15.4-inch MacBooks on schedule for May release?

Taiwan-based DigiTimes is back this morning with more 15.4-inch MacBook rumors. According to "industry sources in Taiwan," Apple is prepping for a Q2 release of the bigger, badder cousin to their 13.3-inch MacBook -- aligning nicely with the "May 2007" date we heard back in October. However, it's not the manufacturer of the 13.3-inch MacBook -- Asustech Computer -- that won the contract. Nope, instead Apple selected Quanta Computer who along with Foxconn pump out the MacBook Pro line-up. Now move along kids, it's just a rumor, there's nothing more to see here... until May of course.

[Nick @ Feb 15th 2007 9:00AM]

Why would we want a 15in Macbook? Yes having a larger screen is nice, but i thought the selling point of the macbooks was cuz its nice and small. I love my Macbook but I rather have a 13in Macbookpro.

[Chocolatte @ Feb 15th 2007 1:17PM]

Cuz it's cheaper, duh.

[Rob @ Feb 15th 2007 9:17AM]

I bought the Macbook because of its size, I am a student and with a protective sleeve it fits right inside the bag I normally take to Uni, which doesn't make it look like I'm carying a notebook. It's only just a little bit bigger than the size of a piece of A4 paper which makes it easy to carry around without having to carry it in it's own laptop bag.

[Jonathan Allen @ Feb 15th 2007 9:20AM]

I just can't see Apple doing a 15" macbook. With the increased cost of screen real estate, it would encroach upon the MBP price point and I just don't see Apple Skeletonizing their MBP sales.

[Zadillo @ Feb 15th 2007 9:39AM]

I don't think this would be any different than when Apple introduced the 14" iBook, which you could have said encroached on the 14" PowerBooks of the time. It's just a larger screen size, really, for people who do want a 15.4" screen but don't need the extras of the MBP. Personally I'd choose the 13.3" MacBook (or even better, a 13.3" MBP), but I can see that there would be a market for a larger model. I don't think there are that many people who spend a lot more money on an MBP simply for the larger screen size, so I don't think it would really cannibalize MBP sales much.

[Mark B @ Feb 15th 2007 3:32PM]

nope, no such thing as a 14" powerbook. I'd be impressed if this turned out to be true. I think apple is doing the right thing with the smaller macbook, and the larger mbp. If they upgrade theeeeeee MBP to an LED Screen, or even something like a hybrid drive with leopard, I'd def drop my first-gen mbp.

[KilgoreTrout XL @ Feb 15th 2007 9:48AM]

I'm thinking of picking up a macbook in the near future.

With this news, and with Leopard coming down the pipe in a few months as well, it seems like I'm picking the worst possible time to purchase one.

Any thoughts on that?

[Jonhimslf @ Feb 15th 2007 10:46AM]

I would wait until Leopard is released then buy a computer that will have it pre-loaded. On top of having new models, there's still the question about whether or not iLife will be included in Leopard as well. It's doubtful, but I would definitely wait. Worst case scenario, you get a 13" MB with Leopard... best case, you have your choice of models and might get Leopard and iLife.

[Fredster @ Feb 15th 2007 12:21PM]

Yup, i'm thinking the same as you, should i buy a MacBook now or not...? I actually don't really need it, but it's just so damn good looking!!! I'm quite sure that if i can hold out another couple of months till the Leopard's out, i'll get one, would really piss me off if they'd come out with some nice changes after i bought it.

[gzembow @ Feb 15th 2007 9:56AM]

Is this 15in MacBook likely to come out at about the same time as Apple releases their 15.4" MacBook Pro with LED backlighting? Wouldn't the competition between two 15" MacBooks be counter-productive? I vote for and am waiting for the LED version!

http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/22/apple-reportedly-still-readying-led-backlit-macbook-pro/

[The TruthBearer @ Feb 15th 2007 9:56AM]

Digitimes has a ZERO percent track record when it comes to anything Mac-related!

[Jeff Hume @ Feb 15th 2007 10:25AM]

Yes, but the 14" iBook was ridiculously stupid. I don't know who bought that thing. It had the same resolution as the 12" screen - No more pixels!

[mkaake @ Feb 15th 2007 11:51AM]

I used to think that too, until I realized that the laptops my work provides for me (several over the last 5 years now) have all had the same resolution and screen size as the 14" ibook had. So yeah, it had the same pixel count as it's little brother, but
a) some people want larger pixels, and
b) it's not an unusual combination of screen size and pixels at all.

In fact, the dell piece that they have me using right now is *still* a 14" 1024x768 laptop - and of course, some of the older folk (not too much older, but still) run them at 800x600.

There's a market there, for people who don't want tiny pixels. Or rather, until resolution independence is in full force, there are people who like seeing things large on their screen, even if it comes at the expense of a little bit of clarity.

[ben @ Feb 15th 2007 10:31AM]

Not interested; Apple should be focusing on putting in dedicated graphics! Let's see 64mb/128mb dedicated graphics in these little MacBooks!

[The Jeremy @ Feb 15th 2007 1:01PM]

I want a 12" or 13" MacBook Pro, not a larger screen MacBook. I find it very important to have a real videocard with separate memory as well as an expansion slot, even if there are very few (currently) ExpressCard options for EDGE and EV-DO services here in the States.

[Nick @ Feb 15th 2007 7:34PM]

yeah i hope it happens. Cuz there is a market for Small and Powerful. I would love to have a macbook pro 13in for aperture and final cut pro. And also for lan parties.

[ars_workerbee @ Feb 15th 2007 1:22PM]

digitimes on macrumors is hilarious. here's my favorites:

1/14/05: Almost as an afterthought, the article mentions that Asustek, which has been manufacturing and shipping iBook G4s at the rate of 110,000 to 120,000 per month, is to begin shipping an iBook G5 in the second quarter of 2005.

An accompanying chart shows again that Asustek is to delivery iBook G5s in 2005 Q2 (quantity 100,000 to 125,000 per month across both iBook model lines), and also that Quanta Computer is to deliver PowerBook G5s (quantity 30,000 to 50,000 per month) by the same quarter (2005 Q2).

5/27/05: Digitimes claims that according to manufacturing sources, Toshiba and Samsung Electronics are planning on aggressively ramping up 8Gbit flash chip production in the coming months.

The reason is cited to be Apple's plans to introduce 2GB and 4GB versions of the iPod Shuffle "this June and August".

4/14/03: Apple Computer plans to launch a wireless display for a desktop system, according to sources. The display is said to resemble a Tablet PC in appearance and include a detachable keyboard but not have a battery. Whether it has handwriting recognition or any screen input capability is unclear.

4/18/05: Quanta, already the biggest contract maker for Apple’s PowerBooks, will start to ship 14.1-inch widescreen iBooks as early as the fourth quarter of 2005, the sources said.

For teh lolz.

[Kevin K @ Feb 15th 2007 1:30PM]

Serious!
The integrated graphics they try and push on people, pathetic!

WHO NEEDS ANOTHER 15.4"er!? BOoooooo where's my 12" mbp, I'm waiting before I upgrade from my 12" pb

[rafalski @ Feb 15th 2007 3:16PM]

I have a blackbook now, using it as a desktop machine with external monitor and keyboard 90% of the time, but the small screen is pretty much useless when I take it with me (I work in webdesign). I don't like MacBook Pro keyboard and silver colour bugs me, so that one is not an option. I will gladly welcome a 15.4 blackbook for sure, even if small size factor is going to suffer.

[Matthew @ Feb 15th 2007 3:33PM]

I have to agree, I bought my Macbook for the size and portability. To me the graphics card and screen size are the two major "upgrades" when going to the pro level. I do no see why they would introduce a 15.4 macbook without integrated graphics. They should be focusing on a 13.3" macbook pro. The only cavet I have about my macbook is the fact it has integrated graphics (although latly I have found I do not really need the extra graphics horsepower, but it would be nice to have). The only game I would have probably played on my laptop is WoW (Thank God i got over that addiction).

Cheers

[(01) @ Feb 15th 2007 5:12PM]

It may just be me, but wouldn't a high-end 15.4" Macbook just be a low end MBP? It doesn't really make sense to me for Apple to do this. My 15" MBP is the perfect size for me, but again, it doesn't seem like people who care are going to want to take the hit on performance just to get some more screen real estate; they'd just buy the Pro.

[warrenpeace? @ Feb 15th 2007 5:56PM]

This is a stupid rumor. Why a complete redesign and complicating their line up for a couple more inches of screen?

[Sam @ Feb 15th 2007 5:56PM]

What I really want is a 10" MacBook, I'm keen on portability, not power!

[p-diddy @ Feb 15th 2007 5:58PM]

Gnomes ate my first draft.

Check out http://buyersguide.macrumors.com

It gives you a general idea when the next refresh is for each product (~100 days until the next MaAcBook refresh). I'm dying to get one, but I just can't buy one mid-product cycle and with Leopard around the corner.

My ideal update: processor bump in the low end up to 2.0 GHz and dedicated graphics - even a lowbie dedicated Nvidia chip. Keeps cost down, and addresses the biggest deficiency. I'd really really like a 12" model, either MacBook or MBP. 13.3" is a little big for my liking and 15"+ is right out.

-p-

[unsigned @ Feb 15th 2007 7:35PM]

Give me a 12" or other very small formfactor MBP. The 13.3 is larger than my old 12" and after 9 months of using it, I *STILL* find it annoying.