Three Guys and a Podcast: Apple News, Analysis and Podcasts

Apple News, Analysis and Podcasts

Apple's March Special Event

November 24, 2010 at 1:54pm Pacific Time
by: Mark Reschke
Categories: Jobs, Steve Jobs, Products, Predictions, News

When September rolled around and we revealed Apple would likely hold a Special Event in October, revealing the all-new MacBook Air, we felt a wee bit apprehensive in doing so. At Three-Guys-And-A-Podcast we can't say we feel any less squeamish about looking forward to Apple's next Mac hardware special event either, but here we go again...

Date Special Events
January 2011 New iPad
April 2011 All New Mac Book Pros + Final Cut Pro Update

Since Apple has quit attending the MacWorld trade show, MacBook Pro launches roughly follow a fall or spring release schedule. This year proved to be different due to the MacBook air being the major Mac focus for the fall/winter timeframe. January will likely be reserved for Apple's annual iPad refresh. This leaves April as Apple's launching point for the all-new MacBook Pro design. We don't believe this will be a simple refresh of the MacBook Pro, rather, Apple will deliver an all-out redesign, the big brother of the MacBook air.

April is also when the annual NAB trade show takes place, which has pro users scouring the market for new solutions. Couple this with Steve Jobs recent email response of "buckle up" regarding a Final Cut Pro update and an April launch mates perfectly with the perfect audience.

The iPhone launch revealed the design direction of the next generation iPod (which became the iPod touch). The new MacBook air shows us exactly where Apple is going with the MacBook Pro line of product.

The new MacBook Pros will move to solid state storage, up to 512GB, remove the optical drive, and we believe light-peak is being pushed to make it's first-ever entrance into the market, another Apple exclusive.

In the same manner that the MacBook air did not replace the traditional 13" MacBook Pro, Apple is likely to leave one legacy 15" design in the lineup for those not yet comfortable with Apple's new direction. The traditional model is likely to slot into the $1,799 position with upgrade options available, while the new MacBook Pros will start at $1,999 and scale up according to configuration.

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15 Comments

  1. Tom ~ November 25, 2010 06:55

    MBP or Mac Pro by end of February? When you say move to - do you mean they'll have a slim HD and also an SSD which replaces the optical drive? Or do you see HD being removed, SSD instead, no optical drive and a slimmer MBP/ more space for ventilation/GPU/LP? Presuming Sandy bridge for both Mac Pro and MBP. Any prediction on a separate discrete LP connection or are they planning USB3/LP combo ports? (some have said that the combo port only for convenience whilst Peking on the technology and it's not the shipping format as LP will need a more robust connector due to it's optical nature). FW ports staying around? AMD or NVidia GPU in both Mac pro & MBP also still up for grabs? #

  2. Alex Leiphart ~ November 25, 2010 07:31

    Is this just speculation or did you hear this from an actual source? #

  3. Ryan ~ November 25, 2010 14:03

    any news for iphone and verizon? #

  4. Benjamin Crompton ~ November 25, 2010 15:48

    This is just speculation. #

  5. Cody ~ November 25, 2010 15:50

    Are you speculating that the 13 inch mbp will go to 2k? I'm thrilled for the removal of the optical drive. I would prefer fast system ssd and an auxiliary rotary internal hard disk for multitrack recording. I think its nuts that the MacBook Air has a higher res display than e pro counterpoint, and I could for see spending up to 1499 on my first 13 inch mbp. #

  6. SaSa ~ November 26, 2010 01:01

    Apple will be updating the iMac as well on their spring 2010 event! Date will be Tue, 29/03/2010 for both the MacBook and the iMac update. #

  7. Peter ~ November 26, 2010 07:50

    I think the part about re-design everything is true, maybe it will look like more like the 1st generation of macbook air, but not to thin, just enough, and maybe they will fix the problem because it can't stay with a simple dual core . I just hope that the price will not differ too much . #

  8. Tom ~ November 26, 2010 08:02

    How can you say the "annual iPad refresh"; the iPad had not been out for a year yet!! #

  9. BobbyJ ~ November 26, 2010 17:59

    The iPad was announced in Jan. and released in April. Hence the Jan. 2011 announcement of the iPad 2. #

  10. Tom ~ November 28, 2010 16:42

    Is it possible that they would discontinue the 13" MBP or just simply leave it to rot? Nobody that actually needs the power of a macbook pro opts for the 13" because of size and it's always going to be less powerful than it's 15" and 17" counterparts. The 13" is surely a students notebook. Basically, the White Macbook with a fancy case. With the introduction of the new air, it seems to render the 13" MBP useless. The white macbook is the company's biggest selling computer and that isn't going anywhere. So the type of consumer that buys the 13" MBP now has the option of the air, which is just as good but lighter and thinner, or the white macbook which is a cheaper option. Now this is jsut my opinion, but I'd like to know other people's views. Am I way off the mark here haha? But I jsut dont see the need for another underpowered MBP in a fancy case. Not when the air is now a viable option for that type of customer. #

  11. Ishmael ~ November 29, 2010 22:07

    MBP 13" still has more to it than that Tom. Backlit KB for example. If they remove the SuperDrive, maybe more battery space. FireWire, which will be replaced by USB 3.0 probably I agree they should also go to i3 processor. i series processors should be the standard in all MBP Personally, the MB, plastic needs to be reduced to about $699. I know Steve, doesn't like distribution of media on disc however, I think MBP should have Blu-Ray. So Should Mini (then it would be the perfect HT, component) they would certainly have a 3-5 year run before Blu disappears. Plus, it would be nice to have 1080P in these devices. #

  12. james ~ December 05, 2010 00:03

    @ Tom I hope that doesn't happen! The way I see it, the 13" Macbook Pro is useful for one who uses needs power and portability, and can use an external monitor at work or home for serious work. At least that's how I would prefer to work, and neither the Macbook or Macbook Air would suffice in power, and I find my 15" Macbook Pro too heavy to carry around. My two cents. ;) #

  13. applepejay ~ December 06, 2010 13:41

    Don't you think it's more likely the new mbp's to be released in february? There has never been a one year cycle for their laptops.. I was hoping someone could answer. #

  14. Ian ~ December 31, 2010 11:50

    @james, how is it that the MacBook wouldn't suffice in power vs. the 13" MBP? The entry level 13" MBP has the same 2.4Ghz C2D as the plastic MB. Granted you can upgrade to more memory in the MBP, and you could spend a lot upgrade the 13" MBP to a 2.53...also neither can be upgraded to a faster HDD :( #

  15. Lieto ~ January 18, 2011 03:53

    All these actually looks very reasonable. I mean — removing DVD — sure a lot of people dont use those for years already. SSD — external storage + ultra fast even if not-so-large system drive fits a concept of a pro notebook. Only question left unanswered: What they will use leftover space for? 1. CPU? New intel cpus will bring more power + reduced energy consumption and heating so probably yes. Still it wont use that additional space. 2. Battery life? I personally hope not — 8 hours is plenty already. 3. GPU? — YES GOD PLEASE! Apple had sucky gpu for ages, its time to make those actually PRO media notebooks. #

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