Predictions for new iBook----->

[Mr Maui]

No, but I can get a WinTel laptop that has better specs than an iBook for the same price. I'm not saying I will, but come on ... what's stopping both lines from getting an update?

And what's keeping me from switching? I don't have money right now

What kind of "better specs" do you think you get for the same price? As I said previously, Windows vs. OSX has to be considered a sacrifice and justifies some slight price differential in my opinion, but when comparing Wintel vs. Apple make sure you are comparing apples with apples (not things such as the GHz myth). Also, I do understand the "lack of money factor", but if you don't have money for a Mac, then you likely don't have money for a PC either.

 

[Mr Maui]

Since this was an iBook prediction thread, I'll give mine.

1. Jobs introduces it next week during his keynote
2. Minor form factor change
3. No widescreen
4. 512 RAM on mother board - one open slot
5. Core Image graphics card
6. 1.33 GHz 12" 1.5 GHz 14"
7. 40 Gig HD 12" 80 gig HD 14"
8. I don't really care what the CD-R DVD+-R Combo Super Drive DVD RAM Blue light Slot load drive is as long as it's DVD something. Read only is fine with me
9. Ordering it right after the keynote will take 5 weeks to arrive because of pent up demand
10. Just to round it out to 10 and throw in something that I want and would order it if it didn't come with it - Bluetooth standard

I still kinda like my theoretical, hypothetical, only-in-a-dream, prediction/wish list (albeit quite sarcastically based ... see post number 8). However, I'm 100% confident that the minute such a computer was announced/released, someone would be here on MacRumors or some other rumor site (if you can call them that ), complaining that Apple still didn't do ENOUGH and that they were still TOO EXPENSIVE!

 

[macbaseball]

I'm 100% confident that the minute it was released, someone would be here on MacRumors or another rumor site (if you can call them that ), complaining that Apple still didn't do ENOUGH and that they were still TOO EXPENSIVE!

Lol, yeah. I bet there will be a thread on that by the end of the day it's released.

 

[Mr Maui]

Lol, yeah. I bet there will be a thread on that by the end of the day it's released.

You can count on it ... though I think it would be by the end of the HOUR!!

 

[Tamer Brad]

What kind of "better specs" do you think you get for the same price? As I said previously, Windows vs. OSX has to be considered a sacrifice and justifies some slight price differential in my opinion, but when comparing Wintel vs. Apple make sure you are comparing apples with apples (not things such as the GHz myth). Also, I do understand the "lack of money factor", but if you don't have money for a Mac, then you likely don't have money for a PC either.

Hahaha yeah I definitely see your point I already learned the GHz myth.

Need money for iBook ...!

 

[cooknwitha]

I think it makes sense for the iBook and PB line to be different but it makes no sense why apple don't offer the BTO options like a superdrive on the 12" iBooks. Obviously they're not going to offer it for free but it just makes no sense to not even have the BTO option when it is possible.

That's where Apple is competing with itself.

My wishlist for the iBook update is:

1. Tigerable graphics
2. 512MB RAM standard
3. 60GB harddrive
4. 12" widescreen (Apple is way behind here!)
5. Superdrive option on 12"

It's all I ask for! And I believe that with an iBook update will come a Powerbook update so maybe it's not too far fetched. I hope so anyway.

 

[caveman_uk]

Since this was an iBook prediction thread, I'll give mine.

1. Jobs introduces it next week during his keynote
2. Minor form factor change
3. No widescreen
4. 512 RAM on mother board - one open slot
5. Core Image graphics card
6. 1.33 GHz 12" 1.5 GHz 14"
7. 40 Gig HD 12" 80 gig HD 14"
8. I don't really care what the CD-R DVD+-R Combo Super Drive DVD RAM Blue light Slot load drive is as long as it's DVD something. Read only is fine with me
9. Ordering it right after the keynote will take 5 weeks to arrive because of pent up demand
10. Just to round it out to 10 and throw in something that I want and would order it if it didn't come with it - Bluetooth standard

Your's sound more believable. Except for
1. Would Jobs introduce a new ibook at WWDC? A new powerbook maybe? Only if the new ibook is pretty incredible - I doubt a speed bump will cut it.
2. Nah. It's a nice form factor.
3. The Digitimes rumour. I don't think widescreen is likely yet...
4. Bump up the Ram. Definately-it's cheap to do and helps the performance no end.
5. Again cheap to do. ATI 9600 like the emac/imac or the Geforce5200 (yes, I know it sucks)
6. A small speed bump is possible but have to be careful about stepping on PB toes. The ibook will stay restricted until the G5 powerbook comes out.
7. Definately. 30GB is tiny for a 12" and a slightly bigger drive wouldn't cost much. Faster would be nice too but would take ibook too near 12" PB.
8. 12" Superdrive unlikely as would affect 12" powerbook sales.
9. ibook supply has usually been pretty good and I'm not sure there's that much pent up demand. If it's a new form factor however then yep, delays!
10. Bluetooth. Why not.

I have to say why does the 12" powerbook exist? All it does is stop the ibooks from being better. There are real reasons to buy the larger powerbooks but Apple are creating artificial differences between the 12" ibook and the powerbook. I know the brushed metal is nice but given the choice between a 12" powerbook and a 12" ibook just as good but a few hundred bucks cheaper which would you buy? For that matter why is there a 14" ibook? Surely a more rational range would be 12" ibook, 15" powerbook and 17" powerbook?

 

[Tamer Brad]

I think it makes sense for the iBook and PB line to be different but it makes no sense why apple don't offer the BTO options like a superdrive on the 12" iBooks. Obviously they're not going to offer it for free but it just makes no sense to not even have the BTO option when it is possible.

Thanks ... you were able to write my thought better.

 

[Mord]

No, but I can get a WinTel laptop that has better specs than an iBook for the same price. I'm not saying I will, but come on ... what's stopping both lines from getting an update?

And what's keeping me from switching? I don't have money right now

i challenge you to find me a 12" laptop with at least a 5 hour battery which dose not have integrated graphics for less than the ibook.

 

[shadowmoses]

i challenge you to find me a 12" laptop with at least a 5 hour battery which dose not have integrated graphics for less than the ibook.

Thats very true

 

[Chrispy]

Apple just needs to add something to the iBook to give it that extra edge it used to have. It has just become a stale product due to a lack of updates. 64MB video and 512RAM would be enough alone to push it back into the eyes of the market. The iBook used to be in PC Magazine's best compact portable list for a long time and just recently it has been bumped out by Dell Two simple additions would make the iBook stand up again. Sure it may put the iBook close to the powerbooks but there will be a significant update to the powerbooks in the next six months to a year. They closed the gap before when updates were due on the powerbook and I think they will do it again. Plus.. cram and Jam time is coming again so they need to make them appealing over the PC market for students.

 

[AoWolf]

Apple just needs to add something to the iBook to give it that extra edge it used to have. It has just become a stale product due to a lack of updates. 64MB video and 512RAM would be enough alone to push it back into the eyes of the market. The iBook used to be in PC Magazine's best compact portable list for a long time and just recently it has been bumped out by Dell Two simple additions would make the iBook stand up again. Sure it may put the iBook close to the powerbooks but there will be a significant update to the powerbooks in the next six months to a year. They closed the gap before when updates were due on the powerbook and I think they will do it again. Plus.. cram and Jam time is coming again so they need to make them appealing over the PC market for students.

I think the best way to do that is to redo the case. Add in a 1.42 Ghz G4, standard bluetooth, track pad scrolling, and fall detection. All they have to do is call it "The New iBook" the biggest thing is keeping the case durable.