If you trust the chatter from the techies’ sewing circle, Apple is poised to make several new product announcements next month. According to industry insiders and analysts, Mac fans can expect a redesigned MacBook and MacBook Pro, along with revamped iPods.
The Mac laptop line has not had many significant changes in roughly six years, and there is also a good chance that the price point may finally drop to around $999, keeping Mac competitive with PCs. iPod nanos and shuffles may see increased storage and perhaps a reshaping of the iPod touch, and also another price drop.
Early adopters, however, will have to wait a little longer before queuing up for a MacBook touch. The technology is still a bit out of reach, but could arrive in less than two years.
Apple fans know that company announcements, such as new product launches and revamps, have been made in September for the last three years. And according to reports, Apple’s sales and marketing teams released a statement to retailers advising them to replenish MacBook and MacBook Pro stocks, which usually signifies that Apple is preparing for changes. Stir this is in with the spicy earnings call last month by Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer hinting at a future “product transition,” and you’ve got the ingredients of a tasty product launch.
Gene Munster, an analyst at investment firm Piper Jaffray, has confirmed the speculation, writing, “We expect redesigned MacBooks and MacBook Pros, and a new iPod touch.” He noted that an event has yet to be announced, but he fully expects Apple to re-enter the under-$1,000 market where Mac iBooks once started. He also speculated about redesigned MacBook Pros and pointed out that there hasn’t been a major design change since the first PowerBook G4 was released 5.5 years ago.
Regarding the iPod,…