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Hell, I'm still waiting on the Pismo update.

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I don't know you, sir, but you are a genius. :)

I also had a Pismo (aka bronze key; aka firewire). I think that particular powerbook had more aliases than any other model.
 
man u guys have such hopeful expectations.

i prefer to keep it real:

mbp13:
i3 proc
2 gb ram base
5400 rpm hd
nvidia 310m

mbp15:
i5 proc
4gb ram base
5400 rpm hd
nvidia 310m

mbp17:
i7 proc
4gb ram base
5400 rpm hd
high end ati 59xx


no usb 3.0
no blu ray
no esata
no hdmi
and prices will remain the same

I see your specs and raise you the following:

13"
BTO:
1. Core i5 cpu with 4MB L2 Cache. 8GB DDR3 RAM MAX
[or maybe 3 slots for 12GB Max throughout the lineup]
2. 7200RPM HDD standard [using 16/32MB cache]

Across the lineup:
Increased 16:9 resolution
USB 3.0 ports (with 2.0 compat.) 3 ports across the lineup, 17" gets 4/5.
Firewire 3200 Makes a debut (maybe not until Fall 2010 but I think it will)
Utilizing some sort of Piezo electric sensitivity to the TrackPad (ok I'm dreaming here).
E-Sata/USB 3.0 Combo port for the 15" & 17" - if no USB3.0 across the lineup then 13" gets just 2 ports, 1 being a combo E-Sata/USB port.
Prices to remain the same or $100 cheaper across the lineup than previous models.
NVidia ION 2 chipset for North/Southbridge and auto switching to 320M or higher dedicated graphics chips with OS X support for on the fly switching; FINALLY.

MacBook drops $150; starting at $900US for base model.

Mac Mini in late May to get Core i3 [i5 on the Mac Mini Server]. 2 DisplayPort connections [shipping with 1 adaptor], Dual Ethernet Ports [on Server is possible or maybe even a Fibre connection]
 
Typically in the fall, Apple has a discount on ipods with purchase of a new computer. Well I'm not sure if that is general public or education only. But they have had it several years that I recall.

It wouldn't be a surprise to me if they did the same with an ipad.

I think you got a free iPod with the purchase of the new computer. If I remember correctly, it was also heavily aimed towards students.
 
Me too, my Macbook is still a champ but I could use a larger disk drive so I'm hoping the 600Gb disk rumor is true.

I respect the need for the 600+GB hard drive if your Macbook/MB Pro is your primary machine but I cannot imagine opting for the ol' spin drive over new SSDs otherwise, ie, use external drive or home pc for storage -- use SSDs in laptop.
 
I see your specs and raise you the following:

13"
BTO:
1. Core i5 cpu with 4MB L2 Cache. 8GB DDR3 RAM MAX
[or maybe 3 slots for 12GB Max throughout the lineup]
2. 7200RPM HDD standard [using 16/32MB cache]

Across the lineup:
Increased 16:9 resolution
USB 3.0 ports (with 2.0 compat.) 3 ports across the lineup, 17" gets 4/5.
Firewire 3200 Makes a debut (maybe not until Fall 2010 but I think it will)
Utilizing some sort of Piezo electric sensitivity to the TrackPad (ok I'm dreaming here).
E-Sata/USB 3.0 Combo port for the 15" & 17" - if no USB3.0 across the lineup then 13" gets just 2 ports, 1 being a combo E-Sata/USB port.
Prices to remain the same or $100 cheaper across the lineup than previous models.
NVidia ION 2 chipset for North/Southbridge and auto switching to 320M or higher dedicated graphics chips with OS X support for on the fly switching; FINALLY.

MacBook drops $150; starting at $900US for base model.

Mac Mini in late May to get Core i3 [i5 on the Mac Mini Server]. 2 DisplayPort connections [shipping with 1 adaptor], Dual Ethernet Ports [on Server is possible or maybe even a Fibre connection]

WOW!!! Those are some seriously high hopes. Prepare to be utterly disapointed. BTW where can I get some of that stuff your smoking?
 
Any clue on graphics card options on new MB pro's? I am thinking nVidia 3xx series, but have no clue they might go with a 4xx series.
 
man u guys have such hopeful expectations.

i prefer to keep it real:

I agree with you.

But somewhere in the corner of my mind
I secretly wish Apple will blow our mind away with super cool MBP line up.

My wishes: (of course it will be faster processor so other than that)
-HDTV tuner (internal)
-iSight on both side (front/back) for secret video recording :p
-Better battery life
- Sexy Steve Job wallpapers :apple:
 
Not "shortage" but "lack" of Intel chips

I really believe the problem is being mis-translated. It's not so much a shortage of all Intel chips, but a lack of suitable Intel chips in the higher end models the MBP would need. There are no current 35W chips that have better specs than the top chips in the current lineup. The processor speed in DP mode (non-Turbo) is slower, the cache is smaller/slower, etc.

That said, I expect a 35W i7M that beats the current top Core2Duo 35W is imminent, and it will be in the 15" and 17" as CTO.
 
Guys, I read the article, and it basically says that the parts suppliers are excited about the launch. I am posting the proper translation here:

New MacBooks to be released this month. Taiwanese Factories are optimistic

Apple will release a new generation of MacBook laptops in April, using the Intel "Core i" family of processors (Personal note: "Core i" means Nehalem). Parts supplier said that even though the new laptops have been delayed by a month, they are optimistic that they have orders for supplies that last until June.

Assemblers Quanta Computer ([Stock Number] 2382) and Honhai Precision ([Stock Number] 2317) will be the main benefactors. Meanwhile, computer housing supplier Catcher Technology ([Stock Number] 2474), Hongzhun ([Stock Number] 2354), and chassis suppliers SZS ([Stock Number] 3376) and Jarllytec ([Stock Number] 3548), along with other heatsink and keyboard manufacturers are releasing more of their stocks.

Intel announced the i3, i5, and i7 laptop computer processor platform in January, and was originally estimated to be fitted inside new MacBooks and MacBook Pros, with the MacBook Air using an Ultra Low Voltage version of the new processors. However, due to constrained supplies, the refresh was delayed until next month.

The parts supplier said that they sold small amounts of their inventory to Apple, with a huge uplift in April, and strong and steady growth for April, May and June. According to sources, the MacBook Pros will come in 13, 15, and 17-inches variety, and comes with wither a 640GB hard disk, or a 248GB SSD drive, with 8 hours of battery power.

With new MacBooks and MacBook Pros, suppliers are ramping up production, and external investors are speculating that Quanta will benefit from new orders from Apple and Whirlpool. Quanta's production in march increased to 3.9-4 million units, and they are aiming to raise that to 4.2 million units in May, thus breaking a record. In addition, their rate of production increase was 10-15% in the 2nd quarter, which was better than the industry average, and unseated the industry leader, Compal.

Catcher and Hongzhun are Apple qualified computer housing suppliers, and they benefit from the aluminum housing that MacBook Air and MacBook Pro uses. They are visibly ramping up production for the 2nd quarter. Catcher is not willing to discuss customer's business directions, but their Chairman, Hong Shuishu said recently that their industry will be driven by aluminum laptop housings. In addition, because of a change in manufacturing methods, along with new uses for these housings, per-unit prices on aluminum housings have reversed their price decline, and supply shortages are already appearing for March and April. Overall, 2nd Quarter revenues are expected to rise 15-20%.

In addition, heat sink manufacturer CCI ([Stock Number] 6230), Chassis manufacturers SZS and Jarllytec, along with keyboard manufacturers Sunrex ([Stock Number] 2385) and Darfon ([Stock Number] 8163) have steadily shipped more units.

It is important to note that the source is Apple Daily Taiwan. While the article in question in on the business section, Apple Daily, as a whole (it has operations in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and owns newspapers and magazines), is known to sensationalize reports, and sometimes making things up. I find no reason to question the authenticity of this article, but we should take it with a grain of salt.

I want to see a new MBP as soon as possible too, but I am not too sure about the source's reliability. Let's hope it is true!
 
--mbphope.jpg
 
Any clue on graphics card options on new MB pro's? I am thinking nVidia 3xx series, but have no clue they might go with a 4xx series.

I think the may use the cutting edge ATI ones - Rage 128. ATI will have the drivers sorted out for this very card by now. I hope at least!
 
Google translate to English is horrible. At least to simplified Chinese is word for word just in a different character encoding. Sounds like supply shortage will push shipping dates to June. April date is for resupply of Intel parts.
 
Is it just me or is a 248GB SSD seem a little fishy? I was aware that SSD sizes were based on powers of 8. Shouldn't it be 256GB? or do they mean formatted capacity?

Superspeed USB seems like a good bet for Apple, since they've kept USB ports. I doubt they'll add HDMI since Apple likes the versatility of their mini displayport.
 
I think the may use the cutting edge ATI ones - Rage 128. ATI will have the drivers sorted out for this very card by now. I hope at least!

I don't think apple will go with ATI, I think they will stick with nVidia because CUDA, and snow leopard. but what do I know.
 
Google translate to English is horrible. At least to simplified Chinese is word for word just in a different character encoding. Sounds like supply shortage will push shipping dates to June. April date is for resupply of Intel parts.

They are saying they have orders stacked up to June, not that they are pushing it back. If you want, read my translation of the article above.
 
Is it just me or is a 248GB SSD seem a little fishy? I was aware that SSD sizes were based on powers of 8. Shouldn't it be 256GB? or do they mean formatted capacity?

Superspeed USB seems like a good bet for Apple, since they've kept USB ports. I doubt they'll add HDMI since Apple likes the versatility of their mini displayport.

Usually they are, but there are outliers. Intel is a good example. Their drive sizes are 80 GB and 160 GB at the moment.
 
I've heard from a trustable source that they are replacing the now obsolete Mini DisplayPort with a new port called the Tiny MonitorPlug, which is so modern that it isn't compatible with anything yet, and it won't be for at least 2 years.

Also, it is speculated that the keyboard layout will only come in a newly patented, universal language, which Apple will promote in the following years, allowing everyone to communicate in the same language using only 9 characters and two punctuation marks. Those familiar with the matter say that the language will be called "iTalian", and is essentially a merge between modern Italian and HTML5.
 
excellent news, if it's real... I've been waiting to replace my MBP for a while now... maybe I'll hold out on the iPad until the 3G arrives, then I'll make my decisions on what to get.
 
here is the thing that's a bummer. if the article is true its SSD or HD.

Why not an option for both on the 17inch. also sounds like they are not dropping the superdrive.
 
Seems like the NAB show would be the ideal time/place to announce at least updated Pros, but Apple isn't even attending any more these days - apparently the Pro graphics/video market is not an important segment to them anymore. :(
 
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