For $2,799USD, it Better!
I've got about 3,500 to spend on my first mac ever!! and accessories so i'll go nuts on tuesday if the rumors holds true!!
i'll prolly ask for advice on the accessories though
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MacBook, MacBook Pro and Ultra-Portable Updates
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I've got about 3,500 to spend on my first mac ever!! and accessories so i'll go nuts on tuesday if the rumors holds true!!
i'll prolly ask for advice on the accessories though
Without an optical drive, how are you supposed to add your favorite apps? If this rumor is true, then Apple better think of a pretty nifty way to get new applications onto it. (Like an online downloading service where you pay for it, and then download the whole application. And i see this especially possible because of the way Apple thinks EVERYONE has a T3 connection at home. Kinda like how they think downloading movies off of iTunes only takes a matter of hours) Unless Apple feels like keeping all the applications closed to only Apple supplied programs. *cough cough, iPhone* oh...excuse me, I think I may have caught something...
Optional USB/FW optical drive?
Yeah that is something possible. But it wouldn't really be an ULTRA portable. Because then you would need to carry it arround or have multiple ones everywhere you go. Apple normaly doesnt withhold something in a product. They believe in having a complete package with every product. A "ULTRA PORTABLE" laptop without an optical drive just isnt complete for everyday use. It would be like an iPod without an audio port. (and wireless headphones dont count because its not out yet so dont even go there) Another thing we dont know is what kind of ports it will have. (And what will Apple give you as a reboot method? I dont believe they will hand you a Small FW/USB drive to reboot from. They could, but not likely) And if they are doing the downloading EVERYTHING including movies, then it will be the death of the optical disc, just like the Floppy Drive.
I have an idea - I don't think it will happen very soon, but it would be revolutionary if it did:
What if Apple released an ultraportable with NO moving parts? Flash disk, and a touch-screen keyboard? Due to tactile feedback concerns, that second one is unlikely - but can you imagine it - a laptop which is made out of simply two screens, with some CPU somehow squeezed in. better yet, make that two touchscreens that fold. And that's it - no moving parts. Highly unlikely, questionable in how good of an idea it is, but still an interesting concept...
Of course, Apple may just say that the iPhone is their ultraportable.
Did you not hear they teamed up with nintendo to make one!!!! AN APPLE DS!!!!
If the ultraportable has an HDMI/DVI out and can run my 24" Dell LCD, then it might be the perfect next laptop for me. If it cant then I will wait a few years and consider getting one when its more affordable and powerful to be a real laptop substitute.
Exactly - and it's got NO buttons. And as flopticalcube mentioned, Apple is working very hard on solving the problem of the hinge. One option is simply making the ultraportable be a tablet which has a screen on both sides, thus fulfilling the dual screen role, while having no need for a hinge. Another concept design was two separate screens which could attach together or work separately - either as two tablets or one laptop. Then the inevitable happened. Their developers decided, why stop at two screens. So they are now considering the option of allowing people to buy as many screens as they want, and have them all integrate seamlessly. The networking software that lets the computer work as one computer is, I hear, a nightmare.
Perhaps this is a silly question...but let's say the new Macbook Pros WERE announced Tuesday.
How soon could I buy one? Is there a delay between announcement and boxes on shelves?
(I'm ready to buy a macbook pro, right now I'm just trying to figure out if it's worth the wait. I have a REALLY slow computer in the meanwhile)
How soon could I buy one? Is there a delay between announcement and boxes on shelves?
(I'm ready to buy a macbook pro, right now I'm just trying to figure out if it's worth the wait. I have a REALLY slow computer in the meanwhile)
i really would like a 1000 ultra light..
i know it won't bee that cheap. i know it. but see...i have a 17 macbook pro and i would like something just for taking anywhere to write. (the MBP is for audio)
and...i want to give my money to apple. but i don't have enough money to buy another 2000+ comp. so i hope they release a SUPER barebones ultra light along with the 2000+ version i would expect.
please. pretty please.
i know it won't bee that cheap. i know it. but see...i have a 17 macbook pro and i would like something just for taking anywhere to write. (the MBP is for audio)
and...i want to give my money to apple. but i don't have enough money to buy another 2000+ comp. so i hope they release a SUPER barebones ultra light along with the 2000+ version i would expect.
please. pretty please.
I'm not arguing, just inquiring: why, exactly, would an ultraportable cost more? It doesn't include an optical drive, the memory and cpu and graphic chips and HD would be at most equal to, and probably less-capable than and less costly versions of what the MBs and MBPs would have. The screen would be smaller, and assuming it would be produced in substantial numbers smaller screens cost less in today's typical pricing. Sure, it takes extra engineering to fit it into a smaller package, but why would a smaller package cost more to manufacture, unless more costly materials were used to reduce weight? Intuitively, to me, it doesn't seem like an ultraportable should cost more. Maybe the makers just charge more because they can?
Since we're "voting" i should add i'd want an optical drive in my computer: If i go on a trip and have to decide, ok, to watch a dvd on the flight, do i take my ultraportable and an external optical drive, or my 1" or 2" or 3" larger MB or MBP that self-contains everything i can anticipate needing on the trip, I'm going for the all-in-one.
You can be sure that it will ship before the Saturnalia holidays, unless something more important comes up (like a new color for the IshufflePod).
I think adding no optical drive would be a good move by apple. If people wanted to watch movies they would have to BUY the from the iTunes store! apple wins both ways!
NAND and Intel Turbo Memory (ITM)
Does "on-board NAND flash" make reference to the SSDs or Intel Turbo Memory (ITM)? If it is latter--which I am inclined to believe--then in light of the launch date, I believe that we will have to wait for Leopard before using ITM. Hopefully, this will mean all Mac portables will use ITM following the release of Leopard.
I also hope that the MB does receive the LED backlight no later than the immediate revision after the debut of Leopard--which would make sense in light of Leopard's resolution independence. A decision to release LED backlighting in MBPs first and later in MBs would also fit another statement by SJ in which he said he wanted to push the 15" MBP hard this year.
Does "on-board NAND flash" make reference to the SSDs or Intel Turbo Memory (ITM)? If it is latter--which I am inclined to believe--then in light of the launch date, I believe that we will have to wait for Leopard before using ITM. Hopefully, this will mean all Mac portables will use ITM following the release of Leopard.
I also hope that the MB does receive the LED backlight no later than the immediate revision after the debut of Leopard--which would make sense in light of Leopard's resolution independence. A decision to release LED backlighting in MBPs first and later in MBs would also fit another statement by SJ in which he said he wanted to push the 15" MBP hard this year.
.... Finally, Appleinsider posts details of the rumored "ultra-portable" MacBook. They believe that this upcoming 13" laptop model (and not the MacBook revision) will ship with the rumored 13" LED Panels that Apple has been investigating. The rumor site summarizes the features they believe this "ultra-portable" will have:
Ultra-Portable MacBook
13-inch ultra-thin, LED-back lit display
No optical disc drive
On-board NAND flash for faster application launching and boot times
Built-in iSight webcam
Thinner and lighter than existing MacBook offerings
AirPort Extreme 802.11n enabled
MagSafe power adapter
Target launch late '07, early '08
Grrrrrrrrrr!
Well, I can confirm that the MB WILL be updated soon, and it will be a SUBSTANTIAL update -- I just bought mine. My iBook G4 suffered the fried logic board/airport problem and, without AppleCare I decided it would be better to spend the xtra coin and update to the intel machines. Since I needed it ASAP, I ordered without waiting to see what WWDC held (which I would normally have done). Now that I've got it, I fully expect that a sweet update will be in the cards in the near-term.
As for the ultra portable issue, I think that a 13 inch widescreen (with no bezel) that is flash-based with no optical drive would be nearly perfect. Coming from the 14 inch iBook, I was amazed at how portable the new 13 inch MB really is. Subtract some weight and thinkness )and an inch or so for a thinner bezel, and I think it'll be perfect. I agree with the comment that in a widescreen format any thing small than 13 inches will be a bit hard on the eyes.
Well, I can confirm that the MB WILL be updated soon, and it will be a SUBSTANTIAL update -- I just bought mine. My iBook G4 suffered the fried logic board/airport problem and, without AppleCare I decided it would be better to spend the xtra coin and update to the intel machines. Since I needed it ASAP, I ordered without waiting to see what WWDC held (which I would normally have done). Now that I've got it, I fully expect that a sweet update will be in the cards in the near-term.
As for the ultra portable issue, I think that a 13 inch widescreen (with no bezel) that is flash-based with no optical drive would be nearly perfect. Coming from the 14 inch iBook, I was amazed at how portable the new 13 inch MB really is. Subtract some weight and thinkness )and an inch or so for a thinner bezel, and I think it'll be perfect. I agree with the comment that in a widescreen format any thing small than 13 inches will be a bit hard on the eyes.
ultra portable sounds awfully tasty right now. please be under $2,000.
For the specs on that thing I wouldn't pay more than $600.
Wow, I'm shocked more people aren't excited by the news of updated Macbook Pros! I seriously don't understand why so many people aren't strong enough to pick up even a teeny tiny 13" notebook, and want something even smaller...
On the Macbook Pro, I'm still just hoping for a user replaceable hard drive (a requirement for me), and hopefully a mid-range GPU like a Geforce 8600 series. With both of those, it'll be a 100% sure thing I'll buy one. I've been saving up for months, and am ready for Apple (or Dell) to release something new.
For the Macbook, the only real possible upgrade Santa Rosa would bring is better integrated graphics. If Apple were to throw in a low end GPU instead, they could base a Macbook off the old platform and it would be better than a low-end Santa Rosa notebook.
Tech-y people would already know that, so wouldn't care, and the average consumer is going to have no idea what Santa Rosa is, so won't care.
Now personally I'd be surprised if it isn't using the new chipset, but it really makes no difference.
LED backlighting costs more the larger the LCD it's backlighting. The rumors all talk about the 15.4" screen, not the 17.4". I wouldn't totally rule out the 17" LCD getting LED backlighting too, but it's not as "sure" of a thing. Might come in a later revision or something.
It varies. Usually Apple's systems are pretty much ready to ship, but sometimes there's a delay. When the Macbook Pro was originally announced in January of '07, it seems like there was a 2-4 week wait until it shipped, but since then the new versions have shipped at the same time they've been announced.
From all these rumors, it seems like they could ship early next month (though of course this is all based on rumors. For all we know, they could ship this coming Tuesday, or not until October...but some time in June seems very reasonable).
If you can, I'd wait, as everything's pointing to an update soon. I'd expect the GPU to be the biggest upgrade to the current models, with the LED backlighting being a possible bonus (at least in terms of theoretically using less power...though on the other hand it is a new technology in laptops, so that always carries risk).
On the Macbook Pro, I'm still just hoping for a user replaceable hard drive (a requirement for me), and hopefully a mid-range GPU like a Geforce 8600 series. With both of those, it'll be a 100% sure thing I'll buy one. I've been saving up for months, and am ready for Apple (or Dell) to release something new.
Ive been waiting to buy a Macbook for about 2 months and now i here the only update about it is a graphics card.
any suggestions are welcome
For the Macbook, the only real possible upgrade Santa Rosa would bring is better integrated graphics. If Apple were to throw in a low end GPU instead, they could base a Macbook off the old platform and it would be better than a low-end Santa Rosa notebook.
Tech-y people would already know that, so wouldn't care, and the average consumer is going to have no idea what Santa Rosa is, so won't care.
Now personally I'd be surprised if it isn't using the new chipset, but it really makes no difference.
LED backlighting costs more the larger the LCD it's backlighting. The rumors all talk about the 15.4" screen, not the 17.4". I wouldn't totally rule out the 17" LCD getting LED backlighting too, but it's not as "sure" of a thing. Might come in a later revision or something.
It varies. Usually Apple's systems are pretty much ready to ship, but sometimes there's a delay. When the Macbook Pro was originally announced in January of '07, it seems like there was a 2-4 week wait until it shipped, but since then the new versions have shipped at the same time they've been announced.
From all these rumors, it seems like they could ship early next month (though of course this is all based on rumors. For all we know, they could ship this coming Tuesday, or not until October...but some time in June seems very reasonable).
If you can, I'd wait, as everything's pointing to an update soon. I'd expect the GPU to be the biggest upgrade to the current models, with the LED backlighting being a possible bonus (at least in terms of theoretically using less power...though on the other hand it is a new technology in laptops, so that always carries risk).
i really would like a 1000 ultra light..
i know it won't bee that cheap. i know it. but see...i have a 17 macbook pro and i would like something just for taking anywhere to write. (the MBP is for audio)
and...i want to give my money to apple. but i don't have enough money to buy another 2000+ comp. so i hope they release a SUPER barebones ultra light along with the 2000+ version i would expect.
please. pretty please.
Just curious why did you buy the 17" MBP in the first place?
When Apple announces new hardware that doesn't ship right away, do they give you a pretty accurate ETA? So if they announce new MBP's, but they won't ship for 6 weeks, does Apple say, "Not shipping for 6 weeks," or do they simply give you a "Will ship as soon as product becomes available"
Well, I can confirm that the MB WILL be updated soon, and it will be a SUBSTANTIAL update -- I just bought mine. My iBook G4 suffered the fried logic board/airport problem and, without AppleCare I decided it would be better to spend the xtra coin and update to the intel machines. Since I needed it ASAP, I ordered without waiting to see what WWDC held (which I would normally have done). Now that I've got it, I fully expect that a sweet update will be in the cards in the near-term.
Don't worry! You are not alone, I just picked up mine last week! But I'm still very happy with it, this machine is great.
And I really think that the 13-inch wide screen is perfect. I had a 12-inch PowerBook and the screen was far too small for multitasking. I couldn't have more than one document open on the screen at the same time. Major pain. And I don't think the MacBook is too heavy, either. It's not super light, but it really doesn't feel that much heavier than my old 12-inch PB. It's definitely portable.
Anyway, if there is a significant MB update I might upgrade in a few months. Seems silly, I know, but if LED screens are really as good as people are saying, it'll be worth it. I spend 10 hours a day staring at this screen and any improvements are always welcome!
The PowerBook 100 was made by Sony for Apple. Apple may be working with Sony again for the Ultra laptop model.
I have the Sony TX series Laptop and it is the perfect combination of size/weight/performance. If it only ran Mac OS X it would be ideal. If sony can make a computer this size, then apple should be able to match it. At this point I wouldn't even consider a mac laptop just because they are SO HUGE! Granted some people use them as replacement desktops, fine, but they are nothing close to an ideal ultraportable. Guess the closest Apple came to it was the 12" G4, which they no longer make.
The PowerBook 12 inch was a nice model. If Apple were to update it with a widescreen, make it thinner and lighter it would make a nice ultra portable model.
For those wondering how you would install the OS and applications if the ultra laptop did not have an optical drive, you could easily attach an external CD-RW/DVD-RW drive via USB or FW.
The Sony above has an optical drive. It weighs in at 2.76 pounds. So we may see one with an optical drive.
My bet is that Apple will make an ultra model with an optical drive since they like a whole solution concept. Personally, I would rather save the weight/size by forgoing the optical drive.
Obviously cd drive is not necessary but it would be important to sell an aditioan peripheral for cd usage, battery is surely the biggest obstacle. flash will be definate and replace keyboard with multitouch and you have an awesome product. there have been enough patents supporting this.
It's possible OS X will use it better than Vista, but so far it's basically worthless on Vista (at least in terms of increasing performance). It DOES help if you're silly enough to run Vista with only like 512MB...but if you give it the full 2GB, performance isn't any better.
But then, OS X has always seemed to handle memory better, and that may extend to using flash too (although Vista seems to do a ton of cool stuff with RAM/flash).
They're pretty accurate. Stuff sometimes slips, but not too badly. But most of the time they've got availability the same day they announce stuff.
why would you have to carry it with you? are you using the optical drive all the time? just leave the drive home when you go on the road.