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My thoughts thus far on my 17" Macbook Pro.

AppleIntelRock

AppleIntelRock

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Aug 14, 2006
1,361
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Alright. Here are my thoughts thus far on my 17" Macbook Pro.

Considering it cost me about 800 dollars to upgrade from my 17" PowerBook (1.67- Gen. one) I'm a little torn. On one hand, the extra screen resolution seems to fit the display size much better. It's noticeably faster, and the extra ram and larger hard drive for the same price helps. I enjoy the built in iChat. And, the magnetic power cord has literally saved my computer's life many, many time. However, in the end, if right now, I could have $800 in my pocket and my old 17" powerbook... I think I'd go for it.

-AppleIntelRock

PostScript:
I've had it since Aug.
 
I know what you mean. I've been thinking about replacing my tibook with a macbook, but considering the macbook won't type up word documents, browse safari, or listen to music any faster, I think I'll keep the extra money in my pocket for the moment. Who knows how long it'll be till burns too much
 
Faster, more storage, 'bigger' screen, cooler integrated hardware...

Sounds like a fair deal to me.

Add in wickedly fast wintel support... and games. For $800? I'd take it. ;)
 
I am also itching to get onboard with MBP. But, something is holding me back from getting one. I know I don't need it as my current PPC Macs are meeting my needs. But, my tech addiction is making me want to get one. I think a 17" MBP is more stable than a 15" one by reading various posts on Internet.
I heard MBP is faster than PB; but, knocking off a few fraction of second from normal tasks compared to PB is not making me buy one.
 
YS2003 said:
I am also itching to get onboard with MBP. But, something is holding me back from getting one. I know I don't need it as my current PPC Macs are meeting my needs. But, my tech addiction is making me want to get one. I think a 17" MBP is more stable than a 15" one by reading various posts on Internet.
I heard MBP is faster than PB; but, knocking off a few fraction of second from normal tasks compared to PB is not making me buy one.
Click to expand...

That extra core really helps with multitasking though.

Let's just put it this way, even a $500 Mac Mini is faster than your Powerbook. There, I said it :rolleyes:
 
generik said:
That extra core really helps with multitasking though.

Let's just put it this way, even a $500 Mac Mini is faster than your Powerbook. There, I said it :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
The problem is my main apps are CS2, MX 2004, and MS Office 2004. There I said it. I have to wait for those apps to be UB to make my workflow flow faster than my current set up.
 
8 things I dislike about my 17'' MacBook Pro

1) HDD Capacity, I could use a lot more then the stock 120 GB HDD, I know I could upgrade myself, but It's expensive and time consuming. Not to mention I'd have to back- up everything. I could use a 200 GB HDD- that'd be perfect (for a portable.)

2) RAM Cap, Come on! 2 GB's of RAM simply isn't enough, I would like to be able to put 3-4 GB's in my MacBook Pro.

3) Screen resolution, while the current resolution is okay, I still feel like the world is coming down around me from time to time. A 1080p MacBook Pro please.

4) What's with Apple and chins? The Macbook Pros now have a huge forehead, I know, I know, iChat camera, but come on, do we really need a half an inch forehead?

5) Battery life. Let's face it, at 6.8 pounds, this laptop isn't very heavy; especially considering it's lighter then many 15 inch Windows-based laptops. I find myself using my laptop unplugged a lot, so I could use about three hours of battery life.

6) While Apple has added one more USB port, I could still use more. Give me 6, and I'll be content.

7) Let's make this laptop more multimedia based.I know Apple has been reluctant in the past, but based on the new iMacs, and iTv I think they're beginning to realize that it's really the way to go. So, give me a TV tuner please. (Remember the introduction of the iPod photo? Apple didn't think video was the way to go, thus they released a video ipod...)

8) While I love the silver color, I've been using a silver Apple laptop since the Titanium PowerBook- and that's a long time. So how about a black option?

In conclusion, while I love my MacBook Pro, I'm getting a little bored. I know it's better then it's Windows-based competition, but I'm an Apple user, I should expect more.
 
YS2003 said:
I am also itching to get onboard with MBP. But, something is holding me back from getting one. I know I don't need it as my current PPC Macs are meeting my needs. But, my tech addiction is making me want to get one. I think a 17" MBP is more stable than a 15" one by reading various posts on Internet.
I heard MBP is faster than PB; but, knocking off a few fraction of second from normal tasks compared to PB is not making me buy one.
Click to expand...

I don't know which laptop you have, but my Macbook Pro is MUCH faster then my old powerbook (and it was the fastet 17" ever made)

Using Office, you can't even tell, using CS2 it seems just as fast, and using everything else, this things flies. However, Like I said before, It's not a thousand dollars faster.
 
I have the same generation PB as the OP and have been looking at when to upgrade to a MBP. I have been to local Apple Stores on multiple occassions actually and don't feel the current MBP is THAT much faster...to warrant the extra $$, but I know I will appreciate it when Office/Adobe apps become universal/doing heavy multitasking/encoding video. The PB is still a fine machine to work on and hasn't become any less capable. :)

I agree with a lot of what's been said already about the MBP though. Love the extra resolution and brightness of the screen, but hate the "forehead"...love the possibility of running multiple OSes, MagSafe, extra USB port on the 17", extra processor core of course... and yet there's still so much to wait for...
 
If I were anyone using a PowerBook 15" or 17" with the fastest G4 model, I'd probably stick with what you have. :eek:

When MBPs come with 200 GB harddisks, even brighter screens, a 2.67 GHz Merom, and 4 GB max capacity RAM, then fine. Otherwise........don't bother. With such a system, you would see a noticeable (and significant enough) difference that a new system is warranted. Otherwise, we're talking about fractions of a second differences in performance, and these fractions may not even favour the MBP in some instances. Adobe apps and Office would need to be universal before it's worth it.
 
appleintelrock said:
I don't know which laptop you have, but my Macbook Pro is MUCH faster then my old powerbook (and it was the fastet 17" ever made)

Using Office, you can't even tell, using CS2 it seems just as fast, and using everything else, this things flies. However, Like I said before, It's not a thousand dollars faster.
Click to expand...
When I tried MBP (and MB) at the Apple Store with MS Office, it was very sluggish. I just felt it takes forever to just launch Office apps under rosetta with MBP (and MB).
Regarding CS2, there are many threads and blogs discussing how fast or slow CS2 is under Rosetta. One of the blogs said he does not trust any person named "Rosetta" after using his CS2 with his MBP. Any translation will slow things down. However, for UB apps, MBP will fly faster than PPC Macs of yore.
If I decide to get a 17" MBP, I will use it for Apple's i-apps, 3D apps, Final Cut Studio/FCE or web tools (like UB ready BB Edit, and others), while using CS2 and MX2004 with PPC Macs.
 
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