Isaiah's Tech

Intel has announced something that could be pretty great and it's a sign of the future - and also a sign that new Apple MacBooks and MacBook Pros could be refreshed with something big soon. Intel has announced that they're going to be holding an event for their Light Peak technology on Thursday of this week. This is also the same day where Apple is expected to refresh pretty much their whole notebook line-up. Everything will finally be cleared up on Thursday - which is actually tomorrow.

Update: According to Electronista, the white MacBooks may actually be dead after Thursday. The MacBook Air will satisfy the low-end consumer while the MacBook Pro will come in the standard 13, 15, and 17-inch models. Specs can't be confirmed right now but the 17-inch model may actually get a new Intel Core i7 CPU as a standard. Prices for these notebooks may actually be the same as they currently are but they'll be faster this time around. It seems like a pretty good move.

[Electronista]

There's no way to confirm this news right now but there's word that Apple intends to update their MacBook Air notebooks in the middle of this year - sources are saying June. These notebooks will be updated with Intel's new "Sandy Bridge" line-up of chipsets which include Core i3 / i5 / i7 models. This is great news for consumers since the current Airs are using CPUs that are over a year old at this point; these "Sandy Bridge" models should be much, much faster than the current batch of MacBook Airs. If Apple can keep the price of these notebooks the same as they currently are then the PC industry will be shaken up for sure.

[CNet News]

Apple has quietly updated their white plastic MacBook notebook and it's just like the Vietnamese website one that leaked out over the weekend. This new notebook packs a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, Nvidia's GeForce 320M graphics, 2GB of DDR3 RAM, a 250GB HDD, an 8x double later SuperDrive, and a 10-hour battery life. Of course it's priced at the same $999 price so there shouldn't be a surprise there. I'm sure you know Apple's website by now, so just check it out and make sure the specs match before you jump ship.

[9 to 5 Mac, Engadget]

A Vietnamese website has somehow managed to get their hands on a new and upcoming Apple MacBook refresh. Apparently, this new notebook will be packing an Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz CPU, a 13.3-inch LED-backlit display, Nvidia GeForce 320M graphics with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM, and the same old plastic unibody design.

The profiler (above) clearly states that this MacBook is the MacBook 7,1 which is newer than the current MacBook 6,1. Of course, this could be a fake but Vietnam has been getting a bunch of Apple scoops lately. Apparently, Apple could launch this update as soon as this week, so we'll have to wait and see. For now you enjoy the photo below and the video as well.

Update: According to Boy Genius, this notebook also features 2GB of DDR3 SDRAM, a 250GB (5,400rpm) HDD, an iSight webcam, a slot-loading SuperDrive, two USB 2.0 ports, a mini DisplayPort, and WiFi 802.11n / Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR support.

[The Next Web, Electronista]

Apparently, Apple is looking to refresh their MacBook Air sometime in the future. This is definitely expected considering that Intel is launching a bunch of new Core i3 ULV / i5 ULV CPUs in the near future. Sadly, this update could be something less appealing, like new 27-inch LCD monitors. So, since Apple regularly updates their products on Tuesdays, could it be tomorrow or next week or the week after that? We'll have to wait.

[Engadget]

The MacBook Pros have just been pushed out over the past couple of days but it looks like Apple could be looking to AMD for their future chips. It's just a rumour right now, so don't be surprised if Apple sticks by Intel. AMD would give Apple more profit - which is all they're really after - but Intel does have the upcoming Light Peak technology that Apple may have influenced. Of course, with the AMD chipsets these Apple notebooks / desktops will also get ATI discrete graphics. Let's see what happens over the next year.

[Gizmodo]

Everything seems to be hinting at a Macbook refresh this Tuesday, April 13th. Thanks to this MicroCenter slip-up, we're seeing that new MacBook Pro's will be priced anywhere between $1,799.99 and $2,299.99. These suggest that they'll hit the market with Core i5 / i7 CPU options and possibly even Nvidia's Optimus technology. Obviously, they're much more expensive than other notebooks sporting the exact same specifications.

That's not all though, apparently, the Intel Core 2 Duo 2.26GHz MacBook will drop to $799, which is perfect for those who like year old MacBooks and people who just want to hop on the Apple wagon.

[Boy Genius, Engadget]

Apple Daily (here) has just mentioned that Apple is looking to refresh their MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro notebooks later this month. Apparently, all of their notebooks will be getting Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 CPU options, while the 13 and 15-inch variants will have a battery life of up to 8 hours. They'll also be sporting 640GB HDD and even 256GB SSD options. Of course, these notebooks will feature Nvidia Optimus technology so that you can make your battery last a bit longer. Let's just see if it really happens.

Update: According to Mac Rumors, this update could come as soon as April 13th which is this coming Tuesday!

[Electronista]
Picture Source: 9 to 5 Mac

Well, this is short notice. Apparently, Apple could be looking to refresh their MacBook Pro line-up sometime tomorrow. Over the weekend we did see a GeekBench of a Core i7-equipped MacBook Pro so the refresh shouldn't be that far off. And yes, there should be Core i5 models as well, the Core i7 will, of course, be for the high-end models.

[9 to 5 Mac]

Along with the big Apple update from this morning, it looks like they have also updated their AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule. The updated AirPort Extreme looks like it will be 25% faster than the last-gen model thanks to some tweaks in the antenna. This is available for $179 USD. Check it out on their website here.

The Time Capsule also seems to have been updated. Apple has mentioned that Time Capsule back0ups in Snow Leopard will be around 60% faster than they were before. The 1TB and 2TB models are now available for $299 USD and $499 USD, respectively. Check it out on their website here.

Update: TUAW has just mentioned that Apple has actually cut down the price on their high-end 17-inch MacBook Pro. The high-end model features: a 17-inch anti-glare display, a 3.06 Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, 8GB of DDR3 SDRAM, and a 500GB HDD. The good news here is that this will only cost $3,600 USD, which is almost $1,000 cheaper than it was yesterday.

[Engadget]

As expected Apple have just updated their iMacs, their plastic MacBooks, their Mac Mini, and have released their new Magic Mouse (replacing the Mighty Mouse). The new iMacs now come in 21.5 (1,920 x 1,080 resolution) and 27-inch (2,560 x 1,440 resolution) sizes (larger than the old 20 and 24-inch models) and they sport a 16:9 aspect ratio, an IPS panel, and a 178-degree viewing angle. These LED-backlit iMacs come packed with: Intel Core 2 Duo / Core i7 / Core i5 CPU options, an SD card, an optical drive, up to 16GB of RAM, up to a 2TB HDD, Nvidia GeForce 9400M / ATI Radeon HD 4670 graphics. The 21.5 and 27-inch iMacs are now available for $1,199 USD and $1,699 USD, respectively. These new iMacs come with Apple's wireless keyboard and mouse. Yeup, no Blu-ray here. Check it on Apple's website here.

The plastic "low-end" MacBooks got a slight design overhaul now sporting a unibody design - with a curvy body. They still feature an LED-backlit display and a multitouch trackpad, so that's good. The cheapest MacBook still costs $999 USD, but will feature: a 2.26GHz CPU, 2GB of RAM (up to 8GB), Nvidia GeForce 9400M graphics, and a 250GB HDD. The new MacBooks are slightly thinner than the old models and, of course, a non-swappable battery that should last 7 hours. Check it out on Apple's website here.

Apple has also decided to slightly upgrade their Mac Minis. They may look the same, but as usual it's the internal components that have changed. The new $599 Mac Mini now features: a 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo CPU, 2GB of RAM, and a 160GB HDD. The higher-end $799 USD model now features: a 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo CPU, 4GB of RAM, and a 320GB HDD. Thankfully, both models also come packed with an 8x SuperDrive and the same Nvidia GeForce 9400M graphics.

Apple also went on to introduce a Mac Mini server. The Mac Mini server throws away the optical drive and allow you to sub in a second hard drive. The $999 model comes packed with: two 500GB HDDs (that's 1TB in total, kiddos!), an Intel Core 2 Duo 2.53GHz CPU, 4GB of RAM, Nvidia GeForce 9400M graphics, and, sadly, no DisplayPort. Check it out on Apple's website here.

The only absolutely positively new product from Apple today is what you see above: The Apple Magic Mouse - that replaces the Mighty Mouse. This Bluetooth mouse appears to have no buttons, but it actually sports a "multitouch surface." Like the MacBook trackpads, you'll be able to use multitouch gestures, but it will not feature pinch and zoom, which sucks - I guess. Apple has mentioned that this mouse will last four months and it's now available for $69.99 USD. Check it out on Apple's website here - by the way, it comes with the iMac if you choose the right option.

Update: According to Engadget, Apple has also released a new Apple remote with an aluminum body that costs $19 USD. If you're lazy enough to own this, then you'll be able to control your iPod, your iPhone, or your Mac without even touching them. If you want to control your iPod / iPhone, you'll of course have to spend another $49 on a dock. Check it out on Apple's website here.

New MacBooks: Engadget, Mac World
New iMacs: Engadget, Mac World
New Mac Minis: Engadget
Apple Magic Mouse: Engadget

It looks like that rumoured iMac / Mac Mini / plastic MacBook refresh could be coming very, very soon. According to the latest rumour, Apple will be launching all of these new products on October 7th to 9th of this year. This means that we could see the refresh by the end of this week. Could it really be true? If this is true, I hope we'll also see the Bluetooth keyboard and mouse that just passed the FCC.

[Stuff.tv]

According to Apple Insider, these Apple ads spotted on Google could be hinting at the new rumoured iMac / Mac Mini / plastic MacBook refresh. The ad above says, "Apple's newest MacBook. Thinner, lighter and stronger! Free delivery. Order Today." The two ads below say, "The Brand new iMac. Ultra Thin 20 & 24 inch models. From only € 1099. Apple Store" and "Apple's New Mac Mini. Faster and more affordable than ever. From only € 499. Order immediately." Could it really be? We'll likely find out soon.

[Apple Insider]

We heard about the possible iMac refresh coming up as early as this week. Well, now we're also hearing that the plastic MacBooks will also be getting a refresh within the next month. It's just a rumour right now, but it's something to keep your eye for.

[Crunch Gear]