Slashdot Mirror
MacBook Announcement Expected on Tuesday
wwhsgrad2002 writes "Both ThinkSecret and Apple Insider are reporting that Apple could hold a press conference as early as Tuesday, May 9th, to announce their new line of MacBooks. The laptop will be the Intel-based successor to the company's popular iBook line. The 13.3-inch widescreen MacBook is expected to sport Core Duo processors from Intel Corp and pack novelties such as a completely magnetic latching system, built in iSight video camera, and MagSafe power adapter. Additionally, each MacBook is expected to come bundled with Apple's Front Row and PhotoBooth software applications. A coding glitch with Apple's Web site has all but confirmed the MacBook moniker for the new consumer laptop."
As an Apple stockholder, I do not support the switch from IBM and FreeScale (formerly Motorola) PowerPC to Intel chips. Apple is effectively outsourcing the design of its hardware, of which much innovation and creativity were well received in the marketplace. Aside from the Rosetta chip, what *REALLY* distinguishes a Macintosh now from a PC aside from the shiny metal and plastic? I am not trolling, I know that Apple couples hardware from 3rd parties together very well, I just don't see how the switch to Intel chips is going to increase marketshare, damn, a Macintosh is a Macintosh only goes so far, the underlying hardware does have something to do with the *Macintosh* experience.
Aside from Intel speed bumps, the Macbook and Macbook Pro will have very little distinction. Hopefully, Apple will provide the chip in a socket and have a block of jumpers to upgrade chips and adjust CPU and logic board frequencies. At least I upgraded from a Motorola 400 MHz G3 to an IBM 500 MHz G3 in my Blue & White 'Yosemite' Macintosh with relative ease. With Intel-type designs, upgrading Macintoshes shouldn't be difficult.
Apple is treading in dangerous waters by switching to Intel and risking becoming irrelevant by embracing commodity PC hardware. Steve & Co. better have really, and I mean *REALLY* superior software to compete against The Borg, and I think that Switching to Intel pretty much burned the bridges with IBM and PowerPC unless Big Blue can produce cooler temperature chips that burn-up the Intel chips.