If all that's not enough, there is still a vibrant community of Apple fans who use the show as a place to meet, talk shop, and have fun. This year's convention includes feature presentations from the comedian Sinbad, composer-cellist Zoë Keating, and Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess. The iFixit crew will be on hand to show off the insides of Apple products, and there will be additional talks about the connection between science fiction and modern hardware interfaces, as well as the role of women in technology.

Macworld.com will also host the Macworld Live stage, with convention attendees providing a live audience for roundtables and discussions anchored by the magazine's editors and writers.

It's those events--and the fact that they're open to the public, instead of just industry insiders--that keep Macworld relevant in the post-Apple age.

"There are so few technology trade shows the average consumer can go to if they want to," said Michael Gartenberg, an analyst with Altimeter Group. "If I'm interested in consumer electronics and want to go to CES, I can't. Macworld is one of the last end-user conferences. I can go to the conference, I can go to the sessions, so I don't have to be the member of the industry, an analyst, or a blogger."

Macworld 2011 is being held at the Moscone West convention center and is open to the public., and start at $25 (online) for an Expo Only pass.