June intro, but Apple will have them out much sooner, probably announced at MWSF and ship before end of January.
If you ask me it is the perfect time to buy. Prices will drop and the overall feature set of the current machines will be better. The Power PC/Intel transition will take at least 2 years. That way you can skip the first generation of Intel PCs. I usually don’t like to buy the first release/model of anything.
I’m typing this on my brand new 14″ i-Book and I’m loving it!!!
I’m waiting for home but ordered the quad today for the office. can’t wait!
JEG,
I’m in agreement. I plan to purchase a “late model” PowerMac to replace my 4-year old dual 800 Quicksilver Mac. I’ll let the Intel transition refine itself over the next few years before I jump in. It’d be great if no refinement was necessary — but for me, the move to Intel chips doesn’t really affect the way I use my Macs, either.