By Chris Maxcer
MacNewsWorld
Part of the ECT News Network
02/24/10 5: 00 AM PT, It's about time we saw a MacBook Pro refresh, and rumor has it an update could come as early as Thursday. What I hope to see is a major makeover: new technologies, incredible redesign, mind-blowing internals, the works. What I expect is a much more modest upgrade, with maybe a few new bits thrown in to keep things interesting. Apple just doesn't have to work very hard to maintain its lead.
Of course, it's also possible that Apple will fold to MacBook Pro announcement into its March 2 media event next week, where Apple is widely expected to reveal it's second generation iPad 2. Apple could theoretically include both product lines in an announcement effort showcasing mobile products.
On the flip side, Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) is also rumored to be announcing something related to its Light Peak connectivity technology, possibly dubbed "Thunderbolt," on Thursday, which means Apple and Intel would both benefit from the synergy. Apple gets to say it has Thunderbolt, shipping now, and Intel gets to ride on Apple's considerable marketing and media influence.
The big question that all the blogs and rumor sites are trying to unravel--not to mention more than a few financial analysts on Wall Street--is what kind of release can we expect? Notice I didn't say "hope for" ... that's a whole different animal.
What I hope for is a major refresh to the MacBook Pro line. While at some point I expect to see MacBook Pros that share the svelte wedge shape of the latest MacBook Air, I think it's too soon for Apple to mess with the unibody chassis much overall. But there is some hope that Apple will use a new alloy called "Liquidmetal" to reduce weight by as much as 20 percent.
Aside from making the MacBook Pro lighter, Liquidmetal may give Apple good reason to change the color, too. When I first saw a shiny all-black mockup by designer Dario Crisafulli, I had to stifle an urge to dig out a credit card just to be ready in case Apple does give us a new black option. I use an aging black MacBook--one of the last--and for some reason I can't explain ", I still prefer the look of it over the newer silver MacBooks, despite their technical and physical advantages.
While I hope for a major form factor redesign, I don't expect one. Why? Because Apple doesn't have to, and if there's one thing that I've noticed about Apple, it's that the company is quite content to hold back features or changes until the last possible minute they are needed to boost sales and consumer adoption. It's oxymoronic for a company that keeps pushing the envelope, but it exists.
A case in point is a camera on the iPad. Apple very obviously has been working on FaceTime for quite a while, and it knew that consumers would want a front-facing camera on their iPad so they could FaceTime with the iPod touch, iPhone, and Macs ... but Apple has yet to include a front-facing camera.
I don't believe there's any real technical hurdle, just that Apple doesn't have to, and when it introduces its next-generation iPad 2, it'll be used as just another excuse to buy an iPad. In racing terms, it seems that Apple is quite comfortable leading by just a few lengths ... there's no benefit to risk burning up an engine or blowing out a tire just to lead by a full lap.
And where's the proof of a comfortable lead? Apple's Mac sales, which are dominated by MacBooks, are up 20 percent year-over-year for the March quarter, according to NPD Group. The MacBook Air could be taking the Lion's share, but the Pro is a constant performer.
We can definitely expect a few much-needed improvements, with lesser improvements going to the 13-inch MacBook Pro line vs. the 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pros. Here are some key options:
Last of all, we haven't even mentioned the lone white MacBook. With the $ 999 MacBook Air, I wonder how many white MacBooks are selling. Apple has said the new MacBook Air represents the next generation of MacBooks, and it's hard to see how the white MacBook can possibly join the group. I wonder how long Apple will bother with it?
Despite my overall expectations for a fairly modest update to the MacBook Pro line, I hope that Apple wows the world with an astounding new 15-inch form factor and package of internals that will remain competitive for a long time. And if an announcement doesn't come Thursday, maybe it'll come March 2 as part of a "mobility" metaphor at Apple's scheduled media event.
But I doubt it because Apple doesn't have to pack the event to get attention. An iPad 2 will dominate the news for weeks to come, all on its own.
MacNewsWorld columnist Chris Maxcer has been writing about the tech industry since the birth of the email newsletter, and he still remembers the away down Mac keyboards from high school--Apple's seed-planting strategy at work. While he enjoys elegant tech gear and sublime, there's something to be said for turning it all off--or most of it--to go outside. To catch him, take a "firstnamelastname" guess at Gmail.com.stLight. options ({publisher: ' aa1224c6-4ba7-b198-9533-a0e9e2e5e489 '});Print Version E-Mail Article Reprints More by Chris Maxcer
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