Apple Trademarks 'Mac Pro'

[Glen Quagmire]

Why not just make it a "Mac iBook." I don't think it has to be consistent - otherwise, they would have changed the "iMac" name.

Who says that the iMac name is not going to change when Merom/Conroe/Woodcrest come out and Apple launch replacements for the current Core Duo iMac and MacBook Pros that aren't stop-gap solutions? Completely new designs, completely new names?

Mac mini = Mac mini
iMac = Mac
PowerMac = Mac Pro
iBook = MacBook
Powerbook = MacBook Pro

By the same token that "MacBook Pro" indicates there is a non-"Pro" model, surely "Mac Pro" indicates that there is a non-"Pro" model as well, namely the "Mac"? Unless, of course, Apple are bringing out a new computer that fits between the current iMac and the PowerMac.

Steve had no qualms about throwing the "Powerbook" name in the trash after all these years. Why would he have misgivings about getting rid of "iMac" as well?

 

[Project]

Im pretty sure it will remain iBook.

We will have the iBook, and the Macbook Pro.

Look at the software offerings:

iMovie > Final Cut PRO
IDVD > DVD Studio PRO

There isnt *just* a DVD Studio, or a Final Cut (granted, there is FC Express, but it isnt just FC on its own, which is my point)

Logic Pro, Soundtrack Pro etc dont have a single word alternative to indicate a consumer/prosumer line. Im saying the iBook will use the BOOK out of MacBook Pro and not the Mac.

IMO, the 'i' designation is more known within the public to represent Macs than Mac itself...

 

[bugfaceuk]

Nice of Apple to make use of New Zealand's public offices to secure its worldwide IP.

Odd to choose a country which it deems of too little significance to offer access to an iTunes Store, where we're billed in Australian dollars for .Mac and QuickTime Pro despite having a perfectly good currency of our own... I guess we're good for something.

Don't forget rugby, you're very good at that.

And fruit.

 

[Stella]

Whine whine moan moan.

Get A Life.

Don't you have any thing better to do than to complain about a name of a computer?

How your life must be sooo dull and boring you have nothing better to do.

 

[Project]

Whine whine moan moan.

Get A Life.

Don't you have any thing better to do than to complain about a name of a computer?

How your life must be sooo dull and boring you have nothing better to do.

While im not complaining about the Mac Pro name (I like it), the naming of a product is extremely important in regards to marketing. Its definitely an issue that is worth debating. Indeed, its worth noting that Sony has been unable to match the success of the 'Walkman', despite having lots of good products in the field. May I say the name Net MD WX2104 or something similar doesnt role off the tongue, and hurts viral marketings potential.

 

[amateurmacfreak]

I can most definitely assure you that most iMac systems are not that way!

But just in case, get an iMac G5 and be stuck with the old iMac with me!!

 

[LACOSTE]

A streamlined Macintosh line

Then it's settled.

Laptops: MacBook and MacBook Pro
Desktops: iMac, Mac Pro

"Power" is no more...

It'll be weird not having a PowerMac around anymore, but hey, all things have to change at some point.

Apple is aiming for less variety, a more stream lined offering is on the way in both portables and desktops. Maybe clearing the way for a new Apple tablet called MacPad, the MacPhone.... or whatever Mac-somethings steve jobs have approved.

Just pray that they dont change iPod to MacPod. Or heads will roll. lol

 

[eric_n_dfw]

That may be true, and I apologize for assuming, but my point stands true. It is obvious Apple wants to shed the "Power" name as an obvious transition from IBM to Intel.

When the powerbooks were released they had 68K processors in it, not powerpc processors. Apple named their desktop Power Macintosh so that both of those products would share a common user group. (Oops already said)

While it's true that the PowerBook name predated the use of PowerPC chips - please show me a link to the specs on any PowerMac that used a non-PowerPC chip.

AFAIK, the first PowerMacs were introduced in 1994: the 6100/60, 7100/66 and 8100/80. They had the same/similar cases to 680x0 based Mac's before them, but they all used the PowerPC 601 chip. (Thus the name change to Power Macintosh)

IMO, Mac Pro is a little odd sounding, but Macintosh Pro isn't for some reason. (more formal maybe)

 

[Chupa Chupa]

"Mac Pro" is a great name, and much more natural than "MacBook Pro." I'm an old timer. I remember when Macs were Macs so it's not that big of a hurdle to get over. But unlike the old days when Macs had cryptic names like Mac Quadra, Mac Centris, Mac SE, an Mac LC, I can easily understand what a Mac Pro is. It's a Mac for professionals. Better yet, the avg joe PC switcher can walk into an Apple store and understand what a Mac Pro is too. No, the Mac Pro name is no uber slick, but it is simple and won't scare the masses away. Brilliantly simple.

 

[Project]

"Mac Pro" is a great name, and much more natural than "MacBook Pro." I'm an old timer. I remember when Macs were Macs so it's not that big of a hurdle to get over. But unlike the old days when Macs had cryptic names like Mac Quadra, Mac Centris, Mac SE, an Mac LC, I can easily understand what a Mac Pro is. It's a Mac for professionals. Better yet, the avg joe PC switcher can walk into an Apple store and understand what a Mac Pro is too. No, the Mac Pro name is no uber slick, but it is simple and won't scare the masses away. Brilliantly simple.

Exactly.

But the difficult thing is making the consumer level computer not seem crippled. For instance, many companies use the word 'lite' to indicate its use. Bad move in my opinion. To me, iMac is perfect for the consumer analogy. It has its own mystique to it, and, coupled with the design means that most people buying it wont feel like they got a crippled machine when they didnt get the Mac Pro.

Thats why I feel its necessary to keep the iBook name. Macbook merely indicates a crippled Macbook Pro imo.

 

[gregarious119]

I really couldn't care what their new products names are as long as 3 things

1. Its not embarrassing to say
2. It runs Mac OS X
3. Has the nice apple look

A-freaking-men.

The "Mac" Theme isn't really that bad. It's just different. I do like "PowerMac" but I can understand why they want to move away from it. And "MacPro" isn't that bad of an alternative given the other choices.

As long as it's still an Apple...what are we still complaining about?

 

[DeVizardofOZ]

Mac it is...., MacBook is just a choice

"Mac Pro" is a great name, and much more natural than "MacBook Pro." I'm an old timer. I remember when Macs were Macs so it's not that big of a hurdle to get over. But unlike the old days when Macs had cryptic names like Mac Quadra, Mac Centris, Mac SE, an Mac LC, I can easily understand what a Mac Pro is. It's a Mac for professionals. Better yet, the avg joe PC switcher can walk into an Apple store and understand what a Mac Pro is too. No, the Mac Pro name is no uber slick, but it is simple and won't scare the masses away. Brilliantly simple.

Agreed. Maybe it is not the best choice.
However, from one oldtimer to another, Mac Pro would not be sufficient in order to distinguish a "Book" from a desktop machine. So Jobs and crew used the next best thing. I said in an earlier post today, that NAMES make products, and the consumer associates the name with the quality. So now it is time for APPLE to offer not just a name, but quality, the latter of which has not been up to top notch standard recently. Lots of my friends had problems with screens, and batteries on 15+17" models. Quality control cannot be replaced with just a brandname. In order ot be successful it mustcome together.

CIAO
DeVizardofOZ

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Thats why I feel its necessary to keep the iBook name. Macbook merely indicates a crippled Macbook Pro imo.

Yeah, I think "iMacBook" would be better myself. That way Apple could consolidate the pro and consumer names better i.e., "Mac," and "iMac." Of course then the Mac mini is hanging out there. Maybe they'll rename it the Mac Media if they shove all the rumored A/V goodies into it.

 

[AidenShaw]

"product" can be collective

Actually, it sounded like Jobs said "...we want 'Mac' in the name of our product." I listened to that section of the keynote several times, and I could not hear the plural "products", which makes sense, because he was just referring to the name of the MBP, not the entire product line.

"Product" can be used as a collective noun, referring to the entire product line.

For example - "Disney's product is entertainment."

I would hesitate to put too much significance in whether or not Jobs' added an "s"....

 

[maya]

"Mac" in the name is the new "i."

Think about it, Apple will soon transition the "i" recognition to the iPod line and the "Mac" to the hardware line. Therefore:

iPod Shuffle
iPod Nano (formerly iPod Mini)
iPod (formerly iPod Photo)

Mac Mini
Mac (formerly iMac)
Mac Pro (formerly PowerMac)
Mac Book (formerly iBook)
Mac Book Pro (formerly PowerBook)

Seems quite clear where Steve Jobs and Apple are heading, so why complain.

Branding 101: The iPod is already connected with Apple Computers, why not hitch a ride on that and popularize the name "Mac" in the process.

 

[Mitch1984]

Steve had no qualms about throwing the "Powerbook" name in the trash after all these years. Why would he have misgivings about getting rid of "iMac" as well?

I believe if Steve was going to change the name of the iMac to just 'Mac' he would've changed it at MWSF 2006.

It's going to be:
Mac Pro
MacBook Pro
MacBook/iMacbook (Definately not MacBook Lite)
iMac
MacMini

 

[asxtb]

I'd have to say that Apple will keep the iBook. The "i" just as well known as the "Mac" in Apple products. When you think of iLife, iTunes, iPod, iMac, iTrip you think of Apple. Apple doesn't even make the iTrip but you still think of Apple when you hear it. And I really doubt that Apple with change the name of the iPod anytime soon. I think they will have an "i" line and and "pro" line.

They could even go the same direction with software. Why not have a ProLife or ProCal version of software. It could be a semi-pro version. (Since Apple has actual pro software available.)

But what do I know...

 

[maya]

I believe if Steve was going to change the name of the iMac to just 'Mac' he would've changed it at MWSF 2006.

It's going to be:
Mac Pro
MacBook Pro
MacBook/iMacbook (Definately not MacBook Lite)
iMac
MacMini

It is quite possible as the x86 iMac has not seen a face lift that Jobs and Co decided not to change the name until it received that exterior change.

Many associate the name "iMac" with the original small blue desktop.

 

[maya]

I'd have to say that Apple will keep the iBook. The "i" just as well known as the "Mac" in Apple products. When you think of iLife, iTunes, iPod, iMac, iTrip you think of Apple. Apple doesn't even make the iTrip but you still think of Apple when you hear it. And I really doubt that Apple with change the name of the iPod anytime soon. I think they will have an "i" line and and "pro" line.

They could even go the same direction with software. Why not have a ProLife or ProCal version of software. It could be a semi-pro version. (Since Apple has actual pro software available.)

But what do I know...

The "i" is overly used now days by Apple and others, I believe its time for a change. "i" will still live in the iPod line and the consumer software line.

 

[Mitch1984]

It is quite possible as the x86 iMac has not seen a face lift that Jobs and Co decided not to change the name until it received that exterior change.

Many associate the name "iMac" with the original small blue desktop.

Maybe but I wouldn't say the MacBook is really much of a case facelift from the PowerBook.
I have to say I'm looking forward to the next iMac, I going to dig my heals in for a merom based iMac with a blu-ray drive and a new case design. Hopefully we might see one by Autumn.
What does everything think?

 

[WeBleed4Real]

Steve Jobs: "It's a new name because we're kinda done with 'Power' and because we want 'Mac' in the name of our products."

So PowerMac is gone because it has power in it. iBook is gone because it doesn't have 'mac' in it. Simple.

So from this 'simple' logic, this year we should expect to see the MacPod (I'm sure that will help sell...)

 

[DeVizardofOZ]

How can I get my Avatar to be visible... HELLLP

Could someone help me with this!
I downloaded a picture intended as my avatar, can actually see it as my profile picture, but there is no indication that this IS my avatar....
Need to know how to... step 1 etc.

Thanks
DeVizardofOZ

 

[MacinDoc]

"Product" can be used as a collective noun, referring to the entire product line.

For example - "Disney's product is entertainment."

I would hesitate to put too much significance in whether or not Jobs' added an "s"....

That's true if you are referring to a concept, such as "Apple's product is technology", not individual products, such as "Apple's product is computer".

In any case, I'm not trying to read anything into what Steve said - I'm not even sure exactly what he said. I'm just trying to say that people are reading too much into one or two words from Steve (gee, when has that ever happened before), and posters should not use what they thought they heard as a basis to suggest that anyone who disagrees with them is foolish.

 

[Yvan256]

I'm guessing Apple wants to get away from the PPC association..

Most folks would think a PowerMac had a PPC in it.

I guess the next "iMac" will simply be called "Mac", then... (if not, they'd have to keep the iBook name...)

 

[Yvan256]

Steve had no qualms about throwing the "Powerbook" name in the trash after all these years. Why would he have misgivings about getting rid of "iMac" as well?

There has to be some unconscious link between "iPod" and "iMac"...