[Salty]

Well, as we all know I have a history of through much speculation predicting new Apple products, and sometimes even get the names right (for example when I read about 4 gig Micro drives I was like, how long before we see a Mini iPod?). I also had been saying for a long time how Apple needed to have apps designed for making your own music, as well as websites on your Mac and they've recently done both.
So in that tradition I predict since we have yet to see a 12 inch MacBook Pro, or a 17 inch MacBook Pro, they may come with different names. The 12 inch PowerBook has for a long time come under criticism for being too much like the iBook, and not enough like a PowerBook. So I could actually see Apple rebranding the 12 inch PowerBook with a few features mixed around as the MacBook mini. It would go well with the current naming convention of the Mac desktops, Mac mini, iMac and PowerMac (probably going to be renamed the Mac Pro).
Of course if this happens we will probably actually see a small iBook with features more like the 12 inch PowerBook, and the MacBook mini filling the smallest section of the market. I imagine they'll keep the iBook brand and not throw Mac in the name since it is such a well recognized name already.

So my predictions for the coming Apple laptop lines.

MacBook mini moving into the space of the current iBooks not yet sure on the screen size, probably whatever is cheapest for them. Probably using the lower power Core Solo chips for a while, probably would also be somewhere near the speed of the Mac mini

iBooks moved into more the space of the current 12 inch PowerBooks, potentially with a 13.1 inch widescreen, don't know if we'd see more screen sizes, could possibly see a 15 inch widescreen with fewer features than the MacBook Pro, perhaps no Express card, no backlit keyboard, probably include the iSight though (I just think Apple really wants to push the whole iChat AV thing Jobs seems to be in love with it). iBooks of course following the steps of the new iMac had better be able to monitor span, if they don't include this feature that'll be dumb, even cheap junky PC laptops can do it, for students working with projectors this is a feature that should be included, since most of them don't realize that they won't be able to span.
As well I could see them adding some sort of Apple Remote option for them.

MacBook Pro well we've already seen the 15 inch Model, I imagine that they'll be keeping the current design though they may end up changing it, it'll probably always be Apple's slimmest laptop, sexiest, probably keep the aluminum enclosure unless they moved to something like a carbon fiber case or something. Not really much to say about this.

When it comes to the 17 inch PowerBook, I'm really not sure what to say, no idea what the numbers on sales for it are, but I somehow doubt it is really that important of a product to Apple right now, because I know when I worked at Best Buy they really did not sell that much. But I could see them also branding this one as the MacBook Pro somewhere down the line.

All that being said, I imagine if Apple were to introduce a MacBook mini they may end up having some more overlap between the PowerBooks and the iBooks.

So... what speculations would you like to make

(And I still hold that even thought it will never happen the iNewt would be an awesome product!)

[Cody Dawg]

I'm wondering how that thing is going to be?




I'd be tempted to buy a new PowerBook/MacBook but I remember those first Titaniums with the heat problem...anyone else remember them?

That much said, Apple replaced my PowerBook today because I had to send it in twice for the same problem with the screen (dark in one corner).

I love you, Apple.

[JoshuaZ]

I would love to have a 13in apple laptop. Heat, sure, it will probably be an issue. It is with a lot of laptops. Especially if you're doing any processor intense work. Or just playing WoW. What I really care about is size, screen size, and battery life.

A friend of mine once complained out my 12in Powerbook being how. My response was "Don't use the laptop when you have shorts on, or just use a damn desk."

[NYCFarmboy]

I just hope they use a better screen than the dog of a screen they stick in the 12" powerbooks now..... i.e. dim & with a very poor viewing angle.

[JoshuaZ]

Originally Posted by NYCFarmboy

I just hope they use a better screen than the dog of a screen they stick in the 12" powerbooks now..... i.e. dim & with a very poor viewing angle.

I second that. The screen is lacking.

[Salty]

Agreed I heard someone say that they loved the 12 inch's screen, and I was like sure it's an OK screen until you compare it with the screen in another PowerBook.

[Cody Dawg]

I love the XBrite technology that Sony uses. Know what I'm talking about? They are beautiful screens - much better than the average screen.

Why doesn't Apple use those? Too much power consumption?

[JoshuaZ]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

I love the XBrite technology that Sony uses. Know what I'm talking about? They are beautiful screens - much better than the average screen.

Why doesn't Apple use those? Too much power consumption?

You bring up a very good point. Sony's screens are super nice. I've always been impressed with their screen technology. No idea why Apple doesn't use it though.

They could be tied down with just one LCD company for their laptops, or be worried about supply issues.

[Salty]

Xbrite is just a name for that awful coating Sony puts on their screens. I would cry if Apple forced PowerBook users to use those awful screens. They're OK if you use them in the dark, but imagine using them in direct sunlight! They were bad enough when I saw them working at BestBuy, my sister has a Toshiba that has their I think it's TrueBright thing same deal, and she says she can do her make up with her laptop because the thing's practically a mirror, drives her nuts.

[JoshuaZ]

Originally Posted by Salty

Xbrite is just a name for that awful coating Sony puts on their screens. I would cry if Apple forced PowerBook users to use those awful screens. They're OK if you use them in the dark, but imagine using them in direct sunlight! They were bad enough when I saw them working at BestBuy, my sister has a Toshiba that has their I think it's TrueBright thing same deal, and she says she can do her make up with her laptop because the thing's practically a mirror, drives her nuts.

In sunlight, I can't see my 12in Powerbook screen. Let it be known I also have great eyes both for viewing and for staring deeply into.

[Salty]

Agreed in sunlight I can generally barely see my screen. But in a class room with an open window I can generally make it out, and I don't have to close my lid because I am blinding the person behind me with my screen.
I'm not saying the 12 inch screens are even that good, I'm just saying the whole Xbrite thing makes the screen look good at first, and then you realize that in proper lighting for work, you never get a terribly good picture because you're always seeing reflections.

[Leia's Left Bun]

Originally Posted by Salty

When it comes to the 17 inch PowerBook, I'm really not sure what to say, no idea what the numbers on sales for it are, but I somehow doubt it is really that important of a product to Apple right now, because I know when I worked at Best Buy they really did not sell that much.

You really think the pro consumer that buy it shop at best buy?

And when did you stop working there? that didn't last long.

[mduell]

I can see Apple merging the 12" iBook, 14" iBook, and 12" PowerBook under one MacBook mini product. They could offer the customer real options to get the price and performance where they want it.

13.3" screen: 1280x800 or 1680x1050*
Intel Core CPU: 1.66Ghz Solo or 1.66Ghz Duo
DDR2-667: 512MB, two slots
ATi GPU: X300 64MB with DVI or X1300 128MB with dual link DVI
Hard Drive: 40GB 4200RPM to 100GB/7200RPM or 120GB/5400RPM
4x SuperDrive
2x USB2, 1x FW400, 1x e.SATA, GigE
BlueTooth/Airport
Starting at $999 for the base options

Problems with my ideas:
1) It's too flexible... competes (erm, crushes) the 12" iBook on the low end, but can still almost reach the 15" MacBook Pro on the high end. More of a marketing problem than a supply chain one (other OEMs have some laptops this flexible).
2) The second CPU core is only $32 more wholesale, but very few people wouldn't take the second core if offered for a price difference that small.

* This would of course require offering 1920x1200 on the 15" and (future) 17" (it's not like, you know, other OEMs have been doing it for years).

[d4nth3m4n]

[Salty]

Originally Posted by Leia's Left Bun

You really think the pro consumer that buy it shop at best buy?

And when did you stop working there? that didn't last long.

No I don't think most Pros shop at BestBuy, but do all 17 inch PowerBooks get sold only to Pros? I would imagine at least some get sold to other people. As well I'm back in school now, one that's forty minutes out of the city, so I quit BestBuy. I also got out like three days before boxing day... don't imagine my boss was very happy.

[Ozmodiar]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

I remember those first Titaniums with the heat problem...anyone else remember them?

I have an original TiBook. It gets a little hot but never hotter than any other laptop I've used.

[Super Mario]

No good guessing.

The names have been chosen are

Mac mini
Mac Tower Dual and Quad
MacBook
MacBook Pro

[- - e r i k - -]

Wouldn't this be much more sense:
12/13" = MacBook mini
15" = MacBook
17" = MacBook Pro ?

[Super Mario]

Originally Posted by - - e r i k - -

Wouldn't this be much more sense:
12/13" = MacBook mini
15" = MacBook
17" = MacBook Pro ?

Only if Apple was run by Dell.

The reality is Apple likes their ranges to be clearly defined with few options in each range. They will not break a successful model.

iBook could become cheaper and smaller with the ultra low voltage Intels so it is possible for them to have a 10 inch MacBook, 12 inch MacBook and 14 inch MacBook. We can be looking at this

Mac mini already fills the starter range. Two multimedia living room hub models.
iMac has no name change. 2 sizes for now but I expect a 23 inch will happen.
iBook will become MacBook. Up to 3 models. Possible widescreen on all.
PowerBook has become MacBook Pro. 3 models. Possibly widescreen on all if 12 becomes 13.
Power Mac will become Mac Tower Dual and Quad.

[JoshuaZ]

Mmmmm..... I'd buy a 13in widescreen iBook. If the price was right.

It would be nice for apple to be 100% widescreen.