Apple to ditch iBook brand alongside notebook launch

[AppleInsider]

It's almost official -- Apple Computer will re-brand its iBook consumer notebooks under the "MacBook" moniker when it releases new models based on Intel Corp.'s Core Duo processors later this month, AppleInsider has learned.

The new portables, targeted at the consumer and education markets, will represent the most redesigned notebooks to emerge from Apple's famed industrial design studios in several years, sources have said.

True to speculation and hints offered by the company through recent trademark filings, Apple will call the notebooks MacBooks rather than iBooks.

Well-placed sources say the company has already started to prepare marketing materials that bear the MacBook product name. Any effort to change the name at this point in the product's development cycle would pose as an unnecessary inconvenience, they say.

The good news for Mac enthusiasts and prospective MacBook buyers is that they'll soon be able to place orders for the new notebooks. People often familiar with the Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple's product roll-out plans say it is now up to company management to O.K. the MacBooks for manufacturing ramp. This decision, however, is highly contingent on a couple of factors, these people say.

Apple must first align an ample supply of components from its suppliers and then wait on the green light from its product marketing division, which is highly influential in setting precise product launch dates. Nevertheless, an announcement is expected sooner than later. Reports that have suggested Apple would not unveil its new consumer notebooks until June appear to be inaccurate.

Unlike Apple's entry-level Mac mini consumer desktops, which are available with either an Intel Core Solo or Core Duo processor, each MacBook is expected to pack at least a 1.67GHz Core Duo chip. The notebooks will be available in several configurations, each built around a vibrant 13-inch widescreen display.

Like Apple's MacBook Pro professional notebooks, the new consumer MacBooks are expected to sport a built-in iSight video camera, a MagSafe power adaptor and come bundled with Apple's Front Row and Photo Booth software applications.

Previous reports have also suggested the MacBook will boast some new proprietary Apple technology such as a completely magnetic latching system that will adhere the display module to the computer component without the need for a physical latching mechanism.

Alongside the MacBook, Apple is also expected to unveil its flagship 17-inch MacBook Pro professional notebook, which has also recently been finalized.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[Zenga]

The is also an article posted on Think Secret:
http://www.thinksecret.com/news/0604macbook.html
basically we've been waiting for how long now? when will it come out, May/June? when when when?

Both articles pretty much says it all, I think that the 13.3" is the way to go, but I'm not sure the entry one could be U$ 999 can it..?

[CosmoNut]

Originally posted by AppleInsider
Unlike Apple's entry-level Mac mini consumer desktops, which are available with either an Intel Core Solo or Core Duo processor, each MacBook is expected to pack at least a 1.67GHz Core Duo chip.

I don't know about this. I think we'll see a line-up similar to the mini: low end model with Solo, higher end model with Duo.

[CosmoNut]

Originally posted by Zenga
MacBook to land at last by May

By Ryan Katz, Senior Editor

So are YOU Ryan Katz, Zenga? If not, you may want to post a link and add some of your own thoughts...so you don't violate the Posting Guidelines or anything.

Originally posted by CosmoNut
I don't know about this. I think we'll see a line-up similar to the mini: low end model with Solo, higher end model with Duo.

i think we will see all duo, the core solo was a bit of a waste of time, no one really wants it.

I cant wait until the macbook line is complete

[Zenga]

Originally posted by CosmoNut
So are YOU Ryan Katz, Zenga? If not, you may want to post a link and add some of your own thoughts...so you don't violate the Posting Guidelines or anything.

sorry I forgot!

[tensdanny38]

hopefully they make one with an x1600 for 1500!!

[amac4me]

Bring on the 17" MacBook Pro.

[Myst]

Originally posted by tensdanny38
hopefully they make one with an x1600 for 1500!!

I'm officially betting on the either the X700 or X1400. (Not really betting, but ... guessing...)

Anyway, looks like these will be great if all Duo, and the 17in MacBook Pro should offer workstation level graphics cards, that would be the thing that puts it over as the true king of notebooks.

[Catman4d2]

well damn...

why change it? they didnt change the imac name i like the ibook name, "imac" "ibook" apples most "personal" personal computers! oh well.... if someone says well its not really a mac,as some say about the "I" line at least you can say, it is, see! it says MACBOOK.

p.s. i hate losing an inch! sony has a 14 inch widescreen with a camera!!! dammit apple do the right thing.

[backtomac]

Does anyone know if intels virtualizattion technology require dual core chips? More specifically, would Parallels software work on a core solo macbook?

[Anders]

Originally posted by backtomac
Does anyone know if intels virtualizattion technology require dual core chips? More specifically, would Parallels software work on a core solo macbook?

It does and it wouldn´t.

[Lust]

Originally posted by Catman4d2
well damn...

why change it? they didnt change the imac name i like the ibook name, "imac" "ibook" apples most "personal" personal computers! oh well.... if someone says well its not really a mac,as some say about the "I" line at least you can say, it is, see! it says MACBOOK.

p.s. i hate losing an inch! sony has a 14 inch widescreen with a camera!!! dammit apple do the right thing.

They want "mac" in the names of all of their computers. They didn't change the name of the iMac because "Mac" was already in the name so there wasn't really any reason to. Besides, what would they change it to? MacMac?

[saleski]

I'm a bit confused now. How much wider will the new macbook be than the current 12" ibook ? I'm looking for a new small mac laptop. Should I buy a G4 12" powerbook instead. ?

[backtomac]

Originally posted by Anders
It does and it wouldn´t.

Yet another reason to skip core solo.

[tensdanny38]

Originally posted by saleski
I'm a bit confused now. How much wider will the new macbook be than the current 12" ibook ? I'm looking for a new small mac laptop. Should I buy a G4 12" powerbook instead. ?

it'll be thinner and the footprint will be smaller. widescreen dimensions greatly change the vertical requirement.

[ATPTourFan]

Originally posted by Anders
It does and it wouldn´t.

Um... from parallels.com

"Any Intel Powered Macintosh running OS X 10.4.4 or higher is compatible with Parallels Workstation 2.1."

[minderbinder]

Originally posted by Catman4d2
well damn...

why change it? they didnt change the imac name i like the ibook name, "imac" "ibook" apples most "personal" personal computers! oh well.... if someone says well its not really a mac,as some say about the "I" line at least you can say, it is, see! it says MACBOOK.

p.s. i hate losing an inch! sony has a 14 inch widescreen with a camera!!! dammit apple do the right thing.

If you need that inch, get the 15 they're selling now. And "ibook" doesn't have "mac" in it. Already been discussed, end of story.

The big question here is solo or duo and what will the pricing be? I'd love to see $999 again, but can they do a duo at that price? Can't wait to hear the configs on these, we'll finally have a real comparison instead of MPB versus the cheapest low-end dell duo laptop.

[minderbinder]

Originally posted by ATPTourFan
Um... from parallels.com

"Any Intel Powered Macintosh running OS X 10.4.4 or higher is compatible with Parallels Workstation 2.1."

And people have already reported running it on solo minis.

[wilco]

Originally posted by ATPTourFan
Um... from parallels.com

"Any Intel Powered Macintosh running OS X 10.4.4 or higher is compatible with Parallels Workstation 2.1."

Only his second post, and he's pulling out the "ummm" card on Anders!

Now it's on!

[ATPTourFan]

Originally posted by wilco
Only his second post, and he's pulling out the "ummm" card on Anders!

Now it's on!

Ha... well I've been registered and posting at MacNN forums forever...

I had to set the man straight before he gets people worried that they can't virutalize with parralels' SW on a Solo.

[TenoBell]

hopefully they make one with an x1600 for 1500!!

That would defeat the point of a consumer laptop and enters the pro range.

i hate losing an inch! sony has a 14 inch widescreen with a camera!!! dammit apple do the right thing.

Some people complain Apple should make one even smaller. 13.3 actually fills a good point. Its small, but not so small that normal laptop features have to be compromised.

i think we will see all duo, the core solo was a bit of a waste of time, no one really wants it.

There's a give and take to everything. Solo Core would generate less heat and require less power for a longer battery life. Plus $999 price point would have to be solo core.

Does anyone know if intels virtualizattion technology require dual core chips? More specifically, would Parallels software work on a core solo macbook?

It does and it wouldn´t.

Yet another reason to skip core solo.

I wouldn't wager that virtualization is high on Apples priority list. Especially for its consumer laptop.

[a_greer]

My prediction:
All core duo, varying speeds.
all 512 MB ram
all integrated graphics (to seperate the Pro line)
all iSight
all 13.3 inch display
all mini DVI, mirror only

Low end $899-1099
60 GB hdd
combo drive

High end. (low end+200)
80GB hdd
superdrive
frontrow remote

[audiopollution]

Originally posted by ATPTourFan
Ha... well I've been registered and posting at MacNN forums forever...

I had to set the man straight before he gets people worried that they can't virutalize with parralels' SW on a Solo.

Before the smackdown is layeth on Anders:

Ahh ... but have you tried in on a Core Solo Mini? There's a checkbox in the Parallels' software for enabling Intel VT support. I'd like to know if that check box works on a Core Solo.

[dr_lha]

Originally posted by Anders
It does and it wouldn´t.

Funny, I was running Parallels on my Mac mini Core Solo just last night. I must have been imagining things I guess!

[dr_lha]

Originally posted by audiopollution
Before the smackdown is layeth on Anders:

Ahh ... but have you tried in on a Core Solo Mini? There's a checkbox in the Parallels' software for enabling Intel VT support. I'd like to know if that check box works on a Core Solo.

It doesn't. Parallels reports that your chip has Intel VT-x support but its disabled in the BIOS.

Whether this is due to Apple disabling it or VT-x being fundamentally broken on a Core Solo is up for debate.

Originally posted by a_greer
My prediction:
All core duo, varying speeds.
all 512 MB ram
all integrated graphics (to seperate the Pro line)
all iSight
all 13.3 inch display
all mini DVI, mirror only

Low end $899-1099
60 GB hdd
combo drive

High end. (low end+200)
80GB hdd
superdrive
frontrow remote

frontrow will be in all the new macs that are released.

[Anders]

Originally posted by wilco
Only his second post, and he's pulling out the "ummm" card on Anders!

Now it's on!

Nah thats okay. I was under the impression Parallels used Intels hardware virtualization and it only was implemented in Core Duo chips. Sorry if I gave wrong information.

[TenoBell]

all mini DVI, mirror only

This is logical in that is the current iBook set up.

But I've seen no evidence that Intel GMA offers mini DVI.

Wouldn't it cost more for Intel to manufacture separate chip sets for Apple to offer mini DVI?

edit: in a google search anything about mini DV was mostly about 12" PowerBooks and iBooks. Looks as if no one in the rest of the industry deals with it.

[tensdanny38]

Originally posted by TenoBell
That would defeat the point of a consumer laptop and enters the pro range.

Thank you for telling me as a consumer myself what I need. Last time I checked you don't see many people gaming while at work. I don't know many programmers that get paid to play css
or graphic designers that make their big bucks playing oblivion.

x1600 is a midrange graphics card. It is not their high end card by any means.

I don't know why there needs to be such titles as professional and consumer. I think that is a snoody way to say metal case or plastic case. Let me ask you this, who has the most powerful computer you know? Is it a programmer, graphic designer or film editor? More than likely its a geeky teenager who plays wow or cs:s.


If I wanted a high-end card, i'd expect a mobile 7800 or a mobile x1800. I want a dual-core machine that can play games and fill the spot the 12" mbp would have.

[tensdanny38]

Originally posted by TenoBell
This is logical in that is the current iBook set up.

But I've seen no evidence that Intel GMA offers mini DVI.

Wouldn't it cost more for Intel to manufacture separate chip sets for Apple to offer mini DVI?

edit: in a google search anything about mini DV was mostly about 12" PowerBooks and iBooks. Looks as if no one in the rest of the industry deals with it.

This seems really unlikely since they appear to be differentiating the two mbp and mb using specs instead of features. It'll be DVI-out with spanning support.

[dr_lha]

Originally posted by TenoBell
This is logical in that is the current iBook set up.

But I've seen no evidence that Intel GMA offers mini DVI.

Wouldn't it cost more for Intel to manufacture separate chip sets for Apple to offer mini DVI?

edit: in a google search anything about mini DV was mostly about 12" PowerBooks and iBooks. Looks as if no one in the rest of the industry deals with it.

Is there any difference between DVI and mini-DVI apart from the size of the plug/socket?

The GMA 950 supports DVI (as seen on the Mac Mini) as would any modern GFX chip, so I would expect it to support mini-DVI as well.

[Sekio]

Originally posted by Lust
They want "mac" in the names of all of their computers. They didn't change the name of the iMac because "Mac" was already in the name so there wasn't really any reason to. Besides, what would they change it to? MacMac?

hahaha @ MacMac

[Squozen]

Originally posted by tensdanny38
If I wanted a high-end card, i'd expect a mobile 7800 or a mobile x1800. I want a dual-core machine that can play games and fill the spot the 12" mbp would have.

You won't be getting that with a MacBook. Buy a MacBook Pro.

[Elixir]

are they going to have an event for this

[fezzasus]

I don't believe the iBook replacement will have an iSight camera - the main reason being the ibook has always been aimed at a laptop for education and with the current (in my opinion petty) views on cameras in schools, i doubt they would be available with built in cameras.

[TenoBell]

I don't know why there needs to be such titles as professional and consumer. I think that is a snoody way to say metal case or plastic case.

Every computer manufacturer separate product lines that suite different needs. Apple has it down to two basic product lines.

Let me ask you this, who has the most powerful computer you know? Is it a programmer, graphic designer or film editor? More than likely its a geeky teenager who plays wow or cs:s.

I don't understand your point with this.

If I wanted a high-end card, i'd expect a mobile 7800 or a mobile x1800. I want a dual-core machine that can play games and fill the spot the 12" mbp would have.

The tag "high end card" is such a sliding scale its almost meaningless. By the end of the year the x1800 will be a midrange card.

Apple cannot fill the wants of every individual user. Apple looks over the needs of its the general user base and has to weigh different variables.

What consumers need/ what consumers will pay/ the cost of manufacture/ profit margins.

Is there any difference between DVI and mini-DVI apart from the size of the plug/socket?

Intel is efficiently producing 99.8% of its GMA chip sets with a full DVI output. Apple orders .2% of its GMA chip sets for a mini DVI output breaks the efficiency of the line. That's going to cost more money to artificially create a difference between the MacBook and MB Pro.

[TenoBell]

I don't believe the iBook replacement will have an iSight camera

Yes it will.

Apple is selling MacBooks to more than just education. They should however offer computers without iSight to those who need them that way.

[Kickaha]

Originally posted by TenoBell
Yes it will.

Apple is selling MacBooks to more than just education. They should however offer computers without iSight to those who need them that way.

The easy solution:



Stick one of those over it. Voila.



For a more sturdy solution:



And if you *REALLY* want it gone...

[auxio]

Originally posted by a_greer
My prediction:

I think the low end one may be Core solo, same as the Mini. Other than that, I'm with you on the rest of your prediction.