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Intel iBook Processor Speculation

powerbook911 said:
No way there will be a 15-inch consumer MacBook.

There will be 2 13-inch models.

One will have Core Solo, for probably $1099 (Maybe $999).

The second will have Core Duo, for $1299.

JMHO. 🙂
Click to expand...

There are alot of people who cant use the 12" one at the moment or think it is too small...the 14" was there but a 13.3" will still be small because its widescreen so it wont make up for the 14". I think they need a 15" consumer laptop. The MB Pro at £1500 is far too much money.
 
Lets hope we see the low voltage 1.66 core duo. I would'nt have said this before the mac mini release because I though it was way to unrealistic but it dosn't feel so far fetched now. I would even prefer they took away a graphics card than include a slow and power consuming CPU.
 
Legacy said:
There are alot of people who cant use the 12" one at the moment or think it is too small...the 14" was there but a 13.3" will still be small because its widescreen so it wont make up for the 14". I think they need a 15" consumer laptop. The MB Pro at £1500 is far too much money.
Click to expand...

You make a good point

However,

I really don't think they'll mix the sizes between Pro and Consumer. Furthermore, all the rumors on Think Secret and Appleinsider have pointed to only a 13-inch model. In general things like that, they are normally spot on.

Who knows, but I'm pretty confident with my thought. 🙂 I'm not saying its the best decision, but just what I think Apple will do.
 
Legacy said:
With the launch of the New Mac Mini, which was till now effectively a headless iBook, I think the accurace of our speculation as to the specs of the new MacBook can be strengthened. A few things can be read from the MacMini update:

1. Apple will not be using anything less than Intel Core processors, thats a Solo or Duo. So no Pentium M and no Celeron guys.

2. Apple has for the first time, introducted an integrated graphics solution which has modest performance yet marks a tremendous philosophical move with economic benefits for the company which once frowned upon integrated solutions.

3. The MacMini has received a host of new features including Front Row with Bonjour and other goodies. This marks a more feature based rather than purely geeky spec based approach adopted by Apple for its consumer line.

With these in mind I would now wish to bring this thread to life again and predict the following:

Two MacBook models with a price increase at $1099/1399

13.3" MacBook $1099/£799

Intel Core Solo 1.5Ghz Processor w/ 2MB Cache
512Mb DDR-2 Memory on a 667Mhz Bus (2x 256Mb)
60Gb 5400rpm Hard Drive
Intel Integrated Graphics GMA 950
Airport and Bluetooth 2.0 Standard Features
Audio in/out with 5.1 Surround Sound
MagSafe
Combi Drive (CD-RW/DVD-R)
FrontRow with Apple Remote
iSight built-in

15.2" MacBook $1399/£999

Intel Core Duo 1.66Ghz Processor w/ 2MB Cache
512Mb DDR-2 Memory on a 667Mhz Bus (2x256Mb)
80Gb 5400rpm Hard Drive
Intel Integrated Graphics GMA 950
Airport and Bluetooth 2.0 Standard Features
MagSafe
Audio in/out with 5.1 Surround Sound
Superdrive (CD-RW/DVD-R)
FrontRow with Apple Remote
iSight built-in
Click to expand...

How would this affect battery life?

The current iBooks are said to last up to 5 hours (which is simply fantastic in this price range). From my experience (Windows only) and what people report about the MacBook Pro it seems that the Intel CPU is generating much more heat than the G4.

For me battery life is absolutely crucial and as much as i love the new additions I am now seriously thinking about bying a G4. 😕
 
Detektiv-Pinky said:
How would this affect battery life?

The current iBooks are said to last up to 5 hours (which is simply fantastic in this price range). From my experience (Windows only) and what people report about the MacBook Pro it seems that the Intel CPU is generating much more heat than the G4.

For me battery life is absolutely crucial and as much as i love the new additions I am now seriously thinking about bying a G4. 😕
Click to expand...
Depends if they use the low voltage versions or not, theres an L2300 and an L2400 running at 1.5ghz and 1.66ghz respectively.
 
Spies said:
Depends if they use the low voltage versions or not, theres an L2300 and an L2400 running at 1.5ghz and 1.66ghz respectively.
Click to expand...

Well, I don't think this is likely. The low voltage versions are quite expensive:

  • L2300 - 284$ (1.5ghz)

  • L2400 - 316$ (1.66ghz)
as compared the standard ones:

  • T2300 - 241$ (1.66ghz)

  • T1300 - 209$ (1.66ghz)
🙁
 
i really don't care if it's dual core or core solo, i just don't want to see a 14 inch ibook, and instead have a widescreen 13 inch ibook.

i think it would be logical to have a single core for apple. why buy a macbook pro when you can get an ibook at a LOT lower price, that has a processor that is the same as the macbook pro except for a few megaherz difference? well, the good compromise is, to have a really slow dual core proccessor like 1.3 ghz.

also, apple is unlikely to spend more money for the ibook's processor than on the macbook pro's processor.
 
if the speculation turns out to be true that would suck...well for me at least. I want an iBook for college and can't go over $1000....so I may have to end up getting the current iBook because it's cheaper. But it would kill me knowing that there's a brand new version out there....
 
What I'm hoping or is two iBooks, both built around the much-speculated about 13.3" screen.

Specs:

Low-End:

1.66ghz Core Solo
512mb DDR2 memory
60gb 5400 RPM HD
Intel Integrated Graphics
Combo Drive
Built-In Airport and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR


High End:

1.67ghz Core Duo
512mb DDR2 memory
80gb 5400 RPM HD
NON-Integrated graphics card (I sincerely hope Apple doesn't use integrated graphics.
DL Superdrive
Built-In Airport and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR

I hope for at least 6 hours of battery life on both, and no thicker than 1.1"
 
dansgil said:
What I'm hoping or is two iBooks, both built around the much-speculated about 13.3" screen.

Specs:

Low-End:

1.66ghz Core Solo
512mb DDR2 memory
60gb 5400 RPM HD
Intel Integrated Graphics
Combo Drive
Built-In Airport and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR


High End:

1.67ghz Core Duo
512mb DDR2 memory
80gb 5400 RPM HD
NON-Integrated graphics card (I sincerely hope Apple doesn't use integrated graphics.
DL Superdrive
Built-In Airport and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR

I hope for at least 6 hours of battery life on both, and no thicker than 1.1"
Click to expand...

They won't let the Solo be 1.66 GHZ. I know you did 1.66 instead of 1.67, but they'll still going to think that will cause confusion, even with one being Solo and one being Duo. They'll do like the Mac Mini, and the Solo will be 1.5.
 
gpu

it seems (see other threads) like in the mini's case, the integrated graphics was chosen not only for it's price, but also for the very little space it uses.
If apple is redesigning the ibook/macbook, they may very well take that into account and be able to deliver somthing with enogh room for a dedicated graphic card.
Plus, going from mobility 9200 to GMA 950 may prove to be a step forward. But going from mobility 9600 to GMA 950 is another issue...
 
syriana said:
Plus, going from mobility 9200 to GMA 950 may prove to be a step forward. But going from mobility 9600 to GMA 950 is another issue...
Click to expand...

*Applauds* I think that comment deserves that...the 9550 is literally nearly if not a 9600 with a fewer bells and whistles. I dont know how a X1300 fairs against a 9550 but it would seem to me a X1300 with 64Mb of memory would have to be the least anyone could expect with the new MacBook. Im just worried that my prediction with the GMA turns out to be right...😱
 
jordanste said:
core solo for lower level,
and duo for higher level.

much like the mac mini arrangement.
Click to expand...

Agreed completly. The Mac Mini generally has the same specs as the iBook (or roughly) and the Intel Mac Mini has gotta be faster then the G4 Mini (otherwise they wouldnt sell it) and that is plently fast for me.
🙂
 
jordanste said:
core solo for lower level,
and duo for higher level.
Click to expand...
Yep, that'll be the configurations. And if they don't put duos in one I'm sure we will see a built to order option, much like the MacBook Pro's.
 
If you look at the benchmarks posted by MacWorld comparing the Intel Mini to the PPC Minis, it clearly shows the GMA950 performing a little worse than the 9200 when it comes to some games.

Now many people have raised the valid point that if you're a serious gamer the mini really isn't for you - which is generally true, but it was capable of playing more basic games which would probably keep the occasional gamer happy.

On the other hand you can see why some people are not happy that a new computer is performing worse in some areas than the older one it's replacing. Infact the 1.25 G4 mini performed better than the 1.5 Core Solo in the UT2004 benchmarks provided by MacWorld.

Which brings us on to the iBook and it 9550 card. This card is quite an improvement over the 9200 and judging from the reaction the Intel Mini's with their integrated graphics got, it would seem unwise for Apple to include integrated graphics with it.
 
I really hope the higher specs are available in a 13.3" widescreen MacBook. Could be a lovely little machine and tempt me away from a small MBP (is one is made).

Integrated graphics appear likely though as I expect the MacBook to closely follow the Mini specs.
 
I'm Losing My Faith In Apple. 😱

Seriously - the iBook is an iMac to go!! So why is the iBook basically a Mini with a screen!! 😱 😱 😕

In the new iBook (MacBook) I'd like to see a Core Duo option but for no more than £1000. I need a new Apple Laptop, my iBook G4 1.2 isn't powerful enough. 🙁

I could buy an iMac...but then then i wouldent be able to lie on my bed with it, take it to my local Starbucks or take it to school! 😡

Apple want to get their act together - I listened to an iPod Hi-Fi and i wasnt impressed. That thing is big, it sounds OK but you can tell their isn't a tweeter (dedicated hi frequency driver) in there. It has a lot of bottom end and it can crank! 😀 But i'd go for the Bose SoundDock...It looks nicer and has better sound quality - No way can the iPod HiFi comptete with the Bose WAVE systems! (What Apple thinks is the main competitor) and the new mini sucks 🙁

I used a MacBook today and they ARE SCREEMERS! I'm very impressed by their performance but i simply cant afford one 🙁 Oh well lets hope for a Core Duo and proper Graphics for under £1000 please!

Thanks, Joe. 🙁
 
Joe2000 said:
Seriously - the iBook is an iMac to go!! So why is the iBook basically a Mini with a screen!!
Click to expand...

When have the iBook specs ever been comparable to the iMac?

The iBook is Apple's entry level mobile. The iMac is a mid-level (albeit, still consumer grade) desktop. Aside from the similarity in their names (which I guess is about to change), there's no reason to think they should be comparable.

Anyway:
1) They should, IMO, keep a sub-$1000 model.
2) The low-voltage chips are not Intel's entry level (Core) chip. They won't be in Apple's entry level portable. Low voltage is actually (a certain kind) of high performance chip.
3) They'll have the new bells and whistles (MagSafe, iSight, frontrow, remote)
4) Just like before, they'll be differentiated from the pro machines by optical drive, video memory, processor speed/type, hard drive speed and capacity. Perhaps also different screens and the ability to do extended desktop (although I think it's way past time all mac portables do dual-display)

Who knows about form factor. My guess is there will be both pro and non-pro versions of the ~15 and ~13 inch portables, and only a pro version of the 17".
 
I'm looking forward to the new Intel iBook (now that I heard I might have a chance of getting one), since MBP has a few downsides on my eyes: the only currently available display size (15") is too big for my taste and I want a better battery life, which probably won't be a hard thing to do with a smaller display and slower processor. Also some users apparently have complained about the MBP getting a bit too hot but go figure.

If the new iBook gets backlit keyboard and Magsafe (well ok, I can live without that since it apparently can disconnect a bit too easily), I'm giving my VAIO an early retirement.
 
Legacy said:
Two MacBook models with a price increase at $1099/1399

13.3" MacBook $1099/£799

Intel Core Solo 1.5Ghz Processor w/ 2MB Cache
512Mb DDR-2 Memory on a 667Mhz Bus (2x 256Mb)
60Gb 5400rpm Hard Drive
Intel Integrated Graphics GMA 950
Airport and Bluetooth 2.0 Standard Features
Audio in/out with 5.1 Surround Sound
MagSafe
Combi Drive (CD-RW/DVD-R)
FrontRow with Apple Remote
iSight built-in

15.2" MacBook $1399/£999

Intel Core Duo 1.66Ghz Processor w/ 2MB Cache
512Mb DDR-2 Memory on a 667Mhz Bus (2x256Mb)
80Gb 5400rpm Hard Drive
Intel Integrated Graphics GMA 950
Airport and Bluetooth 2.0 Standard Features
MagSafe
Audio in/out with 5.1 Surround Sound
Superdrive (CD-RW/DVD-R)
FrontRow with Apple Remote
iSight built-in
Click to expand...
That sounds reasonable and quite cool if I may say so. I would like to see 5.1 optical output, superdrive and core duo in a laptop less than £999. Maybe not the monitor sizes though.
 
Unfortunately, I think the Mac Mini may be a sign that Apple's not going to focus on keeping prices low. After all, the cheap version that's stripped down to get rock-bottom prices (at least for Apple) went up $100. I hope the iBook doesn't go up in price, but I'm not expecting a price drop.

jW
 
skywalker said:
Unfortunately, I think the Mac Mini may be a sign that Apple's not going to focus on keeping prices low. After all, the cheap version that's stripped down to get rock-bottom prices (at least for Apple) went up $100. I hope the iBook doesn't go up in price, but I'm not expecting a price drop.

jW
Click to expand...
very true... I wished the ibook price came down $200, but i know it wont
 
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