“A generic PC is often known as a Wintel box. So, is a generic Mac running Intel a Mactel? Of course that is a trick question. Apple doesn’t license out its OS, so the folks in Cupertino would rightfully say there is no such thing as a generic Mac. Nor, apparently, does the company want the term Mactel to become generic. The same day that Steve Jobs announced Apple’s plans to adopt Intel chips, the company filed a trademark application for the term Mactel,” Ina Fried blogs for CNET’s Apple Blog.
Fried also reports on other names Apple has filed trademark applications for, including: “Jam Box” (the oft-rumored “Asteroid” audio breakout box), “VoiceOver” (which already exists in Mac OS X Tiger; look in Applications/Utilities), and “iPod Socks” (we still can’t believe people buy these things, or do they?).
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: If they’re going to do it that way, “Macintel” works better because it contains the overlap of the “in” in Mac-in-tosh, and the “in” in In-tel. That’s how “Wintel” works. “Mactel,” with the first three letters from one and the last three letters from another just slammed together, with no overlap, fails conceptually. It isn’t about matching the “Wintel” moniker’s six letters. Someone just tell Jobs that “Mactel” fails conceptually; that’ll kill it off quickly.
Just like when Apple blew it by originally naming the iPod photo, the “iPod Photo” with a capital “P” in “Photo,” and had to change the name’s capitalization to match the naming convention already held by the “iPod mini,” the Apple naming people aren’t thinking things through again.
We’ve been using “Intel-based Mac,” lately, after doing the “Macintel” thing early on. We stopped because it made us (and some MDN readers) queasy; it reminded us of “Wintel” too much. Go trademark “Macintel,” too, Apple, and then shelve them both forever.
before intel – after intel
before intel – apple intel
its AI
“Macintel” won’t fly either — ‘cuz the brand is no longer called “Macintosh,” it’s just “Mac.”
We’re not talking Macin + Intel here.
[Just]Mac + [Just]Intel = MacIntel…
gardigargargargar
MW: I “like” it.
Apple have been anticipating this “switch” for years and have been intimidating IBM and Moto by dropping hints. Where do you think the iMac and iBook idea came from. The i is for intel. Of course now they will reinforce the concept by calling their products iiPods, iiBooks, etc. Pretty strong concept don’t you think? Common wisdom states that two i’s are better than one. And for those who aren’t completely sold on the iidea the new Macs will be referred to as the Aye yi yiMacs.
Its just gotta be Mac. Any addition or change gives too much credit to someone else. We never loved our Macs because of the chip inside, we loved them for the OS and the Apple connection, not the third party contribution no matter how integral. So, let it be a Mac for now and all time. If there has to be some other techinical designation then how about Mac/p, Mac/i, Mac/m. Just don’t call it those in public.
mactel… macmoto… macppc… e.a. al sound wrong.
in the motorola days they could have could it:
macorola
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sounds at least tasty………
sorry for the typos… 🙁
al = all
could have could it = could have called it
ProMac? ProBook?
aMac? aBook?
Yeah, all too sucky.
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I’ve got no ‘answer’.
Jobs won’t go for Macintel, because that lets Intel have their whole name in it. That’s not allowed.
http://www.needgod.com
Just call ’em “Macs”.
PERIOD.
I agree with the other traditionists. Its a Macintosh, Mac for short, and to change the name even disables the reference to a type of Apple (or had you all forgotten the mcintosh apples for which the machinces were named).
MW class – Changing the name to reflect the chipmaker shows no class, and only further antagonizes those who still have trouble accepting Intel.
Great MDN take, as usual
Could not agree more with Grrilla.
I like the name ‘Wipple’. OK maybe it’s just me.
But seriously, if it’s a Mac running windows it’s still a Mac. Just like a Dell running windows is still a Dell. We seem to be confusing the name of the machine with the operating system installed on it. Mactel? It’s Intel inside a Mac. But don’t put those stickers on it or i’ll be tearing it off.
I don’t call my iBook a Sony just because it has a Sony CD/DVD player in it.
Prophet,
Thanks for that link. I’ve learned that not only am I going to hell, but any attempt to turn to God now is simply my selfish attempt to escape my fear of hell. How very uplifting.
This site is for MAC ZEALOTS! Not GOD ZEALOTS!
what if the future apple (tele)phone will be called mac-tel?
Mactel: a handtop ?
Death to Microsoft, Death to the Pocket PC, Death to Palm.