AI, Mobile, and Eveything Around the Cloud

The newly refreshed iMac today is unlike anything on the market. We've seen tons of iMac killers come and go over the years and the iMac still reign supreme as an all-on-one computer. And why? It offers no compromises. So this is why I think the best combo for a mobile warrior who needs power is an iMac with an iPhone or a 3G iPad for mobile needs. Let's face it. If you can afford a Macbook along with an iMac, great, but most folks I know can't. Let's not get into the Magic Trackpad yet. That's story for another post on how I think it can be improved. But the iPad and iPhone can double as a great trackpad with a number of 3rd party apps in the iTunes store. The one main compromise is that while on the road, mobile computing is entirely restricted to the iPhone or iPad. For 95% of what you'll need to do, Apple's iOS devices including the iPod Touch is provides everything you need. The only issue is whether you'll need cellular Internet o...

Maybe not today.  Maybe not in the next couple of years.   But don't be surprised if Apple offers only Macbooks and Mac Pros as the two main Mac choices somewhere down the line. If that was to happen, I'm sure there will be an hybrid of Mac and Apple TV (my Mac Hybrid) perhaps even integrated with a widescreen LCD (or LED) HDTV.  But that's analysis for another blog.   First let's examine why Apple would do this rid themselves of consumer desktops: Macbooks have higher margins.  Mac portables account for an increasing percentage of sales. Steve Jobs read our lame blogs at On Apple and over at Onxo .  Okay.  Just being funny.  Okay, not funny. The move is towards mobile computing - laptops, smartphones, mobile platform with devices like iPhones and iPods. Affordability.  Laptops, including Macbooks, have gone down in average selling price.  Furthermore, refurbished Macbooks are very popular with consumers. As far as going green, Macb...

This is just something I made up while chatting with Dave the Mobile Warrior on Skype last night about Apple's unexpected exit (unexpected from the standpoint of folks who were not graced to insider information).  But when Apple VP Phil Schiller takes the stage as the keynote speaker traditionally reserved for Steve Jobs, just what kind of position is he being put it?  So, we dreamt up a cool scenario for the last Macworld Apple will participate in. Schiller goes on stage and goes through his routine.  Great Christmas.  Great quarter they just had.  Billions made.  Then he tells folks the iMac, Mac Mini, and Mac Pros will all be updated.  Though it all, Phil gets forced ethusiastic applauses because of the impossible situation he's put under.  He knows it. But then he says, "we've got a special guest I like to bring out to talk about the next revolutionary product from Apple.  You all know him.  Steve Jobs!". Crowd goes wild...

While this is wishful thinking on my part but I've seen 3GB offerings on some Windows laptops in the last few weeks since we started tracking laptop values on Onxo .  So hopefully, an 18% drop in DRAM futures in two weeks will result in Apple offering at least 2GB on the low end Macbook model and 3-4GB on the higher end ones, particular the black Macbook. I mean, c'mon, 2GB, Jobs?  Seriously.  As someone who is seriously considering the next refresh of the Macbook Air, I really would have to see 4GB on that baby.  Knowing Apple though, we'll probably on see 3GB. Still given the dearth of details on the next Macbook updates, we'll just have to wait and see.  According to Macworld, the lower DRAM prices offered PC makers to differentiate themselves with from others by offering memory upgrades for a nominal fee or simply as a free option. Love to see those iMac and Macbooks buffed up memory-wise. Note:  Tomorrow would be a great time for Appl...