Intel iBooks, iLife '06, New Remote?

[chicagdan]

In terms of the Intel switch over, I guess the question is which model can they get away with leaving till last while all the models around it get updated?

I think the PowerMac is going to look VERY bad if there is a Mac Mini floating around that out performs it. However, the Mac Mini still makes sense as the budget model (older tech) even if an uber Intel PowerMac comes out.

Just my 2p.

I half agree. PowerMac has a different issue -- the pro apps have to be ready for it. Video professionals do not want to be running apps on Rosetta, they want everything out for the PM that they need before they switch. So it will be last in line (and don't forget, these dual core PPCs are damn good too.)

The comparison is more apt to the iMac. The latest iMac is a fantastic computer that would die on the vine if suddenly you could buy a faster Mac mini at half the price. This iMac model is so solid that I think Apple will give it at least six months of life and I think the iMac/Mac mini changeover will come then.

However, Apple could very well release a media center mini in the interregnum, because it would not be directly comparable to anything else on their product list. I think the MMM will be the "one more thing."

 

[DHUK]

iMac, PowerBook and PowerMacs will not be updated. Expect a product 'refresh' for MacMini and iBook. .Mac will become iWeb. iLife '06 and iWork updates. Plus one major hardware announcement.

 

[mtrctyjoe]

One laptop Line... and the remote?

Interesting thing here is the remote... this will be the "one more thing"... and could be earth shattering - think of a remote with large screen that you could stream music and video to.. and a docking staion for it that ties your your TV,, reciever and Mac - all wireless with Front row.

regarding the laptop - we will see a new slim form factor intel book - I predict it to fall caloser to the Powermac in specs...

 

[matthewHUB]

I wonder why people in here don't either 1) Read what's posted, or 2) Look at what's NOT posted.

This report is very brief and vague. What this blog-dude has HEARD is that there is something called a "15" intel Macbook." What does that mean? Who knows. It doesn't mean, however, that they are getting rid of the iBook or PowerBook, combining both into one line, or what. We just don't know yet. Speculation is one thing, but panicing and "oh noes!" at the thought of something changing or going away are a bit premature.

Also, a few people are complaining that "this is it?" No, this is probably just some of what is going to be released.

Well said Leoff!!!! Does anyone know how long it will be before Apple post the feed on the website?

It's alright for all you Yanks - you haven't had to wait all day!!!!!

 

[MacSA]

* Mac mini replaced by VIIV-based consumer set-top box (STB) - TiVo functionality, full Mac OS X capabilities, output to a TV, VGA monitor, or HDTV, with SPDIF. While the device has a full version of OS X, it's intended to be used as the "digital hub".

If they drop the Mac mini at its current price point and replace it with some thing different and more expensive ... I won't be able to switch, the Mini is the only thing in my price range.

 

[Zaty]

Why not release the Intel PowerBook before the Intel iBook? The PBs are supposed to be machines for professionals, unfortunately their performance ist rather mediocre compared to the fastest Wintel Books available. So it does make sense to bring out the new pro 'Books first.

 

[AndyR]

42" plasma with built in PVR Mac Mini to be the centre of the digital hub.

Can dream I suppose

 

[babble]

6 to 8 hours after the end of the keynote (time for the posting of the keynote on the web).

 

[davidChief]

I half agree. PowerMac has a different issue -- the pro apps have to be ready for it. Video professionals do not want to be running aps on Rosetta, they want everything out for the PM that they need before they switch. So it will be last in line (and don't forget, these dual core PPCs are damn good too.)

The comparison is more apt to the iMac. The latest iMac is a fantastic computer that would die on the vine if suddenly you could buy a faster Mac mini at half the price. This iMac model is so solid that I think Apple will give it at least six months of life and I think the iMac/Mac mini changeover will come then.

However, Apple could very well release a media center mini in the interregnum, because it would not be directly comparable to anything else on their product list. I think the MMM will be the "one more thing."

True, I can't see an iMac update for a while yet. Also, there have been a few signs that the PowerMac is quite a way off too. So maybe a single new laptop line IS the most likely as the first. Whether it is today or in 6 months time, SOMETHING will need to go first.

 

[peharri]

Erm, people, you do all realise an Intel based Mac is a big thing even if Jobs has announced in principle that this is what they're going to do?

I mention this because half the posts seem to be "Well, a new remote, an iPod with radio, and an unbelievably powerful new line of laptops based on an entirely different architecture to anything Apple's used before, that's a new design hitherto unseen, well, that's all nice and all, but where's the "one more thing"?

Just because you've been talking about it non-stop for the last few days doesn't make it any less radical!

Assuming Intel laptops are released today, that's one-more-thing by itself. I'd be very disappointed if $2,600 plasma TVs (assuming that's the cheapest) are the one-more-thing, whether they incorporate a Mac OS X based STB or not.

 

[Sunrunner]

Interesting thing here is the remote... this will be the "one more thing"... and could be earth shattering - think of a remote with large screen that you could stream music and video to.. and a docking staion for it that ties your your TV,, reciever and Mac - all wireless with Front row.

regarding the laptop - we will see a new slim form factor intel book - I predict it to fall caloser to the Powermac in specs...

Apple is going to introduce a line of plasma screens that have built-in "video airport" and the remote will go through the TV to your computer, which will be running a new version of frontrow.

You heard it here in this thread first.

 

[smasot]

thats it?

no iphone???

 

[Porchland]

Makes sense to consolidate the iBook and PowerBook lines into one (with possibly 4 configurations? 12", 13", 15", 17"?)

and to shift the branding towards "Mac" (Power + Mac, i + Book?)

Sounds good! Thanks Kevin!

That would certainly explain all the iBook-vs.-Powerbook mixed signals in the various rumors.

 

[davidChief]

If they drop the Mac mini at its current price point and replace it with some thing different and more expensive ... I won't be able to switch, the Mini is the only thing in my price range.

I think the Mac Mini has been pretty helpful in getting people to buy their first Mac... new customers. So I would be suprised if Apple permanently vacated this price point.

 

[Palad1]

what about the ibooks? why would the introduce the intel powerbook first?

Remember that the MacBook may replace the (i|Power)Book ... It's true that the line between iBooks and Powerbook was getting thinner and thinner (hence the 'HD' powerbook), I don't know if this supposed merging of the pro and consumer line is a good marketing move or not, but I'd still like to see an apple lineup with

• a small and efficient laptop (à la 12'' pb)
• a cheap, wide screen laptop with average perfs (14'' iBook)

Well, we'll know in a couple of hours, won't we?

 

[JRM PowerPod]

The thing is people i want a fully loaded 15" PowerBook, not some friggin 15" MacBook. The PowerBook is a status symbol, a name which has been part of Apple for ages. Why diminish the difference between pro and consumer? This doesn't sound like Apple. They have to cater to two distinct markets. One that wants the best of the best, and one that just wants something cheap. As far as i see it there is no middle ground. It would be like combining the PowerMac and iMac, and it will never happen.

I want to be able to order at around 6 am AEST a new 2.16GHZ Core Duo with 2GB DDR2 120GB 256mb Graphics.......... Please keep me happy Steve.... Afterall Steve my Quad core with its 4GB 1TB 7800GT is a DOA (first problem with Apple ever for me) please keep me happy i need a new laptop. Cheers


I don't buy the MacBook,Guess we'll find out in 3hrs

 

[neocell]

There's going to be plenty of disappointed people if this is true. Intel MacBook sounds like a consolidation of the laptop lines. I can't see a Core Duo iBook while the PowerBook languishes for another 3-6 months?

Here's to the Crazy Ones ​

If they are merging lines (iBook and PowerBook), and that's a big IF, why not keep costs down with the same design and throw a single core for the iBook replacement and a dual core for the PB replacement? Obviously some other tweaks to them, but that could bring things together as well as still keeping them apart? Remember big IF

 

[davidChief]

Apple is going to introduce a line of plasma screens that have built-in "video airport" and the remote will go through the TV to your computer, which will be running a new version of frontrow.

You heard it here in this thread first.

Wouldn't it make more sense to just upgrade AirPort to support video (or HDTV ) out? Building AirPort into the TV seems a bit daft to me, if the TV is just going to be a dumb terminal that requires a Mac to be purchased as well.

 

[maya]

Steve Jobs announces @ MWSF 2006 that Apple is merging with Intel.

No one was expecting an announcement as such, everyone was expecting new software and hardware.

The crowd panics and tears down the stage, Steve runs for his life.

 

[chicagdan]

Eb posted this link: http://www.powerpage.org/archives/2006/01/this_just_in_more_plasma_juice.html in another MR thread. (which all the threads seem to be the same now ) Could this be the 'one more thing?'

Here's to the Crazy Ones ​

Gotta hand it to O'Grady ... he doesn't seem to care that he's holding 7-2 offsuit (750 GB HD? Exactly who makes these?) he's going all-in anyway.

 

[fltman]

Why not release the Intel PowerBook before the Intel iBook? The PBs are supposed to be machines for professionals, unfortunately their performance ist rather mediocre compared to the fastest Wintel Books available. So it does make sense to bring out the new pro 'Books first.

In a way it does make sense but on the other hand it does not. Powerbook users expect professional software and not stuff running through rosetta. Also powermac users might be work in more production critical enviroments than the ibook users and therefor it would be a good idea to have some intel products out on the market as a kind of testing period before releasing the pro-products.

 

[Sunrunner]

I think the Mac Mini has been pretty helpful in getting people to buy their first Mac... new customers. So I would be suprised if Apple permanently vacated this price point.

I think if Apple pushed the price just a smidge lower, they would greatly increase the torrent of people moving to the platform. The divice should be a loss-leader for the company. Sell the Mini at a loss, and make it up when the new Mac users upgrade in a year or two. Mini @ $349 would do the trick; it would shut up all the know-nothings that always point to the rediculously low-priced computers in the Dell ads.

 

[davidChief]

The thing is people i want a fully loaded 15" PowerBook, not some friggin 15" MacBook. The PowerBook is a status symbol, a name which has been part of Apple for ages. Why diminish the difference between pro and consumer? This doesn't sound like Apple. They have to cater to two distinct markets. One that wants the best of the best, and one that just wants something cheap. As far as i see it there is no middle ground. It would be like combining the PowerMac and iMac, and it will never happen.

I want to be able to order at around 6 am AEST a new 2.16GHZ Core Duo with 2GB DDR2 120GB 256mb Graphics.......... Please keep me happy Steve.... Afterall Steve my Quad core with its 4GB 1TB 7800GT is a DOA (first problem with Apple ever for me) please keep me happy i need a new laptop. Cheers


I don't buy the MacBook,Guess we'll find out in 3hrs

Hmmm, I think the idea of merging the product lines makes perfect sense... but dropping the PowerBook name - I'm not so sure. You're absolutely right - it has a good reputation and is an aspirational product, like the iPod.

 

[Yvan256]

I think the new Macbook will replace both the iBook and PowerBook line. Recently, the difference was not too big anyway.

Macbook with single/dual core, 12/15/17 inch etc.

That could be the difference right there. Single/dual core, GPU/VRAM and max RAM could easily make the difference between iBook/PowerBook while still keeping everything else the same. They could even share the same shell: just continue to make the iBook white and make the PowerBooks black. Keeps the ease of manufacturing both lines of computers as the same, you just swap some parts/colors when building it.

 

[Sunrunner]

Gotta hand it to O'Grady ... he doesn't seem to care that he's holding 7-2 offsuit (750 GB HD? Exactly who makes these?) he's going all-in anyway.

Current HD technology doesnt support platters that size. The only way for a computer to end up with a drive that big would be for Apple to RAID two drives together... and even then....