Is the MBP a desktop replacement?

[Spies]

Just asked a friend and he didn't think so because its not 'chunky' enough, but I thought desktop replacement referred the the power of the computer in which case it would be? Also if it can't be used on your lap without discomfort it's not a laptop in my oppinion.

Can anyone post their thoughts on this?

 

[Lau]

I see "desktop replacement" as a comment on the power and the screen size, personally, rather than chunkiness. It's a good thing it's not chunky, whichever way you look at it.

 

[jacobj]

The term definately refers to the power of the machine, not the thickness of it. I would argue that the MBP is an iMac replacement, so I suppose the asnwer is yes it is.

Of course if you mean a PowerMac Quad with the top-of-the-line GPU in it, then the answer is no.

I don't like the term "desktop replacement" anyway. It is all so dependent on other things that the term is misguiding at best and just plain wrong at worst.

 

[kretzy]

Yeah, it just means it has the ability to replace a desktop computer without too much loss of power. I guess chunkiness used to be associated with a laptop "desktop replacement", but the times they are a changin'

 

[mad jew]

Yeah, that's not very cool logic. I mean, the mini is a desktop yet it's not chunky. So, who's to say a desktop replacement has to be chunky...

 

[Spies]

So are there many people here who use it as a DTR?

 

[kretzy]

So are there many people here who use it as a DTR?

Well I only have a laptop, so I guess in a way that has replaced my need for a desktop. Also, seeing as the specs of the new MacBook Pros are essentially the same as the iMac they in a way "replace" desktops. They do not however act as a replacement for a PM.

 

[mark!]

Just asked a friend and he didn't think so because its not 'chunky' enough, but I thought desktop replacement referred the the power of the computer in which case it would be? Also if it can't be used on your lap without discomfort it's not a laptop in my oppinion.

Can anyone post their thoughts on this?

Apple doesn't call them laptops, they call them 'books' or 'notebooks'.

 

[kretzy]

Apple doesn't call them laptops, they call them 'books' or 'notebooks'.

They are still referred to as laptops as far as I know. And I've never heard them called just "books".

 

[mark!]

They are still referred to as laptops as far as I know. And I've never heard them called just "books".

PowerBooks iBooksMacBooks
that is what I meant by adding the 'book' part.

Apple hasn't called any of their notebooks a laptop for a while, but everyone else refers to them as laptops, ...including me. But I was just mentioning it...

 

[hvfsl]

The MBR is only a proper DTR laptop if it had a better graphics card (like the X1800M). At the moment it is more in the thin notebook category.

 

[Applespider]

It depends on what you're doing with your desktop. The majority of computer users don't come close to maxxing out their CPU and memory that often.

I've used a Powerbook G4 for the past 2 years rather than having a desktop at home without any problems. There have been a few times where slightly more speed would have helped (encoding video etc) but they haven't been regular enough for me to give up the portability factor.

 

[jadekitty24]

Wow...that made me laugh out loud. Not chunky enough? I guess I missed that in the "Desktop Requirements" manual.
Anyway, I personally don't consider my Powerbook to be a desktop replacement. I use it for mobile computing. A desktop is a desktop and a notebook is a notebook. There's certain advatages and disadvatages to each.

 

[NeuronBasher]

It is absolutely a desktop replacement. My previous desktop is an Athlon 64 3200 with 2GB of RAM, 300GB of HD, and an nVidia 6800 Ultra. I do not miss it one bit -- my MBP is considerably faster. Granted, part of that is the simple joy of being able to use OSX as my primary desktop again, but even taking that into account it's a very capable replacement for the vast majority of desktop users out there.

 

[loveAffair]

the MBP is very powerful. the performance (especially considering it's a mobile chip) is basically on par with an amd x2 4200+. once a lot of the mainstream software becomes universal binaries, this thing will fly. on native app-testings, the core duo was basically on par with a powermac dual-processor g5. i saw this link somewhere but don't have it now

but here's the core duo compared to 2 amd x2 chips

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2648&p=14

i ordered mine yesterday 2.0ghz 7200rpm hdd. And i definitely will be using it to replace my desktop (ancient pc ) but will still might need to use it at times. i was actually saving money to build a custom pc with an amd x2 because i wanted it for gaming. but once the mbp's came out, i had a change of heart. if you're in the hunt for a laptop, the mbp is a great choice.

 

[Spies]

i ordered mine yesterday 2.0ghz 7200rpm hdd. And i definitely will be using it to replace my desktop (ancient pc ) but will still might need to use it at times.

MBP Hard Drives are 5200rpm aren't they? That's why they're slightly slower than the imac's that require lots of disc i/o?

 

[StarbucksSam]

Personally, I think anything bigger than than 12" iBook is a desktop replacement... so in my mind, YES.

 

[loveAffair]

MBP Hard Drives are 5200rpm aren't they? That's why they're slightly slower than the imac's that require lots of disc i/o?

the standard hdd for the MBP is a 80gb and 120gb hdd @ 5400rpm, for the 1.8ghz and 2.0ghz respectively. i chose the 2.0ghz MBP and changed the hdd to the 100gb @7200rpm drive. it is bto (built to order). kinda like customizing the MBP. it adds $200/$100 for the 1.8ghz/2.0ghz.

hope this clears any misunderstanding.

 

[sunfast]

I'd consider it powerful enough to use as a desktop replacement, certainly.

In fact I plan to replace my iMac with a smaller MBP (if we ever get one) and an external display.

 

[Spies]

the standard hdd for the MBP is a 80gb and 120gb hdd @ 5400rpm,

I meant 5400rpm

 

[nbs2]

To echo a lot of others, i think DTR-vana is achieved when you have a lappy that will do sufficient that you do not need to get a desktop. For me, that means that my PB/1.25 is a DTR (even if I could use a bit more RAM).

To be a general DTR, I think I understand your friend's point - it doesn't "feel" like a DT. I think a general DTR has enough power that a reasonable buyer would think "This is a great deal! I get a DT and lappy for just a little more than a lappy would normally cost!" So yes - I say the MBP is a DTR.

 

[nylon]

I definitely think the MBP is worthy of being a desktop replacement. However, I'm a little confused why they made it 0.1 inches thinner than the previous powerbook, since the thinness of the machine causes it to forego a DL Superdrive. That was a bonehead move if I ever saw one.

 

[Chaszmyr]

The MacBook Pro has a very fast processor and graphics card, as well as an option for a 7200rpm hard drive. Moreover, it has DVI-Out that can drive a 30'' display. It may not be a Quad PowerMac replacement, but it's most certainly a desktop replacement in every relevant way. As for the size of the machine meaning anything independent of the specs and upgradeability, that's just idiotic.

 

[weg]

but here's the core duo compared to 2 amd x2 chips

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2648&p=14

Here is another nice review from Arstechnica, where the MBP is compared to a Dell running a cracked version of Mac OS X.