More to Come from Apple... Soon?

spakle · Jan 12, 2006

1. There will be NO tablet PC's from Apple. They only sell in small quantity to the business world (where Apple definitely doesn't hava a presence). Again, tablets just don't sell.

2. There will be NO plasma/large lcd screens. Currently the competition is fierce and profit margins are low. I'll wager that Dell is out of the plasma biz by next year or shortly after. Also, to have a computer inside makes zero sense for two reasons.

Unless you're single, trying to watch tv and use the computer screen at the same time with other people there won't happen.
It would make the price of a already expensive TV be way too much. If you were Apple, would you rather sell a few thousand TV's or a few million boxes that connect to a TV (crt, lcd, plasma)? The rumor came from Powerpage. Have they ever got a rumor right? I don't think they have.

Hopefully that will put those two rumors to rest.

Now, back to the article. Something about the new PowerBook isn't right.

MacBook is such a horrible name. I'd like to see the results from the focus group on this one.
Steve didn't show the damn thing at the show!
Specs aren't even complete...no battery time. How can you sell..excuse me...how can you buy one without knowing the specs?
The web page for the MacBook is a mess. Hard to read, no real images.

Something happened where the laptop was added too soon. I really hope tis little story is correct and we see some major improvements to the new intel laptop lineup.

Peace

adamberti · Jan 12, 2006

I think there will be more announcements regardless of this rumour. If I recall correctly, Apple had announcements the next 3 or 4 weeks after MWSF 05. Each tuesday they made more announcements, to keep the media attention. It worked well last year, why not use it this year? It makes sense to spread out all the good stuff, otherwise some of it gets overlooked.

Chundles · Jan 12, 2006

Huin said:
That the bad thing on living in The Netherlands... the thing costs 2700,- euro's here... well over $3000,-!

Yup, we're getting hit pretty hard here too.

1.67GHz MacBook Pro = AUD$3199 = US$2401.50 = 2030
1.83GHz MacBook Pro = AUD$3999 = US$3002.50 = 2537

These are the same prices as the 15" and 17" PowerBooks respectively.

spakle · Jan 12, 2006

Gus said:
<sarcasm>Or, it could just be that Intel wants Apple to feel like business as usual and is holding out on them. You know, the transition is tough, they want them to feel comfortable working with a chip supplier who can't meet demand.</sarcasm>

Best post of the new year!

d.f · Jan 12, 2006

watch the keynote stream

all speculation:

The keynote didn't seem as polished as they normally are (could have had to do some late changes)

Apple switching to Intel wasn't given as much airtime as either iPods sucsess or iLife.

Steve said if you wanted to buy the MacBook "get your orders in early"

the strange ommision of real world battery life has been put down to it being too early to be exact. this tells us they are not mass producing these yet. i genuinley think these things will ship a lot closer to early March. All the PC's announced at CES were giving very vauge ship dates. none as early as Apple is claiming.

although they have updated the laptops at different times (didn't the 12" and 17" get some goodies in one revision, while the 15" waited..? or the other way round...) - this was due to supply issues. IF there is going to be a 17" and 12" MacBook, they would ideally have wanted to do the entire line to Intel at once. it would be a much clearer, positive move. RIP Powerbook, welcome Macbooks. despite the 15" probably being the best seller in the range, they know that the 12" and 17" are still very popular. this also points to possible short supply initially.

i know Intel is the daddy, but with many many big companies launching products with these chips all at the same time, it still a big task to keep up.

lastly, wasn't there some news stories about Apple seeking chips first, which was met with a "not possible", as Intel has to be fair to all it's customers. Any prefferential treatment Apple would result in instant legal action from the Dells, Acers, Sony's, etc. Maybe Intel told Apple they couldn't announce product x, as they hadn't given the other companies the chance to order there's yet....

who knows?

BlueRevolution · Jan 12, 2006

spakle said:
1. There will be NO tablet PC's from Apple. They only sell in small quantity to the business world (where Apple definitely doesn't hava a presence). Again, tablets just don't sell.

word.

spakle said:
Steve didn't show the damn thing at the show!

nope, Phil was in the audience with one, and they were set up outside for people to play with. what did you expect, spinning platform? they look exactly the same as the PB!

Platform · Jan 12, 2006

LimeiBook86 said:
I have my mouse over the "Order" button on the new intel iMac and I read this.....come on Apple, don't do this to me! Now I have to wait I guess, I hate waiting...

Don't wait....I got the Rev C iMac and it is great even with Dual Core iMacs out 2 weeks later

Enjoy

MrCrowbar · Jan 12, 2006

Imho

yea, right. New 12" and 17" MBP (MacBookPro) next Tuesday. Well, I'll certainly wait for the 12" (hope they will do that one, and not the 13,3" thing like in the rumors). I just want a lightweight thing with sufficient battery life that i can always carry around and impress ppl in airplanes (I think you can really show of, if you put one of the 12" on each knee ^^).

But as many of you, I don't really like the name of the new book. I hope Apple won'T adopt the standard "Pro and Home" naming like seen in other (dull) OS. Thus the new iBook would be the MacBookHome... thus only for use at home ^^. They should rather have called it Powebook Duo or MigthyBook (with this clitoris-thing in the middle of the mouse button ^^).

I don't think the combined TV-Cpmuter thing will appear soon by Apple for one main reason (someone already mentioned it): Computers are obsolete after 2-3 years. TVs dont. I'd rather see A decent big screen (though Plasma loses pretty much of its brightness after some time) with a connector for plugging in the DVD-HD-iTunes-Internet-thing. So you can upgrade better. On the other hand... the 5G iPod does video... lets power this thing up: you know, make the screen as big as the unit and put the click wheel on the back (cmon, you dont really have to look on the 4 labels there, do you?). So you have large screen iPods that you can plug on the Apple-TV-Dock or take it in your hand and use it as remote control (IR-Sensors ^^).

Just my 2 cents

BlueRevolution · Jan 12, 2006

d.f said:
The keynote didn't seem as polished as they normally are (could have had to do some late changes)

did you all really think that or are you just making that up now that this rumour is out? because I didn't notice anything unusual...

d.f said:
lastly, wasn't there some news stories about Apple seeking chips first, which was met with a "not possible", as Intel has to be fair to all it's customers. Any prefferential treatment Apple would result in instant legal action from the Dells, Acers, Sony's, etc. Maybe Intel told Apple they couldn't announce product x, as they hadn't given the other companies the chance to order there's yet....

more likely they want the announcements to come at roughly the same time from different manufacturers to avoid the appearance of favouritism.

this Intel thing, I tell you... it's brought nothing but trouble. well, and 4x faster PowerBooks...

jacobj · Jan 12, 2006

As I said in my previous post on this thread I rushed in and ordered a MacBook Pro, but I have cancelled it. The reasons being:

This post may well hold some truth
This is the first generation of Intel Duo processors and hardware bugs cannot be fixed as easily as software
for £1500 I would expect the top of the range processor and not the $249 one
The graphics card is good but not great

Now normally I would not compare an Apple to an Acer, but the truth is that Acer are offering much more in terms of cost of production in the 8204WLMi (review)

$423 Processor over $249
120 GB HD as standard
Dual Layer DVD at 8x (4x is too slow for $2499)
4 USB Ports
Adjustable webcam

Apple's build quality is great and I'll pay a premium for that, but not that much of one. Let's hope this rumour is true.

spakle · Jan 12, 2006

BlueRevolution said:
nope, Phil was in the audience with one, and they were set up outside for people to play with. what did you expect, spinning platform? they look exactly the same as the PB!

Sorry about that. Way tired but wanted to get some points across.

iMeowbot · Jan 12, 2006

brepublican said:
I knew there was something missing. Viiv. Thats got to be it, something to do with Viiv.

According to Intel, Apple aren't currently interested in Viiv. It's got to be that giant iPod.

Stella · Jan 12, 2006

SeaFox said:
What's slightly ironic is Steve is waiting on Intel due to supply issues. I know these are new chips and all, but really. Even Intel, the chip supplier, the big kahuna, is unable to quench lowly Apple's appetite for high preformance yet cool running processors.

Wasn't a big reason we switched to Intel because their massive production capacity was supposed to end these sort of shortfalls?

Its not just Apple that want these processors, its EVERY other pc manufacturer.

Personally I'm beginning to think the MacBook Pro was a interim machine to get over the PowerBook performance problems, quickly AND to be one of the first to announce Duo core machines.

I'm a 17" machines are on the way - why no 17" machine? Doesn't it seem strange no 17" inch?!! If the 15" can house the processor, then 17" must be no problem.

devman · Jan 12, 2006

Chundles said:
Yup, we're getting hit pretty hard here too.

1.67GHz MacBook Pro = AUD$3199 = US$2401.50 = 2030
1.83GHz MacBook Pro = AUD$3999 = US$3002.50 = 2537

These are the same prices as the 15" and 17" PowerBooks respectively.

well for starters, the AUD prices you quoted include 10% tax and the USA prices do not include tax. Using the AUD ex GST price (2,908.18) gets you USD2,198.00 Then there is the small cost of running Apple Australia... (in fact, the whole issue is far complex than even this. Companies don't import and sell at floating FX rates. Your and my conversion are at today's published FX rate - who knows what rate Apple Australia is locked into and for how long).

jimN · Jan 12, 2006

mad jew said:
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.

Just remember that he is only waiting because he jumped in early and (if i recall the reports correctly) the duo core release was brought forward.

Maybe they wanted to announce a smaller pro model based on low power chips - however that would have had a new enclosure (i'm guessing) and nothing so far has suggested that they have those ready.

Chundles · Jan 12, 2006

devman said:
well for starters, the AUD prices you quoted include 10% tax and the USA prices do not include tax. Using the AUD ex GST price (2,908.18) gets you USD2,198.00 Then there is the small cost of running Apple Australia... (in fact, the whole issue is far complex than even this. Companies don't import and sell at floating FX rates. Your and my conversion are at today's published FX rate - who knows what rate Apple Australia is locked into and for how long).

Yeah, but why would you quote the price without tax? You still have to pay it do you not? I know you guys have different taxes from house to house but here the tax is included in the price of everything. I'm simply quoting the price we all have to pay here. I can't make any more direct comparisons cause you guys don't list the full price of the systems.

And yeah, I know it costs money to run companies down here with small consumer bases. I do know how this works, all I was doing was a simple comparison. I could say that they are relatively cheap here because with my job as a waiter I could afford one in 2 months working full time (which I do not) but it would take much longer in the US because of your pitiful minimum wages for wait-staff.

Stella · Jan 12, 2006

Maybe we are all analyse Steve's words - but why would he say something like - "Not all of you will see me until April" - or words to those affect.

I don't believe he has ever said anything like that - hinting at some possible future event. He didn't even hint at this during the first of the two special events.

50548 · Jan 12, 2006

BlueRevolution said:
word.

nope, Phil was in the audience with one, and they were set up outside for people to play with. what did you expect, spinning platform? they look exactly the same as the PB!

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?

- People were CLAMORING for Intel speeds and a notebook launch...now that you have it, you complain...I really can't get it.

The iMac is now, BY FAR, the best AIO desktop on the planet, faster than any crappy PC and with all media/consumer features

The MacBookPro is, BY FAR, the fastest, nicest and most stable notebook on Earth (please don't come with Acer or those behemoths from Alienware)...FW800 has been dropped because it's DEAD and not necessary in terms of market demand (show me ONE branded PC laptop that has it). Modem is DEAD, too, or you may just buy a cheapo, small one at the Apple Store...S-Video out is available with a cheap adapter from Apple too, and DVI/VGA are already there. 60 PIXELS less?? Oh the horrors!!! You get a brighter display than any crappy PC out there and you complain now? Go figure.

You wanna a totally revamped line of Apple desktop and notebooks, with nonexistent Merom chips and liquid metal cases in January? You want a monster plasma display just because a user named "Rolo" posted it on AppleInsider? Keep dreaming, it's for free.

50548 · Jan 12, 2006

Stella said:
Maybe we are all analyse Steve's words - but why would he say something like - "Not all of you will see me until April" - or words to those affect.

I don't believe he has ever said anything like that - hinting at some possible future event. He didn't even hint at this during the first of the two special events.

No, this is not the X Files...he just said that most of us will NOT see him before Apple's birthday, so he wanted to mention the date before people start complaining...that's all.

robotx21 · Jan 12, 2006

I was just thinking...not sure if this was posted already or not...but what if the REAL reason it is MacBook is because they are going to release MacTablet. And, if apple is smart, the tablet will be a laptop as well. interesting...this will DEFINATELY be way cooler than just a MacBook.

jacobj · Jan 12, 2006

BRLawyer said:
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?

- People were CLAMORING for Intel speeds and a notebook launch...now that you have it, you complain...I really can't get it.

The iMac is now, BY FAR, the best AIO desktop on the planet, faster than any crappy PC and with all media/consumer features

The MacBookPro is, BY FAR, the fastest, nicest and most stable notebook on Earth (please don't come with Acer or those behemoths from Alienware)...FW800 has been dropped because it's DEAD and not necessary in terms of market demand (show me ONE branded PC laptop that has it). Modem is DEAD, too, or you may just buy a cheapo, small one at the Apple Store...S-Video out is available with a cheap adapter from Apple too, and DVI/VGA are already there. 60 PIXELS less?? Oh the horrors!!! You get a brighter display than any crappy PC out there and you complain now? Go figure.

You wanna a totally revamped line of Apple desktop and notebooks, with nonexistent Merom chips and liquid metal cases in January? You want a monster plasma display just because a user named "Rolo" posted it on AppleInsider? Keep dreaming, it's for free.

I agree with much that you say and you are close to right in terms of how good the Apple is. Because Acer make a product with features not in the MacBook Pro is not a reason to believe that the Apple is inferior. Products that people don't want are of no use and Apple generally does not do that.

But the doomsayer in me still says that Apple are testing the water with this. There whole line-up points that way. I want to see a full line-up and some feedback before I buy the machine that will be with me for the next 3 years.

iEdd · Jan 12, 2006

My prediction is there may be a laptop(Probably the iBook equiv), a mac mini and/or something else at WWDC. Then, in November (Paris expo or wherever) Powermac G5s, Xserves and another laptop comes out. (maybe that would be the time for the 12/13" and 17" Macbook pros.

shadowmoses · Jan 12, 2006

Personally i think we will see one brand new BIG announcement from apple at a special keynote event possibly within the next month the keynote will be short like the one's we saw for the Ipod Video and will come with short notice, I think people are right in saying Macworld was not what it was meant to be as it was evident something just didnt seem right on the hardware front....And poor Steve he was far from 100%

Im sure we will see Front Row + Dongle released for all mac's, a DVR like device and a new Intel iBook....

Something big is cooking

Shadow

Fabio_gsilva · Jan 12, 2006

I think it's the new Mini that was left behind... It was said everywere that a new mini was coming, and we saw nothing...

Let's wait and see...

UberMac · Jan 12, 2006

Front Row...

Has anybody noticed that on the Store page (UK, haven't checked US) the image of front row on the iMac (intel) has a completely different "movies" logo to normal? Perhaps a sign of updates to front row coming soon, or maybe a completely new version designed for the <ahem> "plasma mactv pro XTReEm*"...

I've put the original and the "new" one at the bottom for y'all to see.

*Asterisk denotes absurdity of idea...

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