Next-gen MacBook, MacBook Pro spotted in matching outfits

[AppleInsider]

Production ready versions of Apple's next-generation MacBook and MacBook Pro notebooks have surfaced stateside in matching attire, according to reports.

In its attempt to provide the most accurate picture of Apple's future product plans, AppleInsider is publishing these tidbits only as a rumor to supplement earlier reports of higher conviction.

According to the latest reports, both the new 13-inch MacBooks and 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pros will share similarities not only in their employment of aluminum enclosures, but in their overall aesthetic as well, with the new 13-inch MacBooks for the first time matching their higher-priced cousins as if they were members of the same product family.

Again, the new designs were described as a cross between the 13-inch MacBook Air introduced this January and the aluminum iMacs that made their debut during the summer of 2007. In its April report, AppleInsider noted this would include a trimming -- or tapering -- around the edges and instances of black material to contrast the largely aluminum motif of the new notebooks.

New, however, are rumors that Apple has done away with some traditional I/O ports and altered others as it strives to marginally reduce the overall footprint of its next-gen notebooks. In particular, the FireWire 400 port appears to have been removed from the new MacBook Pro, leaving a backwards compatible FireWire 800 port.

(Note: a hybrid 9-pin FireWire 800/3200 port looks identical to a FireWire 800 port, though there is no information either way on whether the new 3200 technology will be supported.)



In addition, the new MacBook Pro is also reported to be missing its traditional and bulky 28-pin DVI-I (Dual Link) port, which has instead been replaced with what appears to be a mini-DVI port like the one found on the existing 13-inch MacBook line and iMac line.

Again, AppleInsider recommends that readers treat these rumors as potential supplements to previously reported details:

Previous reports on next-gen MacBooks

MacBook, MacBook Pro to get new aluminum designs (April)

Next-gen MacBook Pro casing design revealed, new battery cover (July)

New notebooks will include something other than Intel's Montevina chipset (July)

New MacBooks to follow iPods by several weeks; iMac bumps by mid-November (August)

New MacBooks tracking for mid-October timeframe (September)

First test batches of new MacBooks ship out of China (September)

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[stompy]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

New, however, are reports that Apple has done away with some traditional I/O ports and altered others as it strives to marginally reduce the overall footprint of its next-gen notebooks.

I would be fine with that, if Apple would ever adopt a docking connector. Can anyone explain why Apple doesn't add this -- at least to the MacBook Pro? Is the obsession with 'thinness' responsible?

Edit: Should have said 'Docking station port'

[Cubert]

Originally Posted by stompy

I would be fine with that, if Apple would ever adopt a docking connector. Can anyone explain why Apple doesn't add this -- at least to the MacBook Pro? Is the obsession with 'thinness' responsible?

You must be shrooming.

[stompy]

Originally Posted by Cubert

You must be shrooming.

Huh? Maybe you think I'm talking about an iPod dock connector? To be clear, I'm asking why Apple hasn't added a connector to dock the laptop. Monitors, periphrials, wired ethernet, etc.

[Zandros]

I think they ought to replace the USB-A ports with Mini-USB ports. Two FW800/S3200 ports would also be nice.

/Adrian

[mcarling]

Originally Posted by Zandros

I think they ought to replace the USB-A ports with Mini-USB ports.

Why? The USB-A port works fine for the MacBook Air. I see no reason to use a smaller, less common USB port.

I don't care so much which connector is used, but I would hate to lose support for dual-DVI. A MacBook Pro should be able to drive a 2560x1600 monitor. So should the MacBook and MacBook Air in my opinion.

[Zandros]

Originally Posted by mcarling

Why? The USB-A port works fine for the MacBook Air. I see no reason to use a smaller, less common USB port.

You can fit about six mini-USB ports placed vertically in the space of two regular USB-ports if they slim down the plastic around the connectors. Reason enough for me.

/Adrian

[ros3ntan]

I am curious why apple do not put sata connector and hdmi? clearly they have space...

[mrjoec123]

Originally Posted by Zandros

You can fit about six mini-USB ports placed vertically in the space of two regular USB-ports. Reason enough for me.

/Adrian

Maybe so, but then you lose the ability to plug in any of the vastly popular USB Key drives that many people depend on for transferring files from one machine to another. This alone makes keeping at least one standard USB port a must.

[Shaun, UK]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

According to the latest reports, both the new 13-inch MacBooks and 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pros will share similarities not only in their employment of aluminum enclosures, but in their overall aesthetic as well, with the new 13-inch MacBooks for the first time matching their higher-priced cousins as if they were members of the same product family.

Assuming this is correct why not combine the MB and MBP into one product line with 15/17 inch versions configured with either a 'consumer' or 'pro' spec, with a 13 inch MBA and 10 inch Mac Tablet for those who need ultra portability.

[sausage&Onion]

on a macbook, whatever, do your thing, but that miniDVI bullshit and lack of FW400 support is really fucking annoying. I want MORE ports, not less, for god's sake!

[samaster1991]

Any idea how much the new MacBooks will cost then?

[TriSept]

Getting rid of the full sized DVI port!?!? That sucks, I use that port a lot, and having to constantly use an adapter is a pain...

[monstrosity]

I would say this rumor sounds pretty accurate.

[amac4me]

Next Tuesday????

[aaarrrgggh]

Originally Posted by Zandros

I think they ought to replace the USB-A ports with Mini-USB ports. Two FW800/S3200 ports would also be nice.

/Adrian

The mini-usb ports are only per spec on end use devices; the host port is all the same "A" connector.

[eAi]

Do you use it on multiple monitors? I frequently use it, but always on the same pair of monitors, so it'd just be a case of having an adapter for each and it's just as easy as it currently is...

[offshore]

Looking good.

Hope this new Macbook is a bit thinner than the current one.

And hopefully the plastic that meets the bottom edge won't start coming off if it's an aluminium enclosure.

But pleeeeeease Apple, put a better graphics card in the Macbook! It doesn't have to be anything too fancy, just something that actually works and isn't bottom of the barrel stuff.

[antiorario]

Originally Posted by aaarrrgggh

The mini-usb ports are only per spec on end use devices; the host port is all the same "A" connector.

Ahhh, I'm glad someone said it.

[crocodile]

This 'rumor' convinces me that the MacBook Pro and MacBook Ranges are migrating into a single line-up of machines: one common design with three screen sizes. I imagine that each model will be available with two chip choices something like as follows:

13" MacBook -2.4 and 2.53 Ghz, 2 or 4 Gb RAM
15" MacBook - 2.53 and and 2.8 Ghz 2 or 4 Gb RAM
17" MacBook - 2.53 and 2.8 Ghz, 2, 4 or 8 Gb RAM

This would fit with reports of six new SKUs being reported in inventory lists, if such a rumor can be relied upon.

Glass track pad? Dunno whether i want this, but it sounds interesting.

Ports: 3 USB ports, please.

[aaarrrgggh]

I really hope they go for a dock concept soon. All of the little dongles drive me crazy. The only ports that go unused on my laptop today are Firewire and the headphone/mic jacks. A port replicator would be the only way I could make the computer work for me.

I have a 17" MBP, and would get the next generation if only... it was two pounds lighter and identically functional to the current models. I don't know how anybody can lug it in a traditional laptop bag... I have to use a backpack if I am going any distance. Barring that, it looks like an Eee PC will need to be in my future.

[bokuwaomar]

Originally Posted by Shaun, UK

Assuming this is correct why not combine the MB and MBP into one product line with 15/17 inch versions configured with either a 'consumer' or 'pro' spec, with a 13 inch MBA and 10 inch Mac Tablet for those who need ultra portability.

I think just adding a 15 inch consumer model is good enough. A low power integrated graphics don't make much sense on a 17 inch display. Also, the Macbook Air isn't ready to be the consumer model of choice yet. We need really cheap SSD's and a new physical media standard for retail software distribution first; USB flash drives might be a good idea, or perhaps SD cards or compact flash. Firewire 800/3200 across the board would be nice too. Firewire 400 is dated and keeping it around just forces more devices to support it instead of the newer specs. Also, 2GB of RAM minimum for the base Macbook this time; no combo drive silliness either. Perhaps blueray-ROM option on the pros too, although it will likely need to be plugged in while using it.

Oh, and as for the 10 inch tablet, doubt they will be marketed as an ultra portable. You just can't enter larger amounts of text with multitouch quickly. A multitouch tablet will be more successful marketed as a communications and multimedia device like the iPhone. Perhaps a WiMax enabled one in the future around 8 inches or so.

[jeffharris]

I find these rumors questionable.

Removing the FireWire 400 port, leaving only ONE FireWire 800 port makes no sense. I use my FW800 port all the time for a LaCie 2big Triple RAID (TIme Machine) and daisy-chained to several other FW800 drives.

The FireWire 400 port I use quite often... for a small external drive, a CF card reader, Nikon slide scanner and a few other FireWire devices.... even my old iSight connected with a long FW cable.

This would be okay if they converted the FW 400 to FW 800. Or better yet, added FireWire 800/3200 ports. Then the addition of eSATA would be moot, until somebody releases FW 3200 devices, that is. Add one to the MacBook Air, too.

Bad idea removing the full-sized DVI port! Now I carry a DVI to VGA adaptor. But with mini-DVI, I'd be forced to carry TWO adaptors. I already carry too much crap with my MBP. Bad idea, Apple.

Mini USB is a dopey idea, too. That means you'd need to carry a USB2 hub.

That's something that an innovator like Dell would think of. While you're at it, make the FireWire ports of the unpowered type, then I can carry around a bunch of powerbricks, too. Oh, great.

[Rokken]

Originally Posted by amac4me

Next Tuesday????

They would have already sent out the invitations if they plan to make an event for this update next Tuesday, unless they just want to make a press release over their website like they did with the notebook refresh this February. It looks highly unlikely though IMO.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by stompy

I would be fine with that, if Apple would ever adopt a docking connector. Can anyone explain why Apple doesn't add this -- at least to the MacBook Pro? Is the obsession with 'thinness' responsible?

Edit: Should have said 'Docking station port'

There are several reason why Apple may note want a docking station. The number of consumers who want them is too low for them to bother designing a notebook around them (remember that Apple's focus has been on the retail, not corporate), and it would take away from the aestetics to have a huge port access slot with a flimsy trap door to connect to the docking station. There are other possibilities for docking that could be a single cable plugged in, but the cost would seem prohibitive to how many people would utilize it.

Originally Posted by Zandros

I think they ought to replace the USB-A ports with Mini-USB ports. Two FW800/S3200 ports would also be nice.

The 2 FW8003200 ports would be nice, and include a simple, compact FW800-to-FW400 adapter that will not be cumbersome on the my FW400 cables.

As for USB, that doesn't seem like the freindliest alternative, especially when USB is also pretty small in comparison to other port sizes.

Originally Posted by mcarling

I don't care so much which connector is used, but I would hate to lose support for dual-DVI. A MacBook Pro should be able to drive a 2560x1600 monitor. So should the MacBook and MacBook Air in my opinion.

They won't move to mini-DVI, but I think they will move away from DL-DVI, and go with DisplayLink. It's the next move up from DVI, not HDMI. It's also very slim so it'll work with a tapered notebook, even the MBA. This would also mean that new ACDs are on their way, too, if they did that.

Originally Posted by Shaun, UK

Assuming this is correct why not combine the MB and MBP into one product line with 15/17 inch versions configured with either a 'consumer' or 'pro' spec, with a 13 inch MBA and 10 inch Mac Tablet for those who need ultra portability.

That would completely get rid of the most popular Mac in favour of forcing consumers to get a 15" model which would cost more, or having to getting the even more costly niche product that is the 13" MBA. I see no reason for Apple to consolidate their line into more unfriendly products. With their growing success, I see Apple needing to offer more variety in the CPU and other specs with their most popular item, the MB.

[NealofThelake]

Originally Posted by sausage&Onion

on a macbook, whatever, do your thing, but that miniDVI bullshit and lack of FW400 support is really fucking annoying. I want MORE ports, not less, for god's sake!

Has Apple really forgotten about their Pro customers? It is starting to look as though they are. As a pro user I need these ports and if anything MORE of them. Loss of FW400 is going to be huge for a lot of people. Now we'll have to buy 400 to 800 cables for everything. Apple better not do something retarded and only give us a single FW input. I've been apple for nine wonderful years and I would really hate to have to jump ship, but I have to have a portable with at LEAST two FW ports and my gear will not work properly through hubs. I'm also running an external display and if new machines are limited to miniDVI resolution.... oh dear god no. If Apple starts removing functionality for aesthetics then they have failed their pro users.

I reeeeeally hope these are false rumors.

[bayareamacaddict]

any chance of a 3ghz plus for macbook pro? with 19 hours of battery life mabye i am dreaming

[Messiah]

If they remove the current FW400 port, that must mean that they are going to change the design of the current Cinema Displays as well...

[jeffharris]

Originally Posted by bayareamacaddict

any chance of a 3ghz plus for macbook pro? with 19 hours of battery life mabye i am dreaming

I'll settle for Quad-Core and a Gig of VRAM, too.

[Johnny Mozzarella]

13" MacBook - 2.40 Ghz, 2Gb RAM, 160GB HD, WUSB
15" MacBook - 2.53 Ghz, 2Gb RAM, 160GB HD, WUSB
17" MacBook - 2.53 Ghz, 2Gb RAM, 200GB HD, WUSB

13" MacBook Pro - 2.40 Ghz, 2Gb RAM, 200GB HD, NVIDIA 256, WUSB
15" MacBook Pro - 2.53 Ghz, 2Gb RAM, 200GB HD, NVIDIA 512, WUSB
17" MacBook Pro - 2.80 Ghz, 2Gb RAM, 250GB HD, NVIDIA 512, WUSB

My best guess.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by NealofThelake

Has Apple really forgotten about their Pro customers? It is starting to look as though they are.

I can't think of any situation that would make one think that Apple would remove the ability for their 30" ACD to be run by a MBP. The MB has the mini-DVI, which is what the article may be talking about, or it may get the Micro-DVI of the MBA. This does not imply and goes against all logic that Apple would make their ACDs only work with Mac Pros.

If the rumour mongers were talking about the MBP, what they may have seen is what looked like Micro-DVI, but was actually DisplayPort, which is more than capable of running a DL-DVI signal and is the next generation of digital video ports.

Originally Posted by bayareamacaddict

any chance of a 3ghz plus for macbook pro? with 19 hours of battery life mabye i am dreaming

Only in the X9100 (6M L2 cache 3.06 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 45nm), but you need a lot extra juice for that minor speed bump.

• http://files.shareholder.com/downloa..._1ku_Price.pdf

[solsun]

Originally Posted by Messiah

If they remove the current FW400 port, that must mean that they are going to change the design of the current Cinema Displays as well...

True. And if they change the design of the current Cinema Displays, they may change the design of the current Mac Pro as well.

[Johnny Mozzarella]

Originally Posted by NealofThelake

Has Apple really forgotten about their Pro customers? It is starting to look as though they are. As a pro user I need these ports and if anything MORE of them. Loss of FW400 is going to be huge for a lot of people. Now we'll have to buy 400 to 800 cables for everything. Apple better not do something retarded and only give us a single FW input. I've been apple for nine wonderful years and I would really hate to have to jump ship, but I have to have a portable with at LEAST two FW ports and my gear will not work properly through hubs. I'm also running an external display and if new machines are limited to miniDVI resolution.... oh dear god no. If Apple starts removing functionality for aesthetics then they have failed their pro users.

I reeeeeally hope these are false rumors.

What are you going to switch to after nine years? Vista ?!@#$%^&*
Idle threats.
Pros love to bitch and moan but really you spend $5000 on a camera and can't spend $20 bucks on a FireWire 800 to 400 cable. Most Pros already cart around crates full of every imaginable cable, dongle and adapter known to man.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by solsun

True. And if they change the design of the current Cinema Displays, they may change the design of the current Mac Pro as well.

The Mac Pros would really only need a different GPU that supports the new video out. I'm sure that Apple will keep FW400 on the Mac Pros, even if they took it off the notebooks, which I don't think they will.

[Johnny Mozzarella]

Originally Posted by solsun

True. And if they change the design of the current Cinema Displays, they may change the design of the current Mac Pro as well.

Personally, I think would love to see HDMI added to the MacBooks.

[jeffharris]

Originally Posted by solipsism

That would completely get rid of the most popular Mac in favour of forcing consumers to get a 15" model which would cost more, or having to getting the even more costly niche product that is the 13" MBA. I see no reason for Apple to consolidate their line into more unfriendly products. With their growing success, I see Apple needing to offer more variety in the CPU and other specs with their most popular item, the MB.

I really don't see Apple messing with their laptop lines too much. As laptops begin to regularly outsell desktop machines, it would be self-defeating for Apple to kill off the real PRO features of the MBP that set it far apart from the MacBook line.

The split between MacBook and the MacBook Pro lines is pretty good. The current set of professional features... FW800, ExpressCard, full-DVI, real video card, matte screen... sets the standard and squarely sets the MBP apart from the vanilla MB.

The MB Air seems to inhabit it's own rarefied space (it STILL needs a FireWire port!!!!).

With Intel's recently released mobile Quad-Core processors, Apple could set some seriously meaty differentiation and performance distance between the MacBook Pro and non! Hell, I'd even pop for a 17" MBP (plus the 1900 x whatever screen!) if that was the only box a quad-core would fit.

[Shaine_Michael]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mozzarella

13" MacBook - 2.40 Ghz, 2Gb RAM, 160GB HD, WUSB
15" MacBook - 2.53 Ghz, 2Gb RAM, 160GB HD, WUSB
17" MacBook - 2.53 Ghz, 2Gb RAM, 200GB HD, WUSB

13" MacBook Pro - 2.40 Ghz, 2Gb RAM, 200GB HD, NVIDIA 256, WUSB
15" MacBook Pro - 2.53 Ghz, 2Gb RAM, 200GB HD, NVIDIA 512, WUSB
17" MacBook Pro - 2.80 Ghz, 2Gb RAM, 250GB HD, NVIDIA 512, WUSB

My best guess.

WUSB would be sweet! i've been waiting anxiously for it to make it in to real use.

[solsun]

Originally Posted by solipsism

The Mac Pros would really only need a different GPU that supports the new video out. I'm sure that Apple will keep FW400 on the Mac Pros, even if they took it off the notebooks, which I don't think they will.

I just mean from an aesthetic point of view. Since the Cinema Display and Mac Pro are designed to compliment each other, a redesign of one would likely mean a redesign of the other.. I agree the Mac Pro will retain FW400 for some time, even if it were redesigned.

[offshore]

And surely the new entry level Macbook won't still ship with just a combo drive?

Sticking with a combo drive is just barmy and reflects badly on Apple...even if it is the entry level product.

Get with the times Apple.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by solsun

I just mean from an aesthetic point of view. Since the Cinema Display and Mac Pro are designed to compliment each other, a redesign of one would likely mean a redesign of the other.. I agree the Mac Pro will retain FW400 for some time, even if it were redesigned.

I really like the look for both the ACDs and Mac Pro. I can't really see many ways that they could make them look 'nicer'. A thinning of the ACD frame all around, and perhaps a tapering would be nice. As well as a higher ppi, built-in IR receiver and built-in iSIght, but those are functional. I don't think they can make them too tapered and still match the Mac Pro, but how many of the Mac Pros do they sell in comparison to the notebook line with ACDs? How could they change the Mac Pro to maintain the volume while going with the current tapering that Apple loves these days?