13.3-inch iBook?

[Legacy]

You are correct, the single core Yonah (Pentium M) is NOT due until spring of '06. That is why seeing a dual core Yonah in anything other then a Powerbook this coming January would supprise me very much. I posted this in another thread on this forum, but I think it's worth a look. This is just my theoretical timeline I came up with based on extrapolating from the Intel roadmap and from what Steve Jobs said of Apple's plans last June.

My theoretical roadmap to the x86 switch:
January 2006: Powerbook gets dual core 32-bit Yonah
January 2006: ibook gets single core 32-bit Dothan
January 2006: mini gets single core 32-bit Dothan

June 2006: ibook gets single core 32-bit Yonah
June 2006: mini gets single core 32-bit Yonah

January 2007: OS X 10.5 Leopard released as "Universal Binaray"
January 2007: Powermac gets dual core 64-bit Woodcrest
January 2007: Powerbook gets dual core 64-bit Merom

Rest of 2007: Switch to x86 gets finalized, and verious updates are given to the lines, eventully bringing all up to 64-bit processing.

It might be a little bit of a stretch to think that Apple would put an "old" processor in the ibook and mini this January, but this is the only way I can see putting an Intel in anything besides a Powerbook this January. They have to draw the line somewhere as to what constitutes a "high end" machine. And Yonah will only be available as dual core this winter. iBook and mac mini are not high-end machines, so they should get the Dothan chipset, or just wait until June.

Well im hoping only the Powerbooks get updated then..because that would mean that the current iBooks wont suffer a huge price drop and therefore can be sold easily for a new Powerbook! (Of course I am not suggesting I shall be selling mine..or am I)

 

[steve_hill4]

You are correct, the single core Yonah (Pentium M) is NOT due until spring of '06. That is why seeing a dual core Yonah in anything other then a Powerbook this coming January would supprise me very much. I posted this in another thread on this forum, but I think it's worth a look. This is just my theoretical timeline I came up with based on extrapolating from the Intel roadmap and from what Steve Jobs said of Apple's plans last June.

My theoretical roadmap to the x86 switch:
January 2006: Powerbook gets dual core 32-bit Yonah
January 2006: ibook gets single core 32-bit Dothan
January 2006: mini gets single core 32-bit Dothan

June 2006: ibook gets single core 32-bit Yonah
June 2006: mini gets single core 32-bit Yonah

January 2007: OS X 10.5 Leopard released as "Universal Binaray"
January 2007: Powermac gets dual core 64-bit Woodcrest
January 2007: Powerbook gets dual core 64-bit Merom

Rest of 2007: Switch to x86 gets finalized, and verious updates are given to the lines, eventully bringing all up to 64-bit processing.

It might be a little bit of a stretch to think that Apple would put an "old" processor in the ibook and mini this January, but this is the only way I can see putting an Intel in anything besides a Powerbook this January. They have to draw the line somewhere as to what constitutes a "high end" machine. And Yonah will only be available as dual core this winter. iBook and mac mini are not high-end machines, so they should get the Dothan chipset, or just wait until June.

I agree with what you say on the whole, but perhaps they might put off the iBook until about February/March time and still put in Dothan. I just can't necessarily see the iBook and PowerBook, (and possibly Mac Mini and/or iMac, which you missed, but I got the gist of it), all coming in January. It's more likely going to be one Desktop and one portable. I hope it is the PowerBook too, it needs and deserves it much more than the iBook. If they do use Dothan in the Mac Mini and iBook, expect to see them using the top end processors available, or close to them anyway. 2.0GHz would be realistic I guess.

Other than that, I don't think they should make too many other changes to the iBook, maybe just the casing, dimensions and adding a iSight to the iBook. That way they can make a bit more of a fuss around June, rather than just saying "better processors, same price".

 

[Policar]

The Intel PowerBooks will be released (or at least announced) at NAB. Apple wants to put Meroms in them but Intel denied them so they will have dual core Yonahs. FCP 5.5 for Intel will also be released then. It's possible that both will be announced but will be released much later, though. The iBook will also be availible in black and be insanely beautiful...but people will complain about scratches in frivilous law suits. Kidding.

The iBooks will come out (or at least be announced) at San Francisco. The Mac Mini with an Intel chip will also be released.

The shuffles will be updated to be cheaper and come in black.

 

[steve_hill4]

The Intel PowerBooks will be released (or at least announced) at NAB. Apple wants to put Meroms in them but Intel denied them so they will have dual core Yonahs. FCP 5.5 for Intel will also be released then. It's possible that both will be announced but will be released much later, though. The iBook will also be availible in black and be insanely beautiful...but people will complain about scratches in frivilous law suits. Kidding.

The iBooks will come out (or at least be announced) at San Francisco. The Mac Mini with an Intel chip will also be released.

The shuffles will be updated to be cheaper and come in black.

You sound confident. I just hope you are right about the black option on the iBooks, many have predicted this since the nano came out and it is looking more certain as time passes. As long as the PowerBook stays silver, I will be happy.

 

[eXan]

I think I might add my two cents worth into this speculative debate...

iBook 13.3" Widescreen $899 Machine

Intel Yonah 1.66Ghz Processor
512Mb DDR2 Memory (max 1.5Gb)
CD-RW/DVD COMBI Drive (Upgradable to Superdrive...yes Apple please!)
40Gb 5400rpm Hard Drive (Max 80Gb)
ATI X300 64Mb Graphics
Optional Modem (USB), Airport, Bluetooth
NO FIREWIRE

iBook 14.1" Widescreen $1099 Machine

Intel Yonah 1.66Ghz Processor
512Mb DDR2 Memory (max 1.5Gb)
Superdrive
60Gb 5400rpm Hard Drive (Max 100Gb)
Ati X300 64Mb Graphics
Airport + BT 2.0 Standard, Optional 56k Modem (USB)
NO FIREWIRE

Powerbook 14.1" Widescreen $1499 Machine

Intel Yonah Dual Core 1.66Ghz Processors
1Gb DDR2/3 Memory (max 3Gb)
Superdrive Dual Layer
80Gb 7200rpm Hard Drive (Max 120Gb)
Ati X700 128Mb Graphics
Built-in iSight camera and Front Row w/ Crappy Remote
Airport + BT 2.0 Standard, Optional 56k Modem (USB)
Firewire 800 Port

Powerbook 15.4" Widescreen $1999 Machine

Intel Yonah Dual Core 1.83Ghz Processors
1Gb DDR2/3 Memory (max 3Gb)
Superdrive Dual Layer
100Gb 7200rpm Hard Drive (Max 160Gb)
Ati X700 128Mb Graphics
Built in iSight camera and Front Row w/ Crappy Remote
Airport + BT 2.0 Standard, Optional 56k Modem (USB)
Firewire 800 Port

Powerbook 17" Widescreen $2499 Machine

Intel Yonah Dual Core 2Ghz Processors
1Gb DDR2/3 Memory (max 3Gb)
Superdrive Dual Layer
120Gb 7200rpm Hard Drive (Max 200Gb)
Ati X800 256Mb DDR3 Graphics
Built in iSight camera and Front Row w/ Crappy Remote
Airport + BT 2.0 Standard, Optional 56k Modem (USB)
Firewire 800 Port

I think the two models (Consumer vs Pro) will be distinguished mainly by:

For the iBooks

1. Low cost, powerful systems. Look great, feel great philosophy.
2. Some expandability in the form of RAM and Hard Drive space
3. Widescreen architecture.
4. Removal of unneccessary features (Modem and Firewire), costcutting on cheapest model (Airport and BT Optional).
5. Decent gaming performance with modern chip and double VRAM.

For the Powerbook:

1. Form factor (as rumoured) to be much sleeker, thinner, durable and sexier in the Powerbook than the iBook.
2. Resolution of the displays, which will be higher in the Powerbooks.
3. RAM Support, raising expandability up to 3Gb or more in the Powerbooks whereas iBooks will be capped to 1.5Gb despite larger 2Gb chips being available.
4. iSight and Front-Row, to attract consumers towards the 14/15" models and power users in need of a decent camera on-the-go.
5. Huge graphics performance boosts, especially in the 17" model to swey serious gamers towards the Powerbooks.

Please dont kill FireWire 400 on iBooks and PowerBooks. I dont think Apple will remove it, but who knows? Also, modem is a must on laptops, cuz not everywhere there's wireless internet, even in US.

X800 on a PowerBook? Maybe Mobility version?

 

[applesmith]

The iBook Nano

I love these rumor threads, so I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents.

I predict a low-end $700~$800 range iBook for the upcoming MacWorld San Fran. They'll thin it out, drop a lot of the extra features found in current iBooks (including firewire support) and equip it with one of the assorted Intel chips floating around. It will come in original glossy white and new glossy black, like all currently released Apple products. Best of all it will not step on the extra features of current iBook G4 users or PowerBook users, but rather compete directly with the current low-end Wintel laptops.

Think about it people, Apple's iPod marketing scheme has propelled them into an 80% market share over the last 5 years. It would be stupid for them not to copy this model in regard to their current hardware lines. Go Apple!!!

 

[Randall]

I love these rumor threads, so I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents.

I predict a low-end $700~$800 range iBook for the upcoming MacWorld San Fran. They'll thin it out, drop a lot of the extra features found in current iBooks (including firewire support) and equip it with one of the assorted Intel chips floating around. It will come in original glossy white and new glossy black, like all currently released Apple products. Best of all it will not step on the extra features of current iBook G4 users or PowerBook users, but rather compete directly with the current low-end Wintel laptops.

Think about it people, Apple's iPod marketing scheme has propelled them into an 80% market share over the last 5 years. It would be stupid for them not to copy this model in regard to their current hardware lines. Go Apple!!!

That is a great point. Depending on how ambitious Apple is feeling, they could release very low-end portables to compete with the other low-end Windows laptops currently on the market. This is part of the freedom I was talking about as a good reason to switch to x86. A multitude of processor lines ranging from dirt cheap all the way up to pay-out-your-a$$ are available to satisfy every market imaginable. Apple has virtually unlimited potential to design a harware makeup to their liking. Who knows, they might even let you do build-to-order like alienware and dell do (choosing the processor as well). Sans AMD of course, so you could argue that that wouldn't be much of a choice anyway.

 

[im_noahselby]

I love these rumor threads, so I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents.

I predict a low-end $700~$800 range iBook for the upcoming MacWorld San Fran. They'll thin it out, drop a lot of the extra features found in current iBooks (including firewire support) and equip it with one of the assorted Intel chips floating around. It will come in original glossy white and new glossy black, like all currently released Apple products. Best of all it will not step on the extra features of current iBook G4 users or PowerBook users, but rather compete directly with the current low-end Wintel laptops.

Nope. Apple won't be doing this. It's a neat idea though. Expect to see the iBook line starting at 12" for $999 and they will likely offer two 13.3" models (which is important, considering the 12" PB will no longer exist). So...

12" Intel iBook - $999
13" Intel iBook - $1299
13" Intel iBook - $1499 (larger HD, Superdrive, etc?)

I do expect that the iBook will become thinner and sleeker at the Expo. Whether or not Apple will offer it in black is a big question mark. I would personally love to see this option.

Noah

 

[balamw]

Nope. Apple won't be doing this.

Basically you're saying that they will keep the existing price points for the iBooks and just swap out the G4 for Intel, and just go from 14" to 13.3".

It is a plausible scenario, but I doubt that will be the strategy. They need to demonstrate to the general public that the move to Intel leads to cheaper Macs down the road.

So, I beleive that Apple will take this opportunity to reach out to the < $1000 crowd in the way they did with the Mac Mini. Since the reality of the PC market today is that notebooks are outselling desktops, a $500 desktop is not so appealing, but a sub $1000 notebook can be very attractive. So I do really believe they will introduce an $800 stripped down iBook model or some kind. Maybe finally the long-rumored tablet... And maybe it'll be configured more to look like an iPod on steriods.

B

 

[applesmith]

I like the iPod on steroids scenario. It worked for the iMac, so why not the iBook. I'm a little worried about the tablet thing though, as Apple isn't one to follow in anyone else's footsteps http://www.motioncomputing.com/products/

My fantasy iBook though is a thin light notebook that has two 12" screens, so that it actually opens like a real book. It could also be positioned on a desktop like a standard laptop and the lower screen utilized as a touch screen, or held in your lap and read like a magazine. I've been working on some designs of my own just for fun. I like to do that kind of thing being into design and all (previously graduated with two degrees one in Graphic Design and one in Art Education). Wish I could work for Apple, but I just don't have the training/experience necessary to break into the industry.

Anyone else have any crazy or interesting iBook, iMac, etc. designs they'd like to see?

 

[Chundles]

I like the iPod on steroids scenario. It worked for the iMac, so why not the iBook. I'm a little worried about the tablet thing though, as Apple isn't one to follow in anyone else's footsteps http://www.motioncomputing.com/products/

My fantasy iBook though is a thin light notebook that has two 12" screens, so that it actually opens like a real book. It could also be positioned on a desktop like a standard laptop and the lower screen utilized as a touch screen, or held in your lap and read like a magazine. I've been working on some designs of my own just for fun. I like to do that kind of thing being into design and all (previously graduated with two degrees one in Graphic Design and one in Art Education). Wish I could work for Apple, but I just don't have the training/experience necessary to break into the industry.

Anyone else have any crazy or interesting iBook, iMac, etc. designs they'd like to see?

Give us a look at some of your designs. They sound cool.

 

[rogiercreemers]

This is going out on a limb here, but maybe Apple will drop the iBook and PowerBook monikers altogether, and integrate the laptops into a single line, (xBook?) with three formats 13", 15" and 17"). They could easily differentiate features and prices across a line. Maybe this is the real meaning of the death of the (beloved) PB 12"... (And, of course,maybe, a MiniBook for the lower end).

 

[applesmith]

Most of my designs are just sketches and written descriptions (haven't used Photoshop in years). When I get the chance I'll scan some of them and post them. I'll be heading home for Xmas for 2 weeks. I hope to have some time then.

Maybe I will get to work for Apple someday. I managed to accomplish atleast one of my other life-long dreams (living in Japan), so who knows.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand, or can someone post a new thread entitled: Apple Designers Eat Your Heart Out! That should get some attention.

 

[steve_hill4]

This is going out on a limb here, but maybe Apple will drop the iBook and PowerBook monikers altogether, and integrate the laptops into a single line, (xBook?) with three formats 13", 15" and 17"). They could easily differentiate features and prices across a line. Maybe this is the real meaning of the death of the (beloved) PB 12"... (And, of course,maybe, a MiniBook for the lower end).

Nooo, I see what you're saying but I would not for one want to see the two merge into one. There are always those willing to pay for extra features like anodized aluminium casing, (me for one). I think it is more likely they are trying to let sales of the 12" fall in time for a 13.3" widescreen PowerBook. If they plan on changing the casing for all of the range, I don't see how this would make much sense, unless development money is being pumped into the new range and the 12" is the obvious one to suffer.

 

[BlizzardBomb]

Sorry I deleted by accident because I was deleting my one and I must have deleted yours as well! I think I would puke if Celeron was used...even the G4 chip is better IMO than a Celeron..eww. I tried to seperate single/dual core chips in my prediction. I do seriously think the 56k modem will go for an optional USB dongle modem and when I used graphics cards, I assumed they would all be driven by 'mobility' technology...

Some decent predictions IMHO maybe the 14inch should be 13.3inch I guess (although with higher resolution).

Regards

Check http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2554 for the roadmap. As you can see Celeron M's aren't as bad as people say with a Yonah Celeron M clocking at possibly 1.6Ghz+ and a 533Mhz FSB at January. So on paper, it should be much better than the iBook's G4 with its 1.42Ghz and 142Mhz FSB. Oh and it's cheaper than the Pentium M too.

 

[YS2003]

I'm a little worried about the tablet thing though, as Apple isn't one to follow in anyone else's footsteps http://www.motioncomputing.com/products/

My fantasy iBook though is a thin light notebook that has two 12" screens, so that it actually opens like a real book. It could also be positioned on a desktop like a standard laptop and the lower screen utilized as a touch screen, or held in your lap and read like a magazine

I am in the market for the tablet PC. Even though I am weary about using Windows-based OS, I don't have a choice other than that. I hope Apple will come out with tablet PC of its own, similar to Fujitsu T4020, Lenovo X41 Tablet, HP tc4200, and etc (sub 5 lbs portable tablet).

 

[im_noahselby]

Basically you're saying that they will keep the existing price points for the iBooks and just swap out the G4 for Intel, and just go from 14" to 13.3".

It is a plausible scenario, but I doubt that will be the strategy. They need to demonstrate to the general public that the move to Intel leads to cheaper Macs down the road.

If Apple really wanted to make a statement they could start the iBook lineup at 13.3" instead of 12", I just have a feeling that they will have a no frills 12" Intel iBook as the base model to maintain that all important $999 price tag. We'll see...

I have a 12" PowerBook (1.33Ghz Rev C), and I'm already planning on selling it, even before these new iBooks are released. That is how confident I am that these new iBooks are going to rock.

So Here is what I'm sure will happen:
-Apple will keep the "iBook" moniker
-There will be three configurations to choose from
-All three models will use Intel
-Apple finally will bump the Graphics memory up to 64MB (not 100% sure if they will on the base model. Afterall, this would give A LOT of people incentive for people to bump themselves up from the $999 model to the $1299 model.)
-The iBook will be white
-The new machines will be slimmed down and feature a similar but more appealing design, than their current form factor.

Here is what we still don't know:
-Will it be available in black as well as white? 10% chance
-Will their be a lower pricepoint than $999 on the new base model iBook? 0% chance
-Will the Graphics memory on the base model be bumped up to 64MB? 40% chance

Noah