Tomorrow is supposed to be an Apple event, and the invitation that a number of sites have noted states that the event is solely about Macs. (See Apple hosting special event - iMacs? at Macworld UK, for instance.) Awesome, we need some Mac news.
I've learned something about rumors over the years of watching Apple, being a customer, and supporting their computers. So, I've seen how old forgotten rumors can suddenly become true in an instant; it was one of the reasons I loved reading VapourWare when new issues hit the Info-Mac archives so many years ago.
Therefore, I'd like to read the tea leaves and make an educated guess. I'm never right, and this will be total speculation, but it's fun nonetheless. The great thing about Apple product introductions is that so many make great sense when you look back with hindsight after the announcement.
But first, some background:
- About a year ago, there was a lot of talk about new Mac displays, possibly with iSight cameras built-in. I think this would make a lot of sense, since Apple definitely likes to have a good attach rate for computer-monitor bundles. Without a standalone iSight and with a relative lack of features in Apple's displays compared to the competition, I wouldn't be surprised that this attach rate for the Mac mini and Mac Pro are falling somewhat. (Apple certainly likes the attach rate of displays to iMacs, but there are customers that have resistance to the all-in-one form factor.)
- Also last year, there was discussion of a computer that would attach to the back of the new displays.
- Within the last few months, there has been a rumor that the Mac mini would be cancelled.
- The Mac mini, iMac, and Mac Pro are quite ready for updates. The last update among them was to the Mac Pro, which happened in the April timeframe (while I was on vacation).
- The Mac mini has been languishing. It's the only remaining 32-bit Mac and lacks any option for higher-end GPUs. The design has not changed outwardly since the Mac mini debuted with a PowerPC G4 processor at a MacWorld San Francisco keynote. While the mini is certainly a popular computer in its niche, it is being left behind by newer technology that Apple may not want to cram in its case.
- The iMac rumors have discussed a much slimmer model, and one that would have less of the "chin" the current models have. The design has not deviated from the one introduced with the iMac G5. Yet, the iMac appears quite popular as a home system.
- The Mac Pro is clearly being positioned as a high-end system for creative professionals. The price that it and the Power Mac G5 commanded far exceeds the mid-range pricing the Power Mac G4 that preceded both. There is some cry in the community for a mid-range, lower cost system to sit below it in the lineup. Being in that market, I think somewhere between $1000-$1600 is the sweet spot (and that's exactly where most Power Mac G4s sat). The design is virtually the same as the first Power Mac G5s introduced at WWDC 2003.
- Apple's laptop sales numbers are well above their desktops. That could mean the line needs to be trimmed.
So, here's my prediction:
- The iMac and the Mac mini will merge.
- There will be new displays with a built-in iSight. You may even be able to take them off the stand and use them as touchscreens.
- There will continue to be an all-in-one system. There will be some way to attach the computer to the back of the iSight display, so that the Mac mini essentially becomes the iMac. This is clearly not a new idea and other vendors do something like it (I've seen both Dell and HP models, for example) but Apple will have some unique touch. I don't know how they'll do it while still being able to secure both the computer and display easily, but I wouldn't put it past Apple at this point.
- The computer will also act as a standalone system to connect with any DVI display.
- There will be a range of models, starting from the Mac mini (continuing with integrated graphics, perhaps Intel GMA 3000-based) and continuing upward to fill in the entire spectrum the iMac currently fills.
This is total speculation and I hardly expect it to play out this way. Please don't use my guesses to make stock choices or important purchasing positions.
[Full disclosure: The author holds a small number of Apple shares, but really just wants to buy a cool new computer in his price range.]