Apple to show off "new iBook" this Wednesday

While we have yet to receive any kind of official confirmation that Apple will be rolling out the MacBook this week, another piece of the puzzle just fell into place. According to this announcement on Apple's web site, the company will be holding a free seminar in New York this Wednesday to show off the "new iBook," which is touted as a "go-anywhere digital solution" and "the most affordable iBook ever." So, is Apple going to stick with the iBook moniker, or is this just a head fake, to be replaced by MacBook by Wednesday? Regardless, it certainly looks like the company will be unveiling a new consumer laptop no later than Wednesday, and will invite the public to check it out.

Update: Thanks to everyone who pointed out that this is a previously scheduled event and that someone at Apple is apparently recycling year-old text that refers to the current iBook line (which is hardly "new"). Of course, if Apple really does go ahead and announce the MacBook tomorrow, as previously rumored, we really do have to wonder what they're going to show off at CompUSA on Wednesday.

[Thanks, Jakob]

[John from Buffalo @ May 8th 2006 2:08PM]

w00t! f1r5t p05t!

[John from Buffalo @ May 8th 2006 2:09PM]

w00t! s3c0nD p05t!

[bob @ May 8th 2006 2:13PM]

could be trying to push ibook sales before mac book release...not really that ethical but business is business.

[halo @ May 8th 2006 2:14PM]

w00t!!

A new Ibook

with 1.67 G4

Nvidia Geforce FX 5200

and 29$ Pricedropp!!

[Joe Smith @ May 8th 2006 2:17PM]

w00t! 7h1rD p057!

[Steven @ May 8th 2006 2:18PM]

w00t! We have an idiot!
Why don't you post something relevant next time.

Anyway, this makes me wonder if they're going to keep the iBook name for the next-gen of iBooks.

[Joe Smith @ May 8th 2006 2:18PM]

wh00p5! 700 1473!

[Rory @ May 8th 2006 2:21PM]

Nice info guys, just sitting here waiting hoepfully for teh realease of MacBook tomorrow.This would of course be my 1st Apple :)
Feeling pretty good, that I didnt buy ibook ( wow, cant beleive I said that )

I hope it comes at a good price point:
Anything from $1200-1500
If its $999, OMG that would be insane!!

[Renegrub @ May 8th 2006 2:21PM]

I've already read that this announcement above is a recurring event that has nothing to do with the product launch. Besides, would they really announce their new product at CompUSA? I actually think Endgadget should not put things like this on the site. Really should have been researched first to show that it is not what it seems...

[Kunal @ May 8th 2006 2:23PM]

This is a reoccurring event that takes place at CompUSA every month.

[PeterDorsi @ May 8th 2006 2:24PM]

I am getting one, can't wait for the announcement. Hope the specs are faster/better than I expect.

[Roger @ May 8th 2006 2:26PM]

PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DONT HAVE INTEL INTEGRATED GRAPHICS!!!

PLEASE NOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[joe @ May 8th 2006 2:28PM]

INACCURATE:

This seminar is refering to the CURRENT iBook.

http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2006/05/20060508124349.shtml

[Jason @ May 8th 2006 2:29PM]

I can't wait to see if we'll be getting one.

I need something to work on while my month-old iMac Core Duo is getting fixed {no sound}.

[Jonny Jedi @ May 8th 2006 2:29PM]

Don't want to ruin the parade here, but it looks like this text has just been copied from a previous event in August 2005, when the old iBook was all the new and exciting things Apple are claiming it to now be:

http://seminars.apple.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/ASPRegistration.woa/16/wa/eventDetails?eventId=37828

So could be that they were just lazy with the copy, or no new MacBook coming out, or being crafty and hiding the give-away details with old text. Or something far more devious...

[PodMonkeys @ May 8th 2006 2:33PM]

sigh. I really hope its a Core-Solo ibook with some Ati graphics.

[ac @ May 8th 2006 2:35PM]

the name iBook will stay on the new model, just like iMac stayed on the intel iMac. apple is just renaming their pro line, since there's no more "Power" as the powerpc chip is no longer being used. the Power Macs will be renamed Mac Pro, to match MacBook Pro, and the consumer line will remain iMac and iBook.

[idude135 @ May 8th 2006 2:38PM]

Looks like we're gonna have to stock up on thermal paste at Newegg. Oh well...

[Rory @ May 8th 2006 2:40PM]

As to what Joe says "This seminar is refering to the CURRENT iBook."

From Apple site:
Overview
Hear about the most affordable iBook ever.

- What you will Learn
Specifications and features of the new iBook.

- Featured Solutions
Hear about how the new iBook is your go-anywhere digital solution.

Sounds pretty new to me..
______________________________________________
Whats the price point you guys thinking off?
Since there are saying the most AFFORDABLE ibook ever :)

Please give us for $999

[John Hinds @ May 8th 2006 2:57PM]

If they do release it tomorrow then why hasn't anyone got invites to the event?

[Carlito @ May 8th 2006 3:07PM]

Slightly OT, but someone should alert whoever wrote that invite that "03:00 PM" is an oxymoron, as 03:00 is military notation for 3:00 AM, and 15:00 = 3:00 PM.

[Chris @ May 8th 2006 3:13PM]

#17: The "Power" moniker never had anything to do with the PowerPC chip. Apple's use of the term preceded the PowerPC by a number of years

[Colonels1020 @ May 8th 2006 3:48PM]

Finally! I hope Apple lowers the price to somewhere around $500. I can't wait until Thursday!

[Mr. Volcom @ May 8th 2006 4:07PM]

#17: Jobs did say at Macworld that they're trying to include MAC in all the names of the new computers with the Intel chips. Unless he goes against his words, the new iBooks will be renamed to Macbook. (that name sucks.)

[sub# @ May 8th 2006 4:49PM]

do you think it has anything to do with the do not open till 9th may, tuesday shipping to mac stores rumour?

[brad @ May 8th 2006 4:52PM]

i read somewhere that they were going to boost the price a bit. if that is so i would assume that it would be no more than 1500.00....then the macbook pro at 2000 and 2500 and so on. and maybe a 1300.00 lowerend macbook with a core solo and the 1500.00 one with a 1.66 duo. hopefully no intel gfx....that will pretty much force you to buy the pro.

[js @ May 8th 2006 6:14PM]

I doubt it will have dedicated graphics... face it people, it's going to be intel integrated.

[reyesmac @ May 8th 2006 10:21PM]

They will raise the iBook price now so when the MacTablet comes out it can be priced at $999. (which will still be overpriced since it will use intel graphics chip.)

[J @ May 8th 2006 11:23PM]

I assume this seminar is arranged by the "Apple Solutions Consultant" placed in that particular CompUSA. I used to be an ASC and we could schedule events to drive traffic into the store. I doubt this ASC has any inside information in relation to the new iBook launch. There is a good chance we may see it tomorrow though, we will have to see.

[Atanas Boev @ May 9th 2006 5:37AM]

Hey by the way, OLPC lost is crank, how about ibook getting one? Apple had some patent on spring-powered laptop, didn't they? And there was another one, changind the color of the shell from the OS, using color diods.

Of course this does't mean anything. If Apple crams all its old patents on one device, what a Frankenstein it would be.

Too much comments today, hopefully my Prof doesn't follow Engadget:)