MacBook Mini Photos Generate Speculation

[MacRumors]

A series of images from a Russian magazine which claims to depict a "MacBook Mini" have been circualting on the internet. The specs on the described machine as said to include the following:

- 10.4" WXGA display.
- 1280 x 768 pixel with LED backlighting.
- NVIDIA MCP79
- Intel Atom Z740 1.83GHz with 1MB L2 cache.
- 2GB DDR3-800.
- NVIDIA GeForce 9400M
- 64GB Solid State Drive.
- Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n
- 1 x USB 2.0
- 1 x Mini Display Port
- Battery Li-Ion 5100mA

We don't know what to make of the images (scan #1, scan #2), and have our doubts about the legitimacy of the images. Still, with rumors have been circulating that Apple will be entering the netbook market, it makes for interesting speculation. The machine would reportedly retail for approximately $899 in 2009.

Article Link: MacBook Mini Photos Generate Speculation

[Abstract]

Funny, that battery capacity is higher than a MacBook's, and nearly as high as the 15" MBPs.


And is Nvidia making a board that would fit an Intel Atom and a 9400M just for Apple?? I don't believe such a thing exists for anyone else right now.

[talkingfuture]

When I saw these elsewhere I immediately thought Rendered speculation.

[student_trap]

got to be fake, but i'd be all over this like a flannel

[thejadedmonkey]

That's priced more like an under-speced laptop, not a netbook...

Go figure

[BRLawyer]

Originally Posted by student_trap

got to be fake, but i'd be all over this like a flannel

I'd definitely buy one as a replacement for my old iBook G3 (which still works perfectly, by the way) during infrequent business trips, especially because it still has a relatively big screen and keyboard compared to most stupidly underpowered netbooks. In fact, it seems like a great machine for more-than-casual portable use, and a true follower of the famed G4 12" PB...GO APPLE!

[nfl46]

$899? LOL How about NO way! They need to price it under $800!

[notjustjay]

The keyboard depicted is full-size layout. If indeed this product has a 10" screen, like the Asus netbook I'm typing on now, then those keys are going to be pretty tiny. Most netbooks use a combination of shrinking the physical key size down a bit as well as making some compromises with key layout to reduce wasted space.

$899 is pretty high, but sounds about right for Apple.

[kzin]

Originally Posted by notjustjay

The keyboard depicted is full-size layout. If indeed this product has a 10" screen, like the Asus netbook I'm typing on now, then those keys are going to be pretty tiny. Most netbooks use a combination of shrinking the physical key size down a bit as well as making some compromises with key layout to reduce wasted space.

Except for the Sony Vaio P, and the HP Mini Note 1000. Both go with the "10 inch wide screen and full keyboard" arrangement. I wouldn't be surprised to see Apple do the same if they go into the netbook market.

$899 is pretty high, but sounds about right for Apple.

Yeah, a little high for a netbook, but still cheaper than most laptops.

Originally Posted by DharvaBinky

$899? For $100 more you'd get a macbook with a bigger screen, faster processor, and other goodness? Ridiculous.

That's one way to look at it. Another way to look at it is:

For $100 less than a Macbook, I can have a device that isn't dinosaur sized.

netbooks aren't just "small laptops", they address a completely different use niche than laptops. If you want the faster processor and "other goodness", buy the dinosaur-book.

If you want something lighter, more portable, and that's just intended for basic use (ie. the slower processor isn't a problem), then you get a netbook.

[student_trap]

Originally Posted by kzin

netbooks aren't just "small laptops", they address a completely different use niche than laptops. If you want the faster processor and "other goodness", buy the dinosaur-book.

If you want something lighter, more portable, and that's just intended for basic use (ie. the slower processor isn't a problem), then you get a netbook.

spot on

[paja]

This whole thing is an April Fools gag anyway.

I'd pay $799 for it if it were the real thing.

[DharvaBinky]

Originally Posted by kzin

For $100 less than a Macbook, I can have a device that isn't dinosaur sized.

Does anyone really think the MacBook is dinosaur sized? Is it really so heavy and burdensome to carry around that knocking a couple of inches off the sides, reducing the weight by 1.5 pounds, bounding the screen down to a funky rez that no app is accustomed to handling by default, and dropping in a retarded processor that would have only rocked in the mid 90s is worth the $100 price break? Even if they sold this for $600 it might be too much...

[iMacoo7]

Originally Posted by notjustjay

The keyboard depicted is full-size layout. If indeed this product has a 10" screen, like the Asus netbook I'm typing on now, then those keys are going to be pretty tiny. Most netbooks use a combination of shrinking the physical key size down a bit as well as making some compromises with key layout to reduce wasted space.

$899 is pretty high, but sounds about right for Apple.

The screen is a little over 10" and I think its possible, the new aluminum keyboard layout (I have the new iMac with the scaled down keyboard as well as the aluminum bluetooth keyboard)which is 11.1"'s , that being said they could shave off a little bit of real estate.

[j26]

Originally Posted by notjustjay

The keyboard depicted is full-size layout. If indeed this product has a 10" screen, like the Asus netbook I'm typing on now, then those keys are going to be pretty tiny. Most netbooks use a combination of shrinking the physical key size down a bit as well as making some compromises with key layout to reduce wasted space.

$899 is pretty high, but sounds about right for Apple.

It seems to have a substantial bezel which would allow for slightly larger keys (probably not full size, but near enough)

I'm sure it's a fake, but I like it, and would buy it if the price is right (i.e. about 100 less than claimed).

[ehurtley]

Originally Posted by notjustjay

The keyboard depicted is full-size layout. If indeed this product has a 10" screen, like the Asus netbook I'm typing on now, then those keys are going to be pretty tiny. Most netbooks use a combination of shrinking the physical key size down a bit as well as making some compromises with key layout to reduce wasted space.

$899 is pretty high, but sounds about right for Apple.

When the MacBook Air came out, I lamented it's "large" size. At the time, I calculated that to fit Apple's standard laptop keyboard, and have no 'side' bezel around the keyboard, it would need an 11.5" 16:10 screen.

So a 10" screen would be too small for a full-size keyboard. BUT, this shows thinner-than-average left and right columns of keys. So if this is a fake, it is a *VERY* well thought-out fake. On par with Danamania's mockups.

And this would be *exactly* what I want. Minus the processor. I'd rather have a "full" Core 2 Duo in it. (The miniature-packaging version like in the current MBA, of course.) Atom is great, but not so great in a 'full feature' notebook. Then again, I can't find *ANY* reference to an "Atom Z740", either. There is a Z540, which is a 32-bit-only, single-core proc. (Disclaimer time: I work at an Intel facility, but have nothing to do with Apple products, nor do I have anything to do with processor design. So my lack of knowledge should not be construed as proof of nonexistence, I get my processor news from Anandtech, Ars Technica, and the like.)

I also love how all the complaints on the first page of the linked article are "THE KEYBOARD IS FAKE! MINE DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THAT!" followed by "Well, some of us out in the rest of the world don't use American keyboards," reprimands.

Holy crap is Google fast. Every single result for "Atom Z740" is in relation to this "MacBook Mini" rumor. Including results from page 4 of this thread.

[ryanlaing]

I'm not about to read 300 replys to see if this has already been posted, but in this picture comparing the macbook to the 'macbook mini', the scratches on the bottom left alt and cmd keys are the exact same on both. as well as a speck on the p key.

[xDYLANx]

Originally Posted by ehurtley

When the MacBook Air came out, I lamented it's "large" size. At the time, I calculated that to fit Apple's standard laptop keyboard, and have no 'side' bezel around the keyboard, it would need an 11.5" 16:10 screen.

So a 10" screen would be too small for a full-size keyboard. BUT, this shows thinner-than-average left and right columns of keys. So if this is a fake, it is a *VERY* well thought-out fake. On par with Danamania's mockups.

And this would be *exactly* what I want. Minus the processor. I'd rather have a "full" Core 2 Duo in it. (The miniature-packaging version like in the current MBA, of course.) Atom is great, but not so great in a 'full feature' notebook. Then again, I can't find *ANY* reference to an "Atom Z740", either. There is a Z540, which is a 32-bit-only, single-core proc. (Disclaimer time: I work at an Intel facility, but have nothing to do with Apple products, nor do I have anything to do with processor design. So my lack of knowledge should not be construed as proof of nonexistence, I get my processor news from Anandtech, Ars Technica, and the like.)

I also love how all the complaints on the first page of the linked article are "THE KEYBOARD IS FAKE! MINE DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THAT!" followed by "Well, some of us out in the rest of the world don't use American keyboards," reprimands.

Holy crap is Google fast. Every single result for "Atom Z740" is in relation to this "MacBook Mini" rumor. Including results from page 4 of this thread.

As soon as I read that you worked @ Intel, I was like "hell yeah, Oregon FTW" haha

[min_t]

People are confusing this rumor with the real rollout of the 10-inch iTouch Tablet this summer. Why do you think is introducing wireless networking and bluetooth tethering on the next iPhone update. Imagine carrying just a usb ac charger instead of a brick.

[dwl017]

LOL the very first $1000 netbook lol netbooks are supposed to be dirt cheap in price, just for checking email etc..

[irnchriz]

Originally Posted by dwl017

LOL the very first $1000 netbook lol netbooks are supposed to be dirt cheap in price, just for checking email etc..

Sony Vaio P series STARTS at $899. They don't call it a netbook but the specs dictate otherwise.

If Apple did release a 'netbook' the pricing quoted here would be spot on.

[Reao]

Originally Posted by dwl017

LOL the very first $1000 netbook lol netbooks are supposed to be dirt cheap in price, just for checking email etc..

no sony has the first $1000 netbook LOL. http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/..._vaiop_gglsrch

[ZiggyPastorius]

Originally Posted by dwl017

LOL the very first $1000 netbook lol netbooks are supposed to be dirt cheap in price, just for checking email etc..

Vaio P...?

[bchreng]

Originally Posted by dwl017

LOL the very first $1000 netbook lol netbooks are supposed to be dirt cheap in price, just for checking email etc..

Agreed. There seems to be little point in buying an Apple netbook when the iPod Touch and iPhone can be used to browse the internet as well.

[SnowLeopard2008]

Originally Posted by dwl017

LOL the very first $1000 netbook lol netbooks are supposed to be dirt cheap in price, just for checking email etc..

The Sony P also starts at around 900.

[douglasgb]

This new model features a new über-thin manufacturing process. Instead of carving out space for the logic board from a single piece of aluminum, the actual circuits are etched into the slab itself.