More to Come from Apple... Soon?

[strange days]

Anyone seen this: http://global.acer.com/products/notebook/tm8200.htm

There's a comparison of the new Acer Travelmate 8200 and the new MacBook Pro on this site (scroll down):
http://www.tnl.net/blog/entry/MacBook_Pro_Comparison_Charts

Now, whatever Apple still has in it's sleeves, it better beat the 8200. Because most probably, the 8200 is the fastest notebook ever, not the MacBook Pro. And it has much more connections (4x USB2...). And it's even much cheaper than the 1.87GHz MacBook Pro.
Come on Apple, give us the fastest possible for a reasonable price !!!! The times are over when we were able to say "But a G5 at 2GHz beats a P4 at 3.2GHz...". Now PCs and Macs can be compared directly. No more excuses...

...and it's larger, and heavier, and uglier, and doesn't run OSX...

 

[Phase IV]

One thing I found interesting was that his "One More Thing" was a MacBook Pro. They had already released an iMac with an Intel chip so it wasnt had to believe that another computer would get it soon if not that day. So, his "One More Thing" reall wasnt a big supprise like usual. My guess is their Big Supprise had to be delayed so they moved the MacBook Pro intot hat slot to keep up the tradition.

I wholeheartedly second this!
It seemed strange not to demo the MacBook Pro onstage, but just have Phil hop up, demo the iSight and that was it. If the MacBook Pro replaced another item at the very last minute, that would explain the unfinished specs that some people here are complaining about.

Watching the keynote, I couldn't help but notice that a disproportionate amount of time was spent on iLife and all its features and details. Now, maybe this is because I'm not really that interested in it, but I got the impression that at least part of this may have been filler material to compensate for something a little more substantial that was left out. I mean, it appeared to me that Jobs spent more time talking about iLife than about both intel Macs combined.

However, I also believe that people are reading too much into Steve spending all this time on iLife. I think he did that not only to show off the app, but also to then later come back saying: "I did all this on an intel-based iMac!"

I am still hoping for a media-MacMini that will do for video what the iPod has done for audio.

 

[asphalt-proof]

Maybe Intel doesn't have any problem with its Core Duo chips. However, Apple has asked for such a large number of units that they're still stockpiling it as we speak and couldn't launch a product because they don't have enough chips yet.

Or maybe Steve wants to unveil this "new very very cool product" on the birthday of Apple (April 1st)?

In any case, I want a "Mac mini Pro" (Core Duo and X1600/128MB). Maybe even make it higher and put a real 3.5" drive in there (I won't mind if it's twice as high... as long as it's not twice the price!). The price difference between a 100GB 2.5" drive and a 160GB 3.5" drive should offset a bit of the cost for the Core Duo and the X1600/128MB.

Wouldn't it be hilarious if Apple really does release something so outrageous on their birthday that nobody believes it and writes it off as an eloborate prank?? Anybody? Anybody? Is this mike on?

 

[devman]

Nicest? I think the 3.5 lb Core Duo Thinkpad X60 is pretty sweet - the MBP is kind of a behemoth compared to that.

Aw come on, the X60 is a TWELVE INCH LAPTOP. Hardly fair comparing its weight to a 15" don't you think? The X60 is underspec'ed in virtually every area compared to the MBP.

 

[eVolcre]

Is this a possiilty?

The MacBook Pro doesn't really exist. It really was just a quick lab mockup of the G4. That lets them get something out the door and say that they have an Intel notebook. The shipping date is Febrauary - what if, work with me here for a second they release the REAL Macbook before Feb. People wouldn't complain since anyone who preordered gets the new version.

Wouldn't it be hilarious if Apple really does release something so outrageous on their birthday that nobody believes it and writes it off as an eloborate prank?? Anybody? Anybody? Is this mike on?

 

[toolhouse]

Keynote 2

I was at the keynote and cheering loudly. I could feel my 2k shares climb as I watched. Steve's a smart marketer. He did what we've all been asking – focused on the Mac for the keynote. Video is coming soon. I expect a special event (Keynote 2) within the next 8 weeks for video that will blow our minds. Another mid-year for Steve's new phone and phone service, and Leopard in the fall. Speading the announcements keeps Apple in the news, let's the Apple team work effectively, and keeps my stock (purchased pre-split for $17) climbing!!!!

 

[Sunrunner]

I hope not for the sake of those who are ordering / have already ordered. I'd be rather upset if I heard of an even "better" (in whatever area is improved) notebook.

Sort of a "Crap, I was hoping for a thinner / cheaper notebook but I already ordered a MacBook!"

And the peasants revolt.

Announce the Pro hardware first and all the people who cant wait buy that... oldest trick in the computer marketing book.

 

[bugfaceuk]

Well to do that M$ would have to create a workable Sasser or MyDoom for the Mac. Don't recall Macs every being hit by widespread viruses, worms, or spyware. Heck, even Sony couldn't get spyware on the Mac. M$ has a challenge on their hands.

Never underestimate the POWer of the dark-side

 

[Tomaz]

...and it's larger, and heavier, and uglier, and doesn't run OSX...

Same thickness though...

You know, I don't mean that the 8200 is nicer or better than the MacBook. I'm just disappointed that the first Mac Intel Notebook hardware specs are not really up there with the best of the best.
- Slower CPU
- just 2x USB2 (I have to use a USB2 PC-card with my PB all the time cause I need 3-4 USB devices at the same time)
- No s-video
- No dual-layer DVD burner (No DVD Ram)
- Smaller HD and less RAM

Just a bit disappointed...

 

[Seasought]

Announce the Pro hardware first and all the people who cant wait buy that... oldest trick in the computer marketing book.

You're right.

Still, how evil!

 

[Sunrunner]

I was at the keynote and cheering loudly. I could feel my 2k shares climb as I watched. Steve's a smart marketer. He did what we've all been asking – focused on the Mac for the keynote. Video is coming soon. I expect a special event (Keynote 2) within the next 8 weeks for video that will blow our minds. Another mid-year for Steve's new phone and phone service, and Leopard in the fall. Speading the announcements keeps Apple in the news, let's the Apple team work effectively, and keeps my stock (purchased pre-split for $17) climbing!!!!

All you people who got Apple stock before the take-off officially suck!!!!

 

[andiwm2003]

I hope not for the sake of those who are ordering / have already ordered. I'd be rather upset if I heard of an even "better" (in whatever area is improved) notebook.

Sort of a "Crap, I was hoping for a thinner / cheaper notebook but I already ordered a MacBook!"

And the peasants revolt.

not everybody wants a smaller notebook. there will be a trade off. no firewire, smaller keyboard, smaller less bright screen, slower processors, smaller slower hd, 1GB RAM max.

if you want a powerful notebook go with the mac book pro, if you want small wait for the "lite" version.

those who have already ordered but would prefer a smaller notebook, well, why didn't threy wait for what they really want?

 

[devman]

Waiting For new "New TV Tuesday"

ARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!

very funny post BTW, but damn I hope it's the only one..

 

[AidenShaw]

Aw come on, the X60 is a TWELVE INCH LAPTOP. Hardly fair comparing its weight to a 15" don't you think? The X60 is underspec'ed in virtually every area compared to the MBP.

The main part of my point is that of course "nice" is subjective.

For people who want small and light - the MBP is not nice, it's a behemoth.

Some people want small and light - not CDs, not slots, not the fastest, not big screens - just small and light.

Maybe we should count the number of "I'll wait for the 12" MBP" posts in this forum...

 

[jouster]

Is this a possiilty?

The MacBook Pro doesn't really exist. It really was just a quick lab mockup of the G4.

Yeah, the SEC tends to frown on public companies' CEOs making deliberate false statements at massive media events. To the extent that it puts 'em in jail if it can.

 

[asphalt-proof]

Wasn't it a couple of years ago where they ('they' being Apple) stated that they were trying to get away from announcing products at the big shows? Anyway, maybe this is the results. What better way to keep Apple in the news than to build hype for this conference. Then release the really cool stuff every month or so. Potentially we would see Apple stock making nice strides every month with the buzz generated by a 'new and exciting' product release. I admit that the keynote left me underwhelmed. I don't see anything very exciting about the new Macbook pro. The iMac, on the other hand, is pretty exciting. I would love to see it with a 23" screen though.

So, let the "new (insert hypothetic new release here) on Tuesday" thread games begin!!! I think that, if this is the case, the rumor sites are going to get a whole lot more interesting than they have been the last year of so.

 

[AidenShaw]

My new Dell at work, dude, tells me all.

I'm always amused when people make performance claims based on their home Apple vs. their PC at work.

Is the home Apple part of a domain? Does the home Apple access applications on file shares across a busy network?

Facts?

 

[eVolcre]

There's still a loophole though. Fine, announce the macbook and even make it available. Then announce the even better line in a month. People who want the orginal macbook can get it, people who have pre ordered but would prefer the new ones get a free upgrade. That would work

Yeah, the SEC tends to frown on public companies' CEOs making deliberate false statements at massive media events. To the extent that it puts 'em in jail if it can.

 

[swingerofbirch]

when the original bondi imac was announced, it was announced to have a 33.6 dial up modem, but there was so much clamoring about that, that by the time it shipped apple wisely decided to include a 56k modem

i give that as an example since others are questioning what apple might do to better the mac book

although, these mac books are probably already in production?

i agree with the other posters that apple is in strange form

 

[xejn]

What is it with Apple is chip supply?

First, the trouble with G4 chip supply from Moto.

Then, the chip supply trouble from IBM.

Now, Apple goes to Intel and IBM can crank out all the freakin' chips MS needs for the XBox, but Intel now has supply trouble? And why is it that we never hear of the Wintel box makers having chip supply trouble?

Is there something different about the "Core Duo" than the Pentium M Dual Core chips the other makers are getting? Does Apple just keep engineering themselves into trouble?

This "chip supply" seems to be chronic for Apple and follows them all over the place. This problem has also only happened in the Jobs era. I'm just saying, we have heard this story a few too many times, something does not jive.

FYI--this is not a slam, I still love Apple and still think Jobs is good CEO, and I have plans to get two new Mac in about 6-12 months (after things shake out) for me and the wife--it's just that the whole "chip supply" story is getting old.

 

[Sunrunner]

I'm always amused when people make performance claims based on their home Apple vs. their PC at work.

Is the home Apple part of a domain? Does the home Apple access applications on file shares across a busy network?

Facts?

Facts? How about the fact that the Apple would be significantly faster in that networked envionment as well... NEXT

 

[corywoolf]

With Core Duo chips though?... Perhaps...

This rumour makes sense. It's slightly ironic (only slightly) that Steve is once again waiting for the CPU maker.

No Plasmas! That is is about as likely as the ihome.

 

[swingerofbirch]

sorry for double posting but apple's intel ad really has me upset, and it seems just like apple to not be able to handle a healthy relationship and so they shoot it in the foot as soon as they get one, i just thought to myself what if intel had an ad:

"For years Apple has been hindered by overpriced slow little computers. But today Intel will set the Apple free."

 

[Peace]

Facts will not be available until ALL PC's with the dual-core are in the hands of consumers..

ANY argument in this forum is based on personal speculation whether its from the PC or Mac side..

If you dont like the Macbook dont buy it..

But please people STOP complaining about stuff that isnt even in the market yet.

 

[Bonte]

Click the button.

Stop waiting, just click the button. This guy reckon's Intel can't deliver enough chips? INTEL?!?! These guys aren't small fish, they're the biggest bloody shark in the ocean, even their scrap chips would be more than enough to supply the whole year's supply of Macs.

Looking at the anticipation for these models i guess Apple needs 2-4 million new processors this quarter alone (plus DULL, HP etc), adding another millionseller is maybe more than Intel can handle for these new chips. Maybe Apple is waiting for enough ViiV supplies?

I'l buy an iMac anyhow, its perfect for my needs.