So, how about that MacBook launch?

As recently as yesterday, the rumor mill was turning with discussions of the MacBook, Apple's Core Duo-based successor to the iBook, which was said to be coming today. However, yesterday also brought us the first inklings of a "delay" (can an unconfirmed, rumored event actually be delayed?), via AppleInsider. Today, ThinkSecret joined the delay party, and reported that due to "supply issues," the launch was postponed at the "last minute," and the new laptop won't show up until next Tuesday. We suspect that Apple never planned to launch it today in the first place; after all, the company doesn't like to share the limelight, and launching today would have forced it to vie for coverage with the likes of Microsoft and Nintendo. Still, we can't help but feel sorry for anyone who shows up at tomorrow's CompUSA seminar on the "new iBooks" -- not to mention the poor schlub who actually has to push last year's models as the "go-anywhere digital solution."

("MacBook" design by William W from our WWJD 3 contest.)

Read - AppleInsider
Read - ThinkSecret

[crap @ May 9th 2006 5:54PM]

i was actually enjoying the break from apple news, so over rated...bleh

[Josh* @ May 9th 2006 5:56PM]

An announcement this week would have been lost in the wave of gaming news from Microsoft and Nintendo today at E3.

Apple aren't that sheltered that they don't know about the gaming industry's event of the year. Back seat until next week sounds sensible.

Can't wait for this mythical Macbook to rear its head!

[bob @ May 9th 2006 5:57PM]

if they keep saying its out next week they're gonna eventially be right lol, then they'll say, we told ya so!, twits, its obvious its coming so stop guessing dates!

[Bryan @ May 9th 2006 5:59PM]

You guys are mean :(

[bc @ May 9th 2006 6:00PM]

i really dont care about laptops until the merom chip is released...

[idude135 @ May 9th 2006 6:12PM]

It's actually harder to land a job at an Apple Store than it is to get accepted at Harvard, you know?

[JImmy @ May 9th 2006 6:18PM]

People talk about Apple when they release something. People talk about Apple when they don't release something.

Now that's marketing!

I wouldn't be surprised someone from Apple had management approval to feed these rumor sites every once in a while.

[Raymond Bravo @ May 9th 2006 6:28PM]

O shut your trap with the merom comment, what a stupid fool, If you keep waiting for something better to come out you will never buy, when merom is out the will anounce the next best thing. The current mbps will not be outadater for the next 3 years to come. I think your problem is that you are jealous at us happy owners of mbps, no $ eh...LOL

[bob @ May 9th 2006 6:31PM]

the point is W, that it doesnt perform like a pc, its better, it has osx

[John Hinds @ May 9th 2006 6:54PM]

Have these mac rumour sites got a single rumour right this year?

The've been saying the 13" MacBook will be coming out every Tuesday since freaking Feb.

Someone tell them to shut up and tell us when it happens.
All they are doing is trying to get people to go to their sucky sites once a week to click the google ads.

[Akshat @ May 9th 2006 7:12PM]

The Rumour sites have got quite a bit right .. the Ipod Hi-Fi for one was right on the mark.

[idude135 @ May 9th 2006 7:28PM]

Yeah and it was probably due to the it's bulky.

[alec @ May 9th 2006 7:32PM]

I am selling my old ibook g4 so I could get the macbook, so when is it coming out I was really excited

[stever they took our jerbs @ May 9th 2006 7:41PM]

omg, g5-powered bluetooth video ipods due next tuesday!!!!

the following tuesday - 12" g5 powerbooks.

the following tuesday after that - MacNewton v2.0.

the following tuesday after that following tuesday - the MacPhone.

the following tuesday after well, you get the idea - mac mini media center.

also coming out this quarter:
- asteroid
- mightier mouse (that more than 4 people actually like)
- 37" display
- MacProjector to work with frontrow and the mac mini media center
- MacNote tablet

you heard it here first!

[Byrd Chris @ May 9th 2006 9:03PM]

I signed up for the Compusa thing as it's 10 blocks away.
First voicemail in the office today was from an Apple representative letting me know that "tomorrow's event is about the present iBook, not about anything coming out or anything you may have heard about on the internet".

So not only does he have to sell an old machine, but also essentially let everyone who signed up know that a new one is coming, but just not this week.

[Virtuous @ May 9th 2006 10:26PM]

Only a moron would sign up for a CompUSA seminar about an obsolete product.

[anon @ May 9th 2006 11:58PM]

obsolete: adj. - No longer used.

A current product is not obsolete. Neither will it be when the MacBook arrives. That is like saying CDs are obsolete because we have DVDs. Or DVDs are obsolete because we have HD-DVDs and BlueRay. Laser discs, 3.5" and 5.25" floppy disc are an example of obsolete.

The iBooks and Powerbooks that you purchased a couple years ago are still functionally viable and still have bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc. The only difference is that they're not as fast as newer models.

[Steve @ May 10th 2006 2:16AM]

what's the background image on the macbook called?

[dan @ May 10th 2006 4:01AM]

yea that's a pretty sweetass background

[seth @ May 10th 2006 9:05AM]

the background is the sea mist b & w pic....but somehow it's in color....odd.

[Lee Gibson @ May 10th 2006 1:54PM]

How about it? You mean, the fictional launch that the rumor sites made up, which didn't actually exist?

Well, it looks like it didn't happen. Imagine that!

[frosty @ May 10th 2006 2:51PM]

Apple is, however, getting a lot of publicity without doing anything at all. If I were Steve I might just stretch that out a little longer regardless of when the MB/iB is ready.

Aside: I don't think there will be a Core Duo version. Only Core Solo. That way you avoid a lot of thermal issues while drawing a very think line between your "student" and "pro" laptop lines.