Two New iPods, Four New Mac Configurations

[steve_hill4]

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.

I sincerely hope not, the movie curtains have got to mean something after all. Let's just hope it doesn't mean you can also download as part of this package all of Madonna's movies, otherwise they'll have to try and sell that thing at about $199 just to get rid of stocks.

 

[marvelouspatric]

my stupid idea

this is all probably wrong, wishful thinking, and stupid, but I want to speculate about Apple's big announcement this wednesday. I've given it some thought, and here is what I've come up with. First off all, we know it's something pretty big for Apple to have called a special event for it. Not only that, but to call the event "One More Thing" implies it's something really special. Steve Jobs always uses that phrase before he unleashes something ultra cool in his speeches. That said, what else do we know? Well, Apple just released a new iPod, so I doubt it's a new iPod, but there's a lot of rumors about iPod and video floating around. Meanwhile, Apple has a pretty sweet deal with Samsung to provide them with flash media. Oh hey, and Samsung says they now have 16 GB flash cards. Apple also is delaying orders on portables on their site. A while back, Apple said they were moving to Intel chips. Oh, and for the past few years, Apple's had this handwriting recognition software built into their OS.

My prediction is that Apple is about to unveil a new device that is somewhere between a tablet pc and a pda. I think we will see a device that is a 12-15 inch monitor that is razor thin, using the 16GB flash for storage and a stylus for input. It will probably run some sort of OS X ish (maybe even OS X) OS on an intel celeron chip. It will have bluetooth connectivity, as well as airport, and possibly a dvd drive. Not only that, but it will have firewire and av out so you can hook it up as a media device. It will be perfect for playback of video, plus minor travel computing. It will not be a full-on portable computer, but a device to be used in conjuction with your computer and/or home theater equipment. It will retail between $1000 and $1500 US. Oh, and everyone will want one for the holiday season.

At least, that's what I think.


the marvelous patric

www.marvelouspatric.com

 

[Compile 'em all]

Mark my words folks, the "one more thing" will be a new dual-core
PowerMac with a new form factor. The event has nothing to do with iPods.
Period.
How do I know?. well, SJ is my dad and he told me so

 

[iBeard]

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!"

iMac G5 -- "One more thing" -- Apple Expo in Paris 2004

 

[Peace]

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.

The US store shows 1-2 business days for the Powerbooks

 

[agreenster]

I know that Apple is going to release a black iPod. They kinda hate doing it because they like white being their signature color, but they cant keep black nano's on the shelf

But multipprocessor Intel Macs? I'd be surprised.

 

[cbigfoot1987]

Anything less than 512MB builtin is just uncivilized.

not really for a ultra low priced computer it can be done the pb 12 inch is still 256 builtin even thought it has another 265 addon but for school use 256 is more than enough to run word, excel, and safari

 

[rock711]

I sincerely hope not, the movie curtains have got to mean something after all. Let's just hope it doesn't mean you can also download as part of this package all of Madonna's movies, otherwise they'll have to try and sell that thing at about $199 just to get rid of stocks.

I'm not convinced that they are necessarily movie curtains; they might just signify a stage, like for a Madonna performance. IMO, the assumption that this has something to do with video or movies is baseless.

 

[iDarenotsay]

Mark my words folks, the "one more thing" will be a new dual-core
PowerMac with a new form factor. The event has nothing to do with iPods.
Period.

The "One More Thing" part maybe, but people are claiming that will be the only thing. Why would Apple hold a special event weeks before the holiday shopping season to announce one of their least-selling machines. I mean, what kid is asking mom and dad for a $3000 Power Mac? I'm sure they'll be announced or mentioned on Wednesday, but that certainly isn't all.

 

[jholzner]

iMac G5 -- "One more thing" -- Apple Expo in Paris 2004

That fact that the G5 iMac was to be announced at Apple Expo Paris was said by Apple. Steve didn't even give the keynote, it was Schiller.

 

[MacSA]

I'm not convinced that they are necessarily movie curtains; they might just signify a stage, like for a Madonna performance. IMO, the assumption that this has something to do with video or movies is baseless.

A live performance of her latest record........... Available on iTunes.

 

[jholzner]

The US store shows 1-2 business days for the Powerbooks

Not the 12" they don't. They also show 1-3 days for iBooks and have for weeks now.

 

[iBeard]

That fact that the G5 iMac was to be announced at Apple Expo Paris was said by Apple. Steve didn't even give the keynote, it was Schiller.

it still was a "one more thing"

 

[nagromme]

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.

Good catch. Can anyone confirm that tale?

Higher-res PowerBooks would be great as an option. Just don't make super high-res standard: readability suffers.

 

[KindredMAC]

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

It's just bugging me...must.... pick..... apart.... due to the.... lack of reality.... somebody stop me.... please.......

#1- I would take a dump on a plate and eat it if Apple ever went backwards on a G4 processor. We are up to 1.33, 1.42, 1.5 & 1.67 GHz's. A step back to 1.0 would be crazy.

#2- DVD ROM drives? I hope you mean a Combo Drive.

#3- Airport????? The original Airport?????? Apple discontinued making Airport cards last year. Original Airport cards are getting top $$$ on eBay right now because of everyone who has a Mac older than 2003 most likely has a wireless network in their homes for the iBooks and PowerBooks or newer Macs.

#4- 256MB of RAM... All new Macs ship with Tiger. Yes I know that you can run Tiger on 256 but you would at least want to have some RAM left to use something like iMovie even.

Ahhhhhh.... I feel much better now. Thanks Man!

 

[x86isslow]

<snip>

3. the 14" iBook doesn't seem to have a niche or make a lot of sense.

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

The 14" iBook's niche is for folks who have poor eyesight, since the pixels are bigger. From what my friend tells me, its a lot easier for him to see what's on the screen.

I do agree with you that they might merge the Powerbook and iBook lines. The specs on the Powerbook kind of stunt where the iBooks can go, so everyone, the consumer and the power user gets hurt.

 

[chris2x]

new PowerBooks

I would bet that PowerBooks will be updated because we started to try and order one two weeks ago and cannot. We cannot get an ETA when it will ship. Sure, it is possible that they are just screwed up in order processing, but our rep has gone silent on us.

 

[sjo]

* 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.

And I think you're gonna be seriously disappointed Just remember to breath while waitin'...

Hmmm, exactly what software there is a lot of? Haven't heard of any...

 

[Peace]

And I think you're gonna be seriously disappointed Just remember to breath while waitin'...

Hmmm, exactly what software there is a lot of? Haven't heard of any...

iLife for one.

 

[cbigfoot1987]

It's just bugging me...must.... pick..... apart.... due to the.... lack of reality.... somebody stop me.... please.......

#1- I would take a dump on a plate and eat it if Apple ever went backwards on a G4 processor. We are up to 1.33, 1.42, 1.5 & 1.67 GHz's. A step back to 1.0 would be crazy.

#2- DVD ROM drives? I hope you mean a Combo Drive.

#3- Airport????? The original Airport?????? Apple discontinued making Airport cards last year. Original Airport cards are getting top $$$ on eBay right now because of everyone who has a Mac older than 2003 most likely has a wireless network in their homes for the iBooks and PowerBooks or newer Macs.

#4- 256MB of RAM... All new Macs ship with Tiger. Yes I know that you can run Tiger on 256 but you would at least want to have some RAM left to use something like iMovie even.

Ahhhhhh.... I feel much better now. Thanks Man!

1 Im not saying they are rolling back but to make a cheap laptop most companys like dell that make laptops so cheap the processor is at Least a year old.

2. one woord EDUCATION They dont need to burn cds but may need dvd Readibality

3. yes i mean B but they may be able to use a intel B built in intel still makes b cards

4. again EDUCATIONAL Upgradable to 1.25 GB.

12 inch svga LCD
G4 1.00 Ghz
256 Builtin DDR 2100 SD-Ram/expandable to 1.256 GB SDT
ati 9000 32MB
40 GB HD / 60 $30, 80 $60, 100 $90, 120 $120
dvd-rom STD / Combo $50, Superdrive $100
No BT STD /1.1 $30
Airport 11Mbps B STD / G $30
Non Scrooling Track pad / Scrooling $30
two button click button
No backlight Keyboard/ Backlight $40
i think it would sell for about $400-$500

 

[steve_hill4]

I'm not convinced that they are necessarily movie curtains; they might just signify a stage, like for a Madonna performance. IMO, the assumption that this has something to do with video or movies is baseless.

Well, it has been suggested that the picture of those curtains is one taken from Wednesday's venue. Even so, I think that it has to be a cryptic clue, (it might not be, but I still think it is), like the jeans pocket picture for the nano. Since the only two things that those curtains could tie in with are the theatre and movies, I would have to say it is movie related. HD PowerBooks, maybe. Airport Express with video out, perhaps. iTunes Video/Movie Store, still possible. The most likely still seems to be an iPod with video capabilities. If it had AirPort in it too, that would tie all of those items together anyway. Buy movies on your PB, (or desktop mac), import to iPod, then either stream from your PB or if in a foreign, (i.e non-home), environment, you have your AirPort iPod that can stream it for you. All unlikely at the same time, but iPod video is a probable in my books still.

 

[treblah]

I'm happy with my 60GB and 15GB of free space left. No innovation here...move along everyone. Move along.

OMFG. I am happy that you like your 60 but please.

The thought of 4 new Mac configs is so boring, we should all move along until we can drop three grand on new Powerbook G5s.
I don't even own a Mac. My post that did not contribute anything to the discussion! My post count is awesome!

 

[HasanDaddy]

SamSung 16 gb flash + Apple = NanoBook

 

[treblah]

I'm not convinced that they are necessarily movie curtains; they might just signify a stage, like for a Madonna performance. IMO, the assumption that this has something to do with video or movies is baseless.

Well, this was supposed to be the year of HD but, other than FCPHD and iMovieHD and the few H.264 trailers, we really haven't seen anything. so some people are hoping for something video related.

But you are right. It is pretty baseless.

 

[Whyren]

Is it just me, or is anyone else getting tired of reading the same comments about 100 times each in quite a number of running threads about this. Can't they be consolidated?

On topic, I don't think "one more thing" necessarily means just one thing, but more than likely will just deal with one topic. I don't think that because it's a "one more thing" event means there will be "one more thing" after said thing(s). I'm still taking the lesser guess that it's going to be an iPod-PowerBook fusion into some new device...perhaps that's the "second" new iPod and one of the four Macs. I'm simply hoping for something big...now, I think major upgrades to current models would constitute a big thing (i.e. more than another 0.2 GHz+ processor bump). I'd like to see a new product, but I doubt it.

Please, Wednesday event, come and end the speculation...so that we can speculate on new things!