Can we all expect a new MBP formfactor with Santa Rosa?

[joejoejoe]

Apple in the past has tended to change the formfactor of a model once a new platform was introduced (ibook g3 vs ibook g4.... imac g3 vs imac g4 vs imac g5...)

i guess expected a mbp form factor change with Merom is a little too much to ask for... it doesn't make too much sense. I don't really remember Apple changing any form factors whenever a faster version of the current processor platform was released.

I'm basically speculating on whether or not anything will really change with the mbp with the inevitable merom upgrade... i've been waiting a couple of months now for this upgrade and now i'm possibly considering waiting for Santa Rosa. I would HATE to have a new laptop only to see a brand new version of it in a new and improved form to come out less than 6 months after. Speed bumps and minor upgrades I can endure... but a new/improved form factor??.... i'd be pissed!

Anyone have any info.. insights..??

 

[ripfrankwhite]

I think the MBP is perfect. I can't think of any cosmetic improvements. I would rather them use a magnet on the lid instead of latches. What would you have them change?

 

[gadgetgirl85]

think the current layout is great other than the latch and changing disk drive.

 

[generik]

Current design with latch and HD hatch would be acceptable for me, and way before SR, oh God..

 

[Jiddick ExRex]

With their introduction of the superior design of the MB, the MBP is imo no longer a 'Pro' laptop: almost the same screen estate unless you go for the 17" (which is ridiclously big for a laptop), inaccessible HD, no cool latch sollutions, crap to middle graphics card, same processor. I am not spending a dime on the MBP (although I do need one eventually) until they start rethinking its design.

 

[ZoomZoomZoom]

With their introduction of the superior design of the MB, the MBP is imo no longer a 'Pro' laptop: almost the same screen estate unless you go for the 17" (which is ridiclously big for a laptop), inaccessible HD, no cool latch sollutions, crap to middle graphics card, same processor. I am not spending a dime on the MBP (although I do need one eventually) until they start rethinking its design.

I think MB is superior in terms of practical design. But aesthetically, I still think that the MBP is miles ahead. If they can keep the current looks but put in the easy-access HD, magnetic latch, and fix up the heat problems, I would be very happy. Black alu would just be a cherry on top; I wouldn't have to worry about metal pitting then.

That being said, I have no clue when Apple will update the MBP design, and no clue whether it'll be evolutionary or revolutionary. Haven't seen any rumors about it at all...

 

[Sun Baked]

Time for a carbon fiber MacBook Pro yet?

Of course the mobile 965GM is supposed to run quite a bit hotter.

So there should likely be some changes for that alone.

 

[extraextra]

I think they could stand to modify the design a little. It seems to me that it's showing it's age.. maybe it's just me.

 

[MovieCutter]

I don't see how Santa Rosa is special, all it is is Merom+802.11 chip+integrated graphics chipset. Am I missing something here?

 

[smokeyboi]

I don't see how Santa Rosa is special, all it is is Merom+802.11 chip+integrated graphics chipset. Am I missing something here?

800mhz fsb and robson tech.

 

[jookyooky]

I don't see how Santa Rosa is special, all it is is Merom+802.11 chip+integrated graphics chipset. Am I missing something here?

I feel the same way. Also, as far as I know (and I could be behind the times a bit), 802.11n and WiMax still aren't fully standardized yet, which could cause problems later.
As nice as it sounds, is there really anything worthwhile here, or is it all just marketing hype?

Edit: Right, that whole NAND thing which is supposed to be totally super awesome!
I'm only seeing that used as a buzzword, but with no real information on what it is exactly or how it works. Anyone have any details? Is it just some chunk of memory that resides between the cache and RAM, or just a small piece of quick non-volatile memory the OS can use to store important files, or what?

 

[scott523]

I'm basically speculating on whether or not anything will really change with the mbp with the inevitable merom upgrade... i've been waiting a couple of months now for this upgrade and now i'm possibly considering waiting for Santa Rosa. I would HATE to have a new laptop only to see a brand new version of it in a new and improved form to come out less than 6 months after. Speed bumps and minor upgrades I can endure... but a new/improved form factor??.... i'd be pissed!

Anyone have any info.. insights..??

Santa Rosa will be out..not this year though. Expect to Santa Rosa to be out by late Q1 2007 or early Q2 2007. I might wait for them but it depends on how late/early this upcoming holiday update is. Only time will tell.

Santa Rosa would be kinda pointless if 802.11n isn't drafted yet (some say it'll be drafted by 2008 ).