<rant> That would suck if they modeled it after the iPhone. What's the point of that? A netbook is supposed to be a computer that you can actually use to COMPUTE with-- not something that needs to be synced to a computer and only contains certain types of files/documents. It needs to run a full version of OS X, have an 8"-10" screen, a physical keyboard, and it needs to fold like a laptop. Anything else is just plain stupid and pointless. </rant>
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Analyst Believes Apple Will Unveil Netbooks at Macworld
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How many times do I have to say it?
I know that by anyone else's definition, the MacBook Air is NOT a netbook. A netbook is a miniscule laptop with a miniature screen and keyboard good for little more than surfing the Internet.
The MacBook Air is a full-sized (larger than it needs to be, say the bezel-shavers) ultraportable that, with the newest hardware, can actually be used for light work without overheating.
But Apple. Doesn't. Care. Steve said himself that he doesn't think the netbook category is currently viable. That's why there is no MacBook Nano, that's why there is no MacTablet.
I don't know. A machine with dual touch screens instead of a physical keyboard would be interesting. It's time for Apple to get back to innovating instead of just trying to stuff things into smaller and smaller packages.
Nobody has, that's why it would be innovating. Creating new and exciting products instead of listening to just a group of yes men.
No, I think he's saying, "When have they ever innovated?"
Maybe I'm just being dense here, but you guys have me really confused about what you mean. I don't know why Apple needs to "get back" to innovating, when they never stopped. If you believe they haven't been innovating, then I'd have to ask you "compared to who?"
No, I think he's saying, "When have they ever innovated?"
I considered that as well, but I can't fathom a statement like that coming from a Mac user.
When they stopped adding useable features and started subtracting them to make their machines a bit slimmer. The only real innovation has been happening in the iPhone and that happened because the jailbreak people saw the iPhone's true potential.
Oh, was your question, "When have they ever just stuffed into smaller packages?"
MacBook Air, iPod nano (across its revisions), iMac (aluminum compared to plastic)
The only thing they've ever made bigger with an update is the case change from PowerMac G4 to PowerMac G5.
That case is over five years old now and is the oldest case left to be redesigned... will it get smaller?
No my question was, if you believe Apple has stopped innovating, then compared to who?
Well all I know is that I was window-shopping today and glanced at the fug-ugly but cheap-as-chips Acer Netbook. I thought how much I would like it if Apple made one. It would be a bit more expensive, no doubt, but loads better. The idea that a MB Air is a netbook is just silly.
Wasn't it an Apple representative that commented on the AT&T 3G commercials saying, you don't take our commercials literally do you? If Apple and AT&T say they have the fastest 3G system then it appears that they are not to be taken at their word. When Steve Jobs said that Apple does not see the netbook segment to be worth while, I guess we missed the subtitles.
Not very likely. As big as it may seem compared to rest of the lineup (which are based on mobile platforms), the G5/Mac Pro case is one of the smaller workstation cases out there. Trying to make it smaller for vanity's sake at the expense of features like they have done on the consumer end isn't going to fly too well in the pro arena. I wouldn't mind an updated exterior and more USB2.0 ports on the back, but they finally got the capabilities to just about perfect.
Apple. I know your only requirement on something is the Apple logo, but some of us enjoyed having new useful features. New connectivity ports, integrated webcams, easy upgrade cases, and multi-touch trackpads are innovating. Deleting ports, using lesser capacity batteries, using mobile platforms for desktops, using quazi-proprietary video connectors, and making it harder to access the memory and drives to make the machines smaller and more aesthetically appealing are not innovation.
I don't believe they'll make it smaller, but I do think they'll try to do something with it.
The only thing is... it's been so long now... what could possibly replace the cheese grater and handles?
I agree there. Maybe a two-tone silver and black look like the iMacs and Macbooks. I'd also like to see a return of the hinged side panel. It made things so much easier.
Want a netbook, cheap(er)? Wait about six months when all those folks who bought a netbook (the latest and greatest idea!) at christmas finally decide to pitch them because THEY ARE TOO D*MN SMALL to actually do any work on... then you'll find a ton of them on ebay/craigslist, et al.
After fiddling with a couple of these devices recently for a while at Costco (the universal solvent of discount retail), I really got bored with these little buggers. The keyboards /screens / fonts are SOOOOO tiny, and the processors are SOOOOO slow. These things would drive me nuts.
Predictions for Macworld 2009 (RIP):
Macbook air: $1399.
Mac Mini replacement: $1199 in a small tower form. Some expandability (cards/ez drive swap)
AppleTV replacement: Basically a rejiggered low-end mini with addition of AppleTV functions, $500
MacPro: Starting at $1599 (single processor.)
Plus Shiller and the boys will demo Snow Leopard, and will wow the crowd with multi-core goodness in the form of SPEED. which will make a single processor MacPro make sense!
MacBook Air: No announcements, no changes.
Mac Mini: No xMac unless Steve has died.
Apple TV: probably something
Mac Pro: not announced at MacWorld; announced later, standard configuration costing $3,000, one processor configuration costing $2,200.
So.. Shiller is going to get up in front of the multitudes and, with great fanfare, announce... a rejiggered AppleTV? That ought to make the crowd go wild (as in pitchforks and hot tar.) I kind of think that (hope that) Shiller will get to announce some nice stuff. Otherwise, he will be forever viewed as the grinch that stole christmas...
And one more thing.... "Today, Apple announces the purchase of Nintendo. All consumer macs now will feature all Wii functions, standard!"
I believe the days of "making the crowd go wild" are over. Future Apple product announcements will be at media events lacking crowds of easily excitable Apple fans.
Nope. He's going to get up there, announce iMac internal updates, Mac Mini updates, and an Apple TV software update.
And then talk about Snow Leopard for an hour and a half. It'll be WWDC 2007 all over again.