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Apple predicted to release new iMacs, MacBooks in weeks

A new report alleges that Apple intends to release new iMacs and MacBooks very soon — in a matter of weeks — to refresh its lineup before the holiday season.

Financial publication Barron's said a new report from Wedge Partners claims that Apple will introduce new hardware "in the next several weeks."

The report said that the new iMacs will sport a thinner design with smooth edges. However, the MacBook refresh is said to be "limited."

Also on tap, according to Wedge Partners, are likely price cuts. The company sees the lower prices as a competitive alternative to Windows 7 machines. Wedge Partners predicts that Apple will sell 3 million Macs in the holiday season, riding the wave of price cuts and new products.

More affordable Macs have been rumored for some time. In June, cuts of $100 to $300 were enacted on the 13- to 17-inch unibody aluminum notebooks, which have all been classified as MacBook Pros.

For comparison, in the June quarter, Apple sold 2.6 million Macs, a 4 percent year-over-year increase, and the best-ever June quarter. This quarter, Apple is predicted to sell 2.8 million total Macs.

While new hardware should come as no surprise, AppleInsider has previously heard word of new iMacs and MacBooks. Last month rumors surfaced that the new Imacs would have compelling new features, one of which was said to have long been on Mac users' wish lists, and another that would appeal to the semi-professional audio/video crowd.

AppleInsider also received word that Apple would retain and redesign its line of plastic MacBooks. With only one non-Pro offering in the lineup, Apple is allegedly redesigning the systems with a slimmer, lighter enclosure and restructured internal architecture. Analysts have long believed that cracking the sub-$1,000 notebook market would be a huge boon for Apple.



380 Comments

benroethig 21 Years · 2768 comments

iMac thinner? Its thinness already causes problems and they want to make it thinner. Right, Ive. The computer is secondary to the case.

quadra 610 17 Years · 6686 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by BenRoethig

iMac thinner? Its thinness already causes problems and they want to make it thinner. Right, Ive. The computer is secondary to the case.

I don't know of any widespread problems caused by thinness.

If they can manage it, it should indeed be thinner, lighter, etc.

lilgto64 20 Years · 1146 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by Quadra 610

I don't know of any widespread problems caused by thinness.

If they can manage it, it should indeed be thinner, lighter, etc.

Perhaps the original post was referring to the engineering challenges of packing all the components into a small space - especially when it comes to keeping everything cool - and the balance between the cost of packing everything into the smaller space without compromising structural integrity while keeping the sale price within reason.

MacPro 19 Years · 19846 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by BenRoethig

iMac thinner? Its thinness already causes problems and they want to make it thinner. Right, Ive. The computer is secondary to the case.

What are the problems caused by thinness?

MacPro 19 Years · 19846 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by lilgto64

Perhaps the original post was referring to the engineering challenges of packing all the components into a small space - especially when it comes to keeping everything cool - and the balance between the cost of packing everything into the smaller space without compromising structural integrity while keeping the sale price within reason.

Perhaps keeping cool is related to other things. My wife's new model MacBook is way thinner than the previous one she had and it runs almost stone cold, the previous and thicker one was able to fry eggs ...