[Macworld.com]

Wondering how Mac sales jumped 36 percent in a quarter that didn't feature any new hardware releases? Thank the MacBook, Philip Michaels says. [more]

[hautster]

I have to agree with the MacBook being a huge deal. I have never in my 15 years of loving and using Macs have I seen so many people switch from Windows to Macs, and almost every one of them has switched to a MacBook. I get emails regulary from some of my switching friends and they always tell me the same thing: they love their MB. One of them told me she never thought about enjoying working on the computer until she got her MB.
Personally, my MB is the best laptop I've owned. (it's my fifth one) At the time I was wishing I could have gone with a MBP, but money constrains made me get a MB. I have never been sorry.

[maineguy]

Agreed! The MB is one of those products that just about does it all right. For the vast majority of users, it will accomplish their needs nicely, as well as being a pleasure to use while doing it! How many products do we use that we actually get that passionate about?
On top of that, it can run the best OS perfectly, as well as the worst OS, ummm, perfectly... (That was supposed to be a compliment...)

[piratemacfan]

I teach at a Christian Montessori school in Indiana, which is not yet computer-savvy.
I just carry my iBook into 4th/5th grade class, and students swarm around me. "Hey, that's the computer I want to get." Then I show them how fun it is to use. This response NEVER happens when any of the kids carries in his/her PC laptop!
(My daughter sold me her iBook G4 1.2 GHz when she bought herself a MacBook earlier this year.)
Apple, iBooks, and MacBooks are somehow capturing the imagination of a whole new [young] generation.

[jrsowell]

I disagree w/ the assertion that putting of Leopard until Oct won't have an effect on hardware sells. I have put off and may even purchase 5 HPs and a new server. In addition I have worked for several months to convince 23 facilities where I consult to reconsider Mac purchases at the tune of 2-4 computers per facility. Now they are furious for the same reason that I am; is Apple going to relagate computer users to futher back in the que for a "hopefully successful" phone? They are interested in getting their business interests accomplished not looking for another "me to" smart phone.

[radnuf]

I agree. I'm a non-customer for Apple. I'm waiting for an Intel upgrade and a new OSX. My "old" PPC is not dead and probably won't be for quite a while. I held off from the Intel switch all during the whiz, bang, buzz, moo, too hot to handle, discolored stuff. I sure would like Apple to boost hardware and issue Leopard.
If people are switching because of the MacBook, there is little incentive for Apple to change it, as long as sales remain strong. If the Mac mini is not the switcher path, it may never get an upgrade. Let's be realistic. Intel doesn't now have anything new to offer to Apple as an upgrade.
How many iPods can I own? All I can do right now is buy Shuffles for gifts.
With CS3 now out for current Apple hardware, Adobe wants a chance to make some money before having to iron out tweaks for any new Apple hardware or Leopard, assuming Apple and Adobe consider themselves partners after what happened in 2006.
The iPhone has to be released on time now. Again, I'm a non-customer for Apple. A small form, non-stylus touch screen won't work with the three thumbs on my left hand and the four thumbs on my right hand. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Apple TV makes me a non-customer too. It will have to wait until I replace my DVD player and television. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
Apple's making money. That's good for stockholders and employee options.
Switchers are flooding in. Apple needs to identify new customer profiles. I just hope I'm in one of them since I'm now a Mac computer fan. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[adobephile]

I think it was a more difficult decision than you complainers imply, but Apple made it. Once the iPhone proves itself--as it WILL--you all won't have much to say, as Apple's decsion will have been proven correct.
Whether or not you see it now, Apple is on the verge of a whole new level of production and prosperity. They'll most likely augment their OS X resources soon, which is to say that I don't think they're going to be taking ANY attention away from making computers.
Despite your quibbling about the "me too" iPhone, it IS going to revolutionize telephony, and it WILL prove even Apple's sales estimates to be conservative. It'll be a huge new revenue source, as well as attract MANY more switchers to the MACINTOSH COMPUTER!!
If the iPod has had its "Pied Piper" effect on Mac switchers with its relatively minimal exposure of Windoze users to the Apple Universe, then the iPhone stands to have a relatively much greater corresponding effect, because it literally will deliver a substantial chunk of OS X into the laps--or hands--of non-Mac users, thus directly introducing them to the Apple Universe in a big way. It's an "end run", it's a "Trojan Horse." Call it what you will.
I call it an intensely clever stratagem.
Whether or not one cares about Apple's contractural obligation to AT&T, that must have been an additional very important factor in Apple's strategic decision. If Apple somehow blows that deal it certainly will spell the death of iPhone along with much of Apple's recently earned credibility as a company. And I'm sure AT&T has its own important plans for iPhone.
Now where in all that can anyone read that Apple is abandoning computers?

[whitedog]

Call me stodgy, but I disagree with the notion of adding subscription services for music to the iTunes Store. All it will add is complexity and confusion. Which of the songs on my Mac and iPod are subscription based and which are purchased? Which ones can I burn to a CD and share with other Macs and which can I not? Too many hassles to count. If subscription services were competitive and actually making money, then it might be worth the trouble. As it is, it would entail high development costs for Apple with no prospect of paying its way. Some choices are just chimeras, and subscription iTunes is one.

[JakeB]

Gotta be honest: the MacBook's screen's too small for my taste, and the glare from ambient lighting? Doesn't work for me. I'm waiting for a MacBook Pro upgrade, one that will include Leopard.