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Apple Prepping for Notebook Refresh?
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Finally?
Finally! ...hopefully. I almost bought a MB or MBP in April when I read there might be a refresh. So I waited until WWDC...no refresh. Then I waited until July 14-15 when Centrino 2 came out...no refresh. I don't need a new laptop until school starts, so I figured I might as well wait and see, but it'd be nice to finally stop waiting...especially since this will be my first Mac (and iPod since I'll get the 32GB Touch for $200 after the rebate).
Then again, this could be baseless rumormongering; At least it's not on Page 2, so maybe it's reliable? Is slowing stock at retail (Best Buy, online, etc.) usually a sign of a refresh (it was for the MBs and MBPs in February)?
I'm not too concerned what the update will entail...It'd just be nice to get an updated MB or MBP now since I waited several months. I'd hate to have waited just to get the same thing I could have gotten in April for the same price! A new case design would just be icing on the cake for me.
Finally! ...hopefully. I almost bought a MB or MBP in April when I read there might be a refresh. So I waited until WWDC...no refresh. Then I waited until July 14-15 when Centrino 2 came out...no refresh. I don't need a new laptop until school starts, so I figured I might as well wait and see, but it'd be nice to finally stop waiting...especially since this will be my first Mac (and iPod since I'll get the 32GB Touch for $200 after the rebate).
Then again, this could be baseless rumormongering; At least it's not on Page 2, so maybe it's reliable? Is slowing stock at retail (Best Buy, online, etc.) usually a sign of a refresh (it was for the MBs and MBPs in February)?
I'm not too concerned what the update will entail...It'd just be nice to get an updated MB or MBP now since I waited several months. I'd hate to have waited just to get the same thing I could have gotten in April for the same price! A new case design would just be icing on the cake for me.
As much as a like Apple's hardware, it is certainly time for a hardware refresh, particularly on the pro side where we have had practically the same cases since 2003.
SONY have set a pretty high bar with their latest range of VAIO portables, particularly the Z Series, which has amazing specs and to my eyes leading industrial design.
64GB x2 RAID SSD, Bluray, 1600x900 resolution, HDMI out, hybrid graphics system which let's you switch between integrated (better battery) and dedicated (better performance) chipsets on the fly.Not the thinnest, but in terms of specs it packs a punch. Only 3.42lbs as well.
Up to Apple now to answer.
Aside from raving about the souped up VAIOs, the two main issues I would like addressing in the Apple MacBook ranger are:
[1] Less weight.
[2] Less heat / better heat dispersion
Third on the list would be higher density screens across the board. 1280 x 800 is fine, but a little tight. Obviously they will get quicker etc.
Anything else would be a bonus. Those are my main two issues with the designs.
SONY have set a pretty high bar with their latest range of VAIO portables, particularly the Z Series, which has amazing specs and to my eyes leading industrial design.
64GB x2 RAID SSD, Bluray, 1600x900 resolution, HDMI out, hybrid graphics system which let's you switch between integrated (better battery) and dedicated (better performance) chipsets on the fly.Not the thinnest, but in terms of specs it packs a punch. Only 3.42lbs as well.
Up to Apple now to answer.
Aside from raving about the souped up VAIOs, the two main issues I would like addressing in the Apple MacBook ranger are:
[1] Less weight.
[2] Less heat / better heat dispersion
Third on the list would be higher density screens across the board. 1280 x 800 is fine, but a little tight. Obviously they will get quicker etc.
Anything else would be a bonus. Those are my main two issues with the designs.
Attachments
Total agreement with others on the mini. Those "notebook-use printed circuit boards" had better include boards for the updated/new Mac mini. This is getting ridiculous.
The new VAIOs are pretty spiffy...but then again, VAIOs have always led PC models in design. Their features are solid, too.
That being said, I fully expect Apple to step up and release a line with great specs and best of breed design. They may not quite measure up to the power or customizability of the new VAIOs, but they have one thing the VAIOs can't have... OS X, which more than evens the battle (actually, puts Apple well ahead, IMO).
The refresh models that came out during the promo last year were eligible. So I would think so. Hope so, since I will be taking full advantage of that deal...
Got a friend who is looking into picking up a MacBook. Think I'll tell him to wait a bit and see if he wants the new updates if they happen soon.
The refresh models that came out during the promo last year were eligible. So I would think so. Hope so, since I will be taking full advantage of that deal...
Not exactly full advantage
. Free printer deal expires July 21st in Canada. Who cares?You're kidding right. Apple is having no problems selling nothing but $1k plus machines! All they are seeing is growth, especially amongst "switchers"!
HDMI output would be amazing. It seems to be sensible as nearly all HDTVs have HDMI input and it would make the process of hooking a laptop up much simpler.
Am I wrong in saying this? Is there any distinct benefit/reason for using a DVI connection instead of HDMI?
Am I wrong in saying this? Is there any distinct benefit/reason for using a DVI connection instead of HDMI?
Slightly off-topic question: When Apple typically refreshes a notebook, how easy are they to get hold of? For example, a week after launch could I walk into an Apple store and pick one up? I ask because if the form factor changes I can see demand being higher than usual.
You can't equate "Apple sells 1000$+ machines" and "there is more switchers than ever" with "switchers are buying 1000$+ machines".
For all we know, 99% of the switchers could be buying Mac minis!
It also wouldn't make sense for Apple to sell low-cost MP3 players (iPod shuffle) but only have 1000$+ computers. As far as marketing logic goes, if the Mac mini is no more (or there is no low-cost replacement), then they should kill both the iPod shuffle and the iPod nano.
My flatmate hooked up his Xbox 360 to a monitor using a standard VGA cable, and that managed to churn out HD (at 720p i think)
and a lot of big screen TV's have VGA input as well as HDMI.... so it's 6 and half a dozen really
Considering the amount of MacBooks I see in coffeehouses and what I see around campuses I would say it's safe to say were talking about MacBooks and not MacMinis.
I'm sure you love your Mini but most folks go for all-in-one and more often portable.
I rekon they should keep the old macbook design, rename it eMacbook and sell it for marginally cheaper. As well as the new redesigned (hopefully touchscreened) macbook and pro.
Of course you're going to see MacBooks. The Mac mini is a desktop computer, people don't carry these around.
And it's also a given you'll see more laptops on campuses, Macs or not. Students move around, go back and forth between apartments and their parents' house, etc. Mobility is important.
Boy, I hope there really is a MacBook refresh around the corner --- been planning on surprising my teenager with a trip to the 5th Ave store and the MB of his choice for busting his ass in summer school once his exams are over....
C'mon Apple!
JT
C'mon Apple!
JT