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Thursday, August 6, 1998 Reality News Is Updated Every Monday And Thursday  New Apple Hardware in August! Word of Power Macintosh G3 inventory shortages has spread quickly over the past two weeks, with Ingram Micro, one of Apple's two US distributors, claiming to have no stock of Power Macintosh G3 systems whatsoever. With the addition of recent price cuts, many resellers are finding themselves selling out of the more popular Power Macintosh G3 models with no way to obtain additional stock. New Pro Models Apparently the inventory of Power Macintosh G3s has been sucked up faster than Apple had anticipated, possibly forcing them bump up the announcement of the new set of Power Macintosh Pro systems. According to numerous reliable sources, the new Pro line previously scheduled for a Seybold (September 1st) introduction, will be announced on August 11th or 12th, instead. The configurations listed below (published last week) should become the 4 retail configurations Power Macintosh G3 266DT 32MB/4GB/24x CD $1599 Power Macintosh G3 300DT 64MB/6GB/ZIP/24x CD $1999 Power Macintosh G3 333MT 64MB/8GB/AV/ZIP/24x CD $2599 [featured here] Power Macintosh G3 366MT 128MB/4GB UltraWide/24x CD $2999 As mentioned previously, the 300, 333 and 366MHz configurations will feature Motorola's new low voltage chipset. New Pro Model Benchmarks Reliable sources were able to pinpoint the MacBench Processor scores for the new set of 750 PowerPC chips. MacBench scores are as follows. 300MHz G3 score =1060 333MHz G3 score =1155 366MHz G3 score =1298 256 MB 128-bit DIMMs While previous rumors suggested that Apple would announce the availability of 256 MB DIMMs for the PowerBook G3 Series, the latest information passed on by our sources suggest that between August 12th and Seybold, Apple will announce the availability of 256 MB 128-bit DIMMs for all Power Macintosh G3s . This announcement will do much to boost the spirits of those in pre-press and graphic design who will be able to pack their G3s with up to 768 MBs of SGRAM. The Yosemite Pro models are rumored to support well over a GByte of fast RAM with the addition of a new RAM controller capable of supporting more than 3 memory slots. FireWire Kit? Also expected to be introduced between August 12th and Seybold San Francisco is a $499 Apple Standalone FireWire Kit for Apple Power Macintosh G3 systems. Similar to the PowerBook G3 DVD Kit, the FireWire packages is expected to consist of a PCI card, cables, QuickTime Pro, and a special version of Apple FireWire software. Sources were unable to confirm the specifics of the software suit. As we've noted in our Apple Hardware Information Archive, sources tell us that Apple is hard at work on a FireWire PC card for the PowerBook G3 Series, which should be available soon. Apple is also working diligently to incorporate FireWire into the motherboard of select versions of future Apple Power Macintosh Pro models (replacing SCSI). It's important to note that Apple will continue to support SCSI and hence Ultra2 on other versions of the Power Macintosh G3 which will not have FireWire onboard. PCI Expansion Hardware Standing firm on their position not to produce a 6 or more PCI slot Power Macintosh G3, sources tell the Reality staff that Apple will announce a qualified 3rd party expansion chassis for use with high end VAR solutions. The new chassis will extend the Power Macintosh G3 to a 9 slot system Sources also tell Reality that Apple has attempted to work with third parties to develop a PCI expansion chassis that will match the color scheme of the El Capitan casings due in the first half of 1999, though this has yet to be confirmed. For more information check out the Apple Hardware Information Archive. If you have any further information on this subject, please inform us.  Back To News Index Go Back To Reality's Main Page			News Index 1)New Apple Hardware in August! 2)New Apple G3 Servers Revealed! 3)Mac OS 8.5b5 Update Seeded 4)Mac OS 8.5b4 Inside Report 5)Apple's Consumer Portable Will Morph? 6)Unreleased iMac Radio Spots Return To Reality

New Apple G3 Servers Revealed!

New Apple G3 Servers
Thanks to anonymous industry sources, we've been able to confirm the existence of two new Power Macintosh G3 Servers running at speeds of 300 and 333MHz. The new set of G3 servers are due for introduction along side the new Pro models mentioned in the previous story. Both configurations are said to ship with the just completed AppleShare IP 6.0, a major update to Apple's Server Software suit.

The 300MHz configuration will ship with 64MB of SDRAM, a 4GByte Ultra Wide SCSI hard drive, a 24X CD-ROM, 2MB of SGRAM, and Fast Ethernet built in.

The high performance 333MHz configuration will boast 128MB or SDRAM, dual 9GByte Ultra Wide SCSI hard drives, a 24X CD-ROM, 2MB of SGRAM, and Fast Ethernet.

Both configurations are said to ship with ANAT 2.5, and Apple Share IP 6.0. The new Apple G3 Servers are expected to ship in the standard Gray MiniTower casings with tinted windows and a rear window defroster.

Apple declined to comment.

Mac OS 8.5b5 Update Seeded

Beta 5
A surprise internal seeding on Monday caught many off guard. Apparently, Apple seeded beta 5 in the form of updated "System" and "System Resources" files. The two updated versions of the core system software were said to ccontain over 80 bug fixes from the previous versions of Allegro.

Beta 4
Sources passed on this additional info on the latest full public beta of Mac OS 8.5, beta 4.

Source #1

1. Installation.

Smooth, easy, and natural. About six minutes to run the installer itself. I did a clean install, so I had to transfer a bunch of preferences, fonts and extensions, but overall it took less than a half hour from start to finish.

2. Application launches.

I read your report that application launch times had been turbo charged. First-launch times were rather ordinary - but subsequent launches were where it absolutely rocketed. It was so fast that it was hard to time - FrameMaker 5.5 launched in about a second, Communicator launched in about a second, Eudora Pro 4.0 was open in about a second and a half, as were ClarisWorks, FileMaker Pro, etc.

3. Finder improvements.

I love the appearance improvements. Plenty of fun left in the engineers who are designing these things. The interface colors have lovely creative names, too.

However, that's all frosting. I'm impressed with the speed of opening/viewing Finder windows. Double-click responsiveness is amazing. Contextual menu pops are MUCH faster.

I also really like the redesign of the Info window. It's great that you can rename files from inside the Info window now.

4. Bug reports.

The internet connection worked perfectly the first time I tried it. However, this system version hates Surf Express. I just updated to 1.1.5 of Surf Express, and even with that ultra-up-to-date version, it tanked ballistically.

I also noticed that the PPP control panel strobes distractingly when a dial-up connection is in place. It looks like it's refreshing the whole bottom half of the dialog, rather than just the connection indicator lights.

Source #2

I just wanted to add to your observations on the speedup of theinstaller under b4 of MacOS 8.5. Written:

"....the installation process has also been super charged. On a Power MacintoshG3, we are talking minutes."

Actually, you're also talking minutes on a PowerMac 8500/120, 7 to be exact. 8.5 is putting out some serious whup-ass rays.

The only concern I've seen about it so far is that it's SERIOUSLY incompatible with Kaleidoscope 2.*. Which is too bad, as Kaleidoscope's schemes are better(more people working on them) but I like Apple's sounds and other functionality better(being able to mix and match theme elements, etc). [see follow-up below]

Regarding Kaleidoscope 2.0/Mac OS 8.5 Compatibility
From Kaleidoscope's author, Greg Landweber:

"Although this particular version of Kaleidoscope is not compatible with Mac OS 8.5, we intend to have a compatible version ready in time for the release of Mac OS 8.5."

"In any case, the current version of Kaleidoscope isn't intended for use with Mac OS 8.5, so there isn't much point in trying to test it. If Kaleidoscope 2.0.1 doesn't work with 8.5, that is not any cause for alarm. Keep in mind that Kaleidoscope patches nearly all the appearance stuff in the OS, so it isn't at all surprising that it breaks when Apple changes their appearance code. I have advance access to the beta seeds of 8.5, and I'm confident I'll have an 8.5-savvy version of Kaleidoscope ready in time for Apple's release of Mac OS 8.5."

"If you want some advance news, I will tell you that Kaleidoscope 2.0.2 is due out in the near future. This is a maintenance release addressing problems with HP print drivers and some machines running System 7.5.5, as well as other minor improvements and fixes. This does not address 8.5 compatibility, which we are saving for Kaleidoscope 2.1."

For more information on Allegro, a full list of features, and all our previous reports, check out our Mac OS 8.5 Information Archive.

Mac OS 8.5b4 Inside Report

With beta 3 of Mac OS 8.5 seeded internally two Fridays ago, and beta 4 just last Friday, Allegro has leapfrogged our expectations in terms of performance, and the system is still has a short ways to go before it hits Golden Master.

You've Been Caught For Speeding
Sources who were able to test the latest build on a set of G3 PowerBooks came running in our direction shouting wildly with their hands fluttering in the air. At first we expected the worst, a major disaster, but we too jumped for joy when we watched Mac OS 8.4b4 launch Netscape Navigator, and Microsoft Internet Explorer in less than a seconds time. And not just Internet Browser, Application launching has been super charged through out the system. Users are going to have to see this for themselves.

Application launching in Beta 4, code named Spellbound, is far from the king of the hill, but today it surely stole the show. The Mac OS 8.5 Installer appears to no longer check the users hard disk prior to installation. In a direct parallel, the installation process has also been super charged. On a Power Macintosh G3, we are talking minutes.

Apple's Consumer Portable Will Morph?

Details surrounding Apple's Consumer Portable continue to trickle in as we ever so slowly edge closer to showtime. Already suggested to be one of the most impressive engineering products ever to emanate from Cupertino, recent word has spread regarding massive innovations in implementation and design associated with the new portable.

The Tablet Mode
Expanding on the rumors that Mac OS Lite will support handwriting recognition and touch screens, sources close to the design segment of the Consumer Portable claim that it will have the ability to morph or transform into a tablet. The latest rumors suggest that the Consumer Portable will have a screen module capable of rotating backwards a full 360 degrees, hence snapping into the back of the keyboard module activating a tablet mode. With the keyboard now deactivated and facing downwards, users will be able to lay the consolidated portable on their desk or lap and use the screen module, in conjunction with the specialized on-screen pen, as a draw-screen tablet.

Design
Though numerous sources claim that the plastics for the Consumer Portable have yet to be frozen, it's been mentioned numerous times that these plastics, like the eMate, iMac and the new El Capitan, are made of none other than translucent colored material. Also suggested to be in full translucents, the power adapter and cord.

In last week's report we talked about the Consumer Portable's bootless environment, extended battery life, light weight hardware, low cost, and performance. All previous information on the Consumer Portable can be found in our Apple Hardware Information Archive,

Apple declined to comment on any of the Consumer Portable's rumored features.

Unreleased iMac Radio Spots

Below we've posted the full dialog of the three new iMac radio spots which will debut on or close to August 15, along with links to the ad spots in QuickTime format. In order to save the QuickTime files to disk, you must option-click the links.

iMac: Pre Release Ad #1
Ben the undercover Apple Reporter in a whisper of secrecy:
"Hello, this is Ben, undercover reporter for your Apple Computer Reseller, in a secreted staging area where thousands of Apple iMac computers are being prepped for the big August 15th debut. They're...they're testing one now. It's translucent - blue and white...one piece including the display, ready to plug into the internet right out of the box. The action is intensifying - airplanes, cargo ships, trains, all being loaded. The new iMac computers are definitely coming soon."

Guard at the staging area (shouting):
"Hey, you! Somebody get that guy!"

Ben in a high toned panic:
"Woops..gotta go. Catch the new iMac on August 15th."

Download the Radio Ad (QuickTime Format) [156k]

Server 1
iMac-radio-spot1.mov [156k]

Server 2
iMac-radio-spot1.mov [156k]

Server 3
iMac-radio-spot1.mov [156k]

Note: you must option-click the links above in order to save the sound file to a hard disk.

iMac: Availability Advertisement #1 [31 Seconds]
Ben the undercover Apple Reporter in a whisper of secrecy:
"Hello, this is Ben, undercover reporter for your Apple Computer Reseller, cleverly hidden inside... these empty boxes where the first Apple iMac computer is going on sale. It's incredible - translucent blue and white, and far faster than any other low cost computer. I can't believe it! A boy who appears to be only six or seven just got them onto the internet, with one click!"


Employee at the reseller location:
"Hey, we need more room. Will somebody take those empty boxes to the compactor?"

Ben in a high toned panic:
"uhhh... this is Ben leaving in a hurry... Come see iMac today!"

Download the Radio Ad (QuickTime Format) [152k]

Server 1
iMac-radio-spot2.mov [152k]

Server 2
iMac-radio-spot2.mov [152k]

Server 3
iMac-radio-spot2.mov [152k]

Note: you must option-click the links above in order to save the sound file to a hard disk.

iMac: Availability Advertisement #2 [50 Seconds]
Ben the undercover Apple Reporter in a whisper of secrecy:
"Hello, this is Ben, undercover reporter for your Apple Computer Reseller. I've cleverly hidden myself inside... these empty boxes, where the first Apple iMac computer in history has gone on sale. I have enough rations for three days of hard hitting investigative journalism. So far we know this: iMac is the newest new computer ever- translucent blue and white, and far faster than any other low cost computer. And this morning, this reporter witnessed the most amazing thing: they took iMac out of the box, plugged it in, and got onto the internet in minutes! I can't believe what I'm seeing! A boy who appears to be only six or seven years old just got onto the internet, with one click! Wow! This place is now filled with iMac fans!"


Employee at the reseller location:
"Hey, we need more room. Will somebody take those empty boxes to the compactor?"

Ben in a screeching panic:
"uhhh... this is Ben leaving in a hurry... Come see iMac today!"

Download the Radio Ad (QuickTime Format) [249k]

Server 1
iMac-radio-spot3.mov [249k]

Server 2
iMac-radio-spot3.mov [249k]

Server 3
iMac-radio-spot3.mov [249k]

Note: you must option-click the links above in order to save the sound file to a hard disk.

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