MacBook Anticipation

[drewyboy]

Ads

I think it's pretty obvious that the macbook will probably be ANNOUNCED tomorrow or monday, and therefore the ads will be about the consumer line... Mac Mini, MacBook, iMac, all with Intel processors. Because why have a ad about one of the computers..when they can do all 3 and let regular consumers know that at least one of them will fit what they want.

 

[twoodcc]

I think it's pretty obvious that the macbook will probably be ANNOUNCED tomorrow or monday, and therefore the ads will be about the consumer line... Mac Mini, MacBook, iMac, all with Intel processors. Because why have a ad about one of the computers..when they can do all 3 and let regular consumers know that at least one of them will fit what they want.

or it could be about the pro computers - MBP 15 and 17". someone else already brought this up.

i hope that Macbooks are announced though

 

[MacinDoc]

or it could be about the pro computers - MBP 15 and 17". someone else already brought this up.

i hope that Macbooks are announced though

Pro computers are not what most manufacturers would advertise during sweeps week, but consumer machines. So that means either the long-awaited 13.3" MacBook, or the previously rumored Media Mac, or maybe both. Of course, Apple will probably also use the opportunity to promote the iMac and Mini, as well.

This talk of a celebration of Apple's past ads reminds me of a thread from a few weeks back that featured a compilation of previous Mac ads. Could it be that it was legit after all?

 

[netdog]

Pro computers are not what most manufacturers would advertise during sweeps week, but consumer machines. So that means either the long-awaited 13.3" MacBook, or the previously rumored Media Mac, or maybe both. Of course, Apple will probably also use the opportunity to promote the iMac and Mini, as well.

This talk of a celebration of Apple's past ads reminds me of a thread from a few weeks back that featured a compilation of previous Mac ads. Could it be that it was legit after all?

I think it's a stretch to call the MBP a pro machine. Granted, it is not pitched as a student model, though plenty of students will have it. People are buying into Jobs' naming conventions way too much here. The MBP is just a nicely equipped laptop -- not some sort of firebreathing beast.

As for the ad coming next week, it will probably pitch the merits of the Mac. That can sell the entire brand of Mac that Jobs is intent upon solidifying with these name changes.

All that said, it would be great if the MB is released in time for the spot.

 

[mikea]

Apple have never really given anything away! Theres the usual hints, and Macbooks are in production, its just knowing when. Good things come to those who wait. So if you cant wait, buy a Windoze, then macbook comes out, then you feel crap , cause it is really a matter of weeks now. Just hold out that little bit more, it will pay off.

Weeks?
How many weeks?

As for this coming out in the next few days. I highly doubt they would be featuring it in there new Mac adds and noone has got any word of it.

Here is a quote from cnet......
Apple's market share declined just a little during the first quarter, in part because some potential customers are waiting until the transition to Intel chips is completed, he said. Once that finishes up later this year, Jobs expects Mac sales to grow.

LATER THIS YEAR? how many more mac products have to transition?
The reality is it could be a long wait for the "MacBook".....I hope I am reading this wrong.

 

[sarcosis]

I don't think it would be later this year. Well as late as you are thinking. They need to hit the back to school crowd with the new Macbooks. IMO, for this machine, that would be the single best selling time to do it. Crazy parent's spending god knows how much money on things they think their kid needs. So less Apple want's to shove all of their surplus iBooks G4's on the kids this year and clear out inventory, then i don't think it's th at likely that they will wait that long.

 

[MacinDoc]

I think it's a stretch to call the MBP a pro machine. Granted, it is not pitched as a student model, though plenty of students will have it. People are buying into Jobs' naming conventions way too much here. The MBP is just a nicely equipped laptop -- not some sort of firebreathing beast.

As for the ad coming next week, it will probably pitch the merits of the Mac. That can sell the entire brand of Mac that Jobs is intent upon solidifying with these name changes.

All that said, it would be great if the MB is released in time for the spot.

Fair enough, but a $2000+ machine is not what you're aiming to sell with sweeps week ads. You're trying to reach as many ordinary consumers as possible with them. And Apple, which is not a very heavy TV advertiser, would not spend the extra bucks to buy sweeps week ads without having something major to announce, IMO.

 

[DimFlicker]

I think it's pretty obvious that the macbook will probably be ANNOUNCED tomorrow or monday, and therefore the ads will be about the consumer line... Mac Mini, MacBook, iMac, all with Intel processors. Because why have a ad about one of the computers..when they can do all 3 and let regular consumers know that at least one of them will fit what they want.

Why wouldn't they just wait and announce the 17 MBP at the same time? It doens't make sense to do two releases so close together.. why not do both with a big media event?

 

[peharri]

It's not happening today.

The MacBook is a significant redesign of the iBook, indeed it could be argued it's an entirely different product. For there not to be an official launch for this, when a set of iPod speakers and some leather cases (together with a sidewaysgrade for the Mac mini - a machine Apple really doesn't understand) merits a medium sized press conference, would be unthinkable.

The MacBook is a future core product. There will be a press conference. Jobs will want to demonstrate it. He'll want journalists to be able to play with the things after the announcement. No way is this going to be announced purely on Apple.com, with people unable to even review the machines until a few days later when they're delivered.

 

[Peace]

Why wouldn't they just wait and announce the 17 MBP at the same time? It doens't make sense to do two releases so close together.. why not do both with a big media event?

Because Apple is going to go up against the Dell giant on TV..

Think about it

 

[DimFlicker]

Because Apple is going to go up against the Dell giant on TV..

Think about it

yea.. I did.. also, MBP17 could get lost in MAcbook glory.
and I have to say this...
"dude, were getting macs!"

I love that Apple is being a little agressive.

 

[twoodcc]

It's not happening today.

The MacBook is a significant redesign of the iBook, indeed it could be argued it's an entirely different product. For there not to be an official launch for this, when a set of iPod speakers and some leather cases (together with a sidewaysgrade for the Mac mini - a machine Apple really doesn't understand) merits a medium sized press conference, would be unthinkable.

The MacBook is a future core product. There will be a press conference. Jobs will want to demonstrate it. He'll want journalists to be able to play with the things after the announcement. No way is this going to be announced purely on Apple.com, with people unable to even review the machines until a few days later when they're delivered.

you make a good point (even though i wish they would just release it). we can just hope for a press conference on tuesday

 

[drewyboy]

Why wouldn't they just wait and announce the 17 MBP at the same time? It doens't make sense to do two releases so close together.. why not do both with a big media event?

I think simply because of the audiences. The 17" MBP was announced at the NAB which was perfect because it is geared towards the profressionals, but the Macbook would hold it's own because Apple wants to make a big deal. Why would ppl at NAB really care about the Macbook? I see your point DimFlicker, but I think that Apple wants to try and have as much space in the news as possible, and this would be the way to do it.

 

[netdog]

Fair enough, but a $2000+ machine is not what you're aiming to sell with sweeps week ads. You're trying to reach as many ordinary consumers as possible with them. And Apple, which is not a very heavy TV advertiser, would not spend the extra bucks to buy sweeps week ads without having something major to announce, IMO.

I was on the IBM Brand team at Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide when IBM was entirely rebranded through the "Solutions For A Small Planet" campaigns, and while a new machine like the MB would be great to have on sale in concert with the spot, I would bet heavily that this will be a Mac Brand spot. They need to recapture mindshare like they had when they trotted out the Lisa and then the Mac.

When most people go to buy batteries, because of brand advertising, they have already limited their choice down to two vendors, Eveready and Duracell. The others are rather screwed. While Apple owns mindshare in music players, almost to the point of being a monopoly in that sector, when people go to purchase a computer, very even have Apple in their minds as a possibility. A great brand campaign can shift that, just as the original Mac Superbowl ad did in 1984. If they launch a really effective brand message that captures America's attention, they can sell machines in every market because of it, and start mixing specific product ads into the mix with the brand ads down the line.

Of great importance to stakeholders at Apple, a good brand campaign can also positively impact the stock price and, believe me, this is discussed in their meeting with the Ad agency when the initial goals for the campaigns are discussed.

 

[Willis]

It's not happening today.

how do you know this? Yes, it could be Monday, Tuesday or infact anyday over the next coming weeks. Some are even saying May 10th.

But then look at the 17" MBP, people said it wasnt going to happen that day, then a few hours later, bam!

Dont say it isnt happening today until today is over.

 

[peharri]

how do you know this? Yes, it could be Monday, Tuesday or infact anyday over the next coming weeks. Some are even saying May 10th.

But then look at the 17" MBP, people said it wasnt going to happen that day, then a few hours later, bam!

Dont say it isnt happening today until today is over.

No, it's not happening today.

The 17" MBP was widely expected and there was good justification for believing it was going to be launched. If you'd asked me, I'd have said the bets were on for that. It's a relatively minor update (it's the PowerBook 17" replacement, using the MBP design), and most importantly, it occured at an event consistant with the type of product being announced.

There is no reason on Earth to believe the MacBook will be released today, or any time in the next week (and probably two weeks.) The MacBook WILL, for the reasons I gave, be released at an actual event, almost certainly a press conference organized specifically for the product, or for it and some other new product announcements.

No such event has been scheduled, for today, or any day next week. Ergo: no MacBook announcement today or next week (the probability they'd announce such an event to take place in less than 7 days is minimal)

If Apple just released the thing by announcing its availability on the front page of Apple.com, it would be the most stupid marketing decision in recent Apple history. This isn't some minor update, it's an entirely new series of computers, a fresh set of machines that cannot be seen as merely an upgrade or Intelization of an existing model. To date, every single Intel-based Mac has been announced at an "event", not just on a website. The MBP 17" had the lowest key presentation, and it still meritted a launch event, albeit a minor one. Why on Earth are MacRumors readers convinced such a thing will happen with the MacBook?

No MacBook until the week commencing 8th of May at the earliest. I guarantee it. And if you haven't heard of an "event" by Wednesday, you can probably bet it'll not be until the 15th at the earliest (keep adding 7 for each Wednesday that goes without an announcement.)

 

[Legacy]

A thought about the upcoming models and pricing...

Hello everyone, just a thought about the upcoming MacBook which someone may have covered but I have missed...

Everyone has been talking about the need to have a $999 pricetag. If we were to use the MacMini transition as a basis for the lower-end Intel chip integration, then we may indeed see an abandonment of the $999 pricetag altogether, as with the $499 tag on the Mini.

Appleinsider and other sources have been talking about the use of the Core Duo 1.66GHz chips, iSight and FrontRow integration together with a better 13.3" display and new, possibly colourful form-factor. I really do not think Apple will be able to fit all this and make a profit with a $999 Core Duo laptop. Given that the MacBook Pro is very highly priced at $1999, I think we may well see two models, starting from $1299 rather than $999. With the Mini, the $499 model was dropped to acccomodate Airport+BT technologies, as well as FrontRow, yet loosing the 56k Built-in modem.

Based on this thought I would like to propose two configurations with 13.3" TFT screens as my new predictions:

$1299/£899 MacBook Standard Model:

Intel Core Duo 1.66Ghz Processor
512MB DDR667 RAM
Intel GMA950 Graphics with 64MB Shared Memory
60GB Hard Drive @ 5400RPMS
CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive
Airport Extreme and Bluetooth
Built-in iSight and FrontRow with remote
Firewire 400, 2xUSB 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, Optical Audio in/out
MagSafe and MagClose

$1499/£1099 MacBook Extreme Model (Powerbook 12" Replacement)

Intel Core Duo 1.66Ghz Processor
512MB DDR667 RAM
ATI Mobility Radeon X1300 64MB Graphics Chipset
80GB Hard Drive @ 5400RPMS
SuperDrive
Airport Extreme and Bluetooth
Built-in iSight and FrontRow with remote
Firewire 400, 2xUSB 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, Optical Audio in/out
MagSafe and MagClose

Regards

 

[Peace]

No, it's not happening today.

The 17" MBP was widely expected and there was good justification for believing it was going to be launched. If you'd asked me, I'd have said the bets were on for that. It's a relatively minor update (it's the PowerBook 17" replacement, using the MBP design), and most importantly, it occured at an event consistant with the type of product being announced.

There is no reason on Earth to believe the MacBook will be released today, or any time in the next week (and probably two weeks.) The MacBook WILL, for the reasons I gave, be released at an actual event, almost certainly a press conference organized specifically for the product, or for it and some other new product announcements.

No such event has been scheduled, for today, or any day next week. Ergo: no MacBook announcement today or next week (the probability they'd announce such an event to take place in less than 7 days is minimal)

If Apple just released the thing by announcing its availability on the front page of Apple.com, it would be the most stupid marketing decision in recent Apple history. This isn't some minor update, it's an entirely new series of computers, a fresh set of machines that cannot be seen as merely an upgrade or Intelization of an existing model. To date, every single Intel-based Mac has been announced at an "event", not just on a website. The MBP 17" had the lowest key presentation, and it still meritted a launch event, albeit a minor one. Why on Earth are MacRumors readers convinced such a thing will happen with the MacBook?

No MacBook until the week commencing 8th of May at the earliest. I guarantee it. And if you haven't heard of an "event" by Wednesday, you can probably bet it'll not be until the 15th at the earliest (keep adding 7 for each Wednesday that goes without an announcement.)

You do realize Apple is starting a television ad campaign during the sweeps week in the US don't you?

What better way to introduce the new MacBook than to do it for the huge television audience that it's targeted after.

 

[peharri]

You do realize Apple is starting a television ad campaign during the sweeps week in the US don't you?

What better way to introduce the new MacBook than to do it for the huge television audience that it's targeted after.

No. Sorry, but again, I cannot believe, it's simply not plausable, that Apple would release something without holding some sort of event. Remember, they want this thing having a certain amount of press attention.

Apple has a range of products that could be the target of such a TV ad campaign. I think this is wishful thinking on those painfully waiting for the new MacBook. Apple runs many nationwide TV campaigns, their iPod ads have become legendary - and those are nationwide and rarely due to anything new in the iPod world.

 

[Willis]

No. Sorry, but again, I cannot believe, it's simply not plausable, that Apple would release something without holding some sort of event. Remember, they want this thing having a certain amount of press attention.

Apple has a range of products that could be the target of such a TV ad campaign. I think this is wishful thinking on those painfully waiting for the new MacBook. Apple runs many nationwide TV campaigns, their iPod ads have become legendary - and those are nationwide and rarely due to anything new in the iPod world.

look, its each to their own opinion. Stop getting worked up about it, geez.

 

[peharri]

look, its each to their own opinion. Stop getting worked up about it, geez.

Yeah, stop getting worked up about it (?! I'm always baffled when someone argues with someone and then criticises their opponent for expressing their opinion as "getting worked up" or some other BS.)

(Anyway, if anyone still believes, at 1.40pm EDT on a Friday that the MacBook still might be released later today, I have a bridge to sell them. Nothing will be released until the 8th at the earliest.)

 

[mikea]

No, it's not happening today.

The 17" MBP was widely expected and there was good justification for believing it was going to be launched. If you'd asked me, I'd have said the bets were on for that. It's a relatively minor update (it's the PowerBook 17" replacement, using the MBP design), and most importantly, it occured at an event consistant with the type of product being announced.

There is no reason on Earth to believe the MacBook will be released today, or any time in the next week (and probably two weeks.) The MacBook WILL, for the reasons I gave, be released at an actual event, almost certainly a press conference organized specifically for the product, or for it and some other new product announcements.

No such event has been scheduled, for today, or any day next week. Ergo: no MacBook announcement today or next week (the probability they'd announce such an event to take place in less than 7 days is minimal)

If Apple just released the thing by announcing its availability on the front page of Apple.com, it would be the most stupid marketing decision in recent Apple history. This isn't some minor update, it's an entirely new series of computers, a fresh set of machines that cannot be seen as merely an upgrade or Intelization of an existing model. To date, every single Intel-based Mac has been announced at an "event", not just on a website. The MBP 17" had the lowest key presentation, and it still meritted a launch event, albeit a minor one. Why on Earth are MacRumors readers convinced such a thing will happen with the MacBook?

No MacBook until the week commencing 8th of May at the earliest. I guarantee it. And if you haven't heard of an "event" by Wednesday, you can probably bet it'll not be until the 15th at the earliest (keep adding 7 for each Wednesday that goes without an announcement.)

Thank YOU!
You are the only person here to make any sense to me.

 

[mikea]

Yeah, stop getting worked up about it (?! I'm always baffled when someone argues with someone and then criticises their opponent for expressing their opinion as "getting worked up" or some other BS.)

(Anyway, if anyone still believes, at 1.40pm EDT on a Friday that the MacBook still might be released later today, I have a bridge to sell them. Nothing will be released until the 8th at the earliest.)

Hey If i buy a bridge, will apple release this baby soon?

 

[Aquaporin]

So the general consensus is that we will eventually see a Macbook

 

[bill4588]

So the general consensus is that we will eventually see a Macbook

yay! yeah im pretty much done with all the anticipation (like getting my hopes up every week)....it will come when it comes....as long as it's by July I'll be happy....but the sooner the better.