Apple's new Yonah "iBooks" due this spring with Front Row and iSight?

It seems to be more conjecture than anything, but AppleInsider has some rumoring from "people familiar with the company's plans" that say Apple is planning a Front Row equipped "iBook" this spring. No word yet if the new iBooks will borrow any naming conventions from their MacBook Pro brethren, but the supposed 13-inch laptops will be borrowing just about everything else, including Front Row, the Apple Remote, a built-in iSight camera, and the Yonah chipset; though they assume the new laptops will be limited to the 1.67GHz Core Solo processors. They're also saying the new consumer oriented laptops will retain a single Firewire 400 port and stay close to their current white-clad design, though supposedly Apple has been toying around with the idea of a black version, but no one has sighted such a version yet. Again, doesn't seem like much more than some reasonable conjecturing, though the iSight and Front Row abilities sound like nice additions for laptops that are supposed to hit a sub-$1000 starting price point.

[Thanks, Dave]

[CajunLuke @ Jan 28th 2006 10:56AM]

I doubt very much that the iBooks will have Front Row and/or the iSight. There's got to be some differentiation between the *MacBook and the MacBook Pro, especially seeing as the names are so similar. (The asterisk before "Macbook" and suchlike means I'm speculating.)

I think the transition to *MacBook and MacBook Pro means there will be a *MacTablet coming.

[gozer @ Jan 28th 2006 11:23AM]

the core solo/duo wouldn't be enough of a 'differentiation'? plus a lower graphic card and maybe the same crippled video out?

there's more of a similarity between the current ibooks/powerbooks than between a core solo/duo. apple's entire lineup will have the isight/apple remote soon except perhaps the powermac.

[dalton @ Jan 28th 2006 11:23AM]

The only thing that sucks about Apple bringing out all of these new fun products (Nano, new iBooks, MacBooks and iMacs) is that I've bought in the last year:

A 40 GB iPod Photo (almost exactly 1 year ago)
A 20" G5 iMac
A 12" iBook.

Yes, call me a Mac fanboy, but it was time for some new equipment and Apple filled the bill quite nicely. But I won't be due for an upgrade until late 2007 at the earliest, meaning I won't get to try any of these new toys for quite a while!

[Richard @ Jan 28th 2006 11:48AM]

I don't really see much point in Front Row on an a laptop, especially not with a remote. I for one would just lose the remote unless Apple managed to come up with some transparent way of storing it.

[Morgan @ Jan 28th 2006 11:56AM]

Macbook Express anyone?

[Leo @ Jan 28th 2006 12:14PM]

Morgan i totaly agree with you i don't even understand y u need front row on a ibook and expecially the macbook. Since the ibook it geared toward consumers u don't need such features. WHO IN THE WORLD WOULD WATCH A MOVIE ON A 13IN SCREEN????? Also in that case wat is the point of watching it on a laptop. it's only useful in desktops such as the imac. If it had video out i'm not sure if it does already but all you have to do is put the imac on the side somewhere hook it up to a tv tuner and hook it up to ur tv via dvi and ur all set that's my idea of a kickass video experience.

[Hansel @ Jan 28th 2006 12:16PM]

I have been waiting to buy a mac until they have a sub 15" notebook with a dual core chip. If there's no dual core option from apple in a smaller size offering, I'm going to eat some babies in retaliation.

[Andy @ Jan 28th 2006 12:19PM]

I read that article on appleinsider yesterday and there is nothing in there that isn't purely abstracted from what Apple did with the Powerbook to the MacBook Pro. Everything was just transfered from the iBook. It soudns like a total guess to me. Any why does everyone think they will change the name to "MacBook". It was the work "POWER" that Steve said they wanted to shed. iBook is perfectly fine. Its not like they are going to rename the iPod to MacPod or something. We still have iLife and iWork. If anything, maybe iBook's become 600-800 laptops and MacBook (sans pro) so that there are three lines instead of two. This is at least more plausible since you can bring more people into the Mac world with a 600 laptop but keep pushing buyers up to higher end models. Sort of what they did with the Mac Mini.

Andy

[Desides @ Jan 28th 2006 12:23PM]

"6. Macbook Express anyone?"

Uh, no. Just regular "MacBook." iBook becoming MacBook, and PowerBook becoming MacBook Pro both make sense, and the Pro modifier is in line with the name assignments of some of Apple's other products (Quicktime and Quicktime Pro, for example.)

[felix @ Jan 28th 2006 12:26PM]

hopfully with dvi ports

[z @ Jan 28th 2006 12:27PM]

Logically, it should be named MacBook. But well, who knows...
Who in the world would watch a movie on a 13'' screen? Anyone in a hotel room willing to have a minimum distance from the screen. I've tried it before without the remote, it would come out handy!

[gozer @ Jan 28th 2006 12:27PM]

it would be useful for streaming itunes using airport express

[Adam @ Jan 28th 2006 12:28PM]

Is it just me, or does 'MacTablet' sound like something you would buy at McDonalds?

[Kevin @ Jan 28th 2006 12:36PM]

#7 "WHO IN THE WORLD WOULD WATCH A MOVIE ON A 13IN SCREEN?????"

maybe the same people who would watch a movie on a 2.5in - 4.5in screen? idiot.

[Grant @ Jan 28th 2006 1:03PM]

"Is it just me, or does 'MacTablet' sound like something you would buy at McDonalds?"

The first thing that came to my mind when I saw the word 'MacTablet' was the golden arches.

[Brandon @ Jan 28th 2006 1:08PM]

you can hook up an ibook to a tv. i do that now. i don't have a dvd player in my room i just connect my ibook to the tv. audio to my reciever. i have a remote (ati remote wonder). so i think front row on an ibook is a great idea! it wouldn't just be for watching on the laptop screen. plus being able to control itunes from across the room would be great.

[iomatic @ Jan 28th 2006 1:12PM]

I've been needing something to throw in a pack for travel and not worry about, while professional presentations remain on the PowerBook/MacBook Pro.

MacBook is probably it.

[Carson @ Jan 28th 2006 1:22PM]

Do you think it is possible that apple will have three lines of notebooks? MacBook pro, a middle grade line and pull up the rear with the ibook? Apple totally needs a laptop that will be able to compete with these 400-700$ range laptops.

[jamie @ Jan 28th 2006 1:23PM]

Have you ever used Front Row? It's seriously one of the worst apps Apple's ever made. How can you be serious about a media management app that cripples the functionality of your own bes media management app? Front Row doesn't provide all of the iTunes controls that iTunes itself provides. So lame. So stupid. So not a "feature."

Wake me when Apple gets serious about turning the Mac into a home media platform.

[kamil mytnik @ Jan 28th 2006 3:56PM]

i am a troll: [e-mail]

[HP @ Jan 28th 2006 5:08PM]

Great news! Was looking foward to new iBooks and finally here they are ;)

[Justin @ Jan 28th 2006 5:33PM]

This would definitely look good if they could fit a core duo in there.

[madtracer @ Jan 28th 2006 6:56PM]

they can fit a core duo in there. it's called MacBook Pro.

[Peter @ Jan 28th 2006 7:29PM]

Everything was just transfered from the iBook. It soudns like a total guess to me.
--------------
Yeah i agree... you just have to wait and see with apple.


---
Peter

[katakata @ Jan 28th 2006 8:52PM]

i thought they were going to release new "much cooler" products? something like a tablet mac?

[thewebguy @ Jan 28th 2006 9:05PM]

lol @ the person who complains about watching a movie on a 13" ibook. for so many reasons..

anyway, this is pretty exciting. i think i will probably get one right when they come out.

[mike @ Jan 28th 2006 9:05PM]

iBook 1000 MacBook Pro 2000
iMac 1300 Mac(intosh) Pro 2000

Don't forget the cost of a LCD screen for the desktop pro model.

[umijin @ Jan 28th 2006 9:29PM]

Front row and iSight on a laptop are of marginal concern to most commuting Mac users.

What we really need is a LIGHTWEIGHT laptop. I'm sick of looking at all these small Vaios and Panasonics that top out at 1kg with better features than Mac laptops. Let's have a comparable Mac units for roadwarriors.

And I'm tired of waiting around for a PDA/Handheld that is truly Mac compatible or runs a Mac OS.

It's incomprehensible that Apple put resources into Intellifying the iMac, while releasing a half-assed intel laptop. The whole reason for moving to intel was to get their portable computers up to what Windoze laptops are sporting. Let's see some real progress instead of this window dressing (pun unintended).

[JH @ Jan 28th 2006 9:37PM]

28 - usif - Why is that?

[brian @ Jan 28th 2006 11:43PM]

Here's what Apple needs to do to the iBook to get my money:
1) Whatever processor is put in it needs to be a substantial upgrade from the G4. I need to see a real performance boost in everyday use.
2) Widescreen LCD. High Resolution would be nice.
3) Similar, but thinner, form factor.
4) Much better graphics. DVI out and at least 64MB of VRAM.
5) All of this at a sub-$1000 price point.

The niceties that would really please me are said front row, isight, superdrive. I'm taking it as a given that they will include current technologies such as bluetooth 2, airport extreme, scrolling trackpad, and hard drive safety.

I have a 12" Powerbook bought in May 2003. It still works fine, and the only way I could justify an upgrade would be if all these conditions were met.

[john @ Jan 28th 2006 11:49PM]

"29. I reallllyyyyy hate APPLE!"

I really hate canadians

[ScottytheMenace @ Jan 29th 2006 12:41AM]

It wouldn't surprise me at all if they released additional MacTel systems. After all, the hard work is done and the big cat is already out of the bag. Adding new systems to the line-up would not be a bombshell though, of course, it would be welcome.

I think I would prefer a new Mini, though, over an iBook. I already have an iBoook that is still quite functional. It's been a while since we saw a Mini rev though. I think it's due. Set it up with a fast Yonah and some nice RAM so it can handle Mac OS X Server and I would buy one and set up my home network.

Heck, release an iBook AND a Mini. Why not?

[play free games @ Jan 29th 2006 2:42AM]

Yes! Can't wait for the "MacBook" with an iSight, and hopefully a 13 inch widescreen display. And just in time when many apps are universal and take advantage of the Intel chip.

[Misha @ Jan 29th 2006 10:48AM]

A new 'Intel' iBook?
That'd be great! But please NOT in black!
'WideScreen' would be nice.
And -of course- pricing! -If that new iBook is priced above $1,000, it'll go the way of the 'Cube!

[Rob @ Jan 29th 2006 11:41AM]

I think it will be called that macbook ameture.. just because that'd be hot.

[JBaxt @ Jan 29th 2006 12:50PM]

Just bought my macbookpro and going to buy this for rest of family. Man i love apple. WTF would i do w/o apple. Steve Jobs for life

[Computadoras @ Jan 29th 2006 4:24PM]

I think its going to be called Macbook.

[PooPsTech @ Jan 29th 2006 6:43PM]

MacBook Pro! What a disgusting name, and now I hear that they are going to change the name of the iBook to MacBook? Total disaster! I bet this is the great Idea of Mr. Jobs himself receiving nightly premonitions from other civilization on the far side of Andromeda. No one else would have dared to make a suggestion like this and still be working at Apple. The suggestor�s butt would have been hauled out of Apple in disgrace. But of course, when Mr. Jobs & Co. make a suggestion like this it sticks and will be worshiped!

[JDVough @ Jan 29th 2006 11:54PM]

13 inch screen? I'm hoping they offer the old 12 inch screen again. The larger the screen, the more stuff they put into it and the weight just goes back up. I'll give an inch on screen and keyboard size to have something that fits into a small backpack and is light enough to go anywhere I do. Who wants to try to carry on and use a wide screen on an airplane tray table.

[Frank @ Jan 30th 2006 12:39AM]

Well give the guy a Break it is his company and can do with as he pleases and plus it is to are benifit what he does and with out him we would reading books right now instead of being online.

[pidgin @ Jan 30th 2006 2:05AM]

Maybe someone already said this, but with those sort of specs, could it be that the Macbook Pro will turn out to be the new iBook, and this newly designed series that didn't make the Macworld announcement will replace the old powerbook? Phase out the iBook...eh? Just sayin' is all.

[DifferentThinker @ Jan 30th 2006 6:16AM]

I think its gonna be called iBook still, because look at the iMac with the Intel Core Duo, they didn't change the name on that, did they? I reckon that they should have 3 lines of laptops, iBook, and a new PowerBook, and the MacBook Pro. Either that or on the next revision of the MacBook Pro, they change the name back, and they have a mid-range thats a tablet.

[Mike Warren @ Jan 30th 2006 9:11AM]

Core Solo? I wonder how Rosetta is going to run since the translation is done in one core, and one core runs the app...

(This is just me hoping they go with Core Duo since I'm waiting for the new ibook)

[Desides @ Jan 30th 2006 11:00AM]

47. I think its gonna be called iBook still, because look at the iMac with the Intel Core Duo, they didn't change the name on that, did they?

iMac already has Mac in the name, and the stated purpose of the name change is to highlight and promote the Mac brand. It's fully conceivable that the iBook will become the MacBook, just as the PowerBook became the MacBook Pro.

New iBooks will be nice, but what I'm really looking forward to are the post-Intel revisions. By this, I mean that the new models introduced this year are just straightforward changes to Intel CPUs with nothing new beyond that, no interesting tech or anything. The second-generation revisions should be very, very interesting... anyone want to bet Apple will use that quick-boot Flash-based Intel tech?

[bryan ribas @ Jan 30th 2006 2:50PM]

#16 LOL That's funny stuff.
www.thepirates.us/relief
www.onejackmove.com

[Jason Anderson @ Jan 30th 2006 8:28PM]

Wake me up when the Intel mini's are released.

[doug @ Feb 1st 2006 3:05AM]

All I want is a tiny apple laptop, a handtop. Even a 10 inch would be nice with a dual-link dvi port for my 30" lcd display. But no, I have to have a HUGE 15" apple in order to have a dual-link dvi port.

Apple, why can't you get a small laptop and please put a dual-link dvi port...more resolution, higher PPI. 100ppi sucks.

[Frank @ Jan 5th 2007 10:07PM]

Well give the guy a Break it is his company and can do with as he pleases and plus it is to are benifit what he does and with out him we would reading books right now instead of being online.