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

[goldenhorse]

There was far too much confusion about the two models. At times, nothing was even separating them except the aluminum! The 12-inch PowerBook is definitely gone... I would not expect a MBP version.

so by that logic they sacrifice diveristy, flexibility and selection for supposed clarity. but then cancel it out anyway by calling them both Macbooks.

If Apple drops a popular (and needed) product line just so a few dimwits know what's going on they are fools too.

 

[MacMosher]

Can't wait until the 17" MBP comes out and hopefully they will be doing the free iPod deal when it is released.

Has this ever happend?

Anyways, I think I would buy an iBook but Im not sure if I can wait for leopard to come out before I buy it or not. I mean I've waited so so long for them to actually come out with the Macbook could I possibly wait even longer?


Then again. There will always be somthing bigger and brighter in the future, no matter what sparks my interest.

 

[screensaver400]

$1499 MacBook

Intel Core Duo 1.83Ghz Processor
512Mb DDR2 Memory (2GB Max)
80Gb Hard Drive
Ati Radeon X1300/1400 64Mb GPU with 128Mb BTO available
SuperDrive SL
Gigabit Ethernet, Airport and Bluetooth
iSight and FrontRow with Remote

I would love a machine with those specs. Factor in an ultra cool new casing, a weight of 4.6 lbs or less (current 12" PowerBook weight), and some great BTO options, this could be a winner. I'd BTO it to a 100GB 7200 RPM drive, 1GB Memory, and 128MB Video.

This would be a machine very close, if not equal to, the $1999 MacBook Pro for $100 or $200 more (after upgrades), in a portable package. I'll pull the trigger on this in a heartbeat.

 

[count chocula]

Intel Core Duo 1.66Ghz Processor
512Mb DDR2 Memory (2GB Max)
40Gb Hard Drive
Intel GMA 950/965 Graphics Chipset
CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive
Gigabit Ethernet, Airport and Bluetooth
QUOTE]

i want that with 768mb/1gb ram and 60 gb hard drive

 

[AidenShaw]

But now win XP on the mac, you will be able to play just about anything that the hardware can handle.

Which won't really be that much until the PowerMacIntel with a dual x16 PCIe graphics cards comes out.

The difference between integrated graphics (on the MiniMacIntel) and the embedded chips (iMacIntel and MacIntelBook Pro) is the difference between "worse" and "bad".

 

[screensaver400]

Which won't really be that much until the PowerMacIntel with a dual x16 PCIe graphics cards comes out.

The difference between integrated graphics (on the MiniMacIntel) and the embedded chips (iMacIntel and MacIntelBook Pro) is the difference between "worse" and "bad".

I disagree. If you have two identical graphics chips, one embedded and one a card, I can't think of an advantage to the card except upgradability.

 

[mashinhead]

Wait for the Macbook. Now is not the time to buy a G4 based Mac!

Yeah but whats the point, theres no software for it. I'm gonna wait for that to come out, and the price on the PB to drop. and getting a 12 incher. Then when CS3 hits, its on to intel.


And basically the ibook is dead. For all those saying that the current 12 incher isn't a pro machine, thats exactly what this is. ibook and 12 inch powerbook had a baby, the macbook. I think its a great idea to just offer 3 sizes and thats it. And with that, because the ibook is now dead, i think it will be aluminum. like the powerbooks

 

[bit density]

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.

Included ISight. Parts for these are now less than 3 dollars, there is absolutely no reason not to put them into each machine.

Core Duo on all Macbooks. Fact is, until Rosetta is not used by a large percentage of target apps, Core Solo will just be too slow. Expect a down model LATER with a $799 price point. There is also plenty of pent up demand for macbooks they don't need to have a lowest price model yet.

Front Row will be included including remote.

All models will support bootcamp and will be VT ready.

Likely price point for lowest price is $999 which will initially be in short supply and represent the lowest margin computer in Apples line. This will remain in short supply until Core Duo prices come down.

Highest Price point will be $1499 which will include 1.83 Core Duo, Super Drive, 1 gig memory and 100 Gig 7200 drive. It may include, but probably not include light up keyboard.

ALL macbooks will be white plastic, though thinner and lighter, and similar battery life to existing ibooks.

Something for everyone to hate and like.

The line will extend downwords as demand starts to wane.

But my further predictions, is the Macbook Executive. SMALLER than macbook 1/2 size in width and weight, twice the battery life. Aluminum skinned Carbon casing, extremely thin superdrive (possibly no optical drive 30/70), 80 gig hard drive (low power SMALL drive), using Ultra low power core duo processors, $2199 price point. For your road executive, comes out in time for christmas.

 

[AidenShaw]

Yonah (<cue voice="Dr. McCoy"> "He's dead, Jim" </cue>)

The question in my mind is, with the quasi-merging of the notebook lines, will "Pro" denote Merom and the iBook replacement hold onto Yonah with only certain upgrades (speed bumps, etc.)?

IMO, Merom/Conroe/Woodcrest will quickly kill off all of the 32-bit chips.

Yonah may stick around for a long time for low end and embedded applications - but once the mainstream Intel line from top to bottom is low-power 64-bit *nobody* will be using the old 32-bit chips.

And good luck with the MB and MBP on eBay after Merom ships - dead end Intel hardware is even hard to give away.

 

[mashinhead]

And good luck with the MB and MBP on eBay after Merom ships - dead end Intel hardware is even hard to give away.

Agreed, i was all for this when it first came out, but i'm realizeing this whole thing is really going to burn the early adopters. This chip is nothing more than a layover. It will last as long as the Newton did. By October it will be gone. And there is no software for these computers. I don't get it.

 

[AidenShaw]

Why do people keep expecting Apple to bring back FW800?

It isn't Apple's fault that it is gone.

Yes it is.

USB 2.0 arrived, and almost overnight was on every system - using the same connectors and cables.

1394b arrived, on a few high-end "pro" systems and required completely new connectors and cables.

Apple killed 1394b by "market segmenting" it out of existence.

 

[50thVert]

Any chance of the Macbook being able to drive a 30" Dual-DVI display?

-Zach

 

[AidenShaw]

They aren't identical

I disagree. If you have two identical graphics chips, one embedded and one a card, I can't think of an advantage to the card except upgradability.

"integrated" is the Intel 950 graphics in the northbridge.

"embedded" is a PCIe ATI-Xnnn on the mobo.

Current gaming rigs use dual full-sized x16 PCIe cards, with their own fans and heat-sinks. You even find power supplies with special cables and connectors to feed the DC current directly to the cards (they draw too much electricity to feed through the circuit board).
_______________________

So, I was replying to a comment that said that with dual-boot - one could run games up to the limit of the hardware.

My comment is that none of the current MacIntels support any graphics solution even remotely close to a low-end PC with an x16 PCIe slot.
_______________________

Apple needs a new product line in their matrix. The gap between the MiniMacIntel and the PowerMac is enormous.

It should be filled with a mini-tower (or micro-tower) with a Conroe chip (a single dual-core 64-bit low power chip coming late summer), one or two free optical/HD bays, and a PCIe graphics slot.

Not an all-out pro machine, but also not the "laptop in a mini-cube" that the MiniMacIntel is.

 

[AidenShaw]

Agreed, i was all for this when it first came out, but i'm realizeing this whole thing is really going to burn the early adopters. This chip is nothing more than a layover. It will last as long as the Newton did. By October it will be gone. And there is no software for these computers. I don't get it.

And if 10.6 has true 64-bit support - the "no software" problem will be even more apparent.

Why would anyone doing a port to OSx64 even bother with a 32-bit product? The 64-bit product will be faster (like 20%) than the 32-bit, and 32-bit machines were only sold for a few months in 2006 - whereas 64-bit machines will everything thereafter.

IMO, Apple should have skipped the 32-bit Intel line completely - and offered OS on Intel only as a true 64-bit system.

But then, as you say, only the early adopters will be hurt by this. Apple knows that they have deep pockets and will happily replace a 6 month old Yonah with a new 64-bit Merom when it appears.

 

[screensaver400]

My comment is that none of the current MacIntels support any graphics solution even remotely close to a low-end PC with an x16 PCIe slot.

No disagreement there. I thought you were saying that a card-based graphics chip was, in and of itself, better than an embedded solution.

The best card-based solution will almost always be better than the best embedded solution because of it's modular nature, but an embedded Radeon 9200 is no worse than a card-based Radeon 9200.

 

[macgeek2005]

$1499 MacBook

Intel Core Duo 1.83Ghz Processor
512Mb DDR2 Memory (2GB Max)
80Gb Hard Drive
Ati Radeon X1300/1400 64Mb GPU with 128Mb BTO available
SuperDrive SL
Gigabit Ethernet, Airport and Bluetooth
iSight and FrontRow with Remote

You made be drool by typing that up. I pray to dear god that they have a machine like that. I would pay for the extra video ram, I would max out the ram to 2GB, and I would pay for a 100gb hard drive. Now THAT would be a nice computer.

 

[screensaver400]

You made be drool by typing that up. I pray to dear god that they have a machine like that. I would pay for the extra video ram, I would max out the ram to 2GB, and I would pay for a 100gb hard drive. Now THAT would be a nice computer.

Glad to see I have followers:

I would love a machine with those specs. Factor in an ultra cool new casing, a weight of 4.6 lbs or less (current 12" PowerBook weight), and some great BTO options, this could be a winner. I'd BTO it to a 100GB 7200 RPM drive, 1GB Memory, and 128MB Video.

 

[MacRumorsReader]

Yes it is.

USB 2.0 arrived, and almost overnight was on every system - using the same connectors and cables.

1394b arrived, on a few high-end "pro" systems and required completely new connectors and cables.

Apple killed 1394b by "market segmenting" it out of existence.

I was thinking more along the lines of "How many intel boards have FW800?"

But you're right in one regard: Why the crap did FW800 need a special connector to begin with?

 

[cgmpowers]

my two cents...

First of all, I think it would be a terrible mistake to make the MacBook aluminum. My wife and I both have Powermac's,she has a 12" and mine is a 17". My 17" inch is just over three years (by a week or two) and has a number of dents. It no longer looks fantastic as it did when I first got it. It hasn't aged well as I use it for my main machine for the past several months. My wife's 12" is only a year old and has the same problem, dents seem to appear and she's a light user compared to me. This in an educational setting is too delicate for students! My original iBook (the clamshell) took a tumble down stairs and scuffed the wood floor but had little wear to show for its journeys.

Second. I for one would miss the FW800 port. I have an external 600GB hard drive and while it has triple interfaces, FW800 is smoking fast.

Well that's my thoughts.

Chris Powers

 

[MacRumorsReader]

I doubt the MB will be aluminum. But at some of the specs that y'all are dreaming, a plastic case will need to have some serious fan-age.

...or come in a brown/yellow enclosure to hide the burnt plastic.

 

[ImAlwaysRight]

And good luck with the MB and MBP on eBay after Merom ships - dead end Intel hardware is even hard to give away.

You must not use eBay nor know much about used Mac pricing.

Checking closed auctions, even an iBook G3 at 900MHz went for $480 and an 800MHz went for $450, both just ending today. G3 chip, no warranty, questionable battery life, ... did I say G3 chip? How old, and still maintaining close to half its original value. I have a feeling 32-bit MB and MBP will be reselling just fine in 6-10 months.

Lotsa buyers aren't willing to spend top dollar for the latest and greatest (even if the majority of posters on this forum are willing), but they are satisfied to save several hundred dollars and get a used system.

Agreed, i was all for this when it first came out, but i'm realizeing this whole thing is really going to burn the early adopters. This chip is nothing more than a layover. It will last as long as the Newton did. By October it will be gone. And there is no software for these computers. I don't get it.

Crips! You guys for real? Or are you just trying to sell G4 iBooks on ebay and steer people away from new purchases? G4-->Yonah is a LOT bigger jump than Yonah-->Merom talking performance. As for software, most of the apps I use are already universal. And, the others all run on Rosetta, which, on a dual core Yonah Macbook at 1.67GHz will be about as fast under Rosetta as the currently shipping 1.33GHz G4 iBook. So to make the assertion "no software" is available for these computers is just, well, 100% false.

 

[swingerofbirch]

i'd rather the macbook not be aluminum, i'm a little over it, shiny white or black would be nice, but what i want to know is why a few of you have been saying early adopters are going to get burned when it comes to software compatibility...you're saying that faster 64 bit chips will come out...how will that affect a yonah based computer's abilityto run software? i ask not to discredit what you are saying, i am actually curious since i have been itching to buy a macbook (ibook)

 

[rockthecasbah]

I hope Apple doesn't have the MacBooks be Aluminum, to separate from the MacBook Pro. As far as what it will be, i have no idea, as long as they aren't ugly white like now. Somehow i don't see Black either, so i really don't know what to call in that regard.

As far as components, i don't like this replacing the 12'' PB. They should have the lines be separate: Core Solo MacBooks, Core Duo MacBook Pros. That would further separate the two. Who knows, maybe they will do it like that, but I just don't like the idea of cramming all those replacements into 1 machine..but as long as battery life is much better than the MBPs are right now, i won't complain....

 

[mashinhead]

Crips! You guys for real? Or are you just trying to sell G4 iBooks on ebay and steer people away from new purchases? G4-->Yonah is a LOT bigger jump than Yonah-->Merom talking performance. As for software, most of the apps I use are already universal. And, the others all run on Rosetta, which, on a dual core Yonah Macbook at 1.67GHz will be about as fast under Rosetta as the currently shipping 1.33GHz G4 iBook. So to make the assertion "no software" is available for these computers is just, well, 100% false.

Si i'm not saying the chip isn't faster. But the apps aren't there. Rosetta is SLOWER than a G4. So my point is what is the point of having a faster chip you can not take advantage of? The only apps i know that are universal are Logic and FCS. Thats it. I think the main point was that by the time all the apps and OS's are universal. This chip will be gone. So what is the point.

 

[ImAlwaysRight]

Si i'm not saying the chip isn't faster. But the apps aren't there. Rosetta is SLOWER than a G4. So my point is what is the point of having a faster chip you can not take advantage of? The only apps i know that are universal are Logic and FCS. Thats it. I think the main point was that by the time all the apps and OS's are universal. This chip will be gone. So what is the point.

According to Apple, there are currently 1,418 universal apps. So, quite far from "no" universal apps being available, as you stated.

As I said, the majority of the apps I use are already universal. I am in the market for a small laptop for presentations (using Keynote, which IS universal). Instead of listing what is universal, you are probably better off going through your apps and listing what isn't universal. There are only 4-5 apps I use that are not universal. And they all run under Rosetta. Sure, it may be 20% slower than a 1.33 iBook. But don't forget about overall system responsiveness, or the fact that the universal apps are going to be about 100% faster on a 1.67 core duo than a 1.33 G4.

That is why I am buying the Yonah Macbook when it comes out. To me, it would be silly to buy a G4 iBook. How obsolete is that? And waiting for Merom isn't an option. Even if one DID buy Yonah today and wanted Merom when it comes out, it's not like your Yonah investment is worthless. See my previous post. eBay will give you the majority of your purchase price back that you can apply the $ to a Merom laptop.

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.

In the laptop market, Yonah is a HUGE step forward for Mac OS users, compared to the G4. Merom laptops are not going to be that much of an improvement over Yonah. And, if you wait, you'll miss out on Yonah's performance now.

If you have a G3 or G4 Mac laptop and are considering upgrading, but you are only able to upgrade every 3 years or so, you may want to wait for "the next best thing" and wait for Merom. But in the mean time, you still miss out on faster performance. Me, I can buy/sell what I want, when I want. When Merom Mac laptops start shipping, I have a hunch I'll be holding on to my Yonah Macbook for something that will give a bigger performance boost down the road.