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Gemini PowerBook Will Be Hot

- 2000.10.04

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

Recent Rumor Mills

Microsoft Announces Cash for Clunker PCs, 07.29. Beleaguered Microsoft, with declines in profits and market share, is offering cash for old computers to boost sales of new PCs with Windows Vista installed.
StealthMac: 2 Hardware Solutions for Mac OS X on Windows PCs, 01.26. Apple has been working on hardware to put a Mac inside a Windows PC for over a decade. The latest developments, according to our MacMole.
Apple Announces Mac OS X Licensing, 01.14. Apple decided it would rather switch policies than fight Pystar and others. OS X licensing program could change Psystar's future.
New Apple drive supports Blu-ray and HD DVD, 09.11. Tired of being second-guessed and sometimes outmaneuvered by Microsoft, Apple has embraced both next gen DVD formats with its new SuperDrive Extreme.
More in the Rumor Mill index.

Links for the Day

Mac of the Day: 15" MacBook Pro Core Duo, Jan. 2006 - The first Intel-based MacBook launched at 1.83-2.0 GHz, had several teething problems.
Group of the Day: System 6 is the email list for those who choose System 6.
November 22 in LEM history: 99: Gradebooks - 00: Leveraging Apple design - Quadra 630 to Power Mac 5200 - 02: Laptop or desktop? - 04: SuperDuper: Quick, easy, efficient backup - Cross-platform programming for the rest of us - 05: Mac video surveillance on the cheap - Which OS is best for my vintage Mac? - No 'best browser' for the Mac - Sorry state of browsers for classic Macs - 06: Core 2 means cooler running 'Books - 2.0 GHz G4 upgrade
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Recent Deals

Best eMac Deals, 11.18. Used 1 GHz Combo, $100; SuperDrive, $269; 1.25 GHz Combo, $119; SD, $319; 1.42 GHz Combo, $289; SD, $498.
Best Mac OS X 10.6 and Mac Box Set Deals, 11.18. "Snow Leopard", single user, $25; 5 users, $45; Mac Box Set, single user, $139; 5 users, $180; Server, $414. Shipping included.
Best Xserve Deals, 11.18. Used 1 GHz dual G4, $649; 2.3 dual G5, $795; 3.0 4-core Xeon, $1,899; refurb 2.26 4-core, $2,499; new, $2,888; refurb 8-core, $2,999; new, $3,449; more.
Best 15" MacBook Pro Deals, 11.17. Used 1.83 GHz, $750; 2.16, $800; 2.33, $900; refurb 2.4, $1,299; 2.53, $1,449; 2.66, $1,699; 2.8, $1,899; new 2.53, $1,579; 2.66, $1,799; more.
Best Power Mac G4 and AGP Video Card Deals, 11.17. Used 400 MHz, $50; 933 MHz, $80; 500 dual, $60; 867 dual, $90; 1 GHz dual, $150; 1.25 GHz dual, $225; 1.42 GHz, $499.
Best Mac OS X 10.5 Deals, 11.17. "Leopard" upgrade, $80; single user license, $135; 5 users, $173; Mac Box Set, 5 users, $230; Server, 10 users, $340; unlimited, $850. Shipping included.
Best Mac mini Deals, 11.16. Used 1.42 GHz G4 mini, $379; 1.66 GHz Core Solo, $419; 2.0 Core 2, $450; new 2.26 GHz nVidia, $580; 2.53 GHz, $769; Server, $990.
Best iBook G4 Deals, 11.16. Used 12" 1.07 GHz Combo, $210; 1.33 GHz, $298; 14" 1.33 GHz, $398; 1.42 GHz, $479; SuperDrive, $498.
Best iPod shuffle Deals, 11.16. Used 1 GB, $35; 4 GB, $65; refurb 1 GB, $39; 2 GB, $59; new 2 GB, $55, 4 GB, $75. New and refurb prices include shipping.
More deals in our archive.

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