Will Apple update their notebook line?
Friday, August 22nd, 2008Rumors are always swirling about Apple’s next moves, and with the back-to-school season upon us, industry watchers are curious exactly what the Cupertino company has up its sleeve. With CFO Peter Oppenheimer promising to “deliver an entirely new level of value to the customer,” journalists and bloggers are making predictions about the next big thing we’ll see from Apple.
Most sources agree that Apple’s notebook line is due for a revamp. While they have been tweaked over the years, the MacBook Pro is essentially a repackaged version of the PowerBook Titanium, which was released on 2001. As BusinessWeek pointed out in a recent article, “The main elements—a 15-inch-wide screen and the silver-toned metallic outer casing—have evolved only slightly over the course of seven years.”
AppleInsider concurs with this assessment, and their revelations and predictions focus on the design features rather than the guts of the notebook line. One article points to CEO Steve Jobs’ comments about making Apple greener, saying, “13-inch consumer MacBooks will undergo the most significant metamorphosis, shedding their plastic enclosures for ones constructed from more eco-friendly materials such as aircraft-grade aluminum and stainless steel.” Calling the customary white plastic covers “tawdry”, AppleInsider believes that earth friendly materials will give Apple an aesthetic edge over rival notebooks.
AppleInsider also points out potential chip changes with Intel’s new Montevina line. “Both the MacBook and MacBook Pro are to receive ‘Montevina’-based processors from the chipmaker’s upcoming Centrino 2 platform, which require a new ‘Socket B’ logic-board. The second-gen mobile Penryn chips will boast a 1066MHz front-side bus and clock between 2.26GHz and 2.8GHz.”
BusinessWeek’s article by Arik Hesseldahl about the rumored notebook updates explores the new technology that we may see incorporated into Apple’s product line. Talkibie has covered rumors of a touchscreen notebook in the past, and the BW article also gives Apple fans reason to celebrate. “Expect a multitouch display similar to that found on the iPhone and the iPod touch. Apple has a solid set of patents on the new technology and has boned up on multitouch tech through the iPod line.” This technology is ripe for incorporation into other products, and the iPhone and iPod lines have given consumers a level of familiarity and comfort with the interface.
Perhaps the most promising prediction of all comes from BusinessWeek as well. Hesseldahl writes, “So I’m thinking a small MacBook with a multitouch screen that measures about 9 or 10 in. will be among the ’several wonderful new products’ Jobs referred to in the earnings press release issued July 21.” Mini-notebooks have not been as successful as many companies have hoped in the past. However, with more and more consumers adjusting to internet use and document creation on smart phones, a mini-notebook with a full keyboard could do well. The market is all about mobility, and BusinessWeek’s optimism for a little brother to to a touchscreen notebook would be a good move for Apple.
Back-to-school season coincides with Apple’s fiscal fourth quarter, and their sales tend to be strong during this time of year. A newly minted notebook line could push them even further into the spotlight, and we may see Apple breaking new ground in technology, design, and revenues.
By Haley January Eckels
