Light-weight Stylish Mac Laptops in 2006?

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

Taipei Times reports (http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2005/12/19/2003285097) on research analyst predictions that Apple will be introducing "light-weight [notebooks] with a stylish design aimed at luring female users."

The new models are expected come in at the following specs:

12-inch notebooks at 1.5kg (3.3lbs)
14-inch notebooks below 2kg (4.4lbs)

Apple's current iBook comes in at 2.2kg (4.9lbs) for the 12" and 2.7kg (5.9lbs) for the 14" model. Meanwhile, Apple's PowerBook weighs 2.1kg (4.6lbs) for the 12" and 2.5kg (5.6lbs) 15" model.

The article/analyst does not specify whether or not these notebooks represent revised PowerBook or iBook models. One early report (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2005/11/20051112003005.shtml) did claim that the upcoming Intel PowerBook would see a 20-25% thinner design when it was introduced as early as February. Meanwhile, iBook rumors (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2005/12/20051212054056.shtml) point to a January release, but expectations of a 13.3" model rather than a 14" model.

The reliability of this information is uncertain.

[matticus008]

It seems silly to report on something like this. OF COURSE notebooks are going to be thinner and lighter next year. We have the past 15 years to demonstrate that trend.

[nsjoker]

i also think female users are already attracted to apple's notebook designs.

[toughboy]

what I dont understand is that this trend is done to "lure female users"..

Which stupid marketing manager think that males love to carry around heavy bulky and ugly things? :)

Last time I saw something that possibly aimed to lure females was clamshell iBooks.. And they didnt sell well...

[ZorPrime]

The reliability of this information is uncertain.

My favorate part of the rumor. *heh heh* ;)

I think for the ultra-portable crowd, an 11" wide would be cool but maybe that's too small. Sony's had them for a while... and previous rumors have mentioned Apple employing Sony laptop engineers... 13" wide would be better. Either way, i think the entire line should be widescreen. :cool:

[DTphonehome]

Oh please. We all know that I'm what lures females to Macs.

[x_knyght]

I just can't wait until any of the Intel Mac comes out. But thinner laptops would be a plus on luring anyone that travels a lot, not just women. But I know my significant other would love to have a laptop that thin and light.

[richdun]

Lighter and thinner, eh? So that attracts female users? Big and hairy doesn't work so well? Well, that sends me back to the drawing board.

Oh, uh, back to the drawing board for the computers...yeah, that's it.

[vniow]

Oh please. We all know that I'm what lures females to Macs.

Oh no you're not.

Not while I'm still around at least...

[buryyourbrideau]

I hope they dont come out with a ridiculous pink iBook or something of that sort.

I mean yea a iPod mini was alright to have one in a odd color, but come on....a laptop?

I think it would just stray away from what I love about Apple...WHITE!

[supergod]

I don't want a desktop replacement: I want a laptop. Something that could be good for typing, internet and gigging with logic. If the iBooks were powerful enough for this, I would definitely pick one up. And I'm assuming they are going to be getting better.

If the next gen iBook supported external displays, I would consider getting one. If not, I'll probably ignore laptops, as I've done up until now.

[nagromme]

I would VERY much like more choices in the "power vs. size" spectrum--and the growth of the Mac market should lead to more options and more "specialized" or "niche" models. Meanwhile, until that happens, Intel's low-power chips can help too!

Sounds like just speculation, but I hope some of this is true. (LoopRumors a while ago mentioned a supposed sub-$500 iBook, too. Really stripped down. I can see it happening.)

I don't know which I'd choose--powerful PowerBook or thin-and-light iBook (or whatever model) but I know I want the choice :) I'd even consider having the optical drive be external--I rarely use mine. In fact, a real pocketable Mac would be GREAT SOMEDAY. I'd plug into any old keyboard and display at my destination for serious work, and use the built-in tiny keys for casual tasks on the go.

And hopefully even the FULL-powered models will be thinner/lighter than now. That's usually the trend, but the 15" AlBook was a bit larger than the TiBook.

My guess: there may be just one special model (highest-end iBook or lowest-end PowerBook?) that's extra thin but makes some sacrifices (of necessity) to achieve it. The others will be full-power laptops like we're used to (only... faster).

[Eidorian]

Yeah, I'm going to try to save up for a light laptop by Christmas next year. I bought a 15.4" Compaq laptop in 2003. I was big and powerful. It just weighs too much and it's a pain. I just keep it at home and it collects dust. I want something light to take notes on or code.

[Daveway]

Move on people, nothing to see here...

Thanks for the info. 12-inch notebooks at 1.5kg (3.3lbs)
14-inch notebooks below 2kg (4.4lbs)

That's about the only useful part of info. Like the other posters said, "of course things are going to get thinner and lighter!"
http://www.myelixr.com/dump/emoticons/nopompom.gif

[Fender]

The big question is if they will vibrate?

[strange days]

come on guys, catch some snippets from your secret envoy in TAIWAN and give us a peek of the loot; we're dying here waiting for Mac rumors...

...i'd like the sub 500$ option too, but looks like wishful thinking for now, like the iPhone, or the iPDA ( actually they could offer huge rebates of current lines of iBooks and powerBooks if intel is spread out over the whole line )...

hey, maybe the recent selling out of shuffles means we get new models that remote control the coming "front row" as well playing back mp3 files !

...oh well, three weeks to go, right ?

[starwxrwx]

If the next gen iBook supported external displays, I would consider getting one. If not, I'll probably ignore laptops, as I've done up until now.

Apple won't enable external displays by default on the ibook line, it's one more 'feature' that distinguishes them from the powerbook models.

However, I have an ibook and an emac and have been using the screen spanning hack on both for ages and it works fine, so unless the graphics cards no longer support spanning in the new Intel books (unlikely as even 2 years ago the graphics hardware supported it) it's a non-issue

[gekko513]

If this is based on some insider information and not just pure speculation, then the continuation of 12" and 14" form factors is interesting in itself. Other rumors have mentioned 13" widescreen, haven't they?

[thejadedmonkey]

How come there's no photo leaks? Didn't there used to be a lot of photo leaks like a year ago? Give me photos, and I'll get hyped.


Actually, get me a lightweight mac laptop that I can install Vista on and I'll be happy. Otherwise I'll just have some issues with apple. Yes, XP. I tried coding on OS X...doesn't work for me. And games, I need my games that were designed for XP to run on XP, not some crappy port <--that'll be mute when I get a revolition though!)

[joeboy_45101]

Well, we first saw the modern PowerBooks with a Titanium casing. Then Apple redesigned them with an Aluminum casing. I don't know what material they will use in the next generation of PowerBooks but I sure hope that it is LiquidMetal http://liquidmetal.com/. If you are lucky enough to have come in contact with this stuff you will know what I mean. This stuff is sooooo cool, and would be the perfect casing material for a portable. My 1.0GB Cruzer Titanium Flash drive is made out of the Liquid Metal version of Titanium, it is so beautiful and has the feel of polished marble.

[Super Dave]

Ok. I promise I'm not trolling. This is a SERIOUS (not sarcastic) question. Why is this page 1? What makes an item page 1 or 2? Does anyone know? I'm genuinely curious.

David :cool:

[NewbieNerd]

I don't want a desktop replacement: I want a laptop.

This, however, isn't the case for a lot of people, particularly incoming college freshman who get there first laptop and that's the only computer they use. I see some people with these sub sub 12'' laptops and I just think it's absolutely horrible, in my opinion that is. I have learned the value of lighter laptops somewhat, but I still think performance and joy-of-use is the most important.

Nevertheless, I'm not a girl so what do I know. I think though that it doesn't mean just targeting females; I think it means making Apple notebooks as big a fashion statement as iPods. Yeah, they already turn heads, but it's still more of a "that's neat" than an iPod "MUST HAVE." So it means the college girls with pink polo shirts with the collar popped.

But selling an iPod to such a market is different than a computer. With an iPod, the tradeoffs/choices are physical size and hard disk size, which even the simplest person can understand. This isn't the case with computers though. While there are still physical size/hard disk size choices to be made again, there are also other choices, including most importantly RAM. Average people don't know what RAM is or how it compare to hard disks. So when the cutest, smallest little Apple laptops start shipping with 256 megs of RAM and kids start running as many cute dashboard widgets as they can find, 10 instant message windows open at any given time, iTunes playing, Safari surfing, and iPhoto browsing...as memory hungry as OS X is, these computers start to suck in people's eyes.

Bottom line is...if Apple wants a computer targeted towards those in the market simply to make a fashion statement, they can't sacrifice too much performance in a cute model. This computer needs to just like the iPod: minimize the amount of knowledge that the consumer is expected to have to make a pleasing decision.

[BeigeUser]

Oh please. We all know that I'm what lures females to Macs.

That explains the current marketshare.

[mad jew]

Computers in the future may have only 1,000 vacuum tubes and perhaps only weigh 1 1/2 tons.


Of course, that's referring to desktops, not a nice lithe notebook such as those made by Apple.

[nbame786]

[/QUOTE]Actually, get me a lightweight mac laptop that I can install Vista on and I'll be happy. Otherwise I'll just have some issues with apple. Yes, XP. I tried coding on OS X...doesn't work for me. And games, I need my games that were designed for XP to run on XP, not some crappy port <--that'll be mute when I get a revolition though!)[/QUOTE]

wow... that comment absolutely disgusts me. i feel ill... it's people like you that i hate seeing in my job.

[NewbieNerd]

wow... that comment absolutely disgusts me. i feel ill... it's people like you that i hate seeing in my job.

What is your job??

Maybe he has a valid point, depending on what he does. If you are a .NET programmer, I can imagine needing Vista/XP. If that were me, I would like to have the choice of using OS X as much as I can, but with also the possibility of using Vista/XP when I need to for work.

[buryyourbrideau]

Ok. I promise I'm not trolling. This is a SERIOUS (not sarcastic) question. Why is this page 1? What makes an item page 1 or 2? Does anyone know? I'm genuinely curious.

David :cool:

How valid and realistic the piece of news/rumor is

[EricNau]

I can hardly wait to see 'em! :)

[musiclover137]

I think it would just stray away from what I love about Apple...WHITE!

I think they like to keep comments like this out of the forums....;)

[CiBoys]

i thought Apple is going to discontinue 12inchers...:rolleyes:

[mad jew]

i thought Apple is going to discontinue 12inchers...:rolleyes:


Well, the rumours are that Apple will discontinue the 12 inch PowerBook. 12 inch iBooks look like they'll stay though. :)

[EricNau]

Well, the rumours are that Apple will discontinue the 12 inch PowerBook. 12 inch iBooks look like they'll stay though. :)
I wish they would make them all Widescreen. Maybe bump them all up to 13". After all, wasn't it Apple that first popularized widescreen for computers?

[mad jew]

Well, I like the current rumours of a regular 12 inch iBook and a larger widescreen one (13 inches). It gives us the choice of two. If this happens in January, I'll order a widescreen one immediately, irrespective of its weight. :)

[p0intblank]

This was to be expected. Notebooks get lighter and lighter as they evolve, so this really isn't a suprise to me, along with many others I'm sure. But hey, it's always good to actually read about it and hype it up.

I want more rumors about an Intel Mac mini!!!! :)

[ibook30]

Sounds like just speculation, but I hope some of this is true. (LoopRumors a while ago mentioned a supposed sub-$500 iBook, too. Really stripped down. I can see it happening.)



.


$500 !

This kind of move would help apple address competition issues with Dell. Offering a version of their machine with fewer prremium options will attract a flock of the curious- and if they want email and web browsing, they should be very happy with OS X.

The down side for the user is they will miss out on what I found when I bought my first Mac - the premium features that make it an enjoyable and flexible experience- UNLIKE the dull Dell machines that do as little as possible (no FW - junky OS - weak graphics cards, junky OS, etc). I'm talking about Dell's $500 to $600 models here. When I got my first mac- a lot of the features were beyond me - but once I had a great environment to work in- I wanted those features.... Perhaps users of this stripped down machine will see value in upgrading. Who knows...

And yeah- laptops and other stuff keeps gettin' lighter. Cool.

[MacQuest]

...what I love about Apple...WHITE!

YES!!!

NEVER underestimate the POWER of WHITE! Afterall, if it ain't WHITE it ain't RIGHT!

WHITE POWER!!!

[There. That should convey my message of love for Apple's white colored products...I don't see how anyone could misinterpret this, my finest post ever...]

[LostPacket]

I don't know what material they will use in the next generation of PowerBooks but I sure hope that it is LiquidMetal http://liquidmetal.com/.

Wow, I just checked out their website and that stuff sounds cool. You're right, PowerBooks would be perfect for that stuff.

On a completely unrelated note, I wonder when they'll be using Flash Memory instead of hard drives. 10GB would probably be enough for a light user and would really slim down the form factor and increase battery life. Not to mention the advantages of an always-on computer. That thing would be fast.

If they can put 4GB in a nano, 10GB or more in a laptop wouldn't be much of a stretch. I never thought I'd say this, but if anyone could make it up on volume, it's Apple.

[MacQuest]

...get me a lightweight mac laptop that I can install Vista on...

Yeah. One day I wanna buy a Bentley and have it be fueled by methane gas or even excrement. That would be the same as putting a MicrapSoft OS on Apple hardware.

What a waste. You want a Mac laptop to run WinBlows XP SP3... I mean Blowhorn/Blista?!

Although, if you mean you have to run m$ junk simultaneously with the Mac OS and not instead of, then I understand.

[runninmac]

Apple's computers = stylish... since when?

I would sure hope they look good. I don't know weather id like to see a iBook that looks like a iPod mini.

[icloud]

About time they made stylish notebooks...

:P

[MacQuest]

About time they made stylish notebooks...

:P

I know. That Jonathon Ives guy is just a design loser who will never be recognized for anything he designs. Thank Gawd SONY will save Apple from it's eye soar designs!

=P

[Josh396]

YES!!!

NEVER underestimate the POWER of WHITE! Afterall, if it ain't WHITE it ain't RIGHT!

WHITE POWER!!!

[There. That should convey my message of love for Apple's white colored products...I don't see how anyone could misinterpret this, my finest post ever...]
If anyone does misinterpret your post any way then I'll eat my hat.;)

[lolex]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

Taipei Times reports (http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2005/12/19/2003285097) on research analyst predictions that Apple will be introducing "light-weight [notebooks] with a stylish design aimed at luring female users."

The new models are expected come in at the following specs:

12-inch notebooks at 1.5kg (3.3lbs)
14-inch notebooks below 2kg (4.4lbs)

Apple's current iBook comes in at 2.2kg (4.9lbs) for the 12" and 2.7kg (5.9lbs) for the 14" model. Meanwhile, Apple's PowerBook weighs 2.1kg (4.6lbs) for the 12" and 2.5kg (5.6lbs) 15" model.

The article/analyst does not specify whether or not these notebooks represent revised PowerBook or iBook models. One early report (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2005/11/20051112003005.shtml) did claim that the upcoming Intel PowerBook would see a 20-25% thinner design when it was introduced as early as February. Meanwhile, iBook rumors (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2005/12/20051212054056.shtml) point to a January release, but expectations of a 13.3" model rather than a 14" model.

The reliability of this information is uncertain.

Wow !! you may put whatever rumor as you like on top of this statement, I love it! :D

[excalibur313]

I totally agree about the flash drives. Sony has this laptop that must have a solid state hard drive because the base is literally as thin as the screen. (with this big cylindrical hinge for the psu) I have a 70gb one in my laptop now and I don't know what to do with all of it. I wouldn't mind having a 10gb solid state hard drive especially since os x system only takes up like 2 gb and all my applications are like 5gb. Any other stuff would mostly be taken up by pictures, movies, or songs which I can just have stored on an external hard drive and plug it in when I'm stationary, since that's the only time I'd use that stuff anyway. I agree with an other post that I wouldn't mind having an external CD drive. The only time that I use the drive is when I'm installing something, ripping a cd, or playing a movie and that takes up such a minimal aspect of my time that I wouldn't mind just plugging in my external when I need to use it. Finally, I know this wasn't mentioned but I definitely would go for a mac of this type with a writable screen. It would make class notes and writing papers in cramped corners much easier, as long as it included a keyboard. (Yeah I know...I have to plug it in case an apple person is looking ;) )

[MacQuest]

If anyone does misinterpret your post any way then I'll eat my hat.;)

Just as long as it's not a white hat. Those are the only one's worth saving...

ALRIGHT, THAT'S ENOUGH!!!

Even I found that to be in poor taste [Stewie Griffin].

I'm NOT caucasian btw. I'm latino, and I really do like Apple's white colored products, just as much as all their other colors though.

Kumbaya My Lord, Kumbaya...

[.Andy]

Looks like captain obvious has finished his journalism degree and is working with the Taipei Times.

Those weights are pretty amazing if true though. Would have a nice knock-on to the powerbooks.

[Doctor Q]

Why is this page 1? What makes an item page 1 or 2? Does anyone know? I'm genuinely curious.See the MacRumors FAQ (http://guides.macrumors.com/Help:MacRumors_FAQ#Why_are_some_stories_on_Page_2.3F).

[chimerical]

what I dont understand is that this trend is done to "lure female users"..

Which stupid marketing manager think that males love to carry around heavy bulky and ugly things? :)

Last time I saw something that possibly aimed to lure females was clamshell iBooks.. And they didnt sell well...

Actually, according to Wikipedia, the clamshell iBook was a "sales success", assuming the sources are correct. They didn't seem to be targeted at females. It seems that students and children were among the target users though.

And yes, I completely share your confusion over why light and stylish are somehow supposed to appeal only to females.

[JoeG4]

Of course, you're all wrong!

The Intel iBook will certainly steal the stage -- for the first part of the keynote. It'll be black, have a 4:3 "XBRITEXTREEEM!" screen, removable floppy/combodrive slot, and a BONUS DVD-RW/+RW drive if you order within the first 30 minutes!

The PowerBook, however, will really steal the show. It'll be a 2 tone plastic machine with vents that make the bottom of a Dell XPS laptop look very plain. It'll be the ULTIMATE desktop replacement complete with an alien head somewhere on it, interchangable graphics "card", a socketed processor, 2 drive bays, a gigantic battery, and burned lap lawsuits.

Then there will be a new one. The PowerBook X Series, ya know just like every other notebook manufacturers' x-series.. it has to be thin, lightweight, a really lousy video chip, and no built in optical drive.

For just $200 above the $1999 price tag, you can have that optical drive to reinstall the OS!

All machines will no longer come with Firewire, Steve Jobs will have a presentation with how USB2 is 10 times faster than Firewire, and results on Barefeats will confirm this. Of course, it'll be a necessary move on like the x86 switch was.

The new machines will also have metal "Intel Inside" stickers and "Designed for Microsoft Windows XP" on them. They'll be on there with super glue, and while easily removable, for some reason you'll just keep them there to "have better resale value"..

They'll also be the first Apple laptops EVER to have those annoying bright LEDs on the edge by the hinges indicating HDD activity and everything else you never needed to know.

Oh yeah, and no more Apple Chime (even if it's 100% possible with Phoenix BIOS, which I know it is). No, the new Intel Macs (they won't be called Apple Macs, but Intel Macs), will just have a resounding..

*press power button*

*niiiiiiiiT!*


:D

sorry guys, just had to pull your legs pretty harshly here!

[BlueRevolution]

two days ago I wouldn't have said this, but...

a laptop with Airport Extreme, Bluetooth and a 20 GB hard drive would be all I'd need. most of the time.

two days ago I went on my sister's iBook, connected to my Power Mac's hard drive across our Computer-to-Computer Airport network (see here (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=167671) for more on the mixed wonders of that) and played Unreal Tournament 2004 from my hard drive without installing it on the iBook. it was laggy from time to time but pretty playable nonetheless. if I can get that kind of performance across a network, then I don't need all that junk on my laptop's hard drive - just what I want to be using on the go. if I want to run FCP on the laptop I'd need an external drive anyway since normal laptop drives don't have near enough space for a lot of video storage.

the catch is, of course, that I want 1 GB RAM expandible to 2 GB, good graphics, 20 hour battery life, FW800 and 2 USB ports. optical drive is optional, though by excluding it Apple would be eating their words mocking competitors for shipping laptops "without so much as an optical drive." (I notice they've taken that down now...) if they did exclude the optical drive though I'd expect better support for mounting another computer's drive across a network, like allowing iTunes to rip a CD in another computer's drive.

the talk of making it more appealing to women brought to mind this article I read a while back. and as it points out, I imagine there's a higher percentage of female Apple users than among the general computer using population. maybe they just have more sense that way.

http://www.maccreator.com/articles/feminine.html

[justkeith]

YES!!!

NEVER underestimate the POWER of WHITE! Afterall, if it ain't WHITE it ain't RIGHT!

WHITE POWER!!!

[There. That should convey my message of love for Apple's white colored products...I don't see how anyone could misinterpret this, my finest post ever...]


Yeah-yeah maybe - until you see the BLACK stuff


1CE YOU GO BLACK YOU'LL NEVER GO BACK, BRO:D

[BlizzardBomb]

Anyone can do this.

I predict the 12" iBook will be between 1 - 50kg and the 14" will be roughly 201kg give or take a couple of hundred :rolleyes:

[weg]

But thinner laptops would be a plus on luring anyone that travels a lot, not just women.

Unless they are pink ;-)

[winmacguy]

Oh please. We all know that I'm what lures females to Macs.
When I hear that from another female I'll believe you ;) :p

[winmacguy]

I hope they dont come out with a ridiculous pink iBook or something of that sort.

If it was a lite pink iBook it could appeal to the new metrosexual male, or gay 'pink dollar' - very lucrative market.:cool:

[winmacguy]

Actually, get me a lightweight mac laptop that I can install Vista on and I'll be happy. Otherwise I'll just have some issues with apple. Yes, XP. I tried coding on OS X...doesn't work for me. And games, I need my games that were designed for XP to run on XP, not some crappy port <--that'll be mute when I get a revolition though!)
Hmmm, unusual comment on a MacRumors forum:eek: :confused:

[illegalprelude]

$500 !

This kind of move would help apple address competition issues with Dell. Offering a version of their machine with fewer prremium options will attract a flock of the curious- and if they want email and web browsing, they should be very happy with OS X.

The down side for the user is they will miss out on what I found when I bought my first Mac - the premium features that make it an enjoyable and flexible experience- UNLIKE the dull Dell machines that do as little as possible (no FW - junky OS - weak graphics cards, junky OS, etc). I'm talking about Dell's $500 to $600 models here. When I got my first mac- a lot of the features were beyond me - but once I had a great environment to work in- I wanted those features.... Perhaps users of this stripped down machine will see value in upgrading. Who knows...

And yeah- laptops and other stuff keeps gettin' lighter. Cool.

hhmm thats a good point and makes me wonder because at the begining, when I switched over to my PM G5, I didnt use alot of the features, I just wanted something new and better. Now, I love iTunes, iPhoto. Mail and expose are just superb. Widgets can be helpful and iMovie and iDVD for quick stuff is just great and that was the entire apple experience for me.

I cant imagine somebody getting all that with even $650, making me wonder if in someway, that will fireback in the sense of, every person who gets a unit now, knows that even if its the bottom of the barrel unit, its still beating alot of other PC based laptops out there. but with a $650 range, that experience might be lost with the limits put on it

[Alvin777]

Hi, to prepare our budget now, how much will the Intel Mac mini, Powerbook, iMac be? Any guesses?

God bless,
Alvin
http://www.applecatholic.com

[Deepdale]

Hmmm, unusual comment on a MacRumors forum.

Like distributing pamphlets on Buddhism while in the middle of St. Peter's Square. :)

[akhomerun]

i was thinking about the title of this article - "Light-weight stylish Mac laptops in 2006?"

isn't that exactly what we have now?

[d.perel]

Gosh darn it! I was hoping for more of the heavy, ugly kind!;)

[dernhelm]

If this is based on some insider information and not just pure speculation, then the continuation of 12" and 14" form factors is interesting in itself. Other rumors have mentioned 13" widescreen, haven't they?

Yup. And I believe rumours of a 13" widescreen wayyyyy before I believe rumours of an ultra-portable without optical drive. Macs have built their reputation as a media hub. I can't see Apple releasing one that doesn't have optical capabilities. Most of the iLife suite would be comprimised.

[tny]

What is your job??

Maybe he has a valid point, depending on what he does. If you are a .NET programmer, I can imagine needing Vista/XP. If that were me, I would like to have the choice of using OS X as much as I can, but with also the possibility of using Vista/XP when I need to for work.

I'm a .NET programmer, and I have two Macs and no Windows machines. You see, I'm also a security guy. [Shudder....] I keep my work at work and my home machines for home; on the rare occasion I really need to do .NET work from home, there's Cisco VPN & Microsoft RDC.

[dernhelm]

What is your job??

Maybe he has a valid point, depending on what he does. If you are a .NET programmer, I can imagine needing Vista/XP. If that were me, I would like to have the choice of using OS X as much as I can, but with also the possibility of using Vista/XP when I need to for work.

Maybe he's a spelling teacher. Albeit one with no concern over capitalization.

But I'm with you. The next Apple I get will dual boot Windows, Linux, BSD, some two of the above, or possibly all three. I'm an OS junkie from way back, and while I don't do games, I do write a lot of cross platform software and right now it is .NET paying the bills.

That doesn't mean I can't enjoy or even prefer Apple products...

[aswitcher]

two days ago I wouldn't have said this, but...

a laptop with Airport Extreme, Bluetooth and a 20 GB hard drive would be all I'd need. most of the time.

SNIP

the catch is, of course, that I want 1 GB RAM expandible to 2 GB, good graphics, 20 hour battery life, FW800 and 2 USB ports. optical drive is optional, though by excluding it Apple would be eating their words mocking competitors for shipping laptops "without so much as an optical drive." (I notice they've taken that down now...) if they did exclude the optical drive though I'd expect better support for mounting another computer's drive across a network, like allowing iTunes to rip a CD in another computer's drive.

SNIP

I too would be interested in such a design. "iNote"

Lets say 30 gig HDD (like ipod) for decent space.

Ethernet would be a must for me as well to make sre it hasn't hamstrung as a single Mac home machine.

[MacQuest]

I just wish they would go widescreen across their laptop line, with 11" & 13" "iBook's" at around $599 & $799, and 15" & 17" "ProBook's" at around $1299 & $1699.

I'm thinking they might drop the "Power" naming convention from the Pro products and call them something else like ProBooks & ProMac's, or something entirely different. It might be time to lose the "iBook" name also. They've used it for 8 years now and this architectural switch might be a good time to revamp everything, including model names.

As far as the pricing... eh, whatever. I can dream can't I?...

[BornAgainMac]

I hope Apple doesn't forget the men. The first 17 inch dual display Powerbooks with two internal Hard drives and a large 15 hour battery and it weighs 20 pounds.

[Chupa Chupa]

Hmm. Any here I thought my 1.25Ghz AlBook was already pretty thin and stylish. I love it so much, just wish it wasn't so pokey. I think the iBook is already feminized. I hope Apple isn't going to take it further. Thinner is good as long as they don't strip it down like a sub-notebook. And Apple better not do away with the lighted keyboard on the PBs. That'll really T me off.

[corywoolf]

Is 3.3 lbs really that heavy for the average female?

:p ;)

[SiliconAddict]

The one thing I can't figure out is at 25% they would almost have to drop the optical drive as an internal device. Personally I don't have any problems with that since I hardly use my optical drive anymore. (Its all about the 2GB flash drive baby!)

[SiliconAddict]

i was thinking about the title of this article - "Light-weight stylish Mac laptops in 2006?"

isn't that exactly what we have now?


Stylish yes....light weight no. I mean its not like the PowerBooks are 30 pound bricks but I'm sitting here with a 3-4 pound ThinkPad. The rules of size changed with the Pentium M. Right now the PC has the smaller form factor.

[dernhelm]

Stylish yes....light weight no. I mean its not like the PowerBooks are 30 pound bricks but I'm sitting here with a 3-4 pound ThinkPad. The rules of size changed with the Pentium M. Right now the PC has the smaller form factor.

Not sure about that. I know a little under a year ago I was shopping for a 17" notebook, and Apple had the lightest offering that I was interested in by far.

I know PC manufacturers offer sub-notebooks that are really light, but I also don't know too many people interested in sub-notebooks. From a full-featured PC perspctive, are the PM-based machines really that much lighter than a 12" PB?

[SiliconAddict]

Not sure about that. I know a little under a year ago I was shopping for a 17" notebook, and Apple had the lightest offering that I was interested in by far.

I know PC manufacturers offer sub-notebooks that are really light, but I also don't know too many people interested in sub-notebooks. From a full-featured PC perspctive, are the PM-based machines really that much lighter than a 12" PB?


Yah the 17" are still clunkers. 15" and under you can find models for under and 1" now. When you start looking under 13" you can find models in the .5" range.

[Dagless]

They aren't stylish enough already :eek: I swear mac portables are thing of utter beauty!

that said, all the mac girls i know want iBooks, all the mac guys want PowerBooks. my girlfriend said her perfect mac portable would be a 15" Powerbook in a 12" iBook case. I'd like that. backlight keyboard and that.

I was thinking yesterday; are there any PC laptops with DVI-out? I've own a few and seen many but I don't thing ive ever seen DVI on a laptop. god i love my powerbook :D

[Panu]

I won't be surprised one bit if Apple releases an entire, full-fledged line of Intel-based computers on January 10. Or maybe all but PowerMacs.

Rosetta means that software isn't a factor that would delay the switch.

If Apple promises a transition to Intel in six months, and it takes nine months, it looks bad. If they promise a transition in six months, and it takes three months, it looks stupendous. So I won't be at all surprised if it turns out that Jobs deliberately set a deadline he knew he could beat.

[Randall]

The only thoughts that I have on this are that:

1) We should see a black version of the iBook, based on the successful record sales of the black iPods.

2) All of the line should be employing widscreen aspect ratios, but remember that a 13.5" iBook would have less screen real-estate then a current 12" model because of the acpect ratio. This will need to be compensated for by increasing the screen resolution much like we've recently seen with the 15" and 17" Powerbook models respectively.

3) They need to be Intel x86 based. Any model that has a G4 in it needs to be replaced with Intel's Pentium M "Yonah" ASAP. Apple will continue to lose prospective sales in the mobile market unless their laptop lines receive immediate attention.

If Apple follows these three guidelines, then they will have some very successful and competitive (If not top of the line) laptops.

[AidenShaw]

I know PC manufacturers offer sub-notebooks that are really light, but I also don't know too many people interested in sub-notebooks.
Many people who travel (even from office to office, or meeting to meeting) *are* interested in smaller, lighter laptops. Apple has nothing in that space today.

Most people that I know wouldn't want a 17" laptop, from any manufacturer.

A couple of people I know do have 17" PBs, but they went out and bought smaller notebooks (in addition) after realizing how big and awkward the 17" PB was. One bought an iBook 12", the other an even smaller Thinkpad. The 17" stay at home as desktop replacements, the small one is their portable.

IFrom a full-featured PC perspctive, are the PM-based machines really that much lighter than a 12" PB?
The fallacy in this argument is that you ignore "which features have what priority for the purchaser".

If "small and light" is an important feature, Apple loses.

Not everyone wants a DVD or other fluff that adds bulk and weight. Many people would gladly take a slower processor (ULV Pentium M, for example) if it meant lighter weight and longer battery life.

Why does everyone assume that any new model will replace either the iBook or the Powerbook? Why can't Apple add additional models for different markets?

Apple has nothing for the subnotebook space, nor for the portable workstation space (the 3+ GHz or dual-core 64-bit laptops). These are big markets that Apple is simply ignoring because of their arbitrary consumer/pro model split.

[Mass Hysteria]

Yeah-yeah maybe - until you see the BLACK stuff


1CE YOU GO BLACK YOU'LL NEVER GO BACK, BRO:D


no no no . . . it's

once you go Mac you'll never bo back

[Photorun]

...research analyst predictions that Apple will be introducing "light-weight [notebooks] with a stylish design aimed at luring female users."

Let the rampant and, in this case, STUPID, speculation begin.

Considering I know a half dozen women that not only own, but covet, and LOVE the current Powerbook design, and have never heard any woman say she hates it, this article could easily make the top five, if not number one slot, for this years pre MWSF most erroneous and off-base dumb rumor.

[gnasher729]

Apple won't enable external displays by default on the ibook line, it's one more 'feature' that distinguishes them from the powerbook models.

You could hope that this might change in the future. At the moment, Apple just cannot sell an iBook with half the processing power of the top Powerbook, because that would be a measly 800 MHz G4 and nobody would want it. In the future, an iBook with half the power of the top Powerbook would be quite nice (half the power of a dual core 2.16 GHz Yonah is still more than the most powerful Powerbook today), so there is hope that articial differences would go.

[AidenShaw]

Considering I know a half dozen women that not only own, but covet, and LOVE the current Powerbook design,...
Ask the women who have the Thinkpads, VAIOs and Porteges....

They're the ones who would be targeted by this.

Maybe the comments will be "the Apples are pretty, but they're too big and heavy", which proves that "design" is more than just "style". It's more than what can be captured in a photograph.

[DTphonehome]

That explains the current marketshare.

Touche :)

Well, I've attracted my wife to the platform :)

[michaelrjohnson]

Can't argue with thinner and lighter...


...but as for styling? They've really got their work cut out for themselves. I <3 my PB.

[steve_hill4]

what I dont understand is that this trend is done to "lure female users"..

Which stupid marketing manager think that males love to carry around heavy bulky and ugly things? :)
I don't know, I was reading the rumour and thought, "I hope it doesn't change the PowerBook too much, I think the current size, weight and design are almost spot on." I know I would ge tused to any changes, but the current PowerBooks are the perfect weight already, they shouldn't try to make them that lighter, just extend the battery life.

In saying that, the iPod mini vs nano argument has proven me wrong already. I still prefer the mini's size and would have preferred to have taken that, added flash and a longer battery life. Sales show otherwise, so don't listen to a word I have to say.

[steve_hill4]

The big question is if they will vibrate?
Are you suggesting that women will be attracted to buying something more if it vibrates? What are you thinking of?:)

[netmonkey]

Maybe the current ones are too heavy for women in Taipei...?

Anyway, these new laptops are sounding better than ever which update. But a lighter Powerbook would be insane, since the current ones seem pretty light to me. Though, the ThinkPads and VAIOs are pretty light computers.... Though the VAIOs look kind of cheaply-made (Thanks again, Sony!), and the ThinkPads are great, though not widecreen and they run that pesky Windows program. ;)

The new ones better kick ass, because I've been waiting for a laptop, an Apple laptop, for a long, long time...

[steve_hill4]

I'm thinking they might drop the "Power" naming convention from the Pro products and call them something else like ProBooks & ProMac's, or something entirely different. It might be time to lose the "iBook" name also. They've used it for 8 years now and this architectural switch might be a good time to revamp everything, including model names.
Yep, one of the most speculated topics surfaces again. I still prefer the name Express instead of the i for the consumer end range. You have software that is either Express or Pro, why not machines?

Of course this leaves the Mac Mini in limbo, unless it gets a rename into the Mac Media.

[faisal]

Weight matters for the sales exec market. College students are one thing, but try carting around a 5 lb laptop when you're a 30-something manager with a bad back.

At my last employer the stock laptop was an overweight Dell Latitude, but a lot of people (particularly sales types who traveled alot) were angling for the lightweight (at the time, ~3 lb?) Windows laptops. On the other hand, a some people were buying Powerbooks with their own money to bring in and use for work Combine these two and Apple has an opportunity.

However, the competition on the Windows side is hovering just above 2 lbs for something usable (Toshiba, Fujitsu, Panasonic), so in that regard Apple is failing to even catch up and I hope the article is wrong on the high side.

The stylist design for females is a bit disturbing. Has Apple reached that point of style over substance?

[steve_hill4]

[QUOTE=netmonkeyAnyway, these new laptops are sounding better than ever which update. But a lighter Powerbook would be insane, since the current ones seem pretty light to me. Though, the ThinkPads and VAIOs are pretty light computers.... Though the VAIOs look kind of cheaply-made (Thanks again, Sony!), and the ThinkPads are great, though not widecreen and they run that pesky Windows program. ;)[/QUOTE]
The Sonys can look pretty good, but I agree that they feel a bit cheaper. The more you pay in the VAIO range, the better the machine feels, but at that price, the PowerBook is a real option.

I'll tell you the real cheap feeling laptops now, that's the 14" HP range, (previously 1325, 1365 etc). Those things feel like you're getting ripped off big time. You spend £999 on something that creaks as you use it. GET THE iBOOK OR 12" POWERBOOK PEOPLE.

[Mass Hysteria]

It doesn't matter if they are thinner and lighter, they'll still come in a box the size of a washing machine!

[Peace]

I'm not too sure about the "for the female" part but the natural evolution of the laptop is thinner and lighter like the iPod.

Could be Apple is going to go after the lucrative 14-25 age group with possible iPod themed iBooks..

That would be the natural evolution of the iBook.

[faisal]

I know PC manufacturers offer sub-notebooks that are really light, but I also don't know too many people interested in sub-notebooks. From a full-featured PC perspctive, are the PM-based machines really that much lighter than a 12" PB?

I know a number of people (including me) for whom size is a major feature. I use my laptop as a sort of travelling auxiliary to my desktop, so I've been looking at a Windows ultralight for my next laptop. That said, I don't use my laptop as a full featured computer -- I use it for basic office stuff. Even so, the Windows ultralights appear to be at feature-parity with the 12" Powerbook, but at half the weight.

[kenaustus]

Costs: Forget the $500 iBook to compare with a Dull. How many people buying a "cheap" Dull find that they have upgraded the basic box to the point where it costs the same as a Mac? First they get a graphics card to avoid shared memory and then they keep adding . . . Let Apple make a basic iBook that avoids the bait & switch approach.

Small form factor: Before switching I used an IBM X-Series (the first one out) and it is a pleasure to travel with, especially on overseas business trips. There is a good market for this type of notebook in both the iBook and PowerBook ranges and I wouldn't be surprised to see Apple tap into this market. The optical drive can be internal or external for most people wanting a 3 pound notebook.

Design: Let's fact it, Apple has been working on new designs for both ranges for a fairly long time. They didn't get together before last year's WWDC and suddenly decide to start looking at what they were going to do. I expect that we'll see something rather exciting in January and continuing thru to WWDC 06. 2006 is going to be an exciting year for Apple (better than 2005) and all we can do is hang on and wait.

[mkrishnan]

I'm not too sure about the "for the female" part but the natural evolution of the laptop is thinner and lighter like the iPod.

Tell that to Hewlett Packard! :eek: :eek: :eek:

Yeah, I hope this rumor, slightly-creepy-business-about-luring-females-notwithstanding, is true. :) I really would like to see a substantially improved 12" notebook from Apple. And if Apple shows it to me, I just might snap at it. :)

[1macker1]

I just hope they dont go the way of the Sony Vaio line. The line up is confusing, with too may "series". I hope apple keeps their notebook line up nice and clean.

[mikolia]

I think the new powerbooks will have flash drives in them and be ultra light and ultra fast.;)

[Photorun]

Actually, get me a lightweight mac laptop that I can install Vista on and I'll be happy. Otherwise I'll just have some issues with apple. Yes, XP. I tried coding on OS X...doesn't work for me. And games, I need my games that were designed for XP to run on XP, not some crappy port <--that'll be mute when I get a revolition though!)

Yes, because why run a stable OS devoid of spyware, malware, and general tomfoolery when you can run something utterly bloated and abysmal.
:rolleyes:

[Cinch]

The only thoughts that I have on this are that:

1) We should see a black version of the iBook, based on the successful record sales of the black iPods.



Really? They have also tried wooden veneer on Dell laptop as well as other who have thought this is a good skin for laptop. I don't know, it may have a slim short of working. I'm sorry to say it, this idea most likely originate from a male engineer who still wear deeply acid wash jean with white tennis shoe:D . When it comes to style, do not go the route of Dell or Alienware, I'm sorry, this is not directed at you personally.

How about a laptop that is solely design for email, and for "passive" internet use? And one more thing, iTunes. Three things are all this laptop need to do, and have a 8 hour battery life. It is not hard to do! Here is a list of possible components:

a low power processor (lowest)
30 GB flash drive
Wi-Fi
1 USB ports
a battery that will last 8 hours
a lite OSX

do not include: ethernet port, modem, vga, firewire, harddisk, dvd rom

I would buy this over a 12" PB!

Cinch

[Photorun]

Ask the women who have the Thinkpads, VAIOs and Porteges....

Just did with a Thinkpad, and they'd prefer a Powerbook stylistically but "it doesn't do Windoze" (arg!!!). Another woman who has this older IBM brick-like laptop, showing her a picture of each, which looked better, the Viao or the 15" Powerbook, she said (by picture mind you) "The Powerbook looks sturdier."

Which means your, and the articles, point isn't taken. It'd be like "we need to make pink iPods" or "we need to make pink iMacs" or this mentality that there isn't a gender neutral aesthetic, that is, design that can just be appealing for appealing sake... which is exactly what Ive designs.

Regardless, this article is full of ****, anyone should be able to smell it through the screen.

[mkrishnan]

I'm sorry to say it, this idea most likely originate from a male engineer who still wear deeply acid wash jean with white tennis shoe:D .

In defense of men and their lack of style...it was really women who persisted with this offense to common sense much longer than men. ;)

[shadowmoses]

Quote: "Light-weight Stylish Mac Laptops in 2006?"

I just read that and though mac laptops are already lightweight and stylish, let's face it the current generation are no monsters are they??

I'm all for lighter thinner models but i dont see how they can pretty up an iBook it is already beautiful.....

SHadow

[SiliconAddict]

Yes, because why run a stable OS devoid of spyware, malware, and general tomfoolery when you can run something utterly bloated and abysmal.
:rolleyes:


Today's RM's FUD Level: Orange - Elevated levels of Hyperbole with some intentional vagueness to press home a point.
:rolleyes:

[kingcrowing]

the 17" Is already only 1" thin... I wouldnt want it any thinner it would feel to flimsy, but A 1" thin 12" iBook/powerbook would be kinda cool...

[OutThere]

The big question is if they will vibrate?

That was highly necessary. :p

[Diatribe]

OMG!!! :eek:

Apple making lightweight, stylish notebooks? Who'd have thunk that? :rolleyes:

[SiliconAddict]

the 17" Is already only 1" thin... I wouldnt want it any thinner it would feel to flimsy, but A 1" thin 12" iBook/powerbook would be kinda cool...


I've deployed sub 1" laptops in the office I work. They don't feel flimsy as long as they are designed right and considering that Apple will prob use some sort of carbon composite or the same material found in the existing PowerBooks I wouldn't worry about it feeling flimsy. I could easily see a .75" iBook. PowerBooks are another matter. Even though the M is going to run pretty cool the dual coreness of the thing is going to put out some heat. More then what a .75" laptop could handle IMHO.

[Randall]

Really? They have also tried wooden veneer on Dell laptop as well as other who have thought this is a good skin for laptop. I don't know, it may have a slim short of working. I'm sorry to say it, this idea most likely originate from a male engineer who still wear deeply acid wash jean with white tennis shoe:D . When it comes to style, do not go the route of Dell or Alienware, I'm sorry, this is not directed at you personally.

How about a laptop that is solely design for email, and for "passive" internet use? And one more thing, iTunes. Three things are all this laptop need to do, and have a 8 hour battery life. It is not hard to do! Here is a list of possible components:

a low power processor (lowest)
30 GB flash drive
Wi-Fi
1 USB ports
a battery that will last 8 hours
a lite OSX

do not include: ethernet port, modem, vga, firewire, harddisk, dvd rom

I would buy this over a 12" PB!

CinchUmm so you think that a black version of the iBook wouldn't sell at least as many if not more units? Interresting. They made a black iPod and iPod nano, and they sold twice as much as the classic white models. Why stop there?

[Clix Pix]

Hmph! I'm a woman and to me the elegant simplicity of the PB and the iBook has it all over the sticker-ridden laptops afflicted with Windoze anyday! Not to mention that yes, the size is appealing, too.... My 15" PB feels as though it is lighter than my old 12" Avertec laptop, although on paper the Averatec weighs less. I think that the difference is in the weight distribution on the PB. That said, though, I would be delighted if Apple were to produce an ultraportable lightweight coming in at around 3 pounds!

Whatever Apple does, they'd better NOT put those god-awful X-Brite (or whatever they're called) screens on their new machines. IMO that is certainly no improvement on any laptop and frankly I think it looks cheap.

OTB

[Seasought]

Let the rampant and, in this case, STUPID, speculation begin.

Considering I know a half dozen women that not only own, but covet, and LOVE the current Powerbook design, and have never heard any woman say she hates it, this article could easily make the top five, if not number one slot, for this years pre MWSF most erroneous and off-base dumb rumor.

My wife prefers the look of the Powerbook to the current iBook style. Her words were "The Powerbook looks so classy whereas the iBook looks cheap and more like a toy." I think pushing rainbow colored portables could work, but I don't think it's necessary to appeal to the female market.

Perhaps the "new iBooks" will adopt a more streamlined Powerbook-esque type of look while retaining the same durability/damage resistance it currently possesses.

[schatten]

Ah yes.

Hopefully by "stylish" they don't mean "Flower Power" or "Blue Dalmation." Remember those? *shudder*

[Seasought]

I'm not too sure about the "for the female" part but the natural evolution of the laptop is thinner and lighter like the iPod.

Could be Apple is going to go after the lucrative 14-25 age group with possible iPod themed iBooks..

That would be the natural evolution of the iBook.

Would you mind expanding on this? I get the thinner and lighter idea, but how would it be "themed" for an iPod exactly?

Just curious.

[Seasought]

Umm so you think that a black version of the iBook wouldn't sell at least as many if not more units? Interresting. They made a black iPod and iPod nano, and they sold twice as much as the classic white models. Why stop there?

Perhaps people would be concerned about scratches on the black iBooks as some sort of bizarre carry-over from the Nano issues.

I know that sounds silly, but I'm sure it will enter some buyers mind if this evolves this way. I think a black iBook would look slick. :D

[Doozy]

Geared towards women, I know my wife would rather have a Powerbook. But I will wait to see what the design is before I make the wrong decision and buy her a PB, and then she really wanted the ibook.

Hope it isn't pink, maybe colored aluminum like the old ipod minis.

[jlewis2k1]

hmm they could be making a special edition one for breast cancer people.

[Seasought]

Hope it isn't pink, maybe colored aluminum like the old ipod minis.

That could work I think, good idea.
:)

[Cinch]

Umm so you think that a black version of the iBook wouldn't sell at least as many if not more units? Interresting. They made a black iPod and iPod nano, and they sold twice as much as the classic white models. Why stop there?


I'm not saying 100% that a black iBook wouldn't work. Although, there are laptop out there that is all black, and I don't think they are that appealing. I think you have to make a model, and carefully examine it in many settings and see. Just like you would try out clothing before you buy.

Cinch

[Peace]

Would you mind expanding on this? I get the thinner and lighter idea, but how would it be "themed" for an iPod exactly?

Just curious.

Well :)

You will be able to plug your iPod into it directly sans cable.
see the other rumor about Apple's Patent on some sort of new hardware video interface.A universal interface where,for example.One closes the lid on the iBook and plugs the iPod into a slot on the top of the lid.This would explain the universal video device patent.

And since you can plug the iPod into the iBook there would be matching themes.Which would appeal to that demographic.

[Randall]

I'm not saying 100% that a black iBook wouldn't work. Although, there are laptop out there that is all black, and I don't think they are that appealing. I think you have to make a model, and carefully examine it in many settings and see. Just like you would try out clothing before you buy.

CinchThat's because you haven't seen a sexy "Mac in black" yet.

[Mord]

tell us what graphics card it'll use ffs, i dont care about the cpu unless it has at least a radeon x600.

[ccrandall77]

Whatever Apple does, they'd better NOT put those god-awful X-Brite (or whatever they're called) screens on their new machines. IMO that is certainly no improvement on any laptop and frankly I think it looks cheap.

I sit next to a person with a Vaio S360 and the screen makes the my Powerbook's screen look like crap. The images are crystal clear and despite rumors otherwise they look no worse outside in the sun.

I believe someone else said the Vaios were cheaply constructed. I doubt you've actually held one lately. The S360 is solid and very nicely constructed. I'm very much hoping Apple comes out with something similar. The Vaios and Thinkpads are much smaller and still have optical drives even in some of the smallest models. That's what a laptop should be... portable! I understand a small niche wants a desktop luggable, but if that's the case you can always get an Osbourne I. :)

[Clix Pix]

In my opinion (and this is MY opinion, only) those shiny screens make many laptops LOOK cheap. LOOKING cheap doesn't mean that the thing is actually cheap or constructed cheaply. I've looked at and handled Vaios and other laptops in the stores and they seem solid enough. I have heard good things about Vaios through the years, too, and no, I wouldn't consider them "cheaply constructed."

I just don't like those shiny screens....

OTB

[Foreverplus]

Sony VAIOS actually have some reliability problems according to a Sony technician I sort of know.
In any case, cheap looking, most often does actually mean cheaply made.

[mkrishnan]

Sony VAIOS actually have some reliability problems according to a Sony technician I sort of know.

They are perennially not great performers in quality rankings. Style = great...that's another story.

[etoiles]

Yeah-yeah maybe - until you see the BLACK stuff


1CE YOU GO BLACK YOU'LL NEVER GO BACK, BRO:D

white...black... deep inside we are all beige

[Super Dave]

If anyone does misinterpret your post any way then I'll eat my hat.;)

Don't feed the trolls please.

David :cool:

[Super Dave]

I sit next to a person with a Vaio S360 and the screen makes the my Powerbook's screen look like crap. The images are crystal clear and despite rumors otherwise they look no worse outside in the sun.

<snip>

I don't think the rumour is that they look bad outside in the sun, but that they are hard to read in any environment that has ANY light whatsoever because they reflect like a mirror. They're poorly designed.

I've had a friend consider taking one back because the screen was too shiny and she couldn't see anything.

David :cool:

[justkeith]

white...black... deep inside we are all beige


or aluminIum ...


and one day soon we may all have Intel Inside

;)

[Peace]

or aluminIum ...


and one day soon we may all have Intel Inside

;)

Somehow I just don't believe Apple is going to have any "Intel Inside" stickers on any new MacIntel..

crossing fingers:)

[Val-kyrie]

If the next gen iBook supported external displays, I would consider getting one. If not, I'll probably ignore laptops, as I've done up until now.

This has been a major hold-up for me, too. I don't see why I should pay the exorbitant prices for a PB in order to get screen spanning when all I need is an iBook. I, however, also need to run a particular windows app that has no Mac equivalent, so Apple's offering in January will cinch whether I buy an Intel-based iBook or buy a Dell/HP/Lenovo/other portable. If Apple is going to compete with Dell or HP or others, then screen spanning will have to come in the low-end lines just like it is present in PC laptops. I really want an Apple laptop that is feature-comparable to PC laptops for a similar, but perhaps slightly higher, price. For small portables, screen spanning is a must and an external video resolution of 1024 x 768 just won't cut it anymore, and this is why the hack for the iBook just isn't acceptable.

BTW--I found it very interesting that Dell just erected a kiosk in the mall just outside the local Apple store. You walk out the Apple store, look left, walk 15 feet in that direction and there it is.

[Val-kyrie]

Apple won't enable external displays by default on the ibook line, it's one more 'feature' that distinguishes them from the powerbook models.

However, I have an ibook and an emac and have been using the screen spanning hack on both for ages and it works fine, so unless the graphics cards no longer support spanning in the new Intel books (unlikely as even 2 years ago the graphics hardware supported it) it's a non-issue

Yes, but isn't your resolution extremely limited? Could you realistically drive a 20" or 23"/24" widescreen monitor? Apple's lack of support of this feature does not compare well to other laptops on the market.

[Randall]

Somehow I just don't believe Apple is going to have any "Intel Inside" stickers on any new MacIntel..

crossing fingers:)Don't worry, even if Steve does sell out and allow Intel to "brand" the computers, a sticker can easily be removed. As for the other rumors of "laser etching" an intel logo into the computer case, I don't believe that for a second. This kind of drastic advertising isn't even in the PC world.

[dernhelm]

Many people who travel (even from office to office, or meeting to meeting) *are* interested in smaller, lighter laptops. Apple has nothing in that space today.

Most people that I know wouldn't want a 17" laptop, from any manufacturer.


Ok - but I did, and I know several people that do as well.


A couple of people I know do have 17" PBs, but they went out and bought smaller notebooks (in addition) after realizing how big and awkward the 17" PB was. One bought an iBook 12", the other an even smaller Thinkpad. The 17" stay at home as desktop replacements, the small one is their portable.


Great! Apple makes even more money. For me, if my computer never leaves my home, I'd rather not have a laptop at all.


The fallacy in this argument is that you ignore "which features have what priority for the purchaser".

If "small and light" is an important feature, Apple loses.


I'm not ignoring anything. I'm relating my personal experience. I know 7 people that bought ultra-portables out of the 50 or so people that I know that own a laptop. Of those 7, several of them wish they hadn't (and told me so when I was looking) because they found that the 1lb weight savings wasn't worth the loss in functionality.



Not everyone wants a DVD or other fluff that adds bulk and weight. Many people would gladly take a slower processor (ULV Pentium M, for example) if it meant lighter weight and longer battery life.

Why does everyone assume that any new model will replace either the iBook or the Powerbook? Why can't Apple add additional models for different markets?

Apple has nothing for the subnotebook space, nor for the portable workstation space (the 3+ GHz or dual-core 64-bit laptops). These are big markets that Apple is simply ignoring because of their arbitrary consumer/pro model split.

If all you care about is how light your computer can be, and don't need good graphics, or optical drive capabilities then I certainly wouldn't recommend you buy current Apple products. You can definitely do better with a PC. Apple doesn't seem to be targeting that market, and none of their software strategy points towards a direction that indicates they would.

If you count this as a loss, or as a bad business decision for Apple, well I won't disagree with you - that is your perspective. But from my perspective in my tiny little corner of the world, it is a market segment that wouldn't likely have been all that lucrative anyway.

The size and weight of the 12"PB seems to have found itself quite a following. But part of that following is related to the fact that it still has a good processor, decent graphics, and is replete with optical drive. The question is how many current 12" PB owners would forgo all that to save some weight? I'm sure Apple has done some market research on this, and we'll have their answer (the only one that counts) in Jan.

[seashellz]

There will be a pink "Brittany Spears" model
A 'fishnet' black/white "Victorias Secret" model


and then the "Martha Stewart" model, with little cottage cheese bunnies all over the outer case