Apple MacBook in May?

[Ultimatetone]

Having the proper pricing (& configuration options) for the upcoming "iMacBook"
could cause a 'significant spike' in the number of switchers.
(now, even more so, with the release of Bootcamp and similar Win-capable efforts)

Hopefully, some lost ground can be now be recaptured within the schools that have 'strayed' from Apple.
I truly feel any resistance will indeed be futile (or significantly less) by those in charge of the purchasing decisions
for educational institutions now that that the Intel-based Mac hardware can boot to Windows as well, if so desired.
I mean, they would not be against (OS) diversity, would they?

My other concern is that people (friends of mine!) are purchasing Celeron-based Notebooks
from their local BestBuy for around $500-650.00. Sure, they only have integrated graphics & 10/100 ethernet,
but also have a 14" WXGA Ultrabright screen, DVD±RW, 802.11g and a media card reader built-in.

An "iMacBook" with a 13+ display, FW 400, DVD±RW, Bluetooth 2.0, Gigabit eth. and 802.11n built-in for $750.00
(along w/comparison specs as to why the 'iMacbook' is the better investment) clearly spells WINNER to me.


- Ultimatetone

 

[manu chao]

No, of course it didn't stop the producers of cellphones, but you can get a cellphone without a camera. All I'm hoping for is the ability to delete the iSight from a BTO configuration. If the entire 'Book line can ONLY be had with a camera, a lot of people will be unable to buy one.

If I can't delete it, I gotta go peecee...and I sure don't wanna do that!

Is it aestetics? Weight? Cost? Privacy? Or what bothers you?

If your concern is mainly about restrictions companies apply in respect to camera-phones and possibly camera-laptops, than I would add that banning camera-phones is not a very sophisticated safety measure. It might be effective in that it closes a loopwhole that can be exploited very easily but for a professional no real hindrance to espionage.

Using a laptop with a build-in iSight for espionage is not easier than using a wrist-watch with a build-in camera or other fancy devices. It is just that any hobby-spy will most likely not bother to buy such a watch but he might very likely already have a camera phone.

 

[milo]

I find that re-branding highly unlikely... Why would Apple work against the 'iPod branding halo' by changing the name of their entry-level notebooks?

Because it doesn't have MAC in the name. Steve Jobs said that outright, ALL their computers will have MAC in the name. Period.

They're going to keep the iBook name. There might be some macbook 13" too, but they're going to keep iBook for the consumer notebook. Mark my words, or I'll eat something gross or something.

Based on what? Your gut feeling? Do you have any logical argument to back that up?

apple's kind of screwed here with merom chips coming august now. it's either release the macbook with the dual-core yonahs and hope it doesn't eat to much in to the pro sales (or piss off people who just plunked down $2000 for a pro machine). or release a single core now that will get trounced by other $1000 notebooks and go dual-core in august.

They can release one with dual 1.6, enough of a diffence from the MPB's starting at 1.8, especially when there are other feature differences. Not to mention that the MB will only come in 13, lots of pros will still pay more for a 15 or bigger. And based on the 17 pricing, I think we'll see a price drop on 15's (or a feature bump, or both) soon.

Apple can't wait until fall, they have to release it soon or they'll miss the educational market, most computers for students are bought at this time of year.

For my needs, 13" widescreen, dual cores, and GPU with VRAM, would be great!

Doubt we'll see a model with GPU, that will be one of the differences from MBP.

 

[twoodcc]

i'm glad to see another rumor stating a May release (especially since it's May right now )

now the only way i can get one is if i sell my 1.67 ghz Powerbook.....

 

[yoda13]

Just to clear something up, I am not professing that there will be dedicated graphics, nor do I expect there to be, I am just saying that is what I want....

There could be a high end model that might have them, simple because this computer is replacing two lines of computers, the 12" Powerbook and the iBook. I agree that it is unlikely and I will be shocked if there is, but this fact is the one thing that gives me a sliver of hope...

 

[manu chao]

what if it's crap? I mean, what if the $999 model has Intel Integrated Graphics, 256Mb of RAM, a Combo drive, 40Gb HD, a 1.5GHz Core Solo, and no firewire ports or built-in Wifi?

Personally I suspect it'll have firewire, and maybe half a gig of RAM, but the rest of the spec isn't that unlikely.

They will not go below the specs of the Mac mini (except for less USB ports for space reasons). The mini is the lowest priced computer, it has the minimum feature set Apple is willing to put on the market.

 

[iSee]

Yeah

i don't understand how thinksecret's "reports" don't go to Page 2. they've announced the mabcook release so many times that i think they don't base their predictions in any kind of fact.

Yeah, I looked back at all the MacBook rumors and TS's release dates have come and gone a couple times.

On the other hand, Apple Insider has been saying April-May '06 for the iBook replacement since last November. In the same report they nailed the MBP, so maybe TS is right this time (in the way a stopped clock is right... twice a day ).

 

[Stridder44]

No problem: get a little white (or black, or graphite, or strawberry) paint, apply liberally to the top center of you MacBook's display bezel, and wah-la:

A MacBook without iSight!

A conveniently placed sticky note comes to mind

 

[Airforce]

An "iMacBook" with a 13+ inch display, Firewire 400, DVD±RW (Blue-ray option?) Gigabit ethernet and 802.11n built-in for $750.00
(along w/comparison specs as to why the 'iMacbook' is the better investment) clearly spells WINNER to me.


- Ultimatetone

You're on crack if you think Apple is going to lower their price on the upcoming computer. The ibook won't be anything special. I'd bet money on it being exactly like the mac mini's specs starting at $999+

 

[lockhartt]

I think everyone is forgetting something...

The whole reason for the PowerBook/PowerMac names was the transition to the PowerPC chip.

With the removal of that chip from those units, it makes sense to rebrand them to MacBook Pro and MacPro.

The consumer line has been the iBook and iMac, respectively, and the iMac remains the iMac... so there's no reason to expect the iBook to become the MacBook. Rather, as many have suggested, it's more likely this will be a new line to fill the business user niche (no need for real high-end processing power) with a lightweight unit and dub it the MacBook.

Think about it...

 

[50548]

I'm still sticking by my 16th May release date.
I am also predicting 999 euros for the entry level

As I am the master of information, I will tell ya what is gonna happen...

The PB 12" and the iBook lines will be merged - result? No more iBook 14" or PB 12"...only the MacBook 13.3" widescreen in 3 main models:

Ugly - Core Solo/GMA 950/Combo/40Gb - $ 999

Bad - Core Duo/GMA 950/Combo/60Gb - $ 1299

Good - Core Duo/X1300/Superdrive/80Gb - $ 1499

AP Extreme/BT/512Mb/iSight/FR/Remote/MagSafe standard across the line.

Colors: Snow/Graphite

Please check this post after the MB launched, OK?

 

[twoodcc]

The whole reason for the PowerBook/PowerMac names was the transition to the PowerPC chip.

With the removal of that chip from those units, it makes sense to rebrand them to MacBook Pro and MacPro.

The consumer line has been the iBook and iMac, respectively, and the iMac remains the iMac... so there's no reason to expect the iBook to become the MacBook. Rather, as many have suggested, it's more likely this will be a new line to fill the business user niche (no need for real high-end processing power) with a lightweight unit and dub it the MacBook.

Think about it...

well Jobs said that they want "Mac" in all the names of the products. so i think it will be "Macbook"

 

[mdsll]

Looking at the Release Date History for iBooks, I think it will be released in May, seeing as April is already gone:

iBook Releases:

2001: May (new design) and October (speed bump)
2002: January (14,1"), May (speed bump), November (speed bump)
2003: April (speed bump), October (G4)
2004: April (speed bump), October (speed bump)
2005: July (speed bump)

So it seems April/May is the "usual" date, the 2005 July release being an exception to the rule.

 

[milo]

BTW all those saying they'll buy it the day it comes out... what if it's crap? I mean, what if the $999 model has Intel Integrated Graphics, 256Mb of RAM, a Combo drive, 40Gb HD, a 1.5GHz Core Solo, and no firewire ports or built-in Wifi?

You can count on FW, wifi, and 512 they're even in the $599 mini. Mini also starts with 60 gig hard drive. If a model has core solo, it will only be the base model, same with combo drive and hard drive. Those will all be upgradable.

I'd count on integrated graphics. People will whine about it until they actually run the machine and see how fast it is, same as the mini.

I agree, and you can get them now in the Powerbook for $1999-$2799.

Um...which Powerbook has dual core?

Putting aside the iBook/ MacBook naming debate for a minute are we sure there might not be both a 13" MacBook and 13" MacBook Pro? As was the case with the 12" iBook and PowerBook? That would make sense. The Pro would have the dedicated graphics chipset, SP/DIF, motion sensor, backlit keyboard etc... circa $1899 or sthng like that.

There will probably be budget and pro configurations, but they will just be different configs in the same case. I think the main differences will be chip speed and typical BTO features. I don't expect dedicated graphics even available as an option, even including the slot for it adds size and cost.

The whole reason for the PowerBook/PowerMac names was the transition to the PowerPC chip.

The Powerbook isn't named after the PPC chip, the first powerbooks shipped with 680X0 chips. I think that's part of the reason they're dropping it, though.


I agree that this is a pointless "rumor". It's nothing new, just restating what they've already said. Is it really a stretch to predict that MB's will ship this month?

 

[MRU]

Interestingly Sony have just released a new Vaio with

CoreDuo 1.83 ghz & 13.3 widescreen

http://www.misco.co.uk/productinformation/~Q72189~WW~/index.htm?affiliate=7576

But as you can see that's some pricey laptop (ugly to boot)

£1527.49 = €2,230 = $2,817.608

So if apple can release a coreduo 1.66-1.83 & 13.3 widescreen for $1599 it will sell like hot cakes.

Come on Apple. This is my next purchase, hurry up I have a hole burning in my pocket

 

[milo]

Interestingly Sony have just released a new Vaio with

CoreDuo 1.83 ghz & 13.3 widescreen

http://www.misco.co.uk/productinformation/~Q72189~WW~/index.htm?affiliate=7576

That's an ultralilght laptop, under two pounds. Doesn't really compete with the ibook model. This one needs to compete with the low budget dell models, not the super high end sonys.

I'd say they have to have a core duo for $1299 or less to be competitive. I'm hoping the $999 stays at that price with core duo but I know that's a huge stretch. Hell, I'd love to see stripped down core solo for $899 and duo for $1199. (and a beefier one for $1399-1599)

 

[Ultimatetone]

You're on crack if you think Apple is going to lower their price on the upcoming computer.
The ibook won't be anything special. I'd bet money on it being exactly like the mac mini's specs starting at $999+

COUGH...COUGH...pipe dreams!

I just cannot justify switching to OSX via an Intel Mac Mini or a $1000.00 "iMacBook."

I understand that the addition of a "screen" costs money,
but now that Apple is using seemingly less-proprietary Intel-based hardware...

I've been waiting for years so far...
I guess I'll finally fold and bag a sub-par Celeron-based notebook to handle my minimal 'portable needs'
while I continue to wait for Apple (and also seek more lucrative employment opportunities.)
Knowing 'what's possibly around the corner' must discourage many folks from making such purchases.
I cannot be alone on this thought.


- Ultimatetone

 

[peharri]

I think WiFi's a dead cert and I'll buy you one if it isn't*

Wheee! (Or is that Wii, thanks Nintendo...)

*absolute LIE

D'oh!

Ok, here's what I think. I think the low end MacBook will be exactly the same spec as the low end Mac mini except with what you'd expect in added in a 13" laptop. It'll have the Apple remote. It may have that iSight thing, but I wouldn't bet on it. That said, I suspect it adds a few dollars to the cost, and I think Apple wants something like that to differentiate itself, so... They'll probably cut the number of USB ports to two, but that's no biggie.

The low end Mac mini does, indeed, have a 60Gb HD rather than 40Gb, so you may be right about that.

I'm not going to be surprised, but I doubt it'll happen, if they remove Firewire. I don't think Apple sees Firewire as a going concern in the long term as far as their low-end consumer gear goes. If they did, they'd be making more of an effort to promote it - how much would it cost to include the Firewire cables with the iPod? Why isn't it on the iPod nano?

A low end laptop at the moment is generally around the $750 mark, +-$250. Dell's Inspiron B130 has a spec that's very close to that described, though with a larger screen, for $840 (actually $740 with instant rebate right now.)

So I'm going to predict that the low-end MacBook is probably going to weigh in around the $900 mark, if not $800. If that seems lower than Apple usually does things, bear in mind the market's changed a lot over the last few years. You can get a generic PC laptop for as little as $500 (why you'd want it, I don't know, but even Dell sells them that low.) And I think we all know that Apple is extremely keen on ramping up market share right now, as long as it keeps reasonable margins. The notion that Apple's price for its low end laptop might be close to the price of Dell's highest priced low-end laptop isn't that silly.

What do others think?

 

[gkarris]

As I am the master of information, I will tell ya what is gonna happen...

The PB 12" and the iBook lines will be merged - result? No more iBook 14" or PB 12"...only the MacBook 13.3" widescreen in 3 main models:

Ugly - Core Solo/GMA 950/Combo/40Gb - $ 999

Bad - Core Duo/GMA 950/Combo/60Gb - $ 1299

Good - Core Duo/X1300/Superdrive/80Gb - $ 1499

AP Extreme/BT/512Mb/iSight/FR/Remote/MagSafe standard across the line.

Colors: Snow/Graphite

Please check this post after the MB launched, OK?

Maybe at $100 more per (the Minis came out at $100 more per).

Bring back Dalmation and Flower Power!!!

 

[mdavria]

OMG its AS IF ITS ALL A GIANT SCHEME TO MAKE MONEY!![/QUOTE]


The marketing, the waiting, the ad campaign, the fact that some of you want a MacBook, but could no longer wait and instead bought a MacBook Pro is really genius by Apple. And if they chage the name to MacBook, they can also change the price.

I have a 3rd Gen iPod at 10 GB and it was $300. New iPods are color, have video, and super slim and are 30 GB, price: $300. My G3 iBook is 20 GB at 700 Mhz and was $999. Newest iBooks are stilll $999. If they change the name, they change the price (ala Powerbook/MacBook Pro) and they can have the excuse by saying that it is no longer an iBook.

 

[mpw]

...some of us do our best work in the dark...

Have you been talking to my wife?

 

[milo]

Maybe at $100 more per (the Minis came out at $100 more per).

The cheaper mini added wifi and bluetooth, both of which are already in the ibook. Only real justification for a price increase is a built in camera. I REALLY hope they don't bump prices, this is one model that needs to come in starting as cheap as possible.

 

[jaxstate]

I really want DVI out. A new "macbook" and a 20" Apple LCD for under $2,500 would be golden!!!

 

[gkarris]

I bought one...

Wheee! (Or is that Wii, thanks Nintendo...)

So I'm going to predict that the low-end MacBook is probably going to weigh in around the $900 mark, if not $800. If that seems lower than Apple usually does things, bear in mind the market's changed a lot over the last few years. You can get a generic PC laptop for as little as $500 (why you'd want it, I don't know, but even Dell sells them that low.) And I think we all know that Apple is extremely keen on ramping up market share right now, as long as it keeps reasonable margins. The notion that Apple's price for its low end laptop might be close to the price of Dell's highest priced low-end laptop isn't that silly.

What do others think?

I bought a cheap Compaq over last Thanksgiving, $499 after taxes and rebate. I couldn't wait for the low end Macbook anymore, as my very recent Dell (at $1100, P4, ATI discreet graphics), was just a load of crap - blue screen when you tried to hook something up to either the Firewire or USB port (not to mention the calls to India - that's another forum). I gave it to my friend's daughter to use for e-mails and chatting. The $499 Compaq works fine and is very stable.

Apple needs a cheap laptop, looks like the $499 laptop is becoming more and more common. Would be an atrocity if the low end Macbook at $1099 has the same specs as a $499 Windows one....

 

[deadturtle]

All im really hoping for is 13.3 inches in a sub $1000 package (easier to convince the purchasing department).. colors, graphics, etc are moot as long as I can get Windows and Fedora Core beside my OS X...