AppleInsider: MEROM MACBOOK PRO'S AROUND SEPTEMBER 5th

[Bengt77]

I think the iMac will get the x1800 when it goes Core 2 Duo next month.

That's about all I have to add for now. That would totally make my day. My money is patiently awaiting the arrival of the new Core 2 Duo iMacs. Well, it's getting somewhat less patient every day...

 

[jholzner]

Look at Apple's Back-to-School Program and you will know when the iPod will become End-Of-Life: Last year, iPod mini was offer as free (4GB model) when a student/educator bought a Mac. Within a week after the program end day, it gone and iPod nano was introduced.

Looking at this year program and you can professionally predict what would happen.

Actually, the Nano was introduced two weeks BEFORE the promo ended. However, even after the intro of the Nano, the promo was only good for the mini.

 

[Thanatoast]

It's foolish to worry about cannibalizing sales of macs when it means missing the opportunity to get more switchers from PC. Using that logic, should Apple discontinue the mini and macbook? After all, don't they cut into sales of the MPB and Mac Pro?

Ya'll forgot the second part of my post. If Apple runs the numbers and thinks they can make more money selling a tower, they will. If not, they won't.

 

[vega07]

the wait is killing me...literally.

 

[arsonata]

I think they will stay Aluminum but they will adopt the keyboard style of the MacBook and the Mag case close latch. Also new GPU's and perhaps a new feature we don't know about.

Reason is they rushed the MacBook Pro to market in Jan just to get the Intel transition started.

The REAL next gen MacBook Pro is coming.

Yeahhhhhhhhhh. The MacBook Pro was obviously rushed. The heat issue is clue number one. And with the consumer MacBook having the new-and-improved keyboard and latch, things are all backwards and it will have to change. But it will probably have the same basic outer design.

As for the innards, I hope they shuffle things around on the inside so it doesn't get so hot. Cuz that thing is scorching.

 

[gadgetgirl85]

Yeahhhhhhhhhh. The MacBook Pro was obviously rushed. The heat issue is clue number one. And with the consumer MacBook having the new-and-improved keyboard and latch, things are all backwards and it will have to change. But it will probably have the same basic outer design.

As for the innards, I hope they shuffle things around on the inside so it doesn't get so hot. Cuz that thing is scorching.

Whats wrong with the current keyboard? I'd hate if they changed it.

 

[DeVizardofOZ]

A bit on Processor history...

CPU-History Content Sockel means socket
History
X86 1978 - 1989 4004, 8086, 8088, 286, 386
Sockel 1,2,3 1989 - 1993 486
Sockel 4,5 1993 - 1997 586, K5, Pentium
AMD
Sockel 7 1998 - 2000 686, K6, K6-II, K6-III
Slot A 1999 - 2000 Athlon, Duron
Sockel A 2000 - 2004 Athlon, Athlon XP, Duron
Sockel 940 2003 - 2004 Athlon 64 FX
Sockel 754 2003 - 2006 Athlon 64, Sempron, Sempron 64
Sockel 939 2004 - 2006 Athlon 64, Athlon FX, Sempron
Sockel AM2 2006 - heute Athlon 64, Athlon 64 FX, Sempron64
Intel
Sockel 7 1994 - 1997 Pentium, Pentium MMX
Slot 1 1997 - 2000 Pentium II, Pentium III, Celeron
Sockel 370 1998 - 2001 Pentium III, Tualatin, Celeron
Sockel 423 2000 - 2001 Pentium 4
Sockel 478 2001 - 2004 Pentium 4, Pentium 4 Extreme, Celeron
Sockel 775 2004 - heute Pentium 4, Pentium 4 Extreme, Celeron D, Core 2

 

[rsanuri]

OI!!!
My idea dammit! Intellectual property rights! I'll sue your donkey half way across the known universe! (Just use that one again cos its a good one)

I may settle for you buying me one maxed out. Maybe.

And its the iMac ULTRA. Spelt not E-X-T-R-E-M-E but U-L-T-R-A.
The name's shorter, suggests a faster computer, less clichê, and has more impact value.

Grrr...

It's MY precious.

Would be more interesting if this 23" iMac will be call iMac Pro...
that would be awesome....

Rsanuri

 

[ariechel]

Which isn't an issue as long as the new box has similar profit margins. Sure, some buyers would buy a minitower instead of one of the other models. But you'd also increase mac sales overall by attracting buyers who haven't bought a mac *at all* because there isn't a model that fits their needs. Better selection of models is also attractive to mac buyers on the fence about buying a second machine. (I notice that you don't mention that it would probably also cut into sales of the cheaper minis as well!)

It's foolish to worry about cannibalizing sales of macs when it means missing the opportunity to get more switchers from PC. Using that logic, should Apple discontinue the mini and macbook? After all, don't they cut into sales of the MPB and Mac Pro?

Maintaining an additional product line (the minitower) is expensive from a number of perspectives: it will require separate research and development, separate support, separate logistics (e.g., warehousing of parts unique to the product line), and separate marketing. The trick is balancing the costs and benefits of market segmentation. As Thanatoast noted, "Apple has done the numbers and found they can make more money doing what they're doing now."

 

[Am3822]

A newbie question

Will the introduction of the merom CPUs start a whole new 'Rev. A.' cycle?

 

[btgordon]

Will the introduction of the merom CPUs start a whole new 'Rev. A.' cycle?

Maybe, maybe not. While any hardware change can introduce problems, this change will not be nearly as radical, I don't think. The previous rev. a problems were from going for a PPC architecture to an intel one. This change is just going to be from intel to intel, with the same socket no less. While there is always the chance they will introduce other hardware changes, I would expect this next "rev A" to be less trouble prone.

 

[milo]

Ya'll forgot the second part of my post. If Apple runs the numbers and thinks they can make more money selling a tower, they will. If not, they won't.

I didn't forget it, I just don't agree with it. I think when apple runs the numbers, they will see that a tower will make them more money overall. And don't forget, "running the numbers" is really just speculation. There's no way to know for sure without actually releasing the machine.

Maintaining an additional product line (the minitower) is expensive from a number of perspectives: it will require separate research and development, separate support, separate logistics (e.g., warehousing of parts unique to the product line), and separate marketing. The trick is balancing the costs and benefits of market segmentation.

A valid point, but a minitower has the potential to be the cheapest Mac yet to design and manufacture. Apple could use stock intel mobo designs with very little modification, and basic cases. It wouldn't have the miniaturization issues of a laptop or mini and wouldn't need to be as optimized as the Pro. There will obviously be costs involved with releasing *any* product, but they'd be covered easily with the increased sales.

 

[Diatribe]

I think a lot of people would be getting second Macs if they did that.

If they'd offer a core duo, say 1.66, as the lowest config for $499 they'd have themselves a customer that second. Would be perfect for a future-proof media center and a second Mac.

 

[zync]

Whats wrong with the current keyboard? I'd hate if they changed it.

Definitely! I love my PowerBook keyboard. They should tout it as a feature. It is the smoothest keyboard I've ever typed on (and I have typed on a MacBook).

 

[3CCD]

If they put merom in MB I'll be disappointed. I mean right now when I look at the MB and the MBP I don't see any justification to by a MBP except for the fact that the MBP is goregous with the aluminum enclosure.

 

[gadgetgirl85]

If they put merom in MB I'll be disappointed. I mean right now when I look at the MB and the MBP I don't see any justification to by a MBP except for the fact that the MBP is goregous with the aluminum enclosure.

And the bigger screen. Trust me I nearly went the black MB because I dont really need a MBP with what I do but the MBP is absolutely georgeous and I would have regret if I didnt go with the MBP

 

[damienvfx]

I'll buy your Yonah macbook pro's!

You are all crazy.

I was one of you too. I have been waiting for about a month to buy the new merom macbook but it's driven me insane! I just checked out what you are all selling on ebay and you must be nuts to be dropping your machines at the rates you all are.

Well, I'll happily bid on your cheap macbook pro and someday I'll bid on your merom too.

 

[skeep5]

You are all crazy.

I was one of you too. I have been waiting for about a month to buy the new merom macbook but it's driven me insane! I just checked out what you are all selling on ebay and you must be nuts to be dropping your machines at the rates you all are.

Well, I'll happily bid on your cheap macbook pro and someday I'll bid on your merom too.

I've got a 2005 1.67 G4 Powerbook 17"... if you're interested. Me likey Merom...mmmmmmmmm merrrrooommmmm (drool)

--B

 

[Gundampilotspaz]

Damn it, I was looking forward to ording a Macbook in a few days. Now I have to wait till September!

 

[gadgetgirl85]

You are all crazy.

I was one of you too. I have been waiting for about a month to buy the new merom macbook but it's driven me insane! I just checked out what you are all selling on ebay and you must be nuts to be dropping your machines at the rates you all are.

Well, I'll happily bid on your cheap macbook pro and someday I'll bid on your merom too.

I'm not waiting for merom I already have my MBP on order

 

[KingYaba]

I'm not waiting for merom I already have my MBP on order

I wish I could do that. But I need to save a little more money so I figure just wait.

 

[gadgetgirl85]

I wish I could do that. But I need to save a little more money so I figure just wait.

All this talk about merom is making me want to cancel my order and wait!

 

[MartyMoe]

Sweet. I can wait till September 5th. It would be a nice birthday present to myself.

you, sir, were born on the same day of the year as me

Me too-- do you think we can get a volume discount??

 

[Am3822]

If they put merom in MB I'll be disappointed. I mean right now when I look at the MB and the MBP I don't see any justification to by a MBP except for the fact that the MBP is goregous with the aluminum enclosure.

Another difference is that MB has an integrated graphics adaptor, whereas the MBP uses a dedicated card. I am told that this difference becomes very noticeable in applications requiring 3D acceleration.

 

[DeVizardofOZ]

Waiting, waiting for...

the ultimate 17" MBP

Two, maybe four, reasons for me to wait until 2007.
1. Merom 64Bit processing power (it is just the better chip for the same price...
2. 800MHz frontside bus...
3. maybe a 1920x1??? screen... just more real-estate....
4. and finally the possibilty to install 4 Gig of fast RAM...

If, and when, at least 1. and 2. becomes reality, that is my machina
Actually I am happy to wait, because maybe, just maybe the new revs are going to have
no mooing, whining, heat, and else, -issues...

Hope they (APPLE) get their act together and sort ALL problems out.

CIAO