Not necessarily. It may be required that you have another computer that you hook it up to to install software. Or sell an external optical drive.
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Ultra-Portable Mac Expected at Macworld Expo 2008
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Not necessarily. It may be required that you have another computer that you hook it up to to install software. Or sell an external optical drive.
External optical = good. (And is nothing to do with the "minimalist nature" of Steve Jobs: the same technique has been used by other brands of ultrathin laptops.)
13" screen = too big! But still welcome for the thinness/lightness. And the margin around the screen/keyboard could be smaller than the MacBook.
I'm really hoping for the best GPU they can cram in the space and not drain the battery.
13" screen = too big! But still welcome for the thinness/lightness. And the margin around the screen/keyboard could be smaller than the MacBook.
I'm really hoping for the best GPU they can cram in the space and not drain the battery.
Well... if the only difference between it and the MacBook is the weight and thickness, I really hope they don't make it a new product line, but rather replace the MacBook with it. Apple's product line is getting pretty wide as it is.
Of course, the "strange" touchpad might turn out to be a significant new feature but even so, one would hope that they would just add it to the MacBook line. One thing that might keep the MacBook alive is the price - this new notebook might end up costing quite a bit more. Will MacBook get eMac-ed?
Of course, the "strange" touchpad might turn out to be a significant new feature but even so, one would hope that they would just add it to the MacBook line. One thing that might keep the MacBook alive is the price - this new notebook might end up costing quite a bit more. Will MacBook get eMac-ed?
There are CNET's criteria for an "ultra-portable laptop":
- Weight: 4 pounds or less
- Size: Less than 1 inch thick
- Display: Smaller than 14 inches (diagonal)
I guess the MacBook's weight and thickness are right on the edge of that.
Really small--and still having Pro power, such as GPU--can carry a price. Flash storage might be a factor too. I don't expect this model to be cheap (other ultrathin laptops sure aren't). In which case, the current MacBook may be expected to remain, as the low-end consumer offering. Just like the 12" PowerBook and 12" iBook co-existed.
no way it's going to have the performance of a macbook pro.. even the macbook will win
$1699
The 12" PB came out at $1,599 for their base specs (here). That to me would be the perfect price for this one again since 3+ years later with inflation and whatnot wouldn't be unreasonable to keep price the same. just above macbooks, just below macbook pros . . . i'm waiting . . . !!!
The 12" PB came out at $1,599 for their base specs (here). That to me would be the perfect price for this one again since 3+ years later with inflation and whatnot wouldn't be unreasonable to keep price the same. just above macbooks, just below macbook pros . . . i'm waiting . . . !!!
There's another even more ultraportable laptop going on sale today:
http://www.laptopgiving.org/en/give-one-get-one.php
http://www.laptopgiving.org/en/give-one-get-one.php
Too true. In that case, I will buy the new MacBook Pro and use my iPhone as the fabled 'ultra portable'. I have never been able to send email, read pdfs and so forth on a Mac that goes into my pocket
A MBP is needed for me to break into the design market (photo, architecture etc)
I was all set for an ultraportable, but I don't think it can be someone's main machine.
Does anyone else agree that this can't be a main machine? Maybe for a rich home user...?
that is such an amazing story and product! wish apple could have gotten in on it in some way or another!!
Apple offered OSX to them for free, and the company decided they'd rather go with their own open OS.
Future versions of iLife maybe, but not Leopard. It'd come pre-installed!
Downloading an application suite is a lot easier than downloading an operating system..
WOOOHOOO no OPTICAL!!!!
Yes. Good move IMO.
One can always plug in an external if you need it.
Other then installing OS X, I can't remember the last time I needed one.
Yes. Good move IMO.
One can always plug in an external if you need it.
Other then installing OS X, I can't remember the last time I needed one.
That's understandable. But companies can still get in on it. Microsoft is making windows run on it. The foundation is determined to put laptops in the hands of third world kids - not necessarily the laptop designed by them.
I'm getting one simply because I'm very curious to play around with it, I might find some cool uses for it, it doesn't break the bank, and I sure don't mind subsidizing another one for a good cause.
This seems like an interesting development. I would imagine it would maintain something around a 13" screen. This allows it to be a machine with a footprint smaller than a standard sheet of paper, and allows for a relatively full-size keyboard. With a much smaller screen bezel than the macbook, the overall machine will appear smaller even if it uses the same panel.
I think it will probably be one of the less-powerful mac portables though. Probably a ultra-low power dual core chip with integrated GPU. I personally don't think there is anything wrong with that.
I wonder what is "special" about the trackpad. Assuming this thing isn't a multi-touch tablet sort of machine, there is no particular need why it needs unique cursor control (why the other mac portables do not)
I think it will probably be one of the less-powerful mac portables though. Probably a ultra-low power dual core chip with integrated GPU. I personally don't think there is anything wrong with that.
I wonder what is "special" about the trackpad. Assuming this thing isn't a multi-touch tablet sort of machine, there is no particular need why it needs unique cursor control (why the other mac portables do not)
I hope this rumor is true. I know it's going to be massively expensive but I will buy one for sure!
sounds interesting but nothing for me. and is it really intelligent to take away more cooling-space? we'll see.
i used to go with a 12" widescreen acer sub-notebook with a weight of ~1.5kg and a screen-res of 1280x800. when the battery died, i bought my new 13" macbook and i'm absolutely satisfied.
i think there aint no big difference between both sizes and i love having an internal optical device instead of the stupid acer's firewire thing. i never had the external one around when i needed it...
i used to go with a 12" widescreen acer sub-notebook with a weight of ~1.5kg and a screen-res of 1280x800. when the battery died, i bought my new 13" macbook and i'm absolutely satisfied.
i think there aint no big difference between both sizes and i love having an internal optical device instead of the stupid acer's firewire thing. i never had the external one around when i needed it...
Intel based
For power it may use Intel 8086, LOL http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/8086/MANUF-Intel.html
For power it may use Intel 8086, LOL http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/8086/MANUF-Intel.html
Without an optical drive, how can you perform a software restore?
I'm sure Apple will push Time Machine as the way to go to format your laptop and so an external HD will prabably be required in some way.
I'm sure Apple will push Time Machine as the way to go to format your laptop and so an external HD will prabably be required in some way.