Apple Ultra-Portable MacBook Rumor Roundup

[50548]

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...

"Rev. A"? Please explain.

So far we have seen astounding successes with the iMac (all versions), the iPhone (much more than any other "smartphone" out there), the iPod and many other versions of Macs.

We whine too much, because all stats show that Apple products, even in their first versions, are way more reliable than any other vendor in the IT industry. Apart from some versions of the iBook and the Cube itself, pretty much everything else launched in the recent years by Apple was great and well-received.

And don't forget: those with issues will ALWAYS scream and complain; the satisfied millions will remain quiet...

 

[GregA]

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.

Most computers attempt to achieve the same feature set, in a different package. Apple is a rarity in that it likes to break molds. A small hard disk will have a huge number of people saying "who the hell would want that", and another large group of people saying "wow... so small... and yet, this does what I need".

In fact, in terms of breaking the mold, I sometimes wonder if an Apple ultraportable would more likely be based on extending the iPhone design (a 12 inch screen, add a keyboard and the iLife/iWork suite), rather than simplifying the MacBook design.

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)?

Some people need a large hard drive, some don't. Many don't realise they don't need a large hard drive.

I think to get away with 64GB (or 32!), Apple would need to somewhat redefine the way we work with out data. For instance, if we're going to work with iPhoto, iTunes etc - I believe it's crucial that the laptop could have a subset of our iPhoto/iTunes. Just as your AppleTV and iPod can sync only some playlists & albums, and update later ... an ultraportable would need to be able to sync a subset of music & photos from your master library. We'd also need a subset of our working documents.

There are several ways Apple could do this
1) have a 'main' Mac with all your data - connect locally and via "Back to my Mac".
2) Bundle 100GB of iDisk storage with the ultraportable. Store everything at Apple!
3) Leave an external firewire disk at home/work with most of your data (perhaps plug it into your Airport for a "Back to my Disk")
4) Store everything on an iPod Classic, and sync from the iPod to the portable instead of the other way around.
5) a hybrid of the above might be a home media/data server

It could be quite functional. It'll be very interesting to watch!

 

[twoodcc]

i really hope this gets released next month

 

[LuciaSpina]

Mac Newbie seeks a plan...

...so, I was going to get a Mac Book for Christmas (2G RAM, 250G HD), a mac friend advised me that even though I love the sleek, silver look of the MacBook PRO that it was much more computer than I really need as all I do is internet, listen to music, watch a DVD here and there, and do some basic word processing. And I am really looking forward to all the fun iphoto features for slideshows and dvds.

ANYHOO! Then he tells me about this new super small 12" flash-drive mac. From what I was reading on the site, it seems like it's more of an accessory to hook up to your home computer. Would I be better off getting an iMac to have at home and then purchasing this new mini laptop when it comes out?

And, if everything runs on a flash drive, am I going to have to be carrying around all sorts of flash drives with my house keys? I also have a 250GB external hard drive, does that help anything? Confused, please advise.

 

[goosnarrggh]

How would they do this with no optical drive? I dont like that. What if you wanted to format and reinstall the OS? Are they going to include that on a thumb drive?

Every time this topic comes up, somebody asks that question. Ideally, the answer would be that the machine comes with an external USB or FW optical drive that you can leave at home, and save for the occasional times that you actually need it.

What if you want to rip CD's with iTunes???

Remember, for most people, an ultramobile like this wouldn't be a primary computer, it'd be a 2nd or 3rd supplemental device. So you wouldn't often *need* to do things like ripping CDs etc with it. You'd use it specifically in situations where you need reasonably full-featured productivity and connectivity applications, but otherwise attributes like extreme compactness and low weight take precedence over all other considerations.

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.

It is possible to get Leopard running on the EEEPC 4 GB model. You have to omit all the optional components like international language support, printer drivers, X11, XCode etc, and preparation for installation isn't for the faint of heart (for example, you need to create a custom installation image with a modified kernel to remove its SSE3 dependencies).

 

[GregA]

...so, I was going to get a Mac Book for Christmas (2G RAM, 250G HD),

simple rule.... don't buy Apple stuff for Christmas. Get an IOU or a Gift Voucher... wait till the MacWorld announcements, then you'll have the answers to your questions and probably some better hardware to choose from.

 

[Foxglove9]

It's good to be excited about new Mac hardware again, I can't wait to see this new machine!

 

[AppleMojo]

If it's true I might have my credit card standing by......

Exactly! I was going to have your credit card standing by too. ;-)

 

[ericmooreart]

No optical drive makes no sense... Unless you can buy software through itunes. February sdk? Hmmmm

My prediction:
13" Macbook Led screen and or Mini Core Duo 32-64 gigs NAND memory (shared GMA 3000 or better video). Optical drive, USB 2 Firewire, Wifi, Bluetooth. Target price 899 and 599. Available in March. Basically an ipod Touch on steroids

Wish list:
Radeon graphics
Built SD card reader

 

[koobcamuk]

No optical drive makes no sense... Unless you can buy software through itunes. February sdk? Hmmmm

My prediction:
13" Macbook Led screen and or Mini Core Duo 32-64 gigs NAND memory (shared GMA 3000 or better video). Optical drive, USB 2 Firewire, Wifi, Bluetooth. Target price 899 and 599. Available in March. Basically an ipod Touch on steroids

Wish list:
Radeon graphics
Built SD card reader

Prices are off. iPod touch on steroids? You think multi touch and NAND memory in an ultraportable notebook can be that cheap?

Card readers are fugly and would need to have CF and SD at least, which would require two slots.

 

[137489]

Interesting post - but these rumors have been going on forever. I do not know too many fans of Tablet notebooks and with wide screen, well the size of Dell computers are the size of thin desk tops - still take up a way too much desk space and a way too big to lug around. I need something with power, all my ports, and an optical drive as I back everything up on CD's/DVD's and need to make Cd's/DVD's to share data (jump drives are still too small and expensive when dealing with video). If the size is as comparable as my Dell XPS M1210 or the size of the new Dell Wedges - would be great. My preference on specs:

1gb - 4gb ram
160 -200gb drive
3-4 USB, VGA/DVI, Firewire, Modem, LAN (ethernet), audio in/out ports. Must be built in and not something that plugs into a USB.
DVD+-R/DL
Wifi & Bluetooth
Docking Station where I could put in an external hard drive and make use of external mice, keyboards, display, etc.

You can leave off all the other buttons like mute, volume controls, stop, skip track, etc - Dell positions them on the front and I am forever hitting them. I have seen a few break off and missing on some of my friend's PC laptops. 12-13 inch screen is good enough for me. Anything else is either too small or just a waste. If I needed a larger screen I would hookup an external so I could really zoom in when editing photos. And I need a real docking station, not one that plugs into a USB, as running multiple devices (keyboard, mouse, screen, etc) through 1 USB slot slows down performance.

If I could get this, then I could kiss my Dell and my Media Center goodbye forever. You can also leave off the PCIMCIA card slot also, now with everything being built in - no one really uses it anymore, unless you buy cellular internet service from verizon or sprint - which to me is a waste unless you are driving down the road using your computer. Most places offer free wifi now.

 

[I WAS the one]

How would they do this with no optical drive? I dont like that.

What if you wanted to format and reinstall the OS? Are they going to include that on a thumb drive? What if you want to rip CD's with iTunes???

No Optical drive sounds like a dumb idea, in any computer. Even if you use it for ultra portability, and/or buisness, you would want a DVD player for downtime or whatever.

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

welcome to iEvolution 2.0

 

[AppleMojo]

"Rev. A"? Please explain.

So far we have seen astounding successes with the iMac (all versions), the iPhone (much more than any other "smartphone" out there), the iPod and many other versions of Macs.

We whine too much, because all stats show that Apple products, even in their first versions, are way more reliable than any other vendor in the IT industry.

I am 50/50 on the whole Revision A issue, mind you I was against it just weeks ago.

I am on my 5th new iMac. 4 of my 24" Aluminum iMac's have had various issues from bad backlights to bad hard drive fans.

I know there are millions of satisfied users, but at the same time the chances of me getting this many bad machines is rare unless those Apple guys kick my box a few good times before they bring it out.

Even AppleCare and the local Apple Store was scratching their heads and apologizing for the issues and kept assuring me that this was not normal.

I understand how this could just be bad luck, but regardless it hurt my perfect idealistic view of Apple a little.

Although, now that I think about it. Those Apple guys would just kick my Revision B iMac's too! Those rats!

 

[koobcamuk]

...so, I was going to get a Mac Book for Christmas (2G RAM, 250G HD), a mac friend advised me that even though I love the sleek, silver look of the MacBook PRO that it was much more computer than I really need as all I do is internet, listen to music, watch a DVD here and there, and do some basic word processing. And I am really looking forward to all the fun iphoto features for slideshows and dvds.

ANYHOO! Then he tells me about this new super small 12" flash-drive mac. From what I was reading on the site, it seems like it's more of an accessory to hook up to your home computer. Would I be better off getting an iMac to have at home and then purchasing this new mini laptop when it comes out?

And, if everything runs on a flash drive, am I going to have to be carrying around all sorts of flash drives with my house keys? I also have a 250GB external hard drive, does that help anything? Confused, please advise.

No no - flash drive will be internal - nothing on your keychain.

"standard" computers use a hard drive that spins - Flash memory is solid state - that's the difference.

As for purchase - wait to see what comes out and make your mind up

An iMac and this might be a good combo - but if you don't like the new device (which might not happen) then choose between a MacBook Pro and the MacBook. I prefer the Pro, but it is faster than what you need (MacBook is fine). You'd be paying for screen, speed and the looks/casing.

 

[deathshrub]

MAC PRO FIRST then we talk about gadgets

I AGREE.

I want to give you my money, Apple.

 

[ericmooreart]

Prices are off. iPod touch on steroids? You think multi touch and NAND memory in an ultraportable notebook can be that cheap?

On the lower end of 32 gigs yes it can be that cheap. From 8 to 16 gigs on the Touch was only a 100 dollar increase. Add in less materials and moving parts then current machines. A touch pad instead of keyboard. No removable battery. Production cost drop.

A jailbroken Touch can run some amazing things. If it had a core duo processor...

 

[ChiltonWebb]

I really don't get why more Mac users aren't *demanding* a Tablet Mac. Of all the demographics out there, I'd expect those in the graphics industry to 'get' the benefits of a Tablet Mac, and the Mac market is still closely tied to graphics.

I have a friend with a Tablet PC, and every damned time he flips that screen around and starts drawing on it, I get envious. So I'm hoping for a Tablet Mac.

-Chilton

 

[LeviG]

well I think its more than conceivable that a 11-12" widescreen ultraportable can be made easily enough.

Sony do the tz series - 11" led lcd, 1GHz dual core ulv c2d, upto 7 hours of battery (I think theres an extended battery for 11 hours), option of ssd drive and a built in optical drive - however the price is £1300+

 

[goosnarrggh]

A jailbroken Touch can run some amazing things. If it had a core duo processor...

... It would eat up its (non-removable) battery approximately 100 times faster. That's before you deal with the increased power demand of the larger screen.

 

[137489]

while writing my last post, I was looking at my Dell XPS M1210. Reposition the layout of the ports, get rid of the useless card reader and MCMCIA card slot, Expand the screen size to go close to the edge of the lid padding bubbles, you could have a nice 14 inch screen and still save about 1/4 inch in thickness (and keep your tray-loading drive - I say that because of other threads that point out problems with media sizes and slot loading). The whole thickness of the bottom part of the laptop would be the size of the tray loading CD drive.

Still nice and slim, still have all the features and a bigger screen. This is do-able and the XPS m1210 is not all that heavy. Plus you would still have the big cooling slot on the size with the fan exhaust.

I think Apple should buy a few of the top-of-the-line thinest notebooks and come up with a new design to blow-away what is already out there in the PC market place, without sacrificing features. Couple that with Apple's already superior OS and lower price applications - you have your once and for all notebook that is a powerful as your desktop and is small enough for the person on the go. If the IPhone is any indication - this is what we need. However I still need a keyboard and my drives. I am not a fan of typing on a screen (I hit too many of the wrong keys.

 

[ericmooreart]

... It would eat up its (non-removable) battery approximately 100 times faster. That's before you deal with the increased power demand of the larger screen.

Agreed. But put that same technology in a Macbook with 120v power and a battery 20 times bigger

 

[akadmon]

I'm fine with this, so long as Apple updates the current Macbook Pro line at the same time. A user replaceable hd is all I'm asking for, though s redesigned keyboard would be fine too (get rid of all that wasted space on the sides and use it for a numbers pad).

 

[jonswan]

I'm as fascinated by this as the next man, but will this new super Mac have a working wireless networking facility? Right now, Leopard is all over the place: sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, and I've given up looking at the why and the wherefores as life is just too short. So for the moment at least, Apple is in the doghouse and I will not be buying the latest delicious piece of hardware.

 

[Zmmyt]

I really hope the rumours of a ultra portable become true.

My ageing PB needs a replacement next year when AppleCare runs out.

 

[W2u7Yw4HaD]

Reasons why I don't think there will be a flash disk in this notebook? Well, 128gb costs $5000 right now, so doubt they can offer that.. The only thing I could see here is some innovative optical drive built in and nand flash to make it boot faster..