MacBooks in Sept?

[dualsyste]

Everyone does realise that the landscape Apple are playing on now is COMPLETELY different right?

Other manufacturers update, then Apple will have to follow suit in some way, OSX isn't worth such a great premium if prices of Apple never fall, while others get cheaper and faster.

With Merom/Conroe, won't Intel phase out Yonah? Whats the point of having two chips that cannibalize each other on price when one is marketed to be hugely superior? It's most likely Apple WILL update all ranges (eventually, there possibly is a inventory they'd get rid of first) with new chips, otherwise, apples to apples, they cannot stay competitive.

 

[BlizzardBomb]

MacBook's will not go merom for a while probably not until next summer, Think about it why should Apple bother updating a very fast computer as it will run leopard fine as well as windows if need be, the Macbook is already more than fast enough for the average consumer. As well as this when the MBP's get updated to merom later this year at least they will have something substantial to differentiate them from the consumer notebook.

Personally I would be very surprised if Apple update the MacBook before next spring/summer,

Go ahead and buy your safe,

ShadoW

Next summer? Intel will have 45nm processors bumping around by then and no-one will care about Yonah. Remember, with Boot Camp, Apple is competing with some PC manufacturers more than ever before. I'm expecting the MacBooks to get Merom at Paris (give or take a month) and remain at 1.83 GHz and 2 GHz with the MacBook Pro taking Merom at 2.16 GHz and 2.33 GHz. I'm also hoping the MacBook Pros get a Mobility X1800 too, as X1600 is definitely not a Pro graphics card. That should differentiate it enough.

 

[emotion]

Everyone does realise that the landscape Apple are playing on now is COMPLETELY different right?

Other manufacturers update, then Apple will have to follow suit in some way, OSX isn't worth such a great premium if prices of Apple never fall, while others get cheaper and faster.

With Merom/Conroe, won't Intel phase out Yonah? Whats the point of having two chips that cannibalize each other on price when one is marketed to be hugely superior? It's most likely Apple WILL update all ranges (eventually, there possibly is a inventory they'd get rid of first) with new chips, otherwise, apples to apples, they cannot stay competitive.

Pretty much what I was saying above. Apple users need to get out of the Moto/IBM mindset. They are not going to be using expensive Yonah chips when Merom are available cheaper in quantities.

 

[dualsyste]

Exactly. Strategy changed dramatically once they had the Intel alliance.

Right now they're just another fish in the water, mind you they're like a really big fish, with pretty scales.

 

[AlBDamned]

I'm expecting the MacBooks to get Merom at Paris (give or take a month) and remain at 1.83 GHz and 2 GHz with the MacBook Pro taking Merom at 2.16 GHz and 2.33 GHz. I'm also hoping the MacBook Pros get a Mobility X1800 too, as X1600 is definitely not a Pro graphics card. That should differentiate it enough.

Disagree. Whatever we think about the difference between Yonah and Merom, the avergae consumer will simply see a faster chip, but only by about 200MHz. The most likely way for an update of this kind is simply a silent update on the store.

As said, Paris was dissed big time last year by Apple. On that form I'd bet against anything like speed-bumped MBPs/MBs at that show.

 

[emotion]

Disagree. Whatever we think about the difference between Yonah and Merom, the avergae consumer will simply see a faster chip, but only by about 200MHz. The most likely way for an update of this kind is simply a silent update on the store.

Yeah I'd expect that approach too. The case redesign or the MBP will likely come next year hen Intel releases the Santa Rosa chipset.

We'll get the 13 inch MBP then too

 

[BlizzardBomb]

Disagree. Whatever we think about the difference between Yonah and Merom, the avergae consumer will simply see a faster chip, but only by about 200MHz. The most likely way for an update of this kind is simply a silent update on the store.

As said, Paris was dissed big time last year by Apple. On that form I'd bet against anything like speed-bumped MBPs/MBs at that show.

Look at the MacBook family now. They are at the same clock speeds yet that hasn't stopped the MacBook Pro being incredibly successful.

 

[AlBDamned]

Look at the MacBook family now. They are at the same clock speeds yet that hasn't stopped the MacBook Pro being incredibly successful.

I'm not sure I understand the point you're trying to make?

 

[dualsyste]

I think he's pointing out that at the moment the lack of proper differentiation (sans size) still lets the product lines enjoy healthy sales.

Personally I think Merom will come in soon, but it won't have some huge event. Intels run their marketing all over for it, all Apple have to do is speak the word (i.e. one of those sub-boxes on apple.com) and people will understand.

Hopefully Macbook will get 2Ghz processors at MOST and the higher end ones be left for the Pros.

 

[vacationgirl]

I do not know much about macs, except I love my Intel iMac. I have always been a Sony VAIO girl, I bought their first laptop back in 99' and was hooked ever since. Well that was until I went into my first Apple Store.

Back to the issue. I need a new laptop and want it to be a mb/mbp. I am not a computer guru, just maybe to the old folks. But I watched the Keynote speech and Schillier (whatever his name is) he said that they were able to offer more HD bays and O/I because the new chips ran cooler and they did not need the larger cooling system. Well if I remember correctly did or doesn't mb/mbp have an over heating problem. Why would they not change ASAP? I know some of you said clock speed blah blah blah. It would just be a smarter business move especially since they want more market share and 50% of new macs sold are to us non-mac people.

 

[AlBDamned]

I think he's pointing out that at the moment the lack of proper differentiation (sans size) still lets the product lines enjoy healthy sales.

Sure, I just don't know why he quoted me that's all.

But on that point, when you look at competitor machines, a lot of them are still offering 1.7GHz celerons, pentiums, lower-end Yonahs etc, although they're priced accordingly. For the market they're in, processor-wise, the MacBooks aren't really in need of an update. Apple came in high with the 1.83 and 2.0GHz machines.

The MBPs on the other hand, do need to keep in check with the other top end offerings. Apple notebooks have never been directly processor/comparable with the competition. Now this is the case, Apple has no choice but to offer the best they can or it's bad business - plain and simple.

However, we are encouraged on this by the fact that Apple updated the 15" MBP as soon as possible.

Saying that... they could have updated the current top end to the top end 2.33 Yonah chip, but they probably haven't because they're going to make the jump to Merom as soon as it's feasible and there would be little point in a confusing interim model.

Personally I think Merom will come in soon, but it won't have some huge event.

Agreed.

 

[BlizzardBomb]

Sure, I just don't know why he quoted me that's all.

Woops. Thought you were talking about how its not differentiated enough, but I get your point now I don't know if it will happen at Paris, that's why I said give or take a month.

 

[manic]

I watched the Keynote speech and Schillier (whatever his name is) he said that they were able to offer more HD bays and O/I because the new chips ran cooler and they did not need the larger cooling system. Well if I remember correctly did or doesn't mb/mbp have an over heating problem. Why would they not change ASAP?

He was pointing out that the new Xeons run cooler that the G5s it replaces which where much much hotter than anything out there. Meroms will be marginally cooler that Yonahs (albeit a bit faster). Not enough to make them cool by itself

 

[manic]

Everyone does realise that the landscape Apple are playing on now is COMPLETELY different right?

Other manufacturers update, then Apple will have to follow suit in some way, OSX isn't worth such a great premium if prices of Apple never fall, while others get cheaper and faster.

Im 100% there with you, man! If im seeing meroms in every bargain hp/ dell notebook and apple only fits them to mbps ill be really put off! Its like if they think my money is worth less because im, in theory, a consumer consumer, and therefore i dont deserve merom.

Im a to be switcher. all im asking is the merom mb. if i dont get it, i might not switch at all. and, mock me if you will, im sure there are tens of thousands out there who think like me.

apple just made a big deal their future is 64 bit. why would i settle for a 32 bit machine which will leave me out of the party? the market is moving forward and apple has to beware of its new ecosystem

 

[xfiftyfour]

When black price = white then I'll jump.

does anyone else think this will actually happen?

perhaps with Rev B, but I tend to doubt it.. only because of Apple's history of setting price points and not wavering from them. I'm not sure I understand the rationale of the higher price for black (other than greed, or perhaps the pyschological reasoning that making something more expensive makes it more desireable, if they thought there was a chance a black MB wouldn't take, which I doubt considering the success of black iPods), but I can't see them changing this as long as the black is selling.

 

[mini.boss]

A reason I'm waiting is that when the Merom goes to the MBP then there will be a more distinct difference between that and the MB. So maybe they wont be so insecure about giving us low-end macbook owners a dedicated video card rather than the integrated garbage that we PC users keep getting crammed down our throats.

Also, I'm hoping that a version 1.5 of the macbook would address the heat issues and make a DVD burner standard on ALL models.

 

[jne381]

Everyone does realise that the landscape Apple are playing on now is COMPLETELY different right?

Other manufacturers update, then Apple will have to follow suit in some way, OSX isn't worth such a great premium if prices of Apple never fall, while others get cheaper and faster.

I totally disagree with this notion. Apple is known for having better hardware in general for their stuff, but the reason people use Macs, is because of the OS. Can anyone really say they wouldn't use a Mac if it had a little slower processor. It's not like I would even be able to tell the difference in basic day to day tasks. If I was a professional, using some high end stuff, maybe the difference would be significant enough to sway my purchase, but then they have the option of going to a pro model.

Anyway, just buy the MB now, I don't think it will be upgraded until a month or two after the MBP, so probably November.

As for me, I am waiting for a 13 in MBP or the MB upgrade, but I don't have a problem waiting a couple of extra months. I am not inhibited by my current system at the moment, so there is no reason to run to Apple with my money.

 

[emotion]

A reason I'm waiting is that when the Merom goes to the MBP then there will be a more distinct difference between that and the MB. So maybe they wont be so insecure about giving us low-end macbook owners a dedicated video card rather than the integrated garbage that we PC users keep getting crammed down our throats.

This is very unlikely to happen. It's likely that Intel like Apple having their graphics in the Macbook and there's no way any ATI(now called AMD) card is going into the Macbook.

Also, I'm hoping that a version 1.5 of the macbook would address the heat issues and make a DVD burner standard on ALL models.

Why? it just raises the price of the base model. It's an option that's good.

 

[maddav]

I'm waiting till after Apple Expo Paris for my Macbook, part of the reason is that I won't have the money till then... but it's only a month to wait anyway

 

[mini.boss]

Why? it just raises the price of the base model. It's an option that's good.

Why couldnt the Macbook have a DVD burner as standard? Its just a plain old DVD+RW and these things have been pretty standard with most pc laptops that are half the cost. So why not on the mac? You cant tell me that the superdrive really is "super" and can justify the extra $150 they charge for such an ordinary part.

 

[DJMastaWes]

Does anyone think we will see a Merom MacBook Pro BEFORE Paris?

Becuase, I don't really think they need a spot in the keynote to say "Now at 2.33Ghz, runs cooler and has a little bit of a longer battery..."

Also, if they annouce it BEFORE Paris, they will have it before other companies.

And lastly, they will see quiet a large jump in MacBook Pro sales if they move to Merom soon, because a LOT of people are waiting for Merom, so I'm sure there MBP sales are quiet low right now.

Anyone else agree?

As for the MB, I don't think it will move to Merom for a while.

 

[generik]

I totally disagree with this notion. Apple is know for having better hardware in general for their stuff, but the reason people use Macs, is because of the OS. Can anyone really say they wouldn't use a Mac if it had a little slower processor. It's not like I would even be able to tell the difference in basic day to day tasks. If I was a professional, using some high end stuff, maybe the difference would be significant enough to sway my purchase, but then they have the option of going to a pro model.

Your apologistic arguments fall flat right here. Apple is in no position to tell us what we are supposed and not supposed to perceive. WHAT IF we can feel a difference? That's how the free market works.

 

[jne381]

Your apologistic arguments fall flat right here. Apple is in no position to tell us what we are supposed and not supposed to perceive. WHAT IF we can feel a difference? That's how the free market works.

My intention is not to apologize for Apple's failure to upgrade processors in consumer level notebooks. I am only trying to point out that the OS is the main selling point of Apple computers, and that the processor speed, as long as it is somewhat comparable to most other machines, is a peripheral issue to MOST buyers of consumer electronics. The point is, Apple has us by the balls unless we feel that going to an alternate OS is an option worth pursuing.

Of course I am not, and Apple is certainly not, in any position to tell you what you perceive. I can only base my comments on my own experience, and what I assume are the common tasks of consumer level notebooks buyers (internet, Office, iLife, mail). Since I don't do professional music recording anymore, my old Quicksilver can still accomplish these types of tasks so adequately, that even I can't justify buying a new desktop, and I love to buy the latest stuff.

That being said, I don't believe that Apple has the pressure to to keep the latest processor in consumer level notebooks that other Windows PC makers have. Apple has the ability to take into account other issues in their cost benefit analysis, because they will not lose as much market-share for lagging on processor upgrades.