“Earlier this week, part numbers for upcoming Apple hardware updates surfaced, with claims that the parts represented new MacBook Air and Mac Pro models,” Eric Slivka reports for MacRumors.
“While the MacBook Air part numbers are believed to be legitimate, the claim regarding the ‘Mac Pro’ part numbers was later revised to state that they referred to new Mac mini and MacBook models,” Slivka reports. “But even that revised assertion isn’t entirely correct, as while the Mac mini numbers are assumed to be correct, the part number ascribed to a new MacBook is in fact for a new Thunderbolt-enabled LED Cinema Display.”
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Slivka reports, “Apple has even confirmed that information by prematurely posting a new image on its site depicting the display and identifying it in the URL as the ‘MC914’ part that had been previously thought to be a new MacBook.”
More in the full article, with the image of the new display, here.
I remarked at the time that it didn’t make sense to put Thunderbolt on a MacBook.
Why would they prioritise a Cinema Display refresh over a MacBook? Does Apple sell more CDs than MBs? I think not. The MB presumably has the same innards as the 13″ MBP so why delay the refresh? It’s not as if it’s a quantum leap to go from aluminium to plastic.
The Cinema Display refresh makes sense if you believe that the MBA lineup will have TBolt and 4GB RAM (as most rumors suggest).
If this happens, Apple would have an 11″ MBA 4GB RAM AND a MB 2GB (no TBolt) at $999. This doesn’t make much sense.
Chances are Apple will either drop the price of MB, or drop the MB altogether rather than “refreshing” yesterday’s design at the shallow end of the margin pool.
You know I was thinking the same thing as you except that Apple would refresh the MB by giving it a Sandy Bridge chipset and drop the price to $899. Adding RAM yourself to a MB isn’t that much of a problem. All you need do is use a Phillips #00 screwdriver and you’re good to go.
These “rumor” folks are pretty lame. They get info about new “part numbers” and are wildly guessing what they could be for… First, it was Mac Pro. Then Mac Mini and white MacBook. Now it’s for a new Cinema Display? Please… Next, it will be for new versions of the Apple (AA) Battery Charger and USB Docking cable.
Hey, if they put enough guesses out there, they can claim they were right.
You called them out, Ken. The bullshit runs deep on this one.
Lame looking display. Looks just like a giant iPad…..jk
You mean a really giant iPod touch.
Makes perfect sense. Apple is trying to push Thunderbolt.. But much more importantly.. FaceTime HD. This display would allow me (2009 era Macbook Pro user) to use FaceTime HD instead of the old non HD iSight.
I would love to think this will have the ports for pros, but Apple seem to be fast changing focus to the masses. If these displays are offered in matte many pros won’t touch them.
Doing creative work, color sensitive work or using a large display for hours is much harder on matte due to color mismatch, reflections and glare.
My 30″ cinema display will be getting updated to a non apple pro screen by the look of it.
Just found this petition that MIGHT help.
http://macmatte.wordpress.com/
But what about apple making it’s own TV’s? That rumor died out to quickly. I say the mystery part number is apples new tv and not a cinema display! See I can do this too. 😛