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“MacBook” to Replace iBook name?

A PowerPage reader writes:

Our Apple Rep was here (University deleted) on Friday, and slipped up a bit…
He said: “You know that Steve’s putting iSight cameras in everything. The MacBook will have it. (Short pause, while he quickly looks at his feet. Then he looks up and resumes.) The MacBook Pro has it now.”

From previous rumors it sounds like the new MacBook will ship in a single 13.3-inch widescreen form-factor with a single core Intel Core Solo processor. A machine targeted at the educational market would have to be announced in March and ship in April or risk missing the critical back-to-school buying window for most schools in the United States.
I’ve heard some rumbling that Apple may drop FireWire from the MacBook in an effort to trim costs and to further differentiate the MacBook Pro. Apple can’t drop FireWire from the MacBook unless they add an ExpressCard/34 slot which would allow you to add FireWire via an expansion card. iMovie HD features FireWire importing and has long been bundled with consumer Macs. It would be difficult for Apple to ship a notebook without some way to connect to FireWire devices.
Apple’s holding a special media event tomorrow (28 Feb) in Cupertino and there’s a 50/50 chance that they’ll launch the MacBook then.
What do you think of the name “MacBook?”


A PowerPage reader writes:

Our Apple Rep was here (University deleted) on Friday, and slipped up a bit…
He said: “You know that Steve’s putting iSight cameras in everything. The MacBook will have it. (Short pause, while he quickly looks at his feet. Then he looks up and resumes.) The MacBook Pro has it now.”

From previous rumors it sounds like the new MacBook will ship in a single 13.3-inch widescreen form-factor with a single core Intel Core Solo processor. A machine targeted at the educational market would have to be announced in March and ship in April or risk missing the critical back-to-school buying window for most schools in the United States.
I’ve heard some rumbling that Apple may drop FireWire from the MacBook in an effort to trim costs and to further differentiate the MacBook Pro. Apple can’t drop FireWire from the MacBook unless they add an ExpressCard/34 slot which would allow you to add FireWire via an expansion card. iMovie HD features FireWire importing and has long been bundled with consumer Macs. It would be difficult for Apple to ship a notebook without some way to connect to FireWire devices.
Apple’s holding a special media event tomorrow (28 Feb) in Cupertino and there’s a 50/50 chance that they’ll launch the MacBook then.
What do you think of the name “MacBook?”

By Jason O'Grady

Founded the PowerPage in 1995.

2 replies on ““MacBook” to Replace iBook name?”

At first I hated the new name. However, I’m actually getting more used to it now. iBook, or MacBook, both roll off the tougue. I dare say that pretty soon MacBook will achieve the same iconic status as “Powerbook”/”iBook”.

Naming all the laptops the same will also allow Apple to simplify its product line. There will be no need to distigush screen sizes:

MacBook, MacBook Pro,
MacBook Extreme

Sized 13, 15, 17 respectively.

Why is PowerPage so obsessed with Apple dropping FireWire? To cut costs, it makes sense, but I kind of doubt Apple would abandon consumers from using FireWire in conjunction with iMovie. Those apps in iLife are there for consumers.

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