KEY POINTS:
Nothing yet, but if you believe (as most do) the rumours that Apple will release new laptops and iPods this September, and you're thinking of buying a Mac, what should you do?
Sometimes shops clear their stocks of replaced models, true, when a new Mac ships. You have to be quick. If you are looking for a real bargain, sometimes shops like MagnumMac [http://www.magnummaconline.co.nz/public/] trade people's old Macs for new ones, then refurbish the traded older models and sell them with, for example, a three-month limited warranty.
Unfortunately, second-hand Macs are normally still dear unless really outmoded - especially laptops.
True, a G4 laptop is two-and-a-bit generations previous to the current Intel Apple laptops, but it's still OK for writing and email, but not much else. Some G4s are too slow to run OS 10.5 Leopard.
Or, of course, you could decide to see what the new models have to offer, and just spring for one of those. Newer is almost always better if you're brave enough to face potential first-model gremlins, and new Macs have a one-year warranty as standard.
So what is coming? I've been saying for six months that the new MacBooks will most likely become aluminium like all the other Macs except for the Mini. That metal was once so rare that Napoleon had a special aluminium knife and fork made for himself. Now it seems to be everywhere.
Well, it's light, strong and. most importantly, recyclable. It conducts heat well, and doesn't hinder wireless. But who knows? Maybe they'll be wooden like the legendary first applebox-based Apple computer built by Steve Wozniak. Or made of popcorn or paper maché ... But anything's better than polycarbonate these days, right?
Some say new MacBooks will sport a mysterious new chipset - not Intel Corp's Montevina. This will not be the primary CPU, but ... (cue X Files' music) something else.
Apparently the new MacBook Pro will have a new battery cover that spans the width of the machine, providing access to the notebook's hard disk drive. This would be good - I will happily swap a MacBook's drive but when I upgraded my MacBook Pro, I took it to the ex-MacGuide magazine's 'Dr Mac' - Patrick at the cute little Apple reseller business Übertec in Parnell.
But will redesigns of the MacBook and MacBook Pro be radical enough to warrant a special introduction by Mr Jobs?
As whatever will happen, something will happen - in the second week of September, Steve Jobs is expected to headline an 'event'.
The scope of this event remains an enigma. Somehow I don't think it will just be a family barbie at Cupertino. Internet reports have failed to pinpoint a precise agenda - will it will be a dual launch pad for Apple's next-generation Mac notebooks and iPods, or just new iPods? As there have been rumours of a new, cheaper iPod touch (if so I will be saying 'I told you so'), and even a more powerful little nano.
Whatever happens, even more gesture support in MacBook trackpads is almost a dead cert, with the advances evident in the iPhone and iPod touch. So I will jump onto a jet and fly to the Cupertino barbie to report back, OK? I'll just ask that Glenn bloke for some money ... notice how I'm telling you now, rather than later.
- Mark Webster mac.nz
