According to one of the greatest Apple sites around, AppleInsider, the new MacBooks are already in production, and further more the Sandy Bridge flaws that Intel was having, apparently, won't be effecting the release of the next MacBooks which could be here as early a March!
AppleInsider has also reported that Apple is not only uneffected by the latest Intel flaw, but that it is actively increasing its notebook shipments for the first quarter of the year.
As interesting as all that is, what I really want to know, besides having Intel's new Sandy Bridge silicon onboard, is what else might the new MacBooks also include that might be different and, hopefully, better than the current crop of MacBooks? That, like most other people, is something that I don't really know and I will have to wait and, like everyone else, see what Apple delivers, but, in the meantime, what I'm hoping to see is:
- Liquid Metal bodies
- SSD drive replacement instead of traditional hard drives
- Retina Display, or AMOLED screens
- Multi-Touch display,
- Beefier graphic chips
- Wireless external accessories such as SSD, mechanical and DVD drives; mice, trackpads, etc.
- Multi-Touch trackpad with built-in display
- Completely programable keyboard similar to the Optimus Maximus
- Lower prices
Obviously, I can`t expect to get em all, but I`m hoping that we'll get some of them, starting off with Apple's recent purchase for most of the patent rights to Liquid Metal, something that could make any new MacBooks much more stronger, lighter and well put-together that its competiton could ever dream of achieving.
As the recent MacBook Airs have proven, SSD drives, though more expensive than traditional mechanical ones, are definitely the wave of the future. They`re not only faster and more reliable then mechanical drives, but SSD boot times are almost instant to the point of being almost mind blowing since there are fewer and virtually no moving parts.
A computer`s screen is, of course, the most important part of any computer, desktop or laptop. Already MacBooks use IPS LED screens that are among the very best to be found anywhere, but an AMOLED or Retina Display would be a great improvement and very desirable.
When it comes to multi-touch monitors, Apple`s multi-touch track pad, I feel, is a superior solution for most things, but not all things. There are times, like when manipulating a 3D globe for instance, is just a hell of a lot more fun.
When it comes to on board graphics, however, Apple`s notebooks, and desktops for that matter, have always been somewhat disappointing when compared to their Windows counter parts. Sure, Mac`s graphics are great for most things, but considering the higher costs of Macs in the first place, I think that we deserve a little more graphic goodness under the hood. A little bragging rights in that area would be nice for a change. Superior software and other hardware features might be nice and all, but I, as a Mac user....... I want it all!
As far as rumors that the next MacBooks will be going the route of the MacBook Airs, namely losing their built-in DVD drives, I welcome it. When I think of it, it has been literally months since the last time that I used my built-in DVD drive, so why bother including one, especially in a mobile device? Of course, there are those occasions when you'll need it, so having a wireless, or wired, DVD that you can simply plug in is an absolute necessory. Most of the time, however, you don't really need one, so why lug one around with you all of the time? Having wireless external drives, speakers, mice, etc. is great, so the more, the merrier I say.
I love Apple's built-in multi-touch track pad, it's by far the best track pad that I've ever used period. However, having a programable display built into the track pad, and keyboard, is a fantastic idea and one I've also dreamt of having for ages now. Apple is, apparently, according to one patent, already considering putting a display into a mouse, so it should be no problem to include one into the track pad itself as well, sort of like Acer's new Iconia laptop.
When it comes to lower prices, well, we can always dream, can't we?
In conclusion, I, like most people, won't know exactly what the new and upcoming MacBooks will, or will not, have, but I believe that they are going to be more, a lot more, than just another refresh offering minor bumped up specs. I'm not sure, but I have a gut feeling that much like the MacBook Air, the new MacBooks are going to be a lot different and a lot better than most think they'll be. At least that's what I'm hoping.
And that's my 2 cents 4 this Wednesday, February 16, 2011
UPDATE: FastCompany is reporting that Intel may have ialready nadvertantly outted the new MacBook as seen in the openning image, via FastCompany. ALSO, MacTrask.com claims to have exclusive information on the new Macs, such as being 15-20% lighter, having longer battery life, etc.
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