Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

Eug Wanker · Jul 28, 2006, 09:50 AM

OK. The SteveNote is only 10 days away, and I think it's time... What do think is coming at WWDC?

It seems like pretty much a lock that we'll see one or all of the following:

iMac Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4 GHz
MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo T7600 2.33 GHz
Mac Pro Quad-core Xeon 5160 3 GHz, with space for 2 optical drives
Xserve 1U Quad-core Xeon 5150 2.66 GHz

Cinema Displays? Maybe, but if they do they damn well better support HDCP.
iPods? I dunno. I'm thinking not yet, but they're overdue.
Mac mini? Maybe when Yonah gets another price cut.
MacBook? Definitely not.
I don't expect an iPhone either, but Oppenheimer was hinting at one.
iTunes Movie Store? Maybe not... It's not as if WWDC is the best venue for it anyway, but who knows?

Of course we'll see lots about Leopard, with a more fleshed out Bootcamp, Quartz 2D Extreme turned on, and resolution independence. I don't expect to see virtualization.

And somehow I think we'll see Theodore Gray and Bruce Chizen on stage gushing about the new hardware. Roz Ho will show up too, and say something totally non-committal.

P.S. Some of you may have already seen this, but I think it's appropriate:

Dork. · Jul 28, 2006, 09:52 AM

What do we win?

Eug Wanker · Jul 28, 2006, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by Dork.

What do we win?

The eternal respect of Mac geeks 'round the globe.

tutelary · Jul 28, 2006, 10:10 AM

I want to see a Mac in a shuttle form factor. To hell with the Mac Mini.

slugslugslug · Jul 28, 2006, 10:30 AM

WWDC doesn't really seem an appropriate venue for a new iPod, unless there's some brand new API for either writing apps for it (doubtful), or sending data to it from OS X apps (tiny bit more plausible).

If there is a phone, WWDC would make sense, sit one would hope it's a smartphone. It'd be pretty amazing if they enabled iPhone (or whatever) development using Obj-C in XCode. But I think it's still too early for the phone to show up, assuming they ever decide to go public with one. FWIW, Oppenheimer's "not doing nothing" comment could be construed 2 ways: we're making a phone, or we're making an iPod so hot that people will want it in addition to their media-playing phone.

Mac Pro is a shoo-in. XServe likelihood fairly high. Also announcing CPU upgrades for iMac and MBP are plausible, just to showcase the success of the Intel switch: "see, just over a year after announcements and we're bringing out 3 new models at once." But if so, the Mac Pro would get the most attention.

The things I really care about are Leopard features, and I'm pretty much with Eug. I'm sure res-independence will be there (unfortunately it's not soon enough to bring even higher-dpi screens) and more Boot Camp details will be revealed. But I've no idea what else to expect. Obviously something totally new and really cool and updates to bundled apps.

Oh yeah, and bye-bye brushed metal.

Andy8 · Jul 28, 2006, 10:42 AM

Hardware:
iPhone - DoCoMo deal in Japan first, other countries to follow.
Mac Pro - in various flavours - 64bit Intels
ACD - 24", 32" - no in-built iSights, but a new slimmer version of the iSight.

Eug Wanker · Jul 28, 2006, 10:44 AM

I also predict that when it's clear the iPhone is not coming at WWDC, people will get pissed off and AAPL (currently at $64.08) will drop.

P.S. I get to miss all the hooplah this time around. It's a long w/e up here in Canuckland, and I'll probably be away for the Monday of the SteveNote.

goMac · Jul 28, 2006, 10:54 AM

I predict free juice.

Landos Mustache · Jul 28, 2006, 10:56 AM

10.5, 10.5, 10.5.

And pro towers. No iPod ****

starman · Jul 28, 2006, 11:00 AM

Didn't they already say that 10.5 will be shown? Nothing new there.

If they release new towers, FOR GOD'S SAKE allow more than two drives, please!

mitchell_pgh · Jul 28, 2006, 11:08 AM

Steve Jobs: "We have removed 25% more of the debut code!"

Landos Mustache · Jul 28, 2006, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by starman

Didn't they already say that 10.5 will be shown? Nothing new there.

Of course. The point is it will be the focus. Probably revolving around how developers have 6 months notice to tweak their apps to make it run on it.

Oh I am also hoping for new displays with an iSight built in.

Eug Wanker · Jul 28, 2006, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by starman

Didn't they already say that 10.5 will be shown? Nothing new there.

Yeah, but they didn't say what's gonna be in it.

If they release new towers, FOR GOD'S SAKE allow more than two drives, please!

I think 3 hard drives (with a hardware RAID option) and 2 optical drives would be perfect. And because that'd be perfect, Apple won't give that to us.

Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh

Steve Jobs: "We have removed 25% more of the debut code!"

What's debut code?

Landos Mustache · Jul 28, 2006, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by Eug Wanker

I think 3 hard drives (with a hardware RAID option) and 2 optical drives would be perfect. And because that'd be perfect, Apple won't give that to us.

Didn't the G4 Mirror doors allow 4 internal drives and 2 optical. Pretty impressive.

shame the G5's were full of 5 pound heatsyncs and NINE FANS!

BRussell · Jul 28, 2006, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by slugslugslug

WWDC doesn't really seem an appropriate venue for a new iPod, unless there's some brand new API for either writing apps for it (doubtful), or sending data to it from OS X apps (tiny bit more plausible).

I don't think the few hundred people in the audience matter a whit to what is announced. Jobs is speaking, and therefore it will get attention from the press. If they have an iPod ready to go, he'll announce it.

Obi Wan's Ghost · Jul 28, 2006, 11:47 AM

Mac Pro and Leopeard preview. Other updates in their own time.

Dork. · Jul 28, 2006, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by Eug Wanker

The eternal respect of Mac geeks 'round the globe.

How about something I don't already have?

Eug Wanker · Jul 28, 2006, 01:18 PM

Merom PC laptops to arrive late August. I'd expect the same for the MacBook Pro, so a WWDC announcement would be fine: Announce Aug. 7. Ready for order Aug. 7. Shipping 2 weeks later.

P.S. This seems kinda interesting...

Intel demonstrated the new chips performance with presentations by the Frag Dolls, a group of young, attractive professional female gamers.

"It's amazingly smooth," said a Frag Doll named Roulette. "It's totally immersive because you're not worried about the game stopping or freezing. We're spoiled. I don't think we'll be able to go back."

scaught · Jul 28, 2006, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by Eug Wanker

What's debut code?

Landos Mustache · Jul 28, 2006, 01:50 PM

I predict lots and lots of bitching about video cards after the show.

AppleOptionFour · Jul 28, 2006, 05:35 PM

Steve: "One more thing...those Quad Xeon Mac Pros come with the latest Voodoo 3."

Thanks ATI. :-(

Only joking...I have no clue what the AMD/ATI merger means as far as Mac graphics cards.

Salty · Jul 28, 2006, 07:54 PM

New pro level stuff:
Mac Pro, likely with Xeons, several bays for all kinds of crap,
MacBook Pro with Merom
iMac with Conroe.
Potentially though not probably new cinemas

Not likely... new MacBooks or new Mac minis.

We'll of course see tons of new OS X goodness. I doubt the movie store thing since it doesn't seem to have much to do with developers, and I doubt iPods.

angelmb · Jul 29, 2006, 03:35 AM

I predict Leopard posters.

angelmb · Jul 29, 2006, 03:52 AM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

Didn't the G4 Mirror doors allow 4 internal drives and 2 optical. Pretty impressive.

True, and does it with style, look at those pc towers yelling at you 'I can accommodate lots of optical drivers but they are actually empty bays giving me a terrible look…

shame the G5's were full of 5 pound heatsyncs and NINE FANS!

I though the applefans site was named after the G5 -just kidding-

Ratm · Jul 29, 2006, 04:20 AM

Originally Posted by goMac

I predict free juice.

hehehe.....silly

starman · Jul 29, 2006, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by angelmb

I predict Leopard posters.

Good, 'cuz I need to replace my Panther one.

amsalpemkcus · Jul 29, 2006, 11:41 AM

I predict a Zune killar!

goMac · Jul 29, 2006, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by Ratm

hehehe.....silly

Just in case:
http://www.google.com/search?client=...UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

bradoesch · Jul 29, 2006, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Eug Wanker

I also predict that when it's clear the iPhone is not coming at WWDC, people will get pissed off and AAPL (currently at $64.08) will drop.

[/url].

I hope you're right about the stock dropping. I'd like another good buy-in opportunity.

goMac · Jul 29, 2006, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by Eug Wanker

I also predict that when it's clear the iPhone is not coming at WWDC, people will get pissed off and AAPL (currently at $64.08) will drop.

P.S. I get to miss all the hooplah this time around. It's a long w/e up here in Canuckland, and I'll probably be away for the Monday of the SteveNote.

I disagree. I think all Steve has to do is mutter the words "iTunes Movie Store" and the stock will go up. Heck, all he really has to do is mutter "iPod" or "iTunes".

Judge_Fire · Jul 29, 2006, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by tutelary

I want to see a Mac in a shuttle form factor. To hell with the Mac Mini.

Hear hear.

The Cube was the closest-to-perfect Mac I've owned and an SFF Pro Mac would be even sweeter. Nothing to do with the Mini, which is a budget model.

Small, with upgradeable full-size display card.

Pro Mac enclosure size should really be an option. Some want a compact model (that fits a rack, for example) while some need all the internal expansion possible.

I adored the funky little 'mini-g5' mockup by that Japanese guy

J

Amorya · Jul 29, 2006, 04:30 PM

I would pay extra to put a real graphics card in the mini. Or, indeed, to bring back the cube.

I want a collection of small but powerful machines to take to LAN parties. Lugging my G5 there is not fun, and I don't want to pay for a powerful laptop, at the expense of its size.

Steve, grant me my wish?

SirCastor · Jul 30, 2006, 01:17 AM

Originally Posted by Judge_Fire

Hear hear.

The Cube was the closest-to-perfect Mac I've owned and an SFF Pro Mac would be even sweeter. Nothing to do with the Mini, which is a budget model.

Small, with upgradeable full-size display card.

Pro Mac enclosure size should really be an option. Some want a compact model (that fits a rack, for example) while some need all the internal expansion possible.

I adored the funky little 'mini-g5' mockup by that Japanese guy

J

That concept kind of undermines Apple's approach to the market. As much as we don't like it, there's a reason there's a gap between the budget and the pro. Because the folks at Apple know that we're not gonna buy the budget when we want some of the pro. They're not going to expand to a special 5th magical item. They look back and see the cube as a mistake. They're not going to try it again.

Eug · Jul 30, 2006, 01:40 AM

Originally Posted by SirCastor

That concept kind of undermines Apple's approach to the market. As much as we don't like it, there's a reason there's a gap between the budget and the pro. Because the folks at Apple know that we're not gonna buy the budget when we want some of the pro. They're not going to expand to a special 5th magical item. They look back and see the cube as a mistake. They're not going to try it again.

Well, the MacBook has a CPU is as fast as the low end MacBook Pro.

Judge_Fire · Jul 30, 2006, 04:56 AM

Originally Posted by SirCastor

That concept kind of undermines Apple's approach to the market. As much as we don't like it, there's a reason there's a gap between the budget and the pro. Because the folks at Apple know that we're not gonna buy the budget when we want some of the pro. They're not going to expand to a special 5th magical item. They look back and see the cube as a mistake. They're not going to try it again.

I can see that, but I'd be willing to be as much (or even more, "cube effect") for a smaller, but otherwise equal pro computer. All I'm saying is size should be BTO option, a bit like the color black in MacBooks.

As for not trying again, well, Steve has some serious thing about cubes, so who knows...

J

Tuoder · Jul 30, 2006, 05:36 AM

The way I see it, Apple could make a cube with cheaper, desktop-sized components, rather than laptop ones. Then, they could make a budget model with similar specs to the Mini, and then charge a whole lot of money for a version with an x1600 or something. But then, I think SirCastor is right, they make more money off of selling one Pro and one Consumer market offering.

Anyone remember what happened when apple tried to make a computer for every market?

Frans · Jul 30, 2006, 06:07 AM

I'd say it's a good time to come up with a new 'ultra-portable'
http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1814
http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/30/a...-first-intel/2

And oh boy, I want that iPhone:
http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/29/w...nch-in-august/
http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1888

C.A.T.S. CEO · Jul 30, 2006, 06:35 AM

new hardware and cookies

(the kind you eat)

seanc · Jul 30, 2006, 09:35 AM

I want to see the Mini get a speed bump, or at least a price drop.

The Godfather · Jul 30, 2006, 11:08 AM

I predict a Fullscreen-enabled Quicktime for free

Eug · Jul 30, 2006, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by Frans

And oh boy, I want that iPhone:
http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/29/w...nch-in-august/

Hey, I'd buy one of those.

Eug · Jul 30, 2006, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by The Godfather

I predict a Fullscreen-enabled Quicktime for free

Heh. In the meantime you can run QTAmateur, or:

Launch Script Editor and enter this:

Save the script as an application. Now open the movie you want to view in full screen in QuickTime Player. Double-click the AppleScript application you just created and your movie will play at full screen.

angelmb · Jul 30, 2006, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by Amorya

I would pay extra to put a real graphics card in the mini. Or, indeed, to bring back the cube.

I want a collection of small but powerful machines to take to LAN parties. Lugging my G5 there is not fun, and I don't want to pay for a powerful laptop, at the expense of its size.

What about the iMac?, isn't it good enough to play games? -asking here because I am not a computer gamer-

Eug · Jul 30, 2006, 12:14 PM

The iMac is a fine machine, but some people don't want get a machine with an integrated screen.

Jawbone54 · Jul 30, 2006, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by Eug

The iMac is a fine machine, but some people don't want get a machine with an integrated screen.

To each his own, I guess. I LOVE the all-in-one style of the iMac. One of the best desktops of all time, IMHO.

brassplayersrock² · Jul 30, 2006, 11:34 PM

touch screen:
iMac
iPod (with widescreen)
Macbook
Macbook pro

performance boosts all through the board

some kind of upgrade to the monitors

new kind of mouse...oh wait

Eug · Jul 31, 2006, 12:11 AM

Only one more week until WWDC...

Originally Posted by Jawbone54

To each his own, I guess. I LOVE the all-in-one style of the iMac. One of the best desktops of all time, IMHO.

I have both the G4 Cube and a G5 iMac. They both have their design advantages.

Salty · Jul 31, 2006, 01:04 AM

By the way I forgot... sex bots.

mitchell_pgh · Jul 31, 2006, 01:54 AM

What I would love to see:

Take the iMac... remove the screen... and place it in a white mini tower where I can put in a 2nd HD... and reduce the price by $150 (because there isn't a screen)

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...l_pgh/xMac.jpg

1.83GHz Intel Core Duo with 2MB shared L2 cache
512MB (single SO-DIMM) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
160GB Serial ATA hard drive
Slot-load 8x double-layer SuperDrive
ATI Radeon X1600 graphics with 128MB GDDR3 memory
Built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0
Dual video out
$1100

nforcer · Jul 31, 2006, 03:42 AM

Originally Posted by Eug Wanker

What's debut code?

Debut code is worse than debug code. Debug code can be turned off with a #pragma. Debut code is the code that has existed since a product's debut. This means it could be full of design flaws and hacks from a "omg, lets just get this working and shipped; deadline is next week" mentality. It could also be using recently-deprecated APIs and a bunch of other crap it shouldn't be. Leave the debut code unaddressed for long enough between updates and BOOM all the sudden it doesn't work or doesn't work as well as it should.

Debut code is the real enemy; debug code just gets the blame.