What’s In A Name?

Yeah, it is all over the Internet already. (rohan, /., digg, engadget, ars, slobo, osnews, etc., etc.) They are all saying that Apple filed two new trademark names for its products recently. The exact date depends on who you read, but it was at least September of last year, overseas.

Apparently, this means no more PowerBooks (ya think?), no more iBooks, and no more PowerMacs or Towers.

Yes, we understand there will still be the equivalent improved and upgraded products for sale. After all, Apple isn’t out to cut it’s own throat, right?

The iBooks will likely be rebranded with the PowerBooks – as MacBooks (or MacBook Pros). Obviously, the new renamed iBooks will run Intel Core Solo chips, and/or slower speed Core Duo chips than the high end MacBook Pros that are already selling, which replaced the old IBM powered PowerBooks.

The same situation, apparently, will apply to the high end desktop line of Macs – which will be getting the new name of Mac Pro, with all the models varying between Core Solo, Core Duo and multiple Duo CPUs.

So, what does this do for the desktop iMacs and the Mac mini?

Haven’t a clue.

It is interesting, though, watching Apple do this incredible dance of migration all their computers to Intel, and configuring all of their models with Core Solo and Duo processors, while hoping to keep the new Intel Mac mini from cannibalizing Intel iMac sales, and iMacs from doing the same to the new Intel Towers.

Form factor is going to be key here, I think. People who love the size of the Mac mini are going to continue to buy that over the iMac. The same with those who want multiple processors and expansion, who will anti-up for a tower, rather than an iMac. But there are still plenty of people who love the all-in-one iMac too.

Price points apply too, don’t they? Under a thou for a Mac mini (Mac mini Pro?), under two thou for an iMac (iMac Pro?), and two grand and above for the new Mac Pro (towers).

MacBook Pros (iBooks) for under fifteen hundred, and MacBook Pros (formerly PowerBooks) for two thousand plus smackeroos. But, if they all have the same name, what is the real difference except pricing and things like available SuperDrives, and lighted keyboards? And will there even be a 12″ MacBook Pro for under a thou?

I wonder if the former iBooks will keep their pristine white cases, or will they all look like the upper end silver MacBook Pros? Hey, they could offer them in black too, like the iPods, right?

Apple, in trying to simplify their product names – “It is a Mac, and it is a Pro” – have actually sort of muddied the water a bit in distinguishing between levels of their laptop computers and their desktop models, huh?

Mac mini Pro
iMac Pro
Mac Pro
MacBook
MacBook Pro

This is turning out to be an interesting year for Apple, I think.

What do you think?

Regards,
Roger Born
“Sorry. No Refunds.”

BTW, check out the new Intel Mac mini Core Solo review at ARS. Who knew it has better video graphics capability than the new MacBook Pro Duo?