The new MacBook (No "Pro")

[georgelien]

Okay, we're all waiting for it.

The next iBook, or should I say, the brand new MacBook without the "Pro."

I'm here to ask what kind of specifications and features you like to see it comes with--not what you think the machine will come with.

Understand the rules?

Good.

Now fire away!

[Veljo]

From what I've read it should have similar specs to the current Intel Mac Mini, with a 13.3" widescreen display.

The only problem I see is the confusion between the name MacBook and the MacBook Pro line.

[Thank The Cheese]

yeah I don't think it's any great mystery. It will have a widescreen display and an Intel CoreDuo in the higher end model. I'm more interested in the design. The current iBook "toilet seat" design just doesn't do it for me anymore.

What I'd like is for it to have that sane iPod/iMac kind of shell, with the white plastic coated in clear plastic, you know? I like that look, and would improve the look of the iBook range. The white plastic looks a little cheap IMO.

[fryke]

Erh, the "toilet seat" was the predecessor which came (among others) in "tangerine", "lime", "blueberry" etc. - http://www.apple-history.com/body.ph...date&order=ASC - The current iBook, I think, has much more of a hospital feeling. It's gorgeous, too. But I guess the MacBook will just move closer to the MacBook Pro/PowerBook design, because they're at the same time killing the 12" PowerBook with the new MacBook (or MacBook mini, which I'm still told is going to be the name...).

[Thank The Cheese]

Oh ok.

::face goes red::

well to me it still looks like a toilet seat. mainly the white plastic than the shape. I think I'm just sick of it. I mean, I have an iBook G3 from about 5 years ago, and the newest G4s look exactly the same here in 2006. It's time for a change. Certainly the white plastic is more of a timeless design than the clamshell, but it still needs an update.

[fryke]

I agree. It needs to get slimmer.

[Lt Major Burns]

yes, it's 5 years old, but reviewers still comment on how good it looks. i personally don't think the form factor will change at all. none of the other updates have, this is apple's strategy of proving for the while that even with the intel chip, it'sstill the same mac out side.

[Mikuro]

Well, the iBook already looks like the iMac and iPod, so I don't think they'll be rarin' to change it. I'd like to see it come in black, though.

Spec-wise, I don't know. What will differentiate it from the MBP? It's been quite a while since there was a large processor gap between the two lines, so I assume they'll use the Core Duo on at least one model, similar to what they've done with the Mac Mini. It will probably also lack a graphics card like the Mini. But you're asking me for what I'd LIKE it to come with, not for what I expect. So....

• 2GHz+ Core Duo (just enough to process 1280p HD video, according to Apple).
• TV out ports built in
• 128MB ATI graphics card (with CoreImage support, of course) capable of outputting 1280p HD video to an external monitor/TV.
• Free iWork
• And, of course, an English butler or French maid, at least as a BTO option.

As you can see, I'd like an iBook that can be a multimedia center. I don't expect any of these items to be met, though. I think it'll pretty much be a Mac mini with an LCD stuck on.