"MWSF": THE thread - Page 2  

you guys got squat!
you got nothing!
these threads are so sad and pathetic and the worst part is many of you take yourself WAY too seriously!
just sit back and wait for apple to deliever the goods.
the worst part is the purpoted spec list that you guys put up all the time.
what a joke!
im sure steve jobs gets a kick out of reading them!

That's it, get it off your chest. Let it all out.

I've got a stress pip if it helps...

Lemon Bon Bon

Of course we don't, but guessing, and wishing, and hoping are part of the Macintosh ecosystem this time of year. It goes with the joy of Christmas, and the anticipation of New Year.

Trying to guess what surprises Mac World will bring is part of the Apple Way. Go with the flow, enjoy the spirit of the Season. Don't forget we all get to bitch after the Show, when Apple, as usual goes it's own way.

Reading some of these posts iit becomes clear that, Expo by Expo by cease-and-desist, The Steve is slowly beating the imagination out of us.

I don't mean this in a nasty way, but Apple - by controlling leaks in a way that most governments would love to achieve - have so starved us of the oxygen of information that - when combined with out of cycle product releases and special announcements - we have no idea what makes sense anymore.

A case in point: the iMac!

Crying out for a major update, the iMac would have been my call for a "one more thing" on 01/05 - it's the 20th anniversary, we think the 970FX is available and Panther is now out of its cage.

But then Apple give it the 20" update just before Thanksgiving; Is that a curveball designed to throw off speculation about a 20th anniversary iMac? Is it a piece of engineering/market research designed to validate that the iMac customer wants a 20" screen and is willing to pay? Is it a way of using an excess of 20" panels in the marketplace?

And the answer is: I don't ****ing know

That said, my bets are:

Blurb on success of G5: 350K unit sales during quarter, fastest selling professional Mac since whenever: time to build on success; new models 2.4 dual, 2.2 dual, 2.0 single. Still on track for 3.0GHz by late summer.

Big blurb on iTMS and iPod - cumulative 30m downloads since launch + 550->700K unit sales during quarter ending 12/31. Reminder of Pepsi promotion. Expect some gloating over competition.

iPods 'own' marketplace for user/choosers, but new models needed for children and teenage markets, plus those who - strange as it might seem - don't need 2000 songs to go. Introduces myPod: new 1GB (250 songs) / 2GB (500 songs) models, controls on side edge, touch-resistant strip on side in place of scrollwheel; embedded Hitachi Microdrives.

Both models available in silver or black from Superbowl weekend: 1GB is $175, 2GB is $225.

So that updates one element of the Digital Hub, maybe we need to do some more - introduces new revs of all iLife packages: iTunes gets new mix capability - almost like an entry-level Soundtrack - and iTMS allows purchase/download of production quality royalty-free loops/music clips for iPhoto/iMovie/iDVD productions.

(One more thing coming in a later post)

edit changes capacity of myPod to 1/2 as opposed to 2/4 (for cost reasons) and is more specific on whats in them.

Aaaargh, the agony is unbearable!

If the rumor sites are true and the only new hardware is iPod related, and the emphasis is on music, then it becomes less MacWorld and more cross-platform-music-gadget-World.

Now I'm very pro iPod (had a 1st Gen and now have a 30 GB 3rd Gen) but would anyone else be a bit peeved about this change of focus? That is, using a Mac show to boost Apple's music initiatives.

After all, most of us care about Mac stuff more than music, no?

Hoping at least the supposed non-iTunes iLife updates will balance it a bit.

Well, DM, as you're so keen

This is what I said in another thread some months ago: -


Now apart from the fact that 17" is now possibly 20", that would be a model suitable for marking the 20th anniversary

AIO for them that needs it; cheap, cheerful and VGA-compatible for them that wants it!

Seems the ideal 'One more thing' to me!

Not really, it would be a cross-platform-music-gadget-World Keynote if even that. MacWorld also boasts new product releases from dozens of other companies that make the Mac the well rounded platform it is.

This things should come:

In January at MWSF (announcing):

- Power Mac G5 SD 2.6GHz 1999$
- Power Mac G5 SD Dual 2.4GHz 2499$
- Power Mac G5 SD Dual 2.8GHz 3499$

- Cinema Display 20" 999$
- Cinema HD Display 24" 1999$
- Cinema HD Display 30" 2999$

- iPod Lite 2GB 149$
- iPod Lite 4GB 199$
- iTMS Europe

- iLife 2.0 (iTunes 4.5/ iMovie 3.5/ iPhoto 3/ iDVD 3.5) 49$
- Safari 1.5
- iSync 2.0
- Keynote 1.5 99$
- iWrite 1.0 99$
- iSound 1.0 99$
- Brand new IBM Compiler: XLC 1.0 (incl. autovektorisation) 799$

One more thing:

- The new Cube G4 (Motorola) Combo 1.0GHz 899$
- The new Cube G4 (Motorola) SD 1.25GHz 1099$


In February at MWT (announcing):

- Powerbook G5 (PPC970M) 12" Combo 2GHz 1599$
- Powerbook G5 (PPC970M) 15" Combo 2GHz 1999$
- Powerbook G5 (PPC970M) 17" 2GHz SD 2999$

- iTMS Japan


In March:

- Xserve G5 2.6GHz 2999$
- Xserve G5 Dual 2.6GHz 3999$

- iTMS Australia


In April:

- iMac G5 15" Combo 1.8GHz 1299$
- iMac G5 17" SD 1.8GHz 1799$
- iMac G5 20" SD 1.8GHz 2199$

- iPhoto Pictureservice Europe


In May:

- eMac G4Ultra (IBM) 1.4GHz Combo 899$
- eMac G4Ultra (IBM) 1.6GHz SD 1099$

- The new Cube G4Ultra (IBM) Combo 1.4GHz 899$
- The new Cube G4Ultra (IBM) SD 1.6GHz 1099$

- iBook G4Ultra 12" (IBM) Combo 1.6GHz 1099$
- iBook G4Ultra 14" (IBM) Combo 1.6GHz 1299$

It's the new IBM G4 PPC860, enhanced busprotokoll, enhanced memorybandwidth, 1MB L2C, 4MB L3C.

PPC75x = G3
PPC86x = G4
PPC97x = G5


In June:

- iPod 20GB 299$
- iPod 40GB 399$
- iPod 80GB 499$


In June at WWDC:

- Power Mac G6 (PC980) 3GHz 1999$
- Power Mac G6 (PC980) Dual 2.8GHz 2499$
- Power Mac G6 (PC980) Dual 3.2GHz 3499$

@ Mark- Card Carrying FanaticRealist

I was hoping you'd come up with some sort of a portable time machine that also does your laundry, the dishes and puts the garbage outside, but a G5 Cube
would be nice too of course , but I'm not holding my breath...

@Fat Freddy

Maybe that crackpipe wasn't such a good idea after all?

I mean a redux Cube with a Motorola G4 at 1.25GHz ????
Steve would be lynched right on stage....



While I agree that these would be nice additions/updates to the iLife suite, don't you think the price tag would seem a little steep ?

I'm more inclined to go with what ThinkSecret posted about MWSF, music orientated and no CPU announcements

No way.

Dunno...

iPod 01GB $175.00
iPod 02GB $225.00 (Double size for $75 more)
iPod 10GB $299.00 (5X size for $74 more)
iPod 20GB $399.00 (Double size for $100 more)
iPod 40GB $499.00 (Double size for $100 more)

The 2GB seems pretty far outta whack...

2GB for $100 and 4GB for $200 would seem to fit better... (cost of parts to build the devices not withstanding)

Then you'd have

iPod 02GB $99.00
iPod 04GB $199.00 (Double size for $100 more)
iPod 10GB $299.00 (Double+ size for $100 more)
iPod 20GB $399.00 (Double size for $100 more)
iPod 40GB $499.00 (Double size for $100 more)

Again... cost of parts (as far as we know) might not / would not allow for this... but forgoing cost this would seems to be more in line with their current price plan.

Dave

I got the biggest laugh out of that (the spec list thing). I know, it IS pathetic, but that's what message boards are for, I guess.

Let me try my hand at it.

We'll see:
-miniPods and iPods, in colored casings.
-new displays to go along with the PowerMacs
-updated iLife

What we won't see: \
-New digital hub device
-iWrite or Document or whatever they call the Word app
-updated iBooks, iMacs or PowerBooks
-new iSight

Maybe:
-Updated PowerMacs
edit: -and eMacs

Since this is rumor, speculation and time for outrageous Mac World predictions,
I'll have to go out on a limb and say...

3GHz G5's.

and one more thing...
for the anniversary.

What about a .Mac update? I could easily see the inclusion of a .Mac blog service where you can subscribe to your favorite blogs and have them synched with your iPod.

Why? Do you remember MWSF'03 or WWDC'03




At this pricepoint? No




Hmm, ok.




May be you are right, but it would be a fine thing nevertheless and don't forget the Forbes article

God, for a second there I could've sworn this was another Kormac posting... .....

Steve comes out on stage looking really angry and says

"We wanted to keep milking the 1.6 and 1.8 Ghz G5 for a couple more months like we were used to doing with Motorola, but as of last week IBM is just refusing to make us any G5s below 2 Ghz! Something about great yields or something. . . . Well, we're really upset, so we're gonna keep Moto around for a year or two to slow things down while wean our design teams off taking 3 month long vacations after we update a product. In summary: Look forward to 6 Ghz G5 desktops and 1.3 Ghz G4 powerbooks in 2005!"


Just my vision

Yeah, did that - but when I took the clothes out it was all like tie-dyes and flares which isn't a good look for me

Actually, it goes the other way:

40GB is 499
20GB (50% of the capacity of the 40) is 399 (80% of the cost of the 40)
10GB (50% of the capacity of the 30) is 299 (75% of the cost of the 30)
2GB (20% of the 10) could be 225 (75% of the 10)
1GB (50% of the 2) could be 175-180 (80% of the 2)

The only realistic component in town - at this time - is the Hitachi 2GB microdrive; Cornice only produce in 1.5GB and the 4GB microdrive is ridiculously expensive UNLESS Apple has managed to cut some amazing deal (around 30% of the standard 'street price').

Introducing at 225 is the way forward, if you want to have an upgrade path that ultimately builds a secondary product family - initially on Microdrive - that looks like 4GB/2GB/1GB for $225/$180/$125, but ultimately becomes 0.85"-based 4GB/3GB/1.5GB for the same price points in around two generations (or in time for Xmas 2005).

Apple needs to sell at 225 initially, because:

a) it has the premium product in the marketplace, and there is a whole 'perceived value' equation going on. My case: the iPod is more expensive than any of the competition, yet occupies 3 out 5 market leadership positions because the value and quality it represents - cost is not the driver here.

b) if it is "going small' for myPod, there will be product engineering and tooling costs that need to be recovered in the early-adopter phase.

c) The component costs - even at 2GB - will be a killer to Apple, unless it resorts to 'cheaper' concepts like Sony's version of a jog-wheel and really small LCD displays. Then you have to add in marketing costs, shipping, etc.

Seriously, I'd bet my remaining bottles of DeLoach Zinfandel - not easy to get hold of over here - that the market would bear $225 in the US (£199 here) and $180/£150 for the smaller model.

I just want MW to get here so apple takes down that stupid aol ipod thing on their front page!

Me too! I'll go out on a limb and say...

1.7, 1.9 and 2.1GHz PowerMac G5's.
1.33GHz G4 iMacs.
1.33GHz G4 Powerbook 15", and 1.25GHz Powerbook 12".

Oh, and in fall 2004:
1.8, 2.0 and (wow!) 2.2GHz PowerMac G5's.

I like Curufinwe's response, too, but I wouldn't expect such brutal honesty.

Yes Bob? Oh, what has contestant #4 bid? OK, I'll bid ...

1.81, 2.01 and 2.21 PowerMac G5's ...

Geez, what's with the faddish lowballing?

... Moto is GONE remember?

Nothing worse than the speed dump in the early G4 days.

Powermacs:

Single 2.2Ghz
Dual 2.4Ghz
Dual 2.6Ghz
Quad 2.6Ghz

I would guess the next rev, while it may not happen at MW, will be Single 2.0GHz, Dual 2.4 and Dual 2.6. Quad? Not without a case redux, which would make for an interesting "big cube" maybe more along the lines of the NeXT cube but a bit bigger. Truely, who the hell would buy them though? It's not a big seller - I think the G5 xServe is more suited for those people.

I was thinking:
Dual 2.0 GHz
Dual 2.2 GHz
Dual 2.4 GHz

But I am dearly hoping that we can see a Dual 2.6 GHz instead of a Dual 2.4 GHz. m.

I totally agree with what this guy said. \ You guy's are all out of whack.
Some of this sh*t is so unreal it's making me laugh while I read it. Get a grip will you. You do realize you are going to be the same guy's that b*tch about these things not happening, and then your all going to blame Apple for not producing the products that YOU are Promising for your self's.

It's stupid sh*t like this that drove me away from posting in here as often as I used to. \

I'll third that.

Happy New Lyear...

Oopsllls...

So much for touch typing...





:e,pm BPm Bpm

Well I don't hear anyone missing you. 8)

As stupid/bogus/weird/pathetic as it may seem, I think there are threads suitable for stuff like this; posting what we'd like to see coming from Apple.

how many days til macworld?
there is a very familiar vibe around here!

Not that anyone cares about eMacs, but someone on another Macintosh forum brought attention to this:

"Listed below are great deals on Previous Generation iBook G3 and eMac products as well as quality Refurbished products. These Previous Generation and Refurbished Products are covered by Apple's One-Year Limited Warranty, and the AppleCare Protection Plan can be purchased for these products."

That's from the special deals section of the Apple Store, as of 4:51 PM EST. An entry underneath shows a new, unopened "previous generation eMac" with these specs:


eMac 1GHzG4/256MB/80GB/SuperDrive/E/56K
All-in-one, compact design
17-inch flat CRT display
PowerPC G4 processor
ATI Radeon 7500 graphics w/ 32MB DDR memory
Two FireWire 400 ports and five USB ports
10/100 BASE-T (Fast Ethernet)
AirPort Extreme ready with built-in antenna
$1099.00

That looks oddly like the specs for the higher-priced eMac that's still in the (current) hardware section of the site. This is being discussed at MacNN, and those replying are questioning a next-gen eMac, but the link is: http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.php?threadid=195143

Okay, you guys want a *real* surprise at MacWorld? Here's my guess for the unexpected next week.

No new G5s (per se, I'll get to that later)
No new iMac
No new "miniPods" (those will be unveiled one week prior to the Super Bowl at a special event, then pushed heavily via the Pepsi ads)

Instead, Macworld will be an *all-enterprise* event.

New G5 XServe and XServe RAID
New, competitively-priced G5 boxes designed primarily for the enterprise market
New Apple Office suite with Document, Keynote and a new database program, with full compatibility with previously-created MS Office documents and killer features designed to be catnip for business

Steve Jobs will heavily emphasise Apple's longstanding commitment to business, and mention repeatedly the solid nature of Panther and its relative impermeability to security breaches. Their newly-forged relationship with IBM will also be praised, and a representative from IBM will join him on stage as well at some point.

I'd *love* to see that.

GTSC

Me too! I like. iLike!

As boring as it may seem, Gandalf the white is probably right on this. As neat as it would be to see a dual 2.8 g5 or whatever, that likely won't be the case. There will not be any "run to the apple store" product. *but i won'd mind apple proving me wrong.*

On Monday, Mac Rumors - as usual, will have some real information on any new stuff to be unveiled at MWSF. There also may be some info late on Sunday. Don't forget to check the News Magazine sites on Monday as well!

wow, tuesday, we are so close......


4 Days Left

Keynotes on Tuesday the 6th.