I would have liked the 17" model to be LED-Backlit, but otherwise this is a very strong update to the MacBook Pro. The 1920x1200 HD screen option on the 17" model is a very welcome addition.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
The Macbook Pro Updates - *Your Verdict*
- Thread starter FleurDuMal
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
The only reason I buy Apple hardware is for Mac OS X. The thought of going back to Windows sends chills down my spine.I'm sorry to hear that. What a sad indictment of the times. But Apple does have some innovative stuff like iPhone,TV, the new AirPort Extreme Base Station and the new iPod shuffle. They can do neat things but haven't in the Mac line for some reason.
I have been visiting Apple Stores with the intent to buy for quite a while, hoping that next time I saw their models something would stand out and say "buy me!" But every time that same grey flimsy-cased MacBook Pro looks back at me and says "you know I'm nothing special, but you can't live without OS X so I'm gonna suck the money right out of you muahahahaha!"
I should warn you all I have a history of buying Apple products at the wrong time. I will pick up one of these next week after the WWDC, expect a full case redesign and every other dream to come true about a month after I buy.
So I guess the 12" or 13.3" MBP is a pipe dream? I thought the 12" PB G4 was fairly popular, but after all this time, I'm starting to think the smallest MBP will always be 15 inches.
Most of my needs. I shelled out for the 256MB 8600, but I really would've liked to see 256MB across the board, and/or an option for 512MB [and 512 standard in the 17"]. And slightly larger hard drives, but you can't have everything.
Regardless, it had upgrades in the right places; the new GPU is a big step-up, support for 4GB of RAM is a nice touch and something I plan to make use of in a short while, and I'm just waiting to see what the LED-backlit displays are like in real-world apps.
Was definitely worth waiting for, since I almost bought the old-gen C2D MBP.
Regardless, it had upgrades in the right places; the new GPU is a big step-up, support for 4GB of RAM is a nice touch and something I plan to make use of in a short while, and I'm just waiting to see what the LED-backlit displays are like in real-world apps.
Was definitely worth waiting for, since I almost bought the old-gen C2D MBP.
A good update.
But a very average picture used to advertise the screen on the homepage. Really average photography.
.
.
.
Almost ready to buy a Mac Pro. Just one more paycheck...
But a very average picture used to advertise the screen on the homepage. Really average photography.
.
.
.
Almost ready to buy a Mac Pro. Just one more paycheck...
All elements that should be upgraded have been upgraded. However it would have been nice (but unrealistic) to see a Blu-Ray drive and resolution independance. But I'm very happy with the new GPU and of course the other changes
resolution independence is OS dependent, nothing to do with the HW. it will probably come fully blown with 10.5..
No Broadband Mobile
No built-in broadband mobile. There's a real advantage to having that function built in, since the antenna can be made to disappear, rather than having it dangling off the end of your Express Card slot (and monopolizing the slot). That (and the keyboard, of course) are the only edge the Thinkpads have over the new MBP, as far as I'm concerned.
The new Santa Rosa Thinkpads are the second gen of Thinkpads with integrated broadband mobile -- I was sure this MBP would have it too. 'Course, the MBP can do Windoze, but the Thinkpads can't do Mac OS X, which is a pretty decent consolation prize, I'm thinking.
No built-in broadband mobile. There's a real advantage to having that function built in, since the antenna can be made to disappear, rather than having it dangling off the end of your Express Card slot (and monopolizing the slot). That (and the keyboard, of course) are the only edge the Thinkpads have over the new MBP, as far as I'm concerned.
The new Santa Rosa Thinkpads are the second gen of Thinkpads with integrated broadband mobile -- I was sure this MBP would have it too. 'Course, the MBP can do Windoze, but the Thinkpads can't do Mac OS X, which is a pretty decent consolation prize, I'm thinking.
Most people do not use it. I certainly would not.
Rather than having people like us end up paying for it, what Apple can instead do is to use some of the real estate inside the 1" thick case for something more useful and broad reaching.
This update will not make anyone more productive or able to accomplish anything different than the MacBook Pro's that were released last fall with the Intel Core 2 Duo. It makes me laugh when I read about everyone who has run out today and purchased the latest & greatest. A lot of these same people who were running out last fall & buying the latest & greatest. I'm tempted to compile a list showing the usual suspects.
Go back & review the threads from when the Intel Core 2 Duo's were released, you will see what I am talking about. A lot of these post sound like they were written by some silly giddy little girls.
Go back & review the threads from when the Intel Core 2 Duo's were released, you will see what I am talking about. A lot of these post sound like they were written by some silly giddy little girls.
User replaceable HD
Hi.....new member here......several posts have stated that the hard drives are NOT user replaceable on the new models. I have swapped out hard drives several times in my very old Ti 667 DVI. I would hope that the HD is still reasonably accessible in the new SR MBP machines. Obviously, it is time for an upgrade from my ancient but very dependable machine to something faster (just ran the Geekbench test and came up with 409.... great for a car, not so good for a computer these days.....667/768MB)
Thanks for any clarifications.......
Gary
Hi.....new member here......several posts have stated that the hard drives are NOT user replaceable on the new models. I have swapped out hard drives several times in my very old Ti 667 DVI. I would hope that the HD is still reasonably accessible in the new SR MBP machines. Obviously, it is time for an upgrade from my ancient but very dependable machine to something faster (just ran the Geekbench test and came up with 409.... great for a car, not so good for a computer these days.....667/768MB)
Thanks for any clarifications.......
Gary
This comment REALLY pisses me off.A lot of these post sound like they were written by some silly giddy little girls.
A nice upgrade, but nothing much that gives me too much envy over my old model Core 2 duo. I would like the 250GB drive though since I'm a space hog, but even better would be a redesigned case with user changeable hard drive, magnetic latch, and maybe a plastic case would be more durable. But still, a fine update, but not one I have much desire to participate in.
This update will not make anyone more productive or able to accomplish anything different than the MacBook Pro's that were released last fall with the Intel Core 2 Duo. It makes me laugh when I read about everyone who has run out today and purchased the latest & greatest. A lot of these same people who were running out last fall & buying the latest & greatest. I'm tempted to compile a list showing the usual suspects.
Go back & review the threads from when the Intel Core 2 Duo's were released, you will see what I am talking about. A lot of these post sound like they were written by some silly giddy little girls.
Your post betrays your inability to see beyond your own perspective. Don't worry - that's very ordinary.
The graphics upgrade in this new book is significant and thus has significant meaning to graphic designers, filmmakers, and gamers. It might not make all of the difference immediately, but for many it will mean getting longer usefulness out of the machine. For the artistic types among us, getting the most longevity and value out of an expensive purchase is often crucial to allowing the continuation of artistic pursuit.
The LED display should mean a significant improvement in battery life, which may be meaningful to those who travel a lot or do field work.
The LED also contain no mercury, which is very meaningful to those of us who care about the environment.
What you call silly, I call passion. It's passionate vision which yielded all things Apple. It's passionate people which do remarkable things.
And I don't think it makes you laugh. At best, I'd imagine it gives you a smug little smile.
Finally, "silly giddy little girls" are smart in ways which condescending, bland adults have all too often lost in their need to feel smart and superior. But keep using that "rolleyes" emoticon - it really gets your eminence across.
The only thing that disappointed me was that Apple kept the old latch, I would have loved the magnetic one from the macbook!
I think I'm going to go with the lower-end 15in MPB. 256mb video RAM would be nice, but a $433 price increase does not warrant the upgrade (factoring in same hard drives).
These upgrades seem enough for anyone still looking to get a Mac notebook who hasn't already bought one; Macbook Pro owners who are buying this update simply have too much money to spend.
Looking forward to owning my first Macintosh and my first portable...it remains yet to be seen whether it'll replace my XP gaming desktop (w/ external display, of course). Counter-Strike on the go sounds nice, though.
These upgrades seem enough for anyone still looking to get a Mac notebook who hasn't already bought one; Macbook Pro owners who are buying this update simply have too much money to spend.
Looking forward to owning my first Macintosh and my first portable...it remains yet to be seen whether it'll replace my XP gaming desktop (w/ external display, of course). Counter-Strike on the go sounds nice, though.
It would be great if Apple utilizes the PureVideo capabilities of the 8600... hardware assisted h264 decoding could be sweeeeet....
I think I'm going to go with the lower-end 15in MPB. 256mb video RAM would be nice, but a $433 price increase does not warrant the upgrade (factoring in same hard drives).
These upgrades seem enough for anyone still looking to get a Mac notebook who hasn't already bought one; Macbook Pro owners who are buying this update simply have too much money to spend.
Looking forward to owning my first Macintosh and my first portable...it remains yet to be seen whether it'll replace my XP gaming desktop (w/ external display, of course). Counter-Strike on the go sounds nice, though.
I have been in the same boat all day to me the 450 dollar differnce for 128 mb ram and .20 GHZ is not worth it to me because you can always up the video card in the future and it will clost alot less thne 450. Also the differnce in speed is very minimal at best. The 2.2 GHZ seems like the best bang for your buck. Now which to get glossy or matte
That's incorrect, you cannot user-upgrade the video card (whether Apple would do this for a fee, I don't know). If you buy the lower-end, you're stuck with 128mb video RAM. However, if you're not using 3D-intensive programs (which use a lot of textures), you won't even notice the difference. I'm getting my macbook as a work machine anyway, the less games I can play the better.
As for glossy or matte screens, it depends on what you'll be using it for. Matte is a must for users dependent on accurate color depiction, i.e. artists and graphic designers. If this is not you, and you're planning on using the machine for general computing and/or media use, then a glossy screen would be up your alley.