Let's recap, shall we? As far as we can make out, here's the general consensus on the major gear expected for dramatic Stevenote unveilings at Macworld Expo: first and foremost, new iMacs, probably with LCD displays (likely), possibly with G4 processors (less likely), and maybe with some sort of removable tablet stylus-driven wireless web pad functionality (for the "extreme rumormongers" who like to live out there on the edge of sanity). Secondly, new Power Macs, with faster G4s (of course), possibly up to 1 GHz clock speeds (not entirely out of the question), and maybe a spiffy new look (the jury's still out on that one). Thirdly, there's a slim chance we'll see refreshed PowerBooks, with CD-RW options and possibly new colors, though a September intro seems more likely. And then there's the "Son of Pismo" big-screen iBook that at least two or three individuals are still expecting. Did we miss anything?

Probably not, since that covers literally all four corners of Apple's newly-restored product grid-- barring the possibility of an extremely premature Cube resurrection, of course. But wait! Now jaded Apple watchers bored with the usual Expo rumors have still more hardware to consider. Don't forget, Apple makes servers, too-- and word has it that they'll get a boost come Stevenote time, as well. We know, we know; most of you find that singularly unthrilling; after all, Apple's "servers" are just plain ol' Power Macs with some extra software thrown on for good measure. Update the Power Macs, and new "servers" are certain to follow.

Except that this time, maybe Apple has a little surprise up its sleeve. According to Think Secret, Apple is far enough along in development of its real server hardware-- i.e., systems designed with actual server features like a rack mount enclosure, hot-swappable hard disks, and redundant power supplies, not just a desktop Power Mac with the word "server" stuck on at the end-- that the unit code-named "Thing 2" may actually join Uncle Steve onstage at the Javits Center in twelve days' time. That's well in advance of the January 2002 intro date that Think Secret had originally projected. (Evidently Apple's recently-instituted "No Sleep For Engineers" policy is paying off already.)

In addition to Think Secret's scuttlebutt, we've heard whisperings from various other shadowy sources that Apple is planning to leap feet-first into the "real server" market very soon now. We'd be a little surprised for Steve to trot out such a business-oriented chunk of hardware at a primarily consumer-oriented trade show, but hey, if Mac OS X 10.1 is ready by then, there's probably little reason to wait. Apple targeting the enterprise market? Quick, fetch the smelling salts!