News Brief: Apple ramps MacBook production
Rumors that Apple Computer may finally be on the verge of introducing its first consumer Intel notebooks are true, AppleInsider has learned.
Development of the 13-inch widescreen portables wrapped up last month. Ever since, the Cupertino, Calif.-based company has been waiting for the signal from its marketing division to begin manufacturing ramp and rollout procedures.
According to well-placed sources, Apple began building the new notebooks -- expected to be called MacBooks -- sometime last week. It's believed that Asustek is handling production.
Each MacBook is expected to sport Core Duo processors from Intel Corp and pack novelties such as a completely magnetic latching system, built in iSight video camera, and MagSafe power adapter. Additionally, each MacBook is expected to come bundled with Apple's Front Row and PhotoBooth software applications.
People who have seen prototypes of the much anticipated Apple consumer notebook have described it as looking like a smaller version of the company's MacBook Pro, only clad in iMac white. There's also the possibility that the notebooks will be made available in fashionable hues, these people have said.
The 13-inch MacBook will succeed Apple's iBook line of notebooks, replacing both the 12- and 14-inch offerings, AppleInsider has been told.
An official announcement remains on track for "this month" with the possibility that Apple will hold a press conference to usher in the notebooks next Tuesday.
Development of the 13-inch widescreen portables wrapped up last month. Ever since, the Cupertino, Calif.-based company has been waiting for the signal from its marketing division to begin manufacturing ramp and rollout procedures.
According to well-placed sources, Apple began building the new notebooks -- expected to be called MacBooks -- sometime last week. It's believed that Asustek is handling production.
Each MacBook is expected to sport Core Duo processors from Intel Corp and pack novelties such as a completely magnetic latching system, built in iSight video camera, and MagSafe power adapter. Additionally, each MacBook is expected to come bundled with Apple's Front Row and PhotoBooth software applications.
People who have seen prototypes of the much anticipated Apple consumer notebook have described it as looking like a smaller version of the company's MacBook Pro, only clad in iMac white. There's also the possibility that the notebooks will be made available in fashionable hues, these people have said.
The 13-inch MacBook will succeed Apple's iBook line of notebooks, replacing both the 12- and 14-inch offerings, AppleInsider has been told.
An official announcement remains on track for "this month" with the possibility that Apple will hold a press conference to usher in the notebooks next Tuesday.
Comments
2. I think the iBook>Macbook changes will be like the DS>DS Lite changes: thinner, sharper corners, less clunk. And I'll want one.
Originally posted by ipodandimac
1. Why was manufacturing waiting on marketing???
Because in today's world the Business Geeks boss the nerds. Pretty sad when you think about it...
Originally posted by AppleInsider
An official announcement remains on track for "this month" with the possibility that Apple will hold a press conference to usher in the notebooks next Tuesday.
Just a thought but if there was a press conference next tuesday, wouldn't the press need to be invited
Originally posted by AppleInsider
The 13-inch MacBook will succeed Apple's iBook line of notebooks, replacing both the 12- and 14-inch offerings, AppleInsider has been told.
But the big question is:
Will it replace the 12" Powerbook as well? Merge pb12 and iBook into one?
Or is the rumoured "Mac Book Thin" gonna take over the 12"? Or is a smaller MacBook Pro also in the works?
PowerBook 12" is the best notebook ever by Apple in my opinion. If the new intel iBook will have a graphics card that can drive two displays, as well as no too significant tradeoffs when it comes to other specs, I think this one will replace the pb12 as well. And by doing so, Apple's new consumer laptop line will gain more kudos in the "post consumer" world.
The previous iBook was a little too "consumer" after all. Questionable display performance and squeeky plastic sounds when you adjust the display etc. iBook was more like what iPod Shuffle is to the iPod lineup. I hope the new one will move up a step.
Originally posted by ipodandimac
1. Why was manufacturing waiting on marketing???
Because marketing makes decisions about product announcement and release.
Originally posted by Ireland
Just a thought but if there was a press conference next tuesday, wouldn't the press need to be invited
Stop confusing us with logic.
Anyway, this sounds like a great notebook to replace an old G3 iBook around here. Hopefully the base model will be $999 or less.
Any ideas if we'll get a (not so super anymore) superdrive?
Originally posted by aplnub
Because in today's world the Business Geeks boss the nerds. Pretty sad when you think about it...
And, in this company, Jobs is the biggest Business Geek of them all. He makes the decision.
Does anybody here doubt that?
Originally posted by palegolas
But the big question is:
Will it replace the 12" Powerbook as well? Merge pb12 and iBook into one?
Or is the rumoured "Mac Book Thin" gonna take over the 12"? Or is a smaller MacBook Pro also in the works?
PowerBook 12" is the best notebook ever by Apple in my opinion. If the new intel iBook will have a graphics card that can drive two displays, as well as no too significant tradeoffs when it comes to other specs, I think this one will replace the pb12 as well. And by doing so, Apple's new consumer laptop line will gain more kudos in the "post consumer" world.
The previous iBook was a little too "consumer" after all. Questionable display performance and squeeky plastic sounds when you adjust the display etc. iBook was more like what iPod Shuffle is to the iPod lineup. I hope the new one will move up a step.
It's funny, but I know a number of engineers, who over the last several years have moved to the Mac. Most of them, practical people that they are, bought a 12" PB.
Originally posted by ecking
$999 MackBook
13.3" Widescreen
1.66GHz Intel Core Duo processor
512MB memory (Expandable to 2GB)
40GB 4200rpm HD
Combo Drive
Intel GMA950 64MB shared
Built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0
Built in iSight
Apple Remote
$1299 MacBook
13.3" Widescreen
1.66GHz Intel Core Duo processor
512MB memory (Expandable to 2GB)
60GB 5400rpm HD
SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Intel GMA950 64MB shared
Built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0
Built in iSight
Apple Remote
$1499 MacBook
13.3" Widescreen
1.66GHz Intel Core Duo processor
512MB memory (Expandable to 2GB)
80GB 5400rpm HD
SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 128MB GDDR3 memory
Built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0
Built in iSight
Apple Remote
I even orignally said that I thought the macbook pro and macbook designs were going to be very similiar
Just so everyone knows I said this wayyyyy back.
Originally posted by ecking
Once again I'm gonna paste my predictions:
I even orignally said that I thought the macbook pro and macbook designs were going to be very similiar
Just so everyone knows I said this wayyyyy back.
I just hope that they maintain the $999 number.
After all of the talk here, and elsewhere, about Intel iBooks going for $899, and even $799, I just want them to stay where they are.
thats the one i want
Originally posted by ecking
Once again I'm gonna paste my predictions:
I even orignally said that I thought the macbook pro and macbook designs were going to be very similiar
Just so everyone knows I said this wayyyyy back.
David
Originally posted by melgross
It's funny, but I know a number of engineers, who over the last several years have moved to the Mac. Most of them, practical people that they are, bought a 12" PB.
1.66 GHz Core Solo
- 13.3" 1280x800 display
- 512 MB DDR2 667 MHz RAM
- 60 GB 5400 RPM hard drive
- GMA950 graphics
- Combo drive
- $999
1.66 GHz Core Duo- 13.3" 1280x800 display
- 512 MB DDR2 667 MHz RAM
- 80 GB 5400 RPM hard drive
- 64 MB GeForce Go 7300 graphics
- 8X Superdrive DL
- $1499
I'm sure that price gap will seem huge for some people, but Apple will likely need to cover two markets at once with the MacBook: the school market, which is usually budget-conscious (amongst both faculty and students), as well as the mid-range that wants something closer to a mobile iMac than a Mac mini.Before anyone asks, there are certain differences I think are entirely possible: the base price could be higher ($1099, for instance), the base CPU could be slower, and so forth. But I think it's reasonable to assume that the MacBook has to be the "all things to all men" laptop, and has to be priced accordingly.
So possibly Apple is planning to release the MacBook either the day before or at the Expo with a simple press release. And then use the gathering at the Expo to show it off, though not as a gaming solution (unless you use Boot Camp).