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October 1st through 7th Archives

Tuesday, October 7th 2003 15:36 EDT

High Pitched "Noise" Continues with New PowerBooks

We received this reports over the weekend:

I called Apple about the high-pitched noise coming from my computer while running processor intensive operations (when Processor Performance is set to High or Automatic), they said the noise is ³normal.² A high-pitched noise emminating from your computer is ³normal,² yeah, whatever! Anyway, Iıve done some digging, and it seems that even Ghz Dell laptops using Radeon graphics cards also have this problem. Me thinks I smell a rat, and that rats name is ATI!

PowerBook Shipping Reports

Here's the latest we've received on new PowerBooks shipping:

Ordered 09/16/2003 07:14 AM PST

PBG4 15.2/1.25GHZ/2GB/80/SD/AP/BL/LL

1.25GHz PowerPC G4
2GB DDR333 SDRAM-2X1GB
80GB Ultra ATA Drive 5400rpm
Super Drive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
Country Kit/Airport Extreme
BkLit Keyboard/Mac OS

Original ship date on or before 10/29

Actually shipped 10/4

The waybill number provided in my Apple invoice email tracks a 463# package from Taiwan to APPLE COMPUTER CONS DISTR in Franklin Park, IL. The waybill number in the shipping notification email with my delivery address doesn't show any information on the shipper's web site yet.

I assume my PowerBook is in the large piece on its way to Illinois and will be broken out and shipped to me when it arrives in Franklin Park.

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Just received my brand new 15" PowerBook G4 1.25Ghz custom built without a superdrive. Let me just say that this laptop is incredible! I placed my oder 9/23 and it shipped 10/1. Still waiting on my 20gb iPod that got stuck at customs or something - should be here tomorrow. I'll see how much battery life I get and let you know.

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Well a little like the guy with the french canadian keyboard, I ordered a custom built PBG4 15.2/1.25Ghz/1*512/80Gb@5400/super drive on the 19th but with a Us keyboard. The initial date was for the 26th, on the 26th I received a message that it would only ship on Oct. 3rd; then on the 3rd, I received a note that it would only ship on Oct. 15th.

An update later:

A quick report update (sorry for the 2nd message today), Just received e-mail stating that the PBG4 has shipped today from Taiwan... So I guess the rescheduled shipping date of Oct 15 was a little too pessimist... :)

Battery Life Update

It seems installing the 10.2.8 update available fixes the battery life issue:

I was also experiencing the reduced battery power with 10.2.8. I downloaded the re-released 10.2.8 update today (about 500kb from the software update control panel) and noticed it now reports over 3 hours remaining on a full charge. (vs. <2 hours before)

Friday, October 3rd 2003 14:29 EDT

Battery Problems

We've seen reports on other sites of diminished battery life on the new PowerBooks. In general, it's important to follow the manual's instructions to calibrate the battery upon first receiving the PowerBook. However, we did one report of weak power even after following those instructions to the letter:

I just got my powerbook yesterday. I calibrated the battery like it said to do in the manual, and for the first charge, I got around 3 or more hours of battery life, even while playing a DVD. I let it fully discharge (it went to sleep) and then recharged it back up to full. Now, I only have 2 to 2.5 hours of battery life (just setting it to idle without airport/bluetooth/ethernet/CD/etc...). I tried calibrating again, only to find that the capacity dropped from 4.227Ah to 4.157Ah!

Did I do something wrong? I've noticed on other forums that people have been getting reduced battery lifes on other PowerBooks when upgrading to the recalled 10.2.8 and that Apple told them it was a known issue. Does 10.2.7 have the same issue perhaps?

PowerBook Shipping Reports

Here's what we're hearing:

Happy to report that my new 12" 80/SuperDrive/Airport/ machine arrived in less than a week through a reseller here in Washington DC! It's the bomb!

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I ordered a PBG4 15.2/1.25GHZ/512/60/CMBO/ with a french canadian keyboard on sept 17. It was due to ship on sept 24. On sept 24 i received a mail saying that il will ship oct 1. Now it's oct 1 and a mail saying that it will ship on oct 10 just arrived. :(

Tom Bihn Confirms Aluminum 15" Compatibility

Tom Bihn is the latest bag maker to confirm to us that they have 15" aluminum bag options ready for purchase:

Just wanted to let you & your readers know that the Size 4 Brain Cell, Size 4 Monolith and the Size 4 Mitre all fit the new 15" AL Powerbook.

In fact, one of our customers took pictures of the new Powerbook inside the Brain Cell and posted them in our forums.

Wednesday, October 1st 2003 15:15 EDT

PB 15" Review

Over at OS News they've posted a positive review of the new 15" aluminum PowerBook.

12" Shipping Report

Reader Tom sent in this report on his 12" aluminum PowerBook. Remember, we're always looking for more reports...

Just thought I'd give you a status on the new 12" Powerbooks. I ordered my Powerbook on September 13th and they upgraded me when the new models were announced. My original shipping date was September 25th but when that date arrived they changed it to October 3rd. I was afraid they wouldn't make that, but it shipped from Taiwan September 30th and is currently on a plane hopefully arriving on the 3rd. Strangely enough my Ipod (great rebate on those) also shipped from Asia and arrived within a week of shipping.