Apple has become the fourth biggest laptop manufacturer in the US - even as strong rumours predict the company will refresh its laptop range at a special event on October 14.
Daring Fireball's John Gruber last night claimed an insider source had let him know to expect the company's new range of Mac laptops will be introduced at a special event on October 14.
"Speaking of Macs, contrary to speculation, there were no announcements regarding new Mac notebooks. Such speculation was misguided; Apple has held an iPod/music special event in September or October every year since 2001, and, to my knowledge, has never once used such events to announce new Mac hardware. Those of you holding out for a new lineup of MacBooks will have to wait until October 14, according to sources who, as they say, are familiar with Apple’s hardware plans."
And 9to5Mac is claiming the code word for the new product to be "the brick", with some reader speculation the company may finally introduce an upgrade to the increasingly long in the tooth Mac Mini.
The importance of Apple's move to upgrade its mobile products is clear to see through the new user data survey. Assembled through a survey of 10,000 US adults, new data from MetaFacts indicates Apple is attracting younger, more highly educated, and higher-income households, as well as the self-employed.
It also reveals that Macs are being purchased as second or third computers in many US homes. "Apple ranks fifth with 8 per cent of the market. In home notebooks alone, Apple is fourth, also at 8 per cent of the installed base," notes Information Week.
Mac users are loyal, involved in creative computing, and are happy to use their Macs in public, "If you look around at a Starbucks or cybercafe, you might think the whole world's gone to Apple," MetaFacts analyst Dan Ness said. "Apple users are very active and use their notebooks in more locations than Windows notebook users."
The Apple Profile Report 2008 also found that Apple dominated five occupational groups: teacher, artist/designer/performer, management, clerical, and consultants.
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Comments received
Nick said on Thu, 11 Sep 2008
Another "Special Event" I can't contain myself!!!!!
The should have called the iPhone "the brick" - just as good.
Nick said on Thu, 11 Sep 2008
Another "Special Event" I can't contain myself!!!!!
The should have called the iPhone "the brick" - just as good.
Nick said on Thu, 11 Sep 2008
Yay, yet another "special event".
I thought the iPhone was a "brick" according to the recent survey.
AppleObserver said on Thu, 11 Sep 2008
This could be the biggest mac event ever... bring on a new revamped mac mini and cut prices across the whole mac lineup. Nows the time to grab more market share while they still have momentum.
Ken said on Thu, 11 Sep 2008
I work two jobs, which comes out to six days a week. I used to have a Windows computer, but it crashed and I had to reinstall everything from the motherboard drivers up--twice. I got a Mac as a backup, but it quickly became my mainstay. Neither of my jobs fits into those five occupational categories. I use Macs because OS X is much more reliable and has never left me in the lurch.
blue sea said on Thu, 11 Sep 2008
"Mac users are loyal, involved in creative computing, and are happy to use their Macs in public"
Oh so true. For me at least.
Famous Grouse said on Thu, 11 Sep 2008
In my home, Macs have been purchased as the first, second, third, and fourth computers. Plus a MacBook Air for my business.
dd said on Thu, 11 Sep 2008
I own 3 Macs, 2 iPods, and an iPhone. Yes, a Mac will be my next computer. Forget MS.
Froggy Nelson said on Thu, 11 Sep 2008
Love my Macs. I would love to have a clam-shell iPhone, though, essentially the power of two combined iPhones hinged together so they fold out into a nice li'l tablet. I'd buy that "brick."
Colin Jones said on Thu, 11 Sep 2008
Let's hope Apple come up with something to put the wind up the MSI Wind. An Apple subnotebook at around £350 would sell huge quantities and would complement the range very well.
Si said on Thu, 11 Sep 2008
I love my macs, but they are crap at games and as a games writer they have limited use.
They are years behind and getting worse.
Brocktoon said on Thu, 11 Sep 2008
Si -- buy a Mac that's not 6 years old. They run Windows now, and faster than Windows boxes.
Mark Ryder said on Fri, 12 Sep 2008
quality will always win in the end even if it has taken Apple over a decade to do so... please make the next laptop a quad core so i can actually use it how i need to...
Patrick said on Fri, 12 Sep 2008
Apple forever!!!!!
VIVA the MAC!!!!
Si said on Fri, 12 Sep 2008
@Brocktoon - Yes it needs Windows - OS X cannot do it. Apple has no DirectX and has very limited graphic capabilities. I run only Windows on my 1 year old MacBook Pro.
macandson said on Fri, 12 Sep 2008
"...mac crap at games" games for mac are a sideline ..... at the moment ... wait till apple gets serious - sony nintendo and microsoft can start to worry - the commentator Si has obviously not played cube runner or monkeyball on iphone (or touch. Mac mini, the most neglected of macs, has the potential be to home entertainment (tv, movies, photo, internet and general life-friendly technology) what the ipod is to mobile music
alaskayank said on Fri, 12 Sep 2008
"carpe apple" ihave owned two MacBooks and am looking forward to upgrading after the announcement in icy to a pro. I loved my ipod nano's & classic. Now I can't part with my iPhone... Except when I have to pry it from my step daughters hands. In 2-3 months this will be a 4 iPhone 2 MacBook household! Loyal for sure.
alaskanyank said on Fri, 12 Sep 2008
as a matter of fact these posts were done from my iPhone.
Almost forgot, my 65 year old dad has an iPhone as does 3/4 of my syblings. You can't beat quality!
Neil Anderson said on Mon, 15 Sep 2008
I don't leave home without at least one Mac laptop. :)
nmp0906 said on Fri, 19 Sep 2008
Si: Since when was opengl 'limited graphics capabilities'? Doom3 was written entirely using opengl as its graphics base. DirectX is an MS technology. Your comment is about like saying OSX sucks at running windows apps.
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