Apple Ultra-Portable MacBook Rumor Roundup

[MrCrowbar]

Yeah, that would be like a reborn Powerbook 12", just like Apple did to the Cube with the Mini.

Word! Just Intel-ize the 12" powerbook already. Everytime I see one, I'm all jealous about how nice and small they are. Superdrive and 2.5" HDD are good for me. If the battery wouldn't go down to 60% after 80 cycles (like my Macbook's), it would be a neat machine.

 

[ncbill]

Since you can buy a car for what that 128GB SSD will cost, it's not something we'll be seeing in a $1500 notebook.

32GB SSD is the size that would make sense for a $1500 notebook.

That's still pretty chintzy for a 2008 notebook, so I hope it is as easy to swap hard drives as in the current MacBook (250GB is approaching $125 retail)

Remember, the only real advantage SSD has over a conventional 2.5" drive in current consumer notebooks is shock resistance.

The power savings of a SSD don't get you much more runtime because other systems in the notebook use far more power than the hard drive.

Toshiba Enters Solid-State with 128GB Drive

This could be just what it takes to make flash drives appealing to computer manufacturers. A fast, big, flash drive that doesn't sacrifice the advantages of a conventional hard drive or the advantages of a flash drive. At 128GB, it's larger than what I've currently got installed in my computer, and more than most of Apple's current lineup has by default (in laptops, that is).

I can see Apple offering a subportable with one of those available in it.

jW

 

[Mal]

Since you can buy a car for what that 128GB SSD will cost, it's not something we'll be seeing in a $1500 notebook.

32GB SSD is the size that would make sense for a $1500 notebook.

That's still pretty chintzy for a 2008 notebook, so I hope it is as easy to swap hard drives as in the current MacBook (250GB is approaching $125 retail)

Remember, the only real advantage SSD has over a conventional 2.5" drive in current consumer notebooks is shock resistance.

The power savings of a SSD don't get you much more runtime because other systems in the notebook use far more power than the hard drive.

They haven't announced prices yet, and I didn't say it'd be standard (nor in a $1500 price point). It could be an option, however, and it likely won't be as expensive as you're expecting either (no more than $600 Apple's cost I would think, since they can likely get the 32GB's for about $250 from what I've heard).

jW

 

[AidenShaw]

Since when does Apple pass savings along?

...it likely won't be as expensive as you're expecting either (no more than $600 Apple's cost I would think,...

Checked Apple's RAM or disk prices lately?

Apple's not in the habit of passing savings on component costs along to the consumer.

 

[gotohamish]

True mobility

I think the power saving from an SSD could offset the extra power used by wireless broadband.

Forgive me if this has been touched upon, but it's possible Apple's exclusive relationship with AT&T involves putting EDGE or 3G receivers into it's as-yet-unannounced ultra-portable MacBook Pro so users can sign up for AT&T data services and not require an ugly usb stick or a PCI Express port.

I'd be all over that. The money's waiting.

 

[takao]

I think the power saving from an SSD could offset the extra power used by wireless broadband.

Forgive me if this has been touched upon, but it's possible Apple's exclusive relationship with AT&T involves putting EDGE or 3G receivers into it's as-yet-unannounced ultra-portable MacBook Pro so users can sign up for AT&T data services and not require an ugly usb stick or a PCI Express port.

I'd be all over that. The money's waiting.

now _that's_ what i call a cutting edge feature
afaik some higher class sony laptops which got released recently have some HSDPA built in which i found i really good idea ... especially when i look at the fast growing market for such external devices

 

[zlinger]

Can someone PLEASEEE PLEEEEASSE tell me that Apple will release a Black 12" MBP with iSight camera, and 128G's of flash. I don't care about an optical drive. My credit card is staring at me saying... "Buy a Mac... Buy a Mac..."

 

[LizKat]

... 128G's of flash.... My credit card is staring at me saying... "Buy a Mac... Buy a Mac..."

Whose credit card could carry the freight on 128G of flash???!!! I'd be in the bank trying to get them to understand why a computer loan is as good a risk as a car loan, doh.

 

[ncbill]

Wonder what Apple's markup would be over current retail:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820609245

They haven't announced prices yet, and I didn't say it'd be standard (nor in a $1500 price point). It could be an option, however, and it likely won't be as expensive as you're expecting either (no more than $600 Apple's cost I would think, since they can likely get the 32GB's for about $250 from what I've heard).

 

[gotohamish]

Wonder what Apple's markup would be over current retail:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820609245

It's hilarious how one of the reviewers says it greatly improves the speed of his virus scans. Priceless.

 

[MattyCurry]

I don't see why people think a laptop like this would need a big hardrive?

I want a laptop that I can move about a lot with, that I can stick in my bag and run full pelt for the train/plane/whatever that I need to get onto to get to where I'm doing my job this week. When I'm at home, I have a 500GB freeagent drive that has everything I need on it, when I'm on the move, I have a 12GB lacie drive, I transfer files between the 2.

honest to goodness, I could live with 32GB easily - I was only few couple of years ago where this was a standard size for laptop drives.

 

[Butthead]

Can someone PLEASEEE PLEEEEASSE tell me that Apple will release a Black 12" MBP with iSight camera, and 128G's of flash. I don't care about an optical drive. My credit card is staring at me saying... "Buy a Mac... Buy a Mac..."

Nope, can't tell you that, 128GB SSD NAND flash drives are just too expensive currently even at Apple's discount, 64GB is the largest you could expect *now*. Wait until next summer for lower cost 128GB. Could be from Mtron if you need highest performance, or could be slightly slower drives from either Samsung or Toshiba.

http://www.dvnation.com/ssd.html

Interestingly, probably both Toshiba and Samsung will release 128GB in 1.8in format size, but could lower priced a 256GB 2.5in be in the works also, that would be the ideal replacement for a 7.2k rpm 2.5in HD?.

Toshiba enters solid-state with 128GB drive
http://www.electronista.com/articles/07/12/10/toshiba.solid.state.drives/


http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/11/21/mtron_ssd_32_gb/

And despite the fact that there are 64 and 128 GB Flash SSDs are around (Supertalent has one), capacity and cost per capacity make these drives a distant prospect for most of us.

This won't change until probably the middle of 2008, when 64 GB Flash SSDs will move below the $300 price range. But there is movement at the very high-end: Memory maker Mtron has sent us two of his latest 2.5" 32 GB SSD drives, which Mtron claims to reach 100 MB/s and to dispose of the performance shortcomings at random writes. Let's see what the Mtron drives can do. Once again we benchmarked it by itself and two of them in a RAID 0 array. We also compared it to the same setups using SanDisk's Flash SSD 5000 and added a Western Digital WD1500 Raptor (10,000 RPM SATA) for the sake of comparison.

 

[CommanderData]

Whose credit card could carry the freight on 128G of flash???!!! I'd be in the bank trying to get them to understand why a computer loan is as good a risk as a car loan, doh.

Meh, I bought a new car with my credit card several years ago with the low interest "Convenience" checks they send you in the mail periodically (yes, it's paid for now). Not all Apple fans are starving artists and college students.

I agree with the idea that 128GB of Flash is ridiculous to hope for right now since it will add several thousand USD to the cost of an Ultraportable, and that would severly limit its market. My bet is 32GB standard, 64GB optional.

SSDs are definitely worth going for. I have one (32GB Samsung SSD) in my Fujitsu P1610, swapped out the standard hard drive for it. The SSD had a noticable effect on speed an better battery life, in addition to being completely silent! It's strange to use a computer that makes no noise whatsoever... I can't wait until Apple finally releases a small MB Pro so I can ditch the windows world.

 

[AidenShaw]

Apple isn't cutting edge, but trailing edge...

now _that's_ what i call a cutting edge feature
afaik some higher class sony laptops which got released recently have some HSDPA built in which i found i really good idea ... especially when i look at the fast growing market for such external devices

My Dell Latitude that was shipped in June 2006 has built-in 3G cellular wireless (EV-DO). (It's so old, it shipped two months before the Mac Pro was last updated.)

Current Dell options are:

Mobile Broadband

Use integrated mobile broadband from Dell to access email and the Internet through Cingular, Verizon or Sprint Wireless cellular networks, with download speeds averaging 400Kbps to 700Kbps - about as fast as some DSL lines.

Please note that you will also need a wireless subscription from Cingular, Verizon or Sprint Wireless (additional daily or monthly access fees will apply).

Select options below
o None

o Verizon Wireless built-in mobile broadband (EV-DO Rev A) [add $149]

o Sprint built-in mobile broadband (EV-DO Rev A) [add $149]

o AT&T built-in mobile broadband (HSDPA 3.6) [add $199]

HP, Lenovo and others have been offering 3G as well.

Apple is one of the few major portable vendors not to offer cellular broadband.

 

[kas23]

If I saw one of those Mac Touches, I would buy it in a second. What we need is a device (not necessarily a notebook) that does not really act as a stand-alone device, but a supplement to a desktop/Laptop.

And I think people are missing the point with the Asus eee. It is not a notebook equivalent. It is not a substitute for a nice, powerful home computer. However, its power lies in its portability and its price. For what you get, you cannot compare its price tag of $399/$499 with that of a smallish notebook costly over $1500. I just don't see the big advantage of a 12 inch notebook costing over $2000? If you are going to spend that much, get a MB or MBP. As for the Asus, it does most basic jobs (except bluetooth) and the price is GREAT. And you can now get it in 8G and 1G RAM. The only thing that is stopping me from buying this is if Mac comes out with a larger iPod touch in January (for around $500).

 

[ckurowic]

I see some potential here. I'm thinking about buying an iMac in the near future. Then I'll still have my PowerBook 12" for the on-the-road stuff. When it dies, I could replace it with the ultraportable

In another 10 years?

 

[Lesser Evets]

I heard from EXTREMELY reliable sources that this is all miscommunicated. You know how this 'telephone' game goes. But, this very, very, very reliable source said APPLE is going to release a 4 stroke engine to be used in a variety of devices. Apple is going head to head with Briggs and Straton. This is VERY reliable (*elevator not included).

Actually, if it isn't able to be used as an art tablet, it's useless. To me. Assuming this rumor is anywhere near true.

Apple need an ultra thin, ultra-portable, reading/writing (art) tablet with wifi-bluetooth capabilities so it can be an internet machine round the workplace, house, school, train station, etc. The pity of no optical drive is the lack of watching DVDs on the move... but i would just rip with mac The Ripper.

A device like this should have been developed and released 3 years ago, and Apple is probably missing out on a very available, lucrative, soon to be developed market. They could have been leading this.

 

[TurboSC]

I heard from EXTREMELY reliable sources that this is all miscommunicated. You know how this 'telephone' game goes. But, this very, very, very reliable source said APPLE is going to release a 4 stroke engine to be used in a variety of devices. Apple is going head to head with Briggs and Straton. This is VERY reliable (*elevator not included).

Actually, if it isn't able to be used as an art tablet, it's useless. To me. Assuming this rumor is anywhere near true.

Apple need an ultra thin, ultra-portable, reading/writing (art) tablet with wifi-bluetooth capabilities so it can be an internet machine round the workplace, house, school, train station, etc. The pity of no optical drive is the lack of watching DVDs on the move... but i would just rip with mac The Ripper.

A device like this should have been developed and released 3 years ago, and Apple is probably missing out on a very available, lucrative, soon to be developed market. They could have been leading this.

Trust me, I'm a graphic / visual effects / broadcast designer, and I would definitely enjoy a art tablet from Apple.

It just seems too out of the price range and target market Apple is trying to pull in at the moment.

I can see maybe if Apple were to acquire Adobe, rework the software for CS4 to work around touch controls etc, and then released a line of professional tablets, then it would be a huge success. Multi-Touch interface within photoshop / illustrator... that's a definite "sold" on my credit card.

 

[Lesser Evets]

Trust me, I'm a graphic / visual effects / broadcast designer, and I would definitely enjoy a art tablet from Apple.

It just seems too out of the price range and target market Apple is trying to pull in at the moment.

It might be out of the price range, but I somehow doubt it. I bet a nice $1000 tablet-laptop-portable could be made. No optical drive, no HD (or a small HD)? Glass top, multi touch? WiFi-Bluetooth? Not hard at all. There is INKWELL, which is most ways to what we need for writing and art on Macs at the moment, just needs a slight development nudge into the next level.

Take the $1100 MacBook, put the screen in the keyboard area, eliminate the hard drive, maybe the optical drive, eliminate the DVI connection, eliminate the digital optical, eliminate one USB. VIOLA! It is a very cheap Mac In Touch.

I believe it is quite possible, and there is a market.

You know how many kids LOVE doing art on computers? The price would help to be under $700, but the drool factor of portable art would sell it. As for the rest: a writing tablet instead of typing tablet, would be perfect for so many in the business sector. It's a logical jump, but I just think no one has valued that possible market yet. It exists.

The Mac In Touch would be excellent.

 

[redsox]

The Mac In Touch would be excellent.

No offense but something like that mac in touch would be the biggest blunder EVER in the history of the computers, second only to the "cube" as you would have arm fatigue in less than an hour.

The only way this would ever, EVER work, would be if the touch was at an angle on the desk where you looked down and even then, your neck would get strained. I just don't see how the so called touch would ever be successful unless it was more like a mixer and you looked "down" toward it. Then maybe it would be a good product. Try holding your arm out for 15 minutes....see how bad it gets. The product would have to be down, like a mixer.

cheers

 

[72930]

No offense but something like that mac in touch would be the biggest blunder EVER in the history of the computers, second only to the "cube" as you would have arm fatigue in less than an hour.

The only way this would ever, EVER work, would be if the touch was at an angle on the desk where you looked down and even then, your neck would get strained. I just don't see how the so called touch would ever be successful unless it was more like a mixer and you looked "down" toward it. Then maybe it would be a good product. Try holding your arm out for 15 minutes....see how bad it gets. The product would have to be down, like a mixer.

The iMac G4's design would be good for this, as you could position it to exactly where you want...

 

[laxxm3]

What I think we will see...

I think Apple is really relying on user data on how consumers use their laptops. They will keep the desktop replacement notebooks (mac book/mac book pro) in the line up, because this is not ment to replace them yet. This notebook will be a media/web/ (video) messaging machine. This machine will appeal to people that already have a main computer to burn discs etc. Thats why they will not include an optical drive. It possibly might be packing some form of 3g connectivity besides wifi and bluetooth.


This notebook will use flash storage to reduce or eliminate boot up times and to have an instant on effect. I think they will include some sort hard drive with at least 80gb of storage.

The ultra portable will use an LED display that will serve two purposes. One, will be to increase battery life and the other to make the display slightly thinner. It will also use intel's new 45 nanometer chipset to save battery life and use for a smaller/thinner design

The real mystery is how are the engineers at Apple going to incorporate Multi-Touch into this unit. I doubt that Macworld will come and go without Apple releasing a new product that does not incoporate multi touch. They have invested a lot of stake in it and Steve said in his iphone keynote last year that they have developed the new generation method of input. Mac World is as big a stage as it gets.

The track pad as it currently is has limited multi touch capabilities (scrolling and right-clicking) and Apple likes to innovate, so I doubt we will see a track pad with more expanded features (like the pinch).

My bet is that Apple blows us a way with a true multi touch interface like the iphone, all signs point to the features that have been pointed out in recent patent filings and that everyone is calling multi touch 2.0. This will not be a tablet, it will be a notebook with the keyboard and track pad replaced by a glass surface leaving the main LED finger print free.

Appleinsider had info that this year apple was coming out with a "ground breaking product" and 9to5mac.com keeps hinting that their is not going to be a trackpad so I think the use of multi touch in the new notebook is a def a possibility.

I also believe the appropriate features of multi touch 2.0 will trickle down into the 3g iphone that will come out in May/June 08.

 

[redsox]

I think Apple is really relying on user data on how consumers use their laptops. They will keep the desktop replacement notebooks (mac book/mac book pro) in the line up, because this is not ment to replace them yet. This notebook will be a media/web/ (video) messaging machine. This machine will appeal to people that already have a main computer to burn discs etc. Thats why they will not include an optical drive. It possibly might be packing some form of 3g connectivity besides wifi and bluetooth.


This notebook will use flash storage to reduce or eliminate boot up times and to have an instant on effect. I think they will include some sort hard drive with at least 80gb of storage.

The ultra portable will use an LED display that will serve two purposes. One, will be to increase battery life and the other to make the display slightly thinner. It will also use intel's new 45 nanometer chipset to save battery life and use for a smaller/thinner design

The real mystery is how are the engineers at Apple going to incorporate Multi-Touch into this unit. I doubt that Macworld will come and go without Apple releasing a new product that does not incoporate multi touch. They have invested a lot of stake in it and Steve said in his iphone keynote last year that they have developed the new generation method of input. Mac World is as big a stage as it gets.

The track pad as it currently is has limited multi touch capabilities (scrolling and right-clicking) and Apple likes to innovate, so I doubt we will see a track pad with more expanded features (like the pinch).

My bet is that Apple blows us a way with a true multi touch interface like the iphone, all signs point to the features that have been pointed out in recent patent filings and that everyone is calling multi touch 2.0. This will not be a tablet, it will be a notebook with the keyboard and track pad replaced by a glass surface leaving the main LED finger print free.

Appleinsider had info that this year apple was coming out with a "ground breaking product" and 9to5mac.com keeps hinting that their is not going to be a trackpad so I think the use of multi touch in the new notebook is a def a possibility.

I also believe the appropriate features of multi touch 2.0 will trickle down into the 3g iphone that will come out in May/June 08.

You know, as a "creative" person that has recently switched to MAC (had them in the studio of course), it bothers me that Apple has focused more on the "consumer" rather than the Pro and Pro-sumers (home studios), yet at the same time, with their efforts being garnered toward the consumer, that they have yet to release a product that comes in under $1000 that allows for high end gaming. (pinheads).

You see, Apple is so afraid that should they ever release something in the $500 range (that would be bought up by the masses if if had a HIGH GPU clock, good framerates), that pro and prosumers would buy this product as it would translate into a semi good workstation for video use. Still, it bugs me that they can't figure out how to release a DECENT product, at a good price point for gaming and or video use. Maybe it will come when Jonathan takes over, maybe not.

Sure, you could argue that PC's are the gaming machine(s), however, a Mac Pro (old defaul 7300GT (several years old) and Mac Book Pro's have a decent card which plays games fine, but to pay $1199 (iMac) just for a GPU (that is much slower by the way - worse, the newer Macbook X300 is horrible, (old macbook with leopard XBENCH score was 170%, now=87% (talk about raped)), leaves something to be desired.

I think they should revamp the whole line with the MacPro coming in with at least a 7600GTS, and the bottom of the line mini's with a good laptop GPU. They shouldn't be so afraid and with them NOT focusing on the PRO as often, I don't think they would have anything to worry about. (Sometimes I wonder, as the folks on osx86 (myself included), have built machines with GREAT GPU's and while I own a MBP, its nice to know that "I can" build a machine with a decent GPU - mines a 7600GTS with core/quart enabled.

Just some thoughts.

PS. FWIW, the iMAC stalls and stutters if you try to view FCP on the timeline - the only way to get semi decent results is to play it back in FULL SCREEN so it doesn't have to draw the timeline, mixer, so even the iMac isn't an option resulting in at least a $1999 investment for decent graphics.

 

[mandoman]

Meanwhile, Dell announces it's first tablet, and Toshiba
updates theirs:
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,2230970,00.asp?sp=0&kc=DTEWK121107TECH

 

[KissStephanie]

Remember what others said about no floppy drive on new iMacs?

Yes, but those iMacs had optical drives instead so a floppy drive was not crucial any more. If optical drives are removed for this sub-portable, then what replaces the optical drive?