Mac Users Predict Future, Macworld Expo Bets.

Is the future now? Almost. Macworld Expo in San Francisco is under way and Tuesday’s keynote by Apple co-founder and CEO, Steve Jobs, is sure to highlight the beginning of many new products for 2005.

Here’s a look at what Mac users and our readers have to say about the news that isn’t news yet. $500 Macs. $100 iPods. More software. Mac OS X Tiger. And a few surprises…

Reader “hongkongphooey” wrote:

“What I think could be interesting is if Apple introduces a product that serves to redefine the traditional “PC” category itself - so that “market share” doesn’t even enter into it.

For instance, Apple introduces something that isn’t a desktop PC or an iMac per se, but rather a piece of hardware positioned as something that enables the whole “digital lifestyle”.  Maybe an iLife box - something that doesn’t even compete with a traditional PC. 

Maybe it handles images, music and movies with the same simple style that the iPod handles music.  And like the iPod, it’s a piece of hardware that integrates with both PC and Mac setups (although of course it works better with a Mac.”

Ah, the speculation is about to end. The dreams may linger, depending on what Apple decides we need, what we’re willing to pay, and when we need it.

Tera Patricks recent “predictions” (obviously based on dreams, Mac rumor sites, and a diminished checking account following the holidays) got the Mac user juices flowing. Here’s how “bronxred” replied:

“I think your prognostications are right…except the name (xMac…Apple is moving away from “Mac” everything…didn’t you notice? and the xThing is going to be a professional brand: xServe, xStation, xThis, xThat) and the programs in iWork (I think Pages is a web page maker and there will be a

Notes or Documents type program to compete with Word). otherwise, you’re awesome and I bow down to you and your vision, having had similar ones myself. or we can bow down together. especially if you’ve got a hot guy to introduce me to. lol.”

Tera likes it when guys bow down. She also says Apple is in the best marketing position since it failed to license Mac OS to other manufacturers (only she could remember the 80s that well). Mac user “madmaxmedia” agreed:

“I absolutely, positively agree with you. iPod mania has swept the world, and Apple has more press and attention than they ever had with their computers (back when they had double-digit market share.) Thing is, OS X is just rounding into maturity as a killer next-gen OS as well.”

“This is Apple’s best, last chance at ever making a dent in the personal computer market. The flip side of this is that Apple could double its market share in a year, and cause hardly a blip in the overall computer market (meaning that such a gain is not out of the question in my opinion.)”

Is 2005 to be Apple’s last chance? Are you looking for a $500 Mac? Mac user “martin” was asked the question, “How many $500 Macs will you buy?”

“Two. One for my Mom and one for my sister, as well as two iSights. I have a Mac, I don’t have the time to troubleshoot two PCs. I’ll pick up a cheap monitor or use my old 17 inch Viewsonic.

I think the real value of this computer is as a low cost video iChat solution. My mom, who now has a grandson who lives 4 hours away, can see him every night if she wishes. Surfing the internet and e-mailing her friends and family are just gravy.  Yes, these machines will sell very well.

And then word of mouth will take over and the fun will really begin.”

Hmmm. Word of Mouth. Viral Marketing. Whatever. If Apple does NOT have a $500 Mac announcement at Macworld on Tuesday there will be many unhappy Mac users. There’s likely to be a few unhappy former Apple stock owners, too.