“Apple Computer last month filed for a trademark on the term ‘MacBook,’ which may hint at a re-branding of its iBook consumer notebook product line later this year,” AppleInsider reports. “The filing is just the latest evidence to suggest the company will rename its iBook consumer notebooks ‘MacBooks’ early in the Spring when it rolls out a pair of the ‘stunning’ new portables based around a 13-inch widescreen display and Intel’s Core Solo and Core Duo processors. At the unveiling of Apple’s 15-inch MacBook Pro professional notebook in January, Apple chief executive Steve Jobs said the decision to ditch the PowerBook name in favor of MacBook Pro was part of an ongoing company effort to better leverage and distinguish the company’s “Mac” trademark and brand along with its personal computer offerings.”

“Also in January, AppleInsider noted the company had filed for a trademark in New Zealand on the term ‘Mac Pro’ — which may imply that the company also has aspirations of re-branding its professional desktops, currently called Power Macs, later this year,” AppleInsider reports.

Full article here.

MacDailyNews Note: Back on January 11th, we reported persistent Macworld Expo rumors that the name “MacBook” replaces both “PowerBook” and “iBook.” The “MacBook Pro” will replaces the “PowerBook” when it is discontinued (it’s still being sold by Apple) and “MacBook” will replace “iBook” (which is also still being sold).

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Related MacDailyNews articles:
Report: more Apple MacBook Pro models coming, iBook may be re-branded ‘MacBook’ – January 12, 2006
RUMOR: Apple iBook to become ‘MacBook’ while ‘MacBook Pro’ will offer more screen size choices soon – January 11, 2006