Macworld 2008

[.kvn]

If rumors about a 13" MacBook Pro are true then I'll be in line January.

[sn00pie]

I'm certain that Steve will announce iPhones in Canada via Rogers, it's been rumoured for sometime and it a definite possibility. I'm hoping for a re-designed Mac Mini, i'd be first in line to pick one up :D

[sundayx Veteran]

I don't see what the hype is about this super duper slim MBP. Can't Apple just release a scaled down MBP rather than one that doesn't have an optical drive and everything? It wouldn't be called a MBP then would it.

[PyX]

I have infos from Macbidouille.com here :

- Mac OS X 10.5.2 - the biggest minor update to OS X so far

- New Mac Pros w/ 8 cores and the latest Quadro FX on sale immediately

- Blu-ray burners officially supported and in sale @ Apple Store

- If Jobs talks about new iMacs or MacBooks, they will not be on sale immediately

They're not sure about everything, but so far it's been a very reliable source.

[mattrobs]

As much as I dislike optical media, a Macbook without a DVD drive would spell disaster. How would you (re)install Leopard? Burn music? Backup files?

The flash drive is clearly the next step, but it it isn't cheap / disposable enough to work now.

[fukachu]

i just want to hear something about the iPhone and it's entry into Asia. they said 2008, so it would be a good time to talk about it. i want to know when Japan will be getting it, i need a new phone!

[Zip]

although it seems like apple are phasing out the white (imac, new ipod classic in silver) i can't imagine why they'd make the macbook aluminum. it would just look too much like a pro. I'm hoping they wont so my macbook doesnt look too out of date. I think they'll do the ultra portable pro... those displays could be for the standard macbook though, the latest dell competing with it has an LED option for about ?70.

[KeR]

^^ they wont make it Aluminum, it would cost more.

[SamNeeds]

I'd hope, like other people have said, that the Macbook (Standard and Pro) get a face lift like the iMac. That would be pretty good.

[.kvn]

That's the only reason I'm holding off on buying a MacBook at the moment. I bought an iMac earlier this year before the updated redesign came out. Now, with the rumors abound I'll hang off to January to see if an aluminum version comes out or if a 13" MacBook Pro is on the cards.

[osirisX]

The Mac Mini, iMac, AppleTV, iPod shuffle, iPod nano and iPod Classic are all consumer level devices and they all got the Aluminium upgrade. The Macbook will get it too. Aluminium doesn't discolour, doesn't scratch and more importantly it recycles better. Apple also don't wish to separate the Consumer and Pro lines anymore. That was evident with the iMac.

[PyX]

...and with the Mac Mini, which has always been alu... why do people forget it!?

[Quillz]

The Mac Mini, iMac, AppleTV, iPod shuffle, iPod nano and iPod Classic are all consumer level devices and they all got the Aluminium upgrade. The Macbook will get it too. Aluminium doesn't discolour, doesn't scratch and more importantly it recycles better. Apple also don't wish to separate the Consumer and Pro lines anymore. That was evident with the iMac.

Exactly. And this is exactly why a think a cheaper, MacBook Pro "mini" would prove extremely popular. The 12'' PowerBook was one of the most popular notebook computers ever built for a reason. It not only had the right price and the perfect form factor, it had the specs to back it up.

[sundayx Veteran]

I don't see why everyone is expecting this new compact Mac to be a MBP. With its tiny profile, lack of optical drives and proper HDD, lack of GPU, and from Apple patents in the last 5 years, all I can see from this is a new Mac tablet.

[Hurmoth]

Apple sub-notebook to retail for $1500, 3G iPhone by June - report

In a just-aired broadcast on CNBC, the network's Jim Goldman reported that a source close to Apple's manufacturing facilities has confirmed that the company will launch its much rumored sub-notebook at Macworld in January and that it will also have a 3G iPhone on store shelves by June at the latest.

Goldman's report on the new sub-notebook, which cited unnamed sources who have supposedly seen the product, mentioned several details first reported by AppleInsider over the past 12 months.

Among them are reports that the device will be 50 percent thinner than the company's existing MacBook Pro, employ NAND flash memory in place of a traditional hard disk drive, and that it will definitively arrive at Macworld.

Although Goldman did not specifically make mention of a manufacturing ramp, captions on CNBC accompanying his commentary suggested that production of the notebook had already begun. In addition, he did contribute one piece of new information, namely that the device is expected to be priced aggressively at approximately $1500. (It should be noted that Goldman referred to the device as sporting a 12-inch screen, but AppleInsider maintains that it will include a 13.3-inch display).

In his report, Goldman also added that Apple's iPod Touch is selling "far better than expected" during the current holiday shopping season, compelling one of the company's Asian manufacturing partners to increase production of the touch-screen-based media player to 5.1 million units for the current quarter.

Finally, Goldman said that while industry watchers have been expecting Apple to introduce a 3G capable iPhone by late 2008, his sources are suggesting that the device will be on store shelves by late May or early June at the latest.

A summary of Goldman's data points follows:

* New 3G iPhone by late May, early June 2008.

* iPod Touch is selling better than expected this holiday season, with one of Apple's manufacturers increasing production to about 5.1 million units this quarter.

* New sub-notebook MacBook Pro.

* New sub-notebook 50 percent thinner.

* New sub-notebook employs flash memory instead of hard drive.

* New sub-notebook to retail for $1500.

Apple declined CNBC's request for comment on the rumors.

A capture of the broadcast is available here.

[Quillz]

But a sub-notebook would imply it's 10'' or smaller, right? A 13'' thinner MacBook Pro isn't necessarily a sub-notebook, although $1500 isn't a bad price.

[sundayx Veteran]

People say its sub because SSD and no optical. But I still think it's a tablet.

[PyX]

Tablet would be awesome for university :)

Maybe this thread should be pinned and the WWDC 2007 should be unpinned by the way.

[MasterC]

But Apple is about consistency, and every other Apple computer uses an anodized aluminum shell, even the Mac mini.

Well to be fair, the Mini does have a white top like the MacBook :laugh:

As much as I dislike optical media, a Macbook without a DVD drive would spell disaster. How would you (re)install Leopard? Burn music? Backup files?

I guess they could include an external CD/DVD drive. But you're right, though - you wouldn't be able to do much without it.

I'm seriously hoping that they update the Mac Pros. My dream update would be 8 core across the board, up the standard memory config to 2 or 4GB, and up the standard storage. One can dream, right? (Y)

[Cormier6083]

I want more news on the SDK for Mobile OS X. That's all I'm worried about.

Edited December 9, 2007 by Cormier6083

[AltecXP]

if its a multi touch tablet...then SICK. If its a 12 or 13in widescreen MBP for $1500 then I'll bite.

[Davie]

I hope Macbooks are updated to aluminum.

[MrKuro]

As much as I dislike optical media, a Macbook without a DVD drive would spell disaster. How would you (re)install Leopard? Burn music? Backup files?

The flash drive is clearly the next step, but it it isn't cheap / disposable enough to work now.

really?.. disaster come on ;)

- I don't use my drive for anything other than booting the odd linux livecd

- re-install anything via external or networked disc drive

- burn via the same method, but then again i use flash and harddrive based players for my music needs

- backup? ... external harddrives and NAS devices

- dvd playback - rip it on another system first, or download it

it wouldn't bother me at all to not have an optical drive, as i pretty much have eliminated the need for disc's in my household .. networking / streaming / flash & hdd's ... discs are obsolete.

If they can provide a thinner, lighter notebook without the drive, then i say axe it..

I really want a mac tablet .. basically a large 10-12'' iphone-ish device running full leopard. aka no keyboard, no trackpad, no optical drive, just a larger multitouch display, with at least 32gb of flash storage.

so basically this ..

[PyX]

A touch (tablet) mac would be, I guess, perfect for my 4 years at university. ;)

[glazzz]

1.Ultra-small laptop

2.13" MBP

3."Mac Cube"

4.Touch Screen Mac (tablet)

IMO the macbook doesn't need a redesign, and the MBP's keyboard = fail for me. An aluminum finish would be welcome, but not necessary. 3G iPhone is slated for later this year (may/june), but 16GB would be nice.