Hosted by site sponsor WebMate.
MacBook Pro Q&A - Published May 1, 2006
To be notified of new Q&As, sign up for EveryMac.com's bimonthly email list.
A note to "Digg" readers: On May 8, 2006, this speculative Q&A was submitted by a user as "12-Inch MacBook Pro Possibly Tomorrow". Although EveryMac.com greatly appreciates all users who submit Q&As to Digg or similar websites, this Q&A does not speculate regarding the release date of any systems, but instead provides a roundup of speculation regarding the potential replacement for the iBook and PowerBook G4 12" models. As with all speculation, as acknowledged in the original below answer, some speculation turned out to be accurate and some inaccurate. EveryMac.com apologizes to anyone who felt mislead by the no doubt well intentioned Digg user. EveryMac.com is not affiliated with any users of the Digg service.
Now that the 17" MacBook Pro has been introduced, will a 12" MacBook Pro be released soon?
By their very nature, speculative questions are difficult to answer and EveryMac.com does not have access to any "inside" information.
However, one can evaluate Apple's recent product offerings, as well as those from the past in an effort to make an informed guess as to the future of the potential "Intel-based replacement" for the PowerBook G4/1.5 12".
The generally prevalent rumor is that the 12" PowerBook G4 will be discontinued and will not be replaced with an equivalent 12" MacBook Pro. Although it is difficult to know what sources, if any, prompted this type of speculation, the general assumption is that the iBook G4 series and 12" PowerBook G4 will be replaced with a "MacBook" with a 13.3" 1280x720 display. Other rumors include that the "MacBook" will be offered in a color other than "iBook white", perhaps "gloss black" or another "fashionable hue."
Apple always has positioned the 12" PowerBook G4 as a "bridge" between the "consumer" iBook models and the "professional" PowerBook G4 models, and many place a great deal of importance on a small "professional" notebook.
In general, it does seem that there are two types of users interested in smaller notebook systems. Those who want an inexpensive notebook and are willing to compromise on screen size to save money, and those who are interested in a small, powerful notebook who place more importance on performance and portability than on price. Nevertheless, Apple might decide to not offer a model targeted towards the "small and fast" crowd, as the company did previously when the PowerBook 2400c/180 was discontinued in 1998. It wasn't until 2003, when the PowerBook G4/867 12" was introduced, or at least 2001, if you consider the iBook "500" to be subnotebook-ish, that Apple began catering to that market segment again.
However, simply by reading the above paragraph, it is clear that the line between the iBook and smaller PowerBook G4 systems is a bit blurry.
No doubt many simply are looking at Intel's Core Solo and Core Duo processor offerings and noting that with the existing MacBook Pro models using 1.83 GHz, 2.0 GHz, and 2.16 GHz processors, that only leaves 1.5 GHz and 1.66 GHz Core Duo processors and the 1.66 Core Solo processor as remaining options.
Apple presumably could offer a 12" MacBook Pro with a 1.66 GHz Core Duo, and the MacBook/iBook replacement models with the remaining two processors, but this would be contrary to the more logical assumption that the iBook replacement will use a 1.5 GHz "Core Solo" and 1.66 Core Duo, mirroring the processors used by the Mac mini "Core" models. Many pundits are probably wisely assuming that it wouldn't make sense to offer both a MacBook with a 1.66 GHz Core Duo processor and and a 12" MacBook Pro with the same.
However, Apple could offer a 12" MacBook Pro with a 1.83 GHz Core Duo processor, in the same way that the 17" MacBook Pro shares processors with the high-end 15" MacBook Pro model. The company also could differentiate the 12" MacBook Pro in other ways, like using the ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics processor and a higher-resolution display. The consumer-targeted "MacBook" models, on the other hand, could use the Intel GMA950 graphics processor and a lower-resolution display. Apple also could include an ExpressCard/34 slot , dual-link DVI out, Firewire "400" or an integrated iSight camera on the 12" MacBook Pro and not on the MacBook. Although, the PowerBook G4 12" models do not have a PC card slot, so the addition of ExpressCard/34 might be overly optimistic. Likewise, given that Firewire "400" is provided by the Mac mini "Core" and that the "Photo Booth" software application is clearly geared towards consumers rather than professionals, these additions and omissions seem less likely. Dual-link DVI out almost will assuredly not be offered on the consumer-targeted notebook systems.
The graphics processor and display resolution do seem like potential features that those interested in a "small and fast" system would be willing to pay a premium to obtain whereas consumers looking to just buy an inexpensive system would be willing to do without. Of the prevalent rumors, the inclusion of a substantially higher-resolution display in the "MacBook" than that provided by the 12" and 14" iBook models seems less likely. Neither the 15" or 17" MacBook Pro have displays that are higher-resolution than the PowerBook G4 models that they replaced (the 15" MacBook Pro actually uses a display with slightly less viewable area). At the very least, it would seem to be peculiar to make an improvement at the low-end that is not made at the high-end.
So, to summarize, Apple might choose to offer a 13.3" higher-resolution display in all "MacBook" models an effort to "split the difference" between the 12" iBook, 14" iBook, and 12" PowerBook G4, as is typically rumored. The company could offer the entry-level model with integrated graphics, and the "better" configuration with dedicated graphics.
However, it seems at least as likely that Apple simply would offer a 12" "MacBook" and 14" "MacBook" both with integrated graphics and logicboards similar in design to the ones used in the Mac mini "Core" with Core Solo and Core Duo processors, respectively. Although many would no doubt be thrilled to have the systems ship in "gloss black" as well as "iBook white", the more conservative speculation probably is that the housings will resemble those used by the existing iBook models, but be a bit thinner, include integrated iSight, a bundled Apple Remote, and the "MagSafe" power connector. In this scenario, the 12" MacBook Pro could still have a place in the product lineup with a faster processor and superior graphics, as it does now when compared to the iBook models, or possibly with a higher resolution display as well. If that is the case, however, some are no doubt wondering why these models aren't shipping already. Consequently, room is available for more fanciful speculation should one choose to do so.
Or the above could all be completely wrong. With all speculation, only time will tell.
Reader's Comments:
Another possible user for the 12" MacBook Pro are students. As a recent college graduate I appreciated my 15" PowerBook until it was time to load my backpack or messenger bag. Compared to most textbooks and 3-ring binders, the 15" PowerBook is taller. So the pressure in a loaded bag was on the center of the screen, rather on the edges where there is protection in the form of 2 little rubber bumpers. I didn't realize this until on of my friends sat a textbook on top of her closed 12" PowerBook. Although there was screen pressure on the keyboard, most of the weight was around the outside.....as designed. My PowerBook always hit the floor first and was the first thing to have something fall on it in my bag. But her's was protected by textbooks.
That's the plus. The minus is that with Macs being such a niche market, and college students who are Mac owners being even smaller, there might not be a perceived market. Although a Core Solo might be a nice meeting point.
I know I wouldn't have made it through my BA in Math without Mathematica, Word and AppleWorks.
Mark
Portland, OR, USA
About the answer of the 12" MacBook. I am going into college and I am anxious for Apple to release a small Intel laptop. Two thing are very peculiar: If Apple would release a US$999 Core Duo "MacBook", that would make the MacBook Pro US$1000 more. Even if the Core Duo MacBook was US$1299 (which sounds more reasonable) there still is a huge price gap. That might make a 12" MacBook Pro make more sense at US$1599 but I don't think Apple can cram all the stuff in a 15" MacBook Pro into a smaller case.
Second, I might be speculating too early but Apple has been suspiciously too quiet which makes me wonder if the "MacBook" is going to exist come the school season. Either early August when schools start, or the best case late this month.
Mitch
Ft. Worth, TX, USA
Permalink | Report an Error/Typo | Sign Up for Site Update Notices
Established in 1996, EveryMac.com has been created by experts with decades of experience with Apple hardware. EveryMac.com includes, and always has included, original research incorporating detailed, hands-on inspection of packaging, computers, and devices as well as extensive real-world use. All information is provided in good faith, but no website or person is perfect. Accordingly, EveryMac.com is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind whatsoever. EveryMac.com, and the authors thereof, shall not be held responsible or liable, under any circumstances, for any damages resulting from the use or inability to use the information within. For complete disclaimer and copyright information please read and understand the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy before using EveryMac.com. Copying, scraping, or use of any content without expressed permission is not allowed, although links to any page are welcomed and appreciated.