Two New iPods, Four New Mac Configurations

[dernhelm]

<grin>

I'll bet there's going to be a few disappointed people here on Wednesday.

But I also bet there is going to be something more impressive that "a little smaller" / 80GB iPod.

My guess? HD Powerbooks/PowerMacs and an airport home theater that allows connection to Home Theater via component cables/optical sound cables. Apple will begin to enter into the living room, not as a Media center, but instead as a media backbone and delivery system.

But I could be wrong....

 

[nagromme]

Food for thought:

Adding black Mac models alongside the white ones would not require end-of-lifing the existing models. It could be done without the usual warning signs of a new model.

Intel macs arent going to come until when Steve said they were, June 06, stop trying to jump the gun. They wont be coming this year. The chips arent even available yet and OS x86 isnt ready yet, and there is absolutely no software available yet. Its not gonna happen. Its gonna be updates to the PPC, and as Steve said, that are finally coming out of the "pipeline"

I agree that PPC Macs are coming this week, and that Intel Macs before January are unlikely. And Intel Macs IN January (even announced) are no sure thing either. But it's not as impossible as you make it out to be:

* Steve said Intel Macs would be "in the market" BY WWDC 06, not STARTING at WWDC 06. And he was speaking at WWDC, so that's the sensible milestone to refer to. I don't see that as some "promise" that there will be no Intel Macs until WWDC.

* And Pentium Ms are available now--and faster than G4s. So putting them in Mac Minis, iBooks, or PowerBooks without waiting for Yonah isn't out of the question. On the higher-end desktop front, Apple can use Netburst if they wish. Making Intel Macs now is a long shot, but not an impossibility.

* I've seen mention of parts of OS X for Intel being beta, but I haven't heard anything that leads me to believe it's a long way from being done, either. January doesn't sound unlikely.

* Lastly, "absolutely no software" is false. There's a LOT of software that will run on Intel Macs--and some of it native and full speed.

I don't think we'll have to wait for June.

 

[cbigfoot1987]

I think they will update...

the powerbook 12 inch, 15 inch, and 17 inch, both ibooks. the reason being two days ago ibooks and powerbooks where shiping within 24 hours. now 1-3 days But the ipods will likly stay the same. Who knows they may DP the powermac 15in, and 17in. so i hope.

 

[localghost]

WSJ-story?!?

Maybe the Intel-PowerMacs are ready in spite of Intel’s previous 64-BIT roadmap and the educated guess of board members and the media that the consumer-line will switch first.

Recent screenshots of 4-CPU Intel configs at Hardmac as well as a Wall Street Journal story ‚Intel to Unveil New Chips for Servers’ (Dual-Core, 64-BIT) could point this way. (Didn’t read the original WSJ story since I’m not a subscriber, however here is a German summary).

 

[zap2]

I'm surprised that many.... what would they be?
the iMac G5 hasn't seen any real upgrades since it debuted....

ya it has, speed bump, built in AP and BT, bigger HD, what kind of update you looking for?

 

[nagromme]

Recent screenshots of 4-CPU Intel configs at Hardmac

Even if those shots are real (they may well be), they are almost certainly from a prototype of a Mac that won't actually ship for a long time.

One reason consumer Macs should change over first: less demand for a broad variety of top-performing native apps.

 

[Stella]

But Apple never promised any AE updates, it was all rumours...

Oh great, no Airport Extreme update. What is Apple doing? Sleeping?

There are going to be a lot of disappointed people, especially when iPod updates are lame...

PowerMac updates look promising, however. PBs will remain underpowered and still found wanting.. ( i doubt PBs will be updated ).

 

[swissmann]

Only 2 days away. I'm only interested in a Dual Core Dual Processor G5 (likely) with Blu-Ray burning (unlikely). Unless of course the Powerbook already gets an Intel processor (no way).

 

[seriypshick]

What about asteroid?

 

[zap2]

a G5 cube!!(but dont call it that!!! ) and a eBook( for school but sell it to the public, to go head to head with those cheap PC latops)

dreaming!

 

[igetbanned]

Maybe the Intel-PowerMacs are ready in spite of Intel’s previous 64-BIT roadmap and the educated guess of board members and the media that the consumer-line will switch first.

Recent screenshots of 4-CPU Intel configs at Hardmac as well as a Wall Street Journal story ‚Intel to Unveil New Chips for Servers’ (Dual-Core, 64-BIT) could point this way. (Didn’t read the original WSJ story since I’m not a subscriber, however here is a German summary).

Intel dual-core 64-bit chips are already available (not the Xeons that intel announced today)

But they're not the M based (65nm) ones expected next year.

But it ain't gonna happen, as I suspect developers are still working out the 'kinks' for the big switch.

Anyone have any insight into the availability of dual-core PPCs?

Freescale doesn't show a link to buy them yet.

Does anyone think they could possibly be in full production.

 

[cbigfoot1987]

nice thought

a G5 cube!!(but dont call it that!!! ) and a eBook( for school but sell it to the public, to go head to head with those cheap PC latops)

dreaming!

That would be cool?? I Mean HOT!!!!

 

[24C]

This is a keynote address, just one that has been decoupled from the Paris Expo and made separate for one of two reasons: 1. they want to de-emphasize events as product announcement venues; 2. there's a new product that wasn't ready for Paris. That's what "one more thing" is telling us.

I'm with you on this. Why did Steve cancel the Paris keynote? and yet he's having a one now. There has to be something good coming. Great marketing either way...please don't let me be disappointed

 

[nagromme]

eBook( for school but sell it to the public, to go head to head with those cheap PC latops)

Yes, you are dreaming, but that's actually a great idea. Go REALLY low-end (it's OK for PCs, why not Macs?) to keep the price down--and by calling an eBook, it doesn't sully the reputation of the iBook. Rock-bottom specs across the board... but cheap enough to be fair even so! I think it would sell. (But I'd probably wait for Intel before doing it.)

 

[nagromme]

Anyone have any insight into the availability of dual-core PPCs?

Freescale doesn't show a link to buy them yet.

Does anyone think they could possibly be in full production.

Yes, I think they could be, and probably are. But from IBM (G5s), not from Freescale.

Or maybe a dual core G5 gets the G6 name Why not? It's all names. May as well make the most of PPC.

 

[zap2]

apple is goign to have a hard time after releasing the Nano!!

I think something in the Mac area of apple would be better cuz it not going to be versus the iPod Nano as much as a new iPod would!

 

[cbigfoot1987]

Yes, you are dreaming, but that's actually a great idea. Go REALLY low-end (it's OK for PCs, why not Macs?) to keep the price down--and by calling an eBook, it doesn't sully the reputation of the iBook. Rock-bottom specs across the board... but cheap enough to be fair even so! I think it would sell. (But I'd probably wait for Intel before doing it.)

I think this would be good specs for a ebook

12 inch svga LCD
G4 1.00 Ghz
256 Builtin DDR 2100 SD-Ram/expandable to 1.256 GB
ati 9000 32MB
40 GB HD
dvd rom
No BT
Airport 11Mbps B Not G
Non Scrooling Track pad
two button click button
No backlight Keyboard

 

[localghost]

One reason consumer Macs should change over first: less demand for a broad variety of top-performing native apps.

Yeah, it’s not very likely, I know.

On the other hand, up to now everybody thought Intel wouldn’t have 64-BIT CPUs in volume until mid/ late 2006. If the DuaCore G5s have already been prepared, and Apple knew about Intel’s new 64-BIT roadmap earlier, they might want to sell both (remember the 9-X transition) to show the strength of Intel.

Besides, there are a lot of professional users that only depend on Apple software like FCP.

I’d get one (if apple isn’t asking more than 2000), but generally I’d be happy with every PCIe PowerMac.

 

[rock711]

Think about what happened last October...

Ok, now that we've exhausted everyones imaginations with posts about video iPods, quad-core Powermacs, all black Macs, and iHome units, lets look at what is really going to happen...

A quick blurb about speed bumps and how great Apple is
A new, slimmer, higher capacity iPod
And one more thing...

The Madonna Edition iPod

The U2 iPod debuted at a "special event" in October 2004; right in time for the holiday shopping season. 40 gig & pink; expect it to cost $350 and include a $50 credit toward Madonnas newly released exclusive iTunes catalog.

Bet on it.

 

[npm]

Past "One More Thing"(s)

I am trying to remember past products that were introduced as a "One More Thing."

So far, I can only think of:

15" Titanium Powerbook G4
12" and 17" Aluminum Powerbook G4's

What else?

Maybe the iMac G4 (even though we all already new what it was from Time Canada.)

Just curious. This could also put into perspective the kind of announcement to expect.

I think Steve will run through the Mac and iPod line-ups while announcing speed bumps (Mac) on a few lines. Sort of, the state of Apple going into the holiday buying season. I think the press will recap everything that is said, so Steve can get free advertising and (hopefully) positive press about the Mac lines.

Then, "Oh ya, the reason we're here. I do have One More Thing!"

 

[steve_hill4]

Yes, but if Apple can hide a brand new product that replaces your best selling iPod, they can hide other stuff as well...especially new features in an updated iPod.

Also, remember that podfuture called the nano EXACTLY a week before it was introduced. He is now guaranteeing a video-enabled iPod. I think he first posted about a month ago, and also mentioned the thinner form factor which now makes complete sense given the Toshiba updates. Other sites have picked up on this too, but not on the video (yet.)

I agree that podfuture is in the know, (on the current record anyway), and I feel most of the predictions they have made will come true. I just don't buy that there won't be a brand new product there, something that will excite more than just mac sites. If there isn't, they have hyped up this event too much perhaps, (well, not personally, but letting their invitation lead so many to predict video enabled iPods), and they will lose some face within mainstream media.

Sure, other products will be announced on Wednesday too, but the one more thing will have to be something worth writing about. One more PPC revision, increased iPod capacities without video, or merely something like video enabled AirPort, (which won't excite mainstream), just won't cut it.

 

[cbigfoot1987]

Maybe, Do you remember the older powerbooks with the feet that raise the backend up 1/2 an inch, or so, that might be a new thing they may begin doing again!!!

 

[DavoMrMac]

Powerbook HD Section on Apple Discussions Forum

Hello All,

Well I was just wetting my pants for a moment then.
I went on over to Apple Discussions at:
http://discussions.info.apple.com/webx?14@146.3L6hakxaTkU.0@.ee6ba8d

and there was a PowerBook HD section, which went clicked was locked. I then went back on my browser to see if any other sections were there and it had gone.

I think someone at Apple either made a blunder or was testing things out.



On a more subtle note, I also have been scouring the Apple site and the 15inch Superdrive Powerbooks are now showing 2-3 weeks shipping, this is pointing to an UPDATE for sure.

 

[igetbanned]

I think this would be good specs for a ebook

12 inch svga LCD
G4 1.00 Ghz
256 Builtin DDR 2100 SD-Ram/expandable to 1.256 GB
ati 9000 32MB
40 GB HD
dvd rom
No BT
Airport 11Mbps B Not G
Non Scrooling Track pad
two button click button
No backlight Keyboard

Anything less than 512MB builtin is just uncivilized.

 

[pags]

Laptops

Just a thought--
1. there are rumors that the 12" PB is EOL.
2. the 12" iBook is so close to the 12" PB that there's virtually no difference in performance between the two.
3. the 14" iBook doesn't seem to have a niche or make a lot of sense.
4. the iBook ship times are increasing.
5. the 12" PB ship times aren't increasing but the other PB ship times are . . . .

so is it crazy to think that Apple might be about to merge the laptop lines?