Intel iBook (MacBook) Arriving in May? and 17'' MacBook Pro?

[MarkCollette]

Could somone explain to me what Integrated Graphics are?

Newer graphics chips can be used as dedicated math coprocessors. Integrated graphics chips can do integration, which is related to derivation. Both derivation and integration are crucial in doing graphics.

Ok, that was all B.S.

Integrated graphics are cheap graphics chips that chipset (northbridge, southbridge) manufacturers throw in. The real issue is that they use system RAM instead of their own dedicated graphics RAM, thus tying up the system bus, and making everything slower.

 

[JRM PowerPod]

My predictions

MacBook

$899
13.3"
1.5GHz Solo
512mb DDR 2
128 mb shared graphics
40GB
Combo

$1299
13.3"
1.67 Duo
512mb
128mb Shared Graphics
60GB
4x SL Superdrive

MacBook Pro

$1599
13.3"
1.67Ghz upg to 2Ghz
512mb
80GB upto 120gb
8X DL Superdrive
128mb X1600

$1999
15.4"
1.83Ghz
512mb
80GB upto 120GB
8X DL Superdrive
128mb X1600

$2499
15.4"
2Ghz
1GB Ram
100GB upto 120gb
256mb X1600
8X DL Superdrive

$2999
17"
2.16Ghz
1GB Ram
120GB upto 160gb
256mb X1800
8X DL Superdrive

 

[macgeek2005]

There is no way they'll make the macbook that crappy. Neither macbook is gonna have the 1.5Ghz core solo.

 

[mutantteenager]

What a gip!

I'll be curious if the new Macbook has integrated graphics. I'm not a gamer, but one of the reason's my G3 iBook has lasted three and half years is due to the dedicated 32 MB video card. I'm really in the market for a new iBook/MacBook so I hope the system is worth while.

I'm hoping that the new iBook/MacBook has a dedicated graphics card, because it does make it distinctive in the market AND very good value to boot. Going to a turbocache or integrated graphics is a backward step, and I've a sneeking suspicion that Jobs will spin this one good, as it probably will happen.

What I'm also worried about is the lack of insight or murmuring about the 12" PowerBook or MacBook. It has always been a bit of a problem child, being too close in spec to the big iBook, and missing the vitals of it's bigger brothers. Let's hope it's revised to, cos that's the one I really want!

I'm hoping for 2GB max RAM, 128MB, with 256MB Graphics option, PCI/32 slot, and (reaching) support for a 30" display

 

[dekator]

Renaming of iBook

I think it is a bad idea to rename the ibook to MacBook. There is not enough difference between MacBook Pro. People will get confused. Plus, the name iBook is so well known now, to change it doesn't make any sense.

I agree... 'iBook' is a well established designation. However, ppl should get used to the MacBook Pro vs MacBook rather quickly. At the same time, the 'Pro' naming isn't that convincing. The lines between the products really aren't pro vs non-professional. Anyway, if the new iBooks get the specs this report suggests, power-wise, MacBooks will all be on the same level.

 

[NicoMan]

Ok, Apple: If I don't get something that can replace the 12" powerbook by end of June, I'm buying a Dell and put a hacked OSX on it.

Check out that Sony VAIO SZ1-VP/C. Expensive but quite awesome!!!

 

[syriana]

It's kind of silly to advise someone needing a laptop now to wait for Merom in 6-10 months. Who knows when Apple will even use Merom, and they will probably stick to Yonah in the Mini's and Macbooks anyway, just like when G4 went to Powerbook, the iBook still had G3 chip for a long time.

I would bet that macbookpro will get merom chips as soon as it is available, but macbook willo only get them in a year or so, after a price break or a frequency upgrade in 6 months or so.
Two reasons for that: differenciation of lines for 6 months, and intel must have loads of chips to fullfil (is that the right spelling?) macbook commands
What do you think?

 

[syriana]

Ok, here is where I think the important parts will be.

Integrated graphics, hopefully 965 parts (which will play games well enough), or 950, with 965 bump in september.

Pricing, heat, power, and capability put these right in line.

I thaught 965 wasn't out before Q3..
sure it would be a good compromise, and a better card than the mini, just as in the PPC era, but I don't think it can make it for may/june...
I also thaught 965 was for desktop chipset to start whith.
Is that a diificulty?

 

[AidenShaw]

I thaught 965 wasn't out before Q3..
I also thaught 965 was for desktop chipset to start whith.
Is that a diificulty?

Other than it won't be ready in time, it'll burn more power, and it won't fit - what's the difficulty?

 

[FocusAndEarnIt]

I agree... 'iBook' is a well established designation. However, ppl should get used to the MacBook Pro vs MacBook rather quickly. At the same time, the 'Pro' naming isn't that convincing. The lines between the products really aren't pro vs non-professional. Anyway, if the new iBooks get the specs this report suggests, power-wise, MacBooks will all be on the same level.

Not necessarily.

The iBooks are used for education everywhere, they need to be cheaper, so I think they'll get the 1.67 Core Duo(maybe solo) and the MBP's get 1.83, 2.0 and 2.16.

And, I think the prices might stay the same, maybe lower.

 

[Photorun]

Ok, Apple: If I don't get something that can replace the 12" powerbook by end of June, I'm buying a Dell and put a hacked OSX on it.

Don't let the door hit your on the arse on the way out crybaby boy. Your hacked version will be about as stable as Nicole Ritchie on a cocaine and champagne bender.

I own a 12" iBook and it's wore out it's welcome in screen real estate, bring on a 13 incher. Really wish it'd have a true video card though.

 

[em500]

Could somone explain to me what Integrated Graphics are?

This was the explanation on http://www.apple.com/macmini/graphics.html before February 2006:

Most say they’re good for 2D games only. That’s because an “integrated Intel graphics” chip steals power from the CPU and siphons off memory from system-level RAM. You’d have to buy an extra card to get the graphics performance of Mac mini [= ATI Radeon 9200], and some cheaper PCs don’t even have an open slot to let you add one.

 

[kerpow]

My predictions

MacBook

$899
13.3"
1.5GHz Solo
512mb DDR 2
128 mb shared graphics
40GB
Combo

$1299
13.3"
1.67 Duo
512mb
128mb Shared Graphics
60GB
4x SL Superdrive

MacBook Pro

$1599
13.3"
1.67Ghz upg to 2Ghz
512mb
80GB upto 120gb
8X DL Superdrive
128mb X1600

$1999
15.4"
1.83Ghz
512mb
80GB upto 120GB
8X DL Superdrive
128mb X1600

$2499
15.4"
2Ghz
1GB Ram
100GB upto 120gb
256mb X1600
8X DL Superdrive

$2999
17"
2.16Ghz
1GB Ram
120GB upto 160gb
256mb X1800
8X DL Superdrive

Finally, someone with some sense. Maybe even 64mb integrated card on the MacBook.


The G4 iBook and Powerbook were far too similar in specs.

The MBPro should reflect the PowerMac/Highend iMac and the MacBook should reflect the Mini/Low End iMac.

An integrated graphics card will keep the cost down and a Superdrive is not essential for people in the market for a budget laptop.

Look, if you want to play games buy a console or a high end computer. My parents want a laptop and are not going to spend more than about $900. Any more than that would be a tough sell when you can buy a Dell for half the price. In their eyes a Mac and a Dell do the same thing.

 

[Whistleway]

My initial claim, which you called wrong, was "The 64-bit product will be faster (like 20%) than the 32-bit".

This claim is true - a product compiled for 64-bit will usually be significantly faster than a product compiled for 32-bit (I've seen quite a few benchmarks, in a range of a few percent faster to over 50% faster - 20% is a "typical" improvement).

The fact that it's due to the changes in the x64 ISA rather than the longer pointers doesn't negate the fact that 64-bit apps will usually be significantly faster than 32-bit apps on the same system. That's all I said, and I stand by it.

I also stand by the opinion that in the long term Apple (and Apple buyers) will regret the "9 months of Yonah". If Apple had waited for Merom, and had embraced true 64-bit for OSx64 (that is, there simply would be no 32-bit s/w whatsoever for OSX on Intel) - things would be simpler and cheaper for developers and users. As it is, there will be another big software transition - from the current 32-bit Intel to a 64-bit Intel, and "fat binaries" will have to become "even fatter binaries" to hold both 32-bit and 64-bit Intel code in addition to 32-bit PPC code.

Good post. Also it all depends on OS X being fully 64-bit. Will Leopard do that or something even later than that?

I guess holding out till mid 2007 makes sense unless you need a mac rightaway.

 

[animefan_1]

me too.

but i still think it would be ridiculous of apple to put it out that late. i mean, dell already has there consumer notebook with the duo, what the heck is taking apple so long?

Yeah Dell has a Core Duo notebook, but it's not a 12" model. Dell's current 12" notebook s only have the older Pentium M, not the Core Duo.

 

[bbyrdhouse]

I'd expect to see three iBook models.

- Solo Core, Combo Drive ($799)
- Solo Core, SuperDrive ($999)
- Duo Core, SuperDrive ($1199)

Now how could you resist at these prices?

I realize that they are only wishful thinking but this would add alot of switchers to the fold.

Remember, the average switcher is already used to "integrated" graphics. Most of them probably think that "integrated" is better. "Oooh man it has a graphics card that is integrated into the main thingee-ma-bob."

If it can handle Photoshop reasonably well then it ill be OK. But the ram needs to be able to handle 2gig.

 

[MRU]

Finally, someone with some sense. Maybe even 64mb integrated card on the MacBook.


The G4 iBook and Powerbook were far too similar in specs.

The MBPro should reflect the PowerMac/Highend iMac and the MacBook should reflect the Mini/Low End iMac.

An integrated graphics card will keep the cost down and a Superdrive is not essential for people in the market for a budget laptop.

Agreed there, I've been saying that's pretty much what I'll expect in the 999 - 1599 price model range.

Like you say, more than likely it will be 64mb 950GMA

 

[MRU]

Now how could you resist at these prices?

I realize that they are only wishful thinking but this would add alot of switchers to the fold.

Remember, the average switcher is already used to "integrated" graphics. Most of them probably think that "integrated" is better. "Oooh man it has a graphics card that is integrated into the main thingee-ma-bob."

If it can handle Photoshop reasonably well then it ill be OK. But the ram needs to be able to handle 2gig.

Your having a laugh

All the intel models have been more expensive than the G4/G5 models theyve replaced.

Apple ARE NOT a budget pc manufactuer. This is NOT their market. There is a cat in hells chance you are going to see a 799 laptop from Apple. Expect 999 (or 1099) - 1599 for the price range of the new machines.

Expect the lower model to be crippled. Apple have a history of crippling its cheaper machines artificially...

 

[radian23]

There is no way they'll make the macbook that crappy. Neither macbook is gonna have the 1.5Ghz core solo.

Look at the current 12" ibook. Thats pretty "crappy" compared to my MBP.

 

[animefan_1]

Look at the current 12" ibook. Thats pretty "crappy" compared to my MBP.

All of Apple's G4 notebooks are 'pretty crappy' compared to your MBP.

 

[ImAlwaysRight]

Apple ARE NOT a budget pc manufactuer. This is NOT their market. There is a cat in hells chance you are going to see a 799 laptop from Apple. Expect 999 (or 1099) - 1599 for the price range of the new machines.

Expect the lower model to be crippled. Apple have a history of crippling its cheaper machines artificially...

Think Secret claims expect the company to continue to offer the 12-inch iBook G4 in limited quantities for a period of time. I think the educational market will still be able to get the 12" iBook G4 combo drive that is currently $999 for $799. Apple often offers a special low budget Mac for the EDU community. Especially if some schools are not willing to go to Intel yet due to not wanting to transition and/or the need to run OS 9 software, the low-cost G4 iBook will be appealing.

As for hard drive sizes in the Macbooks, Apple puts a 60GB drive in the $599 Mac mini and an 80GB in the $799 mini. I seriously doubt we will see a 40GB drive in the base Macbook. 60GB is most likely in the base model Macbook. And if there are 3 Macbook models, the hard drive size could be a way to set them apart (60/80/100GB). Apple has always used the processor speed, hard drive size and combo/superdrive as a way to set models apart, so I think we can expect the same with the Macbook. Maybe something like this: [Appleinsider will be correct -- all core duos]

$1099
1.67GHz core duo
512MB
combo drive
60GB

$1299
1.67GHz core duo
512MB
SuperDrive
80GB

$1599
1.83GHz core duo
512MB
SuperDrive
100GB (or possible 80GB if this model would come with dedicated graphics)

The above are my best guesses looking at what Apple did with the Mini/Intel/Powerbook Intel upgrades, and looking at what Apple has done in the past.

I think the BIG QUESTION is what Apple will do with the graphics in the Macbook -- give us dedicated graphics like the X1300 Radeon or an integrated solution in the GMA950. And if dedicated, will it be 64MB or 128MB? Could be the lower models will have integrated graphics and the higher model will have the dedicated graphics, or all models may have integrated. If the high end has dedicated graphics while low end has integrated, I am going with with the lowest cost Macbook with dedicated graphics.

BRING 'EM ON!

 

[GfPQqmcRKUvP]

The MBPro should reflect the PowerMac/Highend iMac and the MacBook should reflect the Mini/Low End iMac.

An integrated graphics card will keep the cost down and a Superdrive is not essential for people in the market for a budget laptop.

What about those who want a 12-13.3" POWER book, not a budget comnputer, but one that is still small?

 

[tom_s]

$1099
1.67GHz core duo
512MB
combo drive
60GB

That's what I see, too. Especially the price - I do not think that Apple can hold the 999 $ price.

$1299
1.67GHz core duo
512MB
SuperDrive
80GB

$1599
1.83GHz core duo
512MB
SuperDrive
100GB (or possible 80GB if this model would come with dedicated graphics)

I don't think that there will be three models. Perhaps 1.83 GHz, SuperDrive, 80 GB - $1399.

 

[brap]

What about those who want a 12-13.3" POWER book, not a budget comnputer, but one that is still small?

The 12" Powerbook was always the poor relation... certain BTO options unavailable, lacklustre base hardware. This won't change, even with a new name & dirt-common CPU/chipset.

And for the record, it's a god damned stupid idea to rename the product portfolio.

 

[AidenShaw]

What about those who want a 12-13.3" POWER book, not a budget comnputer, but one that is still small?

"Those people don't exist", says The Steve.