Now that the beloved PowerBook name is gone like the IBM chip that powered it, one has to ask, “Was MacBook Pro the right name?” I’ve got to admit, when I first heard the new name on the stairs of Moscone Center, my stomach turned a little. But the more it sat in my head, the more I got use to it. Then on the way home on BART, I realized what a genius Steve Jobs was (again) for naming it the MacBook Pro.

Now that Apple has gone the Intel way, it needs to differentiate itself from the “other” brands. OS X is one way but what is another? Yes, better hardware and better options are other ways. But still, what is another way to make the Apple line stand out against the Inspirons, the VAIOs, and the Satellites? I mean this isn’t just another PC, it’s a Mac. See it? It’s a Mac-Book…Pro. It’s not just a PC notebook, it’s a Mac notebook and you’ll be a pro with it. Brilliant, no?!

Sure, it’s pure marketing, but hey, that’s what Apple needs to win more converts over and if that means making people at Best Buy notice a plain old Satellite is not as cool sounding as a MacBook Pro, then hey, do it! Intel inside was a marketing ploy, why can’t Apple have one?

I think the name is a good one. Not a great one because I still like PowerBook the best, but for name recognition, I think Apple hit it on the mark. Good job, boys.

Tags: macbook pro, name, good, bad