New Mac Placeholder SKUs in Future Shop's Inventory?

[mtrctyjoe]

Ah yes... the gold'ole "602" code.... infamous in these here parts...

They say the code refers to some sort of new fangled computing machine…. others say its all a bunch of pig @#$%.

I say IT BETTER BE A 15+ INCH LAP TOP THAT DOES NOT COST $2,000.00!!!! 😛

 

[dwcasey]

That's my fear too. 1280*720 (instead of 1366*768) and a Combo Drive don't look good...

Exactly. Ditch the combo drive. With regards to the integrated graphics mac has tended to be in the middle or behind for some time ( 950 or x3100 ), so I wonder if they will leap frog and put something a little above average in there?

you've got to give folks a reason to jump when you start comparing them spec for spec.

 

[aleksandra.]

Definitely 3 MB's and 3 MBP's. No Air, because they wouldn't redesign a product which isn't even one year old.

Macbook
13 inch
13 inch
15 inch

MacBook Pro
15 inch
15 inch
17 inch

That would be more realistic, wouldn't it?

But I am wondering what the tech specs could be... Anyone? Hope the lowest MacBook gets standard 2 GB of memory.

No it doesn't. No one said anything about Air's redesign, but they usually *do* update their laptops sooner than after a year. We're talking about new Intel processors, perhaps more RAM, more options or better HDD/SSD. And 15" MacBook is about as realistic as a $500 Apple netbook.

I think it's more likely going to be 3 new macbooks, offered in English and French configurations. Future Shop sells in Quebec, they offer both languages on most computers.

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/subclass.asp?logon=&langid=EN&catid=23016

If you didn't notice: there're 6 English and 6 French placeholders.

SKU#2 The air will get a minor bump in speed to deal with complaints and a minor price drop to fit in between the MB and MBPRO.

Let thou be right...

Originally Posted by merrymoon
I'm thinking:

1. MBA gets a small HD bump, maybe a processor bump. Nothing big.

2. MB gets a new design, faster processors ( + maybe bigger HDs + more RAM ). Maybe a small price drop?

3. MBP redesign, speed bumps and small HD increases.

(one MBA, down to two base MBs, and three MBPs.)

Here's hoping the event comes soon!

ding ding, we have a winner! This makes the most sense. MBP fully HD ( screen, blu-ray, etc. )

Agree completely.

 

[iPaf]

I think it's more likely going to be 3 new macbooks, offered in English and French configurations. Future Shop sells in Quebec, they offer both languages on most computers.

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/subclass.asp?logon=&langid=EN&catid=23016

He's right! I'm from Québec. The Future Shop where I go has french and english products! But, as you can see on the picture, there are 6 new products EN and six new products FR...

 

[kabunaru]

New "features" of the new MacBooks and MacBook Pros:

MacBook:
Aluminium
LED-display
No more Intel Integrated graphics card
16:9 ratio display
Faster processors and bigger storage hard drives
Glass trackpad?
Black frame around the display like the aluminium iMac
Base model: $999 and all other models are $200 cheaper.

MacBook Pro:
User-replaceable hard drive
Magnetic latch
16:9 ratio display
Faster processors and bigger storage hard drives
New design
MacBook Air keyboard
Base model: $1799 and all other models are $200 cheaper.

I am predicting.

 

[bimmer]

I'm a PC, I have been waiting for this for 6 months and I'm soooo excited 🙂!!!

 

[Aranince]

Please no 16:9 screens! I like my precious pixels!

 

[Eric S.]

That's a ridiculous contention. If anything the MB is on the way out.

That is also a ridiculous contention.

 

[JRSimmons]

This is good news.

I also think they will hold out on everything but the two main lines - Macbook and Macbook Pro. The rest will probably be early next year to boost post-christmas sales.

What I'm hoping for is a Black Aluminum macbook! I am still tempted to get the current Black Macbook, then upgrade once a second update has been released next year..and also take advantage on the current UK back to school offer!

 

[Sanchez27]

I just read this post and had a quick scout round all the online UK electronics retailers to gauge their stock levels in response to the new SKU info:

Dixons (DSG International) - All Apple Laptop products sold out
Comet - Varied stock with some showing only store stock
Argos - Mostly store pick up only
John Lewis - All models, bar one, in stock
MacWarehouse - Historically low stock levels (norm 100+ each model, currently between 1-78)
Play.com - All models in stock

Deducing from that fairly primative research I think I would be expecting a refresh before 14th Oct. Once mid campaign stats are examined in response to the Student offer I would (if I worked for Apple) make a decision to launch the refreshes based on that data. But if stock levels run flat dry I think this could harm Apple's revenues more than if they released new products when their is still some products in the system - resellers really like a quick switch and not empty shelves.

Just a thought to salivate over, yes I'm talking to you Apple Junkies 😀

 

[kabunaru]

Please no 16:9 screens! I like my precious pixels!

So, you are not going to buy another Mac again if Apple makes all of their Macs (except Mac Mini and Mac Pro) and Cinema Displays 16:9 ratio?

 

[Cubytus]

Sorry dude -- you are totally wrong... http://www.apple.com/uk/financing/
Also, I don't think other folk's financial matters are any concern of yours.

Seems it's only available in the UK for consumers. CA-US-Most of europe, it's only for institutions.

And I keep what I said: if you absolutely need financing for a reasonably-priced computer, you're already in big trouble and should spend more time on stabilizing your finances before consuming more.

Am I in a free country? Not quite, but mostly. I pity you for not being in one.

 

[Aranince]

So, you are not going to buy another Mac again if Apple makes all of their Macs (except Mac Mini and Mac Pro) and Cinema Displays 16:9 ratio?

I'll still buy it..its still usable...just as a programmer, I like my vertical space.

 

[corrado7]

SKU#1 The MB line will be simplified due to the dropping of the color difference and universal adoption of superdrives. One 13" model ~$1000, more or less.

SKU#2 The air will get a minor bump in speed to deal with complaints and a minor price drop to fit in between the MB and MBPRO.

SKU#'s3&4 A 15" and 17" MBPRO.

SKU#5 The "Brick". I suspect a home server to replace the Mini (and maybe even the appleTV) and add functionality to...

SKU#6 A ~$500-600 netbook. A stripped down 9" laptop with almost nothing but a microphone port, WiFi, and 8GB flash. Light and portable, but stripped of enough extras to not be a head-to-head competitor for the Air. Really dependent on the "Brick" for serious storage, optical drive, USB and FW, but capable of surfing and basic computing tasks on the road.

Another dreamer!

 

[k2spitfire88]

And so the frenzy begins again...

this just made me laugh

I'm a PC, I have been waiting for this for 6 months and I'm soooo excited 🙂!!!

 

[tiguk]

Nice research Sanchez. Not sure about your deduction but I hope you're right.

 

[Gerbo]

I think Gerbo is likely correct, though I don't know about the screen sizes.

i got the screen sizes from here.
http://blogs.computerworld.com/macbook_pros_what_to_expect_when

i personally would love a 16 inch mbp

 

[iPaf]

I'm a PC, I have been waiting for this for 6 months and I'm soooo excited 🙂!!!

+1

 

[Mackilroy]

So, you are not going to buy another Mac again if Apple makes all of their Macs (except Mac Mini and Mac Pro) and Cinema Displays 16:9 ratio?

Why do you want 16:9 screens anyway? What advantage do they offer over 16:10?

 

[unkle77]

I'm thinking:

1. MBA gets a small HD bump, maybe a processor bump. Nothing big.

2. MB gets a new design, faster processors ( + maybe bigger HDs + more RAM ). Maybe a small price drop?

3. MBP redesign, speed bumps and small HD increases.

(one MBA, down to two base MBs, and three MBPs.)

Here's hoping the event comes soon!

agree as well.

i think they are going to get rid of the mid-level white and make it 1 white and 1 black MB. so that gives:

1 MB Air
1 White MB
1 Black MB
3 MB Pro's

makes the most sense to me anyway...

trying to sell my old Black MB and will be picking up a Pro most definitely. cannot wait!

 

[RMo]

...an Apple doesn't offer any financing options on its computers.

Yes, they do: http://www.apple.com/financing/

 

[kabunaru]

1366x768 resolution would be fine on a MacBook.
I would take that over 1280x800. 😛

 

[C8XY]

This is good news.

What I'm hoping for is a Black Aluminum macbook! I am still tempted to get the current Black Macbook............

Me too

 

[FerdiV]

No it doesn't. No one said anything about Air's redesign, but they usually *do* update their laptops sooner than after a year. We're talking about new Intel processors, perhaps more RAM, more options or better HDD/SSD. And 15" MacBook is about as realistic as a $500 Apple netbook.

Well, everybody is talking about the 6 SKU's, and I say it would not be an Air. Others think 2MB's 1MBA and 3MBP's, but I don't think so.

And a 15" MacBook, well a lot of people want that, 13 or 15...

 

[Shasterball]

OMG. Release them already. I'll take 2.....