iBook update soon?
Think Secret reports that Apple may finally release an updated iBook as early as this week, though details are sketchy. Their sources (when is TUAW going to get "sources?!?") report that a widescreen iBook may be a part of the announcement. Of course, we'd like to see a faster processor, better video and more storage space. A PC card slot might be nice, too. What would you like to see as a part of the iBook's first major update since October of 2004? 
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)


Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tom Edwards said 11:23AM on 7-19-2005
The idea of the iBook is that it is affordable. I doubt the video card will be any better, as most PC notebooks of this price range only have on-board video memory that steals it from the RAM - let alone having it's own graphics card. However, many PC notebooks now have widescreen displays, so that would not surprise me.
PC card in the larger iBook - I'm not sure, 50/50 on that one.
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AJ said 11:33AM on 7-19-2005
You know what be really useful? If the headphone port on the new iBooks/PowerBooks was designed the same as the iPod's. Imagine being able to use your iTrip, iTalk, and other similar devices in the same capacity for your laptop that you use them for with your iPod...that would definitely make me upgrade to a newer PowerBook/iBook.
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DerekJ said 11:40AM on 7-19-2005
AJ-
That's a spectacular idea.
I recently bought a ipod photo video adapter for my tv, and although the sales rep said it would work with my ibook (they look the same on the site but say that they are not compatible), it doesn't. Bummer.
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Andrew Kaufmann said 12:18PM on 7-19-2005
I'd like a G5 processor!
... but I guess that ship has sailed, eh?
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Nick said 12:24PM on 7-19-2005
PC Card? I doubt the iBook target market is looking for that sort of functionality. I'd rather see that space used for more FW/USB2 ports.
Wishlist? A dock with monitor, FW, USB and power ports.
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Paul Wren said 12:33PM on 7-19-2005
CDs are simply too small in capacity-- I think ALL of the new iBooks need to have DVD burning capability as an option.
SuperDrives for everyone!
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Penginkun said 1:12PM on 7-19-2005
What would I LIKE to see? I'd like to see a 20" widescreen display, a 2.5ghz dual-core G5 and four gigs of RAM, standard. For $999. Oh, and it has to be .5" thick, have a Blu-Ray burner and be personally delivered by Steve Jobs. ;)
What do I EXPECT to see? Speed bump? Youbetcha. I'd expect new speeds to be 1.33ghz and 1.42ghz. Wide screens? That would be lovely but potentially too expensive for a consumer machine. New form factor? Possibly.
Consider: Apple has been selling these little white iBooks for something like four years now. I'd say it was due for an update. But how much can they do with it? Widescreen? Possibly, but that may make the iBook too expensive. It's a consumer-level machine, after all. But if they're already doing a redesign, they may go ahead and add a widescreen to the high-end model.
So, what else? A newer video card? I wouldn't be surprised to see them up the video RAM to 64mb for Tiger's new and "improved" video, even if they don't give it a new card.
A PC card slot? Don't hold your breath. That's probably going to remain a PowerBook feature. I can't see Apple pushing the iBook too far because they'll want to keep it affordable and distinct from the PowerBook line.
Whatever they do with it, I'm sure I'll wish I'd waited until this summer to buy an iBook. ;)
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Justin said 2:33PM on 7-19-2005
Dear Apple Jesus,
Please release a new enclosure. Please. Make it thinner and lighter. Make the widescreen be a 12" one so the enclosure doesn't have to be bigger than necessary. I work with 400 of these iBooks every day and if they don't release a new enclosure to break the 3+ year monotony I will jump off a roof.
Love, J.
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Paul said 5:11PM on 7-19-2005
I'd love to see an intel processor. Not that I'm particularly pleased about the change, owning a G5 iMac, but it seems like everyone except for the developers of a few apps is ready for them to come out now, rather than in a year. And what better incentive for the few app developers who aren't in any hurry?
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Eddie Sowden said 3:58AM on 7-20-2005
At last I have been waiting for this since befor WWDC. Fingers crossed.
Personally I think they should make a whole colour range like the iPod mini. As it is the min of the powerbook.
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Kris said 5:16AM on 7-20-2005
12" with Superdrive
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Ashley Mushnick said 2:06PM on 7-20-2005
a 12" with a super drive would be awesome. How come 12" Powerbooks can have superdrives, but 12" iBooks can't?
Wtf?
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Alex said 5:17AM on 7-21-2005
My guess for the 12" ibook
-1.33 Ghz G4
-HD 40 GB
-Radeon 9200 64 MB DDR
-512 MB RAM
But this puts it a bit too close to the Powerbook, so either they update the Powerbooks as well, or they do not update so much of the Ibook.
Another thing: Aluminum cover? That would be great!
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Jonny said 8:23AM on 7-21-2005
New video card, without a doubt ! One of the main drawbacks of the ibooks with the arrival of tiger is its inability to suport tigers eye candy...
Processor speed probably wont change much, as for ram, 512 in base specs should be a must .
As for the cover, and this is my preference is that they should stay with the polycarbonate cover. although provide alternative colors would be nice.
i'm waiting for that update to come to buy my ibook, hope it comes before september.
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