Merom Laptops Delayed Until 2007?

[Clive At Five]

This makes me wonder if Apple won't eventually be forced to redesign the iMac. It seems to me that continuing to use laptop components to build a desktop is just going to limit them in a fashion similar to what they faced with the PPC chips. Or maybe even force them to come out with, dast I say it, a headless mini tower?

Dast I say it, you're thinking wishfully, my friend.

Apple won't be redesigning their iMac for a while. They're going to keep their hardware in just a way that they'll be able to make the most money:

Apple has always had a gaping hole in the "prosumer" range of their product lineup... which they always try to fill by stuffing a bigger iMac in it. (Remember the Graphite G3 iMac DV SE? I do!)

The current iMac is configurable up to a 2.33 Ghz Core 2 Duo for $2249. The Mac Pro can be configured down to a 2 Ghz Xeon for $2199. These two machines are in roughly the same ballpark for both performance and price. Apple looks at this, dusts off their hands and says, "There. We've completed our product line-up." Apple is very afraid of building machines that will cannabalize each others' sales. If Apple were to create a Mac Pro Mini (insert your favorite rumored name) not only would it eat away at lower-end Mac Pro users, but it would DOMINATE iMac sales. That's the last thing Apple wants. Why? Because if Apple sells an iMac, Apple sells a monitor. If Apple sells a Mac Pro Mini, they know you're going straight to newegg.com for a cheapo 21" LCD.

 

[daveL]

If Apple has sufficient Merom chips for the iMacs then they have sufficient chips for the MBP. The only reason why I can see the MBP being slightly later in delivery is that they are making other changes to it. MagSafe power attachment and magnetic latches externally and maybe some new graphic cards and larger HDs internally. Probably only the external changes would cause a brief delay.

Let's fact it, Intel is very happy with Apple right now and probably isn't too pleased to see Dell using AMD chips. Intel is going to be delighted with the new iMacs and, regardless of inventory levels, will be supporting Apple with the new models.

I'd guess it's going to be "wait a week or so" for the C2D MBPs and then be pleasantly surprised.

MBP already has MagSafe power attachment.

 

[daveL]

The current iMac is configurable up to a 2.33 Ghz Core 2 Duo for $2249. The Mac Pro can be configured down to a 2 Ghz Xeon for $2199. These two machines are in roughly the same ballpark for both performance and price.

The Mac Pro has 2 x dual core Xeon CPUs. Hardly in the same performance ballpark. We won't even talk about the FSB speed or GPU options.

 

[Clive At Five]

if something is trickling out of you because of syphilis, you'd want it to stop or slow down. We want the trickle of processors to speed up -- to positively gush out of those factories!

Oh my...

Thank you for that beautiful mental image.

 

[Clive At Five]

The Mac Pro has 2 x dual core Xeon CPUs. Hardly in the same performance ballpark. We won't even talk about the FSB speed or GPU options.

True enough, you are right there are two of those suckers in there. Forgot about that detail.

Still I think it'll be close enough for Apple to overlook it, as they have since the late G3 days.

 

[freeny]

It is quite possible that there is something special about the (unreleased and hypothetical as of right now) new merom MBP that would keep them from being released until Tuesday. Something that if they were released along with the recent imac meroms would give away the "and one more thing" surprise durring the special event.....

 

[HecubusPro]

Who wants to bet that new C2D MBP's won't be released on Tuesday?

I'm betting they won't as they'll probably have nothing to do with the "showtime" event on the 12th.

So... NAY!

 

[Andrew F]

Who wants to bet that new C2D MBP's won't be released on Tuesday?

I'm betting they won't as they'll probably have nothing to do with the "showtime" event on the 12th.

So... NAY!

I agree. I don't think it will recieve any recognition at the Showtime event. Just maybe a mentioning if it is released by than or on that day, but that would probally only be it there are BIG changes to it and it would probally just be mentioned as a side note. But then again, if Disney is the only one to be signed onto the downloadable movie plan, I don't see the Showtime event being all that spectacular anyways.

 

[BWhaler]

Nothing I have to say on this matter would clear MacRumors profanity filter.

Nothing.

 

[iJawn108]

They better come out soon, if not I will be delaying my first mac purchase untill santa rosa and will be quite pissed off.

 

[HecubusPro]

Nothing I have to say on this matter would clear MacRumors profanity filter.

Nothing.

My curiosity is piqued now. Can you say it, and just substitue the word "MAC" for the curse words?

 

[generik]

But please, let me order a new 17" before I have to spend my money on something else. And after getting annoyed already, that won't be the "old" Macbook Pro...

Ha! Even if Apple downgrades the entire MBP line back to 1Ghz G4s what are you gonna do? Get a Dell? It's a classic case of "suck it up baby!"

 

[BWhaler]

OK, I've calmed down. It's hard waiting for Apple once one has made the decision to buy at the next upgrade.

Anyway, I think this story is false. Reasoning:

1. The numbers don't make sense. If 50% of computers sold nowadays are laptops, why would Intel only have 20% of their chip production for laptops? Maybe those numbers are historic, e.g. chips delivered to-date, which would make sense given the release schedule of the chips.

2. Why would Apple wait? It hurts Apple competitively. It hurts Intel. What good comes from waiting?

3. January doesn't make much sense to announce an update when the Santa Rosa chips are coming out in April. Unless Apple will wait on that too. Or, as another option, unless Intel is keeping with their current trend and plans on pushing up Santa Rosa to January But again, why wait now? It just makes their products less competitive in the current marketplace.

4. Leopard is 64 bit. They want as much of their installed based on 64 bit as possible. Makes things easier in the future to support legacy hardware. (Optimizing for the G3 chips is expensive and means no money for Apple.)

Unless Apple is purposely throttling back revenue, wanting people to wait to upgrade since they know there is a lot of demand for the C2D, I can't see any reason they would wait. Of course, this assumes Apple thinks they are going to crush their quarterly numbers with other products.

Another option is Apple is working on fixing the serious and expensive problems with the current laptop line. These returns are becoming more frequent, and cost Apple a fortune, so maybe they want to get the quality right for the next revision. Out of all of the options to wait, this is the only one that makes any sense to me.

But maybe I am just rationalizing because I want to upgrade. Apple has made me wait many months before, so there is precedent here.

Either way, these are some of the more interesting times to be an Apple watcher, shareholder, and customer.

 

[generik]

A notebook computer = a low volume item during the back-to-school season? What are you smoking

How many MBPs you see around in college? Not very many.. I see a lot of glossy shiny white MBs instead.

 

[LvNgLegeNd]

Apple Chat

Well I just got off the phone to Apple, had not read this rumor before calling them, just not near a PC to check before I called.

The guy on the end of the phone confirmed that Macbook pro did not currently have core 2 duo processor he said they had not being confirmed for retail sales yet.

I asked if i should check the web site, he then added that I should check it around the Paris Expo time, either the 12th or 13th September.

Now I believe him more and he may of being fobbing me off, but this was the business line.

MBP next week, probibly Wendesday

I had a similar experience. I went on the Apple Store's website to drool over the new merom iMacs when I entered one of the "advice" chats with one of the Apple Experts. I've done this many times before, and everytime I've asked the "expert" when Apple planned on putting the Core 2 Duo's into the MBP's, {in hopes of something impotant accidentally slipping from one of thier mouths} I always recieved the usual "Apple doesn't comment on rumours or speculation" or "I don't have any information about undisclosed future plans." But in my most recent chat on Wednesday, after posing the same question, I was given the respnse of "You should keep checking the Apple Store's website for updates." I tried to get more info but I was told that is all the info they could relay to me. Two coinciding stories? Interesting...

-LegeNd

 

[BWhaler]

My curiosity is piqued now. Can you say it, and just substitue the word "MAC" for the curse words?

Sounds fun. Here's the post I wanted to do:


Mac Apple.

Seriously, Mac Apple.

What the Mac are they putting in the water at 1 Infinite Loop for them to think this is a good Mac'ing idea?

Apple is mac'ing dead to me for pulling this Mac. Mac'ing dead.

This rumor better be bullMac.

 

[AppleIntelRock]

I had a similar experience. I went on the Apple Store's website to drool over the new merom iMacs when I entered one of the "advice" chats with one of the Apple Experts. I've done this many times before, and everytime I've asked the "expert" when Apple planned on putting the Core 2 Duo's into the MBP's, {in hopes of something impotant accidentally slipping from one of thier mouths} I always recieved the usual "Apple doesn't comment on rumours or speculation" or "I don't have any information about undisclosed future plans." But in my most recent chat on Wednesday, after posing the same question, I was given the respnse of "You should keep checking the Apple Store's website for updates." I tried to get more info but I was told that is all the info they could relay to me. Two coinciding stories? Interesting...

-LegeNd

The SAME thing happened with me. Looks like next week everyone

 

[vega07]

WHat about the MACBOOKS? What about the MACBOOKS?

Can you guys ask them about the macbooks?

 

[daveL]

Another option is Apple is working on fixing the serious and expensive problems with the current laptop line. These returns are becoming more frequent, and cost Apple a fortune, so maybe they want to get the quality right for the next revision. Out of all of the options to wait, this is the only one that makes any sense to me.

Actually, it costs Apple's contracted suppliers a fortune. Do you actually think Apple signs a deal with a contract supplier like ASUS and then pays for their defects out of pocket? If that were the case, what incentive would the contract supplier have to maintain or improve quality? As an example, who do you think paid the cost of the recent laptop battery recall: Apple or Sony? I can assure you, it wasn't Apple.

The financial impact on Apple is more in terms of market perception of their product quality, but the consumer polls seem to suggest that Apple quality is considered one of the best in the business. That's one reason I've always suspected that the defects we hear about on these forums are overstated. That's not to say there aren't problems, but they are a small percentage of the units delivered.

Anyway, just my take on it.

 

[AppleIntelRock]

Actually, it costs Apple's contracted suppliers a fortune. Do you actually think Apple signs a deal with a contract supplier like ASUS and then pays for their defects out of pocket? If that were the case, what incentive would the contract supplier have to maintain or improve quality? As an example, who do you think paid the cost of the recent laptop battery recall: Apple or Sony? I can assure you, it wasn't Apple.

The financial impact on Apple is more in terms of market perception of their product quality, but the consumer polls seem to suggest that Apple quality is considered one of the best in the business. That's one reason I've always suspected that the defects we hear about on these forums are overstated. That's not to say there aren't problems, but they are a small percentage of the units delivered.

Anyway, just my take on it.

I second the emotion!

 

[AppleIntelRock]

WHat about the MACBOOKS? What about the MACBOOKS?

Can you guys ask them about the macbooks?

1.800.MY.APPLE, give them a call. It may take a lot of calls, buy usually you can get SOME information. If they have infomation, things are on their way, but the sales reps don't know a ton of stuff (new product wise)

 

[ryanx27]

Sounds fun. Here's the post I wanted to do:


Mac Apple.

Seriously, Mac Apple.

What the Mac are they putting in the water at 1 Infinite Loop for them to think this is a good Mac'ing idea?

Apple is mac'ing dead to me for pulling this Mac. Mac'ing dead.

This rumor better be bullMac.

ROFL, that was great

 

[BWhaler]

Actually, it costs Apple's contracted suppliers a fortune. Do you actually think Apple signs a deal with a contract supplier like ASUS and then pays for their defects out of pocket? If that were the case, what incentive would the contract supplier have to maintain or improve quality? As an example, who do you think paid the cost of the recent laptop battery recall: Apple or Sony? I can assure you, it wasn't Apple.

The financial impact on Apple is more in terms of market perception of their product quality, but the consumer polls seem to suggest that Apple quality is considered one of the best in the business. That's one reason I've always suspected that the defects we hear about on these forums are overstated. That's not to say there aren't problems, but they are a small percentage of the units delivered.

Anyway, just my take on it.

Fair point. I suspect it depends on the nature of the quality problems.

Sony battery = All Sony Money
Bad Design of motherboards = All Apple.

I am sure what Apple really cares about is the hit to the brand as a premium company.

 

[zap2]

I don't believe "The Inquirer" for a second.

Yup.tthey suck

 

[MattDell]

OK, I've calmed down. It's hard waiting for Apple once one has made the decision to buy at the next upgrade.

Anyway, I think this story is false. Reasoning:

1. The numbers don't make sense. If 50% of computers sold nowadays are laptops, why would Intel only have 20% of their chip production for laptops? Maybe those numbers are historic, e.g. chips delivered to-date, which would make sense given the release schedule of the chips.

2. Why would Apple wait? It hurts Apple competitively. It hurts Intel. What good comes from waiting?

3. January doesn't make much sense to announce an update when the Santa Rosa chips are coming out in April. Unless Apple will wait on that too. Or, as another option, unless Intel is keeping with their current trend and plans on pushing up Santa Rosa to January But again, why wait now? It just makes their products less competitive in the current marketplace.

4. Leopard is 64 bit. They want as much of their installed based on 64 bit as possible. Makes things easier in the future to support legacy hardware. (Optimizing for the G3 chips is expensive and means no money for Apple.)

Unless Apple is purposely throttling back revenue, wanting people to wait to upgrade since they know there is a lot of demand for the C2D, I can't see any reason they would wait. Of course, this assumes Apple thinks they are going to crush their quarterly numbers with other products.

Another option is Apple is working on fixing the serious and expensive problems with the current laptop line. These returns are becoming more frequent, and cost Apple a fortune, so maybe they want to get the quality right for the next revision. Out of all of the options to wait, this is the only one that makes any sense to me.

But maybe I am just rationalizing because I want to upgrade. Apple has made me wait many months before, so there is precedent here.

Either way, these are some of the more interesting times to be an Apple watcher, shareholder, and customer.

All very excellent points. I hope you're correct.

-Matt