I haven't been on in a while so I don't know what the "word on the street" is on updates to the current laptop line. Aside from the LED backlight rumor I've seen thrown around for quite some time I wanted to know if there are any rumors or facts about changes to the macbooks and macbook pros. I will probably be buying one in a week or so. I didn't want to shell out money and then Apple release an update quickly after especially if that update is a decent facelift. Thanks in advance for any responses I receive.
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Are there going to be new MacBook/MacBook Pro's in the near future?
- Thread starter RMD68
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MBP's were outfitted with LED screens and updated June 5th. They won't see anything soon, as it's typically 6-8 months. Macbooks were updated in April or May I believe, but could get LED sometime soon.
The 15" MBPs were outfitted with LED screens recently, but not the 17" models. Have heard (directly) that the 17" displays will receive the same LED update very soon, i.e. within weeks. Might be worth waiting at least a couple weeks if you can...
I'm in the same boat as RMD68. I've been waiting for 15 months to buy a MB/MBP, and I almost can't take it anymore. I keep waiting for that next update, but I want to just have my Mac for the new semester. I guess I'll wait at least until Leopard. Blah.
I suppose anything is possible but with press conference on Tuesday is it likely that the laptop line is going to get an improvement. I was going to go today to buy a new MacBook Pro but now I wonder if I should wait to be on the safe side?
Over at gizmodo they just posted a rumor that the MacBooks would be seeing an update to Santa Rosa on Tuesday (no exterior changes though). Doesn't seem completely implausible, given that non-Santa Rosa laptops are becoming rarer.
I've been thinking a less than 6 month update was possible for the Macbooks since the last update was so minor, and now Santa Rosa is widely available.
I really hope they do update. I'm getting a laptop after Tuesday and want a Blackbook (a user upgradable hard drive is more important to me than all the MBP additions) but really don't want the GMA950.
Never mind, the gizmodo rumor was bunk.
What exact difference would it make to you whether it had GMA950 or GMAX3100 though? One isn't that much better than the other - and for situations where it might make a difference (i.e. gaming), it would make more sense to spend the extra money to get an MBP.
-Zadillo
You're probably right. I just would feel cheated spending $1500 on an old chipset I suppose.
That's very unlikely; any new MacBook is at best going to have GMAX3100 integrated graphics, which is moderately better for gaming.
If you are looking for something cheap that is gaming compatible, you'll need to either look at the MBP, or look at some of the $1000-1500 PC laptops, which you can find with a GeForce 8400MGS (which is passable for gaming)...... at the $1500 range you can find some machines from Asus (like the F8SV) or Dell that would have 8600M GT's.
-Zadillo
Ok so no updates to the Macbook line. So which way should I go? Macbook or MacbookPro? I want to have something that will last as long as feasibly possible and I also like to game. I also want something that can be upgraded either by the owner or the factory. After typing that it would seem like I should get the pro but can I get similar performance to what I'm asking out of the macbook (black)?
I have a black macbook and a macbook pro SR. the black macbook will barly play games at all, and when it will play games they lag and nead to be on Low. But the macbook pro is a beast, it will run lots of games at High to Low graphics. The macbook can barley run 3D. And the Macbook pro cant really play brand new games like lost planet.
In conclusion my grammer sucks but I am working on it and the macbook is the way to go for games.
I am in seventh heaven with my new recently purchased 17" Hi Resolution Mac Book Pro, its the best investment I have made in a computer to date and it will last me a good 7 years as did my other lappy. Go for it! Buy now!! The wait kills you~once you get the lappy you will be glad you did. There will always be new macbooks and macbook pros, technology constantly changes, your computer depreciates in value the day you purchose it.
Excellent! It's great to hear that you are happy with your purchase. I have been considering the very same model. My only hesitancy is the width , weight, and bulk (I'm not complaining as those numbers are all within reason and actually quite nice and light, slim etc for a 17" laptop).
How do you find carrying it (if you do) around? I am very mobile in my business and I don't mind the weight as much as I am concerned about overall size and bulk. Any other comments, pros, cons, your opinions etc. would greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
I've had the 12", 15", and 17" iterations of the PowerBook G4, 12" iBook's, and a 15" MBP. I think the 17", even the newer, thinner SR revision, is bulky for travel, esp. if you expect to do work on a plane.
Great for on-the-field editing or a desktop replacement, but to schlep to Starbucks to write your latest screenplay? Too big, I say. (Bigger still, when you're lugging around the 17" Brenthaven backpack to boot.)
Wait for the ultra-portable 13" MBP w/ flash drive bootup, leopard, etc. to be released in the fall. You won't regret it!
Thanks for your timely response.
I've had the 12 Powerbook and a 15" is what I'm using now. I use my 12" on the plane, so that's not a problem for me. As far as 17" goes I agree with you, however for some reason I've had this nagging voice saying to me "try a 17", probably because I've never had one. And I've owned a lot of PowerBooks over the last 10 years.
That said, I do think that the "practical choice" is certainly 15". However I'm always open for ideas and feedback, and others experience. Usually I'm very decisive, however this time I'm on the fence. The 17" has my attention at the moment, however I would not want to make a big decision, and be sorry later.
Thanks!