I went to the Apple Store today: verdict...

[spencecb]

I couldn't disagree more. I think the MacBook Pro is incredibly dated and desperately in need of a major revision of the case. The MacBook, on the other hand, I find to be absolutely beautiful, wonderful to work with, and quite portable.

I understand your point in sayinf that the case design for the MacBook Pro is dated, as it has been with us since the first major revision of the PowerBook G4's. But to say that it is incredibly dated and in desperate need of a redesign is not accurate. I believe that the longevity of this design shows further proof of how incredibly talented Apple's Industrial design team is. This design has stood the test of time, as it has been with us for about three years, give or take. That is pretty awesome, considering the fact that there are only a small handful of other portables that come close to offering a fully featured portable in the same compact, sleek design that is the MacBook Pro.

I'm not going to lie, a new design would have been awesome when the MBP's came out, but I guess an old saying applies here: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[pianoman]

I like my black Macbook, and it gets attention when I pull it out of my case. The MBP's look dated to me, kind of reminiscent of a Dell, only sleeker. ( Don't be hating MBP owners!!! ). I am jealous of the MBP's speakers though

if anything, the black MBs look more like Dells than the MBPs. i like the MBPs and agree they could use a redesign. it would be hesitant to buy a MB since i wouldn't want a black one (mainly b/c of the price, but also because of the looK) and the white ones seem to have discoloration problems. but, these issues are likely being addressed by apple.

let's just wait and see what happens today before we get our panties all bunched up comparing these models. perhaps they will announce redesigned models.

 

[kmarketing]

I'm definitely curious to see what changes will be made to the pro lines. But I think aluminum or some type of metallic composite really makes the pro line stand out as a professional tool of choice. So unless there is a way to make the metal more durable and lightweight, I think sticking to the old design is fine. And personally, I don't think there is another laptop on the market that matches the look and finish of the macbook pro line.

I also agree with the posts that unfortunately the macbooks look nearly as good as the pros. I also saw the same wear and discoloration on both black and white models when I went to the Apple store to buy a macbook. The permanent shiny/oil marks were ridiculous on the black ones, and the white one reminded me too much of an ibook. And for me, coming from an aluminum powerbook, the macbooks just felt and looked like such a downgrade.

When I put my 12" powerbook next to the macbooks, there really was no comparison in my eyes. I'll be keeping my 12" powerbook for at least one more day!

 

[wiresandwaves]

I think MBPs are ugly as sin and can't put my finger on exactly why. I think it's the speakers on either side of the keyboard. Also, Sony and Dell have jumped on the metal laptop bandwagon, which brings the MBP's stock down a little.

I like my white Macbook. I think the design's a little cleaner. No ugly speakers or latches. I'm generally not a fan of the aluminum finish.

 

[wisredz]

I saw the blackbook and 17"and 15" MBPs side by side today and judging by the looks alone, MBP kicks MBs a**. MBP looks classy, and there isn't a single thing that I could adress as a flow in its design. lighted keyboard is so beautiful.
On the other hand MBs look more childish, more like the computer that I have in my for a college student. Being one myself, I'd rather pull out a MB out of my bag than a MBP. MBP really looks like something professional as the name implies. I simply love MB's keyboard. Would be really proud to own one.
But for me MBP has the most beautiful design among its competitors. not only MB or PB or iBook, but Toshiba, Sony and Dell...
If I get something in the future it will be MB. If only they had better GPU...

 

[wyatt23]

if anything, the black MBs look more like Dells than the MBPs.

precisely the reason i ordered a white macbook.

when you flash the white, people knows it's an apple.
when they see the black, you think it could be a few things.

i'd rather save the extra hundred or so [i bought mine refurb, save $200 over the black ], and have people envy the macbook.

 

[kwong2006]

iPod
The iPod stands looked stale, though the iPod hi-fi looked (and sounded) cool.

Aren't you being a bit nitpicky here? I mean, iPod is just everywhere now, and there are only so many iPod models that Apple still sells. Of course it looks "stale"!

 

[kwong2006]

precisely the reason i ordered a white macbook.

when you flash the white, people knows it's an apple.
when they see the black, you think it could be a few things.

i'd rather save the extra hundred or so [i bought mine refurb, save $200 over the black ], and have people envy the macbook.

Exactly. I have foreseen this to have happened, but quite honestly. a Black MP (MacBook) does not work in any sense of the world. Too bland, and you also pay a premium for just a different color shell. Not the best deal in the world.

 

[Xeem]

IMO, both MBs and MBPs look great, although I do agree that the MBP is starting to look dated. Dell, Sony, and many other companies have copied the Powerbook G4 design for some time now, so the MBP just doesn't stand out like it used to. If anything, I think that the black Macbooks stand out more, because those same manufacturers were so hard at work copying the Powerbook design that black laptops are much rarer these days. The Macbook's glossy screen isn't a big deal one way or the other; when placed next to my iBook, people didn't notice that one screen is glossy and one is matte, all that they noticed was that one was much brighter than the other.

 

[Eduardo1971]

Hmm... I'm the opposite. The Macbooks are much better than I expected them to be... so much so that I'm now seriously thinking about replacing my current Powerbook with an iMac/Macbook combo

I second that. I had a titanium G4 15 inch Powerbook. I looked at both the new Macbook Pro's and the Macbook.

I ended up with the Macbook. For me, I never felt that I ended up loosing screen real-estate. I've ver impressed with my Macbook. As for discolouration I ended up applying transparent film over the palm area.

The Macbook is a very good bargain.

 

[freelancer28]

well, i'm a switcher, and coming from the pc world, white macbooks look sleek and stylish to me, not to mention the "apple look", and blackbooks and powerbks/mbps don't really appeal to me as much... they really do look like PC laptops if you don't catch the apple logo...(don't hurt me, i'm just honestly stating my observation) i guess older mac users are now unfazed by the white look...

 

[Shadow]

I once travelled to London just to go to the Apple Store. Well worth it. Just watching a full HD "Cars" trailer on 2 30" ACDs on a PowerMac G5 Quad-heaven (or it was until Phil finally announced MacPro 3GHz Quad).