iBook G4, no more G3 Mac

Yesterday, Apple announced a new iBook G4, which put G3 into Apple's history. G4-based machines now become entry level Macs (iBook, iMac, eMac). Surprisingly, Apple does not want to make the coming PPC750GX for its iBook line. By discarding G3, Apple's position with Motorola and IBM has swapped. IBM now provides high-end G5 processors while Motorola suppies low end G4. It was not like a year ago, IBM only supplies G3 for lower end Mac. Apple may have its own agenda to abandon G3. Strategically, removing G3 while retaining G4 makes Apple easier for their design and production. When the new product is revised, they only need to upgrade chipsets and logicboard and for all G4 lines. Keep upgrading and designing G3-based product will only make the design and manufacturing cost higher.

The shame thing is, Apple seems not want to add SuperDrive in to iBook series in order to keep 12" PowerBook attractive. Without running iDVD in a G4 Mac is a waste. If it's not for 12", it should be equipped for 14" model. Moreover, it looks like it does not use the lastest 7447/7457 processor from Motorola. It is still using 7445/7455 because the iBook spec. mentions 256K Level 2 cache. The last disappointing thing is the new iBook G4 does not change its form factor since it was first introducted in 2001. All facts concludes that iBook is (of course) still an entry level notebook.

The "year of notebook" tale becomes true, as we are now visualized. But, will Steve Jobs give us another surprise? Hopefully it should be the last one.