13" Aluminum MacBook Pictured on Invitation?

[MacRumors]

Apple has invited media to a special "notebook" event on Tuesday, October 14th. BoingBoing analyzed the laptop pictured on the invitation and concluded that it was likely a picture of the rumored 13" Aluminum MacBook.

It's hard to tell from the gloomy marketing shot, but the Apple logo is about 1.5 inches wide on my MacBook Pro. From that, this machine would appear to be under 13 inches wide, which would suggest a 13.3" diagonal. The edges, however don't look at all like the MacBook Air.

The existing MacBooks also come in 13" screen sizes but are housed in a plastic enclosure. This assumes, of course, that the laptop on the invitation is an actual photograph and has not been otherwise altered. This finding is also consistent with circulating rumors and leaked photos that suggest the MacBook and MacBook Pro lines will be consolidated under a similar design.

Planetamac.es appears to have taken the leaked images and composited them into a mockup of what the new MacBook may look like.

Article Link

[mogzieee]

Interesting. In 5 days we'll know!

[G5power]

A new lower priced MacBook would be great.

Certainly would be very viable alternative to the $700-800 old G4 powerbooks and the $400-500 G4 iBooks that I see listed on Craigslist.

[moebius]

To clarify:

This means a new notebook equal in size to the old and beautiful 12"?

Larger?, smaller? equal?, equal?, equal?


Note: yes, I need a small notebook, I have dreams about the 12".

[angemon89]

Originally Posted by moebius

To clarify:

This means a new notebook equal in size to the old and beautiful 12"?

Larger?, smaller? equal?, equal?, equal?


Note: yes, I need a small notebook, I have dreams about the 12".

It will be the same size of the current MacBook.

A MacBook is 13.3 inches diagonally, not across. A MacBook is 12.78 inches across, or "just under 13 inches wide"

[ricksbrain]

What are the chances that this is related to a long-past cubic zirconium patent? A long shot, but throwing it out there.

[moebius]

Originally Posted by angemon89

Equal.

A MacBook is 13.3 inches diagonally, not across. A MacBook is 12.78 inches across, or "just under 13 inches wide"

That's great news!!, Equal!

Just last week I was ready to get a small sony pc but, after I went to the sony style and saw them, I just couldn't, they are just ugly pieces of plastic.

I am canceling my therapy, no more reason to be depressed!

You made my day sir!

[jfranco]

Originally Posted by moebius

To clarify:

This means a new notebook equal in size to the old and beautiful 12"?

Larger?, smaller? equal?, equal?, equal?


Note: yes, I need a small notebook, I have dreams about the 12".

I know what you mean , the 12" is the best format, but I think that it would be too costly for apple to offer it again ... 13.3 is the new 12 ... Gotta live with that...

[SDSPD]

:::::::::::::app le:::


OH SNAP ONLY 1 2 3 4 5 5 DAYS CAN'T WAIT OMG!

[elppa]

Originally Posted by moebius

To clarify:

This means a new notebook equal in size to the old and beautiful 12"?

Larger?, smaller? equal?, equal?, equal?


Note: yes, I need a small notebook, I have dreams about the 12".

Smaller in every dimension bar width.

So it will be wider, but on the flip side thinner and not as deep.

[rneglia]

Okay, so the MacBooks are going to be aluminum...

...but what kind of processors are going to be inside?

How much of an improvement on what's available today?

[pine1045]

I don't know how I feel about the idea of consolidating the macbook and the macbook pro especially if the rumored 12 configurations is true.

Before consolidation:
Q. What are you gonna do with this system or what do you need it for?
A. I'm going to do X or Y.
Reply: Well if you're gonna do X you need a macbook, but if you do Y you should go for a macbook pro.

That alone cuts the options in half very quickly. And then you have 3 options or 4 options from there.

After consolidation:

Q: What do you need a computer to do? **** it, here are 12 computers with a ton of disparity between #1 and #12, but if you gradually move up it will be like picking the right shade of red in the color spectrum when all you want is red.

The 12 options will be fine for those of us who have ordered apple computers before, but for those looking to make their first apple notebook purchase, it seems like it would be daunting if the disparity isn't that much from one option to the next.

Of course the 12 choices and consolidation are just rumors so I could be way off base.

I would like 3 options: 13" 15" and 17" and then you choose the guts. And while you build it a battery meter appears showing projected battery life to power ratio so you can build a portable uber battery sucking editing machine or an extremely slick heavy traveling system.

[decimortis]

Originally Posted by pine1045

I don't know how I feel about the idea of consolidating the macbook and the macbook pro especially if the rumored 12 configurations is true.

Q: What do you need a computer to do? **** it, here are 12 computers with a ton of disparity between #1 and #12, but if you gradually move up it will be like picking the right shade of red in the color spectrum when all you want is red.

I've heard they're going to be MacBook Home, MacBook Home Premium, MacBook Business, MacBook Ultimate and a retro 12" MacBook XP

[J the Ninja]

Originally Posted by decimortis

I've heard they're going to be MacBook Home, MacBook Home Premium, MacBook Business, MacBook Ultimate and a retro 12" MacBook XP

There's also a MacBook Enterprise if you are big business customer.

And if you want a 64bit processor, you have to buy the regular one, then send away for the x64 version, unless you get Ultimate. :P

[Macci]

according to the pictures:

Du you think its backlight?!

[mogzieee]

Sorry guys, correct me if i'm wrong, but this maths doesnt work out.

Assuming that ALL Apple logos are about 1.5 inches in width....

Playing around in Photoshop - MY CURRENT MBP is 9 Apple's in diameter - thats 36cm by my working, which equals the length of my current MacBook Pro!

See here:

http://www.alastairmogford.co.uk/pic...kproapples.jpg

Something doesnt make sense.

[SpinThis!]

Originally Posted by pine1045

I don't know how I feel about the idea of consolidating the macbook and the macbook pro especially if the rumored 12 configurations is true.

I highly doubt any "consolidation" rumor is going to be true. Just because the exterior is going to be similar across both models means nothing. MacBook Pro != MacBook and the "Pro" designation versus non pro will always be the same.

I remember when Apple made the "MacBook" and "MacBook Pro" designations and everyone thought they were stupid names, but to the average consumer, those names are perfect and help sell each machine to its target audience. This is especially true where Dell, Sony, and HP each have many different lines, all with model names that aren't helpful. You have to go on price first and specs later.

[rob25255]

Id love to see a 12" macbook thats the thinnest ever but surely that will stop people going for the air bearing in mind that doesnt have an optical drive or many ports? think the 13inch is here to stay but those pics look awesome...just wish they would do away with the macbook and air keyboard and stick to the pro which I think is for superior...just my opinion! 14th october..will I be doing my dissertation or watching engadgets stream followed by waiting for the apple store to update..then the keynote and choosing which gorgeous macbook to shove on the plastic

[moebius]

Originally Posted by rob25255

Id love to see a 12" macbook thats the thinnest ever but surely that will stop people going for the air bearing in mind that doesnt have an optical drive or many ports? think the 13inch is here to stay but those pics look awesome...just wish they would do away with the macbook and air keyboard and stick to the pro which I think is for superior...just my opinion! 14th october..will I be doing my dissertation or watching engadgets stream followed by waiting for the apple store to update..then the keynote and choosing which gorgeous macbook to shove on the plastic

Unfortunately, it seems that way, some folks believe that there are no reasons to have a 12'' with the MBA in the market. However , just in my immediate circle of friends I can count 3 or 4 who could buy one if it hits market tomorrow.

[koobcamuk]

Originally Posted by rob25255

...then the keynote and choosing which gorgeous macbook to shove on the plastic

I love this post. Mainly because it's what I will do too... any many, many others!

Credit crunch 08! Wooo!!!

[godfreyhk]

So no 16:9? Why 16:9 anyways?

[fly75]

If the display screen ratio is 16:9 on the new macs, wouldn't the new screen sizes likely be 14", 16", and maybe 18"?

Seems to be the sizes other notebook manufacturers are building with that aspect ratio.

[ABHolt]

Am I the only one who thinks the black keys are ugly? I hated them on the old Titaniums, hate them on the Air and still cant stand them now. I like the look of an all silver laptop. I really hope they dont put them on the new laptops.

[cisco1138]

Originally Posted by ABHolt

Am I the only one who thinks the black keys are ugly? I hated them on the old Titaniums, hate them on the Air and still cant stand them now. I like the look of an all silver laptop. I really hope they dont put them on the new laptops.

I liked the look of the silver keys on my MacBook Pro. I just didn't like the silver illumination making the characters invisible. I like the illuminated look of my MacBook Air keyboard better than on the pro

[smooth]

Originally Posted by pine1045

I would like 3 options: 13" 15" and 17" and then you choose the guts. And while you build it a battery meter appears showing projected battery life to power ratio so you can build a portable uber battery sucking editing machine or an extremely slick heavy traveling system.

Not having it like this is my only complaint with Apple since I switched. I want more screen real estate, but the cost difference outweighs it so I have a MacBook. Plus the Pro is just too much machine for what I need.

If the rumors of $800 laptops, plus the above mentioned process I think Apple's marketshare for notebooks would take a significant jump. They would be offering options BTO options like the PC's and the base models would be more affordable.