MacBook ( iBook replacement ) on the horizon..rumoured

MacDoc · Apr 7th, 2006, 05:49 PM

	Quote:
	MacBook to land at last by May By Ryan Katz, Senior Editor April 7, 2006 - Apple has begun manufacturing its new MacBook and should have the laptop in consumer hands in the next 30-60 days, sources report. The MacBook—and it will indeed be called the MacBook, sources have confirmed, as Apple will be dropping the iBook moniker—is being built exclusively around a 13.3-inch widescreen display with a 1280x720 WXGA resolution, as previously reported. The MacBook will likely share internals with Apple's recently revamped Mac mini, meaning a Core Solo processor can be expected in the low-end and a Core Duo in the higher-end MacBook. In doing so, Apple will position the 13.3-inch MacBook as both an entry-level laptop and as a replacement for Apple's 12-inch PowerBook G4. Apple will discontinue the 14-inch iBook G4 immediately upon release of the MacBook but sources expect the company to continue to offer the 12-i

http://www.thinksecret.com/news/0604macbook.html

This sounds right on the money tho I'm surprised a CoreDuo - means the pricing should be pretty sharp.
$1399 and $1749 is my guess.

12" iBooks and Powerbooks will have some life.

Drive is going to be an issue - 60 gig is just "okay" for a X/XP mix.

CN · Apr 7th, 2006, 05:58 PM

I sure hope we do see a 13.3" iBook replacement soon...when they say that Apple will continue to offer the 12" does that mean the 12" G4 or a 12" Intel, I wonder...? Then again, it is just a rumour.

I hope the Rev. A Intel iBooks (Macbooks) don't have many problems...I think I will take the plunge this summer and get one for University (bring on the Applecare

) ...the Intel MBPs haven't had too many problems (there are a few, but nothing like the Rev. A G5 iMacs) and the Intel iMacs are pretty solid, so hopefully the Macbook Rev. A won't have too many issues...

MacDoc · Apr 7th, 2006, 06:02 PM

Apple has done a great job on this transition.
The MacBook is likely the toughest as there is no "prototype" version as there was with iMac and MacBook Pro.

Still the Mini shares technology. New screen and form factor on the Macbook will be the concern.

Gonna be a hit at schools with Bootcamp if it's solid.
Better they take the time to get it right as this one could be an "out of the park" winner.

green_ears · Apr 7th, 2006, 06:05 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by CN
	the Intel iMacs are pretty solid, so hopefully the Macbook Rev. A won't have too many issues...

The articles also say these macs are the most redesigned macs since the iMac... I'm almost affraid of getting one... But I doubt I will be able to resist.

MacDoc · Apr 7th, 2006, 06:10 PM

I agree BUT - Apple two-stepped the design for MacBook and iMac and did one hell of a job.

The iMac G5 owners last gen benefitted - the last Gen Powerbook owners got the short end of the stick

Intel Macs over all

MacDoc · Apr 7th, 2006, 06:31 PM

Apple Insider has been the most accurate - some variation - does not make sense to me.

	Quote:
	By Kasper Jade Published: 02:40 PM EST It's almost official -- Apple Computer will re-brand its iBook consumer notebooks under the "MacBook" moniker when it releases new models based on Intel Corp.'s Core Duo processors later this month, AppleInsider has learned. The new portables, targeted at the consumer and education markets, will represent the most redesigned notebooks to emerge from Apple's famed industrial design studios in several years, sources have said. True to speculation and hints offered by the company through recent trademark filings, Apple will call the notebooks MacBooks rather than iBooks. Well-placed sources say the company has already started to prepare marketing materials that bear the MacBook product name. Any effort to change the name at this point in the product's development cycle would pose as an unnecessary inconvenience, they say. The good news for Mac enthusiasts and prospective MacBook buyers is that they'll soon be able to place orders for the new notebooks. People often familiar with the Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple's product roll-out plans say it is now up to company management to O.K. the MacBooks for manufacturing ramp. This decision, however, is highly contingent on a couple of factors, these people say. Apple must first align an ample supply of components from its suppliers and then wait on the green light from its product marketing division, which is highly influential in setting precise product launch dates. Nevertheless, an announcement is expected sooner than later. Reports that have suggested Apple would not unveil its new consumer notebooks until June appear to be inaccurate. Unlike Apple's entry-level Mac mini consumer desktops, which are available with either an Intel Core Solo or Core Duo processor, each MacBook is expected to pack at least a 1.67GHz Core Duo chip. The notebooks will be available in several configurations, each built around a vibrant 13-inch widescreen display.

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1659

kloan · Apr 7th, 2006, 07:07 PM

i hope they re-design the case.. they should ditch the white plastic already. oh, i sure hope they make it thinner!

CN · Apr 7th, 2006, 07:24 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by kloan
	i hope they re-design the case.. they should ditch the white plastic already. oh, i sure hope they make it thinner!

I don't mind the white plastic, although it has been around for quite awhile now (since the G3 iBooks!). I just hope its durable like the current ones are.

MACSPECTRUM · Apr 7th, 2006, 08:29 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by CN
	I don't mind the white plastic, although it has been around for quite awhile now (since the G3 iBooks!). I just hope its durable like the current ones are.

not to mention that the white plastic case causes VERY LITTLE interference for airport cards

and if macbooks use mini technology we can assume that the video card will used shared memory instead of having it's own

this will be one big difference between the two intelbook offerings

now with boot camp
i can't wait to get one....

MacDoc · Apr 7th, 2006, 08:36 PM

Y'know reception aside - I'd see Apple well served with Aluminum across the board.

The 2-3 year old Ibooks often look pretty frowsy while a PowerBook of the same gen looks great.

Aluminum is thinner, the 13.3 screen shape needs stiffness and Apple intends upper model to replace the 12" Powerbook

So a slim 13.3 in Alum would be neat.

Turns my crank