Apple MacBook Rumor Roundup: New Photo Leaks, $800 Price Tag? (AAPL)

Dan Frommer | October 9, 2008 9:27 AM

macbook-leak-photos.jpgIs Apple's laptop reboot still on for next week? If the velocity of leaked photos is any indication, it seems possible.

The latest: Three photos of Apple's supposed new aluminum-frame MacBooks, published by MacRumors. They look pretty real to us -- Apple's gradually been moving the cases of its computer to metal, and these case rumors have been around for months.

Different story: Whether or not you believe the supposed story behind these -- that Apple has invented some sort of laser carving technology in a secret Apple factory that fashions computers out of single blocks of aluminum. We don't buy it, primarily because we don't think even secrecy-obsessed Apple can hide a new factory from prying eyes.

Either way, in this economy, price is just as important as looks. So how much will these cost? Potentially as low as $800, if you believe former TechCrunch scribe Duncan Riley, now writing for his own site. Apple has hinted at lowering its prices -- and already lowered iPod touch prices this year -- and it makes sense that they'd try to target the $1000-or-less segment of the laptop market. So while $800 is a steep cut -- 27% less than Apple's current cheapest laptop -- it's not out of the question if they want to grow market share.

When will we find out? The rumored date is still next Tuesday, Oct. 14. We haven't heard about any reporters getting invitations to an Apple event yet, so it seems that if that date is still launch day, it will just be a press release announcement. This doesn't strike us as odd, as Apple doesn't always have a Steve Jobs keynote to announce redesigns of existing products -- they often come in the form of press releases and an update to their Web site.

Update: AllThingsD reports that invitations have been sent out for an Oct. 14 media event, titled "The spotlight turns to notebooks." And Piper's Gene Munster predicts the low-end MacBooks will start at $899.

Know more? Reach us by email at dfrommer@alleyinsider.com or use our anonymous tips box.

See Also: More MacBook Predictions: No Tablet, Says Piper
iPhone App Store's Brutal Reality: Get Viral Or Don't Quit Your Day Job
Apple Stock: Major Buyers Stepping In At $90
Citi Whacks Estimates On Dell, HP, PC Industry

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16 Comments

Hehateme said:
This will hurt apples margins. But they did warn shareholders that this would happen. A $500 macbook would be better.
Ron said:
At $800 I will buy two, one for each of my kids.
dj said:
lookes like there going to miss the mini webbook wave
rob said:
hi, id rather it be $1000 because apple chief said to my mate there are lowering the cost of the inside to make it cheap, so it could brake:(

Im quickly going to by an old macbook!
Lathan said:
O think that it great of apple to realize the economic crisis and see that if they are foing to able to sell any macs for christmas that they would have to lower thier prices.

Thwey will also gio back up once this economic crisis is over
ryan (URL) said:
I think it's great that there lowering there prices, especially right before the holidays. There's a weird psychological wall with a $1,000.00 price tag. Sentiment for Apple is slowly becoming more bullish after temporary fluctuations of bearishness. Think such price cuts will be beneficial to Apple in the coming months.
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robinson said:
Aluminum? Ugh! I owned a Powerbook G4 titanium for several years and that was a very cold machine, especially on winter mornings. The sharp rectangular edges weren't fun either as they dug into my palms. And metal grey surrounds don't show off a color screen well; one needs black for that.

I much preferred the rounded black Powerbook G3 I had before... best of all the features. Even a current polycarbonate iBook G4 is better as it remains neutral to the touch.

As the upcoming Macbook/Pro refresh... combine all those problems with the apparently lower power Wi-fi reception through an alum. case and you have a sorry excuse for innovation.
Sam said:
robinson-- you've got remember how hot the Intel CPUs and dedicated GPUs run these days. That aluminum case will be a nice palm warmer in no time.
Pkhunter said:
Stop this subpar crap and just give us a new Macbook Pro already! Ideally with very little design innovations but a better price and the latest video technology. Thanks.
ashlyn (URL) said:
Apple MacBook Rumor Roundup: New Photo Leaks, $800 Price Tag? (AAPL)70-624Doesn't matter what you say. No use asking you.
maitland (URL) said:
Apple MacBook Rumor Roundup: New Photo Leaks, $800 Price Tag? (AAPL) 啶虫脒 Stop pretending. I know you hate it. Stop pretending. So what? You are such a bad person Who's gonna like you?
marleen (URL) said:
640-802 riff raff! these people give me the creeps. riff raff. You lie.
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