Is Apple Preparing the MacBook Pro to Outgun the Haswell Ultrabook?

One of the reasons that I've followed Intel's IDF keynotes over the years is to get a feel for what the PC Industry as a whole is thinking about. During the IDF June 2011 session, Intel made it clear that their 2013 Haswell Ultrabook would be a tablet when you want it and a PC when you need it.

In November 2011, HP's CEO Meg Whitman stated that "Apple does a great job. We need to improve our game and our products to take over the leadership position. Apple could go past HP in 2012. We will try to become the champion in 2013…" Why in 2013? – Because the Haswell based Ultrabook will be a both notebook and tablet. It's also an architecture that will support Windows 8 for work and Metro for the tablet side of the equation. But for HP, it will also be able to run their next generation Open Source based WebOS.

Do you think that Apple will just shrug it all off in conceit? I doubt it. I doubt that very much. The idea of merging an iPad with a keyboard or MacBook dates back to at least 2008 for Apple. And today, we've be given another hint that Apple is at least wanting to protect this just-in-case-scenario of creating a MacBook Tablet. The clue is presented below in Apple's trademark filing under International Class 009.

Apple's Trademark Application In-Part

The MacBook Pro's International Class Details

Apple filed for the "MacBook Pro" trademark under a single Class being International Class 009. It reads as follows:

Computers; notebook computers; computer hardware; computer software; computer operating system software; computer utility software; computer peripherals; computer batteries; remote controls; disk drives; power cords; power converters; video cameras; speakers for computers; microprocessors; computer memory boards; keyboards; computer docking stations; computer displays and monitors; touchscreens; computer mice; trackballs; trackpads; cables and connectors; flash memory drives; modems; personal digital assistants; video disc players; audio disc players; still cameras; digital cameras; semiconductors; integrated circuits; instructional manuals in electronic form packaged with the above; bags and cases adapted or shaped to contain portable and handheld computers, tablet computers, personal digital assistants, electronic organizers and electronic notepads.

If you're thinking that the list noted above is simply standard legal boilerplate verbiage – then think again. Go back to their last MacBook Pro filing that we linked to earlier in our report. It was only filed a year ago and there wasn't any mention of a touchscreen, tablet computer or electronic notepad for that matter.

While it may not be a smoking gun in and of itself, it's certainly a sign that Apple is at least thinking about such a new breed of notebook. I know that it's definitely a high priority on my list of future devices. In fact, I'll be buying one in 2013 no matter if it's from Apple or HP. It's just a unit that I need for work and one that has been on my wish list for at least the last four years now.

That's my position and I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter. Would you buy a MacBook Pro – iPad combo device in 2012 or 2013? And better yet, do you think that this could be one of the products that Tim Cook was thinking of when he told Apple shareholders that Apple was preparing mind blowing products for 2012?      

Update March 9, 2011: Apple has filed for the "MacBook Pro" trademark in Europe under International Classes 9, 16, 35, 37, 38 and 42. What's interesting here is that we see yet another twist. This time around Apple has added MacBook Pro trademark coverage for "telecommunications and multimedia goods and accessories, mobile phone, handheld mobile digital electronic devices." This would provide Apple's MacBook Pro with protection for the Telephonic MacBook. 

Notice: Patently Apple presents a basic summary of new trademark filings with their associated graphics for journalistic news purposes as each such trademark is revealed by the U.S. and/or other foreign Patent & Trademark Offices. This category covers a few Industrial Design reports each year while others could be found in our granted patent archives. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any trademark application should be read in its entirety for further details. About Comments: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit comments.

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