[Quagmire]

Ai reports apple is quietly preparing new products for next week and start to show Monday evening.( the evening part smells fishy to me) We all know the ibooks are closing in on there update time. But, the ibooks will not go faster unless the pbooks go faster. We all know apple used the cram and jam promotion in the past to get inventory out and screw the people who just bought the notebooks and intro new ibooks and pbooks. What chip will the pbook have if it is refreshed at Paris? The only other G4 chip we know that is being developed is freescales dual core G4. But, they said that they are not going to show a prototype intill October. So the only chip is available is the G5. So will we see G5 pbooks at Paris? What other products do you think could be released? There is still those Powerbook numbers(7,1 and 7,2) and that Pmac number(9,1). Could we see a cube2? A 20th anniversary Mac?

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=613

[Messiahtosh]

A modular Mac may make a debut, along with the iMac, but I wouldnt hold my breath for it.

[Messiahtosh]

We could see the introduction of the next iSight video camera.

Maybe something will incorporate the 60 GB micro drive that Apple has apparently been buying up.

[Messiahtosh]

Also interesting is the fact that the place we do not speak of, is saying that the iMac will sport a aluminum/chrome motif...consistent with my source, and reported by me in a thread over a month ago.

http://forums.applenova.com/showthread.php?t=971

This is from AppleInsider's current report:

In addition to previously published descriptions of the new all-in-one desktop, tipsters added that the iMac G5 would sport an aluminum and chrome motif; a scheme consistent with the majority of the company's current hardware offerings.

You can eat your hats, after the intro.

[Barracuda]

I think the new G5 iMac will be based on the same half-dome form factor as the current one; with the same *Brilliant* chrome arm, but it will be anodized aluminum and available in iPod mini colors...and the display will be very similar to the newly introduced Cinema Displays, ie: aluminum with white sides.

The only chrome part will be the Apple logo and of course the arm.

This will be a very compelling product!

I don't beleive the pizza-box rumors...Apple invested too much money into the chrome arm and it's exceptionally functional and gorgeous at the same time! There were rumors that it was expensive to produce that arm....but after time, the production costs naturally come down, so I think Apple would be smart to keep it. However, I would like for the display to have a little more "angle up" ability for the sight impaired. (My mom has glaucoma, and that is the only thing she didn't like about the iMac...if only she could tilt the display at an angle where the display is more like the angle you would read a book, then that would be a HUGE improvement
for her).

Since the G5 chips emit so much heat, I doubt the form factor will be smaller. There is a chance it might not be a half dome...but I don't think there is any other more elegant or functional solution; a more box-like computer would look really bad...so my bet is that they keep the half dome.

There may be more accessable USB, Firewire & headphone outlets on the front and possibly slot loading drive, which might give more room in the internals for the cooling system.

I would be very happy with a machine like that! (just as long as they are at the same price points as the last range of iMacs!)

As far as the "other products"...it's anyone's guess...I think something is coming though, and it's the perfect time of year to launch a whole new product! It used to be "killer" apps...but I think it will be another "killer" Digital Life Device. If Apple had something with the same "joie de vivre" as the iPod, they would really be on a roll! It would also give them some successful breathing room while G5 production continues to ramp up!

oh...and one more thing...I think we'll still get our Steve fix and he will be on iChat AV with Phil.

[pscates2.0]

I see an orange 6GB iPod mini on the horizon...

And some new iPod/automotive products and announcements. And some sort of AirPort Express/iTunes remote solution.

And a big honkin' secret that'll knock everyone's eyes out.

[Barracuda]

Orange? You could be right...iPod mini's prolly will be bumped up, too.

Same with your other predictions...they have a distinct chance of reality in Paris, including the surprise!

I don't know when it will happen, but I think the next iBooks will take on the iPod mini likeness which you superbly rendered for us a while back, Pscates!

The rounded edges and anodized aluminum colors will be the "new white" (talked elsewhere on here), for consumer products. The iMac G5 will be the first to implement this scheme. iBooks to follow.

[iDaver]

I don't think we'll see any new iPod Minis until demand for the current ones has cooled. I'd really like the Paris Expo to be more about computers and less about music. Let's see that modular Mac of which Messiahtosh spoke!

[Barracuda]

I agree...more about computers! It's TIME!

[Robo]

iPods: New iPm colors - likely, 60GB iP - possible, 6 GB iPm - possible but unlikely, iPm price drop - possible but unlikely.

Desktops: iMG5 - given, PMG5 speed bump - possible but unlikely, lower-end headless Mac - hopeful but unlikely.

Notebooks: PBG4 speed bump - possible, some sort of weird new portable (7,1/7,2) - possible, PBG5 - you're dreaming, pal.

Other: Something to celebrate 20 years of Mac - likely, something to suprise us - hopefully!

[Escher]

I have no clue what will be announced at the Paris Apple Expo. As long as Phil (or Steve via iChat AV) reveals the new iMac G5, I will be happy. What I can say is...

Less than 6 days to go!

Let's keep up the countdown tradition.

Escher

[pscates2.0]

Originally Posted by Escher Less than 6 days to go! Let's keep up the countdown tradition.

If, by that, you mean everyone goes half nuts and posts 230 "teh iMacG5 specs...what I expect" threads by Saturday afternoon, followed with whining and bitching about a product that isn't even out yet, let's not, shall we?



The other place tends to have that to spare in their Future Hardware forum.

[bassplayinMacFiend]

Originally Posted by pscates2.0 If, by that, you mean everyone goes half nuts and posts 230 "teh iMacG5 specs...what I expect" threads by Saturday afternoon, followed with whining and bitching about a product that isn't even out yet, let's not, shall we? The other place tends to have that to spare in their Future Hardware forum.

If nothing else, it's been an exciting debate. For all my posts in other future hardware forums, the discussion hasn't raised my blood pressure. I like to know what other macheads hope/desire/expect from Apple when they release the new iMac. Apple was probably more direct than it's ever been when they put the little, "Sorry, we're out of stock. Please refresh your browser in 2 months to see the new iMac." blurb on the iMac page then they've ever been.

Probably the closest to this was the, "Way beyond the rumor sites, way beyond" stuff they pulled for the release of iMac2.

Seeing as my Mazda Protege will be sold on Friday, I happen to have a windfall of cash coming right when new Apple hardware comes out. So all of a sudden, I have a much higher level of interest in Apple's new offerings then I would've say, oh a week or so ago.

[unixguru]

Originally Posted by Roboman Notebooks: PBG4 speed bump - possible, some sort of weird new portable (7,1/7,2) - possible, PBG5 - you're dreaming, pal.

I don't know that the PBG5 will be announced at the expo, but the Powerbook 7,1 and 7,2 are MacRISC4 architecture, according to the plist in OS 10.3.5. MacRISC4 is, without question, the G5 architecture. The only two released MacRISC4 machines are the PowerMac G5 and the XServe G5, that's it. The iMacG5 (PowerMac8,1) is a MacRISC4 machine also.

In addition to that, I don't think people that are hoping for a PBG5 are dreaming anymore. If support in the latest OS isn't enough evidence, Norman Rohrer, the IBM engineer who designed the PowerPC 970FX, said that PowerTune brings the chip's power consumption into a range that would allow it to be used in a notebook computer. In fact, he almost comes right out and says that Powertune was added at the request of a customer so it could be put in a notebook. (eWeek interview)

Powertune allows the processor to scale frequencies in a single clock cycle. It can even enter a deep nap state where it uses just 1 watt of power.

Then there's the statement made last year by Jobs, where he said that they would like to have a PBG5 done by about this time this year. I don't think that carries as much weight, as it only says, "We would like to," but it still gives an idea of plans, which have to be made way in advance.

[Messiahtosh]

This is circulating now.

[DMBand0026]

"A supercomputer in your lap" ???

<crosses fingers>

[Quagmire]

iBooks can't get a speedbump intill the pbook does. There has only been one faster G4 announcement which was a dual core G4 by freescale. That won't be ready to ship in quantity intill at least spring 05. Apple isn't going to allow their notebook lines go stale a year. That code posted by Unixguru seems a confirmation that the next rev of the pbook is G5. The latest apple can push the ibook refresh is January. I think by January that 10.3.6 will be out. So those pbook numbers will rather have to show up at paris, they had a problem and got delayed, or apple was pulling our leg.

[Messiahtosh]

I'm thinking PowerBook too, regardless of how many people will say this is in reference to an iMac.

[murbot]

That banner certainly does make you think laptop... it wouldn't be:

A supercomputer on your desk.

And then:

A slightly slower, esthetically pleasing AIO supercomputer on your other desk.

Would it?

[Messiahtosh]

A supercomputer on your wall? haha i dont know

Wall-mounted iMacs? :smokey:

[sunrain]

Originally Posted by Messiahtosh I'm thinking PowerBook too, regardless of how many people will say this is in reference to an iMac.

The end of that line could be, "a supercomputer in your home."

I just don't see how they could've worked out the cooling issues yet. I'd be afraid to set a PBG5 on my lap. MacDonald's wouldn't be the only one with a severe lap-burns lawsuit in their past.

[Messiahtosh]

Don't homes have desks? Arent desks where every desktop computer goes? Maybe floors too, but you see what I'm saying?

The only way they could say "now a supercomputer in your home" is if the tag line says something like, "You dont need an office budget to afford a supercomputer anymore."

[colonelforbin]

Originally Posted by Messiahtosh This is circulating now.

where's it circulating? do we know it's real?

[pscates2.0]

What about "a supercomputer in your pants"? Could that mean something?

Anyway, that's an interesting banner. I would, however, feel better about it if I could see it in context (say on Apple's site or whatever). Goodness knows any puddinghead with Photoshop and 5 minutes can pretty much create whatever he wants...



A supercomputer on your desk...

Yes, the logical flip-side to that is indeed "now a supercomputer in your lap" or whatever. Surely not!

Then again, maybe the wall thing has an angle? What if the new iMac was indeed just a big damn slab, meant to be stuck on the wall? Since it's not on your desk and won't be viewed as much from all angles, the whole "glomming the guts onto the back of the display" thing isn't as offensive and problematic...all you're going to see is the display.

However, the problem with this is the lack of convenience to reach the optical drive or USB/FireWire ports. Not to mention the fact that not everyone has their computer desk up against their wall. What about all those people with desks or tables sitting in the center of a room, not against a wall?

I don't know.

[Messiahtosh]

I grabbed that banner from AppleInsider...but I think I can confirm that it's real...

It came from this link: http://spinbox.techtracker.com/DA/66...xpo_pro_uk.gif and if you go to http://spinbox.techtracker.com you can see that site seems to be an ad hosting place of some sort.

[Messiahtosh]

Also kind of cool is http://www.apple.com/fr/

It may take a couple refreshes.

[DaveGee]

Originally Posted by Messiahtosh I grabbed that banner from AppleInsider...but I think I can confirm that it's real... It came from this link: http://spinbox.techtracker.com/DA/66...xpo_pro_uk.gif and if you go to http://spinbox.techtracker.com you can see that site seems to be an ad hosting place of some sort.

Click here for the wide-screen version...

http://spinbox.techtracker.com/DA/6614/

Dave

[Quagmire]

Originally Posted by Messiahtosh Also kind of cool is http://www.apple.com/fr/ It may take a couple refreshes.

I couldn't make it pop up. I tried like 15 times.

[Messiahtosh]

Originally Posted by Undertaker I couldn't make it pop up. I tried like 15 times.

Haha, I was talking about the fact that the French store is advertising for the Paris Expo. The french writing says something like, "A world of solutions," and "will you be there?"

Sorry if you thought I meant there was something else to see.

[Quagmire]

Originally Posted by Messiahtosh Haha, I was talking about the fact that the French store is advertising for the Paris Expo. The french writing says something like, "A world of solutions," and "will you be there?" Sorry if you thought I meant there was something else to see.

I thought it was that banner you posted.(in the wide screen version dave linked to)