One piece of big news last week was the Motorola PowerPC
7410, a low power version of the G4 processor. Most sites got
pretty excited about the initially announced 550 MHz speed,
then dumped all over Motorola for removing all mention of it from
their press release the next day.
But as far as Apple and groundless rumors are concerned,
the key concept is lower power consumption. It's exactly what Apple
needs to catapult the current G3-based PowerBook to the next level,
at least as far as CPU hype is concerned.
The code name for the next PowerBook, according to the major
rumor sites, is Mercury, coincidentally the name of the U.S.
space program that launched one astronaut at a time into orbit.
Maybe Apple expects a G4-based PowerBook to put them in orbit.
After Mercury came Gemini, which propelled two astronauts
into space with each launch. Surprise - Gemini is Apple's code name
for a multiple processor PowerBook set to debut early next
spring.
According to our sources, John Doe 6 and John Doe 42, while
Mercury will be a very sleek design borrowing from PowerBook and
iBooks, Gemini will be an entirely new design that provides
excellent heat dissipation and incredible battery life.
One reason Apple has avoided launching a G4 PowerBook is heat.
It's not just bad from a marketing standpoint, but from a legal one
as well. "Your Honor, how was my client to know the PowerBook G4
would blister his legs?"
The Gemini PowerBook addresses this in two ways. First, it moves
the CPU and the entire logic board from the bottom of the computer
to the lid. That's right, the motherboard will be behind the
display, keeping the processors off the user's lap.
The other innovation is surface maximization. The Gemini's top
looks a lot like corrugated cardboard, although it is made
of black metal to act as a heat sink for the laptop's CPUs.
(We're just waiting for the jokes comparing Gemini to George
Foreman's grilling machine!)
The lid will contain almost the entire computer: 1280 x 1024 pixel
screen, motherboard, memory (two sockets!), AirPort, and up to
four processors.
Sounds top-heavy, doesn't it? Rest assured, Apple has
addressed that as well.
The base will hold the keyboard, trackpad, hard drive, and
DVD-ROM drive, plus an absolutely huge battery that not only
counterbalances all the equipment in the lid, but will provide up
ten to twelve hours of field operation.
Weight? Don't ask. This will not be the thin-and-light portable
many have longed for!
Not only will Apple have a stunning laptop with an equally
stunning price tag, but users will also be able to make grilled
cheese sandwiches in the field.
- Anne Onymus
