[Macworld]

Post your comments for Apple's fall notebook classic here

[griffman]

Here's my off-the-wall prediction: Tuesday will mark the consolidation of the MB and MBP lines. Instead of two distinct lines, we'll have just one (I'm going to guess the name would be MacBook).

Within the MacBook line, you'll have the 13" entry-level model (glossy screen only, no FW800, perhaps no keyboard backlighting, new case design), the 15" mid-range model (like today's, but with faster CPUs and a new case design), and the 17" top-of-the-line model (like today's, but with the new case design and perhaps Blu-ray).

If the rumors are right about the MB moving to an aluminum enclosure, I just can't see the distinction between the two families being great enough to keep them distinct.

The MacBook Air will remain as it is now, distinct from the others.

I'm probably wrong, but I'm at least willing to put it down in electronic form :)

-rob.

[context]

Having three laptop model lines gives Apple buyers the illusion of product differentiation sufficient to justify higher prices for "Pro" products. I can't see why the company would give up pure profit for some nebulous benefit from model consolidation.

[griffman]

Other rumors I've read claim the upper end of the price range would be $3100, above the current 17" Pro model. I don't see that they'd have to drop prices.

-rob.

[tfrogh]

Yaaaaaaaaaawn! Laptop shmaptop.
Apple could sell more desktops if they actually listened to what desktop users want. I love Apple but I am sick of Steve telling me what I want. I do not want an iMac. I do not want the Mini (which I have and lament buying).
I want the power of the iMac in a small tower capable of housing 2 SATA 3.5" Harddrives and 2 optical drives. And I want video capable of driving a 30" display and eSATA or 2 PCIe slots. I have no need for the expense of a MacPro.
I might consider an iMac if it had eSATA and user replaceable hard drives. I also want dual optical.
The event on the 14th has no importance to my life and my buying of Macs for my Company.
Tom

[Schneb]

The article leads me to believe that this is going to be a boring announcement. Nothing new, nothing exciting, just a speed bump and no Blu-Ray support or gaming focus.

[Schneb]

tfrogh said:

Yaaaaaaaaaawn! Laptop shmaptop.

Can't help but totally agree with you, Tom. More and more Apple is dissing the Prosumer and dumbing-down software for newbies and consolidating Suites of application that no one can afford but professionals (try buying Soundtrack Pro by itself).

Looking at the hardware, you either go with non-configurable units with scant USB slots, or hit the poorhouse with a huge monstrosity called the MacPro. Has Apple got a moron working in their tapestry and demographics analysis division?

[moose_n_squirrel]

Schneb said:

> Yaaaaaaaaaawn! Laptop shmaptop.
Has Apple got a moron working in their tapestry and demographics analysis division?

The demographics across the industry (not just Apple) show that notebooks are where all the growth is right now. Apple needs to refresh and be in position for Christmas, and notebooks are just a higher priority than desktops for maximum revenue potential for Christmas.

Otherwise I agree that the desktops and the displays are way overdue.

[heyjp]

You guys aren't sticking your necks out much on this one. 100 or 200 MHz speed bump and maybe some memory and maybe some graphics bump and maybe a whittled brick.
Come on, take a stand and predict something. ;-)
Jim

[griffman]

OK, I predict that Mac Pros will be updated at Macworld Expo in January, and that, despite the numerous (myself included) people who would write Apple a check tomorrow for an expandable mid-size tower, Apple will not build such a machine in the next 10 years. The only possible reason I can think of that they won't build this machine is because Apple believes it would cannibalize Mac Pro sales -- which it definitely would :).

I really hope I'm wrong about the second part of that prediction...

-rob.

[tmedia1]

Here's my 15" MB Pro Wishlist:
1) Anodized Black Aluminum Enclosure
2) 3 USB Ports (instead of 2)
3) Modest Speed Bump
4) 4 Gig RAM Standard
5) 500 Gig Hard Drive Option
5) 10-20% Price Drop

[Schneb]

Quote

The demographics across the industry (not just Apple) show that notebooks are where all the growth is right now. Apple needs to refresh and be in position for Christmas, and notebooks are just a higher priority than desktops for maximum revenue potential for Christmas.

That's what I thought last Christmas and was hoping for the gap to be filled at MacWorld 08. No go. How would Apple possibly know if something is popular if they don't present a choice?

[gandhi]

don't forget bigger hard drives!! 80/gb/120gb/200gb should not be an entry-level standard anymore for the mba/mb/mbp... probably 120/160/250 for the new guys...

[cabelaj]

although this new notebook is quite a bit higher end then the previous models. I dont think its gonna be a spendy one. Apple has really been dropping there prices to get more bang for your buck.More poeple are buying apple because of the price drops. So far the iPhone went down in price. iPods went down. And y not the computers. Its the biggest on the list.