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You read the cut-and-dried coverage. You skimmed Apple's corporate press release. From all the press images, Pismo looks exactly like the "Lombard" or "Bronze" machines it replaced. You want every last detail on Pismo, and that's what we've got below for you, starting with the new machine's specifications:

Specifications  
 

Pismo Images

Pismo Shipping Times

Here are a few reader shipping reports, very optimistic shipping times:

A million thanks for getting the notification of the new powerbooks up on your website so rapidly. Hitting reload every few minutes for an hour pays off. I am one of the first proud owners of a the new Pismo. (the dude said I was his first call for the Pismo).

Anyhow, I was absolutely shocked to hear that it will only take 3 days to ship. the customer service dude kept raving about it. I was shocked given Apple's history of announcements and failure to follow up.

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Looks like the Apple Store says three days if you take the stock 500 MHz config. If you customize -- even just adding an Airport card -- it jumps to eight days.

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I ordered through the Apple Store online and was also quoted 3 days to ship. Shipping time was 3-5 days (in transit), so maybe that's where the other fellow came up with 8? 3 days to ship, 5 days delivery via UPS? Dunno.

Pismo Random Notes

• Pismo RAM is 100 MHz rated, SO-DIMMs. Thus, Wallstreet and Lombard RAM, which was compatible with the iMac and iBook as well, will not work in Pismo. However, since many PCs use 100 MHz SO-DIMMs, prices should be about the same.
• Pismo, obviously since it uses Lombard's form factor, uses Lombard expansion bays.
• This is something neat: Pismo's DVD drive can read DVD-RAM disks. While DVD-RAM must be in a cartridge to write to them, they can be read as a normal DVD or CD. Apparently, it's easy to get DVD RAM discs out of their cartridges, with the exception of one brand, Panasonic.
• Pismo ships with iBook's power adapter, since both machines have interchangable power requirements.
• Here's a quick note on Apple's PowerBook pages that's neat in our opinion: If you live in Europe, you can use your GSM mobile phone in conjunction with the PowerBookšs built-in infrared capability to serve as an external modem when youšre away from standard telephone lines (like when youšre waiting in an airport lounge or riding a train). With the PowerBook and a GSM mobile phone, you can check your email from virtually anywhere.
• Here is the PDF PowerBook specification file.
• A reader reports the data sheet says there's a build to order option for a SCSI PC Card (essentially just letting you order it with the PB), but it's not mentioned on the Apple Store anywhere
• It just says "Macintosh PowerBook" below the screen, instead of "Macintosh PowerBook G3" presumably because since G4s are out, G3 is somewhat dated.

Pismo, Other Apple MWT Press Releases

All of Apple's press releases are on their own website below, or on the PR newswire here. The text of each press release, whether on the PR newswire, or at Apple, is the same.

• Apple Unveils New iBook, PowerBook and Power Mac G4 Lines
• Apple Updates iBook Line
• Apple Unveils New PowerBook: Fastest Portable Ever
• Apple Ups Performance of Power Mac G4 Line
• Mac OS X to Ship with Highest-Quality Japanese Fonts and Expanded Character Set

Pismo Wrap-up

Pismo's introduction was certainly a different experience, with a major product announcement coming at night. Pismo isn't overwhelming, but it's a needed improvement. We've been saying for ages that Apple's got the PowerBook down to a science, and this is as refined as it's going to get with the current technology.

However, we'll soon begin the rumors for the next iteration of the Apple portable, currently codenamed 103. Just as 102 turned into Pismo, 103 will soon get a real codename, and we'll bring that to you as soon as possible. Just for those curious, 103 will probably show up at MacWorld New York, or somewhere around there, with a G4 processor and a new formfactor.

Pismo stock is supposed to be really good, according to those in the know, they've been producing them for quite some time, with a good supply built up. We're glad that Apple waited until now to introduce Pismo, rather than face a shipping fiasco by announcing it at MacWorld SF.

We've already received four or five emails from readers who have purchased their Pismo. To help us out, we're asking everyone who buys a Pismo to write us an email telling us when and where they bought it, and what ship times they were quoted.

For additional reading and pics, visit the following articles:

• Mobile-Dog.com-some good pics of MWT.
• C|Net-obligatory News.com article on the new machines.
• MacCentral-their coverage.