All new designs from Apple for leopard?

onlooker

I was thinking about something I said a long time ago about Apple waiting to update look of their computers until after they transitioned to intel boxes. The familiar look of the existing G5 lineup would help ease users minds and all that. Because before Steve Jobs said they were going to move to intel, most of us thought it was about the time that Apple would make an update to their look.

Well now it's way beyond time for all their computers to get an updated look.

So my question is. Does anyone else think that Apple will have a new looking case designs for most, or all their computers this year?

rolo

I'm expecting all new Mac Pros, iMacs, and MacBook Pros. A departure from the easily scratched white plastic used on the exterior of the MacBooks would be welcome. The Mac mini is fine but it'd be nice if it were a bit taller to accommodate a full sized HD.

messiah

Check out my last post here:



http://forums.appleinsider.com/showthread.php?t=71824

richardi

I agree with Messiah's post. I think Apple is going to position themselves (rightfully so) as the solution to all your PC problems and shortcomings. The tight integration between hardware and software gives Apple a huge advantage over Windows PC's in terms of stability and performance - add in the superior OS and you've got a giant (read Microsoft) killer. A new look is all that's needed along with a machine positioned between the iMac and the Mac Pro.

opnsource

I agree. It seeemed strange to me, at first, that when they made the switch to Intel, all but the MacBook looked pretty much the same. I think you guys are right on the money about Apple needing to position itself to take a larger market share. The only thing I'm concerned about is the price tag. I'm sure that Apple won't hike the prices too much (if at all), but part of this stratagy has to include much more competitive price points.

A PC loving friend of mine configured an Alienware notebook that rocked the ever-lovin' socks off of the MacBook as far as specs, and it was the same price as the base model AND had a 15.4" display!

It is definately time for a new look....

dhagan4755

This thread has definitely been needed! Thanks for starting it.



If you look at the MacBook Pro's design, it has been around for over 4 years. iMac will be 3 in September, and the Mac Pro 4-years-old in June. As much as people say how much different the MacBook is in design from the iBook, it really isn't too far different. They made it wider and gave it a new keyboard. The overall design has not changed, and if you're walking into a room with an iBook and a MacBook on a table, the only visual difference from the front is that the MacBook is wider. So, yes, we are due for some new designs from Apple.



The MacBook Pro has become a real sore spot for me. It's a piece of shit. The screen suffers from uneven illumination, poor viewing angles, it has a limited opening screen angle, and more. Apple needs to address this massively flawed notebook ASAP and it seems from the rumors on the grapevine, it looks like it's going to be addressed soon.

marvin

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rolo


I'm expecting all new Mac Pros, iMacs, and MacBook Pros. A departure from the easily scratched white plastic used on the exterior of the MacBooks would be welcome. The Mac mini is fine but it'd be nice if it were a bit taller to accommodate a full sized HD.

I would love to see a move like they did with the ipod nano. Replace all plastic with colored brushed metal.



3 enclosures: 13", 15", 17"

3 colors: black, white, silver - all brushed metal (possibly all the ipod colors)

choice in each machine to have either GMA or a variety of dedicated cards

LED backlit screens

designed to allow easy upgrade of Ram & HD



One lineup with BTO options.



The desktops would have 3 models too

Mac Mini, Mac middle, Mac Pro



Mac mini would be the same but with Core 2 Duo chips

Mac middle would have Core 2 Duo chips but use desktop hard drives and have a replacable or at least decent dedicated GPU

Mac Pro would be smaller (25% or so would be nice) but still able to hold all that it can (not sure if that would be possible) and quad core CPU upgrades.



The iMac goes in the bin. Or I suppose it could be updated with colored brushed metal too. But no chin this time dammit. LED lights too.



Oh yeah and we better be getting new keyboards and mice too. Those things suck big time.

gugy

The whole line up will eventually be redesigned.



I believe we will see first the professional line

•MacPro

•MacBook Pro

•Cinema Displays



Then consumer

•iMac

•MacBook

and finally

•MacMini



The new redesigned professional line could be introduce at NAB in April. But I have the feeling that WWDC will be the place. By then Leopard and Adobe CS3 (hopefully After Effects 8 ) will be here and that way the professionals will benefit in getting the machines running on native apps.(specially Adobe).

As for the consumer machines we could see the iMac maybe as earlier as October, but for sure by next MWSF.

The good thing is that in less than one year the whole Mac line up will be redesign. At least let's hope so.

onlooker

I think gugy is on to something, and I think that list is almost dead on. Although I would expect to see Leopard, and Mac Pro's on the same day with the Displays. That;'s a big impact. Who knows what Apple will do though., but After the impact of the iPhone another big impact like that is going to be the best way to launch a new OS, and new Mac Pro with an all new design.

imaki

I for one will puke if the iMacs go all brushed metal like the Nanos. In fact, I will puke. Nothing looks cheaper and tinnier than anodized metal. The pristine, pure, elegant look of all white or all black shiny plastic can't be beat. The less brushed metal the better. It's nothing more than a fad. Apple's whole identity is based on white. Look at the video iPods, Airport Extreme/Express, MacBook, Apple TV, iMacs, etc. They need to stick with what works and stop turning systems into cold, industrial, sterile eyesores. The Mac Pros have never looked worse. I, for one, can't wait for silver to go away. I'll take black or white plastic. That's it. Anyone who complains about scratches in their plastic doesn't care obviously doesn't care enough to protect their investment. Everything scratches for crying out loud!!!! Get over it!

coolhandpete

Quote:

Originally Posted by iMaki


I for one will puke if the iMacs go all brushed metal like the Nanos. In fact, I will puke. Nothing looks cheaper and tinnier than anodized metal. The pristine, pure, elegant look of all white or all black shiny plastic can't be beat. The less brushed metal the better. It's nothing more than a fad. Apple's whole identity is based on white.

As I've said before, I love the look of the Titanium Powerbook... in my opinion, there hasn't been a more elegant looking machine.



With Apple, the simpler, the better. When it comes to computers, aesthetics are only important when they draw attention to the simplicity of the design. Apple has always produced beautifully simple computers - I personally don't see what is so wrong with the current designs (other than, perhaps, the ones repeated by DHagan, which in my opinion do not cause the MBP to be "massively flawed.")

gugy

I am with you CoolHandPete.

I think the MacBook Pro is beautiful. Apple might update the design, but I have hard time believing is going to be a complete departure from the current one.

For the iMac I also think is going to be something similar, Maybe thinner and smaller around the display.

MacBooks and Mac Pro are the ones I think will be very different.

sc_markt

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rolo


I'm expecting all new Mac Pros, iMacs, and MacBook Pros. A departure from the easily scratched white plastic used on the exterior of the MacBooks would be welcome. The Mac mini is fine but it'd be nice if it were a bit taller to accommodate a full sized HD.

And how about putting a real graphic card in the mini. The fact that the mini has cheesy integrated graphics is what stopped me from buying one.



- Mark

sc_markt

Quote:

Originally Posted by gugy


I am with you CoolHandPete.

I think the MacBook Pro is beautiful. Apple might update the design, but I have hard time believing is going to be a complete departure from the current one.

For the iMac I also think is going to be something similar, Maybe thinner and smaller around the display.

MacBooks and Mac Pro are the ones I think will be very different.

I also like the current MacBook Pro style. I hope they keep it but just darken it a little.



- Mark

marvin

Quote:

Originally Posted by iMaki


Nothing looks cheaper and tinnier than anodized metal. The pristine, pure, elegant look of all white or all black shiny plastic can't be beat.

You're trying to tell me that metal looks cheaper than plastic? Have you seen the old nano and new ones next to each other?











I think the first one (the plastic one) was in someone's pocket for like 5 minutes and it came out like that.



The old ipod nanos feel cheap too. The front of the casing warps when you press it and it creaks. The metal ones are very solid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by iMaki


Apple's whole identity is based on white. Look at the video iPods, Airport Extreme/Express, MacBook, Apple TV, iMacs, etc.

The most popular ipods are the colored metal ones. For certain products like the Apple TV, I don't mind the white plastic but not the computers. Metal dissipates heat better too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by iMaki


The Mac Pros have never looked worse. I, for one, can't wait for silver to go away. I'll take black or white plastic.

I agree that the Mac Pros are hideous. They look like big cheese graters but that's more to do with the design than the material. I agree that silver is used too much but you can get colored metal. Can you get white anodized aluminium?

Quote:

Originally Posted by iMaki


Anyone who complains about scratches in their plastic doesn't care obviously doesn't care enough to protect their investment. Everything scratches for crying out loud!!!! Get over it!

Well, I had an ibook for just over a year and the surface scratches were very visible. I then had a powerbook for the same time and it had been used for a long time before I got it and even by the time I'd finished with it, it looked like it had come right out the shop. It's now in use by a work colleague and it still looks like that.



I can walk into a store and I see brand new Macbooks whose trackpads look as though someone has wiped their ass on it (mind you, where I live they maybe have). It's disgusting.

spindrift

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvin


Can you get white anodized aluminium?

No you can't.

ireland

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpinDrift


No you can't.

They wouldn't necessarily need to anodize the aluminum, they could powder coat it.

mooch

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvin


I agree that the Mac Pros are hideous. They look like big cheese graters but that's more to do with the design than the material. I agree that silver is used too much but you can get colored metal.

I like the Mac Pro design! I want to buy one but I'm waiting for Leopard (and a video card upgrade). I hope they don't change the design right away.

onlooker

It's a freaking old design that is loved by many. Just like the previous model. Those handles are the best thing that ever happened to the PowerMac, and I hope Apple realizes that they are a part of the professional Mac workstations essence. If you've ever lugged around Band equipment you'd know what I'm talking about. And with the Mac being a big player in music industry I hope they keep the handles at least because everybody uses them. Before the G3 I had a 9600, and that was such a pain to transport.

I predict that the new design may be a bit smaller, but it wont loose any drive space, or slots. Hopefully the handles will be there too.

blascock

I want a new imac design... chinless that is

opnsource

I agree with most of what's being said here, and yes, this thread has been missing...



I like the Mac Pro, but it could stand to be smaller.



I like the MacBook Pro, but it's time for a facelift and black would look great on the Pro notebook line. And come to think of it, the Mac Pro would look great in black too.



iMaki: You and I will be puking in unison if the iMac went to colored anodized metal. But don't worry, they won't. I can't possibly imagine what else Jonathan Ive could have up his sleeve for the iMac, but whatever it is, it will be amazing.



The new iPod Nano line looks like trailer trash. Period.



Last, but far from least, I'm with gugy on timeline. New things for the hardware around the same time as the OS bump. There's no better time to roll out new hardware than when you have over 180 new features in your OS.



-Cheers!



opn