Anyone know if a smaller Macbook Pro is coming?

[RollWave]

Anyone know if this is on deck for release? I mean apple HAS to release some sort of Ultraportable now right? They used to have a 12" PBook, a new 13.3 or 12.1" Widescreen Macbook pro has to be in the workings?

Anyone know if any info has been leaked?

 

[Deleted member 4644]

It is called the MacBook (non pro).

 

[RollWave]

I'm looking for something lighter that has a vid card and can support a 24" widescreen.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: rnp614
I'm looking for something lighter that has a vid card and can support a 24" widescreen.

The MacBooks support a 24" widescreen just fine...

Here are the rumors I've heard:
1. Tablet Mac
2. Ultra-portable MacBook (lighter, less stuff)
3. MacBook with a SSD drive (NAND/Flash or whatever)

PQI is due to release their SSD drives in up to 64gb capacities this month, so add in R&D time and companies like Apple should have some sweet options in about 6 months (design, testing, production, delivery, market reception, etc.). I wouldn't hold your breath, but I wouldn't say it's out of the question either. With the Mac Pro, they said that their Intel transition was finished, but that doesn't mean they won't release new products. I'm interested to see what they come up next for the iPod, at least

 

[RollWave]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: rnp614
I'm looking for something lighter that has a vid card and can support a 24" widescreen.

The MacBooks support a 24" widescreen just fine...

Here are the rumors I've heard:
1. Tablet Mac
2. Ultra-portable MacBook (lighter, less stuff)
3. MacBook with a SSD drive (NAND/Flash or whatever)

PQI is due to release their SSD drives in up to 64gb capacities this month, so add in R&D time and companies like Apple should have some sweet options in about 6 months (design, testing, production, delivery, market reception, etc.). I wouldn't hold your breath, but I wouldn't say it's out of the question either. With the Mac Pro, they said that their Intel transition was finished, but that doesn't mean they won't release new products. I'm interested to see what they come up next for the iPod, at least

Oh wow! A tablet mac, that'd be interesting. I wonder if they'd make it a convertible. I'd buy that up in a second. An ultraportable macbook would be okay, but using that onboard graphics for a 24" monitor makes me think that the keyboard is going to be burning my fingertips from that heat.

I hope I can hold out for the refresh of the macbook pros! Maybe I'll just cave and snag one once they change the case (another roomer I hear) to something distinguishing it from the G4 pbooks.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

Hmm if you need a product that specific, maybe just get a PC?

 

[RollWave]

Originally posted by: LordSegan
Hmm if you need a product that specific, maybe just get a PC?

I'm considering it...but if I go PC I might just go ultraportable and skip the vid card and get the Lenovo V100...the 4lbs makes the lack of vid card worth it...12" widescreen goodness!

 

[Deleted member 4644]

Why do you need such a light machine?

 

[RollWave]

Originally posted by: LordSegan
Why do you need such a light machine?

Because my medical pharmacology books weigh like 100 pounds. I need something that wont break my back anymore than it is.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: rnp614

Originally posted by: LordSegan
Why do you need such a light machine?

Because my medical pharmacology books weigh like 100 pounds. I need something that wont break my back anymore than it is.

Yeah, you really have no idea. I had like 4 CS classes one time and each textbook was over 2.5" thick. That with my 7.5-pound Gateway gave me some major sore shoulders. I got a MacBook recently that weighs in at 5.2 pounds and even that has made a difference!

 

[EvilYoda]

I wish they would release an ultraportable, but I seriously doubt that it'll happen. I'm just about to sell my Dell X1 and upgrade to the new ultraportable Latitude.

12" screen, no optical drive...I couldn't care less about the other specs.

 

[dawks]

I've been waiting since April for a Merom MacBook Pro.. Are we going to see these before school in Sept?

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: rnp614
I'm looking for something lighter that has a vid card and can support a 24" widescreen.

The MacBooks support a 24" widescreen just fine...

Here are the rumors I've heard:
1. Tablet Mac
2. Ultra-portable MacBook (lighter, less stuff)
3. MacBook with a SSD drive (NAND/Flash or whatever)

PQI is due to release their SSD drives in up to 64gb capacities this month, so add in R&D time and companies like Apple should have some sweet options in about 6 months (design, testing, production, delivery, market reception, etc.). I wouldn't hold your breath, but I wouldn't say it's out of the question either. With the Mac Pro, they said that their Intel transition was finished, but that doesn't mean they won't release new products. I'm interested to see what they come up next for the iPod, at least

The SSD drives have already been tested (I think it was PQI's, not sure) and it sucked ass.

OP, you won't get a decent discrete GPU in a chassis that small. MacBook's already run hot, PC notebooks don't have a good GPU in a chassis below 14" widescreen. Unless you count Dell's bloated 12" M1210 which has a wimpy Go 7400 and weighs like 4.5lbs.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Apple probably will not release a smaller Macbook because of the fact that the Macbook now is selling very well so there is no point in releasing anything smaller.

 

[amol]

Originally posted by: ChAoTiCpInOy
Apple probably will not release a smaller Macbook because of the fact that the Macbook now is selling very well so there is no point in releasing anything smaller.

He's not asking that. He's asking if there's going to be a smaller Macbook Pro.

Before, the PowerBook was offered in 12", 15", and 17" sizes. The current Macbook Pros are only offered in 15.4" and 17" sizes. He's wondering if Apple is going to unleash a 12" or 13.3" Macbook Pro.

I would actually like a 13.3" MBP.

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: Amol

Originally posted by: ChAoTiCpInOy
Apple probably will not release a smaller Macbook because of the fact that the Macbook now is selling very well so there is no point in releasing anything smaller.

He's not asking that. He's asking if there's going to be a smaller Macbook Pro.

Before, the PowerBook was offered in 12", 15", and 17" sizes. The current Macbook Pros are only offered in 15.4" and 17" sizes. He's wondering if Apple is going to unleash a 12" or 13.3" Macbook Pro.

I would actually like a 13.3" MBP.

That would create overlap that Apple doesn't want, and it doesn't address the lack of a good ultraportable in their lineup. A sleek 12" widescreen at around 3 lbs would be perfect. Hell Sony and Dell have made 11" and 12" widescreens clocking in at the same weight or less, why can't Apple?

 

[amol]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: Amol

Originally posted by: ChAoTiCpInOy
Apple probably will not release a smaller Macbook because of the fact that the Macbook now is selling very well so there is no point in releasing anything smaller.

He's not asking that. He's asking if there's going to be a smaller Macbook Pro.

Before, the PowerBook was offered in 12", 15", and 17" sizes. The current Macbook Pros are only offered in 15.4" and 17" sizes. He's wondering if Apple is going to unleash a 12" or 13.3" Macbook Pro.

I would actually like a 13.3" MBP.

That would create overlap that Apple doesn't want, and it doesn't address the lack of a good ultraportable in their lineup. A sleek 12" widescreen at around 3 lbs would be perfect. Hell Sony and Dell have made 11" and 12" widescreens clocking in at the same weight or less, why can't Apple?

Well, even if Apple released an ultraportable, would it be by pro standards?

I remember the 12" PowerBook ... it didn't have any of the "cool" features the 15"/17" models had (like the electroluminescent keyboard, faster superdrive). Obviously, they're working in a tight space ...

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Amol

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: Amol

Originally posted by: ChAoTiCpInOy
Apple probably will not release a smaller Macbook because of the fact that the Macbook now is selling very well so there is no point in releasing anything smaller.

He's not asking that. He's asking if there's going to be a smaller Macbook Pro.

Before, the PowerBook was offered in 12", 15", and 17" sizes. The current Macbook Pros are only offered in 15.4" and 17" sizes. He's wondering if Apple is going to unleash a 12" or 13.3" Macbook Pro.

I would actually like a 13.3" MBP.

That would create overlap that Apple doesn't want, and it doesn't address the lack of a good ultraportable in their lineup. A sleek 12" widescreen at around 3 lbs would be perfect. Hell Sony and Dell have made 11" and 12" widescreens clocking in at the same weight or less, why can't Apple?

Well, even if Apple released an ultraportable, would it be by pro standards?

I remember the 12" PowerBook ... it didn't have any of the "cool" features the 15"/17" models had (like the electroluminescent keyboard, faster superdrive). Obviously, they're working in a tight space ...

I think they should at least release a 13.3" MBP. Everyone I know that has the 12" PowerBook absolutely loves it. I've heard a number of complaints that there's no ultraportable MBP. I don't imagine it would be a cool-running machine, but it would sure be nice

 

[RollWave]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Amol

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: Amol

Originally posted by: ChAoTiCpInOy
Apple probably will not release a smaller Macbook because of the fact that the Macbook now is selling very well so there is no point in releasing anything smaller.

He's not asking that. He's asking if there's going to be a smaller Macbook Pro.

Before, the PowerBook was offered in 12", 15", and 17" sizes. The current Macbook Pros are only offered in 15.4" and 17" sizes. He's wondering if Apple is going to unleash a 12" or 13.3" Macbook Pro.

I would actually like a 13.3" MBP.

That would create overlap that Apple doesn't want, and it doesn't address the lack of a good ultraportable in their lineup. A sleek 12" widescreen at around 3 lbs would be perfect. Hell Sony and Dell have made 11" and 12" widescreens clocking in at the same weight or less, why can't Apple?

Well, even if Apple released an ultraportable, would it be by pro standards?

I remember the 12" PowerBook ... it didn't have any of the "cool" features the 15"/17" models had (like the electroluminescent keyboard, faster superdrive). Obviously, they're working in a tight space ...

I think they should at least release a 13.3" MBP. Everyone I know that has the 12" PowerBook absolutely loves it. I've heard a number of complaints that there's no ultraportable MBP. I don't imagine it would be a cool-running machine, but it would sure be nice

Agreed! And I'm not looking for awesome graphics at all. Just something a step up from integrated (if at all possible...)

 

[randomlinh]

what are you doing that would need it? the only big thing keeping me from a macbook is the fact if i bought them, it'd be a desktop replacement, so I'd want to be able to run aperture (w/o hacking it). integrated isn't so bad. altho, it just occurred to me HD content decoding might be useful w/ a better GPU (assuming hardware/driver support)

 

[RollWave]

Originally posted by: randomlinh
what are you doing that would need it? the only big thing keeping me from a macbook is the fact if i bought them, it'd be a desktop replacement, so I'd want to be able to run aperture (w/o hacking it). integrated isn't so bad. altho, it just occurred to me HD content decoding might be useful w/ a better GPU (assuming hardware/driver support)

I do a variety of things, I just feel like having a GPU would better handle the new HD stuff as well as any new OS gadgetry coming out in the future (vista).