More to Come from Apple... Soon?

[Some_Big_Spoon]

I was thinking "Frankenstein", but shoe-horned is better. These do feel like stop-gap machines, and that's fine. There's so much pent up need for a new powerbook that getting something (anything!) into people's hands was a must. And with Duo's only available so far, you couldn't really see them putting those into the mini and the ibook (as they have a very clear line of demarkation now - consumer solo, pro duo).

The *ugh* MacBook looks like it's ripe for a reworking, which I'm pretty sure it'll get before it's really ready for the long haul.

Anybody here old enough to remember the original PowerBook G3...?

The MacBook Pro looks like the same sort of "stop gap" deal.
When the G3 chip first came out, it was shoehorned into the existing PowerBook design, only to be replaced a few months later by the brand new snazzy PowerBook G3 Series Wallstreet.

Me thinks the same may happen this time too...

 

[Coheebuzz]

A 30th Anniversary Mac is definately coming from Apple and i expect to see something completely out of Star Trek. Steve hinted on Apple's bday at the end of the keynote and then the "see you soon" again!

Also the MacBook rocks!. I never owned a laptop because firstly until now they were too slow for what i do and second they always seemed to run out of battery when you needed them. I also use a Nokia 6110 for the same reason!
Now the only thing holding me back from buying a MacBook is the battery life - i want to see an improved battery life over the PB G4's as they promissed - not on par as an article posted before suggests. So i think i'll wait a bit to hear experiences from people.

 

[Claymore]

Maybe it is a new PDA, a MacPod

 

[50548]

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...

Sorry, is it reasonable to complain that Apple is using a chip .2 GHz "slower" than an unreleased PC? In addition, Apple is about form factor, not "all you can cram inside" practices. 2 USBs are more than enough for most, and I've NEVER used more than 1 at a time on my iBook (it's either for an external mouse or, sometimes, to charge my iPod).

The biggest problem with forums like this is that we deal with the most picky users who do not represent the market.

Notebooks already comprise everything, and the MBP even has a camera now...so tell me...why more than 2 USBs? You've got a trackpad, a keyboard, a camera, a card slot, FireWire, video/audio-out, the whole enchilada...perhaps a tablet? What else? Is it for your special Lego set? Do you connect your dig camera all the time to upload photos? Do you keep your iPod recharging all time?

I am not joking, I am just saying that 4 USBs go way beyond a normal user's needs, and Apple doesn't need to screw its design because of a select few.

As for the other things, they are more than discussed now...for s-video you have an adapter (I never used mine); you can easily get more RAM and HD when you buy the MBP; and DL burner is totally overkill for now.

 

[nagromme]

These do feel like stop-gap machines, and that's fine.

Before the "rush" hysteria (not from you) starts I think Apple has likely had plenty of time to work on the MacBook Pro and it doesn't seem rushed to me. I think other MacBook Pro sizes, when they emerge will be similar in specs.

The little things people complain about (which I do understand) have their reasons for being removed, I'm sure--but none of them seem like a "cut to save time" kind of issue. Loss of modem and FW800? Apple already mastered those years ago. A "rush" doesn't explain their absence. Lack of demand or cost savings or lack of space in the case might. But not just "didn't have time to put in a modem" or more USB ports or whatever. (I do think a DVI to S-video dongle may be delayed, but that's an external accessory.)

These machines are not out yet, but when they are, they are thinner, dual-core, MUCH faster, MUCH better GPU, with built-in camera and a remote. This seems the opposite of rushed to me: it seems like the ultimate Mac laptop. Which means the ultimate laptop period

PS, for the people who say more USB ports would be commonly needed: true. Mouse, keyboard, printer, iPod, pocket camera, modem. That's 6 very very common devices. On the road, just the last 3--but there are only 2 ports. USB software dongles and thumbdrives are also fairly common, as are scanners, USB audio devices, game controllers and pocket hard drives. So people will want hubs, which not every keyboard has built in, and carrying a hub and cables defies portability just like carrying a modem does. My mobile bag-o-bits is too full already I have zero problem with people pointing out and discussing these things, and we should all be glad people do. And tell http://apple.com/feedback as well.

But those really are minor things compared to what has been gained. Not rush or stopgap issues.

It's not "either-or." People aren't wrong to complain about the loss of some feature they use, and Apple's not wrong to make the decision in the first place--it's still a fantastic machine.

 

[snowmoon]

I am not joking, I am just saying that 4 USBs go way beyond a normal user's needs, and Apple doesn't need to screw its design because of a select few.

Here are several full time devices I could see..

Keyboard+Mouse or graphics pad ( 1 port )
Printer ( 1 port )
USB key for security ( 1 port )

That would make it difficult to attach the following regular devices some of the time

iPod
Scanner
VoIP headset
USB key
Camera

Apple opened this door by making all devices talk this standardized protocol and now is reducing the number of ports on the Pro laptop seem silly.

 

[Seasought]

Maybe it is a new PDA, a MacPod

I'd be excited about this. Many have argued that there isn't much of a market for PDAs, but I've always enjoyed using them and, with the inherent quality and design of Apple products I'm sure it would be an amazing device.

I've always liked the idea of a PDA (owned a couple of Palms) but they always fell short in several areas for me. Perhaps it would be an evolution of the iPod or another line of them.

Maybe I'm the minority, but I wouldn't mind seeing this happen.

 

[ITR 81]

My big problem with the Keynote.

Jobs spends all his time on talking up iLife 06' and demoing but when iWorks 06' comes out he just gives a quick glance at it and then says go look it up for yourselves on the internet!?? (It made me think he didn't care much about iWorks 06' as he did for iLife 06'.

Why so much time on iLife and not iWork. I would suspect the iLife demo's and such were just a time plug for something not ready yet..or in good supply.

Now if a 40in Plasma iMac came out would I buy it? Maybe...
If Apple does Plasma they need to make then last longer then 2yrs...like most plasmas. I'm on my second 42in plasma at work. The first one Viewsonic lasted around 10 months...now I'm on a Samsung which so far seems better in quality(picture). Time with tell I guess.

Could there be a duo core supply issue? Possibly I know a small computer maker here and they are having trouble getting enough since all the big companies are suppose to get them first or atleast have fist dibs.

I believe a new shuffle was to debut but didn't and maybe a Intel solo powered Mac Mini..but supply issues held atleast the Mini back if not the Vivi in it.

I believe the new shuffle will just appear on Apples website on some upcoming next tuesday with almost no fanfare about it.

 

[macintel4me]

Here are several full time devices I could see..

Keyboard+Mouse ( 1 port )
Printer ( 1 port )
USB key for security ( 1 port )

That would make it difficult to attach the following regular devices some of the time

iPod
Scanner
VoIP headset
USB key
Camera

Apple opened this door by making all devices talk this standardized protocol and now is reducing the number of ports on the Pro laptop seem silly.

USB Hub. Problem solved.

 

[~Shard~]

These machines are not out yet, but when they are, they are thinner, dual-core, MUCH faster, MUCH better GPU, with built-in camera and a remote. This seems the opposite of rushed to me: it seems like the ultimate Mac laptop. Which means the ultimate laptop period

...

But those really are minor things compared to what has been gained. Not rush or stopgap issues.

Completely agree - I think a lot of thought has been put into these MacBooks and they are very solid upgrades. And yes, they are indeed the best laptop - until Merom comes out.

 

[TaKashMoney]

I agree. The lack of ports is a bit alarming especially for pro users. While I'm not in the market for a power lapper, this doesnt bode well for future ultraportables (as I'm very excited at 12-13" possibilities.)

This being said, with my 1.33 GHZ iBook flying away with no issues imagineable, I would give my left (fill in preferable body part) for a MacMini DVR. Ohhh imagine the possibilities... streaming iTunes, Tv shows on demand, surfing the net on my couch, wireless everything, all running with beautiful osx, and porting converted tvshows/movies to my ipod/ibook for ultimate portability... all for around $500. What a beautiful thing...

 

[Peace]

Here are several full time devices I could see..

Keyboard+Mouse or graphics pad ( 1 port )
Printer ( 1 port )
USB key for security ( 1 port )

That would make it difficult to attach the following regular devices some of the time

iPod
Scanner
VoIP headset
USB key
Camera

Apple opened this door by making all devices talk this standardized protocol and now is reducing the number of ports on the Pro laptop seem silly.

Keyboard and Mouse for a portable?..I know it's done but it's not normal.and if you're gonna use a keyboard and mouse with a macbook why not just use the bluetooth? no usb port usage.m'k?

Printer:
my house has airport and the printers plugged into it.No usb usage there.

Camera:
Why would any person leave a camera plugged into their portable ?


There!

You still have 2 usb ports free..

 

[mdavey]

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?

They would just release another press release on April 2nd saying "We're still shipping [product]!".

 

[AndreMA]

my hope is that apple unveils humility

their last ad, though extremely artistic and beautifully shot, was a weird shot at intel and the pc industry

Actually more of a compliment to intel, I think. A shot at PC makers (the now-more-direct competitors), with the sentiment that intel (new supplier) made good products, and now that they're in Macs they're liberated from the chains the beige-box makers have put around them. Or something.

 

[nagromme]

Completely agree - I think a lot of thought has been put into these MacBooks and they are very solid upgrades. And yes, they are indeed the best laptop - until Merom comes out.

True--and in the face of Merom, the Core Duo chip itself IS a stopgap... albeit one heck of a nice one

... if you're gonna use a keyboard and mouse with a macbook why not just use the bluetooth? no usb port usage.m'k?

Printer:
my house has airport and the printers plugged into it.No usb usage there.

Camera:
Why would any person leave a camera plugged into their portable ?

There!

You still have 2 usb ports free..

You've proven that SOME people don't need more than 2 USB ports. Nobody would deny that. But a LOT of people do need more, that's the point and it's a valid one.

You're making the mistake of assuming nobody should have needs different from your own.

 

[Peace]

And all you naysayers should notice the new macs do not have any intel inside stickers like everybody was worried about.Heck even the dual-core label is different than the PeeCee one's.

 

[Seasought]

Actually more of a compliment to intel, I think. A shot at PC makers (the now-more-direct competitors), with the sentiment that intel (new supplier) made good products, and now that they're in Macs they're liberated from the chains the beige-box makers have put around them. Or something.

I think you're right. I think they were paying tribute to the quality and ingenuity of Intel's products and how they weren't properly appreciated until the move to Apple.

 

[Peace]

True--and in the face of Merom, the Core Duo chip itself IS a stopgap... albeit one heck of a nice one



You've proven that SOME people don't need more than 2 USB ports. Nobody would deny that. But a LOT of people do need more, that's the point and it's a valid one.

Well a "LOT" of people should use some common sense and buy a couple airport's

 

[matznentosh]

Ditto...it's amazing how people in MacRumors Forums are glued to these conspiracy theories...fact is:

- Steve Jobs was SICK, coughing a lot, and wasn't in the best shape to make a keynote, that's clear...that's why he was rushing a lot through features and slides...have you ever had a flu, people? .

Don't forget people that Steve Jobs has cancer, and getting sick in any fashion is ominous.

 

[InsiderTravels]

I didn't take it that way at all

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."

Actually, thought the ad was absolutely brilliant. Whoever thought it up should win an award or something. Really. I typically despise commercials of all types. Virtually all of them have very little imagination and seem like they were thought up on the fly. But this one was really good.

To me, the ad said completely the opposite of what you think it said. I think it was a slam to Microsoft, not to Intel. I think Apple was clearly saying that Intel makes great, innovative products that haven't been able to show their full potential because they were trapped inside bland boxes doing bland tasks. They have never had the opportunity to really shine, but now they can demonstrate all the great things they've always been capable of doing.

I truly think that anybody who specializes in advertising and marketing and knows their craft well will think this is a brilliant ad. I believe even staunch Microsoft lovers and Apple haters who try to look at the ad objectively (for its own merits, regardless of which products it promotes) will think so.

Edit: Not just a slam to Microsoft, obviously, because they aren't the ones who actually make the bland, boring little boxes; they're just the ones who stopped the Intel chips from really performing to their full potential on the software side. Of course, they're also referring to the hardware companies who never thought to try making computers aesthetically pleasing until after they saw Apple do it.

Edit again: Oops, I didn't see the newer replies posted ahead of mine that basically said the same thing.

 

[Tomaz]

Sorry, is it reasonable to complain that Apple is using a chip .2 GHz "slower" than an unreleased PC?

You seem to be a picky guy in your posts, so I'm picky too: It's 0.29 GHz difference, that's 13.5% slower. Anyway, it's not about the speed difference, it's that fact that they say the "fastest notebook ever", which is not true.

In addition, Apple is about form factor, not "all you can cram inside" practices. 2 USBs are more than enough for most, and I've NEVER used more than 1 at a time on my iBook (it's either for an external mouse or, sometimes, to charge my iPod).

That's why there's ibooks for people like you. POWERbooks are not supposed to be for the normal user, but for the POWER user.

Notebooks already comprise everything, and the MBP even has a camera now...so tell me...why more than 2 USBs? You've got a trackpad, a keyboard, a camera, a card slot, FireWire, video/audio-out, the whole enchilada...perhaps a tablet? What else? Is it for your special Lego set?...

It's very simple, I have a small external USB hardrive that I use all the time. One of the Powerbooks shortcomings is that it can't use just one USB conncetion for the data AND the energy, I have to connect the HD with both USB cables to the Powerbook all the time. Funnily, on an ibook, connecting just one USB cable is enough. That was btw one of my major criticisms with the old Powerbook. So there you go, both USB ports blocked all the time. If I wanna attach a mouse, printer, Ipod, Palm, I need more ports. Very simple. No Lego set or other "funny" thing involved.

I am not joking, I am just saying that 4 USBs go way beyond a normal user's needs, and Apple doesn't need to screw its design because of a select few.

As mentioned before, the Powerbook (now MacBook PRO) is not meant for normal users, but for PROs or POWERUSERs. iBooks are for the normal user.

 

[MacinDoc]

Summary of Mac-related product introductions for 2006

Jan.: iMac announced and shipping, MacBook Pro announced.
Feb.: MacBook Pro ships, iBook and Mac Mini (based on single core Yonah at 1.66 GHz and maybe also 1.83 GHz) announced, to ship in March.
Apr.: Multi-media Mac announced, based on cube-like form factor, sporting Intel Duo Core CPU and Blu-Ray drive, larger LDCs announced, to ship in May.
June: Dual core and dual-dual core Conroe-based Mac Pro (that will be the new name), Quark xPress and MS Office universal binaries announced, to ship in July.
Aug.: MacBook Pros get upgrade with dual core Merom processors, iBooks and Mac Minis get the Yonah Duo Core chips, all to ship in September.
Oct.: Quad-core xServe announced, to ship in November.
Dec.: New iPod Video, of course, with larger screen, just in time for Xmas (just had to throw that in).

You heard it all here!

 

[eVolcre]

I'm not sure if you're joking or being sarcastic, but I hope you are right. That would meet my needs EXACTLY. I need something portable since I move from country to country every 3 months so I can't take an IMAC or a big screen. Need something I can transport from one place to the other and then leave it at the same place for 3 months. I would be so on this machine!! Cost no objection

OK, I know for a FACT they are making these (20" MacBooks), I have a buddy who works at Intel, he has already seen em. Dell is making one too. This is most likely the "cool announcement", but I don't know the timeline on those for sure so it could be something else.

It is being made as a complete desktop replacement, not portable enough for a plane or bus, but designed to be thrown in the car and taken to and from work and home or the like. Personally, I think the 17" is too big, but if this is your desktop, its a great idea because it adds flexibilty that does not currently exsist at a comperable power level.

 

[jholzner]

A 30th Anniversary Mac is definately coming from Apple and i expect to see something completely out of Star Trek. Steve hinted on Apple's bday at the end of the keynote and then the "see you soon" again!

Also the MacBook rocks!. I never owned a laptop because firstly until now they were too slow for what i do and second they always seemed to run out of battery when you needed them. I also use a Nokia 6110 for the same reason!
Now the only thing holding me back from buying a MacBook is the battery life - i want to see an improved battery life over the PB G4's as they promissed - not on par as an article posted before suggests. So i think i'll wait a bit to hear experiences from people.

I don't think anyone promised better battery life. At least Apple sure didn't. I suppose you are getting better battery life relative to the performance you are getting but if the MacBook Pro gets the same or similar batter life as previous Powerbooks I think that's pretty damn good considering the perfomance gain in both processor power and GPU.

 

[Superhob]

I don't know if this has already been mentioned but CompUSA is showing a "2-4 week" waiting period on the current 12 inch Powerbook model. Their system also shows that they are out of stock at all the local stores in my area. Here's a link to the web page http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=318703&pfp=BROWSE

This might mean that a 12"/13.3" Macbook pro may be closer than we think...