Apple Hints at a 'Product Transition' and a New Product Soon?

[MacinJosh]

Movies are just one advantage to having a built in DVD drive.

For example, let's say you are on a plane. You need to give multiple clients an updated copy of a large amount of data which you are currently working on and constantly modifying. Total file space required is 5 GB and your clients are running a variety of windows and OS X.

With a DVD burner you burn the data to a half dozen compatible DVDs. You meet with the various clients, discuss your business, hand them the disk, and you're done. You get a raise for a job well done. You splurge and buy a blu-ray version of "Live.Free,Die,Hard" to enjoy on your flight home.

Without a DVD burner, you meet with the client, try to figure out how to get connected to their corporate wireless network which is protected with firewalls and special login accounts. You then try to figure out how to access your clients machine once you are on the network. Then you begin the painfully slow process of transferring the 5 GB of data files. You spend so much time with client one & two, that you barely have time to meet with client three. You don't meet with clients 4,5, & 6. Consequently you are fired because you are inept at meeting and supplying your clients with accurate data. You are so disgusted with the MBA that you toss it under the plane as you board!

Now don't you wish your light weight portable had a burner like the 3.4 lb. Sony Vaio Z?

Problem is, that you can't fit 5GB on a DVD Well, single layered anyway... Sorry, I'm being pedantic. Obviously there is a REAL need for DVDRW drives such as the one that you just stated and I can respect that. All I've heard so far is mostly movies. For those that really need a DVD burner/drive we have the MBP lineup. I still maintain my position that an ultra-portable device (such as a tablet mac) should not have an optical drive built in.

 

[bub9001]

There are two MacBooks two MacBook Pros, and one MacBook Air. Different specs do not equal different models.

So what you are saying is There are only 2 types of MacBook, and 2 models of MacBook Pro, and only one MacBook Air. I have a feeling some people would disagree, including Apple. And I was counting the amount of actual Choices.

NO xMac ever, some would say the Power Mac 6500 and MDD dual G4 was the xMac. But again it is a matter of opinion.

 

[Mal]

Movies are just one advantage to having a built in DVD drive.

For example, let's say you are on a plane. You need to give multiple clients an updated copy of a large amount of data which you are currently working on and constantly modifying. Total file space required is 5 GB and your clients are running a variety of windows and OS X.

With a DVD burner you burn the data to a half dozen compatible DVDs. You meet with the various clients, discuss your business, hand them the disk, and you're done. You get a raise for a job well done. You splurge and buy a blu-ray version of "Live.Free,Die,Hard" to enjoy on your flight home.

Without a DVD burner, you meet with the client, try to figure out how to get connected to their corporate wireless network which is protected with firewalls and special login accounts. You then try to figure out how to access your clients machine once you are on the network. Then you begin the painfully slow process of transferring the 5 GB of data files. You spend so much time with client one & two, that you barely have time to meet with client three. You don't meet with clients 4,5, & 6. Consequently you are fired because you are inept at meeting and supplying your clients with accurate data. You are so disgusted with the MBA that you toss it under the plane as you board!

Now don't you wish your light weight portable had a burner like the 3.4 lb. Sony Vaio Z?

And yet, how many people do this? Obviously a very small segment of the market, and probably no one in the target market for the MacBook Air. If you're dealing with something of that sort, you need a MacBook Pro most likely.

Plus, your recounting of the story is so absurd it's hard to accept any valid points there. Try toning down the sarcasm if you want to be taken seriously.

jW

 

[Rybold]

.
OMG !!! It's a touch screen tablet PC that weighs as little as the MacBook Air, and with Wifi you can take it all around the house! OMG !!!

http://www.thestreet.com/_yahoo/vid...0445.html?cm_ven=YAHOOV&cm_cat=FREE&cm_ite=NA

Just chop the bottom pic in half and it's only the size of the screen. Full-size touch keyboard and WiFi !

 

[PowerFullMac]

Woo! New stuff!

 

[virtuapimp]

Macbook touch would be awesome but it will be a device for occasional users not 9 hours a day professional users, bring on the updated MB and MBP!

 

[z0n3x]

Apple will be transitioning into the PC market. OSX is becoming a huge platform for both the iPhone, iPod touch and the mac lines of computers. The developing support will result in OSX being available for PC's. Bye Bye microsoft, hell anything could knock vista out of the water. Imagine being at best buy and choosing Vista or OSX preloaded, the choice is pretty clear.

 

[ipodtouchy333]

Apple will be transitioning into the PC market. OSX is becoming a huge platform for both the iPhone, iPod touch and the mac lines of computers. The developing support will result in OSX being available for PC's. Bye Bye microsoft, hell anything could knock vista out of the water. Imagine being at best buy and choosing Vista or OSX preloaded, the choice is pretty clear.

Hmmmm. I don't know about that. Since a lot of people buy Macs just for OSX, what would be the incentive to buy one if you can get the same OS on a cheaper computer? Maybe I'm wrong but I don't think they would do that, at least I hope they wouldn't.

 

[cube]

OK, I'm not going to read all the posts, so here it goes:

"product transition with negative Q4 effect": Nehalem

 

[Eric S.]

Apple will be transitioning into the PC market. OSX is becoming a huge platform for both the iPhone, iPod touch and the mac lines of computers. The developing support will result in OSX being available for PC's. Bye Bye microsoft, hell anything could knock vista out of the water. Imagine being at best buy and choosing Vista or OSX preloaded, the choice is pretty clear.

Apple is not going to release OS X on PC hardware, and recent events have shown that they are not going to allow anyone else to do so either as long as their lawyers can prevent it.

OK, I'm not going to read all the posts, so here it goes:

"product transition with negative Q4 effect": Nehalem

Nehalem is too far in the future (mid next year) to affect this quarter's revenue. And there's nothing about Nehalem that would require a different pricing structure. Apple is talking about a different product, not just a different chip platform.

 

[Rybold]

OK, I'm not going to read all the posts, so here it goes:

"product transition with negative Q4 effect": Nehalem

If Apple was smart they would come out with a line of $500 computers to increase their market share of the PC market. They would still have their $2000 computers. It would be a different market, and they could have different product line names. Like Toyota did with Scion and Lexus. Apple needs to increase market share and compete with the $500 computers at Best Buy ! Right now, Apple's website says "iMac. Starting at $1199." You think MOST parents are going to buy their kids $1200 computers when they can go to Best Buy and get their kid a computer for $500 ? Some parents might, but not the majority of the market.

 

[iMacmatician]

If Apple was smart they would come out with a line of $500 computers to increase their market share of the PC market. They would still have their $2000 computers. It would be a different market, and they could have different product line names. Like Toyota did with Scion and Lexus. Apple needs to increase market share and compete with the $500 computers at Best Buy ! Right now, Apple's website says "iMac. Starting at $1199." You think MOST parents are going to buy their kids $1200 computers when they can go to Best Buy and get their kid a computer for $500 ? Some parents might, but not the majority of the market.

I doubt there will be a Mac that cheap (besides the Mac mini). A bigger iPod touch with iLife and iWork might fill that gap.

 

[Tallest Skil]

I have a feeling some people would disagree, including Apple. And I was counting the amount of actual Choices.

Ehhh... nope. Apple believes the same thing that I do.

If we go by your idea, then HP sells over 60 different laptops, many of which are in the same case and have the same model name. Better specs never mean a different model unless it's across processor lines. Models are designated by superficiality.

If Apple was smart they would come out with a line of $500 computers to increase their market share of the PC market. Apple needs to increase market share and compete with the $500 computers at Best Buy!

"There are two companies succeeding in this industry: Apple and Dell. We do it by innovation. They do it by being Wal-Mart." -Steve Jobs

The day Apple makes a "cheap" computer is the day that the brand dies. Apple is known for quality, reliability, and everything that the bargain bin AMD and Pentium D PCs are not. Don't cheapen my company.

 

[digitalbiker]

And yet, how many people do this? Obviously a very small segment of the market, and probably no one in the target market for the MacBook Air. If you're dealing with something of that sort, you need a MacBook Pro most likely.

Plus, your recounting of the story is so absurd it's hard to accept any valid points there. Try toning down the sarcasm if you want to be taken seriously.

jW

What's so absurd about it? This is a very common need of a frequent business traveler which by the way "IS" the target market of the MBA. No you don't need a MBP. All you need is a MBA but with an optical drive. Are you telling me that business travelers never meet with clients, they never need to give them data? Or they never have NAZI IT departments that make using their wireless networks a pain. This happens to me all the time.

Sony actually puts a discrete graphics card, a faster cpu, a larger 2.5" HDD, and a BD in a portable that weighs only 3.4lbs. The MBA weighs 3lbs so the weights are very similar. Display sizes are nearly identical. So don't tell me that an optical drive is too heavy for an ultra portable.

I wasn't being sarcastic, I was trying to impart a little color to the scenario. Lighten up a little would you.

Explain to me why there is this no optical drive kick among the new Apple users. Steve Jobs never declared Apple as a non-optical drive company. He basically came up with a bulls&*t sales pitch to help sell MBAs when they couldn't quite fit an optical drive in the MBA.

An optical drive is very useful on a number of levels and not just for movies. It makes no sense to me why one would not want an optical drive when it adds very little weight and lot more functionality.

 

[.Chris]

If Apple was smart they would come out with a line of $500 computers to increase their market share of the PC market. They would still have their $2000 computers. It would be a different market, and they could have different product line names. Like Toyota did with Scion and Lexus. Apple needs to increase market share and compete with the $500 computers at Best Buy ! Right now, Apple's website says "iMac. Starting at $1199." You think MOST parents are going to buy their kids $1200 computers when they can go to Best Buy and get their kid a computer for $500 ? Some parents might, but not the majority of the market.

I can see a little middle schooler getting a $500 computer. High school student (sophomore-junior year) a 1000-1499 computer a senior may get around the same price or closer to 2000 due to them going out to college and you need a compouter to handle school work, word precessing, major internet use as well as fun on the weekends

most parents are oblivious to what a computer can actually do and what the specs mean. (most advarage parents today were born in the late 50s and early 60sHence they just buy what looks good by price and dont care what price it is. Hopefully their tech savy kid can help them out

If we go by your idea, then HP sells over 60 different laptops, many of which are in the same case and have the same model name. Better specs never mean a different model unless it's across processor lines. Models are designated by superficiality.

not only that, HP has twice now due to their revamp of the laptops as well as offering last years models still. Counting AMD and intel models and the special edition models models running linux models running vista, models running XP its a lot.

"There are two companies succeeding in this industry: Apple and Dell. We do it by innovation. They do it by being Wal-Mart." -Steve Jobs

ehhaeha I've seen ipods at walmart,,,

I knwo he was talking about macs but still.Dell actully needed to go the way they went, Retel.....

also apple has their macs sold at best buy and thats retel

The day Apple makes a "cheap" computer is the day that the brand dies. Apple is known for quality, reliability, and everything that the bargain bin AMD and Pentium D PCs are not. Don't cheapen my company

Really? Lets take a look at the ipod. Should they just drop the cheep models and only offer the classic at around 500.

Apple NEEDS to have a cheep computer in order to survive. Not everyone can afford a 2000 computer. They want to go mac, so what do you do? offer then a cheep computer bellow 1000. You may be rich and have all the money in the world, but not everyone ism like you, we cant afford 2000 computers

 

[Tallest Skil]

also apple has their macs sold at best buy and thats retel

Really? Lets take a look at the ipod. Should they just drop the cheep models and only offer the classic at around 500.

They want to go mac, so what do you do?

They sell them at the Apple Store. That's retail, and beside the point.

The iPod is not a computer. It is in a completely different product range. You can't sell a $2000 MP3 player.

Save up. Plain and simple.

 

[zsft]

"There are two companies succeeding in this industry: Apple and Dell. We do it by innovation. They do it by being Wal-Mart." -Steve Jobs

The day Apple makes a "cheap" computer is the day that the brand dies. Apple is known for quality, reliability, and everything that the bargain bin AMD and Pentium D PCs are not. Don't cheapen my company.

I dunno what he's trying to get at, but Walmart is probably the best thing that ever happen to the US economy, they really were true pioneers. Both Apple and Walmart's business models have pros and cons...but if I were to pick, I rather own Walmart. You can't say that Dell makes cheap computers, they make a wide variety of lines to satisfy all levels of customers, almost perfect product discrimination...I'd say that's rather smart.

a big LOL at "Apple is known for quality, reliability blah blah blah". And innovation? Hmm...yes in iphones and stuff, but not in their computers, no. Intel is innovation, not Apple.

 

[ipodtouchy333]

Apple NEEDS to have a cheep computer in order to survive. Not everyone can afford a 2000 computer. They want to go mac, so what do you do? offer then a cheep computer bellow 1000. You may be rich and have all the money in the world, but not everyone ism like you, we cant afford 2000 computers

Apple does have a cheap computer. The mac mini. Granted it may not be worth the money but it is definitely below $2000. You can get an imac for $1200 and not to mention, you cna even get a great computer in a refurbished imac which is only $949.

I think I get what you're trying to say though. I think apple should dump the mini and come out with a mid range mac tower that is worth the money and costs around $800.

 

[cube]

Nehalem is too far in the future (mid next year) to affect this quarter's revenue. And there's nothing about Nehalem that would require a different pricing structure. Apple is talking about a different product, not just a different chip platform.

Of course it affects it. Even if I agreed on getting the overkill Mac Pro, I'm not buying any computers this year until Nehalem comes out. I don't want to be stuck with an obsolete socket.

It IS a product transition.

 

[kabunaru]

I hope the new MacBook looks the same as the MacBook Air but still has the same thickness of the current MacBook and an optical drive and ports.

 

[iMacmatician]

Of course it affects it. Even if I agreed on getting the overkill Mac Pro, I'm not buying any computers this year until Nehalem comes out. I don't want to be stuck with an obsolete socket.

It IS a product transition.

Only for the Mac Pro and Xserve. Other Macs won't get Nehalem until Q3 2009.

 

[cube]

Who said ANY Mac will get Nehalem before 2009?

 

[j!mmyC]

Mac Cloud

Seems obvious to me, I'm surprised that no one else picked up on this yet.

With the new Mobile Me service revamp and the sucess of the of iphone they are going to roll out a cloud computer like the CherryPal. A thin client version of a mac without the iLife software and a really stripped version of OSX. This idea dovetails with the rumors of a smaller mac mini product revamp. It could even be smaller than an AppleTV. Also this idea dovetails with rumors that Apple is pursuing a relationship with Google to leverage Google's cloud.

Lower price point equates to less profit but more converts, especially those that have an iphone but still use a Windows PC.

It's obvious that I'm new here, tell me how I'm wrong.

 

[shoebobs]

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/intel-nehalem-cpu-bloomfield,5968.html

 

[brendanspah764]

I hope the new MacBook looks the same as the MacBook Air but still has the same thickness of the current MacBook and an optical drive and ports.

Same here. The same wedged shape would be nice, but I think the keyboard will still be white. That way the more expensive models will have a black keyboard. If they do carry an almost identical shape to the MBA, I will buy the MacBook in a heartbeat. Or a MBP, still deciding....