“Sources have confirmed that Apple’s consumer laptop will receive a long overdue refresh very soon, possibly as early as this week — or later today,” Ryan Katz reports for Think Secret.com. “Details of the updated iBook are unknown, as is a firm release date. However, unconfirmed tips indicate that a long-rumored widescreen iBook may finally come to light with the new iBook.”
“Why the long wait between iBook updates? Given that the faster processors and video cards that will find their way into a new iBook have surely been available for some time, the most logical reason may center upon an all-new iBook enclosure, something that would add credence to the widescreen iBook buzz… with only the new iBook’s nearing release confirmed, much about the updated consumer laptop remains shrouded in mystery.” Katz writes.
Full article here.
The wait couldn”t be due to a need to prop up the PowerBooks could it? Nah…
I’m ready! I I’m ready! I’m ready!
As a Macintosh user since 1988, with my current Mac 8200 stuggling along on OS 9.1 (yes, it still works, and it has 2Mb broadband connection), I hope the new iBook is sporting an Intel processor – or I’ll be buying a Vaio FS295XP that I’ve been tempted by.
then go buy your crappy sony! oooo big threat from you!!!
So you want to cut off your nose to spite your face, spinaltap? With thinking like that I would say a lumbar puncture is in order, in case you have an altered mental state from meningitis or something. (Ref. to spinal tap for those less switched on individuals).
Tim Coughlin
http://timcoughlin.typepad.com
I doubt very much it will be intel based, given jobs said it would be next summer before we start seeing the intel machine.
That said it makes sense for them to release new models now before the start of the next school year.
However there are other things I would rather see than a new iBook, some cool new toys such as video streaming versions of the airport express or this mythical tablet thing that I keep hearing about.
phb
Actually, Jobs said next year, not next summer. That means we could see an Intel-powered Mac @ MWSF in January.
I don’t think we’ll be seeing any tablet releases before WWDC or MWSF next year.
The iPod video is rumored to have a potential September launch (well timed for the holidays)
Personally, I’m hoping that Apple is ready to release the PDA market’s equivalent to the iPod. The Newton was far beyond it’s time and I think it’s time for the next step.
spinaltap,
seeing that you have not purchased a computer since 1996 (PPC8200), you may not be a prime target for Apple’s marketing efforts, or that of any other computer vendor.
Man that thing you own was manufactured back when Michael Spindler was still busy ruining Apple.
If they release a more professional-looking iBook, with updated specs, our company will place an initial order of at least half a dozen, then probably more in the future. Button-down execs/managers don’t want a laptop that looks like it was designed for students/consumers, but since they only need basic functionality the company is not going to pay for PowerBooks (and they’re right not to). Not having a professional-looking, lower-end laptop has been a SERIOUS marketing mistake by Apple for some time.
I’ve got my fingers crossed…
Not that many business execs would know how to use Mac OS X.
I know plenty of peeps in business who just would not know or want to use Apple products simply because they are clueless themselves.
For God sakes, these are the same peeps who think Powerpoint is fine for presentations!
I just got my wife a new iBook this weekend and she is in love with it. It looks like we may have to take advantage of the 21 day no restocking fee return policy of CompUSA to get one of these new iBooks. I just hope they get announced sooner rather than later.
I am betting that whatever form factor we see is squarely aimed at students and consumers. Any guesses as to whether it will be all white or not? I am predicting the resurgence of color with the next iBook. High-gloss plastic, but not translucent, similar to the current models but white on bottom and blue, red, or black on top. Pure guesswork.
I think RT has a point, though. I can’t picture too many suits carrying around first generation iBooks.
Spinalsux and Tim Coughlin, why are you both so immature!
From a practical perspective, the Pentium M760 on the Vaio FS295XP at 1.86Mhz beats the current iBook G4 1.33Mhz; with the Vaio sporting dual-layer DVD, 15 inch widescreen, 512Mb RAM as standard, a 533Mhz front-side-bus and 2MB cache – compared to 167Mhz front-side-bus on the iBook with 512k cache.
Unlike both of you I’m not afraid to use both Macintosh and Windows.
dla,
First-generations iBooks were the clam shells with colors (indigo, lime, tangerine, graphite).
RT,
Would it really make sense for Apple to have THREE portable lines? A PRO line, a CONSUMER line, and a MID RANGE line for those with basic needs that want to look professional? That would really blur the product line and become confusing.
“professional-looking, lower-end” Hmm. This must be what Wintel laptops really are.
What about that color changing plastic Apple was working on? Don’t they have some patents for that or something?
Go Sony.. you will hardly notice the difference between OS 9 and Win xp exept the bombardment of illnesses. Perhaps once you come to see OS X Tiger and be ashamed of silliness..
Oh come on Spinal. Lets see what the new iBooks sport shall we before we start comparing chalk with cheese. I suspect that the likely new Moto chips they will employ willl if reports are correct compare quite well with the pentiums and the specs will undoubtdly be better than those you quote for the present set up. One might also think that if you were so keen to keep up with the latest technology you wouldn’t still be on your present computer. One thing is certain you won’t have the choice of waiting so long to update with the VIAO but I suspect you are primarily a PC sort of guy anyway.
Actually, hagar57, spinaltap would be the PRIME demographic for whom Apple would want to sell an iBook to.
1) His current machine is old old old, and he’s looking for an upgrade.
2) He is a previous Mac owner, so he is likely to buy again.
3) iBooks are huge bargains, and judging by the fact that he has kept his old 8200 running so long, I’d imagine he’s looking for a bargain.
In real estate, you don’t try to sell a house to a person that just bought one right? No, you go after those who have been settled for a little while and might be looking for a new home.
Spinaltap,
If the iBook is about to be refreshed there is no way that it will come with Intel inside. Apple clearly said first intel machines will appear in a years time.
Go with the Vaio if it suits your needs. I use PCs at work so I know the type of experience one has with PCs. The machines do work although ease of use doesn’t compare with OS X.
You will be missing out on a lot though. OS X is a wonder to use, especially for home use. Very easy management and solid performance. The iLife apps make tasks like photo management, DVD creation etc a breeze. Compatibility with Windows is very good – much better than with OS 9.
It is your choice what you spend your money on. Saying that, I can put up with Windows at work, but I would hate to have to use it at home.
If you haven’t used OS X before, I would certainly tkae that into consideration before deciding to switch. With windows you will be exposed to a host of virus/adware/spyware that without a decent firewall to protect you (which I have at work) you could be in for a lot of trouble. Note that OS X has a firewall built in if your router software doesn’t hack it.
Spinaltap,
I have nothing against people buying a PC laptop. Sony laptops do look very nice. But for me, as a longtime Mac user, I simply cannot abandon the platform. I am hooked on Mac OS X. So for me, there’s simply no contest. Call me foolish, but that’s the case. Don’t get me wrong, I want Apple to give us better Macs and provide higher quality control. But I also want to keep supporting my favorite computer company. It is always hard to stick with something, and especially when you are branded a Mac fanboy or Mac zealot, but at the end of my day, it’s all worth it.
On another note, my friend’s IBM ThinkPad did not come with restore CDs, only a rapid restore feature, which sits on a hidden partition on the HD! Takes forever to restore, swapping from one partition to the other. Hopefully, Sony is not as cheap as IBM to withhold you from a couple of restore CDs.
It’s sad (or hilarious, depending on which side you were on) just how completely ThinkSecret has been castrated. Am I the only one who notices how tepid their rumors are these days?
I mean hell, they even missed the Intel switch. ThinkSecret, the inside information god, MISSED THE INTEL SWITCH.
This ain’t the old ThinkSecret. Apple has them well and truly whipped.
I think Apple found their snitch.
I have two G4 1Ghz 12″ iBooks and they’re my favorite Macs for price, performance and features. They’re great portable DVD players and the 12″ size is very convenient for someone like me who’s hopping on and off planes all the time. At home I edit and compress video on them using FinalCut HD and I use ProTools with an 002R and a ton of Waves plugins (one for ProTools and one for Peak – I’m a gear slut). I think the reason we’ve waited so long for a refresh is that the existing form factor is near perfect (imho). Most of the time there’s a substantial ($100-$150) rebate available from Amazon which means you can pick one of these up for under $900 with the combo drive. I also have a 12″ Powerbook with a DVD burner inside. It’s a great computer also but it cost double of an iBook. You’d have to be a MORON to think about a Vaio as an alternative. I had a Vaio once. It was ok but the software sucked and the OS was WinDoze ME (my employer actually bought the thing and forced me to use it). I’ve run a Microsoft-free office for over 2 years and have no regrets.
Well here is the real burning question: What is the deal with no real powerbook updates? Isn’t it time to get a new processor, new case design, etc? If wide-screen ibooks are on the way, then we can expect plummeting sales of powerbooks…I’m waiting – c’mon Steve, stop lagging!