Mac Musings

Macworld Prediction Scorecard

4 January 2000 - Daniel Knight

This is not a rumor site. I follow the rumor sites. I follow the broader PC market. I try to make an educated guess without the benefit of moles at Apple or elsewhere.

This is your chance to see if my Macworld predictions are in the ballpark - or maybe I don't have a clue. Predictions are from Predictions for Macworld Expo published on Dec. 22, except for the dual-processor G4, which I didn't predict at that time.

Probability is on a scale of 0 to 05.

• 0: no way
• 1: not at all likely
• 2: worse than even odds
• 3: better than even odds
• 4: almost a certainty
• 5: count on it

A few things I've added with a 0 score because I'm convinced they won't happen - yet.

Prediction	Probability	Rating
iMac: 50 MHz faster	4	______
iMac: DVD for $999 model	3	______
iMac: 17" screen	0	______
G4/500	5	______
G4/550+	2	______
G4 dual CPU	3	______
G4 w/3dfx video	0	______
iBook: 64 MB	5	______
iBook: faster	3	______
iBook: DVD	1	______
iBook: slot loading drive	1	______
iBook: business color	3	______
Pismo: announced	5	______
Pismo: faster	5	______
Pismo: 1" thick	3	______
Pismo: DVD on all	4	______
Pismo: AirPort	5	______
Pismo: more pixels	2	______
Pismo: lighter	5	______
Pismo: smaller footprint	0	______
Pismo: G4 CPU	0	______
18" Studio Display	4	______
Thin/light PowerBook	2	______
Apple PDA	0	______
Something unexpected	5	______
Steve Jobs resigns or new Apple CEO	0	______

I'd love a thin/light PowerBook, hope Apple will do it, but remain skeptical. As for the rest, anything rated 3 or higher I fully expect, 0-1 I don't, and 2 is wishful thinking.

One possibility I won't even guess about but would love to see: Apple keeps G4/350 in the line at an even lower price - one of at least 4 speed options for the Power Mac G4.

Have fun rating me, whether from the Macworld floor or visiting via the Internet.

• Be sure to read Egg on My Face.