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Are Apple Laptop Updates Still on Track for October?
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Please see my posts further in the thread...you will understand my point, which is NOT to say that Apple is not launching...it's just that this exact point is not the wise one for any product launch...November makes more sense, or in optimistic terms, late October.
And for those that still think Apple is immune to economic shocks:
http://www.appleinsider.com/article...nter_citing_economy_reduced_iphone_calls.html
For what it's worth, I'm a student at BU and the past few weeks employees at the University Computers store have confirmed upon the October 14th refresh date. Whether or not they read rumor sites or not, I don't know. However, today, they began a sale on all MB and MBP. It seems kind of suspicious that a store would do this without some sort of idea of new products in the pipeline.
You all worry too much.
Optiarc (Sony/NEC joint venture) has a new 9.5mm BD burner, that is coming out in the new Sony 11.1" TZ series on October 15. I don't think that's a coincidence at all -- nor do I think they devoted the resources to mass producing the optical drive for ONE notebook model that costs over $4k (the specs are pretty insane for an ultraportable -- Blu-ray, DUAL SSDs in a RAID config, etc).
My prediction (FWIW): New notebooks from Apple ARE coming October 14, and Sony is giving Apple a 1 day lead on the new optical drive, so Apple can say they were "first" with the "world's thinnest Blu-ray drive." The lack of an Apple event to "invite the world press to brag how we just reinvented the wheel" doesn't mean anything... other than they've (possibly) finally realized how pointless those events are... or (more realistically), since its not an iPod/iPhone, they know the mainstream press won't care in the least anyway. There's nothing "sexy" about a notebook launch.
Optiarc (Sony/NEC joint venture) has a new 9.5mm BD burner, that is coming out in the new Sony 11.1" TZ series on October 15. I don't think that's a coincidence at all -- nor do I think they devoted the resources to mass producing the optical drive for ONE notebook model that costs over $4k (the specs are pretty insane for an ultraportable -- Blu-ray, DUAL SSDs in a RAID config, etc).
My prediction (FWIW): New notebooks from Apple ARE coming October 14, and Sony is giving Apple a 1 day lead on the new optical drive, so Apple can say they were "first" with the "world's thinnest Blu-ray drive." The lack of an Apple event to "invite the world press to brag how we just reinvented the wheel" doesn't mean anything... other than they've (possibly) finally realized how pointless those events are... or (more realistically), since its not an iPod/iPhone, they know the mainstream press won't care in the least anyway. There's nothing "sexy" about a notebook launch.
Quite agree with that. I remember seeing ad, after ad when the iPhone came out (still seeing them now), but I've never seen one for a Macbook, bar the Air, and they didn't show for very long.
Apple know exactly who their target audience are, and they don't need a media event to tell them new models are available, it'll be plastered all other news sites and such (such as Engadget, Apple Insider, etc.) within minutes. I don't think a big flashy media event will happen, simply because redesigned notebooks won't attract your average Joe to Apple, which is what they usually try to do.
I still hope for refreshes on 14th, if not, I can wait. Aluminium casing would be very nice, but it's not exactly something I look for when I make the decision to buy a "Notebook Computer"
.Very well put
Some people are still very apprehensive of a Blu-Ray drive in the MBP, but we can hope, can't we?
Very well put
Some people are still very apprehensive of a Blu-Ray drive in the MBP, but we can hope, can't we?
I hope not - it eats batteries.
I just hope we have Matte screens on the 15" model.
I just have to requote what others have said: If Apple really thinks, it's unwise to release a product in the crisis, then they are really stupid.
Currently news is getting old and after the weekend the Spin Doctors in the media will need a new horse.
And OTOH what can an updated MB/MBP offer, that is really newsworthy. Come on, ever read news like "Sony releases new Vaio laptop line with real 16:9 display ratio and BluRay across the board" on CNN. (Yes they just did, and they actually bundle it with Adobe Lightroom
)I'm with Ars. I see a silent update.
And if Apple waits out more, they will lose a whole lot of notebook sales. I myself must say, that the new Vaio AW-Series is really tempting.
Only thing, that would justify a media event, would be Apple's "One more thing" Ultraportable. BTW, when was the last time, Steve introduced a 'one more thing' worthy gadget? Must have been lost in the iPhone era...
Snow Leopard's not coming until mid 2009.
And I'm not sure about two updates happening within two months.
Because Apple would have actual new products (not just redesigns) for MWSF? Mac mini, Intel Macs, iPhone, MacBook Air?
May I see a link to these sources?
Which goes against every rumor I've heard on this (not just a few).
It's possible, I'm sure if so, it'll be silent.
Nope - Aluminum MacBooks are coming soon.
They're not mutually exclusive.
Not for long.
If there is an update on October 14, I'll probably get a new aluminum MacBook (Pro).
Core i7 is for high-end desktops.
Yeah, why? Why is everybody expecting October 14 (or whenever) to be an event? Come to think of it, there's really no good reason to have an event if there wasn't software too.
Nehalem for notebooks is not coming until about the turn of 2009-2010.
Probably both.
Maybe because they won't?The problem with a (late) November release date is that I don't see how they would release newer versions again in January... Only two months later...
So why did the original MacBook not get an event?
When I was at a SE Wisconsin Apple Store today, a sales-babe asked if I needed help, and when I said "I'm waiting for next week's new computers" she said she wasn't aware of any new system, only to quickly hurry off.
Read into that what you will.
Read into that what you will.
WTF? My 5-year old 12-inch Powerbook is slowly giving up the ghost, and I need a new Aluminium MacBook to replace it. I've been waiting for the new MacBooks for months now. Apple, YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME!
Normally, I don't bother rating a story, but I had to rate this one negative.
Same here, though for me it's a 17" pB used for audio & graphics stuff.
For the people saying news of a MacBook release will get buried under news about the economic situation and the election...are you serious?! Do you have your heads so far up Apple's butt that you think something like this is "news" worthy?
I'm sorry to inform you, but Apple product releases are not headline material. So financial crisis or not, election year or not, news of a Mac release would already be "buried" under more important and more relevant news. What coverage does a Mac release get in the newspaper or evening news? A quick blurb in an editorial column? A short article in the technology section? Thirty seconds of coverage on why massive lines are mysteriously forming in front of Apple and AT&T stores?
The people that DO cover Apple releases thoroughly - like tech blogs, magazines, rumor sites - will have that information front and center regardless, because that is what they report on and they wont have articles talking about the election or economy to "bury" it. There will always, always be news bigger than an Apple product launch. Stop trying to make up excuses to justify Apple.
Arguments that Apple is waiting out the financial fallout in hopes of better economic conditions for a product launch are equally absurd. Look past the Kool-Aid to see that Apple hardware is falling MONTHS behind in technology compared to PC counterparts, and still charging an exorbitant premium. What good would waiting accomplish? It would only hurt Apple even more because potential Mac buyers will turn (back) to a PC with newer technology and much better "bang for the buck" - something that is all the more relevant in harsh economic times. Now, the Mac faithful will buy Mac no matter what, but there are a lot of PC people waiting for the refresh to switch over to Mac (me included). And its those customers that Apple needs to worry about because its those customers who will expand their bottom line and grow their market share. Those customers are not tied into OS X (yet) and will easily pick up a new PC instead if Apple doesn't do anything soon.
Also, have we forgotten the rumored price drops on the new line of MacBooks? With an "aggressive entry level price"? If true, the refresh couldn't come at a better time than now. What's more music to peoples' ears in a down economy than something that's cheaper?
Minor update now and full refresh at MWSF. That makes completely no sense at all. If they were going to do this, why wait this long to do it? Intel has released Montevina for months now, so if they were to do this they could have and should have done it months ago. Then you're saying they will completely update again a little more than 2 months later? Completely absurd. No company releases something just to completely replace it 2 months later.
I'm sorry to inform you, but Apple product releases are not headline material. So financial crisis or not, election year or not, news of a Mac release would already be "buried" under more important and more relevant news. What coverage does a Mac release get in the newspaper or evening news? A quick blurb in an editorial column? A short article in the technology section? Thirty seconds of coverage on why massive lines are mysteriously forming in front of Apple and AT&T stores?
The people that DO cover Apple releases thoroughly - like tech blogs, magazines, rumor sites - will have that information front and center regardless, because that is what they report on and they wont have articles talking about the election or economy to "bury" it. There will always, always be news bigger than an Apple product launch. Stop trying to make up excuses to justify Apple.
Arguments that Apple is waiting out the financial fallout in hopes of better economic conditions for a product launch are equally absurd. Look past the Kool-Aid to see that Apple hardware is falling MONTHS behind in technology compared to PC counterparts, and still charging an exorbitant premium. What good would waiting accomplish? It would only hurt Apple even more because potential Mac buyers will turn (back) to a PC with newer technology and much better "bang for the buck" - something that is all the more relevant in harsh economic times. Now, the Mac faithful will buy Mac no matter what, but there are a lot of PC people waiting for the refresh to switch over to Mac (me included). And its those customers that Apple needs to worry about because its those customers who will expand their bottom line and grow their market share. Those customers are not tied into OS X (yet) and will easily pick up a new PC instead if Apple doesn't do anything soon.
Also, have we forgotten the rumored price drops on the new line of MacBooks? With an "aggressive entry level price"? If true, the refresh couldn't come at a better time than now. What's more music to peoples' ears in a down economy than something that's cheaper?
Minor update now and full refresh at MWSF. That makes completely no sense at all. If they were going to do this, why wait this long to do it? Intel has released Montevina for months now, so if they were to do this they could have and should have done it months ago. Then you're saying they will completely update again a little more than 2 months later? Completely absurd. No company releases something just to completely replace it 2 months later.
THANKYOU for one a refreshingly sensible piece of input!
Can i re-iterate this? It makes NO SENSE for Apple to have an event for something as mundane as updating its notebook lines. It isn't going to happen. The only way it COULD happen would be if they are launched at an already scheduled event-MacWorld.
I mean-picture this: Steve Jobs coming on stage. 10 minutes of "they are aluminium. They have the Macbook Air keyboard. They are pretty, and thinner, and green. And one more thing-they cost less. Thanks for coming folks." You think tech magazines are going to send people from around the world for THAT? Wake up.
The big thing about the new Macbooks is that they will be cheaper. Just like the iPods are getting cheaper, as is (supposedly) the iPhone. Apples strategy now is to make their products more accessible to new customers, in order to take advantage of the halo effect from iPods and the iPhone and the fact Vista is so shoddy. So there won't be anything outrageous, just very stunning, good quality, modern laptops, at a lower price with better specs.
And for me, I can't wait.
Hmm.
I don't get the logic behind it when people say "The economy is bad, so Apple won't release anything".
A slow economy + new products + lots of inventory = bleh sales
A slow economy + no new products + dwindling inventory = REALLY bad sales
I don't get the logic behind it when people say "The economy is bad, so Apple won't release anything".
A slow economy + new products + lots of inventory = bleh sales
A slow economy + no new products + dwindling inventory = REALLY bad sales
Come on October 14th!!!
Amazon has mail in rebates on mb and mbp models between $50 and $100.
The promotion runs 10/7 through 10/27, what does this mean? I wish I knew ... it really doesn't tell us much, except ... they will be coming soon ...
Surely someone knows something .. I am reading things like:
* My Friend at apple said they are working late on the 14th and there is training that day.
* Person at apple store says that there will be new notebooks on the 14th
* Nvidia moves chipset release to 15th ....
* There will be an event ... there won't ...
These things are not designed and made by oompa-loompas right? There are PEOPLE working at apple (and people like to talk) .... this release is more guarded than the secret herbs and spices at KFC!!!
SOMEONE has to know something ... someone at Nvidia, at intel ... SOMEWHERE!!!
Amazon has mail in rebates on mb and mbp models between $50 and $100.
The promotion runs 10/7 through 10/27, what does this mean? I wish I knew ... it really doesn't tell us much, except ... they will be coming soon ...
Surely someone knows something .. I am reading things like:
* My Friend at apple said they are working late on the 14th and there is training that day.
* Person at apple store says that there will be new notebooks on the 14th
* Nvidia moves chipset release to 15th ....
* There will be an event ... there won't ...
These things are not designed and made by oompa-loompas right? There are PEOPLE working at apple (and people like to talk) .... this release is more guarded than the secret herbs and spices at KFC!!!
SOMEONE has to know something ... someone at Nvidia, at intel ... SOMEWHERE!!!
Ummm... all optical drives "eat" batteries (so to speak) if you are reading or writing a disc for hours at a time. If you aren't they have absolutely no effect. I've never understood this line of logic against the inclusion of BD drives. If you aren't watching a movie or writing a disc, the drive isn't in use, and there's virtually no power consumption. If you are writing a disc for an hour, then yes, it will use power. If you kept a standard DVD burner writing a disc for an hour, it would use a considerable amount of power as well.
Now, it is true that the blue-violet laser used to read BDs does require some more power, so there is an increase though not that much... and much of Optiarc's development for their latest drives (including the new 9.5mm drive) has been to lower the power requirements... in addition to substantially shrinking the OPU.
Not that this really matters... but I just don't get the "power" argument.
But, yeah, I hope they keep the matte screen option as well.
Hey whatever... I'd totally understand a delay till post-election and as other posters mentioned the US (and much of the rest of the world for that matter) will be doolally happy in munchkin land with their shiny new president, attention span for economic doom will have waned and the papers will be wanting to fill space with something, anything else.
Contrary to someone or other who says that the media doesn't pick up on apple launches, the nano launch made front page news on some papers here in the UK - admittedly mainly about Jobs - the Independent ran with "Rumours of my death are greatly exaggerated" or whichever mis-quote jobs actually said. But there was plenty of product splash within.
Look my guess is that if they are going to do something REALLY big they will wait and do an event. But it would have to be some massive list of across-the-board updates and redesigns (Portables, desktops, firewire s3200, new graphics ports, blu-ray, the lot). Otherwise I'm feeling people are right that it will be a quieter laptop-only affair which they can (frankly) do whenever they feel like with a bit of smart marketing. Timing is still important and I don't think any of us can truly second guess strategic private boardroom-level decisions - even if we can guess the parameters.
Contrary to someone or other who says that the media doesn't pick up on apple launches, the nano launch made front page news on some papers here in the UK - admittedly mainly about Jobs - the Independent ran with "Rumours of my death are greatly exaggerated" or whichever mis-quote jobs actually said. But there was plenty of product splash within.
Look my guess is that if they are going to do something REALLY big they will wait and do an event. But it would have to be some massive list of across-the-board updates and redesigns (Portables, desktops, firewire s3200, new graphics ports, blu-ray, the lot). Otherwise I'm feeling people are right that it will be a quieter laptop-only affair which they can (frankly) do whenever they feel like with a bit of smart marketing. Timing is still important and I don't think any of us can truly second guess strategic private boardroom-level decisions - even if we can guess the parameters.
Why not, they can call him Steve Jobs Air. He'd come out of an interoffice envelope at the media event!
This made me literally laugh out loud. Nice.
When I was at a SE Wisconsin Apple Store today, a sales-babe asked if I needed help, and when I said "I'm waiting for next week's new computers" she said she wasn't aware of any new system, only to quickly hurry off.
Read into that what you will.
...she's just not that into you..?
They have those most of the time... I wouldn't take it as a sign either way.
I think VTECaddict's post (#240) was excellent and made a great point. (I won't quote the whole thing.) It does beg the question: would they really release [relatively] minor updates for the holiday shopping season, then 2 months later make them obsolete with a new design and much better specs, when consumers are post-Christmas broke?
Which also begs another question: if the 14th (or whatever) comes and there IS only a minor refresh, how then do we decide whether to buy? Will people really be willing to spend Apple-amounts of cash with the risk of updates in 60 days?
Sheesh, this is madness!
I don't see why Apple couldn't just throw everyone off, and just release them as a one more thing at the nvidia event on the 15th. It would be just crazy.
In my mind, nvidia is announcing their new chipset, and someone in Jim Ross style (WWE) screams "My God! It's Steve Jobs! and he's got the new macbook pro!" Then Steve clears the stage with head shots all around using the mbp like a steel chair. Then Steve calmly boots up the mbp, which has sustained no damage, because it is a freaking brick.
I know. I have issues.
In my mind, nvidia is announcing their new chipset, and someone in Jim Ross style (WWE) screams "My God! It's Steve Jobs! and he's got the new macbook pro!" Then Steve clears the stage with head shots all around using the mbp like a steel chair. Then Steve calmly boots up the mbp, which has sustained no damage, because it is a freaking brick.
I know. I have issues.