When and what will be update at MacWorld?

[uspcommuter]

Hello everyone,

I am a big fan of rumors and predictions. Since I am thinking about purchasing something after the next macworld in jan. What do you guys think will be released by apple both in terms of hardware and software? I think they will release the following:

Hardware:
-PowerMac: Dual 3.0GHz and Radeon X800 card
-PowerBook: Dual Core G4's @ 1.6 GHz :-D

Software:
Tiger finally makes it's debut muhahaha

Hope I hear from you guys.

USPcommuter

[tech4all]

Here some info regarding MacWorld SF in this thread (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=100507) :D

I'm hoping for some sort of Powerbook update as I am thinking of getting one in the 'not-so-distant' future. Will probably get a release date of Tiger. Not sure about Power Mac updates, but I wouldn't hold my breath on that.

[tdhurst]

Are you kidding? New PMs, PBs and Tiger?

[Veldek]

I think it's a safe bet that we will NOT see 3 GHz PowerMacs at MacWorld.

[Graeme A]

I'm looking at picking up a PM G5 just before Christmas. Based on past purchases and product upgrades, it must be in line for an upgrade and/or price drop.

I bought my 17" PB in August 03 (Official switched)... September they get upgraded and price dropped from $3299.
November 03, I bought a mid-range 3g iPod 15Gb... upgrades weeks after...
I bought my 20" Display in April 04... couple of months later, nice new Alu displays...

Maybe I just buy at the wrong time, or Apple spies are watching their stores for me... Even if I didn't catch the new wave of products, I have sure enjoyed using the ones I got.

[Sun Baked]

I think it's a safe bet that we will NOT see 3 GHz PowerMacs at MacWorld.C'mon, everyone is hoping for dual core 3GHz PowerMacs which means a 20% speed bump and a 50% power/heat reduction over the current 970FX -- along with fixing the production problems, fixing the low voltage operation (plain didn't work), and fixing the high voltage operation (which killed reliability.) :p

If Motorola can make a promise like that year after year, don't you think IBM can deliver on it? Even though everyone is having problems at 90nm.

[TDM21]

Do you think there will be an update to the regular iPod?

I know the iPod Photo just came out, but looking at the buyer's guide I see that the iPods were updated almost 6 months ago. Looking at how often the iPods are updated (I know, you really can't trust previous release dates for a comparison), MWSF should be about time the iPods are updated. The reason I ask is I'm thinking about getting one after christmas when I have money.

[gekko513]

Here's my wild guess.

- Updated Xserves 2.3 GHz
- Demonstration of some Oracle database solution
- iPod micro
- eMac G5
- Airport TV (Audio and Video from your Mac to (and from) your TV and stereo)
- Apple Online Movie Store

[andiwm2003]

2.8 GHz Powermac G5

1.6 GHz Powerbook no dual core

iMac G5 2.0 GHz

No Tiger

[bluemonkey]

Online Movie Store? that would be cool, but I've heard nothing about it.

I think Jobs'll announce that he's selling Apple Computer to Dell, and unveil the new line of black plastic powermacs at $899, because Dells are "better than Macs" (according to my bonehead pee cee friends)

-Jason

[uspcommuter]

I am pretty sure there is more speculations out there...care to share? :D Thankyou very much for all your input.

[vtprinz]

iPod Micro? What exactly is that supposed to be?

Online movie store? That would be pretty damn sweet, but I just don't see it happening, not for quite a while at least. There just aren't enough clients. A LOT of people still use dialup, and downloading a full movie would take days. Not to mention most people won't want to watch movies on their computers, and few people have DVD burners at this point.

Unfortunately I'm not one of those people and I'd love to see a movie store...


Other than that, I'm sure we'll see bumps to the XServe some minor changes to the PowerMacs, nothing as big as a 3Ghz machine, but maybe just a small speed bump, or at the very least maybe a change in the stock memory and graphics cards.

I wish we'd see an upgraded video card in the iMac line, but probably not.

Powerbooks will get some enhancements, but not G5's or even dual core G4's.

And definitely no Tiger. They're still working on a lot of bugs. MAYBE a release date at the very most, of sometime in the summer.

[wdlove]

I am pretty sure there is more speculations out there...care to share? :D Thank you very much for all your input.

I'm hoping that Steve will actually announce a release date for Tiger. If the Power Mac update isn't at least a 3.0, then I see no reason to bother. We are now one and a half years after the promised release.

[Pismo]

My predictions...

iLife '05
Keynote 2
flash based iPod (I'm ordering one that day if it is for real)
Steve will tell us when Tiger will be released. May do pre-orders that day
Speedbumped G4 Powerbooks (no dual core)
More iTMS for other countries
More Apple retail stores opening

Seriously, there's no way of predicting this. Steve is so unpredictable. Anything can happen.

[kerb]

I don't see the need for a flash based iPod.

Steve referred to (in the U2 special event) to flash based mp3 players as "those things you get as gifts and never use".

[sigamy]

My list:

Software:
1. Tiger release date is May 19.
2. iLife '05--entire suite "enhanced for G5 processor", still works nicely with G4, but now that G5 is in a consumer machine you'll see Apple stress it more.
iPhoto: faster, more image editing, nested folders, calendar creation
iMovie: 16x9 support, new interface for titles (and real titling), 5.1 surround (or at least simulated surround)
iDVD: 16x9 support, STABILITY IMPROVEMENTS, faster encoding/burn
New iLife app: fxStudio: Special Effects for iMovie. Lightsabers, Matrix-stuff, bluescreen, etc. Like AlamDV.

Hardware:
1. Faster Power Macs, maybe up to 2.8Ghz but not 3.0Ghz. Bluetooth mouse and keyboard will be standard.
3. Flash iPod: I'm not sure on this. Steve always rips on the flash-based players and Apple doesn't want to compete with $499 PCs so I wonder if they want to compete with $99 MP3 players.
4. eMac: eMac is staying G4. Remember, this machine started in EDU and that market needs a low cost Mac. There will be a redesign though, and the machine will be much less bulky. We may even see the brushed aluminum colors of the iPod mini. They'll keep the 1.25Ghz/combo drive model and price drop it to $649. Then a 1.33Ghz/combo drive for $799 and 1.33Ghz/superdrive for $899.

And there is just one more thing...

Say 'Hello' to The iPhone.

Apple and Motorola collaborate again to design the perfect mobile communications device. Not a PDA, but full sync with AddressBook and iCal or Entrourage. Stunning design. Your iPod's chatty little sister.

Now you don't even have to watch the keynote.

[Daveman Deluxe]

-Speed bumps/price drops to the PowerBooks
-Radeon X800, GeForce FX6600
-Improvements to eMac (G5 or speed bumps)

[lalcan]

My list:

- Great Sales Numbers!
- Tiger release date will be April 10th Obviously! same date for Keynote 2 and iLife 05.
- New Powerbook form factor, including either a 1.6 or 1.8 dual-core G4 (G5m) with detacheable bluetooth keyboard and trackpad, better screen resolutions, same 3 sizes with the 12" going widescreen, available at the end of January (that will become 2nd half of February), 512 RAM standard on 15 and 17 inchers.
- iBooks with standard bluetooth and increased HD sizes (perhaps announced a week or so before MWSF).
- New eBook with the same form factor as the iBook but with a lower processor (1Ghz G4), Airport Extreme optional, no BT, totally white, 128 RAM, 32 vRAM, $699, avalable initially only to educational institutions.
- Incremental upgrades to Power, i and e Macs (all G5), eMacs starting at $649
- .Mac lowered to $79 a year.
- xServe 2.3, xSan available (perhaps a week or so before MWSF)
- 5 Gb iPod Mini, same price as today.
and the "One more thing" is a mobile phone developed jointly with Motorola, including a greatly simplified Newton-based GUI.

You heard it here first! have a great week!

[wdlove]

The one thing that we can be certain about is that Steve will walk onto the stage with his blue jeans and black turtle neck. He will review all the milestones of Apple during the past year. It's definite that a delivery date will be announce for Tiger.

[keysersoze]

-Speed bumps/price drops to the PowerBooks
-Radeon X800, GeForce FX6600
-Improvements to eMac (G5 or speed bumps)

I agree-- it's going to be pretty conservative.

Some speed bumps to the PowerBook and eMac lines. No shocking CPU advancements yet.
I think we'll hear about the X800.
I think the FlashPod will be announced.
I think a G5 eMac is the biggest, dumbest rumor. There's no way they will offer an eMac at 1.6Ghz with the iMac G5 where it is now. No way that will happen. Ever.
I think they'll announce the Dual-cores, but they won't be available until mid summer.
I think they'll announce a launch date for Tiger.

nothing crazy.
and no 3Ghz anything.

[anthonymoody]

Here's why I don't think they'll announce a firm ship date for Tiger:

1) It sets us up for disappointment if they miss the date (see: 3.0Ghz G5)

2) It freezes hardware sales leading up to the promised date (who knows how many days prior to actual release they'll grandfather your purchase with a free upgrade to Tiger? - and how pissed will you be if you miss it by a day?)

3) We know it's coming, and about when - so there's really no need to specify given #1 and #2

My $.02

TM

[jettredmont]

I'm hoping that Steve will actually announce a release date for Tiger. If the Power Mac update isn't at least a 3.0, then I see no reason to bother. We are now one and a half years after the promised release.

Not to pounce on you, but this is the third time I've seen this assertion made recently, and it's just wrong. We're one half year (6 months) after the promised release. The "promise" was made a year and a half ago.

[wdlove]

Not to pounce on you, but this is the third time I've seen this assertion made recently, and it's just wrong. We're one half year (6 months) after the promised release. The "promise" was made a year and a half ago.

I'm sorry, no problem. It's best that you corrected my mistake. At least there was an actual one and a half year in the equation. Time just goes by so quickly sometimes. :o

[djkny]

if they don't have major PB updates, apple's PB line will be a museum piece.

[Jdm_rsx]

if they don't have major PB updates, apple's PB line will be a museum piece.

to be honest what kind of upgrades do you guys expect?

[VideoShooter]

...

[Squire]

I'd like to see this...

My list:

- Great Sales Numbers!
- Tiger release date will be April 10th Obviously! same date for Keynote 2 and iLife 05.
- New Powerbook form factor, including either a 1.6 or 1.8 dual-core G4 (G5m) with detacheable bluetooth keyboard and trackpad, better screen resolutions, same 3 sizes with the 12" going widescreen, available at the end of January (that will become 2nd half of February), 512 RAM standard on 15 and 17 inchers.
- iBooks with standard bluetooth and increased HD sizes (perhaps announced a week or so before MWSF).
- New eBook with the same form factor as the iBook but with a lower processor (1Ghz G4), Airport Extreme optional, no BT, totally white, 128 RAM, 32 vRAM, $699, avalable initially only to educational institutions.
- Incremental upgrades to Power, i and e Macs (all G5), eMacs starting at $649
- .Mac lowered to $79 a year.
- xServe 2.3, xSan available (perhaps a week or so before MWSF)
- 5 Gb iPod Mini, same price as today.
and the "One more thing" is a mobile phone developed jointly with Motorola, including a greatly simplified Newton-based GUI.

You heard it here first! have a great week!

But I think we'll see something like this...

I agree-- it's going to be pretty conservative.

Some speed bumps to the PowerBook and eMac lines. No shocking CPU advancements yet.
I think we'll hear about the X800.
I think the FlashPod will be announced.
I think a G5 eMac is the biggest, dumbest rumor. There's no way they will offer an eMac at 1.6Ghz with the iMac G5 where it is now. No way that will happen. Ever.
I think they'll announce the Dual-cores, but they won't be available until mid summer.
I think they'll announce a launch date for Tiger.

nothing crazy.
and no 3Ghz anything.

* I think there will be a phone eventually. In fact, I seem to recall Steve saying something to the tune of PDAs being dead because people are opting for cell phones with PDA functionality.

* I also think Keynote 2 will be released (with iPod photo compatibility)

* I think anthonymoody made a good argument against a Tiger release date being announced.

* The "One more thing..." will be an AirPort Express remote.


Squire

<edit> Whoah?! What happened to MacBytes?

[Doraemon]

Hey guys (especially guys like lalcan). This topic ain't for your dreams, but for realistic speculations what Apple might be releasing!

[Converted2Truth]

I sure hope they upgrade the powerbook line. I don't even care if it's two inches thick.... i need a powerful laptop. The G4 with it's oldschool FSB just doesn't do the trick for me. it would be nice if the powerbook competed with the lowend centrino laptops at least. So, my hope is:

15" powerbook G5 1.8ghz/6800go/7200rpm HD/DDR400
or
15" powerbook G4 Dual Core 1.5 - 2.0 w/pci-x/blah blah blah...

it's really not unreasonable that they put a G5 in a laptop. They did it with the imac in 2 inches. Why not get G5's that operate at lower voltages and stick them in a 1" powerbook, hell! even a 2" one. I just need power in my powerbook. I got sick and tired of running netbeans on my 800mhz G4 TiBook... it ran like a dog... and i don't really think a 1.5ghz G4 would do THAT much better... especially for compile times. I also like to play games occasionally... and when i drop 3k on a laptop, i expect to play games at decent FPS. My expectations are not extreme.

[tpayne]

What I wish we would see (so I could stop waiting to buy one)!!!
- 2Ghz Imac
- Support for 4 Gig of Ram
- Dual layer DVD write support for Superdrive
- FW800 port

[tdhurst]

Buy the single 1.8 G5.

[tech4all]

What I wish we would see (so I could stop waiting to buy one)!!!
- 2Ghz Imac
- Support for 4 Gig of Ram
- Dual layer DVD write support for Superdrive
- FW800 port

I doubt you will see that in a consumer line of computer anytime soon.

[jimjiminyjim]

Speculation:
iPod mini 5GB
iPod flash
tiger release date
Xserve 2.3
Updates to PowerMac - 3Ghz
No updates to Powerbook
No iPhone yet

[themacman]

Speculation:
iPod mini 5GB
iPod flash
tiger release date
Xserve 2.3
Updates to PowerMac - 3Ghz
No updates to Powerbook
No iPhone yet
r u kidding no updates to powerbook? They have to do it, the will have nothing else to talk about!

[FelixDerKater]

I'm expecting to see a new iPod mini.

[Squire]

r u kidding no updates to powerbook? They have to do it, the will have nothing else to talk about!

Actually, I think those predictions (by jimjiminyjim)are pretty much bang on. If they can't do a G5 or dual core G4 in the PBs, why would they wait until MWSF to update them? I think most people who do NOT expect a new processor in the PBs, are not expecting an update at MWSF.

Squire

<edit> Plus some software updates, of course (i.e. Keynote 2, and maybe iLife and QuickTime).

[lalcan]

Hey guys (especially guys like lalcan). This topic ain't for your dreams, but for realistic speculations what Apple might be releasing!

"How else can you stare at an empty canvas and see a work of art?
Or sit in silence and hear a song that’s never been written?
Or gaze at a red planet and see a laboratory on wheels?"
Or read about the pathetic micromegahertz increases and expect a PowerBook G5?
;)

Most of the items in my list have already been promised for the first half of 2005, with the notable exception of the new PowerBook form factor, which, even unannounced is widely expected and (these are really the wildest dreams) some sort of eBook which i think could give some fresh air to the currently stagnant Apple laptop line, and a $20 usd rebate for the .mac, which is even now available trough some resellers...

"Dream on, dream on, dream on, dream until your dreams come through!"

[Squire]

Most of the items in my list have already been promised for the first half of 2005, with the notable exception of the new PowerBook form factor, which, even unannounced is widely expected and (these are really the wildest dreams) some sort of eBook which i think could give some fresh air to the currently stagnant Apple laptop line...

Actually, there has been talk of such a device (your eBook) before on these boards. A lot of people, myself included, would like to see a bare bones notebook to compete with the likes of the ultra-light offerings from Fujitsu and Sony. Good call, if you ask me. Actually, your list wasn't really far-fetched. Just unlikely. Plus, when's the last time we got all the toys at once? ;)

Squire

P.S. I still call some remote for the iPod photo and AirPort Express.

[BillHarrison]

C'mon, everyone is hoping for dual core 3GHz PowerMacs which means a 20% speed bump and a 50% power/heat reduction over the current 970FX -- along with fixing the production problems, fixing the low voltage operation (plain didn't work), and fixing the high voltage operation (which killed reliability.) :p

If Motorola can make a promise like that year after year, don't you think IBM can deliver on it? Even though everyone is having problems at 90nm.


Now, I wouldn't say EVERYONE.... AMD seems to be doing quite well w/ their 90nm chips.

[combatcolin]

I was looking forward to buying the new PowerMac's but after a long hard look at my finaces (£4000 credit card bill - all at 0% so no worries there) i've decided to wait untill i've halfed the bugger around late 2005.

By then i'll be looking at the next rev.

Oh well, more to look forward to. :)

[wdlove]

I was looking forward to buying the new PowerMac's but after a long hard look at my finaces (£4000 credit card bill - all at 0% so no worries there) i've decided to wait until i've halved the bugger around late 2005.

By then i'll be looking at the next rev.

Oh well, more to look forward to. :)

You are very lucky to have a credit card with zero percent interest. Your priorities are in the right place. Hopefully you can be saving for a new G5 at he same time also. By late 2005 there may be a 2nd Rev. by then.

[combatcolin]

You never know, Apple might just release a monitor so that the "rest of us" can afford one.

(Now if Apple didn't use the above phrase a few years ago, which i think they did do, replace with similar moan about stunning but too expensive monitors!)

BTW, 0% free intrest cards are 10 a penny in the UK, you just have to manage your account well to qualify.

[Daveway]

Every morning i wake-up and see my G5 iMac i can't help but think that a G5 Powerbook is around the corner. If they can get a G5 into a 2inch enclosure, i have no doubt APPLE couldnt get it in Powerbook 8 months later. If you see the G5 in the imac , the only reason the imac seems to be thick is because of the full size drive, lcd, and power supply. My prediction:
-iLife '05: G5 optimized, 16:9 compat., another app., and some extras to the existing apps.
- Powerbook G5: 1.6-1.8ghz, same buses as imac, ram, vram, etc. stay same.
- Powermacs: stay at 2.5ghz MAYBE 2.8ghz, upgraded graphics and ram, updated superdrives (dual layer!)
- Keynote 2: its a given (did you see the U2 event?)
- ipod mini: update to 5gb and increased battery life
- flash ipod: just see the reports
- iphone: i'm very sceptical
- garageband add-on hardware
- Tiger time frame narrowed down (say 2nd quarter)
- NO video store or streaming, not until Tiger and H.264
- and the traditional ONE MORE THING that i will not try and guess.

[solvs]

Not to pounce on you, but this is the third time I've seen this assertion made recently, and it's just wrong. We're one half year (6 months) after the promised release. The "promise" was made a year and a half ago.
"Promise" is a good way to put it. Saying "maybe", "try", and "we hope" aren't exactly promises. I think this is why Apple tries not to talk about future products, tends to come back and bite them in the rump when they can't deliver... especially in the case of delays.

As for what's coming, it's fun to dream, but I hope no one is disappointed when the "promised" flash iPod or iPhone doesn't come out. I'm hoping for maybe some kind of Motorola phone announcement, and remote control or something. Maybe a flash iPod, but I'm not getting my hopes up. Something flash related. Probably a cheaper mini, with an upgrade to 5GB at the "high-end". No change to the regular iPod, or anything else that's just been updated. 2.3GHz xServes (maybe even PowerMacs: 2, 2.3, 2.5, and lower priced single 1.8). There has to be something special about the PowerBooks. 1.6GHz G4 is not keynote-worthy. Probably some new software, with more about Tiger, but I don't see an shipping date yet. New iLife maybe, and some new stuff, like Keynote 2. Lots of info about iTunes and iPod.

And of course, lots of complaining because somebody was expecting something that didn't come out or was more expensive and/or wasn't as good as was "promised". Ie a $99 1GB flash iPod, becomes a $149 512MB flash iPod. Witness the reaction to the $249 mini, and you stop wondering why Apple tries to be so secretive and sues those who try to leak info.