Analyst: Rentals, subnotebook, Blu-Ray at Macworld

I'm sure as a mac person I should have the date memorized, but would it have been that hard to put the date(s) of Macworld in the article?

Probably harder than it is to google "Macworld 2008 Expo" and see for yourself. ;-)

Apple has been in the consortium in favor of Blu-Ray for quite some time now.

Check out:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-ray_Disc_Association

So, this analyst doesn't think Apple will be updating their Mac Pro line?

There's been tremendous conjecture that Apple's pro desktops are way overdue for new technology. That they'd probably use the new 45nm Penryns as the basis for the next generation... that the entire line might end up being dual-quad core... and that there ought to be newer graphic cards available for them. Or maybe the analysts don't think that this would represent a 'major' announcement on the scale of, say, iTunes movie rentals.

announcements.

subnotebook-credit card has been waiting for months rentals-$1.99 for most movies, please? Blu-Ray-I really couldn't care less, actually. Updated Mac Pro's-I'm happy with my Quad 3GHz, but thanks.

I would like a new Mac mini, however...

As maybesew mentioned, Apple is a founding member of the blu-ray consortium. They would never choose HD-DVD. Pioneer has slim-line Blu-Ray writers now. I predict a Blu-Ray option for every Mac model including the Mac mini which will make it much more viable as a home theater device. Too bad it will cost $499 for the upgrade, making the Mac mini over $1,000...

I see all this excitement about a Mac subnotebook, but can only think about subnotebooks of the past where the idea sounds great but once people get them they start wanting full size again. I remember when the Sony came out all the exec's where I worked wanted them. Quickly they discovered to do all the things they did with their full-size laptop they had all sorts of external gadgets connected. The sub-notebook now took up more desk-space and wires going everywhere. So beyond being for for being small how useful is it?

Now to be fair I do recording with my laptop so I would like to see a bigger Macbook "Media" Pro with more ports, more memory capacity, and removable hard drive.

DO NOT expect a mac-pro announcement at MWSF. Steve won't bore people with that. ("Sure it looks the same, but on the back, it has four firewire ports!") Plus, these things cost so much, the audience appeal is limited, at best (which is why they like to update them at the dev conference or the broadcasters conventions).

Its basically a consumer show (or that's what Apple has turned it into), so look for consumer devices, consumer software, etc. Plus, they want to 'wow' the viewer, so basic refreshes just don't cut it.

Look for a new notebook/subnotebook/tablet/Newton, but not an update to the existing line. There'll be all sorts of Leopard love ("People just love stacks!"). Probably more iPhone boasting, maybe a peek at the v2.0 phone, with all those features the v1.0 phone want. Maybe, if there's anything to show, some "Here's what's coming up with the AppleTV" and all that over-hyped rental movie stuff people have been mongering over.

If there is an update to the pros coming, look at the end of the month for a separate announcement.