MacBook Delays? Next Tuesday?

[pjkelnhofer]

If you can find the video of the MacWorld inwhich the iBook (clamshell) was introduced, Steve had a chart that showed the PowerMac had the PowerBook and that on that day the iMac had the iBook as its portable brother. So yes the iBook was indeed intended to be the portbale iMac.

If anyone knows the website address could you post it? I don't have it here at work, but I remember that MacBytes posted it about a month ago. Pretty cool to watch all the old introductions of things over the past 8 years at conventions and gatherings.

As some one else pointed out, that was seven years ago. What makes you think that Apple still considers the iBook the portable iMac? They have often not even had the same class of processor. The iMac went to the G4 in January of '02; the iBook didn't follow until October of '03. The iMac has since gone to the G5 and then the Core Duo while the iBook has remained unchanged.

If anything, the iBook has been closer to the eMac for the past couple of years (at least it was while the eMac still existed). Now that niche belong more to the mini while the iMac has become higher end over the past few iterations.

 

[legacyb4]

Only if you needed a portable computer... 🙂

well I finally did it, I broke down and bought an iMac instead of waiting for these anymore. Anyone think I made a bad decision?

 

[ImAlwaysRight]

well I finally did it, I broke down and bought an iMac instead of waiting for these anymore. Anyone think I made a bad decision?

Well, if you use you computer from one place all the time next to a power source, then you made the right decision. The desktop iMac is always going to be faster than the portable iBook/MacBook. But if you need portability and the ability to run off of battery power, then you made a foolish decision, methinks.

 

[peharri]

If you can find the video of the MacWorld inwhich the iBook (clamshell) was introduced, Steve had a chart that showed the PowerMac had the PowerBook and that on that day the iMac had the iBook as its portable brother. So yes the iBook was indeed intended to be the portbale iMac.

It may have been intended to be that way, but who cares? Look at the timeline:

June 1999-January 2002: Both iBook and iMac are G3 based. (30 months)
January 2002-October 2003: iBook has G3, iMac has G4 (22 months)
October 2003-August 2004: Both are G4 based. (13 months)
September 2004-January 2006: iBook has G4, iMac has G5 (16 months)
January 2006-Present date: iBook has G4, iMac has Core Duo. (5 months)

That's 43 months of having the same core CPU (which doesn't mean they're equivalent, but it's an easy benchmark to quote), and 43 months of having a CPU at least one generation behind, and for the last five arguably two.

Confused? Well, it's not really that confusing. The iMac that Jobs would have compared the iBook to in 1999 is not the same machine in any sense as the machine sold by that moniker today. The iMac G3 went down in price to around $800 in the end, and was clearly an AIO aimed at everyone. The iMac G4 changed that. It never came down significantly in price, never getting below $1,000. It was complemented by the eMac, which did get down to well below $1,000, and then the Mac mini. Essentially, the "iMac" today exists as two lines of computers, a low end machine (which has the GMA950 in it), and a high end machine that really replaces both the high end iMacs of 1999 and the Cube of 2000. It's an elegant, premium, desktop. The iMac G3 was never an elegant, premium, desktop. It just wasn't. Many people liked the design, but it wasn't considered "premium" and it wasn't elegant so much as stylish.

So you're saying, in effect, the iBook is intended to be related either to a machine that doesn't exist any more (because it's been split into two seperate lines), or to a machine that has the same name, but is actually aimed at a higher end market.

The iBook cannot, and should not, be a portable version of the iMac. It shouldn't because that means the lowest price of the iBook would be around $1,300, and that's for a machine with a lower spec than the iMac (because portables are always more expensive than the equivalent desktops. They just are. They're more desirable and as such you pay a premium.)

It cannot because Apple would be abandoning the market for low end laptops. The iBook is, like the original iMac, a low priced, entry level, value for money computer. To demand that the specs of the MacBook be aligned with the specs of the $1,300+ iMac is to demand the complete withdrawl of Apple from that market. That would be wrong.

 

[aleck]

Let me know how iLife runs on it.

It is so silly for people to get "sick" of Apple not releasing things that the rumor sites predict. Apple never said that the iBook would be replaced any time soon.

🙂 Ain't we edgy...

Look, I wanted a laptop that's really portable (12-13"), but also powerful enough that could be used at home as only computer, with external display.

Sony SZ fits that. I checked every possible Samsung, Sony and Apple/Intel (no LG laptops in the UK)* laptop for the whole week, thoroughly checking how they are build and how they look, along with the specs.

I spent several hours in the Apple Store working with MacBookPro. It has anything I needed, apart from:
- size
- solid Windows support

I make a living out of Windows programming so this was a must for me. BootCamp/Parallels are not there yet. However, I would be willing to put up with it until things are ironed out if it existed in smaller size. Thus I decided to buy SZ on Saturday, then saw this MacBook announcement and _waited_ to see if they are released so I could buy 13.3" Mac.

Did not happened, nor is there any indication when it will be. I leave UK in two days and I out of options. Thus the Sony decision. I wanted to get something for myself, because in my country I can only choose between Dell, HP and FSC. And Apple too, for 40% higher price. 🙁

Bitterness in my post is because I really wanted to buy a Mac, having worked with lowest iBook G4 model in the previous year (used it here and there). No go this time.


* - Noticing the trend? No ugly IBM, Dell, Toshiba and the rest.

 

[revjay]

cntrl + c this whole thread

I think I read this thread a few days ago...nawww...It must just be a dreaded case of deja-vu.






I think I read this thread a few days ago...nawww...It must just be a dreaded case of deja-vu.







I think I read this thread a few days ago...nawww...It must just be a dreaded case of deja-vu.








I think I read this thread a few days ago...nawww...It must just be a dreaded case of deja-vu.








I think I read this thread a few days ago...nawww...It must just be a dreaded case of deja-vu.

 

[monkeyandy]

My 2 cents!

I think the MacBook will come in two main configs! One low end cheaper version for consumers with dedicated GFX and some cut back features and a bit of a higher end more expensive version with GFX card. Both 13" widescreen, etc.

If this portable will replace both the iBook and 12" Powerbook they will need configs to suit both markets. I'd bet on this!

Dell offer their dual core laptops with integrated GFX but upgradable at a cost. I see no reason Apple couldn't do the same.

I thought that just sprung to mind would be that your MacBook config may be determined by colour...what do you think? i.e. White - Consumer version and Black - High end consumer version, etc...

I'm sure I read a similar rumour on one of the websites. What do u guys think?

🙂

 

[piltupso]

I have to ask

This may be silly but did anybody hear what was in those mysterious boxes labeled do not open until May 9th?

 

[gloss]

This may be silly but did anybody hear what was in those mysterious boxes labeled do not open until May 9th?

The best comment I've heard concerning this (and I apologize for forgetting who it was) was 'Another, smaller box labelled 'Do Not Open Until May 16th''.

 

[50548]

This may be silly but did anybody hear what was in those mysterious boxes labeled do not open until May 9th?

Hehehe...have you read the whole thread already? 🙄

 

[retroz311]

Explain your math to me, the 15 inch MBP costs $2000. You think the MacBook that is similiarly configured but with integrated graphics is going to cost $800?

15.4-inch widescreen display
1440x900 resolution
1.83GHz Intel Core Duo(1)
512MB (single SODIMM) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
80GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive
4x SuperDrive
One FireWire 400 and two USB 2.0 ports

That is a pretty good deal even @ $800 even with the GMA 950 in it.

Simple, you don't want intergrated gpu you have to buy a macbook pro @ $2000.00, similar PC laptops have GPU's that clean house vs the mac, and desktops (Opteron/FX dual dual core) cleans house vs. mac.

My point was, User has say 2 LCD's, so Mac mini is out, c rappy GPU....
doesn't want to spend the $1200 on iMAC (eg. doesn't need another LCD), so, the question was buy a macbook pro if you want dedicated graphics whereas the macbook would be around 999, so, ok $1000 more for dedicated GPU, sounds like a good deal to me and no 800FW, hoorah hoorah!

It's like dedicated GPU or forced to by a imac for dedicated GPU and extra LCD. So, turn to macbook, which when I tested final cut in the stores (Mac Book Pro), it gave me an error when first launched - -keeps getting better and better.

Essentially, the macbook will probably be a mini with LCD=bad gaming, no final cut, or iDVD, = waste of time.

 

[Elrond39]

...
I thought that just sprung to mind would be that your MacBook config may be determined by colour...what do you think? i.e. White - Consumer version and Black - High end consumer version, etc...

That's just rediculous. I want a white one, but I would love to have a "higher end" version. So I have to take a color I don't like because I have hardware demands? Did they make us do that with the iPod? (I ask while listening to my 60GB White 5th Gen...)

 

[retroz311]

I think the MacBook will come in two main configs! One low end cheaper version for consumers with dedicated GFX and some cut back features and a bit of a higher end more expensive version with GFX card. Both 13" widescreen, etc.

If this portable will replace both the iBook and 12" Powerbook they will need configs to suit both markets. I'd bet on this!

Dell offer their dual core laptops with integrated GFX but upgradable at a cost. I see no reason Apple couldn't do the same.

I thought that just sprung to mind would be that your MacBook config may be determined by colour...what do you think? i.e. White - Consumer version and Black - High end consumer version, etc...

I'm sure I read a similar rumour on one of the websites. What do u guys think?

🙂

If that was true, how do they justify the $2000 price tag of the Mac Book Pro? The larger Screen? No DVI out on macbook (sort of defeats any editing)!?

Seems like Apple is going the way of Avid, Pro-Tools, all closed end systems forcing user to spend HUGE $$$$ just to get a simple task done.

Is it any wonder some are building their own machines!
😡

 

[gloss]

Essentially, the macbook will probably be a mini with LCD=bad gaming, no final cut, or iDVD, = waste of time.

I'm sure they can afford to do this to their best-selling portable. You've shown me the light.

 

[Machead III]

Seriously, who the hell needs a portable mini? MacBooks are supposed to sell to students, and we all know students like the odd video game, and many of them will need to use the odd pro app for some tasks.

If the MacBook isn't prosumer, and is instead a measly little mini with integrated graphics and an LCD soldered onto the top, Apple are utter morons.

 

[gloss]

Most of the college students I know who game have built/bought desktop PCs for that purpose. The laptops are relegated to workhorse duty.

 

[Leemo]

Seriously, who the hell needs a portable mini? MacBooks are supposed to sell to students, and we all know students like the odd video game, and many of them will need to use the odd pro app for some tasks.

I'd love a portable mini. My Intel Mini with 2gb is fantastic - pro apps are a dream, Aperture runs amazingly, Logic flies... Why all the dissing of the integrated graphics? The MacBook is going to be aimed at the lower/cheaper end of the market, doesn't mean it'll have bad hardware (far from it) but the majority of things they're going to be pushing it for will be more than capable with integrated graphics.

They need to differentiate their products, one of those important differences will likely be having better graphics card in the 'Pro' line of notebooks.

People on these forums seem to be pushing for sub $1000 price points (so equal to around £700 mark once the usual rip-off-Britain tax is added for me) and for them to be expecting a fast ATI (or equal) card is a little too optimistic. If one is there I'll be pleasantly suprised, but I'll still be first in line if they're integrated.

People appear to be instantly dismissing integrated graphics (and indeed the Mac Minis) without actually having experience of using one - I do a huge amount of video editing on my mini and it's an amazingly fast machine for its size and price.

And that comment about students who game? I'm a student who games - I have an Xbox 360. No-one I know at my University uses their laptop to play games on - so I dare say there's still a huge market for students who don't demand a graphics card that will play Quake 4 on their laptop.

-Leemo

 

[Elrond39]

As long as this baby will allow me to be more efficient with my time (by letting me actually run multiple apps at once), as well as let me use GarageBand to its fullest, then I am a happy camper. I've been using a laptop with integrated graphics for three years now, and it hasn't hindered me from doing what I need to do in that respect. IF the games I play can no longer be played on my laptop, then I could always get a console. That having been said, I'm a very casual gamer, and I suspect that the games I want to play will run just fine. I'm no fragger, that's for sure.

 

[nagromme]

Essentially, the macbook will probably be a mini with LCD=bad gaming, no final cut, or iDVD, = waste of time.

I suppose you're just trolling, but for anyone who truly doesn't already know: the Mac Mini does run Final Cut and iDVD. iDVD is touted on the Mac Mini home page in fact.

If it's a crime to have an entry-level laptop not be a 3D gamer's rig, then good luck finding a computer maker that is not a criminal 😛 Trivia: Apple's not the only company to use integrated graphics.

And to those who would respond, "Apple is supposed to be different, in EVERY detail," I think you need to complain about Apple using screens and keyboards too 🙂

Seriously, who the hell needs a portable mini? MacBooks are supposed to sell to students, and we all know students like the odd video game, and many of them will need to use the odd pro app for some tasks.

If the MacBook isn't prosumer, and is instead a measly little mini with integrated graphics and an LCD soldered onto the top, Apple are utter morons.

The actual fact is, that gamers and prosumers are NOT the only buyers of laptops. "Who needs" something lower end? A lot of people.

 

[Machead III]

Alright, release a low end, but not to replace the iBooks. Jeez >.<

 

[gloss]

Alright, release a low end, but not to replace the iBooks. Jeez >.<

I hate to tell you, but anything they release, as low end as it may be, will be faster than the iBooks you can walk into an Apple Store and purchase right now.

And you seem to make a lot of assumptions about what Apple's actually doing with the machines. No one knows anything past the processors and the screen size.

 

[MacMosher]

Bunch of Rubbish, stop caring who ever wants to buy one cause its not happening any time soon. TS is just trying to cover up for their mistake and pull some more **** out of their bums as usual.

 

[marchcapital]

it will never be here!!!🙁

 

[avus]

One word can sum up this thread - childish.

There are so many people acting like a 5-year old boy moaning whether he could get his toy, and threatening to throw a temper if he couldn't get it the way he wanted 🙄

 

[macpastor]

I saw my buddy at the Apple Store today (manager) and he told me they just got allocated 247 14" iBooks which will be in this next week. In addition to that, they were to redo their front store display on Thursday and got word this morning that the redo is put on hold until a later date which they will be informed of in the future.

Also of note, they got the 17" MBP in today also. They opened up the first unit to put on display and when they powered it on is smoldered and sizzled let out a puff of smoke and died. No wonder they are delaying the MacBook for awhile. I think they want to get the kinks out.