The 2004 MWSF Prediction Thread
With MacWorld San Francisco just about six weeks away, what do you think we'll see?
(P.S.: And no, I don't think we'll see any 20-inch PowerBooks
)
With the flurry of hardware announcements regarding the iMac 20-inch and the iBook G4, I don't think we'll see any action on those fronts. Power Macs seem less likely to be "bumped" by showtime, but later in January or in February. The only thing I can see as far as new hardware goes are new PowerBooks and new iPods. The rest of the show I think will be left to new applications or application upgrades, such as iPhoto, which was hinted at by Steve Jobs at an analyst's meeting last month.
So start making your realistic expectations of what you feel is likely Apple will announce come January...
(P.S.: And no, I don't think we'll see any 20-inch PowerBooks
)With the flurry of hardware announcements regarding the iMac 20-inch and the iBook G4, I don't think we'll see any action on those fronts. Power Macs seem less likely to be "bumped" by showtime, but later in January or in February. The only thing I can see as far as new hardware goes are new PowerBooks and new iPods. The rest of the show I think will be left to new applications or application upgrades, such as iPhoto, which was hinted at by Steve Jobs at an analyst's meeting last month.
So start making your realistic expectations of what you feel is likely Apple will announce come January...
Comments
Dual 2.5Ghz G5
Dual 1.8Ghz G5
Single 2Ghz G5
The G5 Xserver will probably also be released, I wouldn't doubt it since it's taken this long already, and it basically is a server processor.
I think the iMac G4 might get a boost to 1.42 or 1.33, (that's a question of why shouldn't it, no reason why not)
And a minor OS update
That's mine, anything about the 20th anniversary anyone know?
* iMacs (they were refreshed in September and got a 20" model in November)
* PowerBooks
* PowerMac G5s shipped in August, and it would just be a speed bump anyways
* iBooks
* iPods
* major OS X revisions
As far as hardware goes, that leaves us with a revised eMac (which only received a price cut in the fall), new displays, and/or a totally new device as our options. That's assuming that hardware is updated at all at MWSF. Remember, it might not be!
When it comes to software, it's a little harder to determine. A new version of Safari (1.5?) might be feasible, since MWSF is where the app was announced last year. New versions of some of the iApps are entirely possible. And AppleWorks is long, long overdue for an update.
My belief: the main hardware lines won't get their updates until later (February for the PowerMac, for example), but Apple may either revise the eMac or announce a whole new computer - perhaps to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the original Mac (though I'm pretty sure that it won't be called a Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh). New displays are a distinct possibility given that the pro computers aren't using any transparencies or whites in their designs anymore. What I suspect the most is that Apple will have something brand new, hardware or software, that people will probably go gaga over and feel obligated to run out and buy.
Originally posted by Altivec_2.0
I honestly think that the PowerMac G5 will top out at 2.5Ghz shaping the product line like this
Dual 2.5Ghz G5
Dual 1.8Ghz G5
Single 2Ghz G5
Huh? a 500mhz difference between faster and fastest? I don't think so. It would be less of a gap, and the 2ghz would be bottom line-
single 2.0ghz
dula 2.25ghz
dual2.5ghz
or so. More even jumps between models.
I think Powerbooks will get a minor bump...hard drive capacity?, price drop? new rebates and incentives?...perhaps...
and despite, what common sense tells me, I think a 20" PB is possible (or a larger than 17" PB for that matter)..... maybe not in January...but eventually...
Apple loves to use the 'coolness' factor and 'shock' factor to sell products...and anything larger than 17" is a goddam shock...
It is a given that the G5 will be upgraded sometime around then. If not there would be an awfully big jump in performance to meet the publicly declared speed of 3GHz in a year. Who knows they may hit 3GHz in January.
Don't count the IMac out, remember they in effect only added a bigger display. That addition is a no brainer, and could very well be a sign that Apple is being much more agressive in going after holiday sales. Hey there is a first time for everybody. A significant upgrade is possible, G4's, SMP SOC G4"s, and possibly an improved 970. considering the rumored new design for the IMacs seems to be a possibility. If they make the things servicable and quick I may be in. In the long run though I do have my eye set on a SMP based machine. Give that capability to a IMac and wooohoo.
The powerbooks are due for an upgrade I just don't see a 970 in them. That doesn't mean that Apple doesn't have an alternative, just that I'm not convinced that the 970+ is going to cut the mustard.
One other thing don't expect all of these fancy upgrades at one show. Apple may spread them out over a month or two. It would be a big show otherwise. I don't pay much attention to the consumer market so I don't even have a clue there.
Dave
Originally posted by DHagan4755
With MacWorld San Francisco just about six weeks away, what do you think we'll see?
(P.S.: And no, I don't think we'll see any 20-inch PowerBooks
With the flurry of hardware announcements regarding the iMac 20-inch and the iBook G4, I don't think we'll see any action on those fronts. Power Macs seem less likely to be "bumped" by showtime, but later in January or in February. The only thing I can see as far as new hardware goes are new PowerBooks and new iPods. The rest of the show I think will be left to new applications or application upgrades, such as iPhoto, which was hinted at by Steve Jobs at an analyst's meeting last month.
So start making your realistic expectations of what you feel is likely Apple will announce come January...
Lots of iTMS facts & figures.
At least one software surprise.
Maybe something to keep building the iPod name-brand recognition.
Maybe we can just get Phil Schiller to jump off an 8' platform some more. That would be fun.
What I'd REALLY like to see is how Adobe presents their product this time around, the antagonism between the companies has been disturbing for the last year. I want resolution.
The iPod and iTMS are a big fad right now. Apple's got to ride it while they can, because it will fade fast as all fads do.
Like maybe Apple Computer is going to purchase Alias from SGI...
Mmmm!!! Apple Maya!!!
I have a suspicion that this may be a software only MW, unless we get a Quicktake camera or something...
Kind of makes it all the more exciting!
Originally posted by drewprops
What I'd REALLY like to see is how Adobe presents their product this time around, the antagonism between the companies has been disturbing for the last year. I want resolution.
Forget the last few years, the animosity has been going on for decades!
One thing for sure is that it won't end any time soon...
Originally posted by The Placid Casual
For the first time in years, I have no idea at all what we will see! Kinda refreshing.
I have a suspicion that this may be a software only MW, unless we get a Quicktake camera or something...
Kind of makes it all the more exciting!
I don't think there is any way that Apple can top Canon's EOS 300D / Digital Rebel / Digital Kiss dSLR camera (Apple actually sells this camera in their stores). I just picked one up last Friday and this camera is simply amazing! I just don't believe that Apple could outdo a company that is solely focused on making cameras.
but i'd love to see them push iTunes/iPod. they're definitely on a roll with this thing - they're going to need all the momentum they can get when Microsoft throws their weight behind their own "solution" for the bazillions of dell users...
Originally posted by spaz
...they're going to need all the momentum they can get when Microsoft throws their weight behind their own "solution" for the bazillions of dell users...
And what kind of solution can they possibly come up with that won't be riddled with bugs and security problems. They should just buy Kazaa and release that piece of shit. Better yet, just setup an IIS box with a redirect to the iTunes Music Store
Apple basically needs to come up with a new drooltastic consumer-oriented system, whether or not this means a very significant enclosure re-design. G5 processors, kick-ass video card, good amount of DDR RAM (256MB+ base), 15" thru 20" display models, and effective pricing (while maintaining good margins).
It's tough to say what the pricing will look like, but it would be nice to see the new 15" iMac come down in price a bit. Apple also needs to take a look at the Emac and either stick with upgrading its guts or introduce a new low-cost model of some form.
In the interest of keeping this post short, I'll ignore both the Powerbook and Xserve lines. This could end up being a rather lengthy keynote for Steve, with a laundry list of new products and updates.
Combine all of the above with significant Powermac tower speed bumps, and Apple will have a far stronger overall product line-up than they have had in the past couple of years. I see good things ahead for Apple in 2004 revenue-wise (duh), as long as they are smart about revamping the entry level, consumer and pro ranges.
Originally posted by ryaxnb
http://forums.appleinsider.com/showt...threadid=31956
i like your style!
i think the "what's gonna be left" thread sums it all up!