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Apple Ultra-Portable MacBook Rumor Roundup

well.........

im rather surprised no one has mentioned this. https://www.macrumors.com/2007/08/09/wide-multitouch-touchpad-for-apple-laptops/
it seems only logical that they would integrate multi touch, being the hugely popular and successful fad it has become, not to mention that its the future of computer human interfacing. I also believe that the ipod touch/iphone will be integrated for symbiotic/coolness/halo-effect. not to mention that its a money maker. this supports that claim: http://hrmpf.com/wordpress/55/ipod-dock-on-mini-why-not-in-a-macbook
Finally there not going to be a need for tangible media in the future. with wimax/eyetv type innovations. Apple will one day be the number one name in print and television media.
 
MacPhilosopher said:
...for a mac fan. Well, you did say "...it'll be great." If, and when, Apple delves into this market it will leave the other companies wondering how they missed all of the innovations Apple brings into the category. You should know better than that. Apple doesn't play catch up, they play "do it right or don't play at all." Sometimes, that means waiting until the time (and technology) are right.
Click to expand...

true. Apple does stray into revolutionizing the way we do things, but there are some things it learns from others...

In the cell phone category, they've got the basics, but they've learned that without opening up development to 3rd parties was a bad idea... they're changing that come Feb. 3G support, inevitable really.

In the Computer business, Adapting to the Intel chipsets... that was a pretty big move and it changed everything. Bootcamp running windows on a Mac. That was a pretty big milestone. ( for me at least )

Apple just has a very professional suave way of "always knowing" or being "one step ahead"

I can only imagine how hectic and ridiculous it gets behind the scenes... all we see are pretty little gadgets and toys :p
 
I'd like it with a MacBook plastic body

It would weight only .5 pounds more

It would be better for scratches

It would let Apple save face and sell it for $ 1100
 
I'd argue that Apple would probably put the OS on a 64GB SSD flash drive for speed and maybe stick a 80GB - 160GB 1.8" HDD in there for space to cover all of their bases. They'd also need to make sure that the OS turns off the HDD whenever it's not in use. It should be small enough to stick into a sub-notebook and maintain excellent battery life and with the optical drive probably gone, space won't be much of an issue.
 
It would be very nice. First off, hard disk space doesn't matter, so long as you don't use it as a primary computer. Its great to bring around to presentations whilst not breaking your back / arms. Its great to bring to seminars / lectures / college. After all, text notes don't take up much space. And its great for travel. Right now, Samsung has 2kg notebooks with 15 inch screens and 6-hour battery life. It isn't good if Apple can't make light, powerful computers :apple:
 
Its the iBook of-course! Designed for those on the go. Its also a Browser/WIFI and has a focus on Widgets.
Sells for much cheaper than expected (as no keyboard, no optical drive, no etheret, no firewire, limited memory)
Designed to not replace your existing mac, but to complement it. Easily sync your notes/calendars/contacts/bookmarks with itunes. Maybe even built in 3G, its gotta happen sometime, but removable like the front page headline on Spymac a few years back (which incidentally i wrote). Where possible, data is encouraged to be stored online, hence the focus on widgets.
A deal with a major high-street store will allow you to easily purchase books/music 'on the go'.
 
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 :)
 
There's so much demand for this. I've been expecting it ever since the move to Intel was announced. On the one hand I'm frustrated that it has taken this long, assuming Apple have been working on it. On the other, recent advances in technology really do allow for a fantastic new addition to the Apple notebook range.

Here's to hoping they finally flesh out the notebook range.
 
queshy said:
Interesting post. Hopefully we will see that at MWSF...otherwise there will be a lot of complainers on the forums!

Apple will probably release something fantastic...but we all know what has happened in the past with "Rev A" computers...
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I'll take a supersize iPhone-- to go!
 
I'm thinking there will be two models: A simpler one with just flash, targeted for internet use, documents, and simple graphic things. Another one with both flash and a hard disk, a premium model with more storage and powerful graphics capabilities.

It would be cool if it came with an optical drive that was detachable: you would have it for when you need it (making it a little extra bulky), but 9 out 10 times you would leave it at home.

As for multitouch, there is, in my opinion, only one correct way for Apple to integrate multitouch into a laptop. Where you would normally have a keyboard and touchpad, replace that with a touchscreen (like a Nintendo DS). Make both screens multitouch. The device could fold itself shut like a regular laptop, or close like a tablet with one screen out, for simple tasks like web browsing. For more complicated tasks, like video editing, sound mixing, and 3d modeling you could have both screens available, giving you plenty of room for display and touch sensitive controls. To use as a desktop, the device would fold so it can stand up like a monitor (or two monitors), then you would attach a keyboard and mouse.

All of the hardware for this kind of device is already within Apple's reach. The question is if Apple is ready to release the software interface needed to make such a device truly awesome.
 
Cheaper Needed

The Asus EeePC is already having a huge effect in UK schools. Everyone I speak to is looking at it with a view to one per pupil. This is the ultra portable that people are talking about here.

At $400 / £200 for the EeePC, Apple have to release something like a giant iPod Touch with proper software (iWork Lite?) at not much more than this ($500 / £250) to compete or they will lose a big chunk of the education market.

Simon at www.thefreemac.com
 
DMann said:
I'll take a supersize iPhone-- to go!
Click to expand...

Quick dumb question.

I have a MBP that is about 3 months old. yes, I checked the rumors before buying and used the guide. Anyway, I get a lot of use out of it for audio, no problem, it seems like it can really handle a lot of virtual instruments and plug-ins so my question is, will this cut the feet out of the MBP line? I know the new penyron chips should be killer but don't expect them anytime too soon.

I guess I am asking, would it be wise to sell before the San Fran date, expecting some sort of great upset/update that makes these slow in comparison? To be fair, I know some audio pros that make a living using pro tools and a Power Book (G4) with no problems.

I guess I would be happy either way, just wondering what a fair price would be, as is, and iLife or with:

•Logic 8
•Final Cut
•CS 3 (cousin works for adobe)
•iWork 08
•AppZapper
• 4 GB Ram

Thanks.

Probably get a mac pro when they update. (Lord Willing)

Guess am worried about shelf life, yet if people are still using G4's, this MBP should last a little while. Thank you.
 
I wouldn't count too much on battery life for a small new ultra thin laptop, unless you hook it up with a giant battery in the back as usual... which makes it not so light and small anymore... And then the battery life is only measured when the computer is doing nothing, and ends up to be around 3 hours in real world situation, as always.
 
simonelliott said:
The Asus EeePC is already having a huge effect in UK schools. Everyone I speak to is looking at it with a view to one per pupil. This is the ultra portable that people are talking about here.

At $400 / £200 for the EeePC, Apple have to release something like a giant iPod Touch with proper software (iWork Lite?) at not much more than this ($500 / £250) to compete or they will lose a big chunk of the education market.

Simon at www.thefreemac.com
Click to expand...

That's interesting, especially since Asus is the maker of the motherboards in the macs, at least I think they are.
 
dagamer34 said:
I'd argue that Apple would probably put the OS on a 64GB SSD flash drive for speed and maybe stick a 80GB - 160GB 1.8" HDD in there for space to cover all of their bases. They'd also need to make sure that the OS turns off the HDD whenever it's not in use. It should be small enough to stick into a sub-notebook and maintain excellent battery life and with the optical drive probably gone, space won't be much of an issue.
Click to expand...

Agree, I'd rather have a "portable optical drive with me sometimes" than a "250 GB portable FW400 hd constantly". I'd still have the 50 GB WB Passport when travelling for backups, but the most important thing is: I would love one of these machines, and pretty most certainly buy one immediately.

I can already picture the various coffee places filled with people using this baby Apple notebook beauty!

Only one long vacation to go, and I'm ready to order right after the San Francisco party! :)
 
simonelliott said:
The Asus EeePC is already having a huge effect in UK schools. Everyone I speak to is looking at it with a view to one per pupil. This is the ultra portable that people are talking about here.

At $400 / £200 for the EeePC, Apple have to release something like a giant iPod Touch with proper software (iWork Lite?) at not much more than this ($500 / £250) to compete or they will lose a big chunk of the education market.

Simon at www.thefreemac.com
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same thing. I am currently interested in buying an EeePC, but thought I'd wait to see what Apple has to offer. However, at the current rumored specs, I don't see what could justify such a price difference. Sure, a larger screen than the EeePC would be nice, but for around $1000 more?
 
Marvy said:
I was thinking the same thing. I am currently interested in buying an EeePC, but thought I'd wait to see what Apple has to offer. However, at the current rumored specs, I don't see what could justify such a price difference. Sure, a larger screen than the EeePC would be nice, but for around $1000 more?
Click to expand...

You can put Leopard on it you know?

It's illegal though
 
We need tons for our University, but it should be much smaller. 6-inch or so. The FULL Mac OS X 10.5.x experience-computer in your hand and in your pocket. Full wireless computerless NATIVE Keynote and PowerPoint presentations. The ultimate presentation remote. Huge halo effect on the corporate, education and domestic markets. Boosts Mac market share to 10% worldwide!!!
 
Eduardo1971 said:
As someone who needs a large hard drive on my current laptop (Macbook); may someone kindly inform me what sort of people would need this sort of ultra portable laptop (due the space limitation of current flash memory)?
Cheers.
:)
Click to expand...

Maybe someone who does not need a lot of disk space and doesn't feel like lugging a full-size laptop around?

Seriously, there is really a big market for ultramobile. I've currently got an EEEPC myself with 4GB disk space and that's plenty for emailing, websurfing and editing documents on the road. Of course it's not a desktop replacement, but it's nice and handy on the road for those basic computer needs and much more convenient than a smartphone when you really need to do something.

I'd *love* to have a Mac this size. Too bad though the pricing will be way out there if the rumours are correct - the EEEPC is only 299 (euro or dollar depending on your region). That would make the ultrasmall Mac 5 times as expensive. But the other manufacturers (such as sony) that make laptops that size charge even more so I guess it's ok.
 
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