MacRumors.com

The recently leaked MacBook and MacBook Pro case images have spawned a 1400+ post discussion thread. One of the most debated issues is the analysis of the ports on the side of the upcoming Apple laptops. The two laptop enclosures photographed actually show two different port arrangements, which has caused some confusion.

The larger (presumed MacBook Pro) enclosure contains an additional port which is believed to be a Firewire port:


While the Magsafe connector is not shown on this image, the remainder of the ports are believed to be (from right to left): Ethernet, Firewire, USB 1, USB 2, Video Out, Audio Jack, Headphones, Express Slot, and possible additional port (covered by tape).


This photo of the presumed MacBook enclosure shows the following ports from (right to left): Magsafe, Ethernet, USB 1, USB 2, Video Out, Audio Jack, Headphones.

If these images are believed to represent the upcoming machines, that would mean that Apple has eliminated Firewire support from the MacBook (but not MacBook Pro). Firewire (also known as IEEE 1394) is a common method for connecting external hard drives and digital camcorders to Macs. One interesting possibility mentioned, however, is that the newest Firewire specification does allow for the use of Firewire over Ethernet connectors, but Apple would have to specifically support this implementation. If they did, then users could theoretically use Firewire devices using a special adapter to connect to the Ethernet plug.

Other points of debate which have not found any consensus include:

- The exact video out plug standard. Though it may simply be an Apple-proprietary plug that requires a special adapter.
- The presence of a possible additional port on the MacBook Pro enclosure. Some have suggested that this could predict the iMac docking station in which a notebook would slide into an iMac-shaped dock. While the presence of a right sided optical drive would fit nicely with this design, this possibility still seems improbable.

Apple has published a support document (PDF) specifically for the "MacBook/MacBook Pro (Late 2008)" models. Besides the name, the document is not especially revealing. It appears to be a service document when replacing the display on the new MacBooks.

Before installing the replacement display, install the AirPort card on the display assembly. The display assembly does not come with the AirPort card installed.

Apple will be announcing the new MacBook and MacBook Pro on Tuesday, October 14th at a special media event.

MacX.cn has posted a series of higher quality images of the new MacBook and MacBook Pro cases that were originally posted last week. While there had been some doubts about the details of the blurry photo, these new images show every angle of both the MacBook and MacBook Pro cases.


MacBook Pro case


MacBook case
Additional photos depict the left, right, and underside of the cases. A few observations

- The optical drive appears to be on the right side (when facing the laptop)
- All the ports are on the left side (when facing the laptop)
- Case does not appear to be tapered like the MacBook Air
- Power button is in the far top right corner
- Large trackpad like the MacBook Air
- Appears to be "latchless"
- No Firewire port on MacBook?

Appleinsider reports that they have "confirmed" that the new MacBooks will utilize NVIDIA's new MCP79 platform. While Intel will continue to supply the main processor for Apple's notebooks, the underlying support chips will be made by NVIDIA:

Kept uncharacteristically secret by NVIDIA for most of the year, the MCP79 platform is so far considered a substitute for Intel's Centrino 2 "Montevina" platform, offering support for the same 1066MHz front side bus, optional DDR3 memory and PCI Express 2.0 interfaces.

AppleInsider lists several design advantages over Intel's chipset, including:

- Smaller physical size using one chip rather than two
- DriveCache, which uses Flash storage to speed up boot times
- Hybrid SLI which switches from discrete to integrated graphics when battery is low

Apple may or may not choose to take advantage of these technologies, but the option exists. The biggest advantage in using the NVIDIA chipset, however, will be its enhanced graphics capabilities.

NVIDIA is believed to use a new set of GeForce 9300 and 9400 series integrated GPUs which "will theoretically blow past" the Intel integrated graphics chipsets that currently power Apple's MacBooks. Still, the integrated graphics chipsets will lag behind the dedicated ones that are used in Apple's higher-end notebooks. The use of NVIDIA chipsets will also be of importance when Apple releases Snow Leopard, which will be able to offload general processing onto GPUs.

While there had been speculation that Apple might adopt NVIDIA's chipsets, Mac Soda first reported confidently that the chipset would be NVIDIA's.

More rumors are trickling out in the days before Apple's notebook media event scheduled on October 14th, 2008.

EdibleApple reports that Kevin Rose revealed a new rumor at a live recording of the Diggnation podcast (not yet available). According to the report Rose said that the new MacBooks will support Blu-Ray drives.

Meanwhile, Jason Calacanis founder of Weblogs, Inc, claims that Apple is working on a networked television.

These LCD HDTVs will be fully networked, with the ability to stream all your iTunes content from your Mac or PC. In fact, Calacanis told me they'll function like a standard TV with an Apple TV box, only without the need for the box.

Weblogs, Inc was the original parent company for Engadget and was sold to AOL for an estimated $25 million in 2005.

Rose was recently quite accurate in his iPod and iTunes predictions for Apple's September event. We've never heard a previous rumor from Calacanis, so it's unknown how accurate his sources tend to be.

With only four days until Apple's "notebook" media event, the rumor mill continues to ramp up.

9to5mac claims that the laptop pictured on Apple's event invitation does not represent the new MacBook. Instead, they believe that the new MacBook will retain an outer plastic design while incorporating an aluminum inner frame. They describe the final product as "two tone" and expect the new MacBook to come in black at a minimum.

Meanwhile, we're confused by the antics of taiwanese site Apple.pro. The site has been the source of multiple case images claiming to be the MacBook Pro and MacBook. The MacBook Pro casing was also "confirmed" to be real by AppleInsider.


The site has now posted a video of what is claimed to be the new MacBook but looks identical to the current MacBook Air with the exception of the name ("MacBook") stamped on the bezel. In fact, the video doesn't even match up with photos they published two days ago which show a similar case, but with the power button in a different location. The video is being mirrored on YouTube video (via Adflow). Due to all these discrepancies, it's hard to accept that this video is legitimate.

All should be revealed on Tuesday, October 14th when Apple will be launching their new laptops at special media event.

Apple has posted a tech note which reveals that some MacBook Pros may be affected by the manufacturing defect reported in July.

At that same time, NVIDIA assured Apple that Mac computers with these graphics processors were not affected. However, after an Apple-led investigation, Apple has determined that some MacBook Pro computers with the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processor may be affected.

Apple states that the company will repair affected MacBook Pros within two years of the date of purchase free of charge, even if the MacBook Pro is out of warranty.

Symptoms of affected units include:

- Distorted or scrambled video on the computer screen
- No video on the computer screen (or external display) even though the computer is on

Affected systems were manufactured between May 2007 and September 2008 and could 15" and 17" MacBook Pros with NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processors. Apple specifically lists the following models:

- MacBook Pro (17-Inch, 2.4GHz)
- MacBook Pro (15-Inch, 2.4/2.2GHz)
- MacBook Pro (Early 2008)

Repair and contact information is listed in the technote.

Apple has invited media to a special "notebook" event on Tuesday, October 14th. BoingBoing analyzed the laptop pictured on the invitation and concluded that it was likely a picture of the rumored 13" Aluminum MacBook.

It's hard to tell from the gloomy marketing shot, but the Apple logo is about 1.5 inches wide on my MacBook Pro. From that, this machine would appear to be under 13 inches wide, which would suggest a 13.3" diagonal. The edges, however don't look at all like the MacBook Air.

The existing MacBooks also come in 13" screen sizes but are housed in a plastic enclosure. This assumes, of course, that the laptop on the invitation is an actual photograph and has not been otherwise altered. This finding is also consistent with circulating rumors and leaked photos that suggest the MacBook and MacBook Pro lines will be consolidated under a similar design.

Meanwhile, Planetamac.es appears to have taken the leaked images and composited them into a mockup of what the new MacBook may look like.

Engadget and Gizmodo have posted the invite for the Apple media event which will take place on October 14th at Apple's campus in Cupertino at 10AM PST. The invite simply reads:

The spotlight turns to notebooks.

Apple has been rumored to be delivering new MacBooks and new MacBook Pros this month. A number of leaked photos have been circulating -- some of which are believed to be real.

Apple appears to be trying to make it easy for developers to learn about iPhone programming. Apple has launched a set of free iPhone developer tech talks across the world.

Don't miss this unique opportunity. The event is free, but space is limited.

Apple technology evangelists and engineers will soon be traveling the globe bringing iPhone development expertise to a city near you. Learn about the tools and technologies you'll use to create great iPhone applications, then work with the experts to optimize your code, refine your user interface, and apply the knowledge you gain from the sessions to enhance the capabilities of your iPhone application.

The 12-hour traveling sessions offer lectures on Objective C, iPhone User Interface Design, Game Development and much more.

The first scheduled talk is on October 22nd in San Francisco, with additional U.S. sessions scheduled for Los Angeles, Austin, Chicago, New York and Seattle. International locations include cities in Europe, India and Asia Pacific.