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May 8, 2006
Has Apple Reached Their Design Zenith?
Following the Apple's Intel transition it has occurred to me recently that most of their form factor design have stayed solid and they have simply have had to slip in the new intel chip. While this make much sense financially it has been a while since something new came out of the design studio. Remember the phrase "reworked from the ground up?" When did you last here that at a keynote?
Granted, there have been a few add-on products to come out of Cupertino, but hey, does anyone really love the design of the iPod Hi-Fi?
Thinking ahead it's really the MacBook and MacPro's turn next. With Jobs' recent comment that the new products are the best yet (I know he always says that) could we be in from some fireworks from Mr. Ive? It's been awhile since we heard from him - don't you think?
How about some innovation in the upcoming MacBook:
- A full magnetic closure with no hook
- Refined night glow white encasing with possible shades of color
- 13.3-inch "true black" screen
- 20% slimmer
- Possible ship date of May 19, 2006 with the new 24/7 New York City store opening by SJ himself?
The Mac Pro (Intel tower) looks to ship 2007 but could also be seen at the WWDC developers conference in August. There has been little if no thought as to what this would look like or have inside. Do customers like the current "Power Mac" enclosure are we up for another redesign or another simple Intel chip switch.
iBook and Power Mac users of the world, it's time you made yourself heard!
Posted by Neal, PowePage UK Bureau Chief at May 8, 2006 7:00 AM
Category: Opinion
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Comments
I personally believe Apple purposely kept the same outside appearance of the new Macs BECAUSE of the processor change. They want customers to believe that even though these new Macs are now running on Intel, they are still Macs just like the PowerPC predecessors. Identical, or at least similar, outside appearance would certainly help that cause.
Posted by: Weili at May 8, 2006 12:55 PM
Although the Intel transition machines looked the same, that could have been a purely marketing decision, not one based on cost. Between the Intel MacBook Pro and the previous PowerPC based generation there are *NO* common components other than the fold-up power pins and extension power cord from the AC adapters. Every other component, including the rest of the AC adadpter is different, so it's not just a case of them having 'had to slip in the new intel chip'.
The MacBook Pro is new from the ground up, it just looks very similar by the time it comes to the outside of the case.
Posted by: GadgetGav at May 8, 2006 3:12 PM
I would think by the time the new intel Powermac comes out enough time will have passed for Apple to stop being so cautious about changing the looks of their computers with intel chips in them. Hopefully the iBook will be the first to sport the new style Apple will adopt in its whole line. If the new iPod and iBook are new designs but look similar to each other, the rest of their computers should follow.
My question is, after using a metal case, can they go back to using plastics?
Posted by: reyesmac at May 8, 2006 10:32 PM

