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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 - AppleInsiderRead - ThinkSecret
No new MacBooks today?
This is why I don't pay any attention to rumors. I know, I know, why do I write about them if I don't cotton to them? Well, the simple fact is that many a Mac fan enjoy the constant rumormongering (and there is nothing wrong with that), so we give the people what they want; unless they want a new MacBook today.That's right, AppleInsider is now reporting that Apple won't be announcing the successor to the iBook today. Fear not, faithful readers, ApppleInsider sites faithful sources that say Apple will be launching the new MacBooks in tandem with a change in the iPod line up.Thanks, Ben.
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]
Black and white MacBooks tomorrow?
ThinkSecret, that paragon of truthiness, is reporting that tomorrow Apple will announce the MacBook (Intel iBooks to you) sporting a slimmer case and a 13.3 inch widescreen. They also mention that it will cost slightly more than the old G4 model.Only time will tell if this rumor is correct, but I find it strange that there was no mention of a builtin iSight and FrontRow.What other features do you hope the new MacBooks have?
MacBook rumor twofer
So at the time of this writing, if you were to visit http://www.apple.com/ipod/, you'd be greeted not with the iPod page, but the page shown above with the conspicuous MacBook hardware breadcrumb -- not MacBook Pro. Eh, these things happen, but compound that with the fact that MacRumors is reporting that stores are supposedly receiving new window displays marked "do not open until Tuesday, May 9th" means we could be perilously close to a new product launch -- care to guess which? We'll keep you posted.[Via MacRumors, thanks Luis]Update: ThinkSecret is now reporting they've also independently confirmed a Tuesday launch date for the MacBook, and that it will be thinner than today's iBook, available in black and white, and cost slightly more than the low end models. Curiouser and curiouser.
Apple initiating a "silent" recall of batteries?
So PCSIntel is reporting that Apple's effecting a "silent" recall and replacement of first and second week MacBook Pro batteries (which start with the serial numbers W8607 and W8608) due to such symptoms as failure, power cutoffs, mis-reporting of remaining power, and unresponsiveness to status polling. You know, the usual for a 1.0 product. We didn't hear either way from Apple PR (yet -- we'll let you know if we do), but a quick call to Apple support -- which according to PCSIntel should have yielded a quick blanket-return of any part with a serial that started as stated above -- yielded no recommendation for return. In fact the support rep we spoke with researched it and told us he had no documentation or instructions to initiate any such blanket return on MBP batteries -- which we're told is why it's a "silent" recall. So that doesn't necessarily mean the batteries from the first and second weeks aren't (often) defective, or that Apple isn't necessarily silently recalling them, but, well, it kind of goes without saying that if your new system is having problems you'll be giving them a call no matter what you read here or anywhere else.[Via The Apple Core]Update: Apple's Director of Product PR called to let us know that there's no such recall of MBP batteries they're aware of -- so take that how you will. We'll take that as "there's no such recall of MBP batteries they're aware of."
Analysts predict 4GB and 8GB iPod nanos with video
Take the following information with the usual grain of salt; when it comes to speculation about Apple's intentions, nothing is ever certain until the esteemed Mr. Jobs is on stage, product in hand, delivering the pitch. This time around, we have word from AppleInsider that American Technology Research analysts are reporting that their most recent "checks" indicate impending capacity doubling for the iPod nano line-- to 4GB and 8GB -- as well as the addition of "basic video capabilities," in models to be released during the "September quarter." If true, none of these developments would be all that shocking, as the current nanos already have sharp little color screens, and storage boosts are just a natural part of any digital audio player's lifecycle. ATR's Shaw Wu also seemingly contradicted earlier AppleInsider info when he cited an anticipated June/July release window for the as-yet-unannounced 13.3-inch Intel-powered Macbook laptop, which AI had previously suggested would be available sometime before June.
Apple said to be planning 17-in MacBook Pro for NAB launch
If you've been hankering for one of Apple's $2,500, 17-inch G4 PowerBooks, you may just want to put your wallet away for a little while. According to AppleInsider, the company is due to roll out a 17-inch version of the Core Duo-powered MacBook Pro at the National Association of Broadcasters conference next week. According to the report, the 17-inch MBP would include a faster processor than the 2.16GHz version currently available in the 15-incher's top configuration. That could put pricing for the model well above $3,000, given the $2,800 price for the 2.16GHz version -- which may explain why Apple's choosing to show it off for TV pros, who may be willing to splurge for a high-end box, especially if they can run an Intel-native version of Apple's Final Cut Studio on it for a mere $1,300 more. Hmm, maybe that G4 isn't such a bad deal after all.[Thanks, Adam]
Poll result: Select a MacBook color
The results are in from our most recent, highly unscientific poll. The question was based on rumors that the forthcoming MacBook would be available in white, black and one other "mystery color." We asked: What color MacBook would you be likely to buy? Here's how you answered: Black: 42% White: 17% Blue: 10% Green: 9% Red: 7% None of the above: 4% Finally, a full 11% of you thought this was our silliest poll ever. I'm sure we'll top it eventually. Black was the clear winner, followed by white and then blue. If the color rumor is true, perhaps Apple will go with more subtle tones this time, as opposed to the candy colors of the original iBooks (though I loved Tangerine). Time will tell.
RUMOR: Macbook may come in colors
What do you do when you've exhausted your idea of brightly-colored computers (hint: "Flower Power" was a sure indication of this)? Go with all white. What happens when you've tired of white? Why, go back to colors, of course. AppleInsider is reporting that the forthcoming Macbooks will be available in white and two other colors (at least initially). Black could certainly be an option, considering the iPod line, but what about color number three? What would you likely buy? Take out poll, and come back tomorrow for the results. [Via Cult of Mac] What color MacBook would you buy? Red Blue Green White Black None of the above This is the silliest poll yet
Novatel EV-DO ExpressCard next month?
We've still yet to hear of any solid 3G ExpressCard device releases as yet (we were kind of hoping CTIA would have yielded at least one or two), but Om seems to have the scoop on a Novatel EV-DO ExpressCard 34 launch for May -- whose most obvious application right now is, of course in Apple MacBook Pros. Granted, we wouldn't be in this predicament if Apple had just followed through with internal integrated 3G like so many other laptop manufacturers, but hey, you've got what we've got, and we'll takes what we can gets. There's no way of knowing, however, when the cards will hit the market with Sprint or Verizon even if Novatel launches their card in May, so stay tuned. [Via TUAW, image via EVDOinfo]
MacBooks said to get Core Duo, iSight
Information (or totally baseless and unfounded rumors, depending on how you look at it) is starting to flow about Apple's upcoming consumer laptops, which we previously learned would sport 13.3-inch displays and would be manufactured for Apple by Taiwan's Asustek. According to AppleInsider, the new MacBooks (and, yes, it looks like that will almost certainly be the name, as Apple continues to consolidate all of its computers under the "Mac" brand) will indeed have that 13.3-inch widescreen display, along with Core Duo processors running at 1.67 GHz or higher. That should be good news to those who speculated that, like the entry-level Mac mini, the MacBooks would be limited to Core Solo chips. Other specs are expected to include a built-in iSight camera, magnetic latch and MagSafe power adapter. AppleInsider also says that the computers are due to be announced sooner than the June timeframe claimed in earlier rumors. One thing we can confirm is that the new laptops won't include Lenovo's patented armor and hoverjets, so be sure to keep them away from Hummers. ("MacBook" design by William W from our WWJD 3 contest.)
Apple has 13.3-inch MacBooks on the way?
It's always hard to judge these leaks from Apple suppliers, but according to AFX news, Taiwan's Asustek Computer has supposedly just won a bid for an initial run of around 1.2 million "iBook" computers with Intel processors and 13.3-inch LCDs. We've been operating under the assumption that Apple will call their new consumer line of laptops MacBook, as opposed to the pro line of MacBook Pro. Maybe we just spend too much time thinking about Apple's naming schemes, and this probably doesn't change anything. We should hopefully know for sure before long, though, since it is claimed that Apple will start selling these new laptops in June. (Image by William W from our WWJD 3 contest.)
30 years in Apple products: the good, the bad, and the ugly
Has it really been 30 years since two buddies named Steve sold off their prized possessions (Woz's HP calculator and Jobs' VW van) to raise money and launch a company? Has it really been 30 years since the two Steves, tired of selling blue boxes, built the Apple I and began selling it for $666.66? Yes, it has, and if you don't believe it, just compare Jobs' hairlines from '76 and today. And while the company has become known for many things, from its groundbreaking GUI to the iTunes Music Store, we know Apple has always been a hardware company at heart. So here's to you, Apple: the good, the bad and, yes, the ugly from the past 30 years. Happy Birthday.
Mac OS X: Cardboard Edition
As Scott said, "We've all been there." The time that passes while you wait for a new Mac to arrive can seem interminable. In fact, you can go a little crazy from waiting. For example, check out this Flickr set by io burn. Not only did he make a MacBook Pro out of cardboard, but also a cardboard web browser, pointed to the FedEx page and displaying tracking information on his en route MacBook. Wow.io burn: Just put the pen down, and step outside. Maybe have a cool iced tea. It's on its way.
MacBook Pro: the ultimate portable HD machine!
I have had my MacBook Pro 2.0 for almost a whole week and let me tell you, it is fast! The only way I have been able to max out both cores is by playing a H.264 and HD DivX files at the same time. (If I try two H.264 files QT crashes) The 2.0 Core Duo has more than enough juice to decode any HD files I can find for my computer. It can decode two HD videos at once and watch them in Expose, but not without dropping a few frames
Macworld's first day with a MacBook Pro
Jason Snell has a MacBook Pro, and it is just like his Powerbook only faster. He lets all us Mac loving, Intel fearing folks know that this Intel MacBook still looks and feels like a Mac, and that's a good thing.I am willing to bet that most casual Mac users won't even know that their iMac or MacBooks have a different processor in them let alone that Intel makes it. As long as they are running OS X (Apple ain't switching to Windows) people will be fine.Check out the article for some early benchmarks.
Playing video on the go
We've all been there. You're jetting off to Paris to see the last fashion line, and whilst you are hurtling over the Atlantic and you decide to pop in 'Dumb and Dumberer' to ease the pain of the transoceanic flight. The movie reaches the dramatic high point, and you run out of juice in your Powerbook.Fear no more, because Digital501 has some tips for you that pertain to watching movies on the go. Mostly, they recommend that you rip the move to your harddrive to save on juice, but they go into a little more detail.
MacBook Pro availability changes to 3-4 weeks
Over the last couple of days I've been hearing some rumors that the MacBook Pro availability might get pushed back to March, but I didn't want to post on it until something legitimate happened - and it has. TUAW reader Oliver noticed that the MacBook Pro's availability from apple.com/store has changed to 3-4 weeks, essentially pushing it back to March.Whether this means no one is getting their MacBook Pro until March is yet to be seen. I have yet to hear of shipment confirmation emails, but it is already a week into February. Here's hoping this is just a sign of surging MacBook Pro orders.
Macbook Pros come with Comic Life
I was under the impression that Comic Life would only be bundled with the new iMac. It makes sense, Comic Life is a fun application and the iMac is a the consumer level desktop. However, I have just learned that Comic Life is also being bundled with the Macbook Pros.I'm sure your presentations could be gussied up greatly with a few Comic Life generated pages.
