Over the past several months, not just the Apple community, but the entire tech industry had been speculating about Apple’s then unreleased product announcements. For the most part, rumors have been accurate, and Apple has done a great job listening to consumers.
In June Macblogz received the first bit of information regarding the new Macbook Pro’s “Chicklet” style keyboard (inspired directly by the Macbook Air). Additionally, towards the end of July, Macblogz speculated about the option of built-to-order SSD’s in all notebooks based on rumblings we had heard. Prior to the notebook event we put together a highly specific list of what we expected to see at the event. In regards to the new LED Cinema Display, it’s almost scary how similar our mockup in early August, was to what Apple released today.
READ → Macbook and Macbook Pro Design Overhaul rumors re-surface. New Keyboard 100% - June 23
READ → Is Apple Planning a Solid State Drive Option in All Upcoming Notebooks? - July 29
READ → 2009 Apple Cinema Displays; What We’d Like to See - August 6
READ → Upcoming Notebooks to Have SSD Option? Mac OS X 10.5.6 to Deliver Blu-Ray Support?- September 19
READ → What You Should Expect to See and What’s Not Likely - October 12
Back on September 10th, MacRumors speculated about the possibility that the Macbook Air would be outfitted with a larger 120GB HDD. As Apple explains “Starting at $1,799, MacBook Air is available with a 120GB 4200 rpm hard drive, a 50 percent increase from the previous generation, or a new 128GB solid state drive.” So MacRumors turns out to be correct.
READ → Apple Notebook Updates on October 14th? 120GB MacBook Air HDD?- September 10
While 9to5Mac had provided insightful information into a new manufacturing process dubbed “the Brick,” we have seen today that they were partially correct in their assertion. While the new notebook casings are indeed manufactured from a single piece of aluminum, they simply adopt the Macbook Air’s manufacturing process. 9to5 did however first report about the glass trackpad back in July. For the most part, 9to5’s track record remains very good, providing a window into information otherwise unknown.
READ → More Apple Notebook Rumors; Glass TrackPad in Upcoming Macbook- July 28
READ → The Brick: One Piece, High Grade Aluminum Notebooks- October 4
Leaked images depicting solid body construction of Apple’s unreleased notebooks were posted by both sites. Most of the images turned out to be completely dead on, solidifying the leaked case photos. AppleInsider has gone on to confirm most of the images as accurate prior to them being unveiled by Apple (officially). A lot of the leaked case images were first brought to attention through the highly trafficked MacRumors forums, so it should be noted that Arnold Kim (who owns MacRumors) would only let an image make the homepage if he believed it to be accurate.
READ → Leaked: Macbook Pro Case Images, Higher Resolution Photos- October 14
READ → Leaked Aluminum Macbook Pro Case photo from China. Resembles Macbook Air?- July 7
READ → Leaked Macbook Pro Case Rumors Continue; Designs Confirmed- July 9
Apple Insider first reported back in April specifically about the Macbook inheriting a lot of design inspiration from the Macbook Air and iMac. AI’s sources continue to be accurate providing detailed descriptions of technical aspects that upcoming products will have. Additionally, Apple Insider continues to utilize its sources in confirming leaked photographs and images prior to official releases.
READ → Apple notebook lines to see major design changes, sources say- April 7
READ → Next-gen MacBook, MacBook Pro spotted in matching outfits- September 25
Rumors had circulated pertaining to the preferred chipset to be used in Apple’s new family of MacBooks. Both Tuaw and MacSoda had been under the impression that NVIDIA chipsets would be used, which later had been confirmed by AppleInsider. MacSoda had been wrong about the event invitations being released on the previous Tuesday, and had been entirely wrong about any iLife or iWork updates happening today. John Gruber from Daring Fireball (with proven sources) continued to say that MacSoda was simply making up the iSuite updates.
READ → NVIDIA Chipset to be Used in Updated MacBooks?- September 21
READ → Apple dumping Intel chipsets for NVIDIA’s in new MacBooks- October 11
While most of the information provided to the Rumor Mill is accurate, a lot of Rumors, even big juicy rumors can be completely inaccurate, and just wild speculation. In late July MacDailyNews claimed to have credible information that a Macbook touch, or touch tablet device would be released by Apple this month. With the notebook event coming and going, the information proved to be inaccurate, keeping the long speculated touch-screen mac, a rumor. Two days after the touch rumor was announced, MacBlogz speculated that the info was simply inaccurate, and that the industry was much more likely to see an overhauled notebook line instead.
READ → Apple’s Secret Product is a MacBook Touch?- July 22
READ → Macbook Touch? Think Again. Completely Re-vamped Notebook Line Instead?- July 24
Prior to the notebook event, Digg founder Kevin Rose re-surfaced claims that Apple would be including Blu-ray drives into their unreleased notebooks. Although he hedged his bets by saying his sources were “bad,” the rumor turned out to be completely inaccurate with Apple CEO calling Blu-ray a “bag of hurt” in the Q&A portion directly preceding the notebook media event.
READ → iTunes 8, New iPod nano/touch, Blu Ray in OS X 10.5.6?- August 23
READ → Upcoming Notebooks to Have SSD Option? Mac OS X 10.5.6 to Deliver Blu-Ray Support?- September 19
For the most part Apple has done a tremendous job listening to the market and what consumers want and need. Bringing high technology to the masses is what continues to be pushed by Cupertino, and the introduction of these new products proves that maybe some wishes can come true.
