Pismo PowerBooks Seeded to Developers

Apple's next-generation PowerBooks are winding down in their development cycle and word from reliable Apple sources is that several third party developers who are close to Apple have received test units over of the past few weeks.

As mentioned in previous articles, Apple has had 400, 450, and 500MHz version up and running in the labs, all with a 100MHz system bus, but would only elect to ship two of these configurations. According to sources, currently Apple plans to run with a 400MHz and 500MHz configuration and will not ship a 450MHz config.

These new units are also being seeded with substantially more SDRAM and AGP graphics sporting an LT version of ATI's RAGE 128 graphics chip. FireWire ports have also been spotted on the new units, confirming earlier rumors.

However, the most interesting information to arrive from sources is that these new units sport a stylish new clamshell enclosure. This piece of information finally explains the Pismo code-name, which is believed to come from Pismo Beach, CA. Pismo Beach is famous for an abundance of clam shells, many of which are extremely large in size.

Additional information should be forthcoming in the next few weeks and we hope to have some sketches or photos of the new units as well. Until then, stay tuned.