Apple to Launch an $800 Laptop?

[MacRumors]

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

The Inquisitr claims (http://www.inquisitr.com/4834/exclusive-apple-to-launch-800-laptop/) that some Apple retailers have already been given price lists for Apple's upcoming laptops and that there are 12 price points ranging from $800 to $3100. Current laptops are said to have only have 8 retail price points: 3 Macbooks (starting at $1099), 3 Macbook Pros and 2 Macbook Airs.

There has been speculation (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/07/22/apple-to-drop-prices-of-notebooks/) that Apple could be dropping prices their MacBooks ahead of an economic downturn, though analysts predicted the drop would only go as far as $999 (from $1099). An $800 MacBook would represent a $300 drop from the current low-end.

While The Inquisitr has no prior track record with Apple rumors, the owner of the site and author of the report is a relatively established blogger (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duncan_Riley). One potential cause for doubt is that their source claims that "retail outlets usually get the price lists 10 days before products hit the market" which is not typical. Historically, price lists have appeared as early as a few days ahead of launch. The longest lead time in recent memory was about four days (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/04/24/new-imacs-next-week/) prior to a Monday iMac launch.

As a result, it's feasible that (assuming this is true) these rumored product lists could foretell of announcements as early as next week. If so, then we'll likely hear further confirmation from other retail sources shortly.

Article Link (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/10/09/apple-to-launch-an-800-laptop/)

[kyen1]

We continue to wait patiently...

[MasterNile]

We continue to wait patiently...

lol or not so patiently for some

[kanon14]

Just release them!!!!

[Phormic]

Anyone want to predict that the $800 model STILL has a combo drive?

[kanon14]

Anyone want to predict that the $800 model STILL has a combo drive?

I do, and it's sad.

[MasterNile]

I'd agree with that, either combo drive or macbook air style no optical drive

[BornAgainMac]

The $999 Macbook above the $799 will have some must have feature I bet. And the $3,100 Macbook sounds like it will have Blu-Ray.

[dainiookas]

I doubt this pricing... although it would be very good for me, because I'm planning to grab as soon as it arrives

[Shagrat]

Hmmn. Might have to replace ageing 1st gen white Macbook (32 bit processor) with Pro of some description. Could do with a better screen/graphics/case/etc/ etc.

And cheaper than Pros were, when I could only afford the Macbook, too, I hope

[gifford]

$800 would shut people up. good

[dambro1978]

I just need a MBA with 2 USB ports, at least a 5400rpm HD and a standard Core2duo .
Really hoping for next tuesday.

[MasterNile]

Excuse my ignorance but how are people expecting the MBPs to be cheaper when top of the line MBP now costs $2800 and the most expensive one will now cost $3100?

[Philberttheduck]

Just hope it's not an $800 netbook. Despite the impulse-buy popularity of netbooks, I just don't see Apple playing this market; Apple's always been a trend STARTER, not follower. But I have seen crazier things and wouldn't be opposed to a netbook at all (although at $500, not 800)

[Kilamite]

Oh, the suspense of all this is killing me!

I need to know now, Apple. Please.

[peepboon]

Apple's trying to get a slice of the $100 laptop per child hahaha.... still have to cut back almost $700! ;)

[Philberttheduck]

Excuse my ignorance but how are people expecting the MBPs to be cheaper when top of the line MBP now costs $2800 and the most expensive one will now cost $3100?

They could throw in a 17" model with an SSD as another MBP model

[MasterNile]

They could throw in a 17" model with an SSD as another MBP model

So you're saying 1. 15 inch model, 2. 17 inch model, 3. 17 inch model w/ SSD?

[fendersrule]

Excuse my ignorance but how are people expecting the MBPs to be cheaper when top of the line MBP now costs $2800 and the most expensive one will now cost $3100?

Because there may be an amazing new hope that Apple might be installing BluRay on their new systems, which would easy create a new price cap.

I really could care less about this notebook crap. I already have a new MacBookPro, along with a 2008 Mac Pro...and I love them both. But what I really care about: is to replace my G4 mini sitting in front of my HDTV with a brand new Mac Mini. It would be awesome if Apple is putting BluRay in their new units...AND if the update the mini. Talk about a killer unit!

Fingers are still crossed.

[k2k koos]

14th or not? who knows, it appears to be an impressive range of portables, if this is going to be true :-) :apple:

[jodelli]

I hope this is for real. Even if the entry line lacks some features.

[iCantwait]

that should make my proposed set up cheaper

[djens]

I just sold my MPB (3500$) so I have alot of money to spend:D
But I doubt they will be released as sonn as the 14th. I think most Apple fanatics is just blinded by hope or something... But i am crossing my fingers myself though:p
I live in Norway, therefore the prices. Btw a fully upgraded 17 incher costs almost 5000 USD here... :/

[MasterNile]

Question regarding Blu-Ray, my understanding was that software wise Macs wouldn't be able to support it till Snow Leopard is released, does this mean that if the new MBPs did come with a Blu-Ray drive they wouldn't be able to use it to it's full potential until Jan?

[fendersrule]

Question regarding Blu-Ray, my understanding was that software wise Macs wouldn't be able to support it till Snow Leopard is released, does this mean that if the new MBPs did come with a Blu-Ray drive they wouldn't be able to use it to it's full potential until Jan?

Possibly.

It could also be possible that Apple's next revision of OSX will contain support for BluRay, along with pronouncing a date for the new revision release. I don't think there is any evidence that 10.6 is the "beginning" of BluRay support, we just know that it does support it.

[DaveTheGrey]

As long as a aluminium macbook hits before the end of oktober I'll be happy!

[lamina]

If it's something of an ultraportable, put me down for one.

[gregorsamsa]

Well, paraphrasing something Steve Jobs said a year back: "I can see a time when we sell 80%-90% laptops", maybe Apple are dropping the Mini & adding something like a MacBook Mini range, starting at about $800 to $999. In keeping with that statement & in view of the recession, this would be a logical move. Whatever it is, I'm very much looking forward to finding out!

[dambro1978]

My prediction:

13" entry level: 5400rpm 120 Gb HD, Core2duo, integrated nVidia GPU, combo - 799
13" mid range: 5400rpm 160 Gb HD, Core2duo, integrated nVidia GPU, SD
- 999
13" pro: 7200rpm HD, Core2duo, dedicated GPU, SD - 1299
13" pro 120Gb SSD, Core2duo, dedicated GPU, SD - 1999

15" entry level: 5400rpm 120 Gb HD, Core2duo, integrated nVidia GPU, combo - 999
15" mid range: 5400rpm 160 Gb HD, Core2duo, integrated nVidia GPU, SD
- 1299
15" pro: 7200rpm HD, Core2duo, dedicated GPU, SD - 1599
15" pro 120Gb SSD, Core2duo, dedicated GPU, SD - 2499

17" 7200rpm HD, Core2duo, dedicated GPU, SD - 2099
17" 7200rpm HD, Core2duo, dedicated GPU, BlueRay - 2499

MBA 13" 5400rpm 160 Gb HD, Core2duo, integrated nVidia GPU - 1599
MBA 120Gb SSD, Core2duo, dedicated GPU - 3099

(prices are just stretched to fill the 800-3100 window, I know the MBA with SSD is overpriced..)

[MasterNile]

And when people say Blu-Ray support do they mean just read or both read/write? I'm not too interested in Blu-Ray unless I can write to Blu-Ray discs

[fendersrule]

Well, paraphrasing something Steve Jobs said a year back: "I can see a time when we sell 80%-90% laptops", maybe Apple are dropping the Mini & adding something like a MacBook Mini range, starting at about $800 to $999. In keeping with that statement & in view of the recession, this would be a logical move. Whatever it is, I'm very much looking forward to finding out!

Steve Jobs also said that there is ALWAYS a place for the desktop, and that he does not see the desktop being replaced soon at all. Likewise, there is a chance that Apple MAY drop the Mini. But under certain circumstances will they EVER decide to do this. Read on:

People are now in need of a media center unit. Why watch Youtube, DVD's, BluRay, or iTunes rentals on your computer, when you can watch them on your large HDTV now? Especially when apple can promote iTunes on your very own TV for more purchases. This is where the Apple TV comes in, but it hasn't been as successful as hoped. The Apple TV seems not enough (720p limitation, no OSX, no bluray, no DVD, tiny hard drive), but the Mac Mini seems a bit "overkill" in many ways. This is where merging the products may be a good idea.

Believe it or not, HP, Dell, and all other PC companies sell some sort of a miniaturized PC unit that all look great sitting in front of the TV. Most of these units have HDMI out, and can be added with BluRay drives from the factory. Some of these units even have Nvidia GPU's in them.

Now my point. The Mini will only be dropped, when the AppleTV grows some balls, enough balls to make consumers buy the AppleTV instead of the Dell unit which looks to be a nice unit btw: http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/desktop-studio-hybrid?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&~oid=us~en~29~desktop-studio-hybrid_anav_1~~

So possible scenarios:

Mac Mini updated. Apple TV stagnant.
Mac Mini and Apple TV combined into one product
Mac Mini dropped, Apple TV grows balls.

If Mini updated, we are bound to see a price drop.

[gnasher729]

From the article itself: "According to the source, Apple retail stores have been given price sheets that list 12 price points for the new range, with prices between $800-$3100."

There is no way that any Apple retail store has received any price list for any products that are not announced by Apple. No way. Forget it. He is making it up. If he had claimed that somebody inside the Apple organisation had given him a price list, that would be a very, very remote possibility. Someone at Apple must have these prices right now. But Apple retail stores? No way whatsoever.

[Randman]

If it's something of an ultraportable, put me down for one.

It's called an iPhone.

[andylyon]

Anyone want to predict that the $800 model STILL has a combo drive?

You read my mind!

[dambro1978]

From the article itself: "According to the source, Apple retail stores have been given price sheets that list 12 price points for the new range, with prices between $800-$3100."

There is no way that any Apple retail store has received any price list for any products that are not announced by Apple. No way. Forget it. He is making it up. If he had claimed that somebody inside the Apple organisation had given him a price list, that would be a very, very remote possibility. Someone at Apple must have these prices right now. But Apple retail stores? No way whatsoever.

I agree, but how was this handled in the past?
Someone is claiming that retail stores receive prices from 4 to 10 days before the actual release.
Probably it is to update the IT system that controls purchases in the Apple stores. NO specs bu at least pricepoints.

Just guessing here...

[kviksilver]

I just sold my MPB (3500$) so I have alot of money to spend:D
But I doubt they will be released as sonn as the 14th. I think most Apple fanatics is just blinded by hope or something... But i am crossing my fingers myself though:p
I live in Norway, therefore the prices. Btw a fully upgraded 17 incher costs almost 5000 USD here... :/

Try living in Croatia...
Base model of macbook pro is 15 179 Croatian kune => 3 173 U.S. dollars
So we have a laptop that costs 3100$ :-(
I can buy an airplane ticket to NY buy base MBP and come back home, for 3500$ :-)

[onicon]

C'mon Apple, just release 'em.

I pretty much don't care about 13" or 17" models. 15" is about the perfect size for me (portability vs. screen estate). I've been waiting for almost three month now... ...don't want to wait any longer. :rolleyes:

[andreab35]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5F136 Safari/525.20)

Hope there is a nice MBA price drop! :D

[kornyboy]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5F136 Safari/525.20)

This would definitely make Apple more competitive in the laptop market if it proved to be true.

[AJ1BostonMASS]

$800 would shut people up. good

you would think so but prob be wrong think about the specs it would have
prob the same or worst specs the low end model has now and for 800 bucks still a rip off. for 800 dollars im sure you can get a pc with 3gb or ram 250Gb HD at least 2.0ghz

nevertheless you are paying for the brand

combo drive and all.

[MasterNile]

for 800 dollars im sure you can get a pc with 3gb or ram 250Gb HD at least 2.0ghz

You mean for $800 you can get a PC that barely meets the minimum requirements to run Vista?

[teme]

You mean for $800 you can get a PC that barely meets the minimum requirements to run Vista?


Recommended system requirements for Vista Premium are 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor, 1 GB of system memory and 40 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space

[AndyR]

Apple better not put a stupid combo drive in the $800 model. That is just plain out of date and Apple need to move with the times on that one..

[AJ1BostonMASS]

Recommended system requirements for Vista Premium are 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor, 1 GB of system memory and 40 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space

just because that is what it ssays to run does not mean it will run well

[LoganHunter]

Possibly.

It could also be possible that Apple's next revision of OSX will contain support for BluRay, along with pronouncing a date for the new revision release. I don't think there is any evidence that 10.6 is the "beginning" of BluRay support, we just know that it does support it.

I read somewhere (i don't remember now where) the blu-ray support will come on 10.5.6 update, before Snow Leopard.

[workingmanbh]

In my opinnion, if Apple does really drop 300 usd from the entry level Macbook, there will be a massive move of changing notebooks.
The cost/benefit of Macbook in 1099 is the best, because of the construction of the product, along with design, components, and a solid operating system.
It would be the best product to buy !
Hope this is true !!

[MasterNile]

just because that is what it ssays to run does not mean it will run well

Exactly, I'd like to know who runs Vista on 1GB of RAM and doesn't curse it daily

[MacVault]

If they would now just do the same with the MacPro!

[cms2]

Other rumors pointed to "very aggressive" pricing. $800 base model is not what I consider aggressive in the current laptop market (particularly if other posters are correct about the combo drive; that's just sad).

Before everyone jumps on me with comparisons to BMW v. Ford, let me just say I get it. :)

[thies]

If they finally release something with the current macbook formfactor but a dedicated graphics chip instead of that piece of ass Intel crap I'll buy as long as it's sitting around 1500-1700$.

[mac jones]

Sounds too good to true, actually.

An $800 Mac Laptop?

nah , I'll believe it when I see it

[PMR]

My prediction:

13" entry level: 5400rpm 120 Gb HD, Core2duo, integrated nVidia GPU, combo - 799
13" mid range: 5400rpm 160 Gb HD, Core2duo, integrated nVidia GPU, SD
- 999
13" pro: 7200rpm HD, Core2duo, dedicated GPU, SD - 1299
13" pro 120Gb SSD, Core2duo, dedicated GPU, SD - 1999

15" entry level: 5400rpm 120 Gb HD, Core2duo, integrated nVidia GPU, combo - 999
15" mid range: 5400rpm 160 Gb HD, Core2duo, integrated nVidia GPU, SD
- 1299
15" pro: 7200rpm HD, Core2duo, dedicated GPU, SD - 1599
15" pro 120Gb SSD, Core2duo, dedicated GPU, SD - 2499

17" 7200rpm HD, Core2duo, dedicated GPU, SD - 2099
17" 7200rpm HD, Core2duo, dedicated GPU, BlueRay - 2499

MBA 13" 5400rpm 160 Gb HD, Core2duo, integrated nVidia GPU - 1599
MBA 120Gb SSD, Core2duo, dedicated GPU - 3099

(prices are just stretched to fill the 800-3100 window, I know the MBA with SSD is overpriced..)

There are some good predictions there, but I see no reason to fit a dedicated gfx card on the Air, and the price is way to high for it since SSD are becoming cheaper and cheaper.(http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/08/super-talent-caters-to-eee-pc-with-new-16-32-64gb-ssds/)

And I don't believe in the Pros with integrated gfx. Too confusing for the consumer.
Just my thoughts.

[OriginalMacRat]

Could be the inclusion of a 20" MacBook Pro.

Finally!!!

[sra. Aguirre]

ok now we're talking...not for me personally. but for the many people I know who want an Apple laptop they can afford....mind you that these are just regular users...they do not need or want high-end/high priced ones.

Me? I just wait for the new Macbookpro's...at any price!:D

[Dejavu]

This $800 notebook rumor is bogus. Apple can't even make a Mac for $500 and that's with no mouse, keyboard or monitor.

[FrancTheNoose]

After lurking around for years this news made me sign up and comment.
This is the best news ever from a fanboy perspective (obviously), BUT it's even good news from a competitive perspective because this will spread OS X around on an "affordable" machine, and give developers a "cheap" mac for app development. I can see a lot of people (including me) getting on board.

[Abstract]

My prediction:

13" entry level: 5400rpm 120 Gb HD, Core2duo, integrated nVidia GPU, combo - 799
13" mid range: 5400rpm 160 Gb HD, Core2duo, integrated nVidia GPU, SD
- 999
13" pro: 7200rpm HD, Core2duo, dedicated GPU, SD - 1299
13" pro 120Gb SSD, Core2duo, dedicated GPU, SD - 1999

15" entry level: 5400rpm 120 Gb HD, Core2duo, integrated nVidia GPU, combo - 999
15" mid range: 5400rpm 160 Gb HD, Core2duo, integrated nVidia GPU, SD
- 1299
15" pro: 7200rpm HD, Core2duo, dedicated GPU, SD - 1599
15" pro 120Gb SSD, Core2duo, dedicated GPU, SD - 2499

17" 7200rpm HD, Core2duo, dedicated GPU, SD - 2099
17" 7200rpm HD, Core2duo, dedicated GPU, BlueRay - 2499

MBA 13" 5400rpm 160 Gb HD, Core2duo, integrated nVidia GPU - 1599
MBA 120Gb SSD, Core2duo, dedicated GPU - 3099

(prices are just stretched to fill the 800-3100 window, I know the MBA with SSD is overpriced..)

Mine prediction looks like this:


And with the transition to 16:9 screen ratio, we get different screen sizes:

MBA (2 models) (screen size...?)
14" MacBook (3 models)
14" MBP (2 models)
16" MBP (2 models)
18" MBP (2 models)

+ 1 model I can't think of.


No idea on specs or prices, but I guess they have either an extra BluRay or SSD option for 1 or 2 of the MBP models.

Without 3 different sized MBPs, or maybe 2 different MacBook models, it would be hard to have 12 different price points.


MBA (2 models)
12" MacBook (2 models)
14" MacBook (2 models)
14" MBP (2 models)
16" MBP (2 models)
18" MBP (2 models)

[MasterNile]

This $800 notebook rumor is bogus. Apple can't even make a Mac for $500 and that's with no mouse, keyboard or monitor.

CAN'T and WON'T are two very different things, surely they CAN as others have, but at the time the mac mini was released the economy was not what it is now, so lowering the price of a macbook to $800 is a good tactic to keep selling something to the average price checking consumer

[Hattig]

This $800 notebook rumor is bogus. Apple can't even make a Mac for $500 and that's with no mouse, keyboard or monitor.

Apple make a mint on Mac Mini sales considering the components and the vast amount of time a single design lasts. Apple could knock $100 of the price and still make off like bandits. That's what I hope they do soon, with a new nvidia chipset based Mac Mini.

[PMR]

Well, I believe the new Mac Mini will be like this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu_moia-oVI&feature=related)

[djellison]

combo

If Apple still try to rip people off over a ****** combo drive, when a proper DVD drive is going to cost them <$20, I will be shocked. SURELY now, with a new case, they can get rid of this scam?

[djellison]

Well, I believe the new Mac Mini will be like this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu_moia-oVI&feature=related)

Rick-rolling was funny about 6 months ago . Seriously - can't we move on?

[PMR]

Rick-rolling was funny about 6 months ago . Seriously - can't we move on?

It just won't die...

[MrZebra]

This $800 notebook rumor is bogus. Apple can't even make a Mac for $500 and that's with no mouse, keyboard or monitor.

you win.

[musukosan]

This $800 notebook rumor is bogus. Apple can't even make a Mac for $500 and that's with no mouse, keyboard or monitor.

Well said.

[takao]

a 800€ apple notebook

that means the combo drive travesty will continue for another year

[iknowgungfu]

Anyone want to predict that the $800 model STILL has a combo drive?

Out of interest what is the differernce between combo drive and super?

[MasterNile]

Out of interest what is the differernce between combo drive and super?

Combo doesn't burn DVD's, which apparently a lot of people have a problem with, but I've never burned a DVD in my life and don't really find myself ever needing to

[Cloudane]

Apple *SPANG!* are *SPANG!* not *SPANG!* stupid *SPANG!* enough *SPANG!* to *SPANG!* drop *SPANG!* the *SPANG!* Mac *SPANG!* Mini!

Where "spang" is the sound of a frying pan hitting the head of the next person to spread that ancient and unfounded rumour!

It's their only entry-level Mac desktop, and very popular amongst Mac-curious PC users and those who already have an iMac or Pro and want a simple secondary OS X machine. A computer that is, not an aTV media centre thing. It'd be utterly retarded if they were dropping it, unless they had something else equally small, cheap (and not a laptop) to replace it. Apple have their WTF Moments, but they're not that daft.

/rant off

I always figured that if Apple were going to jump on the netbook bandwagon they'd do it their own (more expensive) way. That turned out to be the Macbook Air. If they're finally doing their own proper netbook with actual netbook pricing, cool. I just wonder where the MBA will fit in at that point (that said, I never did see the point in it. It's for either Status or Thinness obsessives IMO.)

Also wonder how this would work out in GBP... probably about £800 :p

Personal theory is that the $800 one, if it exists, is a radical drop in price of the lowest end Macbook. As for the really expensive one.... hrm personally I think they'd put BluRay into desktops first, but you never know. Either that or they hiked the price of the top end model to subsidise the bottom end (How very Robin Hood!) or some new feature we don't know about yet...

[LoganHunter]

Exactly, I'd like to know who runs Vista on 1GB of RAM and doesn't curse it daily

I do run Vista with 1GB Ram everyday at work and it performs nice, at least enough to work. However, it will depend on what apps you'll be running. I work as a developer and sometimes I have to have several apps (IDE's, different web browsers, etc) running and it becomes slower mainly on context changes (when you switch between windows or restore minimized windows of heavier apps). And of course, i notice some performance improvements with the 2GB I have on my Windows PC at home. It's better to have 2GB than 1GB, for sure, everybody knows that.

[Marx55]

This is it:

Next Apple moves will be Books and Games…
http://spidouz.wordpress.com/2008/09/03/next-apple-moves-will-be-books-and-games

Amazing!

[137489]

Historically, price lists have appeared as early as a few days ahead of launch. The longest lead time in recent memory was about four days prior to a Monday iMac launch.


take into account 4 days being 4 business days:

today - 1
Oct 10 - 2
Monday Oct 13 -3
Tuesday Oct 14 -4

Could still be on track for the rumored Oct 14 release..... Eitherway we may still have a shot. and Christmas is going to need a real boost this year, I have people saying - "well, looks like I have to drop so and so from my list this year, just can't afford to buy them anything". Or "don't expect muct from me this year.."

Hogwash - I say distant relatives and aquaintenaces you can get buy with going to the dollar store or some discount store. There are still some nice things for under $15.

back on subject:

this would be good if true. $3100 sounds to me like a beefy tablet - most tablet PC's I have seen run about $2000 and up. I still think a tablet would be a macworld thing though....

They better cut the prices big. Dell still sends me their flyers and that studio hybrid (the one that rivals the mini) has about a $50 price cut making it around $449 for the baseline model.

And why would anyone be crying about a netbook. there were alot of people whining they wanted one. Ok, for $800 it better be a beefed up netbook (small as a netbook but as powerful as a baseline macbook).

[iknowgungfu]

Combo doesn't burn DVD's, which apparently a lot of people have a problem with, but I've never burned a DVD in my life and don't really find myself ever needing to

Cheers for the info. I have to admit, if a combo drive was included now it would be a bit crummy. I don't burn many DVDs but it does occur fro time to time. But at the end of the day how many current entrylevel laptops don't have a DVD writer?

[redgaz26]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5F136 Safari/525.20)

Out of interest what is the differernce between combo drive and super?

Combo doesn't burn DVD's, which apparently a lot of people have a problem with, but I've never burned a DVD in my life and don't really find myself ever needing to

I was going to but an atv but will hold out till I find out what's going to come out of this.
Your right who wants to burn DVDs these days I'd rather stream from my mac to my tv. For £199 the atv is an expensive bit of kit for what it does. Stick leopard in it keep the price and ill be there!!!

[MasterNile]

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I was going to but an atv but will hold out till I find out what's going to come out of this.
Your right who wants to burn DVDs these days I'd rather stream from my mac to my tv. For £199 the atv is an expensive bit of kit for what it does. Stick leopard in it keep the price and ill be there!!!

Yeah, I'd love a cheaper mac mini or more powerful Apple TV, sure Apple TV is great, but I can't watch Hulu on it

[mattbannister]

Apple *SPANG!* are *SPANG!* not *SPANG!* stupid *SPANG!* enough *SPANG!* to *SPANG!* drop *SPANG!* the *SPANG!* Mac *SPANG!* Mini!

Where "spang" is the sound of a frying pan hitting the head of the next person to spread that ancient and unfounded rumour!
i think you just killed them...

[Bonte]

For what its worth, Mediamarkt in Belgium (a big German electronics retailer) is selling the low-end macbook with 2GB ram for 888 euro. Official price for the same model with just 1 GB ram is 1000 euro, this is a big price-cut we rarely or never see around here.


.

[rushmere]

Other rumors pointed to "very aggressive" pricing. $800 base model is not what I consider aggressive in the current laptop market (particularly if other posters are correct about the combo drive; that's just sad).

Before everyone jumps on me with comparisons to BMW v. Ford, let me just say I get it. :)

I'm not sure where these "very aggressive" pricing rumours originated.

Apple actually said at their last conference call that they expected profit margins to drift down from 34.8% to around 31.5%. That doesn't sound like an "aggressive" price drop to me. Of course, costs could be cut as well to bring prices down, but that probably means lower spec products rather than Apple simply giving you more for the same money. Component costs may also have dropped, but the drop seems unlikely to be that significant.

If there is a $800 laptop, it will simply be a lesser product.

[pubjoe]

I'm not sure if apple would devalue their whole macbook range by starting it at $800. One of the appeals of apple products is the high entry point price - and (putting value aside) this "elite club mentality" is the cause of much love/hate. This move would change the value perception of apple's whole line up.

But still, we are going to see tight times in the near future. Steve himself has acknowledged his awareness of this and the effect it will have on apple's product. So perhaps an $800 low end won't devalue the range at all in relation to tomorrow's dollar.

DejaVu, Apple, like any company, will price the product margin at what they hope is the optimal level. They had a big enough margin on the mini to drop the price a lot, but didn't feel the increase in sales volume would be worth the cut. They are just at the mercy of the consumer though, if the customer won't look at their range unless it starts at $800, then so be it. Also, some customer's will be brought in by the low $800, but end up not being able to resist a higher model once their first interest has been perked. I think we all know this feeling. ;)

[Cloudane]

i think you just killed them...

Nah, I hit their weakest point :D

[nick9191]

I just need a MBA with 2 USB ports, at least a 5400rpm HD and a standard Core2duo .
Really hoping for next tuesday.
Its called a Macbook.

[claimed4all]

If they finally release something with the current macbook formfactor but a dedicated graphics chip instead of that piece of ass Intel crap I'll buy as long as it's sitting around 1500-1700$.

Why does everyone want a macbook with a Dedicated GPU? We know the dedicated GPU is loads better, but the macbook is entry level equipment. Probably of 1/2 the mac users out there do not require a dedicated GPU, so no sense putting it in the macbook.

[840quadra]

I am really hoping the high end is the Core 2 Extreme (Quad Core), and features Blu Ray. If not, I won't be destroyed, however it is going to make me (yes a somewhat Mac Zelot) look at Lenovo's high end W700 (http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/special-offers.workflow:ShowPromo?LandingPage=/All/US/Landing_pages/ThinkPad_notebooks/2008/W700&ipromoID=hpc00310&) a bit more closely. With Quad core processors, and dual hard disk capability, it really puts some good "pro" feel into the concept of a mobile powerhouse. With that said, I think the Wacom is something I would never use, however the built in Color calibration is something that interests me.

If I went Lenovo you wouldn't have to worry about me going to Vista, something on the "open" source side of the fence would be in order ;) . Either way, I would prefer to stick with Apple, but time and price will tell!

http://forums.macrumors.com/image.php?u=47064&dateline=1165207334&type=profile

[gkarris]

You mean for $800 you can get a PC that barely meets the minimum requirements to run Vista?

Recommended system requirements for Vista Premium are 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor, 1 GB of system memory and 40 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space

Sarcasm? :D

Ever try running Vista on one of these? I configured for my friend's business a Pentium Duo 1.8, 2 Gigs RAM, and a 128Meg DX10 GPU, and Vista BASIC runs okay... :eek:

Apple's Snow Leopard will actually run better on Intel machines with 512Megs (on my Mini right now) :)

Apple can release these laptops, and the new OS will take advantage of the more powerful chips to run on minimal memory, thus keep prices lower.

I just put Ubuntu Linux on an old P3 Thinkpad X20 with 384 Megs RAM and it runs great compared to XP that was on it.

Unix based is the way to go...

Sounds too good to true, actually.

An $800 Mac Laptop?

nah , I'll believe it when I see it

Could be possible - 12" WS, 1 Gigs RAM, 80 Gig HD, low end Intel Core 2 Duo (or i7?)

I remember the first line of overall pricedrops with new products, the Mac Classic, LC, and IIsi (see avatar).

People said, "A Mac for under $1000 - no way, would be garbage". Little did we know... :D

[Quicksilver744]

$800 MacBook is fine and dandy with me, even if it had integrated graphics and a combo drive or whatever - sounds like a holiday gift idea. My younger sister is doing one of those online homeschooling things, and as part of the school they provide the student with some cheap HP "business" PC. Long story short, that PC is all but unusable, despite being clean of any type of malware, and my sister is finding that she's having to resort to using our old G4 tower more and more in order to get anything done. Amazing that a G4 from 2001 running Leopard is still more usable and responsive than a PC running XP from 2007 that has better specifications all around. $800 MacBook is still a Mac.

[MasterNile]

Why does everyone want a macbook with a Dedicated GPU? We know the dedicated GPU is loads better, but the macbook is entry level equipment. Probably of 1/2 the mac users out there do not require a dedicated GPU, so no sense putting it in the macbook.

The macbook is popular amongst college students, gaming is popular amongst college student, gaming almost requires a dedicated GPU.

[takao]

Why does everyone want a macbook with a Dedicated GPU? We know the dedicated GPU is loads better, but the macbook is entry level equipment. Probably of 1/2 the mac users out there do not require a dedicated GPU, so no sense putting it in the macbook.

entry level equipement for premium price ?
no offense ... but it's the year 2008 ... combo drive + intel graphics for 1000 bucks is nothing short of robbery

[dambro1978]

Its called a Macbook.

Well, I don't need an optical drive..

[MasterNile]

Well, I don't need an optical drive..

then replace it with a hard drive (http://www.mcetech.com/optibay/)?

[dcorban]

Fake.

[djellison]

But at the end of the day how many current entrylevel laptops don't have a DVD writer?

I've just been thru all the <£300 laptops at PC World's Online store for the UK.

9 machines. All had DVD writing abilities - one even with Lightscribe.

You have to spend £829 to get a Mac laptop with a DVD writer

[MasterNile]

Fake.

Specify?

[MasterNile]

I've just been thru all the <£300 laptops at PC World's Online store for the UK.

9 machines. All had DVD writing abilities - one even with Lightscribe.

You have to spend £829 to get a Mac laptop with a DVD writer

How many of those had Mac OS X? :p
I'd rather have Mac OS X and a combo drive than Windows and a DVD burner
(obviously since my MacBook has a combo drive)

[gkarris]

The macbook is popular amongst college students, gaming is popular amongst college student, gaming almost requires a dedicated GPU.

Actually, looks like Apple will now try for the K-12 market with the lower pricing.

The schools I visit for work are mainly PC's (except for a few on Mac - and they're in high-class neighborhoods :eek:) since PC's are "cheaper".

An $800 MacBook will make many schools start to think twice about getting PC's, as a half-decent PC for the classroom would cost not much less (another division got 10 HP Laptops for training purposes and those for $749 for something decent enough to run our corporate apps).

[claimed4all]

The macbook is popular amongst college students, gaming is popular amongst college student, gaming almost requires a dedicated GPU.

Not one of my college friends games on a computer, if you like to game you have an Xbox, PS3, Wii, or sorry to say, a pc. If you need a dedicated GPU you are just going to pay for it, iMac or Pro.

[dstrauss]

Why does everyone want a macbook with a Dedicated GPU? We know the dedicated GPU is loads better, but the macbook is entry level equipment. Probably of 1/2 the mac users out there do not require a dedicated GPU, so no sense putting it in the macbook.

Based upon the specs on Snow Leopard, I would say a dedicated GPU is going to almost be a necessity. If they can really off-load processing duties to the GPU and harness a dual/quad core processor, it would be a smoking hot machine.

[840quadra]

Fake.

Specify?

No kidding. What makes it fake in your opinion.

Oh and FYI


Things Not to Do

These are usually not instantly bannable - but will likely get you edited and/or warned.

1. Useless posts. Do not bother making posts with only one or two words (e.g., LOL) or a smilie, or post simply to have the first reply in a thread. Such posts waste everyone's time and will be deleted. Posts saying "I agree", "me too", or the equivalent are also routinely removed.

http://forums.macrumors.com/image.php?u=47064&dateline=1165207334&type=profile

[Bubba Satori]

$800 would shut people up. good

That's a nice attitude towards Apple's customers. Not if those people had been shopping for laptops recently and seen what $800 buys you these days. :rolleyes:

[MacinJosh]

I've just been thru all the <£300 laptops at PC World's Online store for the UK.

9 machines. All had DVD writing abilities - one even with Lightscribe.

You have to spend £829 to get a Mac laptop with a DVD writer

I don't even want an optical drive on my laptop. Not everyone needs it. Many/most have a desktop as well.

Joshua.

[137489]

Well, paraphrasing something Steve Jobs said a year back: "I can see a time when we sell 80%-90% laptops", maybe Apple are dropping the Mini & adding something like a MacBook Mini range, starting at about $800 to $999. In keeping with that statement & in view of the recession, this would be a logical move. Whatever it is, I'm very much looking forward to finding out!


There is a whole downward trend to using desktops and an upward trend to laptops/mobile. I would not say discontinue the mini, although the discontinue/revamp rumors of the mini have been going on for years. if they do, then they better revamp apple TV for those who are using the mini as an entertainment server. I was even thinking of doing that myself now that new LCD tv's have a DVI or VGA port on the back. Now a 42" widescreen monitor for my mac :eek: :D that would be cool, overkill but cool. I can see it now, me watching youtube on a 42". :p . But seriously, it would be cool to get a one TB external drive and rip all my DVD's to the mini. then I could just click to the one I wanted to watch.

[MacsBestFriend]

i think the $800 is not for a laptop but rather for a new mac mini! although im getting a macbook:D

[teme]

Sarcasm? :D


Those are recommended requirements, I didn't say that Vista runs well with those specs. The original conversation began with someone saying that $800 PC notebooks come with 250GB hard drive, 2GHz processor and 3 gigs of memory. Someone replied that those system specs barely meet Vista's requirements. My point was to tell that Vista's requirements are much lower than 250GB hard drive, 2GHz processor and 3 gigs of memory.

[Bubba Satori]

How many of those had Mac OS X? :p
I'd rather have Mac OS X and a combo drive than Windows and a DVD burner
(obviously since my MacBook has a combo drive)

And pay an extra 500 to do it ? :eek:

[teme]

I don't even want an optical drive on my laptop. Not everyone needs it. Many/most have a desktop as well.

Joshua.

I don't want a firewire to my laptop. However I understand that users have different needs and while I never need some feature, the same feature could be in everyday use for some other user.

[mitten]

Actually, looks like Apple will now try for the K-12 market with the lower pricing.

I have two sons, grades 6 and 8, and both use Macs exclusively at school. They're in middle school now, but that was true at the elementary level as well.

Only one data point, I know (this is the Ann Arbor MI school district), but I think Apple is already pretty decently placed in the younger educational market.

[MasterNile]

And pay an extra 500 to do it ? :eek:

If you're asking if I'd pay $500 extra for Mac OS X w/ combo drive rather than Windows w/ DVD burner, hands down I would gladly pay that much, however I buy my computers refurbished from Apple so it's not like I paid quite that much

But again, I've never burned a DVD in my life (yes I do have a super drive on my iMac) and don't find it needed since if i want to watch my files on TV I use my iPod w/ composite cables

[137489]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5F136 Safari/525.20)



I was going to but an atv but will hold out till I find out what's going to come out of this.
Your right who wants to burn DVDs these days I'd rather stream from my mac to my tv. For £199 the atv is an expensive bit of kit for what it does. Stick leopard in it keep the price and ill be there!!!

Umm actually me.... I use DVD's for permanate backups as they will hold 4.7gb. Also, I have friends & family who (believe it or not) do not have a computer or have one, but not really saavy with it - so I just put together a DVD and they can play it in their DVD players.

Plus I distribute DVD's of all our church outings I tape or take pictures of (you be surprised of how many people are greatful and say thanks, and wish they had brought their own camera).

Yes I am a shutterbug - I have over 5,000 photos and about 300 or more videos.

[G4R2]

Why does everyone want a macbook with a Dedicated GPU? We know the dedicated GPU is loads better, but the macbook is entry level equipment. Probably of 1/2 the mac users out there do not require a dedicated GPU, so no sense putting it in the macbook.

I'll add another reason to those listed above. A lot of users need more power than an entry level model but also prefer the Macbooks smaller form factor over its larger siblings. The Macbook Air is pure form factor over function at a much higher cost so it isn't really comparable.

I suspect this is what a lot of Asus Eee buyers are feeling- the need for increased power for what is essentially a barebones laptop. They appreciate the form factor which provides greater utility than larger laptops but are constrained by the performance due to the fact that in order to price the device in that range Asus had to compromise on features.

[jbrenn]

Anyone want to predict that the $800 model STILL has a combo drive?

no i bet it has no drive at all like the air

[djellison]

How many of those had Mac OS X?

OSX is £85. How do you explain the other £500?

I'm not arguing for Macbooks to be £300 ( although I think they are over priced) - I'm simply saying that a laptop that costs £800 should have AT A MINIMUM the abilities of a laptop less than half the price.

Selling a >£800 Macbook with iLife, but no means to use iDVD, is a rip off.

[PMR]

i think the $800 is not for a laptop but rather for a new mac mini! although im getting a macbook:D

Replacing a product for one that costs even more? That makes no sense. Unless it comes with at least 250GB 7200rpm, 2GB, C2D 2.6Ghz, Mouse and Keyboard.

[highjumppudding]

this will happen. perfect timing. itll be elegant no matter the specs.

[icoffee]

Is definitely a good thing. Increase market share, react to economic changes, and grow the user base. Smart, very smart :)

[MasterNile]

Those are recommended requirements, I didn't say that Vista runs well with those specs. The original conversation began with someone saying that $800 PC notebooks come with 250GB hard drive, 2GHz processor and 3 gigs of memory. Someone replied that those system specs barely meet Vista's requirements. My point was to tell that Vista's requirements are much lower than 250GB hard drive, 2GHz processor and 3 gigs of memory.

Yes I didn't mean the specs listed by Microsoft I meant real world specs for Vista to run well

[puffnstuff]

An $800 thinner,lighter aluminum macbook or a $1200 macbook air?

Hmmm

[bytethese]

$800 would shut people up. good

No it wouldn't, I'd scream from teh hills. :) I don't want some POS $800 laptop. I want a nice new MBP and a new Mac Mini!

[Eidorian]

No it wouldn't, I'd scream from teh hills. :) I don't want some POS $800 laptop. I want a nice new MBP and a new Mac Mini!$800 is a POS laptop?

I'd welcome the addition to the Mac line up. Apple never touched the lower end Core 2 Duo processors and Pentium Dual Core. It's about time.

[ACubed]

YES! maxed out MacBook for cheaper! FTW!

[johnsy]

if rumors are right and pictures too, seems macbook still will have optical drive, but $800 will probably buy you only combo drive. However $800 price is what I was talking about- $1000 with apple care and I hope they will not get rid of any of current mb ports, I wouldn't mind FW800 too. As for netbook I can purchase asus too, but that is not what I want. $600 addition is not worth OS and apple sticker only. Also after apple will cut prices competitors will have no choice but to do the same.

[Ironduke]

Question regarding Blu-Ray, my understanding was that software wise Macs wouldn't be able to support it till Snow Leopard is released, does this mean that if the new MBPs did come with a Blu-Ray drive they wouldn't be able to use it to it's full potential until Jan?

bollox lad all it would need is for apple to update the dvd player, the issue would be making sure all new macs can play them, without stutter, the nvidia chipset would help this

[MasterNile]

OSX is £85. How do you explain the other £500?


Form Factor and the fact that they retain their value since I always sell my computers to get new computers (i.e. I sold my old Intel Mac Mini for $400 to a co worker to help me afford my MacBook, yes I know some people will say he paid too much for a used Mac Mini but isn't price based on what someone is willing to pay for it?)

[bytethese]

Question regarding Blu-Ray, my understanding was that software wise Macs wouldn't be able to support it till Snow Leopard is released, does this mean that if the new MBPs did come with a Blu-Ray drive they wouldn't be able to use it to it's full potential until Jan?

or it could be like Bootcamp in Tiger. it was Beta and a download. Perhaps we can download a "beta" software package that will be standard in 10.6?

[johnsy]

Reason why apple will still keep optical drive? Because without one you will get something very similar to air and almost $1000 cheaper.

[iParis]

I can't wait!
But if thiis is true I really hope the $800 one is even worth getting.
Well worth it or not I will probably get different model depending on the specs.
I really hope they release a highend 250GB and 2GB Mac Mini and lower the price of the current highend by at least $100.

[Superman07]

Aren't these rumored NVIDIA chips (integrated) capable of decoding Blu-ray discs? I would think that takes the burden off the OS and shifts it onto the hardware. Or would there still be the problem of the media player?

[wolfenkraft]

take into account 4 days being 4 business days:

today - 1
Oct 10 - 2
Monday Oct 13 -3
Tuesday Oct 14 -4



That's not quite true... Monday Oct 13th is not a business day in the US. Federal holiday, Columbus Day. So maybe 4 days if you stretch that to Wednesday the 15th. Or if they are going based on when they are open vs. the government.

[PMR]

or it could be like Bootcamp in Tiger. it was Beta and a download. Perhaps we can download a "beta" software package that will be standard in 10.6?

I don't believe Apple would do that if new macs come with BR. An easy dvd player.app update would do it. No need for betas since BR is around for a while.

[ACubed]

Reason why apple will still keep optical drive? Because without one you will get something very similar to air and almost $1000 cheaper.

and also i dunno about you guys, but my car has an cd player capable of reading mp3 Cd's.....so without one, i'd be mad that i had to buy a external

[Eidorian]

Aren't these rumored NVIDIA chips (integrated) capable of decoding Blu-ray discs? I would think that takes the burden off the OS and shifts it onto the hardware. Or would there still be the problem of the media player?ATi, nVidia, and now finally Intel have decoding support on their IGP solutions.

[baleensavage]

I find it highly doubtful that Apple would release an $800 laptop. Maybe $899 but most likely $999. If they do release an $800 macbook, they better do something about the mini, because that has been a poor value for quite some time and with a laptop at the same price point, no one in their right mind would buy one of those things.

[mrgreen4242]

I really hope Apple gets into the "netbook" market. I'd like to see a MacBook Air type machine, but drop all the expensive internals in favor of a very basic Intel Atom board. Priced around $500 to replace/add to the mini like. MacBook mini? Even smaller than the Air would be good - 10" or 12" would be fine. Whatever it takes to get to that <$500 price. The idea of the mini was to get a second computer or a replacement for an older Windows machine so that people could "try it out" cheaply... I don't think that's worked all that well. Seems more like the mini buyers are Mac owners looking for a cheap second system.

These netbooks, even with Linux, another unfamiliar OS, seem to be selling well to people who are either first time laptop buyers or looking for a second machine, etc. That's a good "halo" market.

Actually maybe Apple should put out a netbook in the iPod family. Have it run a combination of OSX from the computer line, iPhone, and AppleTV. Not sure where they could go with that, but it could be a better branding choice for a very low end machine. Call it an iPod so there's a larger distinction between that and the Mac models which are much more expensive.

[wolfenkraft]

Actually, looks like Apple will now try for the K-12 market with the lower pricing.

The schools I visit for work are mainly PC's (except for a few on Mac - and they're in high-class neighborhoods :eek:) since PC's are "cheaper".

An $800 MacBook will make many schools start to think twice about getting PC's, as a half-decent PC for the classroom would cost not much less (another division got 10 HP Laptops for training purposes and those for $749 for something decent enough to run our corporate apps).

Most schools I know of use Macs. Because Macs are cheaper. Institutional discounts are absurdly steep. If the schools you visit are paying full price for Macs, you should show them where the institutional button is on the Education store.

[MasterNile]

That's not quite true... Monday Oct 13th is not a business day in the US. Federal holiday, Columbus Day. So maybe 4 days if you stretch that to Wednesday the 15th. Or if they are going based on when they are open vs. the government.

This is rather a moot point since the article said that they don't get the price listing 10 days in advance but 4 days or less in advance, shervieux is saying that if they're going off business days they fall within that 4 day supposed limit, which you further prove his point because it's 3 business days looking at it your way

[diamond.g]

Based upon the specs on Snow Leopard, I would say a dedicated GPU is going to almost be a necessity. If they can really off-load processing duties to the GPU and harness a dual/quad core processor, it would be a smoking hot machine.

Nope, the GMA X4500HD is supposed to be as good as or better than a 8400M. So integrated graphics should be fine. As it is when Mobile Nehalem does come out the cheaper variants of it will have the GPU included on package/die with the same TDP as the units that won't have it included at all.

[PMR]

ATi, nVidia, and now finally Intel have decoding support on their IGP solutions.

Everything has a solution but my PB. H264 over 3Mb/s and this laptop cries. Lame...would it be so hard to ship a new driver with hardware acceleration support?

[840quadra]

ATi, nVidia, and now finally Intel have decoding support on their IGP solutions.

Your last point is something I noted (on an other forum) recently. I am wondering if this was the stop gap in providing BluRay support on the Mac. It could be that Apple was waiting to bring out BluRay on the entire line and with Intel supporting it now, we may see some modified integrated GMA graphics systems with BluRay support. I am hoping new combo drives will at least allow reading of BluRay disks on lower end systems.

Who knows.

http://forums.macrumors.com/image.php?u=47064&dateline=1165207334&type=profile

[Eidorian]

Nope, the GMA X4500HD is supposed to be as good as or better than a 8400M. So integrated graphics should be fine. As it is when Mobile Nehalem does come out the cheaper variants of it will have the GPU included on package/die with the same TDP as the units that won't have it included at all.The GeForce 8400M G which isn't terribly amazing in its own right.

The jury is out on the GMA 4500MHD's decoding abilities. Then again that's more of a driver issue on the Windows side. There's some hope for the GMA X4500HD though.

Your last point is something I noted (on an other forum) recently. I am wondering if this was the stop gap in providing BluRay support on the Mac. It could be that Apple was waiting to bring out BluRay on the entire line and with Intel supporting it now, we may see some modified integrated GMA graphics systems with BluRay support. I am hoping new combo drives will at least allow reading of BluRay disks on lower end systems.

Who knows.Keep in mind that the ATI X1600 could do decoding work as well. Apple has just been terribly slow to adopt GPU hardware accelerated decoding in OS X.

[137489]

$800 MacBook is fine and dandy with me, even if it had integrated graphics and a combo drive or whatever..snip...


I agree, but $700 would be better... :D But seriously, my worship pastor needs a mac (he has 2 dead Windows laptops, an aging dekstop (HP with only 512mb ram)), but can't afford one. He is borrowing a laptop from someone just to get through the last few months of school. He is not saavy by any means, he just does the basics.

All he wants it for is:

Itunes, Garageband/Logic, and office (school requires office 2003 - they are having too many compatibility issues with 2007), to burn music CD's, and internet - without all the hassles he has with his Windows machines. and to be able to put it in his gig bag to take to worship practices. this way he could just bring up the song for people to hear, rather than waiting on the sound technician and then the slow CD player to get to the track. the CD player also does not allow fast forwarding to a particular spot on the song. Itunes; just drag the slider, play, pause, drag the slider bag, play, pause.

I handle all the video aspects for him, thus my higher end macbook (do not need a MBP - yet :p).

I always told him, I wish I had the money or apple had a $500 range machine, cause I would just buy him one..

If this rumor is true, and I can squeeze a litte extra out of the budget this year (plus I should be getting a huge check back for all my flexible spending submissions), I might just be able to do it for him.

and before anyone cracks a joke on his dead macines - his IBM is 4-5 years old. his Dell is 1 yr old, and the LCD went - typical of Dells, and his HP is 4 years old, same as the one I just retired; just a smaller hard drive. He used a desktop I built for him for 7 years, but back then it was an old 486-DX2 - pretty top of the line for what I put in it.

[137489]

That's not quite true... Monday Oct 13th is not a business day in the US. Federal holiday, Columbus Day. So maybe 4 days if you stretch that to Wednesday the 15th. Or if they are going based on when they are open vs. the government.

Doh! - got me there. I forgot because none of the companies I worked for in the past 12 years considered it a holiday. Most companies only consider:

New Years
Memorial
4th of July
Labor
Thanksgiving (if your lucky, your company will fgive you Friday too)
Christmas Day

Some companies consider Good Friday also. I long for the days when I worked at a company that had every Federal Holiday off. Having 13 1/2 was nice.

But then again, I worked for some companies where you had to save your vacation time for the days that were company holidays - if you expect to get paid.

[Ironduke]

Why does everyone want a macbook with a Dedicated GPU? We know the dedicated GPU is loads better, but the macbook is entry level equipment. Probably of 1/2 the mac users out there do not require a dedicated GPU, so no sense putting it in the macbook.

If it comes with the nvidia chipset and apple have it optomised for dvd player and opengl gfx we should see great media performance.

gaming performance well no mac apart from a mac pro gives windows gaming quality, infact unless the new macbook pro's can come close to these (http://www.rockdirect.com/viewNotebook.php?pName=XTREME%20780) then they just aint Pro.

[wolfenkraft]

Doh! - got me there. I forgot because none of the companies I worked for in the past 12 years considered it a holiday. Most companies only consider:

New Years
Memorial
4th of July
Labor
Thanksgiving (if your lucky, your company will fgive you Friday too)
Christmas Day

Some companies consider Good Friday also. I long for the days when I worked at a company that had every Federal Holiday off. Having 13 1/2 was nice.

But then again, I worked for some companies where you had to save your vacation time for the days that were company holidays - if you expect to get paid.


I hear ya. My current company because I'm a "contractor" I don't get any paid holidays, which is rubbish. I got paid holidays at other places while I was a "contractor."

[MasterNile]

But does Apple consider it a holiday? My company doesn't but they only consider the same days shervieux listed as holidays. I'd assume the higher ups in Apple get it off but that's just a guess.

[TheSpaz]

Sub-notebook with 8" screen please! That would ROCK! I wanna run OS X on a very tiny screen. The most portable Mac EVER!

[redAPPLE]

Why does everyone want a macbook with a Dedicated GPU? We know the dedicated GPU is loads better, but the macbook is entry level equipment. Probably of 1/2 the mac users out there do not require a dedicated GPU, so no sense putting it in the macbook.

marketing. it sounds better. must be better.

[wolfenkraft]

But does Apple consider it a holiday? My company doesn't but they only consider the same days shervieux listed as holidays. I'd assume the higher ups in Apple get it off but that's just a guess.

I have no idea. I'm just going based on business days as not being federal holidays. Of course this entire conversation is worthless to those outside of the US... But, in case anyone feels like complaining, Apple is based in Cupertino, California, USA.

[cgdotcom]

I just need a MBA with 2 USB ports, at least a 5400rpm HD and a standard Core2duo .
Really hoping for next tuesday.

Its called a Macbook.

You've missed the point of this forum. Apple absolutely must release a laptop with more power than the top-end MacBook Pro, with a Blu-Ray burner, but smaller than the MacBook Air, for $800. If not, they're shameful rip-off merchants, their entire product line is worthless, and we're all moving to Dell.

The same goes for the Mac Mini. Until we can buy the equivalent of a Mac Pro in a box the size of an Apple TV, we're all going to moan about awful the iMac is, and how Apple just aren't meeting the needs of consumers.

Do try to keep up.

[posterized]

Am I the only one who will be missing the white plastics?

Aluminum is cool.

But it is the current white MB that really states "Apple"

[wolfenkraft]

Am I the only one who will be missing the white plastics?

Aluminum is cool.

But it is the current white MB that really states "Apple"

I personally can't stand the white plastic. Feels and looks cheap. At least my 14" ibook G4 did.

[MasterNile]

I have no idea. I'm just going based on business days as not being federal holidays. Of course this entire conversation is worthless to those outside of the US... But, in case anyone feels like complaining, Apple is based in Cupertino, California, USA.

Well then if they were to do a silent release next week it should be Wed the 15th rather than Tues the 14th eh?

[840quadra]

Keep in mind that the ATI X1600 could do decoding work as well. Apple has just been terribly slow to adopt GPU hardware accelerated decoding in OS X.

Indeed, I am fully aware of that sad aspect (that and the ATI's capabilities). My hope lies in the fact that Apple is more in bed with Intel and their technology, and the other point being that they currently utilize intel chipsets on the low end of their hardware offerings. If Apple intended to release BluRay technology in any of their systems, it wouldn't surprise me if they wanted to do it in their full model range with regards to read capability. And on the higher end, I wouldn't be shocked if they simultaneously released a new superdrive capable of reading and burning BluRay disks.

Still, With their previous track record of adopting new technology quickly (USB, Firewire, CD/CDRW/DVD/DVD-RW, 802.11b & 802.11n), I am amazed that we still have no true BluRay offering, especially considering Apple is part of the consortium!

http://forums.macrumors.com/image.php?u=47064&dateline=1165207334&type=profile

[ddTaylor]

I think Apple has saturated the high-end notebook market at $1099 for a rather basic and underwhelming notebook. To get a reasonable system from Apple you would need to spend at least $1300 to get a competitive notebook. That market is small in the era of $450 CD or AMD Turion X2 notebook from Acer and Compaq and Gateway. I realize these computers are not in the same league for obvious reasons but price has ALWAYS been an issue for Apple when trying to get converts from Windows. My parents who are retired and in their late 60's always wanted a Mac but at the time the least expensive Apple was $1000 when PC's were selling for $300. I bought them a used iBook G4 about a year ago and then a used iMac and they are very happy. IF apple can get the price-point to a magical number (say that number is $800) they will open-up the market to an entirely new group of users and THAT is ALWAYS a good thing.

If Apple wants to continue past a niche market (that still is what Apple is - just look at the numbers) they need more computers in the hands of the masses and not just those with more than the average disposable income. Life has been good to me so I can buy the things I like and generally the things I want - but not everyone is in the position. I think Apple could CLEAN-UP with a WELL EQUIPPED $800 notebook and NOT a stripped-down MacBook with 1GB RAM and a COMBO-DRIVE! This is a chance for Apple to go for the gold and allow an entirely new group of users to enjoy and experience what a computer can really do!

D

[bytethese]

$800 is a POS laptop?

I'd welcome the addition to the Mac line up. Apple never touched the lower end Core 2 Duo processors and Pentium Dual Core. It's about time.

Yes. :)

Personally, I don't want a cheap machine that uses shared memory architectures, less than brilliant screens, a less than middle ground processor/chipset and smaller LCD screens. I want my nice 15" screen workhorse laptop that's still light enough to travel with, 5lbs or less works fine. :)

[Eidorian]

Yes. :)

Personally, I don't want a cheap machine that uses shared memory architectures, less than brilliant screens, a less than middle ground processor/chipset and smaller LCD screens. I want my nice 15" screen workhorse laptop that's still light enough to travel with, 5lbs or less works fine. :)You're describing a Macbook.

[wonderkid]

...not in the EEE PC form factor. We (I!) need this, and it will sell like hot cakes:

1. Full size keyboard
2. 10" screen with minimal bezel border to ensure a compact design. The biggest flaw with the MacBook Air is the huge amount of wasted space around the screen and keyboard. Thin is not as important as narrow!
3. NO DVD drive. What is the point? I can download movies - that is what WiFi and 3G is for. Physical media is obsolete, except for USB drives for backups and quick file transfers between devices.
4. Built in HSDPA modem and sim card slot.
5. Three USB ports
6. Firewire port for TimeMachine backups (for those of us not using Apple's Capsule)
7. Huge multitouch trackpad
8. 5 to 6 hour battery - solar panel on lid for trickle charge?
9. A PowerBook Duo like docking system?
10. £500 UK, $800 US.

I'm ready to buy!

Just hope it's not an $800 netbook. Despite the impulse-buy popularity of netbooks, I just don't see Apple playing this market; Apple's always been a trend STARTER, not follower. But I have seen crazier things and wouldn't be opposed to a netbook at all (although at $500, not 800)

[Breegy]

I seriously doubt this...

[ACubed]

naugh netbooks are a waste of money...outdated slow hardware FTL!

[Bubba Satori]

I think Apple has saturated the high-end notebook market at $1099 for a rather basic and underwhelming notebook. To get a reasonable system from Apple you would need to spend at least $1300 to get a competitive notebook. That market is small in the era of $450 CD or AMD Turion X2 notebook from Acer and Compaq and Gateway. I realize these computers are not in the same league for obvious reasons but price has ALWAYS been an issue for Apple when trying to get converts from Windows. My parents who are retired and in their late 60's always wanted a Mac but at the time the least expensive Apple was $1000 when PC's were selling for $300. I bought them a used iBook G4 about a year ago and then a used iMac and they are very happy. IF apple can get the price-point to a magical number (say that number is $800) they will open-up the market to an entirely new group of users and THAT is ALWAYS a good thing.

If Apple wants to continue past a niche market (that still is what Apple is - just look at the numbers) they need more computers in the hands of the masses and not just those with more than the average disposable income. Life has been good to me so I can buy the things I like and generally the things I want - but not everyone is in the position. I think Apple could CLEAN-UP with a WELL EQUIPPED $800 notebook and NOT a stripped-down MacBook with 1GB RAM and a COMBO-DRIVE! This is a chance for Apple to go for the gold and allow an entirely new group of users to enjoy and experience what a computer can really do!

D

+1 I'm hoping Apple hits a home run here and comes out with great updates at competitive prices. Apple needs to concentrate on the computer side of the business now. Ancient ACDs and Minis are a joke, Montevina laptops that aren't available 3 months after all the PC versions are out and the absence of an affordable, modern desktop is a disgrace. Come on Apple Computer. :D

[JAQ]

Hasn't anyone here been inside an Apple Store lately? I had plenty of time to browse while waiting to buy my iPhone, and I remember seeing the 17" MBPro with the uber-res screen for around $3100. If this list is real, that's what the top-priced item on it would be.

And they had 10 price points, not 8: that's 2 MBAirs, 2 MBPro17s, 3 MBPro15s, and 3 MB13s.

As for what the 2 additional models would be, my prediction is that they're dropping prices on the standard MB configs (of course an $800 MB would have a combo drive) and inserting something new into the already-gaping price-point hole between those and the MBPro: either a 15" MB or a 13" MBPro.

[Bubba Satori]

naugh netbooks are a waste of money...outdated slow hardware FTL!

For you. Apple had better not follow your advice. It's the fastest growing segment in computers.

[840quadra]

naugh netbooks are a waste of money...outdated slow hardware FTL!

Yet they sell really, really well. And actually pack enough punch for many casual applications that non powerusers often use. A netbook is a great fit for thousands, if not millions of computer users who don't need more than an Internet / email / word processing system.

http://forums.macrumors.com/image.php?u=47064&dateline=1165207334&type=profile

[bytethese]

You're describing a Macbook.

Did you really think there would be a $800 Macbook Pro???

[137489]

Am I the only one who will be missing the white plastics?

Aluminum is cool.

But it is the current white MB that really states "Apple"

Yes, it is easy to walk into a place and say - there's a mac, hey another mac, look another mac. but seriously, I seen some well used mac's - the polished plastic apple uses looks cool and sharp, but scratches easy, plus with the discolored palm rests overtime, you would think the owner is a pig and did not wash up (brown or real dirty yellow).

I don't care what color they are (just not hot pink, powder blue, or purple for us guys sakes) - functionality is what matters.

Obviously Dell cares about colors - look at their magazines, they are offering Leather and Bamboo wraps on their studio hybrids (at a premium price), and interchangable color sleaves for an extra $20 each.


Plus, have you seen:

http://www.techshout.com/images/dell-inspiron-1525-mike-ming.jpg

Looks cool, but unfortunately still has the same insides..... Funny how we consumers take fashion over functionaility

[wolfenkraft]

...not in the EEE PC form factor. We (I!) need this, and it will sell like hot cakes:

1. Full size keyboard
2. 10" screen with minimal bezel border to ensure a compact design. The biggest flaw with the MacBook Air is the huge amount of wasted space around the screen and keyboard. Thin is not as important as narrow!
3. NO DVD drive. What is the point? I can download movies - that is what WiFi and 3G is for. Physical media is obsolete, except for USB drives for backups and quick file transfers between devices.
4. Built in HSDPA modem and sim card slot.
5. Three USB ports
6. Firewire port for TimeMachine backups (for those of us not using Apple's Capsule)
7. Huge multitouch trackpad
8. 5 to 6 hour battery - solar panel on lid for trickle charge?
9. A PowerBook Duo like docking system?
10. £500 UK, $800 US.

I'm ready to buy!

Whoa, you're describing my dream machine... too bad it was a sony vaio srx-87p 7 years ago. Minus the hsdpa. 10.3in screen, 2.73 lbs, 850mhz P3 Ultra Low Voltage, 4pin firewire dvdrom, 512mb ram, 20gb hd, 2 usb ports, modem, ethernet, and around 5 hours of battery life. I think it cost $1800 USD at the time. But remember, that was 7 years ago. The Air is a huge back step and only a $100 price decrease. Don't pull the "it won't have OSX on it" card. I was running Gentoo on that bad boy, not windows. And I have no problem going back to linux. My 15" mbpro is getting tiresome, no reason to carry around 6 lbs.

[BigD58]

TOO....MUCH....ARGUING....haha i love it. Well we will see soon enough all i want is a fast redesigned MBP with multitouch.:D

[Eidorian]

Did you really think there would be a $800 Macbook Pro???I'm surprised that you thought so.

If you need more expensive hardware then you're free to buy it. There are plenty of users that would be happy with a $799 MacBook.

[JAQ]

A netbook is a great fit for thousands, if not millions of computer users...Which is it? If it's a market of thousands, it may not be worth the design costs, let alone the manufacturing tooling for Apple to bring the product to market. If it's millions, then maybe it is.

[VoR]

The problem I see with an $800 macbook is that it is (should be) basically just a macbook air without the pricetag.

[ACubed]

Which is it? If it's a market of thousands, it may not be worth the design costs, let alone the manufacturing tooling for Apple to bring the product to market. If it's millions, then maybe it is.

good point

[lasuther]

Why does everyone want a macbook with a Dedicated GPU? We know the dedicated GPU is loads better, but the macbook is entry level equipment. Probably of 1/2 the mac users out there do not require a dedicated GPU, so no sense putting it in the macbook.

I play WoW on my MacBook sometimes. Having a dedicated GPU would be nice.

I don't have a problem with Combo Drives, I have never burned a DVD on my MacBook or iMac. People who do have the option to get a DVD burner.

BluRay isn't coming out now.


This rumor doesn't feel right to me. A $800 price point is just way to low for anything resembling the current MacBook. Imagine what the refurbished MacBooks would go for, $600?

12 price points is way to many for just 4 product lines. There has been a push to reduce the many price points over the models.

The only way this rumor makes any sense to me is if Apple announces a new laptop. A Netbook that is below the MacBook. This could hit the $800 price point and add a few more price points with a new produt line. But I doubt they would release such a low end machine.

Here's hoping for a October 14th release, but I'm starting to feel its coming out at the beginning of November. Either way, I'm buying a new MacBook when it hits the market. Hopefully with a nice graphics card.

[ACubed]

I play WoW on my MacBook sometimes. Having a dedicated GPU would be nice.

I don't have a problem with Combo Drives, I have never burned a DVD on my MacBook or iMac. People who do have the option to get a DVD burner.

BluRay isn't coming out now.


This rumor doesn't feel right to me. A $800 price point is just way to low for anything resembling the current MacBook. Imagine what the refurbished MacBooks would go for, $600?

12 price points is way to many for just 4 product lines. There has been a push to reduce the many price points over the models.

The only way this rumor makes any sense to me is if Apple announces a new laptop. A Netbook that is below the MacBook. This could hit the $800 price point and add a few more price points with a new produt line. But I doubt they would release such a low end machine.

Here's hoping for a October 14th release, but I'm starting to feel its coming out at the beginning of November. Either way, I'm buying a new MacBook when it hits the market. Hopefully with a nice graphics card.

how does WoW run on your macbook? and what are your specs?

[colmaclean]

Hurry it up, Apple! Before the USD/GBP exchange rate goes completely pants!

[polaris20]

Recommended system requirements for Vista Premium are 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor, 1 GB of system memory and 40 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space

Yeah, go ahead and try running Vista on that. ;)

It runs like crap on most entry level hardware sold today, let alone a 1Ghz proc from 2001.

[bytethese]

I'm surprised that you thought so.

If you need more expensive hardware then you're free to buy it. There are plenty of users that would be happy with a $799 MacBook.

There are plenty of users who are happy with a lot of crap. I switched to Mac in 2006 after being a windows user, support professional and computer science student. The reason I made the switch was the elegance of the hardware and (mostly)seemless software integration.

It would be such a pity if Apple cheapened themselves with cheaper hardware. Cheaper prices are one thing, using less quality parts is another...

[djellison]

Looks cool, but unfortunately still has the same insides.....

Funny that - the insides on that machine are the same insides as a Mac.

:rolleyes:

[ACubed]

Hurry it up, Apple! Before the USD/GBP exchange rate goes completely pants!

what is the exchange rate right now?

[puffnstuff]

If Apple were to make a netbook it would not have OSX

[Bubba Satori]

I'm surprised that you thought so.

If you need more expensive hardware then you're free to buy it. There are plenty of users that would be happy with a $799 MacBook.

If Apple hits that price point with a superdrive and x4500 graphics I won't be able to keep them in stock. They would fly off the shelves.

[ACubed]

There are plenty of users who are happy with a lot of crap. I switched to Mac in 2006 after being a windows user, support professional and computer science student. The reason I made the switch was the elegance of the hardware and (mostly)seemless software integration.

It would be such a pity if Apple cheapened themselves with cheaper hardware. Cheaper prices are one thing, using less quality parts is another...

HA this is the exact situation i'm in....1st year computer science major and fell in love with Macs....hardware and software

[Ironduke]

Yes, it is easy to walk into a place and say - there's a mac, hey another mac, look another mac. but seriously, I seen some well used mac's - the polished plastic apple uses looks cool and sharp, but scratches easy, plus with the discolored palm rests overtime, you would think the owner is a pig and did not wash up (brown or real dirty yellow).

I don't care what color they are (just not hot pink, powder blue, or purple for us guys sakes) - functionality is what matters.

Obviously Dell cares about colors - look at their magazines, they are offering Leather and Bamboo wraps on their studio hybrids (at a premium price), and interchangable color sleaves for an extra $20 each.


Plus, have you seen:

http://www.techshout.com/images/dell-inspiron-1525-mike-ming.jpg

Looks cool, but unfortunately still has the same insides..... Funny how we consumers take fashion over functionaility

you should say it runs windows and not same insides because I would wager u get more hardware for your money from a dell then a mac:rolleyes:

[djellison]

It would be such a pity if Apple cheapened themselves with cheaper hardware. Cheaper prices are one thing, using less quality parts is another...

Too late. The MB and MBP build quality is below that of any HP, IBM or Dell laptop imho. I have owned both, and deal with 20+ laptops at work - and none of the PC industry laptops I've had have had the build quality problems of the Mac laptops I've had. None have had the overheating problems my Mac's have had.

Apple have had several refreshes, seveal opportunities to get those two line right, and they've not done so. I'm REALLY hoping we see something of geuine good quality, that justifies the price tag, with what looks to be two new designs. I may just find myself switching back if they don't.

Doug

[djellison]

If Apple were to make a netbook it would not have OSX

Why not? OSX runs on an MSI Wind netbook rather well - it even runs on the damn iPhone.

[RTiii320]

I would imagine that the low-end $800 model would not have much if any better specs than the current Black MacBooks or even the 2.4 white version. For $800 I dont believe apple will sell something better than this for that price, I have a strong feeling the low-end will have specs from a current model just a new casing.

[X3n0 AcId]

I think Apple has saturated the high-end notebook market at $1099 for a rather basic and underwhelming notebook. To get a reasonable system from Apple you would need to spend at least $1300 to get a competitive notebook. That market is small in the era of $450 CD or AMD Turion X2 notebook from Acer and Compaq and Gateway. I realize these computers are not in the same league for obvious reasons but price has ALWAYS been an issue for Apple when trying to get converts from Windows. My parents who are retired and in their late 60's always wanted a Mac but at the time the least expensive Apple was $1000 when PC's were selling for $300. I bought them a used iBook G4 about a year ago and then a used iMac and they are very happy. IF apple can get the price-point to a magical number (say that number is $800) they will open-up the market to an entirely new group of users and THAT is ALWAYS a good thing.

If Apple wants to continue past a niche market (that still is what Apple is - just look at the numbers) they need more computers in the hands of the masses and not just those with more than the average disposable income. Life has been good to me so I can buy the things I like and generally the things I want - but not everyone is in the position. I think Apple could CLEAN-UP with a WELL EQUIPPED $800 notebook and NOT a stripped-down MacBook with 1GB RAM and a COMBO-DRIVE! This is a chance for Apple to go for the gold and allow an entirely new group of users to enjoy and experience what a computer can really do!

D

+2

[Ironduke]

If Apple were to make a netbook it would not have OSX

bollox.

that statement says osx isnt as efficient as XP

[dambro1978]

Hasn't anyone here been inside an Apple Store lately? I had plenty of time to browse while waiting to buy my iPhone, and I remember seeing the 17" MBPro with the uber-res screen for around $3100. If this list is real, that's what the top-priced item on it would be.

And they had 10 price points, not 8: that's 2 MBAirs, 2 MBPro17s, 3 MBPro15s, and 3 MB13s.

As for what the 2 additional models would be, my prediction is that they're dropping prices on the standard MB configs (of course an $800 MB would have a combo drive) and inserting something new into the already-gaping price-point hole between those and the MBPro: either a 15" MB or a 13" MBPro.

Nice analysis!

[sterlingindigo]

RELEASE THE HOUNDS!:eek:

[840quadra]

Which is it? If it's a market of thousands, it may not be worth the design costs, let alone the manufacturing tooling for Apple to bring the product to market. If it's millions, then maybe it is.

Well that's somewhat of a nebulous question isn't it? Say they sold 999,991 netbook sized laptops, would that be enough profit for them? ;)

Regardless, looking at recent articles, and top sellers at many companies (including amazon), the netbook sized / priced segment is doing quite well. Perhaps something that Apple could decide to take a chance at. The choice is obviously theirs to make, and for us to speculate upon.

http://forums.macrumors.com/image.php?u=47064&dateline=1165207334&type=profile

[Eidorian]

It would be such a pity if Apple cheapened themselves with cheaper hardware. Cheaper prices are one thing, using less quality parts is another...Do I need to bring up the long list of Apple quality (control) issues?

Using a cheaper processor or Santa Rosa while moving the higher end lines to a new platform isn't cheapening the Mac. Take a look at the Mac mini. Why can't their be a budget laptop companion?

[mobi]

Anyone want to predict that the $800 model STILL has a combo drive?

It will have a combo drive and some other downgrades. No one will buy it, but will serve to lure people to the "real" MacBooks.

[puffnstuff]

Why not? OSX runs on an MSI Wind netbook rather well - it even runs on the damn iPhone.

Runs on the iphone? Is that with the remote software?

I say it won't run OSX not because it is not capable but because Apple did have a netbook and it ran Newton OS. So the new netbook would probably run Iphone OS.

[MacinJosh]

...not in the EEE PC form factor. We (I!) need this, and it will sell like hot cakes:

1. Full size keyboard
2. 10" screen with minimal bezel border to ensure a compact design. The biggest flaw with the MacBook Air is the huge amount of wasted space around the screen and keyboard. Thin is not as important as narrow!
3. NO DVD drive. What is the point? I can download movies - that is what WiFi and 3G is for. Physical media is obsolete, except for USB drives for backups and quick file transfers between devices.
4. Built in HSDPA modem and sim card slot.
5. Three USB ports
6. Firewire port for TimeMachine backups (for those of us not using Apple's Capsule)
7. Huge multitouch trackpad
8. 5 to 6 hour battery - solar panel on lid for trickle charge?
9. A PowerBook Duo like docking system?
10. £500 UK, $800 US.

I'm ready to buy!

Dude, you just described my dream laptop. I'm buying that for sure!

Joshua.

[bytethese]

Too late. The MB and MBP build quality is below that of any HP, IBM or Dell laptop imho. I have owned both, and deal with 20+ laptops at work - and none of the PC industry laptops I've had have had the build quality problems of the Mac laptops I've had. None have had the overheating problems my Mac's have had.

Apple have had several refreshes, seveal opportunities to get those two line right, and they've not done so. I'm REALLY hoping we see something of geuine good quality, that justifies the price tag, with what looks to be two new designs. I may just find myself switching back if they don't.

Doug

Perhaps you misread. :)

I was referring to parts, not assembly. :) My Macbook pro has the exact same specs as the T60's in my office. Unfortunately, I've never had issues with my Macbook pro but our T60's def have different points of failure. However, for PC-based machines, I'm still a major fan of Lenovo ThinkPads, I just think the Macbook Pro is more elegant. :)

[han_solo94]

I've been a full mac man for the past 8 years, but bought a eeepc (impluse ebay bargin) for travel. Amazing little computer but I would trade it in a heart beat for an Apple version of a netbook!

[Peace]

In the new age of Apple,inc. a holiday makes Wednesday the new Tuesday. This fits in conveniently with the Monday Holiday..

I'm guessing invites pop up in inboxes later this afternoon or tomorrow for an event on Tuesday. Jobs will say available for order now.

$799-$1199--Macbooks 16:9 w/superdrives. Higher end Macbook upgrade for Quad-Core
$1799-$2499 Macbook Pro-16:9 w/superdrive. BTO option for Quad-Core.
$999-$1999 iMac 21" and 25"..The iMac is the disparity between the current 8 products and the 12 price points listed in this topic.

[FF_productions]

Runs on the iphone? Is that with the remote software?

I say it won't run OSX not because it is not capable but because Apple did have a netbook and it ran Newton OS. So the new netbook would probably run Iphone OS.

Huh? Leopard can run on a 867 mhz G4. You're telling me a netbook from Apple at 1.2-1.8 ghz couldn't run Leopard??

[Ironduke]

Perhaps you misread. :)

I was referring to parts, not assembly. :) My Macbook pro has the exact same specs as the T60's in my office. Unfortunately, I've never had issues with my Macbook pro but our T60's def have different points of failure. However, for PC-based machines, I'm still a major fan of Lenovo ThinkPads, I just think the Macbook Pro is more elegant. :)

so intel make superior chips for apple then for the pc world even though they have the same model numbers

spot the fanboy:rolleyes:

[iShater]

Apple products are high-grade products with a lot of great features, but their quality unfortunately has not been the best recently. Maybe it is growing pains or whatever.

I look forward to seeing what they dish out. My 12" PB felt old for the first time these past few weeks. Maybe I just need to get more RAM :D

[gkarris]

I have two sons, grades 6 and 8, and both use Macs exclusively at school. They're in middle school now, but that was true at the elementary level as well.

Only one data point, I know (this is the Ann Arbor MI school district), but I think Apple is already pretty decently placed in the younger educational market.

Out of the 40 school district accounts I'm at, only 2 are Apple - rest are PC's, mostly Dell.

[Ironduke]

Huh? Leopard can run on a 867 mhz G4. You're telling me a netbook from Apple at 1.2-1.8 ghz couldn't run Leopard??

actually I think what he is saying is they would strip functionality to make it more efficient

[FF_productions]

$799-$1199--Macbooks 16:9 w/superdrives. Higher end Macbook upgrade for Quad-Core
$1799-$2499 Macbook Pro-16:9 w/superdrive. BTO option for Quad-Core.
$999-$1999 iMac 21" and 25"..The iMac is the disparity between the current 8 products and the 12 price points listed in this topic.

Most of that sounds pretty good, but I do not think Apple would offer BTO-Quad-Core option for the MacBook. That sounds like it's only for MacBook Pro's at this moment in time.

I just wonder what the Specs on the $800 model would be. Apple will have to shock me to make me want to consider it and drop my powerbook.

[shanmugam]

In the new age of Apple,inc. a holiday makes Wednesday the new Tuesday. This fits in conveniently with the Monday Holiday..

I'm guessing invites pop up in inboxes later this afternoon or tomorrow for an event on Tuesday. Jobs will say available for order now.

$799-$1199--Macbooks 16:9 w/superdrives. Higher end Macbook upgrade for Quad-Core
$1799-$2499 Macbook Pro-16:9 w/superdrive. BTO option for Quad-Core.
$999-$1999 iMac 21" and 25"..The iMac is the disparity between the current 8 products and the 12 price points listed in this topic.

that makes sense, why not price cuts for iMac also, $200 across the line?

i am sad, mac mini will disappear sooner or later ...

[wolfenkraft]

Apple products are high-grade products with a lot of great features, but their quality unfortunately has not been the best recently. Maybe it is growing pains or whatever.

I look forward to seeing what they dish out. My 12" PB felt old for the first time these past few weeks. Maybe I just need to get more RAM :D

You don't already have it maxed out at 1.25gb? noob. :D

[iShater]

You don't already have it maxed out at 1.25gb? noob. :D

It has to fit the budget and presents itself as a great upgrade when I feel the time is there. Little gifts make me happy. :D :p


Edit: I think this is the first time in my life I have been called a noob :eek: *gives a yellow star sticker*

[bytethese]

so intel make superior chips for apple then for the pc world even though they have the same model numbers

spot the fanboy:rolleyes:

You misread as well. :) Spot the arrogant mac user...

As I stated. they are the same chipsets in the T60 and Macbook Pro. Eldorian suggested that Apple look into other processors/chipsets, thus lowering the cost of the machine by using less costly and perhaps less performance "quality" materials is all I am saying.

:p

[Ironduke]

that makes sense, why not price cuts for iMac also, $200 across the line?

i am sad, mac mini will disappear sooner or later ...

I dont think so we hear people talking about how apple should make a cheap small laptop to combat the eeepc etc..

dont know if you have noticed but the same company;s are releasing tiny mac mini ripoffs too

[Ironduke]

You misread again. :) Spot the arrogant mac user...

As I stated. they are the same chipsets in the T60 and Macbook Pro. Eldorian suggested that Apple look into other processors/chipsets, thus lowering the cost of the machine by using less costly and perhaps less performance "quality" materials is all I am saying.

:p

fair enough funboy:p

[137489]

... Imagine what the refurbished MacBooks would go for, $600?...
.

$600 plus $200 for the applecare - sounds pretty sweet to me..... I know a lot of people would jump on that market.....

[Ironduke]

Edit: I think this is the first time in my life I have been called a noob :eek: *gives a yellow star sticker*

SUPER NOOB:cool:

[iShater]

SUPER NOOB:cool:

You want a sticker too? :p

I am out yall! ;)

[VoR]

Perhaps you misread. :)

I was referring to parts, not assembly. :) My Macbook pro has the exact same specs as the T60's in my office. Unfortunately, I've never had issues with my Macbook pro but our T60's def have different points of failure. However, for PC-based machines, I'm still a major fan of Lenovo ThinkPads, I just think the Macbook Pro is more elegant. :)

The mysterious illusion of apple's build quality aside,
You can buy thinkpads and dells with intel nic's and ti firewire chipsets etc and macs with realtek and agere... (and vice versa) - screens, keyboards, input devices, there's 10000s of choices. What should be important isn't your assumption on quality or whatever, but actually what you do get for your $

[Eidorian]

You misread as well. :) Spot the arrogant mac user...

As I stated. they are the same chipsets in the T60 and Macbook Pro. Eldorian suggested that Apple look into other processors/chipsets, thus lowering the cost of the machine by using less costly and perhaps less performance "quality" materials is all I am saying.

:pI want quality components and design as well. :D

You can have a good looking Mac with Pentium Dual Core or older Core 2 Duo and integrated Intel graphics at a lower price.

[puffnstuff]

How do you guys know the $800 pertains to the macbook?

Macbook Air is not just a laptop you know. Its an entire new line. Perhaps the $800 notebook will be in the Macbook Air line.

[840quadra]

so intel make superior chips for apple then for the pc world even though they have the same model numbers

spot the fanboy:rolleyes:

Well put it this way, A Dell Latitude 505 back in the day commonly had more issues than Thinkpad, or HP laptops of the same basic chipset. Just because they use the same basic processor, graphics, or memory specifications, doesn't mean that the case design, industrial design of the logicboard, or cables are the same. The placement of fans, movable parts, or connectors can have a huge effect on reliability of such devices. It is quite possible that the OPs Macbook may have had better industrial design than the units he compares them to.

http://forums.macrumors.com/image.php?u=47064&dateline=1165207334&type=profile

[mudenza]

Where in Inquisitr's article it says that the 12 prices are all regarding the laptop range? Couldn't the other 4 prices be related to the iMac/Mac Pro/Mini? Or possibly related to Time Machine etc. and other accessories? I do remember an iMac update was to be within these months as quoted by AppleInsider.

[iShater]

How do you guys know the $800 pertains to the macbook?

Macbook Air is not just a laptop you know. Its an entire new line. Perhaps the $800 notebook will be in the Macbook Air line.

I doubt it. Ultra-portable lines are typically VERY expensive, because the target market is business users.

Typically.

[Ironduke]

Well put it this way, A Dell Latitude 505 back in the day commonly had more issues than Thinkpad, or HP laptops of the same basic chipset. Just because they use the same basic processor, graphics, or memory specifications, doesn't mean that the case design, industrial design of the logicboard, or cables are the same. The placement of fans, movable parts, or connectors can have a huge effect on reliability of such devices. It is quite possible that the OPs Macbook may have had better industrial design than the units he compares them to.

http://forums.macrumors.com/image.php?u=47064&dateline=1165207334&type=profile

yer reaching, I have opened up ibooks, macbooks and macmini's.
nothing special in there

[Adidas Addict]

How do you guys know the $800 pertains to the macbook?

Macbook Air is not just a laptop you know. Its an entire new line. Perhaps the $800 notebook will be in the Macbook Air line.

Nah the Air is apples premium/fashion notebook, it makes no sense at all for the cheapest notebook to come from that range.

[mjteix]

MacBook 13" 2.26GHz 1280*800 integrated GPU $899
MacBook 13" 2.40GHz 1280*800 integrated GPU $1099*
MacBook 13" 2.53GHz 1280*800 integrated GPU $1299
MacBook 15" 2.40GHz 1440*900 integrated GPU $1399 (+$300 vs the similar 13" model*)
MacBook 15" 2.53GHz 1440*900 integrated GPU $1599
MacBook Air 120GB HDD 1.86GHz integrated GPU $1799 (speedbump + storagebump vs current model)
MacBook Pro 15" 2.53GHz 1680*1050 dedicated GPU $1999 (speedbump + displaybump vs current model)
MacBook Pro 17" 2.53GHz 1920*1200 dedicated GPU $2299 (displaybump + price cut)
MacBook Air 80GB SSD 1.86GHz integrated GPU $2399 (+$600 for the 80GB SDD)
MacBook Pro 15" 2.80GHz 1680*1050 dedicated GPU $2499
MacBook Pro 17" 2.80GHz 1920*1200 dedicated GPU $2799
MacBook Air 160GB SSD 1.86GHz integrated GPU $3099 (+$1300 for the 160GB SDD)

[techpr]

A $799 MacBook would be great, but if it includes a ComboCrap Drive I will be very angry. Apple must kill the Combo from the entry level machines.

[hayesk]

that should make my proposed set up cheaper

So would not buying your RAM from Apple.

[puffnstuff]

Nah the Air is apples premium/fashion notebook, it makes no sense at all for the cheapest notebook to come from that range.

I thought of the Air as portable without the features and Macbook as entry level full featured. I am having a hard time wrapping my mind around a full featured Macbook for $800.

[VoR]

Nah the Air is apples premium/fashion notebook, it makes no sense at all for the cheapest notebook to come from that range.

Cut the arty-farty edges off the air and sell it in 'boring matt black' for cheap then, I'll have one.

[Ironduke]

Nah the Air is apples premium/fashion notebook, it makes no sense at all for the cheapest notebook to come from that range.

well said

Macbook = value substance over style:cool:
Macbook Air = style over substance (pay me big bucks biatch):p
Macbook Pro = Professional Laptop apparently:rolleyes:

[freebooter]

The world economy is being devastated (intentionally, I might add).

Apple had better start making their gear more affordable or they will loose a lot of the market share they have gained in the past several years.

Besides, there is a logic to making "entry-level" units. Camera makers have been playing that game for awhile. They get people to buy into their system with a well-appointed starter model, and then they are hooked, as it were.

A cheap MacBook and even cheaper MacMini would bring a lot of people over to Mac. Once in, they will stay and upgrade.

[Yebot]

I don't even want an optical drive on my laptop. Not everyone needs it. Many/most have a desktop as well.

Joshua.

Like the floppy and the zip drive, the optical drive is on its way out.

[Adidas Addict]

I thought of the Air as portable without the features and Macbook as entry level full featured. I am having a hard time wrapping my mind around a full featured Macbook for $800.

Depending how 'good' the new macbook design is, I can see the air struggling and not looking quite as 'special' as it did against the current line up.

[iShater]

A $799 MacBook would be great, but if it includes a ComboCrap Drive I will be very angry. Apple must kill the Combo from the entry level machines.

Not everybody burns DVDs.

[sushi]

Just because they use the same basic processor, graphics, or memory specifications, doesn't mean that the case design, industrial design of the logicboard, or cables are the same. The placement of fans, movable parts, or connectors can have a huge effect on reliability of such devices.
This is a good point. Design does matter and affects overall performance.

yer reaching, I have opened up ibooks, macbooks and macmini's. nothing special in there
Look again. Design does very. If you don't believe me, take two PC notebooks and compare.

[puffnstuff]

Macbook Air = style over substance (pay me big bucks biatch)

LOL :p

Who knows maybe Apple had a change of tune and will make the MBA line the low cost portable with out the features line.

I just do not see them keeping that 13.3" notebook in that line at all.

[depulse]

For what its worth, Mediamarkt in Belgium (a big German electronics retailer) is selling the low-end macbook with 2GB ram for 888 euro. Official price for the same model with just 1 GB ram is 1000 euro, this is a big price-cut we rarely or never see around here.


.

Is this the latest model of the MB or is it the previous model?

I bought my 20" 2.4 iMac from them for exactly the same price (€888) just after the new updated Imacs came and were selling for €1299 for the same specifications (except 1 GB less of RAM and slightly slower frontside buss).

[Ironduke]

The world economy is being devastated (intentionally, I might add).

Apple had better start making their gear more affordable or they will loose a lot of the market share they have gained in the past several years.

Besides, there is a logic to making "entry-level" units. Camera makers have been playing that game for awhile. They get people to buy into their system with a well-appointed starter model, and then they are hooked, as it were.

A cheap MacBook and even cheaper MacMini would bring a lot of people over to Mac. Once in, they will stay and upgrade.

This is true but they have to get the balance right. The cant just take the mini put an atom cpu in it keep the ram low, hd small and pimp it as the new mini.

Sure its cheaper but its also a poorer machine.

If these 4 new price models are true it says to me that apple are aggresively going after the low income buyer or those who just dont like apples current prices.

[Ironduke]

This is a good point. Design does matter and affects overall performance.


Look again. Design does very. If you don't believe me, take two PC notebooks and compare.

dont need to, like I said your reaching:cool:

getsome!

[Mackan]

Like someone said, all bets on that the combo-drive will still be there for the base $800 MacBook...

Now I just wonder what they will downgrade on the base MacBook Pro to make us buy the middle priced model... A return of 128 MB VRAM? A stinky videocard? Whatever it will be, it's gonna be something annoying, that's for sure.

[isoceles]

They could throw in a 17" model with an SSD as another MBP model
I think they will probably have the SSD as an upgrade or maybe they will come standard on the high-end.

So you're saying 1. 15 inch model, 2. 17 inch model, 3. 17 inch model w/ SSD?
I think the SSd will be an upgrade or may come standard on the high end models.
that should make my proposed set up cheaper
If you want your system to be cheaper don't buy the extra 2 gigs of ram from Apple. Buy it online for cheaper and install it yourself.;)

[macaco74]

If you want your system to be cheaper don't buy the extra 2 gigs of ram from Apple. Buy it online for cheaper and install it yourself.;)

RAM, while still expensive from Apple is much more affordable than in the past

[Adidas Addict]

If you want your system to be cheaper don't buy the extra 2 gigs of ram from Apple. Buy it online for cheaper and install it yourself.;)

For sure, apples ram is one of the most overpriced things I have ever seen. They must have the same amount of profit in a ram upgrade as they do in an actual computer! I upgraded my iMac to 4gb for the price of a mighty mouse :D

[137489]

you should say it runs windows and not same insides because I would wager u get more hardware for your money from a dell then a mac:rolleyes:

ok, I will let you slide on this one :p. i was not clear enough... What I meant by that was for the same hardware specs, you have to shell out $130 if you want bamboo, I think it was $50 or $100 if you wanted leather, and these Artwork laptops add in extra for the artwork lids. then you add in $20 (each) for the colored / interchangeable sleaves.

all that extra money, yet your specs are the same.

But as a second point of your comment - Yes you get more hardware for the money than a mac, but.... I would rather have a mac. Dell's tend to break alot , there sutomer service stinks, and yes there is that windows thing....

People say I have too high standards when it comes to customer service and I need to back down... However, I do not like where Customer service is headed in this county, and if I dish out $1000 or more for a machine, then I want to be treated with respect and not given a hassle when it breaks - especially if within the warrenty period.

[sangosimo]

I wonder what are the chances of this thing having ddr3.

[840quadra]

yer reaching, I have opened up ibooks, macbooks and macmini's.
nothing special in there

I agree 100% with the highlighted part. But I find your ignorance to the point I was attempting to make quite amusing myself. ;)

Regardless, you don't seem like the kind of person that services computer hardware that often. Case design (Cooling, mountpoints, and chip location) plays huge in any electronic device's longevity and durability. This is true for everything from game controllers to laptops. In the case of devices with poor industrial design, you see a common string of issues and failures.

http://forums.macrumors.com/image.php?u=47064&dateline=1165207334&type=profile

[bytethese]

fair enough funboy:p

Yes, I like to have fun, what does this have to do with the thread though? :)

[SirOmega]

In the new age of Apple,inc. a holiday makes Wednesday the new Tuesday. This fits in conveniently with the Monday Holiday..

I'm guessing invites pop up in inboxes later this afternoon or tomorrow for an event on Tuesday. Jobs will say available for order now.

$799-$1199--Macbooks 16:9 w/superdrives. Higher end Macbook upgrade for Quad-Core
$1799-$2499 Macbook Pro-16:9 w/superdrive. BTO option for Quad-Core.
$999-$1999 iMac 21" and 25"..The iMac is the disparity between the current 8 products and the 12 price points listed in this topic.

Monday is a holiday? Where?

Anyways, I think you're right on with the iMac updates, close on the specs - the only thing I disagree with is the MB

MB: $799, $999, $1199 (13" WS, nVidia NB/integrated graphics)
$799: 2.26Ghz, 1GB, Combo, 120GB HD
$999-1199: 2.4GHz, 2GB, 120GB/250GB, SSD BTO

[Ironduke]

I agree 100% with the highlighted part. But I find your ignorance to the point I was attempting to make quite amusing myself. ;)

Regardless, you don't seem like the kind of person that services computer hardware that often. Case design (Cooling, mountpoints, and chip location) plays huge in any electronic device's longevity and durability. This is true for everything from game controllers to laptops. In the case of devices with poor industrial design, you see a common string of issues and failures.

http://forums.macrumors.com/image.php?u=47064&dateline=1165207334&type=profile

like apple laptops overheating because steve has them made so slim?
:p

[aznguyen316]

Not everyone burns DVD's yes, but having the SD drive in my Blackbook, and previous notebook w/ a burner, I used it and these were never buying points for me, at all. The truth is though CD's just don't cut it now for backing up data, making home videos etc. If it's there, trust me you will use it.

But ultimately, IMHO the combo drive works for the supposed $800 macbook b/c well if you want it cheap, then some aspects will be lower. I bought my macbook for $600 used from a friend a couple weeks ago, but it was the black model so I'm hoping selfishly the $800 doesn't have much better specs lol.

[cdbob]

Monday is a holiday? Where?



Canada, thanksgiving

[Sweetfeld28]

I really hope this happens. Apple is getting blown out of the water with all of these sub-notebooks being released. Its almost every day on Engadget that there are at least four new sub-notebooks.

[dl13]

Too lazy to read what everyone else wrote but I think the $800 price tag is legit. Penn State is offering its students the low end MacBook for $799

2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1GB memory (2×512mb)
120GB hard drive
Combo drive

[Peace]

Canada, thanksgiving


Monday is a Federal holiday. Columbus Day (http://www.opm.gov/Operating_Status_Schedules/fedhol/2008.asp) in the United States.

[HLdan]

$800 would shut people up. good

No it wouldn't. Apple thought the Mac mini being $499 (first one made) would shut people up but it's lack of desktop components and limited expansion still have people crying.

[MacinJosh]

Why are people so chuffed up about 16:9? What's the point? It's really not an ideal ratio for laptops. 16:10 is a nice compromise between 4:3 and 16:9.

Joshua.

[Adidas Addict]

I am really hoping they are doing a 15" 16:9 Macbook. The basic config will do me fine, with combo or not. Can't remember the last time I burnt anything on the superdive on my iMac let alone a laptop.