Possible New Product Names
I was quite surprised when Jobs showed off the new PowerBook. Oh wait, it isn’t called a PowerBook anymore. Oh no, its new name is the MacBook Pro. And since it is an all new computer it deserves an all new name, doesn’t it? I mean, it has a video camera built in, new chipset from Intel, bigger screen, new darker color, magnetic power plug and its display is super bright! So why shouldn’t it have a new name? Throwing off the old, as it were, for this new year as Apple embraces its future. Onward!
But we can’t forget the iMac, it got a new processor and it still has its old name. Of course, it didn’t get a ton of cool new features like the PowerBook, er MacBook Pro (doesn’t flow off the tongue very well does it?) did. It still has the same old case, same old screen, same old camera. And of course, it hasn’t been around for nearly as long as the PowerBook line has. So maybe we can forgive Steve for not coming up with a newer, hipper sounding moniker. However, lest we forget, there are still a few more Mac models that still need Intel chips. And thus, might just get new names as well. Here they are, my guesses, by the odds on who will get new names and what those names will be:
iBook
Possible Names: MacBook, MiniBook, iBook Extreme
- Possible Enhancements
- Brighter displays
- Larger displays (probably widescreen)
- Built-in iSight camera
- Front Row
- Remote control
- Dual core Intel chip
- Magnetic power cable
- Darker color (expect a misty look)
- Thinner
It would seem like a lock to assume the iBook is getting a new name since it doesn’t already have the word “Mac” in it (Jobs is trying to rebrand everything with the Mac moniker on it, I think). I don’t personally like MacBook but that is the name I would put my money on.
Mac Mini
Possible Names: Media Mac, Mini Pro
- Possible Enhancements
- Dock for iPod
- Front Row
- Remote control
- Dual core Intel chip
- Now comes in two colors, black and white (so your iPod can match your computer)
- DVR capabilities
- More connections
- Larger
I definitely think that the Mini will get a new name. Though it will probably have more to do with needing a name that better describes its new features more than anything else. Look for DVR capabilities in a few months folks.
PowerMac
Possible Names: X Mac, Mac Pro Series, Power Pro
- Possible Enhancements
- DVR capabilities
- Front Row
- Remote control
- Two Dual core Intel chips
- Darker gray
- Bigger
Now, here is a product that already has a cool name, a descriptive name and the name has the word “Mac” in it. So, for the moment I think this one is safe.
New Model?
Possible Names: MacCore, eMac Extreme, X Tower
- Possible Enhancements
- DVR capabilities
- Front Row
- Remote control
- One Dual core Intel chips
- Comes in different colors
- Bigger than the Mini, smaller than the PowerMac
If a product like this ever comes out I, for one, will be both amazed and overjoyed. But we can all dream, right?
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MacBook Pro pretty well indicates that the iBook will become the MacBook. The question is will it have a new form factor? Mac mini already has “Mac” in the name (as does PowerMac) so those will probably stay the same. The potential for a new form factor for the PM is interesting, but there will need to me room for slots. Maybe a slight shrink, like the PB had.
I think that the term “Power” is being excised from the product line because it refers to the PowerPC chips that have been used in the past. Otherwise there would be no reason to change PowerBook to MacBook if one were going to keep PowerMac.
So; look for a name change for the PowerMac. Given that Apple likes to simplify and build on its branding at the same time, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if it were called MacPro, or something like that, in order to maintain consistency with the renaming/branding of the MacBook. iMac and MacMini need not change, as they don’t already refer to the PowerPC chip, and they have clearly identifiable brand names within the Apple/Macintosh structure.
I agree that we should expect to see the PowerMac lose it’s name too… “Power” is the problem as it implies the old CPU standard… I expect the machines will follow the new naming scheme:
- PowerBook -> MacBook Pro
- iBook -> MacBook
- Mac Mini -> Mac Mini (I don’t see this changing)
- PowerMac -> Mac Pro or Pro Mac
- XServe -> MacServe
Powerbook existed before PowerPC chips, so it seems that the intent is not to take the ‘Power’ out, but rather to put the ‘Mac’ in!
Yes, I think PowerMac is an ideal name for the top-end machine. Steve said the change on the powerbook was because they want to get ‘mac’ into their whole lineup: on that basis, there’s no reason to expect those that already have to change.
I’m very interested in the iBook/MacBook’s form factor(s) in the next release. With low power consumption single core Yonahs Apple could produce something really brilliant.
Why hasn’t anyone considered the name iMacBook - makes sense to me….
My guess for the Intel Powermac would be “MacStation” or “MacStation Pro” - a concatenation of “Mac” and “Workstation”.
Or possibly, the Big Mac
I’d like a BigMacBookPro please. And don’t skimp on the onions.
MacGlee - I don’t think iMacBook is confusing. I think it is a much easier and more defining way to separate the two lines:
MacBook Pro
iMacBook
Then it shows how the iBook really is the equivalent of the iMac in notebook form, plus it would overcome the fact that everyone is calling the MacBook Pro, simply “MacBook,” meaning they couldn’t rename the iBook as “MacBook” because of this.
Also, then they would have one name for the entire notebook line: MacBooks
So if I’m correct in my above comment, then that means the PowerMac is likely to be called:
Mac Pro
Although I do think ProMac is better. So would have been, ProMacBook. But then again… ProMac sounds like some kind of drug.
Yeah, actually, I think I’m so confident, I’d be willing to bet on it. The new lines will be:
• Mac Pro
• iMac
• Mac Mini
<u>MacBooks:</u>
• MacBook Pro
• iMacBook
C’mon, admit it. It makes sense
..and perhaps produce a budget 12” laptop called the MacBook Mini ?
Yeah, with no screen!
Q: why would they name the powerbook version MacBook *Pro* if the regular one isn’t to be named just MacBook? It doesn’t make sense. The iBook will be named MacBook.
^ But that doesn’t make sense to me. On paper it makes sense, yeah. But everybody is already calling the MacBook Pro simply, “MacBook.” It’s going to cause confusion as hell, no?