Rumor rehash: Apple MacBook ultraportable coming soon

As much as we'd like to see Apple try its hand at the subnotebook game once more (and don't y'all haters deny that at the time the 12-inch PowerBook was a subby), we are getting a little bored that the rumor, much like the iPhone before it, refuses to give way. AppleInsider is re-reporting by way of supposed insiders that Stevie's engineers are hard at work on a new MacBook with the fresh set of specs we've heard many a time to date: no integrated optical drive, solid state disk (resulting in increased battery life and system performance), sleek, slender body, widescreen display, and now a mid-year launch, presumably aligned with WWDC. We've heard this song and dance before (and we'll surely hear it again), so keep your wallet-carrying trousers on.

[Conlan @ Feb 16th 2007 3:12AM]

Yeah. This reminds me of those "Apple cell phone" rumors that just wouldn't die. What a crock!

[Conlan @ Feb 16th 2007 3:14AM]

Oh, wait. Never mind.

[ashmist @ Feb 16th 2007 3:15AM]

make this a tablet and I'm sold

[me duh @ Feb 16th 2007 3:26AM]

What i don't get is the appeal of these things.
Though i felt the same about an apple phone, mostly because i figured that would be limited by the industry, and it was to some extent.
But i've always found the sub notebook thing to be silly. What would you use it for that wouldn't require occasional insertion of a disc? etc. It really seems to me to be another one of those middle products. while 'ultra portables' get more powerful the 'desktop replacement' gets less useful? I just don't get it.

[Pete @ Feb 16th 2007 4:09AM]

"But i've always found the sub notebook thing to be silly. What would you use it for that wouldn't require occasional insertion of a disc?"

I can't remember the last time I inserted a disc that wasn't an attempt at a backup (and so can be done remotely, on a desktop or with a wireless burner) or an OS reinstallation (very rarely done on my mac). Everything else is internet or USB-flash based these days.

Besides, a really small and light laptop that could be plugged into a hub (to turn it into a low-mid desktop) would be incredibly useful to me. I just wish we could get additional features -- like having a real graphics card in the hub, for example (and just integrated in the laptop)...

[Daniel Cheung @ Feb 16th 2007 3:54AM]

@ me duh:

Obviously you have never been a recent college/university student.

Laptops are so abundant on campuses that a subnotebook like this would benefit many.

[Joe Henson @ Feb 16th 2007 4:14AM]

Yeah but with DVD drives surely

[Dan @ Feb 16th 2007 4:12AM]

At first I was kinda taken back by no optical disk, but then I realized, I rarely use the disc drive on my current laptop. I love my laptop for the portability and I basically just use it for documents, the internet, and the occasional emulation. I like this idea.

[Jeroen @ Feb 16th 2007 4:35AM]

I just want a Mac Book with a proper graphics chip! A Mac Book Pro with a 13" screen will do just as well...

[psouper @ Feb 16th 2007 5:49AM]

What I don't get is the widescreen thing. Yes a big 20 something inch screen is great for putting up two documents side by side or having multiple apps open etc. But when you get these really small letterbox sized screens they are not really any use for anything except watching DVD's and if you don't have an optical drive......

[Tom @ Feb 16th 2007 5:57AM]

No optical drive = teh stupid. I use the dvd player on my Macbook all the time. Friends I have who had ultraportables w/o optical drives all wound up getting laptops with them the next time they needed a computer. DVD movies, new software, the ability to burn a cd from time to time, there's a lot of uses for it.

DVD's would be a dealbreaker for me. Nothing's finer than watching a movie on NJ Transit every day.

[William Morrow @ Feb 16th 2007 12:03PM]

Tom, just download your movie from iTunes and watch it on your commute. If you don't prefer any of their movies, use one of the many software bundles to convert your own collection of DVD's into iTunes compatable movies, store them at home, and just sync a new one up when you are ready to. People used to talk about how crazy it was to lose the 1.44 drives, but I said "Good Riddance". Soon, we will all say "good riddance" to portable optical drives. (I love you Flash Mem.)

[Jacob Magnusson @ Feb 16th 2007 7:02AM]

Around 2 pounds and a mini-DVI (or some other digital display port) and I'll take it right away.

[Jacob Magnusson @ Feb 16th 2007 7:03AM]

@Tom

Lol you can rip your dvds to the harddrive.

A missing optical drive has never been a problem for me (proud owner of two Dell ultraportables).

[brian @ Feb 16th 2007 7:59AM]

@Jacob

How do you rip your DVDs to the hard drive without a DVD drive?

[rj @ Feb 16th 2007 8:16AM]

ever heard of an external dvd drive?

[Carolyn @ Feb 16th 2007 8:26AM]

If you're going to go that bare-bones with it, you might as well save yourself a lot of dough and just pop $200 for an Alphasmart.


Carolyn

[Josh @ Feb 16th 2007 8:25AM]

just because the drive isn't built in doesn't mean you can't just hook an external one up. i'd be interested in seeing what type of external drive accessories launches with this rumored portable.

[tim. @ Feb 16th 2007 11:01AM]

er... you don't see any sort of middle-ground between Mac OS X and what amounts to a digital typewriter? huh? i don't see how a computer qualifies as "bare bones" for having onboard graphics and no optical drive---it still runs the hundreds of programs written for a major operating system (which PalmOS was not), connects to the internet, and plays music. i have a Mac laptop now, and honestly couldn't tell you the last time i used a CD or DVD in it, or ran an application that needed more graphics performance than the computer could give it. i can CERTAINLY, however, tell you the last time i had a backache from carrying my heavy 13" computer all day.

[Hamish @ Feb 16th 2007 8:53AM]

I played with the Vaio UX yesterday, and if Apple could up the design ante on that, and obviously throw a full install of Leopard on it, I would buy it in a heartbeat.

[Christopher M. @ Feb 16th 2007 9:05AM]

Less than 12" is a subnotebook. 12" is not a subnotebook or sub-anything other than sub-14" sub-15" whatever.

You guys just can't write an article without using buzz terminology. You probably can't hold a conversation without it either.

[Kory @ Feb 16th 2007 9:27AM]

This reminds me of my PowerBook Duo 270c! I could dock it and make it expandable that way. Man! That computer was a real POS.

[Mr. B @ Feb 16th 2007 9:40AM]

This would be so awesome. I'm currently the proud owner of a Sony Vaio SRX77, a 10 inch subnotebook. It also lacks an optical drive, although I have an external powered firefire drive (lovely accessory). For me, having no dvd drive is almost never an issue.

[Lisa H @ Feb 16th 2007 10:15AM]

Seems to me that not having a DVD drive/player in it would be a good push for iTunes videos. So, yeah, that makes sense to me...

[Jeff @ Feb 16th 2007 10:16AM]

The 12" Powerbook wasn't a subnotebook.

There, that wasn't very hard. You guys aren't the sharpest rocks in the box are you?

[Xenoterranos @ Feb 16th 2007 1:32PM]

I must be a friggin athlete then. Lugging around my calculus book (stewart 5e, you know...Godzilla?) discrete math book, linux bible, 15.4" compaq + accessories for ~ 8 hours a day I get a backache if I have to park far away (ever been to Texas? Far away = next zipcode).

While I would love to have an unter-small notebook, there's not that much a difference between 2 and 4 pounds. even my MASSIVE notebook only weighs 6. that's like what, half a baby?

[jordan @ Feb 16th 2007 11:51AM]

Even if the screen is of the 12" variety, I might still consider this a sub-notebook just because of what it offers: widescreen, so the screen won't be that tall; no optical drive, for a thin notebook; solid-state disk; i think you're going to get a nice boost in battery life with a device that doesn't require the need to be spun at 4200-7000rpm to retrieve data.

IF it uses SSD, i wonder what size they'll offer it in, as i've only seen one mainstream ssd hd, and it's only 32gb. maybe they'll throw 2 in there and raid0 them? :)

[Zach @ Feb 16th 2007 12:14PM]

Sub-notebooks - 10inches or smaller (Sony Vaio c1)

Anyway, I'd be interested in it, but it would definitely have to have an integrated drive. I have no problem ripping my DVD's onto my computer (I always have episodes of Scrubs and Prison Break on my iPod so I can watch 'em at work), but if I'm going on a trip or something, it sucks lugging around an optical drive. Not to mention, movies take up too much space!

But if it turned out to be a tablet, then that would definitely be the deal-maker for me :)

[macbook pro 12" @ Feb 16th 2007 12:38PM]

Well, make it a 12" macbook pro with ati 1600 graphics card, not a crappy macbook with integrated graphics. If you do that, then I'll buy it but if you put a crappy graphics card in it...i.e., anything less than a 1600 mobility then expect the same sales as the crappy 13.3".

[aural @ Feb 16th 2007 2:40PM]

having no optical drive is a deal breaker. The whole "use an external optical drive" argument is retarded. The thing that is appealing about these type of units is that they are PORTABLE. and who wants to take an external drive with them. that totally negates the portibility.

then again a lot of you people probably never actually go anywhere and only buy products like this so you can brag about it over the internet to people you have never met.

I'd rather it be a few cm bigger and have the usability of an optical drive.

[Stranger @ Feb 16th 2007 3:01PM]

A few comments:

1: The common definition of ultraportable has nothing to do with screen-size but with weight. Most professional reviewers seems to agree that a ultraportable weights less than 3 lbs, or 1.36 kg. Next step is "thin and light" at less than 5/6 lbs or 2.3/2.7 kg. Beyond this it's called desktop replacement. I know that some will disagree, but these definitions is those most commonly used by professional reviews.

2: It's helluva lot of difference between carrying a notebook weighting 3 lbs and 6 lbs. Not only in weight, but a ultraportable carry a smaller screen and often use light and strong but expensive materials (titanium, carbon fiber etc) to create a very rigid structure compared to less expensive but also weaker materials like plastic. All in all the feeling in handling a ultraportable is very different to handling a normal laptop.

3: Solid state-disks are still bloody expensive, and while Apple like other manufacturers already do may offer a SSD option don't expect it to be the only option.

4: Some have commented on the widescreen display. While it's true that widescreen displays have both advantages and disadvantages the majority of all R&D today is put on the WS formfactor.

5: It's very likely that this rumour is true, not because of wishful thinking but because Apple as opposed to the pre-Intel days have every component (ULV processors, LV-chipset, integrated graphics etc) required already readily available on the market.

6: Engadget, the 12" Powerbook was not a subnotebook, it weighted almost as much as my 14" Thinkpad, clearly putting it in the thin-and-light category.

[Stranger @ Feb 16th 2007 3:37PM]

Aural, have a look at this page. It's a simple survey about how often (mac-) users use the optical drive. it's in Swedish but should be fairly easy to understand. The question is "how often do you use the optical drive on your laptop?". The alternatives are daily, 1-2 times a week, 1-3 times a month and less often. One third of the users use the optical drive less than once a month. The question then is of course if it's motivated to use a integrated drive if it's going to be used less then once a month. This is space and weight which could both be saved but also used for a larger battery, a better graphics card, a wireless modem or other parts which would be more useful more often than a rarely used optical drive.

http://www.99.se/ibook-macbook/98394-hur-ofta-anvaender-ni-optiska-enheten.html

[dtwright @ Feb 16th 2007 4:08PM]

I have to disagree with the article -- the 12" PB was NEVER a subnotebook. Not even at the time. WAY TOO BIG AND HEAVY. I owned then (and still own) a Sharp MM20, which is 2 pounds, 10" screen, and is an actual subnotebook.

[Jeff @ Feb 16th 2007 8:30PM]

"and don't y'all haters deny that at the time the 12-inch PowerBook was a subby"

funny thing is that 12' - 13" was pretty standard (for nice laptops) until Apple pushed the 15"

[tim. @ Feb 17th 2007 1:47AM]

Those of you complaining about the lack of a DVD drive are missing the point... if you're looking to watch movies on your laptop, you're not in the consumer group that this product is aimed at. Who really wants to watch movies on a 10-12" screen, when you can (probably) pay less to get a larger-screen notebook with better specs for graphics, etc.?

A sub-notebook Mac is aimed at people who want to take their *work* (and internet access) with them, and who deal with their media on a home desktop or media center. This is part of Apple's recent strategy, to diversify computer usage into separate, connected areas---look at Apple TV, which provides a way to pipe your media from a computer to television.

Personally, I have no need for a laptop that does intensive media stuff. I have a perfectly good widescreen iMac and a homebrew PC tower for that---and I think a lot of people still own desktops, too. What I *need* is a Mac that I can take with me anywhere in a small, *LIGHT* bag (I also have back problems, which I think is another concern I share with lots of people...). The current model MacBooks are all large, and (just) heavy enough that they're inconvenient to carry around for 8 to 10 hours a day, which is about how long I'm on the go.

Once again, consider the market this would be aimed at. I think with this style of notebook, Apple could poach a lot of the "mobile PC" audience---which is a route I've considered many times now, especially since my last laptop (a 12" iBook) was stolen). The main reason I hesitate is the size of the keyboard -- an issue that a 10-12" MacBook would certainly correct -- and the fact that Windows Mobile is still, well, *Windows*.

All told, this rumor makes me very, very happy.

[warrenpeace? @ Feb 17th 2007 3:55AM]

I'd love a tiny MacBook. I thought the iPhone would fill that need, but I think the cost and contract I'll have to agree to will kill my excitement for it. I want OSX on the go, without having to have a large backpack and weight. Make it a 8" widescreen with Firewire (so I can transfer from my iMac with Firewire Target Disk Mode) and I'm the happiest Mac user in the world.

[Bill @ Mar 8th 2007 11:32AM]

I've gone back to the 12" Powerbook after buying a MacBook.

The MacBook still feels too big (and I can't stand the freakish keyboard/trackpad), but I liked the thinness (compared to the 12" Powerbook)

The 12" widescreen Dell I have "feels" the same as the 12" Powerbook (only about 1.5cm wider), so I'm hoping for a 12" or smaller MacBook Pro, with or without optical drive, this summer.

It will not use SSD, but probably one of those new hybrid drives (w/ 512MB flash memory cache)

Hope it is as easy to replace the hard drive on the MacBook Mini as with the MacBook.

4.5 lb. sure feels lighter than 6 lbs. for those of us who travel extensively (not just walking from the car to the classroom/office)

3 lb. would be nice, but I'm afraid a 10" screen might be too small (I'd have to go to the Apple store to see in person)

[Gary LaPointe @ Mar 16th 2007 9:37PM]

When on the go I only use the optical for two things:
1) Watching movies (which I could transfer in advance)
2) Backing up photos/movies that I shot while on vacation. I could use an iPod or something for that if I had to. (I'd miss it though).

The Macintosh Duo was the most useful computer ever, IMHO (it wasn't even very fast). It had nothing unless you plugged it in the dock which had a floppy, better video (which would support dual display) and an optional hard drive. Can't remember if it had ethernet or I added a card. Probably no CD at all at that time. I had a doc at work and one and home and it was awesome.

Optional travel adaptors for usb and ethernet but all were too bulky. (But I had a bunch).

People mock the smaller machines, but everyone I know who had one swears by them. When it's that small and light you take it everywhere!

[Gary LaPointe @ Mar 16th 2007 9:39PM]

I'd be sad with the amount of small storage memory instead of the hard drive. But I could live with that too...

[Andreas Cohen @ Mar 26th 2007 9:42AM]

After 10 years of being away, I am considering switching my company and myself back to the Apple platform. After a lengthy analysis, we conclude that there is only one element which is preventing us from doing so, laptop quality & size. The current product line is geared more for cool designers who like large displays and travel consists of hanging out at Starbucks. Consultants on the go need high quality and small size laptops like the X Series 12" Thinkpads. The 13.3" MacBook is too large and the quality (crummy keyboard) isn't that of the Thinkpad and what one would expect of Apple.

[islndboi @ Mar 29th 2007 4:54AM]

Anyone seen Sony's TXN ultraportables? Built in wifi, bt, wwan, AND DVD burner. It also has an 11.1" widescreen that's LED backlit. If Sony can pack all that into a tiny package, I'm pretty sure Apple can.

[islndboi @ Mar 29th 2007 4:56AM]

With Santa Rosa coming out and hybrid-hdd and SSDs going mainstream in the coming months to year, I believe Apple can pull off a pretty good ultraportable.