Circuit board orders point to new MacBooks?
It could be time for Apple to bring the aluminum MacBook Pro casing to the MacBook.
(Credit: Apple)With the iPhone 3G launch out of the way, it's time to turn to what appears to be the next big thing on Apple's road map for the year: new notebooks.
The Commercial Times reported (in Chinese, but translated by Digitimes) that Apple has increased its orders of printed-circuit boards for notebooks by 20 percent, compared to last quarter.
Macs are selling pretty well lately, but that's a stronger boost than would be expected from the usual seasonal patterns, and it's unlikely that Apple would be planning for that kind of boost unless it planned to trot out new hardware this quarter.
There are a few signs that Apple is about ready for new notebooks. Intel has shipped a new notebook processor and chipset, albeit a little late. AppleInsider reported earlier this month that a redesign was imminent, after confirming that a supposed image of new MacBook posted on a message board was genuine.
Also, Apple values the back-to-school shopping season more than just about any other PC company. Last year, it unveiled new iMacs in early August, just before the rush back to college. Given that the MacBook design is aging, the time seems about right for Apple to bring the aluminum casing on the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air to the MacBook line.
Tom Krazit writes about the ever-expanding world of Internet search, including Google, Yahoo, online advertising, and portals, as well as the evolution of mobile computing. He has written about traditional PC companies, chip manufacturers, and mobile computers, spending the last three years covering Apple. E-mail Tom. 
If you're into video editing or animation or anything like that, then the basic Macbook just isn't up to snuff with its integrated graphics card. And it's not just a convenience thing, integrated graphics cards are frustratingly slow for any kind of video professional. That goes for any kind of laptop, not just Macs; and most laptops have a useless integrated graphics card. Which is why they seem like a good deal. A graphics card suitable for professional work is going to carry a professional price tag.
Now, before you say that this is irrelevant because you're not a video or graphics professional, it's probably worth it to point out that the MacBook Pro does have "Pro" right in the name.
I own a black macbook and I love it. I hope they keep the black case but knowing apple and how random they can be with their decision-making (recessed iphone headphone jack anyone?) that they will probably eliminate the black and white cases altogether and just go all aluminum. I would own a macbook pro if it wasn't so heavy.
If your focus is on email, web, and office software, and lightness is a big draw for you, (or you have the luxury of a second computer) then the Air is for you. For my money, if I didn't need the power of the MBP, I'd spend a bit less than the Air and buy a basic MacBook which is a little heavier and has a bit more flexibility than the Air.
- by fuernis September 8, 2008 12:27 PM PDT
- I want a 13 inch Macbook pro. I want the dedicated graphics chip and lit keyboard but I like the smaller size.
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