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August 5, 2006

events

Derik’s WWDC Predictions

Posted Aug. 5, ’06, 6:32 PM PT by Derik DeLong
Category | Apple » Events

WWDC Banner We’re all aflutter waiting for Steve Jobs to take the stage and tell us about new products at WWDC 2006. Here’s what I’m thinking we’ll see.

Leopard: This is a given. We know we’ll get a preview with bells and whistles. I’m looking for a tabbed Finder. Whether it’s carbon or cocoa, it doesn’t really matter. Boot Camp will be integrated as part of the install. A WINE like system won’t be part of it. We’ll see more APIs for developers and more shiny bits for end users. Both Intel and PowerPC versions will ship on the same disc. We might even see some features that rely on .Mac that’ll further try to reinforce its value.

Mac Pro: The Intel Power Mac replacement will finally arrive, making the entire line of Macs Intel. One of the G5 models will be kept on for professionals that aren’t ready (either because they still need Classic or because it will still be the more efficient way to run their apps). It’ll have Conroe (Core 2 Duo) processors on either just the lowest model or low and midrange models. The top end will have two dual core Woodcrest (Xeon) processors. The same case will be used, but it’ll have room for two optical drives, completing the duality theme (dual core, dual ethernet ports, etc.). The real tension point is whether it’ll feature ATI or Nvidia graphics. I’ll guess ATI this time.

iPhone: No.

iPods: While the no touch “real video” iPods sound interesting, I don’t think we’ll see it.

Xserve: Way overdue for an update. Xeon processors seem a natural.

iTunes Movie Rentals: While I’ve seen some very funny segues, it just doesn’t make any sense this time around. Maybe Apple Expo in Europe? That would also be a good venue for the iPods.

Core 2 Duo: While we may see these chips added to the MacBook Pro, I think both the MacBooks and Mac minis will stick with the Core Duo line. They don’t need the top end performance.

Where do you think I went wrong? What have I missed?


2 Comments

Brandon said:

The MacBook and the MacBook Pro could both greatly benefit from the Core 2 Duo. Keep in mind that not only do they perform well, but they run cooler and significantly extend the battery life of the machine. So I think we'll be seeing both notebooks using the chip. However, it is the Apple way to release the upgraded Macbook Pro first before the non-Pro version to get all the early adopters.

August 5, 2006 7:40 PM
Dan--the man said:

I'm hoping for a MacBook Pro redesign. Not shipping that day. Maybe shipping early September, but I'm hoping they reveal it like the did in January and and didn't ship for a month.

I can't seem to find the prices of the Core Duo chips, but the Core 2 Duo prices seem to be dramatically cheaper than the Core Duo chips when they came out. Would it be cheaper for Apple to use all Core 2 Duo, adding in a possible price drop for one huge shipment of 1 product line instead of 2 different lines? Does that make sense?

Also, I think either way, Apple will try to get the Core Solo out and use all Duo chips. Well, they should at least.

It'd be nice to see a price drop for MacBook Pros, but that's unlikely. I'd like to see the 17-inch back at $2,499 sooner or later. Maybe next year along with a $999 MacBook.

August 5, 2006 10:33 PM

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