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TransIntl.com: Maximize PowerBook/iBook internal storage with 30 GB/20 GB drives;
450 Mhz/ 366 Mhz G3 ZIF $275/$159; 61 Gb FireWire Ext drive...$399.

Gather 'round children, Grandpa PBZone is going to tell you how it is.

That's right, it's MacWorld time. And as every Mac-watcher worth his or her respective salt knows, it's the height of the Apple product rumors frenzy. This particular MacWorld has produced much drama, with threats of lawsuits flying as the Mothership attempts to keep her secrets from the pitiful few thousand that actually read these websites. Well, without further ado, we encourage you to go read both MOSR and AI, then cozy up next to the fire, as we're going to lay out the truth for you.

First, let's go over the things that are guaranteed for introduction. Apple has finally replaced the iMac's keyboard and mouse. Sources describe the mouse as optical, like Microsoft's critically acclaimed IntelliMouse, with a "clicking action" that replaces the button. The keyboard is full-size, akin to the Apple Design keyboard of days past. It's got volume up/down, play, eject, and forward delete all right on the keyboard. This setup will ship with the new iMacs, G4s, and Cubes.

Well, didn't we just give away all the secrets... let's start with the new iMacs. It's been since last August that the world got a taste of the new iMac form factor in all five delicious colors. Codenamed "Perigree," the new iMacs will feature an as-yet-unknown form factor update, processor speeds up to 500 Mhz G3. The more exciting stuff is yet to come.

New G4s are coming as well. They use the current G4 case, just wider to accomodate multiple processors in the high end model. The new G4s are codenamed "clockwork," not Mystic as other sites are reporting. The dual processor models feature up to two 450 MHz G4s, while the single processor model is still limited to 500 MHz G4. Nothing else here has significantly changed, other than a slot-loading CD drive has finally been implemented to replace the asinine door that the Blue and White PowerMac G3 and Power Mac G4s had.

Moving along, we get to the real dirt: the "cube." When these rumors were first published, they were heavily discounted, mostly because they were first published on Mac OS Rumors. However, while the details that have been flying around have varied widely, we're here to sort things out.

Yes, a "cube" shaped Mac exists, and it's going to be the cornerstone of Steve Jobs' keynote on Wednesday. It's about the size of a "family size Kleenex box," less than a foot on each side. It has a small motherboard, with no PCI slots, 3 RAM slots, 1 4x AGP slot, and the processor daughtercard. Since there is no PCI, there are two FireWire ports, two USB ports, and AirPort to increase the functionality of the machine. It's got no audio out, as this is to be accomplished with USB audio. Codenamed Trinity, it has a slot-loading DVD, no fan, and VGA/DVI video out. The machine is supposed to fill a niche for the buyer that doesn't want to be limited by the iMac's 15" screen, but doesn't want to shell out $2000 for a PowerMac G4 with accompanying monitor. Look for the cube to come in at $1200 without monitor.

We also have word that a slightly modified iBook including a FireWire port has been readied for introduction. Codenamed "Midway," the addition of FireWire is expected to be the only major modification.

That's it for the hardware. What? No PowerBook you say? Yes, that's correct, the PowerBook G4, codenamed Mercury will not be ready until later this year, and we're betting it'll be delayed until MacWorld San Francisco.

Additionally, just because all these projects are finished at Apple doesn't necessarily mean Apple will introduce them at MacWorld New York. The nature of our sources (they're not marketing flunkies) prevents us from knowing this information about which hardware will show up on Wednesday, but our money's on the first three products, with the FireWire iBook somewhat iffy.

Despite the absolute oodles of hardware he gets to introduce, expect Jobs to be most excited about finally pulling the wraps off a public beta of Mac OS X. In fact, while we encourage you to take this with a grain of salt, one source let on that the cubes on the show floor will be running the public beta, and it will be available immediately after the keynote on the Apple Store for $29.95.

We don't pretend to think that's all Mr. Steven P. Jobs will pull out of his sleeve on Wednesday. He'll mention the fiscal Q3 earnings numbers, to be released tomorrow, as well as update the progress of iTools, iCards, and iReview. Stay tuned the night before the show, we'll have extremely accurate information then. Also, be sure to check us out throughout the day of the show, as we plan live coverage of the keynote and the show floor.