[pdrayton]

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I wonder if the iBook will be called MacBook, since the PowerBook is now MacBook Pro?

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A MacWorld article yesterday suggested that might be a possibility.
Not sure what will be done about the PowerMac name. Maybe it'll stay the same. Maybe it'll be changed to pMac. Maybe the iMac will be changed to cMac ("c" for consumer) and the PowerMac will change to pMac ("p" for pro). Or, maybe the iMac will change to just plain Mac (" '...the iMac is kind of our flagship product,' David Moody, Apple vice president of worldwide product marketing, said".) and the PowerMac will change to Mac Pro.
Who knows!

[da_]

I'd bet that the "iBook" will become either the "MacBook" or the "iMacBook" and the "Power Mac" the "Mac Pro".
Anyway, steering back on topic, what a beast! Though no mention of battery life. If anyone is off to MWSF this week, whip out that MagSafe (patent pending) power cord and see how long the battery indicator says it will last!

[peterweisz]

You are probably correct (although iMacBook sounds odd).
Personally, I've always disliked the "Pro" designation because of the implications. I know many professionals who use iBooks and would not care to be labeled "Amateur." Likewise, there are many PowerMac users who use their machines for non-commercial and non-professional purposes.
I understand Steve's desire to deeply brand the computer line with the Mac imprimateur. Nevertheless, I feel that more attractive naming opportunities do exist.
If Apple put some of the same marketing people who dreamed up the names iPod Shuffle and iPod nano, this might be the result, to wit:
Consumer CPU-only: Mac mini (no change)
Consumer CPU-only, optimized for media center: Mac multi
Consumer laptop: Mac Mobie
Pro laptop: MasterMac Mobie
Consumeer desktop: Mac Mondo
Pro desktop: MasterMac Mondo

[pdrayton]

In reply to:

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Personally, I've always disliked the "Pro" designation because of the implications. I know many professionals who use iBooks and would not care to be labeled "Amateur."

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Most professionals aren't that sensitive. They'll get what makes the best business sense and not worry what others think.
Professionals and consumers in Cambridge, MA, however, are entirely different. Those folks are intimidated by everything!

[Charmforyou]

I really think this new "Macbook Pro" is somehow cripple, especially almost no native applications yet (except those from Apple itself). Also I think Apple should optimize the following points regarding hardware design:
1. DVD writer: How come Apple bring a last generation 4x single layer version? All PC notebook and Powerbook G4 already have 8x dual layer version. I imagine two possible reasons: 1) Mac OS X tiger intel version cannot support dual layer DVD writer yet. 2)Encourage people still buy the stock Powerbook G4.
2. Built-in Modem: actually all Intel chipset has built-in "soft modem". In PC people call it "win-modem" since 10 years ago. I believe Apple can write a simple patch to activate this function and put a RJ-11 port instead of an awkward external USB-based modem. Anyway fax is still an important function.
3. USB ports: One or two more USB ports will be very helpful to end users. Only one Firewire port is ok as no many accessories using port. But I really don't know why Apple reduce one Firewire port while maintain only 2 USB ports. The Macbook case has enough space for Apple to put more USB ports.
4. Flash memory cards slot: The same. It has enough space for Apple to include this slot or another PC card slot so that end users can buy an adapter to hold flash memory cards. Apple has enough skill to include this elegantly.
5. S-video: Why cancel it? Don't understand either!
I love Mac and have enough money to buy. But with the above problems I just cannot buy this Macbook Pro.
----iMac G5 20 inch 2nd generation
----Powerbook 17inch 1.5GHz but got stolen...
----Using PC notebooks too.

[pdrayton]

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1. DVD writer: How come Apple bring a last generation 4x single layer version? All PC notebook and Powerbook G4 already have 8x dual layer version. I imagine two possible reasons: 1) Mac OS X tiger intel version cannot support dual layer DVD writer yet. 2)Encourage people still buy the stock Powerbook G4.

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Don't know why. Maybe this will be upgraded shortly.

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2. Built-in Modem: actually all Intel chipset has built-in "soft modem". In PC people call it "win-modem" since 10 years ago. I believe Apple can write a simple patch to activate this function and put a RJ-11 port instead of an awkward external USB-based modem. Anyway fax is still an important function.

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Faxes are dead. Dial-up is dying. Broadband is gaining so much ground, and so many hotels and hotspots are offering wired / wireless broadband that it doesn't make sense to make the majority pay for making it convenient for those who aren't adapting to newer technologies. Modems cost money and take up space. If you want one, pay for it /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

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3. USB ports: One or two more USB ports will be very helpful to end users. Only one Firewire port is ok as no many accessories using port. But I really don't know why Apple reduce one Firewire port while maintain only 2 USB ports. The Macbook case has enough space for Apple to put more USB ports.

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The MacBook Pro has 2 USB ports compared to the 15" PowerBooks 2 USB ports. That hasn't changed. They really aren't needed, either. A lot of people who use more than 2 USB ports on a 15" notebook are using it connected to an external display that already has extra USB ports. If you're not in that situation you can get USB hubs for really cheap. Again, why add something and make people pay for it if it will get very little use?

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4. Flash memory cards slot: The same. It has enough space for Apple to include this slot or another PC card slot so that end users can buy an adapter to hold flash memory cards. Apple has enough skill to include this elegantly.

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I'm not sure what you want to do with a flash memory card in your notebook. What do you want to do?

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5. S-video: Why cancel it? Don't understand either!

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Maybe I'm wrong on this, but I thought TV's with S-video ports were heading the way of the floppy drive. Are TVs even for sale that don't have DVI or VGA connectivity?

[pkeene]

I would not be in the market for a 15" machine anyway (too big) but if this is a pointer to the rest of the MacBook Pro line I'm a little concerned:

[*]Aluminium again - it warps, dents and corrodes. Was this an effort to keep design costs down?

[*]No Compact Flash or Secure Digital slots - very limiting.

[*]Only 2 USB ports - again, unneccesarily limiting.

[*]No hype about battery life - uh oh.

[*]No internal modem - well, there goes using the machine for faxes.
[/list]
Ah well, it's early days. Maybe there'll be a nice little carbon-fibre 10-incher next year.
Peter

[barkomatic]

I think that Apple was a bit premature to eliminate some of these things. No internal dial up modem, is that correct? Most of the time this won't be an issue since more and more people live in urban areas with broadband--but sometimes I do travel to places without either a wireless network or high speed access and must rely on dial up-as do the people who live there. Should I be required to carry an external modem after spending 2G's on a high end computer? Not. Also, downgrading the internal drive? Maybe dual-layer drives aren't catching on. The discs certainly are expensive and you can't play the DVD's in most players. Still, if the processor is as fast as Apple says then it would still be a great machine. Also the screen is 67% brighter? Awesome!

[Charmforyou]

I don't agree with you. I only want Apple to think more elegantly and completely before they release any new products, as below:
2. For Modem: Yes, dial up is almost dead. But fax is far from it. Globally all hotels, travel agencies and many companies still use fax for confirmation. And with a built-in modem it is much easier to send and receive fax. And as I already mentioned, Intel chipset (Macbook Pro uses both Intel CPU and Intel Chipset) has built-in modem function just needing OS to activative it. A RJ-11 port will only cost Apple some cents. Why bring a USD47 USB modem? It is stupid money.
3. USB Ports: For many times you need to plug a printer, a mouse, an external HDD, a camera or even more. Then you will find at least 3 USB ports are needed. It is an easy issue for Apple to include more. An external solution (USB on the Display or USB hub) is always awkward.
4. Flash memory slot: Most digital cameras use SD card, Sony DC uses Memory Stick, high end D-SLR cameras usually use CF card. Some MP3 or MP4 players use those flash cards as storage. A Flash memory slot allow much faster copy speed compared to other connection.
5. S-video port: I agree this is the less important point. But it is still necessary if you would like to plug the notebook to TV (to enjoy DVD movie etc).
Again: By comparison, Apple has the best industrial design among all PC vendors. But it doesn't mean Apple is perfect in all aspects. If something is better, Apple should take it. I suggest these points which I think important for Apple to optimize.
In this sense, I would like to suggest more:
6. WWAN connection: Like Sony and Lenovo have done - include EGDE or CDMA connection inside the Macbook. Right now neither Verizon nor Cingular data cards support Mac. Make it built-in will attract more business users.
7. Optional TV Tuner: this should be an external solution to avoid bulky system.
8. Shortcut buttons: to power on/off wireless connection, activate/deactivate camera etc. Apple can refer to the design of Sony or Taiwan's Asus.

[pdrayton]

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Should I be required to carry an external modem after spending 2G's on a high end computer?

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Should I be required to pay for an internal modem if I never will use it?
As you can see this could go back and forth endlessly, until you look at the numbers. Those who don't need an internal modem outnumber those who do. I'm sure that settled it for Apple.
Anyone remember floppy drives? Anyone remember when Apple stopped providing them as standard equipment?

[d00d]

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Maybe I'm wrong on this, but I thought TV's with S-video ports were heading the way of the floppy drive. Are TVs even for sale that don't have DVI or VGA connectivity?

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Yes. Yes there are. I recently bought one. It's not top of the line, but it's not bottom of the barrel either.
That said, something like Apple's DVI to S-video adapter (currently Mac mini and G5 only) could definitely be sold to fill this need.

[svt]

I am personally not bothered by the lack of modem, or the S-Video, which i never use.
But, on a different note, how come there is so little info on the battery for the MacBook? The website does not list any notes on how long it may last. Any input on that?

[pdrayton]

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That said, something like Apple's DVI to S-video adapter (currently Mac mini and G5 only) could definitely be sold to fill this need.

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Thanks! Last time I bought a TV was 1994!
And I just saw on another thread that adapter costs a whopping $19 /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Would this not work on a MacBook Pro? If not, I would hope the cost of one they come up with would be comparable.

[mavapa]

I don't need more than two USB ports; in fact, I don't want more than that. I have chosen not to upgrade to broadband because it would cost around $500 for equipment and upwards of $50 a month for service - remember, there is no cable and no DSL out in the boonies, you guys. It's satellite or slow dialup for me. But I won't worry about that just yet. The lack of native software plus the necessity (or maybe just the desireability) of replacing a lot of my current software is a big hurdle right now. If it ends up being easy to make a dual-boot laptop, I might have to jump.