Macworld predictions

swingking

Right so we are less than a week from Macworld and the rumour sites have been going wild with all sorts of speculations for the forth-coming Macworld expo.

I think the Mac Mini will be updated and the iMac will be too. The possibility of a tablet Mac appearing (as it does every Macworld). Will Mac enter the netbook market.

Start your predictions

J-blk

Pretty much the same as you Swingking. Mac Mini and iMac are looking very likely for an update (though the iMac would be internal hardware only - way too soon for a cosmetic refresh and now that the notebook line mostly matches that appearance, it's here to stay) and as always, possibly an iTablet or "big" 7" to 9" iPod Touch type device like some of the rumors are now predicting (and if introduced, I'd say this would be the Apple netbook).

grumpypaddy

ilife 09 i reckon would be a safe enough assumption! and a sneak preview of 10.6

AlanD

Do ye think the Mac Mini will have a HDMI output like Apple TV? So it will be a more functional Apple TV?

Or will there be any Apple TV updates?

Ideally, a Mac Mini that doubles as Apple TV would be great.....well, a HDMI output anyway.

grumpypaddy

can recall Steve J saying no to putting hdmi slots into machines because of costs of licences etc. A mac mini morphed with an apple tv would be nice though.

silvine

I'd like to see an Apple netbook although if they release one it will probably cost as much as a regular laptop.

An iMac with Bluray? A definite possibility.

trout

Fingers crossed for a Mac Mini update.

http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/12/rumor-new-mac-m.html

I don't know about blu-ray ... apparently there is a complex licensing model, and the format is 'a bag of hurt'

http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/10/jobs-blu-ray-is.html

That said ... I would love to see blu-ray on the large screens / iMac ... would it work so well on the MB and MBP screens ?

J-blk

AlanD wrote: »

Do ye think the Mac Mini will have a HDMI output like Apple TV? So it will be a more functional Apple TV?

I think they'll keep the mini Displayport from the current MBs and MBPs - of course, by doing that, they rule out the Mac Mini as an Apple TV replacement since there will be HDCP issues with the HD rentals from iTunes, etc. I have my doubts about HDMI on the Mini but it sure would be nice - and would make a great all-round media center then.

Kid Nothing

Financial Analysts suggesting "new cheaper iPhone, smaller Macbook and smaller iPod Shuffle"

http://seekingalpha.com/article/112804-apple-supply-chain-checks-show-new-cheaper-iphone-shuffle-macbook-coming?source=yahoo

Ham'nd'egger

amull87 wrote: »

Financial Analysts suggesting "new cheaper iPhone, smaller Macbook and smaller iPod Shuffle"

http://seekingalpha.com/article/112804-apple-supply-chain-checks-show-new-cheaper-iphone-shuffle-macbook-coming?source=yahoo

I can't see a palm or "netbook" machine coming out as the iPhone is pretty much a dumbed down mini laptop in terms of what it can do and is doing very well at that. A bigger memory on it to keep in touch with iPod Touch, which will be boosted as well while an iPod nano and shuffle to get it's usual raise in capacity.

I'm looking to processor advances for all laptops, with the MB Air and Pro especially to jump up, the end of the white MB and a slightly bigger a Quad Core option for the top end iMac and standard dual 3 Hhz Quad Core for Mac Pro with 4 Ghz upgrades and the revamped Mini with more graphic power on board.

Software, a more capable iLife and iWork to be readied for Snow Leopard, which isn't that far away now

johnk123

Well like has been mentioned i think that Mac Mini and iMac announcements are definite. Quad core iMacs anyone?? Possibly something about the Mac Pro(Speed boost maybe)

I doubt they'll update the ipods as they had the "Let's rock" event in september. Maybe some spec changes but nothing major cosmetically.

And i hope this iphone nano rumors dont turn out to be true. A cheap iphone would kinda ruin the brand IMO.

But its macworld and maybe apple will launch something that none of us have thought of!!!

On another note, im interested to hearing Phil Schillers Keynote. Anytime i've heard him speak before i always thought he was a good speaker.

Also, has anyone got any suggestion regarding how we all will chat about the keynote while its on??? IRC would be ideal while its live as the forum is hard to keep track of with constant refreshing. Between refreshing whatever websites we'll all have open for following the live updates, and boards, we'll end up just going around in circles!

Who else think that boards.ie should look into hosting live chat for certain events? Just a thought......

zappairl

Hey, I'm new to apple.... still waiting on getting my first macbook, but ive watched all the keynotes on youtube... where do i go to watch it live? thank you.

Kid Nothing

it's not shown live, but you can follow it through live text on engadget, tuaw, gizmodo and a few other sites

Dman001

There'll be no updates to the iPod line, except maybe the iPod Touch which will probably only be a memory upgrade. It depends if they update the iPhone's memory. We may see a new firmware for the Touch/iPhone too.

Red Alert

HDCP content can be played through DVI and DisplayPort too AFAIK.

bluemachaveli

Dman001 wrote: »

We may see a new firmware for the Touch/iPhone too.

Definite update to kill the unlock! Apple have to take it way more serious now that the networks are supporting the cost of the phone!

17" MBP needs an update to bring it in line with the rest of the line. Unibody, graphics etc.

New Mac Mini, as everyone else.

Doubtful for a netbook tbh.

Jury's still out on the iPhone "Nano". There's a market for a cheaper smaller phone alright. If it does drop i can see it being aimed at the pre-pay market!

Dman001

bluemachavel wrote: »

Jury's still out on the iPhone "Nano". There's a market for a cheaper smaller phone alright. If it does drop i can see it being aimed at the pre-pay market!

I don't think it will be physically be smaller but I do think it will have a smaller capacity. I do think too that it will be aimed towards the PAYG market. Teens will go mad for it if it's price right.

J-blk

Red Alert wrote: »

HDCP content can be played through DVI and DisplayPort too AFAIK.

You're right - I was thinking of the issues that broke out with the new MacBooks/MBPs connected to non-HDCP devices (monitors/TVs/projectors) via the mini DisplayPort but HDCP-compliant stuff will work fine... So not a huge issue if the new Mini uses DisplayPort, except of course for the fact that the stupid adapter will still be sold separately...

ant043

check out macrumors guys. Latest rumor is a new unibody 17 inch macbook pro with a non-user replaceable battery. This supposedly increases the battery life to a much higher level.

ec18

hopefully Irish iTunes movie and tv rentals

tenandtracer

I am hoping for a 2.5ish GHz MacMini with 320GB drive with 2GB memory expandable to 4 GB. I'd buy that tomorrow - Steve Jobs permitting!

More memory for the iPhone would be good.

merkuree

Snow Leopard by April.....

condra

Decent graphics for the Mac Mini would be nice. (for people who are thinking of buying one)

Sad Professor

Macrumors has done a good round-up of all the rumours and news regarding tomorrow's keynote.

http://www.macrumors.com/2009/01/04/macworld-san-francisco-2009-rumor-roundup/

cornbb

My only prediction would be for a budget Mac of some sort: either an update to the Mac Mini, a Mac netbook (a budget Macbook of some sort, seeing as they upped the price of the macbook the last time around), or both. I think Apple would be mad not to provide more options for someone on a tight budget, if they want their market share to keep growing in the current financial climate.

swingking

any ideas what time the keynote is on at ??

swingking

actually just found out. It's on tomorrow at 9am, San Franciscan time, which is 5 pm GMT

merkuree

9am PST, tomorrow.....Just passed by Moscone about 30 mins ago.....seems much lower key than last year....not as many banners, no large Apple logos....a bit subdued for a macworld...although I am sure there will be people standing in line by midnight tonight

johnk123

Did anyone read my earlier post suggesting that boards should look into an IRC type chat of some sort?? I'd prefer to have a live chat running with the rest of us boardsies and not have to constantly refresh the thread along with the many websites that are providing our coverage. What does everyone else think??? Maybe it could work in the future. But would anyone think it's a good idea?? We could all go on AIM/MSN in a big group tomorrow...... Just a thought.

Can't wait for it though! I wonder will anyone manage to stream audio or video from inside this year?

Kid Nothing

johnk123 wrote: »

Did anyone read my earlier post suggesting that boards should look into an IRC type chat of some sort?? I'd prefer to have a live chat running with the rest of us boardsies and not have to constantly refresh the thread along with the many websites that are providing our coverage. What does everyone else think??? Maybe it could work in the future. But would anyone think it's a good idea?? We could all go on AIM/MSN in a big group tomorrow...... Just a thought.

Can't wait for it though! I wonder will anyone manage to stream audio or video from inside this year?

Sounds like a really good idea...... i, however have no clue about things like this, so i'm not much help!

Sad Professor

johnk123 wrote: »

Did anyone read my earlier post suggesting that boards should look into an IRC type chat of some sort?? I'd prefer to have a live chat running with the rest of us boardsies and not have to constantly refresh the thread along with the many websites that are providing our coverage. What does everyone else think???

It's a good idea and I think we have kind of discussed this before. But tbh it's probably not really worth it since there's only few of us who'd take part and we'd still end up posting here anyway. A lot of posters will drift in tomorrow and they won't be bothered joining chat channels so most of the discussion will still take place in the forum. Probably easier to just keep it here.

Macrumors sometimes has two IRC channels going, one for updates and the other for chat. It's chaotic but funny. Not sure if they're doing it this year.

AlmightyCushion

@Johnk - Not gonna happen. There was one before but the admins removed it as it was a bítch to moderate. Nothing to stop you setting one up yourself mind.

They really shouldn't go with a non-removeable battery in a laptop. Terrible idea.

thecommander

johnk123 wrote: »

Did anyone read my earlier post suggesting that boards should look into an IRC type chat of some sort??

Try this Stinto. It creates a temporary chatroom.

tenandtracer

updates here
http://www.macworld.com/article/137730/2009/01/expo_live.html?lsrc=newsalert

Elessar

thecommander wrote: »

Try this Stinto. It creates a temporary chatroom.

I've created a chat room on Stinto to discuss the Keynote and all things Mac - I will be on it all day if anyone wants to drop in (Keynote is 5pm)

Address is http://www.stinto.net/0aa95

Maybe I should make a new thread?

J-blk

I think we'll need a new thread once the keynote kicks off anyway - it might be a good idea to include the link in that thread.

BTW, I clicked on it and our work web filter blocked it as Adult/Sexually Explicit so I hope I don't get called over by management for a "chat" soon .

Elessar

J-blk wrote: »

I think we'll need a new thread once the keynote kicks off anyway - it might be a good idea to include the link in that thread.

BTW, I clicked on it and our work web filter blocked it as Adult/Sexually Explicit so I hope I don't get called over by management for a "chat" soon .

Nothing but a harmless chat site - there are no banners or annoying ads even.

You could always use a *cough* proxy *cough*

J-blk

Yeah, didn't expect it to be anything dodgy... work place filters can be a bit moronic from time to time anyway but thankfully I've never managed to get into too much trouble .

Seems the main discussion thread is up now by Sad Professor...

fjon

Hopefully they'll release this
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/apple_introduces_revolutionary