[Macworld]

Post your comments for A September surprise from Apple? here

[rab777hp]

I think that they'll be something either between a laptop and an iPhone, bigger and less mobile than an iPhone, yet smaller and less bulkier than a MacBook. Either that or something between an iPhone or iPod Touch and an iPod, a small touch screen device with the time, music, video, maybe im, and possibly a camera.
I am waiting for an apple camera, i predict it would be a flat panel, very small, all touch screen, to zoom in and out, use pinch, to zoom in and out all the way, use double tap. do the rotate gesture to rotate photos, a built in accelerometer to fix unrotated photos, it would also reduce the shakiness of video, and, of course, tap anywhere to capture a photo.

[bondtrails]

Mac Mini update please!!
Cheers,
Bondster

[Peter Cohen]

I think the case is pretty clear for a refresh to the iPod line, but I'm not sold by what Munster says that the MacBook is going to get a refresh. Of course, that's not stopping me from telling people who ask advice to wait a few weeks to buy one. Better safe than sorry...

[iatr86]

i'm planning to buy a MacBook this september,
Should i wait until October to buy it?
do Mac chance the Macbook all septembers?
i mean. for sure it's going to be an update for macbook this september?

[Schneb]

They should rename the MacPro the MacOld-as-the-hills.
Answer the grasping for Hackintoshes with a configurable, inexpesive, half-height box.

[lwdesign]

I think Peter Cohen is thinking too small. When Apple talks about a "product transition" it's not about a minor redesign or update of an existing product. They've been doing that for years incrementally and never called it a "transition."
It was a transition when Apple went from the PowerPC chip to Intel processors. It was a transition when OS 9 became OS X. Something big is in the pipeline that is more than just an update to existing products.
Apple has already announced that it's not going to be the OS, as Snow Leopard will simply be a refinement of Leopard making it more stable and faster without adding many new features. Thus there must be a massive redesign and rethinking of some aspect of Apple's hardware in the works. It may be a line of tiny new Netbooks for students and business travellers (the MacNetbook?), or a true mashup of a MacTV that includes 21, 30 and 40 inch slim TVs that are also fully functional Macs and media centers, manufactured by Sony or Samsung under Apple's direction.
Apple's new chip unit that it purchased last year could be in full swing to simplify board architecture, making motherboards tiny and embedable in all kinds of devices. Apple could make a foray into vehicle manufacturing and come out with the MacCar that integrates OS X into the vehicle itself--a smart car that is aware of its environment and capable of alerting the driver to potential danger situations. Sensors around the car could even allow it to be autonomous to a degree and able to navigate through city streets when you're incapacitated. "I'm sorry sir, I've detected your blood alcohol level is above the legal limit. Would you like me to drive you home?".
OK, maybe the MacCar is a few years off, but I think "transition" will mean much more than just iPods with more memory and MacBooks with faster processors. Maybe they've worked out fuel cell problems and we'll get laptops that will run at top speed for 10 hours. Maybe the new chips will allow a truly interactive voice UI and personal assistant.

[iatr86]

Hey Peter, this refresh in the Macbooks its going to be in stores the first days of september?

[pcharles]

I just took delivery of my new fully loaded Black MacBook partly because of the rumors that Apple may go to a Metal Shell for the new MacBook. After two Titanium PowerBooks and and one Aluminum PowerBook I am looking forward to the increased WIFI range, smaller size, and slightly lighter weight (among other things). So far I am really liking this new machine.

Furthermore, this MacBook design is pretty mature and you never really know what is going to happen with the new design.

[byronkim]

If they are indeed to going to refresh laptops, I'd say that it's pretty screwy timing..seems that it should really be done before the school year begins.
I guess it might be stronger focus on holiday sales over back to school, and if that is the case, I don;t know if I agree if that's such a great long term plan. Got to get the new converts while they're young ;)...worked on me.
But that said, it wouldn't surprise me if they did. I seem to recall that it was something that they had done in the past.
...generally speaking, I'm about ready for a Macbook Pro design. Seems like it's been fundamentally the same for a looong time. (though i do think it still kicks the butt of PC designs.)

[mewantmac]

When might this 'September Suprise' be? Whatever product is unveild, will it be on sale by the holiday season?

I think a Apple camera would be really cool, as mentioned above... A new Macbook and Macbook Pro wouldn't be a bad thing either. I do hope though, the MacAir gets a refresh with some more memory and faster processor and maybe a price reduction to its SSD model. I was planning on buying an Air in the next month, as a PC convert, but I think I just might wait to see if Apple will change any of its laptops.

PLEASE Apple, give us something exciting :)

[raffi]

If the Mac Air gets 4Gs i'm buying. Then again, with Snow Leopard rumored to be able to utilize the graphics processors, the current macbook/air design my not take full advantage.
All that said, i'm in the market and its a toss between an MBA or a loaded up MBP. the power isn't needed all the time so I could live with an air...but if it did get more memory, i would be a happy boy.

[sirgoogie]

How long before Apple manufactures a 13 inch macbook pro? For years Sony has been able to produce a super lightweight 13 inch laptop with a hybrid graphics card, but mac users still have no choice for a powerful and small laptop. They saw fit to build a 12 inch powerbook and sold plenty of them, so I haven't been able to understand the abandonment of that segment of the market.

[fulorange]

How about Apple Tablets, MacLets? Or a Mac Gaming system, to compete with Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony? I don't think I'd like to see new laptop designs, mainly because I just got a 17" MacBook Pro...