Latest Mac Rumors: Netbooks and New Mac Minis

There are a number of rumors circulating about what news Apple might make at next month's Macworld expo. Last year's Macworld brought the announcement of the Macbook Air, and two years ago, it was the iPhone. So what will be the big announcement this year? Depending on who you ask, we may see an Apple netbook, an iPhone Nano, or maybe just an updated Mac Mini.

An update to the Mac Mini line is long overdue, and a Wired report is giving some credence to this rumor. It cites an anonymous Apple corporate employee who said that the Mac Mini would see an update, though gave no specific details as to what those updates may be. The Mac Mini hasn't had an update since mid-2007, despite strong sales (it is currently the number 2 bestselling desktop computer on Amazon.com), so an update with faster specs and an aluminum case seems almost like a no-brainer.

But Wired also notes that the updated Mac Mini is not meant to be the big announcement at the Macworld expo. Technology Business Research analyst Ezra Gottheil might have the answer. In a report today TBR stated that it expects Apple to announce a new line a notebok to capitalize on the popularity of these smaller, less expensive laptops.

Given Steve Job's statement that Apple doesn't "know how to make a $500 machine that's not a piece of junk," the Apple netbook is predicted to be priced around $599. That would put it on the more expensive side of netbooks, but with the popularity of the Apple brand it would surely still be competitive.

Most interesting about the TBR prediction is that the proposed Apple netbook would make use of the iTunes App store for most of its software. This isn't especially surprising given the tremendous success that the App store has been, but it leads me to wonder about something that the TBR report didn't predict. If the hypothetical Apple netbook makes use of the iTunes App store, it is quite possible that it would implement a multi-touch display. Could an Apple netbook be the first Apple tablet?

Something that would have a touchscreen is an iPhone Nano--if it ever came to be. As we Reported yesterday, an iDealsChina report says that Apple will soon launch a smaller, cheaper version of the iPhone.

It's all still rumors and speculation at this point, but it makes the anticipation of next month's Macworld expo all the more exciting.

Scott Nichols

Dec 16, 2008 11:47 pm

Source: www.pcworld.com

Computer News: Again, 100 Thousand The Notebook batteries due to explode

Again, the problem batteries! This time involving 100 thousand packages of Sony-made batteries installed in different notebook brands HP, Toshiba, and Dell sold during the years 2004 and 2006. From this amount. 35,000 batteries are packaged in the U.S. territory. The rest, 65 thousand, circulating in the world.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, batteries, Li-Ion batteries are potentially heat, smoke and even removing the burned, so that users may be injured. In the U.S., 19 cases of accidents have been reported, 17 of them involving the spray of fire, and 10 minor damage, and two users to burn. Total accidents that occurred in the world recorded 40 cases.

Sony, which produces packaging batteries are also issued a statement that the batteries disability-related adjustment lines of manufacturing from 2004 until 2005.

Here's a list of brands and models of notebook batteries is problematic, as released by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:

Brand Hewlett-Packard (32,000 units):
HP Pavilion: dv1000, dv8000 and zd8000
Compaq Presario: v2000 and v2400
HP Compaq: nc6110, nc6120, nc6140, nc6220, nc6230, nx4800, nx4820, nx6110, nx6120, nx9600
Batteries, which have drawn a bar code label A0, L0, or L1 GC.

Brand Toshiba (3000 units):
Satellite: A70/A75, P30/P5, M30X/M35X, M50/M55
TECRA: A3, A5, S2n / a

Dell brand (150 units):
Latitude: 110L
Inspiron: 1100, 1150, 5100, 5150, 5160

Meanwhile, the owner of the brand and model of notebook above recommended to remove the batteries from its notebook contact the manufacturer and each request for replacement batteries. While waiting for replacement, they can use the AC adapter to power notebook share it.

Computer News: Netbook, forcing Marak The Colored

Axioo recently introduced the latest range of notebooks, namely Zetta series, Neon, and also the latest netbook, Axioo Model Pico DJJ. According to the plan, other than in Indonesia, Axioo will also launch the newest product in the three countries in Southeast Asia, namely Vietnam, Singapore and Thailand. These efforts to strengthen the name Axioo as international brands.

The product is intended for users who want to replace notebooknya in the years to provide various features of this latest interesting. As the use of the platforms Intel Montevina Centrino 2, the Personal TOP Cover Design, NetBook colorfull design, Scratch Resistant Anti Fade to Cover Technology.

Zetta MNS also equipped with Descreet Graphics Card NVIDIA 256MB GeForce GS, which will produce excellent image on the display screen. Another interesting feature is the anti-scar on display (scratch resistant) and the Anti Fade Cover Technology. While the Neon is equipped with a processor Intel Core 2 Duo has two type sizes type widescreen display, namely 12 and 14 inches.

What is interesting is the presence netbook latest Axioo Model Pico DJJ. This is the successor generations Axioo Pico NetBook the previously released first. DJJ is intended for users first (1st time users), or Internet-oriented user mengingkan Notebook replacement (second notebook). Axioo Pico DJJ model using Intel's Atom processor and storage capacity HDD with 160 GB SATA. For this product, Axioo color options that provide more diverse. In addition to the basic colors of white, Axioo also provide a variety of colors such as black, young, green, pink and blue.

Attendance Axioo Pico netbook increasingly brisk market in Indonesia. Toshiba had also square off to go to the market netbook. This was reiterated by the Senior Manager for the Asia Division of the Department of the PC, Toshiba of Japan and Asia, Junichi Ishikawa. According to Junichi, Toshiba will launch netbook first time in the near future. The presence of these netbook, Toshiba enrich variants of the products in all segments.

''No longer will we will launch netbook. Will not be until the end of the year, just waiting,''said Ishikawa, without mentioning the time exactly like the launch of the latest netbook. Netbook Toshiba will be marketed with a competitive price with a specification that can compete with other products that have been present earlier in the market. He believes, the products will get a positive response from the community. Moreover, given the name Toshiba is well known that the quality and ketahanannya.

Asked about keterlambatannya into netbook market, Toshiba has jabawannya own. According to Business Manager of Computer Distribution System Division, Toshiba Singapore and Indonesia, the Rev. Timothy Leong Weng, Toshiba awaiting the right time to launch the latest netbook, while waiting to observe the market and the development of netbook especially in the Asian market.

Netbook appeared to grow rapidly, especially in Asia. Apparently, the small size and price more affordable to get a response out of the computer users who have especially high mobility. Given that, netbook is a product that has a simple program and usually have the ease of connectivity to the Internet. I wonder if many vendors and notebook PC that is now famous race for the netbook products. A Asus, Acer, HP, Lenovo and Dell into the market early netbook from Toshiba. This makes it stifling and Toshiba finally decided to go to the market that is relatively new.

However, if Toshiba can bring netbook with price, considering the Toshiba name synonymous with the relatively expensive price? To solve this problem, Timothy will ensure that the products will be competitive in the market. He also convinced that the Toshiba products for all segments, is one of the Satellite L300 use the Intel Celeron processor at 509 U.S. dollars.

However, the netbook that is happening in Asia is predicted this will not last long. At least this is only the Toshiba create a new segment of this segment as a complement. Netbook will experience a growth saturation point and is starting with slowing growth in some countries.

''Growth will be stable and start slowing in the next few years. This is because netbook considered as a second notebook, and will not replace the role of notebook itself. Moreover, in terms of the actual price is only different thin. People start to think to buy the notebook from netbook indeed have a more complete functions and specifications of the better,''said Timothy.

Toshiba notebook market see their own will still grow. Market demand in ASEAN in 2009 reached almost 7 million units with the largest contribution to the market came from the three countries, namely Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. This figure will continue to increase in line improvement in the economic area is estimated that in 2011, demand will be notebook will reach 9.5 million units. In this year, Indonesia has an important meaning for the notebook vendor. ''In the year 2011, Indonesia will become the largest market for notebook in the ASEAN,''said Ishikawa. The addition has the largest population in the area, income levels of Indonesian society will also estimated increases the level of the state economy that is increasingly advancing from time to time.

Based on research from IDC September 2008, Toshiba market share in Indonesia reached 18 percent. 2009, Toshiba put the target high enough that as much as 30 percent. To achieve the target, the more aggressive Toshiba launched notebook products and superior netbook also enter the market. Among other notebook launched with the latest Protege M800 and M300 Satellite recently.

Protege M800 has a 3D Motion Sensor that is able to detect the motion and fall directly protect the hard disk so that any damage. With the memory capacity reaches 250 GB hard drive with 2 GB of RAM, this notebook can be a choice for the professional. Plus a unique layarnya the size of 13.3 inches and has been using the Windows Vista operating system, notebook as 2 kg can be trusted to increase market share in Indonesia Toshiba.

Other efforts undertaken by the Luna Sea as ambassador to promote Toshiba products in Indonesia. Such as LCD TV, Notebook PC, household equipment, printers to photocopy machines. Luna Maya selected as one of the artists and models on board are known widely in Indonesia, especially among young.