The persistent rumors floating around Macworld Expo are very simple, but still contain information of interest and might help clarify some questions:
1. “MacBook” replaces both “PowerBook” and “iBook.” The “MacBook Pro” will replace the “PowerBook” when it is discontinued (it’s still being sold by Apple) and “MacBook” will replace “iBook” (which is also still being sold).
2. At least two MacBook Pro models are coming “soon,” but weren’t ready to be presented. A smaller screen compact portable MacBook Pro and at least one larger screen MacBook Pro will round out the model line.
3. The Mac mini with new features, software and a whole lot of other surprises are due to be delivered consistently throughout the year via special media events and regular Apple events.
Those are the three main rumors that we feel confident enough to report as “rumors.” However, they are rumors, so please take them with a grain of salt.
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wow it took a really smart person to figure this out.
Rumors 1 and 2 are the most obvious rumors this side of Mac OS X.
#3 is kind of what Steve said in his Keynote.
BTW: Has anyone seen iWork ’06? Is it worth the upgrade?
emax,
Hence MDN’s use of the descriptive “very simple” for the rumors listed above. Good to have them in a report, very simple or not. Apple could’ve just come out and said it, but they want to sell some 15-inch MacBook Pro units while the rest of us wait for more model options.
This does add fuel to the fire that the new pro desktops will be renamed “Mactel”. Makes sense now.
I have a question that isn’t exactly on point, but I read somewhere that the computers introduced yesterday do not use proprietary motherboards-whatever that means, related to Apple and OS X.
If I read that right, does that mean that it’ll be easier to get 10.4.4 to run on Windoze machines, driver issues aside than first thought? (I hope it’s extremely difficult if not impossible)
Wow, that’s going out on a limb. Considering that Steve Jobs said that all Macs will be powered by Intel by the end of the year, I’d say these rumors are pretty much a guarantee.
Frankly, that’s not really a great scoop, but more of an educated guess.
The MacBook pro seemed like a rushed product, without finishing up the proBook product line before its official launch.
I was surprised not to see a more aggressive move toward controlling the living room experience.
“This does add fuel to the fire that the new pro desktops will be renamed “Mactel”. Makes sense now.”
Um, no it doesn’t. But please, email me what you’re smoking.
seeing that many of Apple’s rivals made Core Duo announcements at the CES, I guess Apple pretty much had to release some kind of laptop with Core Duo, in order to keep up.
This is going to be fun to watch.
At the end of the keynote yesterday, it seemed he was setting up April 1st as another big day to introduce things. He mentioned that it was Apple’s 30th birthday, but then kind of let left it dangling. Maybe that is when something big will be announced.
Seeing that many of Apple’s rivals made Core Duo announcements at the CES, I guess Apple pretty much had to release some kind of laptop with Core Duo, in order to keep up with the competition.
This is going to be fun to watch.
if PowerBook became MacBook
does that mean PowerMac
becomes MacMac?
Or if it still has dual dual-cores
do we call it a Mac to the 4th power (can’t do superscript on the 4)
I freaking hate the naming scheme. ….reminds me of Winbooks….
Well, duh…
Also OSX 10.5 will come out…..sometime.
And rumor is an iPod of some sort will upgraded or something during 2006.
I always wondered why the rumors were for iBook updated first considering 1) PowerBooks were in more dire need for an update and 2) pretty much any Yonah would have made an iBook faster than the more expensive iBook and 3) Intel hasn’t come up to speed with production yet (meaning you can’t update everything at once, you must be selective).
Well, the announcements pretty much bear it out. It is rather spooky that now the MacBook Pros and iMacs are about as powerful as the PowerMacs.
Steve didn’t say these things at yesterday’s keynote, but he strongly implied them. And he said himself that he has “pretty good sources in Apple.”
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“And rumor is an iPod of some sort will upgraded or something during 2006.”
LOL. That’s quite the prediction. What tipped you off? Was it the fact that Apple upgraded and released new versions of the iPod multiple times in 2005?
Yeah, a real rushed product, so rushed, he had Phil out in the audience demoing the built-in iSight. Sorry, if you saw it up close, I don’t know how you could call it rushed. Not any more rushed for example than the TiBook, which clearly was not rushed, but may not have been fully thought out, either. If you actually compare the MacBook specs to the current G4, on which I am typing this comment now, it looks like a huge leap forward. I think that well-thought critiques of Apple product is a good thing; knee-jerk reactions are, well, just that. The MacBook doesn’t have everything I want, but it has enough, in combination with the new iPhoto, to make it an easy decision for me.
Nuclear Kid said:
“This does add fuel to the fire that the new pro desktops will be renamed “Mactel”. Makes sense now.”
You’re not serious. Tell me you don’t take that seriously.
Suicidal Gingerbread Man, I think that el Predicto was being sarcastic. Maybe you were, too, and it just wasn’t as clear.
MW: “end,” as in please let the inanity end
ummm..like DUH! — do people get paid to state the obvious?
Forget what the things are called…its what they do that does it for people.
Apple can call the PowerMac the MacIntheBoxPro6UpWindows and it won’t make a jot of difference. People will still want it..
Steve said it was Apple’s 30th Anniversary on April 1st – what better day to hold an event to announce new products!
12″ and 17″ MacBook Pro’s, MacBooks, Intel MacMinis and desktops…
…and one more thing.
How about OSX software for ‘other’ Intel PC’s!
Wouldn’t that be the biggest joke on Bill and his dancing Monkey ever!?!
MDN word: “world”. As in ‘Domination begins here!’
Anyone else wonder if the 17″ MacBook will sport the 2GHZ CoreDuo proc?
Anyone else wonder if the 17″ MacBook will sport the 2GHZ CoreDuo proc?
Anyone else wonder if the 17″ MacBook will sport the 2GHZ CoreDuo proc?