Ultra-thin 12'' MacBook Pro?

[TheSpaz]

If this is true... hopefully these 'Books will have the same quality screen as the MacBook instead of the MacBook Pro 15" Screen. It doesn't matter though because I am extremely happy with my decision to get a Mac Pro and a 20" Apple Cinema Display. Woohoo!

 

[Jasonbot]

Woo7, vv()0t! Yay! Teh G5 powerbook is finally coming out.. Or @least I hope it has a G5 processor if not I won't waste my time. And 3.5 inch diskette drive would be tops! Ideal for storing those files under 1.44 megabytes inm size! And with it's 12" screen I might be able to finally videos taken on my cellular telephone communicator at full resolution!

Ok, I'm done now...

 

[Fredou51]

1) Retail music sales (still abot 90% of music sales, and will probably still be at 50% five years from now)

People buying this kind of laptop are definitely buying music from the iTunes Store. And if you still use cd then you could just rip them on your desktop and transfer them through wifi. I didn't see anyone carrying music cd with their laptop during the last few years.

2) Retail movie sales/rentals (probably 99% of movie sales/rentals, and will probably still be at least 50% five years from now)

That's probably the biggest point to keep the optical drive but Steve Jobs is pushing the movie store and it's with this kind of laptop people really see the advantage of buying online.

3) Retail software sales (not sure what percentage of purchased sofware is downloaded vs. shrink-wrapped, but I would expect a large percentage of software sold will still be of the boxed shrink-wrapped variety even 5 years from now)

Installing software happens not even once a year, you could just hook up the ultra-portable to your desktop by firewire (400 or maybe even 800) and install it through target mode (Apple would probably create a good looking way of doing this).

4) Document storage/backup

USB Flash drive, iPod, etc.

Frederic

 

[cloudnine]

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

Think about the company we're talking about here. Do you really think Apple, master of iMovie, iDVD, the iPod and iTunes, is going to skimp out on an optical drive? It would pretty much render iLife useless. Not to mention, Apple's pretty awesome at keeping things consistent. There are the MBP's, 15" and 17", the iMacs, 17", 20", 24", and the MB's, 13"... they're not about to release some random 12" notebook with no optical drive... in fact, I'd be REALLY surprised if they did something such as NAND Flash for startup purposes.

I, personally, have been waiting for this... as much as I've wanted to cave in and get a 15" MBP, I just can't part with my 12" G4PB. It's the best thing I've ever had in way of portability, and I have a 23" cinema display for when I need the size... I really, really, really hope this rumor is true... if this comes out at MacWorld, I'll be there with my checkbook in hand... hehe

 

[alexf]

I forgot about that! That is a case for the higher res, but I'm still not convinced that Apple will do it...

If they market it as a "pro" machine, I will bet that it will be high res. Otherwise I'm not so sure...

 

[JobsRules]

Optical drive... who cares?

Anyone else not give a toss about the optical drive? I mean, I can go weeks on my iBook without using an optical drive, and even then it's my fast firewire LaCie DVD burner.

Make it small, make it light, and ditch the optical drive. Apple/third party can always make an ultraslim DVD drive for those who really need one on the go.

 

[Leoff]

Look Clive, they already sell what I am talking about for $1099.00. I just want it in the smaller footprint. Do not see why that cannot be accomplished and 1GB for ~$1200.00! The rest of you post makes even less sense.

They do sell what you're talking about for $1099. It's called the MacBook. NOT a Pro version, a consumer version.

The rumors listed above talk about a 12" MacBookPRO. Better graphics, better quality case, pretty much better everything. What you're talking about CAN be accomplished for under $1500 if they decided to go the consumer route, which it doesn't sound like they are.

 

[alexf]

If this is true... hopefully these 'Books will have the same quality screen as the MacBook instead of the MacBook Pro 15" Screen. It doesn't matter though because I am extremely happy with my decision to get a Mac Pro and a 20" Apple Cinema Display. Woohoo!

Are you saying that the MacBook has a better quality screen than the MacBook Pro?

I'm assuming that you're referring to the glossy...

 

[Mgkwho]

I still think the market isn't ready for a tablet.

The whole tablet PC thing only stuck to niche markets, a problem Apple will have to overcome; their marketshare might be key to this.

I would think Apple would turn the iPod into a mini-control device (i.e. connect to your computer and control iTV wirelessly, etc.) before launching a larger product.

-=|Mgkwho

 

[cloudnine]

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 !

Well, Leopard, iPhones and maybe the 12" MBP anyway... apparently the true video ipods aren't in the running for MacWorld anymore... which is fine with me, it gives me time to save up after buying the 12" MBP hehe.

 

[failsafe1]

Funny how we start debating specs and usefulness of this machine before it even appears. I know I would not want to use one for my primary machine as stated earlier but would enjoy having one to travel with. Getting on a plane with one of these would be great. Being on assignment in another part of the world with less gear and stuff would be great. So in response to this won't be a pro machine it would if I used it in conjunction with my other machines!

 

[Leoff]

Anyone else not give a toss about the optical drive? I mean, I can go weeks on my iBook without using an optical drive, and even then it's my fast firewire LaCie DVD burner.

Make it small, make it light, and ditch the optical drive. Apple/third party can always make an ultraslim DVD drive for those who really need one on the go.

So you're going to have to purchase a separate drive just to be able to load your software?

 

[dmaxdmax]

My parade has been rained upon

Why LightScribe? Yes, great concept, doesn't work. Have you seen the discs? The print disappears after few weeks, and you can only print B&W. Anybody with respect for themselves will use thier printer, and a proper label.

Oops - Obviously I haven't done my research though I would have before handing over the Amex.

I've heard horror stories about labels causing problems with the disc. Is this a thing of the past? I'd be more than happy to use my printer and a proper label.

Recommendations?

Thx

 

[failsafe1]

Can't dump the optical drive. That is part of what I need when I am out and about with my Powerbook (soon to be MBP). I have to back up photos and make DVD copies of those photos when I am on assignment. I need to leave the photos with the folks at those locations. Gotta have a burner. Don't want to carry more stuff like the external drive. That goes back to might as well carry my 15 around. That's what I do now.

 

[prostuff1]

Please, please, please be true!!!!!!

I am not buying a computer really soon (will be getting one around June or so) but this would be great!!! I have been wanting a small version of the MBP since the beginning and i think there is a market for one. My sis is going to be getting my 12in iBook (which I love the size and wait of) and i want to replace it with something close in size. I have my iMac for heavier stuff all i need in a portable is durability (aluminum case), portability (small size), and good battery life.

Please be true

 

[kddpop]

Installing software happens not even once a year, you could just hook up the ultra-portable to your desktop by firewire (400 or maybe even 800) and install it through target mode

i may be misremembering...but didn't they kill firewire target mode? i still have an old 12" PB that can still do it. but i remember reading somewhere that that is no longer a feature. hope im wrong. i love target mode.

~kyle

 

[conmango]

Blu-Ray Optical?

Come on...someone had to say it..

Ultra-Portable Blu-Ray DVD Reader/Recorder

Now that sounds more like Apple.

 

[Clive At Five]

Can't dump the optical drive. That is part of what I need when I am out and about with my Powerbook (soon to be MBP). I have to back up photos and make DVD copies of those photos when I am on assignment. I need to leave the photos with the folks at those locations. Gotta have a burner. Don't want to carry more stuff like the external drive. That goes back to might as well carry my 15 around. That's what I do now.

In all likelyhood, they would have to cut down proc. speed a bit to ensure proper cooling. DVD burners really do not help the issue (quickly-moving parts plus laser diodes = heat). If they want a device that will have a respectable battery life, they will have to cut one of these two things, if not both... a move which might be detrimental to your regular activities. I wouldn't put money on a 12" MBP fitting your needs.

-Clive

 

[lmalave]

People buying this kind of laptop are definitely buying music from the iTunes Store. And if you still use cd then you could just rip them on your desktop and transfer them through wifi. I didn't see anyone carrying music cd with their laptop during the last few years.


That's probably the biggest point to keep the optical drive but Steve Jobs is pushing the movie store and it's with this kind of laptop people really see the advantage of buying online.


Installing software happens not even once a year, you could just hook up the ultra-portable to your desktop by firewire (400 or maybe even 800) and install it through target mode (Apple would probably create a good looking way of doing this).

USB Flash drive, iPod, etc.

Frederic

I notice you mention twice in your comments that you don't need the optical drive on a laptop because you can just connect the optical drive to the desktop. I think this is very misguided. I haven't used a desktop either personally or professionally for 6 or 7 years now. I don't WANT 2 computers. I want a single Mac to be my primary computer.

So if anything, I could see Apple shipping the Mac shipping with a slim USB optical drive, the way that the first ultraslim Sony Vaios did. It CANNOT be an optional accessory, though. If Apple goes optical-less, every 12" MBP *must* ship with an external optical drive. Can you imagine when a user has to reinstall OS X because of some problem, except that - oops - they didn't bother to add an external optical drive to their order? I have to imagine that Apple WILL NOT let that scenario occur.

So I will still be mildly shocked if the 12" MBP does not have a built-in optical drive, but I will be floored if Apple makes an external optical drive optional.

P.S. a possible alternative has been suggested above: maybe the optical drive can actually be modular so it can be swapped out for another battery or a nearly weightless placeholder. So you would have 3 options as a user: 1) more functionality (with optical drive), 2) longer battery life (with extra battery), or 3) lighter weight (with placeholder). If Apple did this they should extend the design to all 3 MBP sizes, though. Even thogh 0.5 lb. doesn't make as much of a difference on the larger MBPs, any user can appreciate extra battery life.

 

[BillyShears]

MWSF:

iLife/iWork 07 - Almost certainly based on past events.
Leopard Preview - Yes, I don't think there'd be media interest enough for a special event. All those "top secret" features need to be displayed.
Bumped iPods - No, unless you count iPhone.
MacTablet - No, I haven't heard anything about a MacTablet lately and see no reason why it would exist.
Ultra-Thin MBP - Yes, and I think the MBP case may be due for an update some time soon, based solely on how long we've had it for. Of course I can't think of much to change other than the hard drive being accessible.

Special Event (generally music-or-movie-related):

iPhone
True Video iPod - If it actually exists and isn't the iPhone
iTV
Airport Ludicrous


So I'm only expect iLife/iWork, Leopard, and maybe the new MBPs at MacWorld. Of course I could be completely off. I could see the iPhone being done at MWSF because it's no so media-centered and would make for a pretty great "one more thing", and there's huge expectations for it.

 

[Clive At Five]

Come on...someone had to say it..

Ultra-Portable Blu-Ray DVD Reader/Recorder

Now that sounds more like Apple.

er... may I disagree?

Why would Apple want to encourage the purchase of physical DVDs when you will soon (knock on wood) be able to d/l a plethora of movie content on the iTS? A movie player, maybe... but it'd probably be a video iPod.

-Clive

 

[janstett]

This is what I've wanted from the beginning, a Mac ultraportable. I love my 15" MacBook Pro and won't give it up, but from the beginning I wanted something in the range of my Thinkpad X60 -- ultra thin, ultra light (< 3 pounds) with long battery life.

I can't wait to see what they come up with.

 

[lmalave]

Are you saying that the MacBook has a better quality screen than the MacBook Pro?

I'm assuming that you're referring to the glossy...

Most consumers will find the glossy screens more appealing

Matte screens have more accurate colors, though, which is important when actually doing PROfessional work (e.g. print design).

So I don't think it would be accurate to say that glossy screens are "better" - it's just a preference.

 

[RichP]

Hmmm..I could picture this machine with a low power dual-core, Robson NAND drive for some speed, and an iPod 80GB drive, keeping it VERY slim. However, the optical drive becomes the issue. The MBP cant get much thinner, and if you decrease the footprint, then the keyboard is OVER the optical drive, which means you are getting thicker than an inch.

Honestly though, I DONT see apple getting rid of the optical drive. Not their style to have add-on stuff.

 

[janstett]

The standard corporate laptop is the IBM X60, which is a great, great machine. Extremely light, compact, solid build, battery runs forever and stays cool. Because of this we are finding that the execs invariably work with the MBP at home and transfer stuff onto the X60 when they need to travel.

I have to agree. I have an X60 (and an X40 before that) and they're excellent machines, definitely a benchmark Apple should be shooting for. Take note of the great keyboard too. My problem with these machines is that as a power user, I do use the media slice a lot (for extra battery, 2nd drive, etc) which sort of defeats the purpose, but it's always ready to go solo and at less than 3 pounds a joy to carry. I really don't/shouldn't need the media slice but I need to be prepared.