MacWorld 2006: New Apple Stuff!

Well here we are, on the night of Mac Christmas. Santa Steve has delivered his exciting announcements, and now we Mac faithful are left to our thoughts. I am currently in the process of watching the keynote address from this morning, but have already read the news and articles about the new stuff. First a recap of my predictions, then an analysis:

Prediction 1: Intel-powered consumer-level laptops (iBooks)

My prediction: Yes
Actual outcome: No
My score: 0/5

Prediction 2: Intel-powered pro-level laptops (PowerBooks)

My prediction: No
Actual outcome: Yes
My score: 0/5

Prediction 3: Apple Plasma TV

My prediction: Maybe
Actual outcome: No
My score .5/5

Prediction 4: New Intel-powered Mac minis

My prediction: Yes
Actual outcome: No
My score: .5/5

Prediction 5: New iPods

My prediction: No
Actual outcome: No
My score: 1.5/5

Analysis

Yesterday I thought I was a Mac fan. I honestly thought that I understood how Steve Jobs does business. I thought I would be five for five on my predictions. Today I hold my head in shame over my one and a half measly point out of five. Oh well, a little bit of humiliation is a small price to pay for some amazing new products.

I had not even considered that Apple would decide to keep their current PowerBook line AND announce a new pro-level laptop, let alone rename their whole pro laptop line. What a great idea. Put a high quality, fast as hell pro laptop out for your early adopters, and keep the old standby available until confidence in the new product spreads and people dependant upon their technology are ready to make the switch (haha…I said “switch”). I really think the MacBook Pro will be a great product, and is certainly a historical step for Apple.

I am also really glad that Apple announced the new Intel-powered iMac. I figured they would stay away from the iMac since the new one is so new…but what a great idea to use the same box and put different guts in it? And all at the same price as the old G5 powered iMac. Excellent move.

I completely neglected the software aspect of the new announcements, which honestly are what make Apple, Apple. Podcasting updates for GarageBand (my personal favorite iApp), and PhotoCasting in iPhoto (beats the crap out of most photo sharing services out there in terms of usability for both the producer and end-user) are to me the most exciting new software announcements.

Steve has indeed done it again. Now that the Intel transition has begun, it will be extremely exciting to see what else shows up this year. I’m hoping for a Mini very soon, and a pro desktop possibly in the middle of the year.

Thanks for reading. Now go to apple.com and check out the new toys!

Liam