Apple to Launch an $800 Laptop?

[puffnstuff]

Emate 2008

10"
convertible laptop with touch screen
iphone os
Introducing iWorks mobile which will work with the iphone/ipod touch
May have the ipod touch hardware too but cpu will be clocked at 620mhz
And more ram

$800

 

[iPhoneJoe]

an $800 mb would be nice

 

[iMacmatician]

The Inquisitr claims that some Apple retailers have already been given price lists for Apple's upcoming laptops and that there are 12 price points ranging from $800 to $3100. Current laptops are said to have only have 8 retail price points: 3 Macbooks (starting at $1099), 3 Macbook Pros and 2 Macbook Airs.

Okay...

This tells me:

• 2 "MacBook mini"s, 11" 1280*720, ~$1000
• 4 MacBooks, 14" 1366*768, ~$1500
• 2 MacBook Airs, $1500~$2500
• 4 MacBook Pros, 2 or 3 16" 1600*900, 1 or 2 18" 1920*1080, $2000~$3100

The MacBook interests me. Its price raise fits in with the speculation it'll be moved up. It also means the $1100 category may be getting somewhat of a downgrade from the low-end MacBook to the high-end MacBook mini with BTO.

I see the MacBook mini being a shrunk MacBook, kinda like the Mac mini actually. Not as far as a netbook, though.

So does the MacBook Pro. The $3100 price point, if mapped to the current line, gives $1999 -$500- $2499 -$300- $2799 -$300- $3099. Assuming price points are somewhat around there (and 16:9 displays), this tells me there will be two 16"'s and 2 18"'s. But another way is for the ~$2799 model to also be 16". So the 15" -> 16" transition would be an increase not only in display size and resolution, but also in price, as 16" would be between where 15" and 17" used to be.

Maybe the 128 GB SSD MacBook Air is $3100. Or maybe the tablet.

 

[maccompaq]

233mhz Pentium and 64mb RAM will run XP.

I installed XP on my Compaq with a 500 MHz AMD processor, which is faster than a Pentium 600MHz. It has 160 MB RAM, and it runs turtle slow. It is connected to my network, but I rarely use it since I have 2.4 GHz computers for real use.

 

[Axemantitan]

What Would an $800 MacBook Mean for the Mac mini?

What does an $800 MacBook imply for the $600 Mac mini?

For a $200 difference in price, you get a built-in display, a built-in webcam, a built-in keyboard, a built-in trackpad, and a built-in battery backup.

Can you see the handwriting on the wall for the Mac mini - at least at the current price point? Who wouldn't buy an $800 MacBook instead of a Mac mini that doesn't include a mouse, a keyboard, or a display?

If Apple is indeed going to release an $800 MacBook, it's going to shake up the notebook world. That's a given. Even more so if Apple includes some of it legendary innovation to further separate the new low-end MacBook from the myriad me-too Windows notebooks.

 

[maccompaq]

2 "MacBook mini"s, 11" 1280*720, ~$1000
4 MacBooks, 14" 1366*768, ~$1500
2 MacBook Airs, $1500~$2500
4 MacBook Pros, 2 or 3 16" 1600*900, 1 or 2 18" 1920*1080, $2000~$3100

What, no speculation about the iMac or Mini?

 

[Mattjeff]

The $999 Macbook above the $799 will have some must have feature I bet. And the $3,100 Macbook sounds like it will have Blu-Ray.

this is my thought as well. but with 12 price points... 3 MB, 3 MBP, 3 MBA, 3 Tablet Book thing? Any one else see this slipping in?

 

[AppliedMicro]

What, no speculation about the iMac or Mini?

"The spotlight turns to notebooks"

Damn... People are going to be soooo underwhelmed with the things Apple is going to announce. But it will be funny, in a twisted way. I cannot wait for the outcries, how Apple didn't announce the beloved netbook, didn't announce a tablet and is still ripping off customers in this or that way.

What will they have in store for tuesday? I say:

- Redesigned MacBook Pros.
Way overdue. Still coming in 15" and 17" version (maybe 16 / 18 instead. I don't know what these new-fangled 16:9 displays are like), maybe introducing Blu-ray, some internal wireless connectivity like UMTS, current-style keyboards, thinner, more powerful. You name it.
- Redesigned MacBooks.
OK, I wouldn't have believed this some months or weeks ago, but the aluminum makes some sense now, as the iMac is also moved to aluminum enclosures. They MacBook might follow suit to fit into Apple's lineup. Maybe they'll get better graphics, maybe, just maybe, even Blu-Ray on the high-end. I'd guess, some people would like a bigger screen, like 15".
- Updated MacBook Air at lower price.
Well... I hope for it. This might not really make it into Steve's presentation.
- A roundup about Apple's computer operations.
How many people are buying their computers and stuff, yada-yada-yada
- One great new software or a glimpse of Snow Leopard.
(Pro Apps might also be due for an update, aren't they)
- Some new service, partnership (Nvidia?), and/or peripheral device.

OK, that's a bit too much. Pick 4 of 6 What we're not going to get:

- No tablet.
As I've said before: Text input sucks on these things. The market for tablets is still too small and mainly comprised by a few enthusiasts. Most people are wanting to type text on computers, which tablets are sub-optimal for.
- No 10" cheapo netbook.
Again: They are too small to be conveniently used by everyone. There's a reason why the MBA is built the way it is, and Steve told you so: full-size keyboards, comfortable 13" screen. And OS X stinks on 10" screens (for a lot of people. Even if someone might disagree personally).

 

[sinisterdesign]

$800 sounds about right. i knew they were introducing an "entry level" macbook, so $200 less than the current one would fit the bill.

can't wait for my new pro...

 

[puffnstuff]

keyboards, comfortable 13" screen. And OS X stinks on 10" screens (for a lot of people. Even if someone might disagree personally).

Who says it will run osx?

 

[CBillups1]

i really hope the macbook gets a bigger and better screen.

 

[gregorsamsa]

Steve Jobs also said that there is ALWAYS a place for the desktop, and that he does not see the desktop being replaced soon at all. Likewise, there is a chance that Apple MAY drop the Mini. But under certain circumstances will they EVER decide to do this. Read on:

People are now in need of a media center unit. Why watch Youtube, DVD's, BluRay, or iTunes rentals on your computer, when you can watch them on your large HDTV now? Especially when apple can promote iTunes on your very own TV for more purchases. This is where the Apple TV comes in, but it hasn't been as successful as hoped. The Apple TV seems not enough (720p limitation, no OSX, no bluray, no DVD, tiny hard drive), but the Mac Mini seems a bit "overkill" in many ways. This is where merging the products may be a good idea.

Believe it or not, HP, Dell, and all other PC companies sell some sort of a miniaturized PC unit that all look great sitting in front of the TV. Most of these units have HDMI out, and can be added with BluRay drives from the factory. Some of these units even have Nvidia GPU's in them.

Now my point. The Mini will only be dropped, when the AppleTV grows some balls, enough balls to make consumers buy the AppleTV instead of the Dell unit which looks to be a nice unit btw: http://www.dell.com/content/product...&~oid=us~en~29~desktop-studio-hybrid_anav_1~~

So possible scenarios:

Mac Mini updated. Apple TV stagnant.
Mac Mini and Apple TV combined into one product
Mac Mini dropped, Apple TV grows balls.

If Mini updated, we are bound to see a price drop.

(Sorry about belated response; I've been out all day).

Some good points &, on the whole, I quite agree. I don't think desktops are ever going to go away completely & both my Macs, a 12" iBook & an aluminium 20" iMac, are sometimes used for quite different pruposes. But the recent neglect of the Mini & all the speculation about new MacBooks as additional to the current range, makes me wonder whether the time isn't right to quietly retire the Mini.

I made no mention of Apple TV only from a lack of personal interest, but I think the 2nd or 3rd scenarios in your post are very likely. I don't think that leaving "Apple TV stagnant" is really an option for Apple.

 

[AppliedMicro]

Who says it will run osx?

Does Apple have any OS other an OS X?
And really... who would want a tablet without OS X?

 

[gregorsamsa]

There is a whole downward trend to using desktops and an upward trend to laptops/mobile. I would not say discontinue the mini, although the discontinue/revamp rumors of the mini have been going on for years. if they do, then they better revamp apple TV for those who are using the mini as an entertainment server. I was even thinking of doing that myself now that new LCD tv's have a DVI or VGA port on the back. Now a 42" widescreen monitor for my mac that would be cool, overkill but cool. I can see it now, me watching youtube on a 42". . But seriously, it would be cool to get a one TB external drive and rip all my DVD's to the mini. then I could just click to the one I wanted to watch.

(Sorry for belated response; returned recently).

Just so! (See my post above for explanation why I made no reference to Apple TV earlier). But IMO, it's unlikely that both the Mini & Apple TV will continue to co-exist if Apple releases more new laptops, not least because Apple under Steve Jobs have always maintained a very successful, small product-matrix, business strategy. I don't see that changing much.

If these new laptops really are extras, rather than replacement products to the existing range, I can see the business logic of retiring the Mini, whilst beefing up Apple TV. However, purely out of self-interest, I hope the Mini lives on, regardless of how many lower-cost laptops Apple introduces on Tuesday!

 

[Beric]

1. MacBook 13" 2.26GHz 1280*800 integrated GPU $899
2. MacBook 13" 2.40GHz 1280*800 integrated GPU $1099*
3. MacBook 13" 2.53GHz 1280*800 integrated GPU $1299
4. MacBook 15" 2.40GHz 1440*900 integrated GPU $1399 (+$300 vs the similar 13" model*)
5. MacBook 15" 2.53GHz 1440*900 integrated GPU $1599
6. MacBook Air 120GB HDD 1.86GHz integrated GPU $1799 (speedbump + storagebump vs current model)
7. MacBook Pro 15" 2.53GHz 1680*1050 dedicated GPU $1999 (speedbump + displaybump vs current model)
8. MacBook Pro 17" 2.53GHz 1920*1200 dedicated GPU $2299 (displaybump + price cut)
9. MacBook Air 80GB SSD 1.86GHz integrated GPU $2399 (+$600 for the 80GB SDD)
10. MacBook Pro 15" 2.80GHz 1680*1050 dedicated GPU $2499
11. MacBook Pro 17" 2.80GHz 1920*1200 dedicated GPU $2799
12. MacBook Air 160GB SSD 1.86GHz integrated GPU $3099 (+$1300 for the 160GB SDD)

Those prices are out of the roof. Competitive a year ago, perhaps, but now they're insanely overpriced.

And your model still require a user who wants a dedicated graphics card to spend $2000 for a 15" MBP, as opposed to the option of dedicated graphics on any $600-$700 PC that also has a smaller screen that is more convenient and portable.

Your model preserves the current flaws of Apple's notebook line, and users will not stand for those high prices in today's economy.

 

[puffnstuff]

Does Apple have any OS other an OS X?
And really... who would want a tablet without OS X?

Like you said OSX would stink on a 10"

Why yes they do have another OS perfect for 10" netbooks

 

[Axemantitan]

Who says it will run osx?

What could it run? Is it possible to have a laptop that runs only Safari? A cheap, scaled-down, web-browser-only wireless-connected computer? Could that be done?

 

[puffnstuff]

What could it run? Is it possible to have a laptop that runs only Safari? A cheap, scaled-down, web-browser-only wireless-connected computer? Could that be done?

heh if you guys looked up at my first post on the page...

Emate 2008

10"
convertible laptop with touch screen
iphone os
Introducing iWorks mobile which will work with the iphone/ipod touch
May have the ipod touch hardware too but cpu will be clocked at 620mhz
And more ram

$800

 

[MacFly123]

I do, and it's sad.

I don't care how cheap it is, Apple better freaking get rid of that combo drive. And do NOT give me some crap argument about how people might want the option and shouldn't have to pay for what they don't need. IT IS 2008 FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! I could go buy a $300 PC with a DVD burner 3 years ago. I don't ever want to see a combo drive EVER AGAIN!

 

[Beric]

Emate 2008

10"
convertible laptop with touch screen
iphone os
Introducing iWorks mobile which will work with the iphone/ipod touch
May have the ipod touch hardware too but cpu will be clocked at 620mhz
And more ram

$800

That's crazy expensive. On Amazon I can get an EEE PC with 10-inch screen, and 1.6 Ghz. processor eek, for $580. Or, I can get a this one for $330 that has a 900 Mhz. processor, and a 8.9-inch screen.

The number one reason current Apple products are so overpriced is that consumers not only accept the high prices, but also propose prices that are 2x the industry prices for identical hardware.

 

[iMacmatician]

What, no speculation about the iMac or Mini?

Next month.

What Would an $800 MacBook Mean for the Mac mini?

If Apple is indeed going to release an $800 MacBook, it's going to shake up the notebook world. That's a given.

Yep. Especially with stuff like a "full-power processor."

Even more so if Apple includes some of it legendary crippling to further separate the new low-end MacBook from the myriad me-too Windows notebooks.

Fixed (but "innovation" works too).

- No 10" cheapo netbook.
Again: They are too small to be conveniently used by everyone. There's a reason why the MBA is built the way it is, and Steve told you so: full-size keyboards, comfortable 13" screen. And OS X stinks on 10" screens (for a lot of people. Even if someone might disagree personally).

Yeah, I definitely agree. That's why Apple hasn't released a netbook or anything like that. The "$800 notebook," I think, will be something like a cheaper MacBook or MacBook Air with a full-size (1280*x) display and probably a current-gen CPU. I really think that it (like the MacBook Air and iPhone) won't be like the other cheap notebooks out there.

Maybe...

• Regular notebooks: MacBook (low-end), MacBook Pro (high-end)
• Slim-and-light notebooks: MacBook nano (low-end), MacBook Air (high-end)

I don't think, given the MBA's specs, the MBN's specs will be that great...

Who says it will run osx?

iPhone OS.

 

[AppliedMicro]

And do NOT give me some crap argument about how people might want the option and shouldn't have to pay for what they don't need.

I wouldn't exactly be shocked if combo drives weren't cheaper but rather more expensive than DVD writers. Say, for example, they buy the DVD writer at 35$ and the combo drive at 40$. I mean... nobody else uses combo drives anymore. That would be basic economies of scale.

These combo drive certainly aren't in these Macs for being cheaper but for product differentiation and price discrimination, by intentionally crippling the low-end models. Even the cheapest PC vendor use DDVD writers in their cheapest models.

 

[Beric]

I wouldn't exactly be shocked if combo drives weren't cheaper but rather more expensive than DVD writers. Say, for example, they buy the DVD writer at 35$ and the combo drive at 40$. I mean... nobody else uses combo drives anymore. That would be basic economies of scale.

These combo drive certainly aren't in these Macs for being cheaper but for product differentiation and price discrimination, by intentionally crippling the low-end models. Even the cheapest PC vendor use DDVD writers in their cheapest models.

I've heard of plenty of evidence that what you just said is true. It's basically a way to get another $200 out of someone who needs a DVD burner. A very cheap trick, I might add.

 

[AppliedMicro]

The "$800 notebook," I think, will be something like a cheaper MacBook or MacBook Air with a full-size (1280*x) display and probably a current-gen CPU.
Maybe...

• Regular notebooks: MacBook (low-end), MacBook Pro (high-end)
• Slim-and-light notebooks: MacBook nano (low-end), MacBook Air (high-end)

Not sure if I understand your line-up correctly, but I'd tend towards assuming that the inexpensive 800$ "nano" book will be the same form factor the low-end MacBook. With Mac OS X they cannot really go for sub-12" or sub-13" displays. And I strongly doubt that we are going to offer three (!) different 13" notebooks. That would go against all simplicity Apple strives for. I rather think they are gonna update the current MacBook line with a redesign, and cutting prices at the same time, but differentiating these models by their internals.

But who knows... Maybe they have set up some advanced anodized aluminum brick manufacturing technology for on-demand production and will offer MacBooks in nano-chromatic colors (which competitors won't be able to match)

 

[AidenShaw]

Please, it's "BD"

Originally Posted by MasterNile
Question regarding Blu-Ray, my understanding was that software wise Macs wouldn't be able to support it till Snow Leopard is released, does this mean that if the new MBPs did come with a Blu-Ray drive they wouldn't be able to use it to it's full potential until Jan?​

Possibly.

It could also be possible that Apple's next revision of OSX will contain support for BluRay, along with pronouncing a date for the new revision release. I don't think there is any evidence that 10.6 is the "beginning" of BluRay support, we just know that it does support it.

"BD", like the logo:

Please, use "BD" instead of 17 different variants of capitalization and spelling....