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I'm not personally a fan of a metal-cased laptop. I'm told it makes it easier to shed heat that way, but one of the most annoying things I know of is a laptop that's so damn hot it's uncomfortable to work on, let alone do something rather mundane like have it in your lap.

So, by all means (as far as I'm concerned) bring on more polycarbonate-cased Mac laptops.

I dont agree with all your points, but I like this one! Could they make the white look better though? I think it looks rather cheap, not like the black or the aluminum, but I will take a little less style if it doesnt sterilize me!
 
So are we expecting a June announcement only or will they start shipping in June as well?
 
This pisses me off. I just purchased a mid range macbook and now, one week later, it's already on it's way out.
Oh well. No use crying over spilt milk. The laptop still does the job just fine and i love its design. I was never really a fan of the metal based stuff anyways.
 
I might be tempted by a metal MacBook actually. My current notebook has one or two marks and blemishes I can't shift which annoy me a bit.

It will all depend on my reaction when I see it, some of Apple's designs are a bit bland, others are exquisite.
 
I think they may start shipping in Junel, because they are updating the entire chipset with nehalem (or however you spell it), but that's my best guess

nehelem has nothing to do with this, that comes out next january at the earliest for desktops, and then later for laptops. monteva* is now and they might just give them another speed bumb like they did the last time. People have been predicting a major case redsign since the day mbps came out and every prediction has been wrong. personally i think apple will introduce a whole new like of computers when nehelem come out
 
nehelem has nothing to do with this, that comes out next january at the earliest for desktops, and then later for laptops. monteva* is now and they might just give them another speed bumb like they did the last time. People have been predicting a major case redsign since the day mbps came out and every prediction has been wrong. personally i think apple will introduce a whole new like of computers when nehelem come out

History tells us case redesign and major platform haven't always come about
together. If Montevina has some factors for thinner case, total redesign
may possibly come true even before migration to Nehelem. Some people
say they are tired of the current IKEA-style design, which Apple may
understand. Don't get me wrong here, it doesn't mean that current
MBP's industrial design is bad.

Hope next MBP to be reshaped like this.

http://www.aii.co.jp/contents/smojsdmk/vaio/PCG-X505/Images/wallpaper_1_1.jpg
 
nehelem has nothing to do with this, that comes out next january at the earliest for desktops, and then later for laptops. monteva* is now and they might just give them another speed bumb like they did the last time. People have been predicting a major case redsign since the day mbps came out and every prediction has been wrong. personally i think apple will introduce a whole new like of computers when nehelem come out

What I was trying to say (my bad for not making it clear) is that since nehalem is shipping so soon after montevina, that they are going to want to take advantage of it as quickly as they can. That being said, they waited a while for penryn, so I could be totally wrong. :D
 
Alright, look... let's take a look at the laptop lineup they've got, from the standpoint of classification.

Apple has had a delineation in their product lines between "pro" and "consumer" ever since the mid 1990s with the introduction of the Centris and Performa models. Well, ok, the Performa was more properly a "consumer" line, but still both were somewhat lesser systems than the Quadra equivalents. This is one of the handful of business concepts Steve kept when he returned in 1997, and it's something which, in my opinion, we're all kind of stuck with. In fact, it's a bit hard for many of us probably to divorce ourselves from the concept because it's essentially ingrained into the Apple culture of which we are a part.

I don't know how much relevance it holds in the minds of the public today -- or that it ever has had any relevance in their minds -- and perhaps it's something Apple should do away with. I mean, when I talk to non-techie people out in the world, they invariably have no clue Apple differentiates their product line. At all. And in fact, especially with the introduction of the G5-based iMac line, and then the x86-based one, Apple has done such a damn good job of blurring the line that, not only are people out there unaware of it, but it's gotten pretty hard to see the line of demarkation anymore ourselves. Does anyone here really disagree with me on this point?

So, what is it that Apple needs a "pro" and "consumer" division for? What specific function does it perform that some other system -- or perhaps no other system at all -- wouldn't achieve? I mean, here's a Mac Pro [virtually points to one of Apple's towers] and it's the high-end unit. Here's an iMac [virtually pointing again] and it's the mid-range unit. Here's a MacBook Pro [holds up a metal laptop] and it's the high-end laptop. Here's a MacBook [drops the metal laptop on the floor, and grabs a white plastic one] and it's the lower-end one. And here [tossing the laptop to a near-by audience member and then picking up a Mac mini] is Apple's low-end budget system. [Stuffs it under his arm.] And this unit over here [uses his thumb to point in the direction of a MacBook Air], well... don't even get me started on that one.

See what I mean? High end -> low end. It's as simple as that. And if Apple does what we think they might (that is, generates a new amalgam in which the MacBooks and MacBook Pros resemble each other and the MacBook Air), then what we're visually left with is a very unified -- but very visually undifferentiated -- lineup of systems in which the terms "pro" and "consumer" will have very little value left to them.

I'm not personally a fan of a metal-cased laptop. I'm told it makes it easier to shed heat that way, but one of the most annoying things I know of is a laptop that's so damn hot it's uncomfortable to work on, let alone do something rather mundane like have it in your lap.

So, by all means (as far as I'm concerned) bring on more polycarbonate-cased Mac laptops.


but 15' and 17' are to heavy.


I want "pro" systems in a 10'-13' range. with hardcore features. it should be about screen size and mobility, because thats the main purpose of laptops.
 
Glad I got my Macbook now

I can't believe Apple are getting rid of white in there designs. Aluminum is nice, But I prefer Apple white over anything. Its been like that for a long time. I will probably love the new design, but until I see it who will know.










:apple:Power Mac G4, 3 Mac minis & Macbook late 2007
 
I want "pro" systems in a 10'-13' range. with hardcore features. it should be about screen size and mobility, because thats the main purpose of laptops.

it's not that they dont want to, it's just almost incredibly difficult to squeeze high end processors/GPUs in such a small casing. Dell managed to fit a dedicated 8 series card in their M1330 though, maybe we'll see the same move come june.
 
This must be a joke right?

Having owned and traveled the world with a 17" PowerBook all I can do is speak from experience. Anything larger than 17" is too large. The 17" was great in a hotel room, but you could use it on a plane other tight places.

Who needs BluRay on a laptop? All I need is a smaller, lighter laptop with a longer battery life.

The MacBook should stay as it it. doesn't need light up keyboard or features found in a professional machine.

Right now I'm looking for a new laptop do use around the pool and I think I'm going to go with a MacBook. It's much more durable than a MacBook Pro, nicer keyboard, and cheaper. I looked a the MacBook Air and although it's a beautiful machine, but $1,000 is not worth 2lbs and to look cool.
Word. A 16-18" MBP?! Blu-Ray which will DESTROY battery life? Wow. No thanks.
 
This site has been a godsend in helping me decide on when to purchase MAC products. I will pounce on the next MBP update and miss the big switch to Nehalem in 2009.

Well ... I write this now. Just how much longer can this old PB last?

That's what I was wondering also with my G4, but then it got stolen.

Now I'm totally screwed because I need to replace it, but I don't want to get the current model if a redesign is around the corner. My goal was always to hold out with my G4 until either a redesign happened or the processors got up to 3.0GHz.

I miss my PB :(
 
I hope that the MacBooks eventually get a dedicated graphics solution (maybe BTO?)
I bet the new Pros will have a newer and faster gfx card. The current one is pretty much outdated.

I expect the new MacBooks and MacBook Pros to have these new features:
- HDMI with HDCP
- thinner cases

I hope to see a BTO with Blu-Ray and UMTS/HDSPA (Yeah Apple, hear ASIA and EUROPE)

Since the HDMI plug is so small I'd expect the Mini-DVI -> VGA/TV/DVI adapter to disappear

I'd like to hear your comments or your guesses...
 
Oh man I so can't wait. I've only just gotten my MBP, but I sell it as soon as the news designs come out. But only, if their any good of course.

I want faster RAM, faster FSB, BD drive and higher resolution for the 15" if that's possible. And I would like the design to take some hint from the new MBA.
 
Oh yeah, forgot these two very important points.

1. It has to be lighter, I carry it with me all the time.
2. I want better battery life. I know this is hard. But come on we've been stuck on 4 hour battery life for ages now. Its time they improved this dramatically.
 
2. I want better battery life. I know this is hard. But come on we've been stuck on 4 hour battery life for ages now. Its time they improved this dramatically.

you have to remember that other laptops (in my experience) have crappy battery life/lose their battery life relatively quickly!
 
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heck yes! And this is about the time I will hopefully be getting one.... I do hope that they dont dent so eiesly
 
but 15' and 17' are to heavy.


I want "pro" systems in a 10'-13' range. with hardcore features. it should be about screen size and mobility, because thats the main purpose of laptops.

I think you're among the few who would consider a 15" MBP "heavy."

Anyway... I think it's kinda neat that the MBP case style has been around since '03 - a testament to good design.
 
I think you're among the few who would consider a 15" MBP "heavy."

Anyway... I think it's kinda neat that the MBP case style has been around since '03 - a testament to good design.
The words "timeless" and "classic" come to mind.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

The only things I can see that would be good for the MBP casing are making the casing around
the display thinner, which can be done now due to the LED backlighting, and add the magnetic latch (perhaps even as an option)

When they made the switch from the PB to the MBP, they just made slight improvements on size and tweaked a few design features, and I would expectApple to just keep on with that same line of thought
 
I don't mind having a thinner case with more consumer features like MBA look and keyboard and smaller (1o"-13") screen size, but let's not get carried away and think that only business people, soccer moms, and those with bad backs purchase laptops from Apple.

I don't mind the weight of the 17". 6.8 lbs is light compared to 9 lbs. which is what a good deal of PC 17" weigh. They do have more hardware, but that's a lot to put on your back. Now, I am asking for a 17" with longer battery life, and cooler operation. Keep it 1" thin and 17" of course, but make it lighter by using different materials, not taking out the limited hardware that is already in there.

I doubt there will be another notebook the same size or smaller than the Mac Book Air. Honestly, if you have a main machine then the Air is a nice tool. Contrary to what I thought when it came out.
 
Now, while there would be considerable R&D expense involved, I believe Apple could potentially solve all of the issues surrounding portable computers. And when I say "all", I literally mean every single one of them, if they were to take the following approach.

The thing Apple has to realize is that, quite simply, there's no such thing as a laptop that's thin enough, light enough, powerful enough, expandable enough, and one which is cool (in the sense of temperature) enough. Moreover, traditional "future-proofing" of portable computers is typically limited due to two factors:

1. The limited amount of internal space; and
2. The need for a non-standard internal configuration (motherboard design, etc.) to accommodate the very small form factor typical of this class of computer.

So, what they need to do is simply invent a dynomorphic generator, have it linked to some kind of high-longevity, high-potency power source (possibly an isotope in large quantities, possibly some other power source), and then connect it to a Void Locker which, while a very high-power-consumption device, allows for the artificial generation of a quantum mode "bubble" in space-time (a.k.a. a "micro-universe") into which they can then place, say, a pair of Mac Pro computers. This space, which amongst other things includes power, video and other data interfaces, would be of sufficient scope such that any computer ever invented in the future by them would sit comfortably inside, and in large numbers. Connected to this system would also be an advanced dimensioning system as well as an external world interface generator (a.k.a. a "chameleon circuit") which would then be configured to resemble whatever sort of laptop computer that was desired.

The practical upshot of this approach, while certainly one which might take some time to perfect, is that you could have a highly portable single or multiple grouping of multi-core, multi-processor systems in the weight confines of a laptop, with the appearance of a laptop, with absolutely no heat emission, superior wireless reception, perfect durability, and the convenience of here-to-fore unheard of expansion. And Jonathan St. Ives and Steve Jobs would also be quite happy owing to the fact that they can now update their laptop lineup whenever they felt like it, and never have to worry about any of the usual bothersome details.

Yes, now that I have written this idea out here, I'm more convinced than ever this could be the breakthrough Apple has been looking for. So... anyone around here got Steve's cell number? :)
 
Now, while there would be considerable R&D expense involved, I believe Apple could potentially solve all of the issues surrounding portable computers. And when I say "all", I literally mean every single one of them, if they were to take the following approach.

The thing Apple has to realize is that, quite simply, there's no such thing as a laptop that's thin enough, light enough, powerful enough, expandable enough, and one which is cool (in the sense of temperature) enough. Moreover, traditional "future-proofing" of portable computers is typically limited due to two factors:

1. The limited amount of internal space; and
2. The need for a non-standard internal configuration (motherboard design, etc.) to accommodate the very small form factor typical of this class of computer.

So, what they need to do is simply invent a dynomorphic generator, have it linked to some kind of high-longevity, high-potency power source (possibly an isotope in large quantities, possibly some other power source), and then connect it to a Void Locker which, while a very high-power-consumption device, allows for the artificial generation of a quantum mode "bubble" in space-time (a.k.a. a "micro-universe") into which they can then place, say, a pair of Mac Pro computers. This space, which amongst other things includes power, video and other data interfaces, would be of sufficient scope such that any computer ever invented in the future by them would sit comfortably inside, and in large numbers. Connected to this system would also be an advanced dimensioning system as well as an external world interface generator (a.k.a. a "chameleon circuit") which would then be configured to resemble whatever sort of laptop computer that was desired.

The practical upshot of this approach, while certainly one which might take some time to perfect, is that you could have a highly portable single or multiple grouping of multi-core, multi-processor systems in the weight confines of a laptop, with the appearance of a laptop, with absolutely no heat emission, superior wireless reception, perfect durability, and the convenience of here-to-fore unheard of expansion. And Jonathan St. Ives and Steve Jobs would also be quite happy owing to the fact that they can now update their laptop lineup whenever they felt like it, and never have to worry about any of the usual bothersome details.

Yes, now that I have written this idea out here, I'm more convinced than ever this could be the breakthrough Apple has been looking for. So... anyone around here got Steve's cell number? :)

The lightest most flexible computer is tucked relatively safely in our skull. All we have to do is stamp an Apple on our foreheads and we'll put SJ and Mr. Ive (not "Ives" btw) out of business. ;)
 
That's what I was wondering also with my G4, but then it got stolen.

Now I'm totally screwed because I need to replace it, but I don't want to get the current model if a redesign is around the corner. My goal was always to hold out with my G4 until either a redesign happened or the processors got up to 3.0GHz.

I miss my PB :(

You have my sympathy. Not sure what I would do if I was in your situation. The current MBP is a great computer, but we're both waiting for the long awaited redesign. Sigh.
 
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