MacBook Pro announcement may pave way for dual-core iBooks
Apple's announcement today that it has dropped the 1.67GHz Intel Core Duo processor from its professional MacBook Pro line — in favor of using faster chips — presents the possibility that the company may now adopt that low-end 1.67GHz dual-core processor for use in its forthcoming consumer iBook notebooks.
Based on marketing logic and the fact that Apple's professional and consumer notebooks have long been distinguished by a variation in their processor specs, AppleInsider had derived that the iBooks would utilize single-core Intel Core Solo processors, as outlined in a recent report.
The 1.67GHz Intel Core Duo processor is currently the slowest dual-core chip on Intel's new mobile processor roadmap, meaning that iBooks would have likely had to sport a single core 1.67GHz Core Solo processor to differentiate themselves from a 1.67GHz Core Duo MacBook Pro. Now that Apple has shelved plans for a 1.67GHz Core Duo MacBook Pro, instead bumping this model to 1.83GHz free-of-charge, this may not be the case.
According to Intel's price listing for the Core Solo and Core Duo, Apple stands to save only $32 dollars by opting to include a 1.67GHz Core Solo processor, rather than a 1.67GHz Core Duo, in any of its forthcoming products. The chips reportedly cost $209 and $241, respectively. On the other hand, Intel's 2.16GHz Core Duo processor costs approximately $217 more than the 2.0GHz model, somewhat justifying Apple's $300 upgrade fee from 2.0GHz to 2.16GHz on the MacBook Pro.
Applying the same logic, it's also possible that Apple could pack the 1.67GHz Core Duo into its forthcoming Intel Mac mini desktop systems. However, since the Mac mini is entry-level system, this may be less likely.
73 Comments
Hmmmm I don't know... I think Apple would like a bigger performance gap between iBook and Macbook (or whatever they're called) than they used to have with G4's, also not using the dual core in the iBook would leave some room for a 13.3" Macbook Pro.
I think Apple would be wise to go with the dual core for the iBook replacement. If the difference is $32 in quantities of 1,000 then it will be a lot less with Apple's volume.
The key is that it can let Apple promote all dual cores for all notebooks. That would have more of an impact in the university student market than K-12. It's like around 1960 when American Airlines advertised big time that they were the first airline to be 100% jets. It would also just about ensure that the Mac mini was a dual.
Hmmmm I don't know... I think Apple would like a bigger performance gap between iBook and Macbook (or whatever they're called) than they used to have with G4's, also not using the dual core in the iBook would leave some room for a 13.3" Macbook Pro.
Instead, it could be a feature gap between the two lines, but maybe the 1.66 Duo could be the high end iBook, the low end might have a Solo.
With the new "MacBook" naming, I don't think Appl intends to be limited to JUST two lines. Like they've done with iPods (mini, photo, shuffle, nano), they can introduce any model that makes sense at the time.
I do think that the bottom-most model will have a Core Solo. If anybody uses Core Solo, why not Apple? (But I can see pressure from multiple companies on Intel to lower Core Solo pricing.)
The iBook IS entry-level, like the Mac Mini. And I think whatever replaces the iBook will have a bottom-end model with Core Solo. However, having some duals in the middle is possible too.
Likewise I expect the cheapest Mini to have Core Solo. But if there's a higher model with Core Duo, that will be one great machine! Practically on a par with an iMac.
I disagree.
The 1.6 Core Duo will be used in a 13.3" MacBook Pro that will effectively replace the 12" PowerBook G4.
The Core Solo's will still be used in iBooks [MacBooks?] and probably the mac mini's until 2 Rev's down the road or so. By that time there will be a big enough disparity between the the MacBook Pros and the consumer based notebooks.