The Main Pitch
First off, this media event — to be held on August 7th at Apple headquarters in Cupertino — has nothing to do with the iPod or iPhone. For a change. Instead, it’s a purely Mac event, and seating will be very limited.
(Unfortunately, if you recall, this is the same place Jobs used to host what I feel is the biggest flop Jobs-hosted event in recent history: the introduction of the iPod HiFi and Intel Mac mini. Plus some lame designer accessories for the iPod. The market frowned on that event.)
Just like last year, Jobs himself will be hosting the event, and what he’s expected to show is all over the rumor sites, so I’ll spare excessive detail here:
- New 20- and 24- inch iMacs, complete with brand new enclosure and keyboard. I suspect these things will look downright amazing and sell incredibly well right out of the gate. If you’re considering an iMac right now, do yourself a favor and hold you. You won’t be disappointed.
- iLife and iWork ‘08. This has potential to be very cool, as I suspect we’ll see some functionality that takes advantage of Leopard’s underpinnings. An update to both software suites is overdue.
Dare I Mention the Unmentionable?
Want a whisper theory? I have one.
I think the MacBook Pros are due for a total refresh, and I’m not just talking about internal updates (like the recent Santa Rosa upgrade). I’m talking about a new enclosure (an evolution of or move away from aluminum), and maybe a brand-new model.
About the new model idea: I see a chance for the MacBook Pro ultraportable being introduced, although I can’t say I’m highly confident of it. It’s high time for this, and I’m sorry: the standard MacBook, while tasty, is not a true (a) ultraportable, or (b) pro-class machine. It’s time for Apple to change this.
I think this could be beginning of this product model.
I fully realize this could be delusional wishful thinking on my part (because yes, I want a small, truly pro-class machine and would buy one immediately), but the rumors of such a machine have been out there for a while now, and I see this happening sooner rather than later.
19 responses so far ↓
DaveD // August 3, 2007 at 11:15 am
The iPod Hi-Fi was announced at a “fun” event in February 2006 - along with a leather iPod case.
The Mac Mini was announced a month earlier at MWSF ‘06.
DaveD // August 3, 2007 at 11:17 am
My mistake… I didn’t notice you were referring to the Intel MM. (And yes, I had the year of the PPC MM wrong too!)
D-Dog // August 3, 2007 at 11:23 am
New ipods. That’s it.
Jeff Ventura // August 3, 2007 at 11:42 am
D-Dog: no, the event is specifically a Mac event. Says so in the invitation.
Robert B // August 3, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Ultra portable may be waiting for 45 nm Intel low power chips due next year. New iMac may not have a screen built in. The line would be able to sell, sans screen, in the low price segment. Schools want smaller screens than 20″ and to be able to avoid buying a monitor. Integrating new screen designs with the new iMacs at a discount when buying both is a solution; but the screens may be optional.
Brian Purkiss // August 3, 2007 at 1:01 pm
Ooh…
I really hope your whisper theory is true - that would be amazing.
mark // August 3, 2007 at 1:06 pm
the technology is still not all there yet for a reasonably priced ultramobile — my earliest target is Jan MWSF. though since apple really needs this to turn around its performance in the Japan market, i agree that it’s coming.
but with desktop sales continuing down, we could use a desktop game-changer for the industry. so the question is how radical will this new iMac be?
some possibilities:
- multi-touch screen
- change involving combo of AppleTV, Mac mini and iMac separated from screen
- camera embedded in screen (per Apple patent)
Neil Anderson // August 3, 2007 at 6:26 pm
I’ve been saving for a new iMac since the Intel version was introduced. I think I can hold off till Leopard ships.
Bill // August 3, 2007 at 7:04 pm
I just hope that they will offer a Leopard upgrade coupon on new Mac soon, so my friends will stop asking me when to buy one.
Anthony // August 3, 2007 at 7:43 pm
I’m really happy I found this site. This was a really informative post. I’ll have to keep my eyes open and see if your insights come true.
I will have to visit this site often.
James Fryer // August 3, 2007 at 7:51 pm
I have this one on solid inside info, the big new feature added to the Macs… colors!
But really, you expect and lot from those poor overworked designers and engineers, they just wrapped up the iPhone for Christ’s sake!
One last note, separate head is not the iMac way. If it does not have a head, it is not an iMac.
Top Posts « WordPress.com // August 3, 2007 at 7:58 pm
[...] Apple to unveil new Macs next Tuesday. Is there a surprise in store? The Main Pitch First off, this media event — to be held on August 7th at Apple headquarters in Cupertino — […] [...]
beaugiles // August 3, 2007 at 11:37 pm
Damn. I wants a MacBook refresh
damiengwalter // August 4, 2007 at 4:39 am
IMac most definitely. It won’t feature multi-touch though - touch interfaces don’t work on large, upright screens. Try standing and waving your arms in front of you for more than 5 minutes. It hurts. They could go horizontal like ‘Surface’ but I really can’t see it. I’m thinking aluminium enclosure and a boost in speed but not much else.
kumarsez // August 4, 2007 at 8:08 am
Guys this is Steve Jobs we are talking about… If the publicity for a media event isnt as big as it could have been, the relevation obviously wont be as great as it should be.. Reality distortion field at work I guess..
Although as James said, it could be colors.. black and whits maybe..
ge3o // August 4, 2007 at 1:15 pm
It’s iMacs with Blu Ray of course.
Tim Long // August 4, 2007 at 9:07 pm
My patience will finally pay off. Hopefully it was worth the wait.
Tim
http://www.luckywaterjet.com
-kf // August 4, 2007 at 9:26 pm
I personally would like to see something done to update the Mini, either something along the lines of the G4 Cube or a mid tower or desktop chassis Mac with at least one or two expansion slots- some room to “grow” your Mac.
Tom // August 5, 2007 at 12:20 am
Personally, I’d love to see Apple fill out the line in-between the iMac and the Mac Pro. They did it once with the Cube, but priced it too high (and couldn’t lower it). The Cube’s “failure” seems to have scared Apple from trying again, but I wish they would.
Leave a Comment