New MacBook Pro and MacBook models are widely expected to be announced today, October 14 2008, at a 10 a.m. PDT Apple event.
Somewhat blurry images of the new devices have leaked out to web sites Gizmodo and Engadget. If these images are accurate they appear to be of a slightly slimmer MacBook Pro with a rounded case. As has been Apple’s practice in the past, the images appear to borrow designwise from the earlier MacBook Air line by including a rounded case and full touchpad (no more buttons).
Among the many rumors floating around various web sites:
- Apple will replace the Intel video processer with an NVIDIA processor. At least one rumor places it to be a dual NVIDIA
- No update to MacBook Air other than increased storage – hard disk to 120 GB and SSD increased to 128 GB (from 64 GB).
- Several web sites have posted images of a case they claim might be “carved” from a single piece of aluminum. Earlier online reports claimed that Apple had invented a new manufacturing process where the laptop case is “carved” from a single piece of aluminum.
Sites That Will Live Blog This Event
Live Blogging is when a web site sends a person with a laptop (and often camera) to sit in the audience and write what is occurring during the event.
These updates are in real time and are often very entertaining because they include the writers’ own personal comments and observations. When an announcement is dull and ordinary – those who live blog the event typically pull no punches. Similarly when the announcements are exciting, you’ll see the reports start flying at a more fevered pitch.
Here are some of the more popular sites that are live blogging the 10 a.m. PDT Apple MacBook event today:
Speculation About Margin Busting Product Introduction
Apple had announced during their last earning’s call that financial analysts should expect lower yearly margins due to the introduction of cutting edge technology. This set the online web world afire with speculation.
Early buzz and rumor was that the budget buster would be a new manufacturing process that carved the MacBook product line from a single brick of aluminum. While this is entertaining to imagine, I’m not sure how realistic it is to think that these huge plants were built (supposedly in the USA) with no leaks. Given the enormous amount of outside contractors, this seems more like an interesting rumor .
The latest buzz surrounds a possible Apple display that would start at $899. There have been some rumors that say a hard disk (or some other storage) will be embedded inside the display and allow for collecting video.
Bottom line? Nobody knows for sure what’s coming today at the Apple announcement. You can read all about the announcements on just about any technology web site or if you’re an avid fan – join Slashgear with their live blog of the event (Live Blogging is when someone sits in the audience and takes photos and types out exactly what is being sent. Readers then get almost instant information).
UPDATE: Highly respected web site Daring Fireball have posted what they claim is detailed listing of the products to be announced (which mostly verify what we’ve summarized about) – check out Daring Fireball’s report here.