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Sounds like VERY good news. IMHO, Apple design always leaves the competition in the dust.

Apr 07, 08 - 04:41 pm Comment from: anaknipedro

Bring it on. I'm ready to spend my stimulus package.

Darn, just bought a black MacBook last Friday.

Apr 07, 08 - 04:48 pm Comment from: Jay-Z

Will be interesting to see how they change the design. I have always wondered, aside from getting thinner, what Apple could do to improve the aluminum PowerBook/MacBook Pro cases. They really are a marvel of simplicity.

Apr 07, 08 - 04:49 pm Comment from: stableos

Ah, finally a MacBook case made of depleted uranium. Free sterilization too. I didn't want a vasectomy anyway.

God about time! I am on my second mac book pro so that makes 5 years with something that has not changed greatly, I would like something new next time just to bring back the wow factor.... superficial i know......

Apr 07, 08 - 04:51 pm Comment from: IEEE1394®

I think I finally made the first "perfect purchasing decision" ever, in the long-history of buyings Macs when I bought my current MBP 17" HighDef laptop back in November. I try to wait 12 - 18 months between purchasing a new 'Book. If I did that this time, whatever this next gen of 'Books is, will then be in its 2nd revision and will be THE PERFECT time to buy!

WooHoo!

Awesome news. Lets hope that the Pro's get the magnetic latch that the Macbooks have. That would be great.

Apr 07, 08 - 04:56 pm Comment from: Ampar

"Ah, finally a MacBook case made of depleted uranium. Free sterilization too."

Stimulus for a spent package?

Apr 07, 08 - 04:59 pm Comment from: anaknipedro

@Ampar,

What business are you in? Whatever it is, you need to quit and write a sitcom. That was funny.

Apr 07, 08 - 05:08 pm Comment from: dd

Looking forward to see the new designs, but not buying a new laptop until they have a Core 3 in them. I expect (and hope) that my MBP will last at least another 3-5 years, and I bought it 10/2006.

A MBP redesign should include a no-moving-parts magnetic closure system such as on the MB and Air. It should also include the feel of rigidity that you get from the Air when it is closed. The current MBP feels flexy when closed, not solid. You can squeeze the lid closer to the top case on one side than the other, etc.

Other desirable improvements would include the ability to push the screen back farther so you can view it better from above.

The kick-**s improvement in case design, though I don't expect it, would be to make the entire bottom unit (i.e. everything but the display) out of a single piece of aluminum, as on the Air. No seams. Yes, there would be cutouts for the battery and RAM access on the bottom, the ports on the side and the keyboard on top. But it would be nice if it was one piece. It would look better and feel more solid.

What Apple should not change but I fear they will is the keyboard or the trackpad size. The feel of the current keyboard is closer to that of a traditional desktop keyboard (or a Thinkpad) than anything else I've tried. Moving to an MB style keyboard would be a disappointment. And making the trackpad larger, a-la Air, would only make it more likely to get in the way when typing.

Apr 07, 08 - 05:15 pm Comment from: Lilochris

Can This really be my 12 inch iBook G4 1.2 Ghz replacement?

I kinda like the MacBook but never in that way. I've had my iBook since Late 2005 & I'd hate to speed over $1000 for another laptop with similar designs ( The White Plastic ) I'm getting tired of white.. It's a tough material but over time it tends to crack when really stressed, though it's stronger than other PC Notebooks.

I hope they add a Matte screen option, stronger speakers, and non built in video card, longer battery life, heck even a blue ray option.

Even when they come out with the new design, I'd still hate to give up use on my iBook. It's never let me down, but in a year or two, it's gonna need a new battery.

Let's hope they don't scrap the optical drive, battery-Ram-Hard drive accessibility like they did with the Air.

Apr 07, 08 - 05:30 pm Comment from: Ampar

To anaknipedro: Thanks! (I write for a living.)

"AppleInsider says to expect both the new MacBook and MacBook Pro models sometime during calendar third quarter (July-September) 2008."

I can't wait that long. But I can't go for the iMac until they release a better display. And don't mention the Mini; to me it's just not a good value proposition. I'm starting to regret having sold my Powermac.

Have a 12" PB and a white MacBook, considering purchase of additional MacBook or a 15" MBP. The problem with the 12" was it bent on a trip due to tight packing, and case had to be replaced. I prefer the white plastic, don't want aluminum, like magnet opening, better wifi reception. Wish next MacBook would stay with plastic which cleans up with Fantastik. Apple should give consumers the choice between the nice white/black or aluminum. Why not? Don't say that Apple can't afford more SKUs.

Apr 07, 08 - 05:49 pm Comment from: anaknipedro

@ Ampar,

Why can't I find anything on TV that is funny, but not so crude that I couldn't watch it with my mother.

Wonder if the MB will grow to 14" and add a discrete graphics card?

A MacBook Pro with the iMac Display Shell we saw patented a while back. Add in Blue Ray FTW.

@Lilochris

hang on to the iBook, that model is the sweet spot in the whole line.

just fast enough to do most anything (except play back H.264), tough as nails, has good battery life, doesn't get too hot.

Apr 07, 08 - 06:12 pm Comment from: Ampar

To anaknipedro: Good luck and let me know if you find the answer to that! In the mean time, rent the Fawlty Towers collection from your local video store.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072500/

Apr 07, 08 - 06:12 pm Comment from: eMax

See the future:

http://www.dell.com

My 12" iBook G4 is four years old and runs like a champ. Last summer the 30 gig hard drive died but I replaced it myself with a 120 gig one, with no leftover screws even. The only compelling reason I might have for getting a new MacBook would be an illuminated keyboard. That would be the shiznitz!

Apr 07, 08 - 06:30 pm Comment from: jocknerd

Of course, I just picked up my new MacBook Pro today.

The next gen MacBook/Pro needs to come out before we ship our kiddies off to college. July would work out well.

When is the Mac Pro update coming! ARRRRRRRRrrrrrrrr!

"Of the two, the 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, people familiar with the matter say."

What a line of bull. Doesn't anybody realize how much more energy and waste is required to manufacture with aircraft-grade aluminum and stainless steel. Take a litmus test: ask Apple how much waste there is through the manufacturing process of a machined iPod or MacBook case.

Most of what's left over from the machining process is melted when thrown back into their respective pots.

Apr 07, 08 - 08:03 pm Comment from: HotinPlaya

@solid
You got that right, my 2 oldest in University will be getting 15" MBP's, and their 2 yo MB's will be handed down to our 7 and 10 yo's. and their eMac will share space in the closet with my 1st mac , Mac Plus "still boot it up every so often

You can't kill them, "and yes, I fell to the dark side for the 90's"

Yes! Save up my pennies and get me a MacBook Pro.

Apr 07, 08 - 08:12 pm Comment from: Anonymous©

I'd like to see black anodized aluminum skins for the higher end models. Like a black MBA with SSD versus the silver MBA with regular HD.

Apr 07, 08 - 08:18 pm Comment from: Darkness

Please! No "chicklet" keyboard for the Macbook Pro. That would totally ruin the unit.

Apr 07, 08 - 08:20 pm Comment from: ragarcia

An illuminated keyboard is indeed reason enough to upgrade to an MBP or MBA.

It IS the shiznitz!

@ Eric metals are easier and more environmentally friendly to recycle the scraps. , plastics not so much. Get ready for a hot lap.

Snappier clothes, snappier close...

Apr 07, 08 - 10:26 pm Comment from: Macromancer

@ eMax

There is only one way to sum up Dell's "design": arbitrary

Apr 07, 08 - 10:41 pm Comment from: Lilochris

@ GWS

Definetly, It's even been more reliable than my Core 2 Duo iMac.

My iBook G4 is the Late 2004 model. Got it for $699 at the apple store because it was left stock over from the 2005 line with the 1.33Ghz G4. But I didn't care. I saved $300. Weird that it came with Tiger at the time.

The 2 finger scrolling which late 04 didn't have I now have thanks to iScroll. & added an extra 512mb of RAM. Maybe I might do a Hard Drive upgrade once the Apple Care warranty goes out this fall.

Its like my Mac Mini g4 1.25. Since I've got my Core 2 Duo iMac, I just feel terrible selling the MacMini. It was the first Mac I've ever bought and got me through my final years in high school & first year in college. I now use that as a back up & as an EXT Drive to my iMac. Neither one has given me issues. Same feeling goes for my iBook, which it does run Leopard nicely by the way.

The only part of the MBP design (and even my old PB 12") is the plastic trim where the different parts of aluminum meet. I could see Apple releasing a design that would eliminate the need for this. Not a big fan of the tapered MBA design though. I actually prefer the squared off look of the current MPB.

I've had a new Penryn MBP 2.5GHz for a couple weeks now and it runs cooler than even my old PB 12". Only time it has gotten hot is when I was playing a graphics intensive game.

even though it's 7 years old, i think the current macbook pro form factor still looks ahead of its time. they'll have to work hard to beat it.

The solid piece of aluminum type design would be cool - I think they call it 'billet' aluminum because they cut it from a single piece.
The plastic trim on the MacBook Pro is definitely ugly.

Wonder if they will bring back the curvy shapes of the 520/540 series?
Too soon for Retro?

As for the other thread running here, I too, think Ampar has a good style - adds something very cool when he comments.
Keeps it witty, doesnt get nasty like some people. (me)

...shedding their plastic enclosures for ones constructed from more eco-friendly materials such as aircraft-grade aluminum and stainless steel...

Uh, aluminum requires a HUGE amount of oil/coal burning electricity to convert from aluminum oxide. Not mentioning the strip mining required to gain the ore.

Steel is less so, but still neither is very eco-friendly.

Now plastic starts as oil which is pumped out of the ground and cracked in a refinery, not much difference than steel or aluminum in the manufactering eco effects.

Sure alum, will decompose into aluminum oxide and steel into rust. Plastic decomposes because it's organic.

So the facts here? No difference. Make the Mac's out of glass.

Apr 07, 08 - 11:51 pm Comment from: Crabs

What would be really cool is if they offered them in different colors, not by painting them, but by heat-treating the metals until they reach the desired color. I don't know if you can do that with Aluminum, but I know with stainless steel and titanium at least, you can get pretty much any color, although it will always have a metallic sheen to it.

You could have blue, black, green, orange, almost anything. If you don't get what I mean by this, go to your local watch store and look at a Skagen titanium watch, or a Fossil Arkitekt. They come in lots of different colors, but if they get scratched, the color sticks with them, because it gets the color from the heat treatment, not from a paint. Way cool.

So that's my wish for the new books. Cuz I think a metallic green MacBook would be pretty much the cooles thing I could own.

Apr 07, 08 - 11:57 pm Comment from: Crabs

Oh, and as for the side-thread about Ampar, I also agree, he is rather witty and quite fun to read his posts. Especially when he's arguing with someone *COUGH!*afib*COUGH!*

So what do you write, Ampar? I'd be interested to read some of it.

Apr 08, 08 - 12:28 am Comment from: Cubert

"Bring it on. I'm ready to spend my stimulus package."

I'm ready to spend to stimulate my package.

Apr 08, 08 - 02:51 am Comment from: Ampar

Thanks, anonymous post from a registered user and Crabs.
And mostly marketing related stuff, Crabs.

@WanItAllNow
I agree completely. I also like the plastic. Light. Cleans easily, Better wireless reception. And it looks good. I'll be unhappy if they get rid of it.

Crabs, they can colur them like the old ipod minis, or whatever they were. Iodise the color into the metal, or whatever. But yeah wouldn't they weigh a bit more.?

I wish the price went down. MacBooks are just too expensive compared to PC's.

I just got my 15 inch MacBook Pro about 2 weeks ago. Can anyone tell me why Safari crashes when I try to visit any secure web site? (https://............)

Apr 08, 08 - 09:50 am Comment from: Ampar

"Make the Mac's out of glass."

Actually, Jonathan Ive has been experimenting with a transparent, floating liquid for the next portable Mac designs.

There's everything you've ever known about personal computing, and then there's the Macintosh.