What is going to happen at Macworld 2009?

If you’re like me and are curious about the announcements that Apple will make, you have probably read all the rumors that are floating around the internet. Well, let me throw my two cents in the hat.

The first thing I think will be addressed is the iPhone getting a capacity bump to 16GB for the low-end model and 32GB for the high-end model. The reason the iPod touch can hold twice as much capacity as the iPhone is due to the fact that it can hold 2 NAND chips, and the iPhone can only hold one due to other communications hardware. With mass production reportedly under way for the higher capacity chips, I expect to see the storage jump on both the iPhone and iPod touches.

Next, I believe there will be some sort of announcement regarding the 17 inch MacBook Pro. This could go both ways, in that they could discontinue the line all together or they could go with the unibody enclosure. Now, as the unibody enclosure gets larger it becomes more flexible and susceptible to denting. This is basic physics. It’s hard to guess what Apple will do with the largest notebook they manufacture.

As far as the iMac goes, I don’t think we will see anything major, just some updates such as faster processors and bigger hard drives. What I do think we will see in relation however, is Snow Leopard making its debut. This will allow all Macs to address up to 8GB of memory and actually use it. Tests have shown that the new unibody notebooks can use 6GB, but freak out when 8GB is applied.

As much as I hate to say it, I think we have seen the last of the Mac mini. I own one. I love it. I do not think Apple will continue to manufacture them, however. What I expect to see in its place is some kind of lower end notebook. There are rumors aplenty about Apple making what some refer to as a “Netbook.” Now, Apple executives have stated that they cannot make a 500 dollar machine that is not a piece of junk, but I expect the price point to be the same as the current Mac Mini line at $599 and $799. I would expect the same feature set or (lack there of) of the MacBook Air.

What would you like to see? How do you think it will all play out? It will be interesting to say the least.