Ultra-thin 12'' MacBook Pro?

[praetorian909]

I thought the optical drive was the limiting factor for thickness. Has a manufacturer come out with an ultra thin drive recently? What are the ultra-thin PC laptops using, if any?

I haven't really seen anything thinner than MB/MB Pros, which are already just 1 inch thick while still having an optical drive. So not so sure how they can make it any thinner. But there are lots of Japanese laptops w/drives that are significantly lighter, but they are really expensive ($2000+).

I think it's a really good thing that they're bringing the 12in size back. My cousin really loves hers, and I know there are many others from reading the posts here on MacRumors.

 

[billystlyes]

I would love to have a 12" or 13" MacBook Pro for under $1500. The truth be told, the entry-level MacBook is a horrible computer.

 

[amac4me]

If true, this would sell like hot cakes!

 

[jwp1964]

Ouch...

I just bought a C2D MB last week...thought the 12" was dead...ouch...oh well there is always eBay for the MB if this thing is a reality. I was actually hoping for a 10.4 inch ultra portable, but what is described would work for me.

 

[jwp1964]

...The truth be told, the entry-level MacBook is a horrible computer.

Compared to what? The entry level, IMHO, is an exceptional value.

 

[.Andy]

This is exactly what I want to replace my 12". I may trade my wife for one.

 

[sachamun]

Macbook Nano. I called that first.

I call Macbook Shuffle...and you can only use it to view files at random.

 

[siurpeeman]

i'm a newb

Edit: I just lost my newbie status. *pats back*

off-topic, but how long is one a newbie for anyway?

 

[OwlsAndApples]

I call Macbook Shuffle...and you can only use it to view files at random.

Hahaha
I call MacPod! has that been taken...?

 

[OwlsAndApples]

off-topic, but how long is one a newbie for anyway?

I think it's 29 posts, not sure though.

"User titles are based on post counts:

* Newbie => 0 - 29 posts
* Member => 30 posts
* Regular => 100 posts (minimum required to post in certain forums)
* 6502 => 500 posts (minimum required to have an avatar)
* 65816 => 1000 posts
* 65832 => 1500 posts
* 68000 => 1505 posts
* 68010 => 2000 posts
* 68020 => 2005 posts
* 68030 => 2500 posts
* 68040 => 3000 posts
* 601 => 5000 posts "

 

[backspinner]

why waste weight and size and costs on an optical drive?

 

[Hasty]

I call tablet.

 

[x86isslow]

Macbook Nano. I called that first.

I call
MacBook Inviso

 

[NewSc2]

I call BS. Widescreen is the way of the future (every Mac right now is widescreen), and having a 12" widescreen would seriously be stretching it. 12" 1024x768 is already pretty small, and the Macbook's 13" screen isn't much bigger.

 

[MatthewCobb]

I call tablet.

Thats not so daft - if this rumour is vaguely true, it fits in with the other stuff thats been circulating recently. On the other hand, I'd buy it if it has a proper keyboard, not if it has a stylus thingy.

 

[siurpeeman]

Compared to what? The entry level, IMHO, is an exceptional value.

i, too, think the macbook represents an exceptional value. it does everything i need, and not once do i ever wish i had a macbook pro. it's cheaper, and the design is fresh; i tired of the macbook pro's (powerbook's) design years ago.

 

[SeaFox]

The new laptop should be even thinner and weigh less than the current models in the MacBook Pro line-up.

Wow, imagine that. A 12" laptop weighing less than a 15" version of the same laptop.

Ultra thin? They're already only 1" thick!
I wonder how you would make it any smaller and still be able to put in an optical drive or hard drive?

 

[pmackin]

This Macworld is gonna be packed ... with leopard , the true video ipod's and the iphones now a 12' macbook pro ! bring it on apple !
woo hoo !

 

[dcv]

I'd love one as an upgrade to my BabyBook™. The fugly plastic MacBook with its weird-looking keyboard and glossy screen is *not* a replacement. If this becomes reality I hope there's a backlit keyboard as with the larger MacBook Pros and the option to choose screen type.

 

[fraggle]

why waste weight and size and costs on an optical drive?

I don't think that the optical drive will have an impact on the size. The keyboard and screen are the limiting factors here and the heat output of the chips will force a certain thickness to allow for at least some cooling. Of course there would be a choice of putting more battery capacity in but that would weigh more then the optical drive...

 

[Analog Kid]

It's almost unfair that all this new stuff's poised to come out right after the holiday season...I keep on thinking I'm going to buy something, but the little voice in my head says:

Wait for Macworld

You'll probably have to wait a little longer than that-- a lot of times things are announced and then don't actually ship for a couple months.

I think Apple makes their big releases after the holidays to re-energize their sales after the buying season. Might also have something to do with a desire to ramp production slowly rather than take the huge demand immediately.

 

[billystlyes]

Compared to what? The entry level, IMHO, is an exceptional value.

The phrase "you get what you pay for" comes to mind.

I don't even want to go there. I'll end up sounding like a troll.

 

[Zimmy]

Oh man oh man... this is perfect, bring on Macworld. was planning to get a blackbook, but this would make an even better replacement to my 12" powerbook..

if this is true... iam gonna be sooo glad i waited

Zim

 

[Josias]

Allright, if we get this at MacWorld, my bankaccount is buttraped in 3 seconds:

12" MBP:
$1699
2.16 GHz Merom
1 GB RAM (1x1 GB, up to 3 GB)
Ati Radeon X1600 128 MB GDDR3
12.1" widescreen (1440x900, all screens will be bumped a notch because of Leopard)
1" thin (no thinner, perhpas 0.9", but if it's a MB Pro, it gotta have a good optical drive)
6x DVD+/-RW DL drive
iSight + FrontRow
2xUSB
1xFireWire400 and 1xFireWire800
Duallink DVI (to support new hi res. cinema displays)
Fullsize backlit keyboard
Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR and AirPort Extreme 2 (with N)
MagSafe and magnetic latch
6 hour battery
120 GB 5.400 rpm. HDD
4.4 pounds (2 kg)
Optical audio in/out
Gbit ethernet...

New hi res. cinema displays with iSights
20" - 1920x1200, and the two other with bumbed res. too (23" will be 24")

iPhone

Allright:
12" MBP with 2 GB RAM and 160 GB HDD= $1999
20" Cinema Display= $699
iPhone= $299

Total= $3k...

 

[doraemonkey]

I finally just upgraded the memory of my 12" PowerBook to 1.25GB and have had nary a sight of the beachball since. It's really a new lease of life and gives me pause before an upgrade. Not that one of these 12" MBPs don't sound very attractive, though!

Ah that is good to hear, I have 768MB in my 12" and I have been hesitant about buying a 1Mb DIMM to just throw out the 512 that is already in there. So it does make a difference... that might be enough to let me continue for a few more years with this thing.... that and the fact that I don't have the dough to throw out on a new one. This one is portable enough, and I am not looking at HD movies on it.