What are some reasons for people holding off from buying the MB or MBP?

[CaptainCaveMann]

I am currently a iBook and PowerBook owner and was wondering what were the reasons for holding off upgrading to the MB or MBP? For me, it was just waiting to see all the bugs get straightened out before adopting new technology

Same here, although "bugs" is an understatement.

 

[jonnysods]

But if its a limited edition and won't be there with the 07 revision then MBP it is then. But Ive never heard anything like that before, has anyone else?[/QUOTE]

Heck no it's not limited, otherwise it would be stated on Apple's website or even whispered about by the gang here at MR. Apple get a couple of hundred dollars for the black one just because of it's colour (and some sundry items) - they wouldn't discontinue the black model, the whole macbook lineup are selling like hotcakes right now!

Of course, I would get a MBP, but I'm totally biased towards them! I'm ordering the 17" sometime this week when my work gives me clearance....

 

[solaris]

* Change the HD yourself. It's not difficult.
* Wow, you actually think that there's a big enough difference between 6x and 8x dual layer so you don't want it? (besides the 17" has an 8x superdrive.)

1. I don't intend to change the hdd on a brand new machine.
2. 8x SuperDrive was standard in all the latest PowerBook G4's (12, 15 and 17"). The rule is that you don't degrade features on an updated product, which they have clearly done in this case.

I will hang on with my 15" PowerBook G4 until the 15" MacBook Pro are on par in every level! Clear enough?

 

[nsbio]

Keeping my PB:

(i) MBPs screen is not much of an improvement over 15''PB. It is brighter, but the vertical viewing angle on matte MBP screen is bad.

(ii) WiFi reception on MBP is still horrible. At an Apple retail store, MBs see twice as many networks as MBPs. I would gain little by upgrading.

(iii) No S-video input on MBPs. I routinely use S-video input and I do not care about having to carry another adapter.

(iv) The speed of PB is adequate for my needs so far.

(v) I do not have a need to run Windows apps.

(vi) My PB's average uptime between reboots is ~30 days. Are Intel machines at least as stable? Browsing the forums indicates that MBPs/MBs crash somewhat more often than PowerPC machines. I do not own an Intel machine, so I can not vouch for the Intels personally, but as for PowerPC, in two years with my PB I had only one kernel panic.

(v) I have to run a classic application once in a while - therefore, no MBP for me.

Overall, an eventual upgrade is inevitable, of course, but as of now I will pass a few more revisions by sticking with my PB before jumping on an Intel portable.

 

[sushi]

Very happy with my current PB15. I've had it for a little over 3 years. Works well. Expect it to last a few more years. Then I will switch over.

In the meantime, I am putting away about $150 per month to save up for my next laptop.

 

[e12a]

Originally Posted by BigPrince
"The only thing I am aware may be the memory management. I am not 100% aware of any other reasons. But its my understanding from these forums that C2D is not a full 64 bit for whatever reason."

Huh? It just doesn't have 64 bit addressing and that's due to the chipset, not the C2D itself. Anyway, its going to be a tight fit with 4 sticks of 1GB RAM.. 2 is good enough. 3 is almost overkill for now.


But 64 Bit addressing and 64 bit of the Core 2 Duo are entirely different aspects. You can run 64 bit stuff on a c2d mbp.

 

[BigPrince]

Originally Posted by BigPrince
"The only thing I am aware may be the memory management. I am not 100% aware of any other reasons. But its my understanding from these forums that C2D is not a full 64 bit for whatever reason."

Huh? It just doesn't have 64 bit addressing and that's due to the chipset, not the C2D itself. Anyway, its going to be a tight fit with 4 sticks of 1GB RAM.. 2 is good enough. 3 is almost overkill for now.


But 64 Bit addressing and 64 bit of the Core 2 Duo are entirely different aspects. You can run 64 bit stuff on a c2d mbp.

OK, I was not 100% sure, thanks for clarifying.

What would be some reasons for a person to wait for Santa Rosa?

 

[e12a]

OK, I was not 100% sure, thanks for clarifying.

What would be some reasons for a person to wait for Santa Rosa?

I'm assuming support for 2GB RAM sticks, as the current MBP theoretically supports 3GB but cannot handle 2GB in a single slot. There is a long discussion about this in Arstechnica. It would also probably boost RAM to DDR2 800 and be paired with a 2.4GHz C2D.

But you must know that a 2GB RAM that works with apple's specifications is about 1.5k per stick. That will dramatically increase the cost of the computer.

for example, I know i'm comparing a Dell but for the sake of cost: With 4GB of Ram, the 12" XPS laptop is upwards of 4k.


edit: when i say 3 is overkill...i forgot that the MBP's max is 2gb.

 

[BigPrince]

I'm assuming support for 2GB RAM sticks, as the current MBP theoretically supports 3GB but cannot handle 2GB in a single slot. There is a long discussion about this in Arstechnica. It would also probably boost RAM to DDR2 800 and be paired with a 2.4GHz C2D.

But you must know that a 2GB RAM that works with apple's specifications is about 1.5k per stick. That will dramatically increase the cost of the computer.

for example, I know i'm comparing a Dell but for the sake of cost: With 4GB of Ram, the 12" XPS laptop is upwards of 4k.


edit: when i say 3 is overkill...i forgot that the MBP's max is 2gb.

So Santa Rosa will mostly just bring speed and less power consumption?

I know you did not say that, but theres going to be some reason for Santa Rosa lol

 

[e12a]

So Santa Rosa will mostly just bring speed and less power consumption?

I know you did not say that, but theres going to be some reason for Santa Rosa lol

well, I havent been really reading up on Santa Rosa cause I'm happy with my MBP (been waiting since summer after i heard about c2d, bought in November, and has had much use since then). I'm sure someone here knows the in-depth advantages of the Santa Rosa chipset.

But if you need a laptop now, get it. There will always be something better on the horizon. Heard of Penryn? Now with Intel's product cycle, expect updates to be more frequent than the old Powerbook cycle.

 

[BigPrince]

well, I havent been really reading up on Santa Rosa cause I'm happy with my MBP (been waiting since summer after i heard about c2d, bought in November, and has had much use since then). I'm sure someone here knows the in-depth advantages of the Santa Rosa chipset.

But if you need a laptop now, get it. There will always be something better on the horizon. Heard of Penryn? Now with Intel's product cycle, expect updates to be more frequent than the old Powerbook cycle.

Ya, I am currently ok with what I have. I would get a MB if it did not have a Glossy Screen and 15.4 is to big lol.

 

[maclar]

Nearly...

My G4 iBook is on it's last legs, if I can I'm waiting to see what they announce as the next rev. MBP and either grab it or a refurb current model cheaper.

The MB keyboard sucks beyond belief, I've seen better keyboards on a Speak & Spell. I don't need anything better than the spec of the MB but there is no way on this earth I'm giving a single cent for that rubbish.

m.

 

[OldCorpse]

My G4 iBook is on it's last legs, if I can I'm waiting to see what they announce as the next rev. MBP and either grab it or a refurb current model cheaper.

The MB keyboard sucks beyond belief, I've seen better keyboards on a Speak & Spell. I don't need anything better than the spec of the MB but there is no way on this earth I'm giving a single cent for that rubbish.

m.

I by contrast am quite happy with my late 2005 iBook (see sig). For me, there is no compelling need to upgrade at this time.

I will upgrade once:

1)Intel goes to Penryn - and not the first Penryn, but like the second iteration when they've worked out the bugs. Why Penryn? Dramatic energy savings over Santa Rosa - a real breakthrough... folks will speak of before Penryn and after Penryn - a watershed. Santa Rosa will only be an incremental upgrade over Merom, but Penryn will be a dramatic improvement over Santa Rosa. Maybe finally, the Intel machines will run cool - I hate hot laptops, not to mention it shortens their lifespan... my iBook is cool as a cucumber almost 100% of the time.

2)I want the LED screen - way, way, way brighter - finally a top notch screen!

3)Hopefully a redesign of the MBP - hate the aluminum, so fragile and easily dented, and results in poor WI-FI reception - if not, I'll go for the MB (as long as it too gets the LED screen)

4)Hopefully better battery life

5) About in the middle of Leopard, when all the bugs are worked out, say about 10.5.5

I recon all this won't happen until the fall of 2008... I can wait until then. If not, I'll just buy another PPC to complement my iBook - maybe a PPC iMac, and that should last me until late 2008. Long, but that's how I see it. Still way too many bugs in the Intel machines, IMHO.

 

[macjay]

MB: keyboard, glossy screen

MBP: too big, would prefer a different case material

 

[Jiddick ExRex]

1. I don't intend to change the hdd on a brand new machine.
2. 8x SuperDrive was standard in all the latest PowerBook G4's (12, 15 and 17"). The rule is that you don't degrade features on an updated product, which they have clearly done in this case.

I will hang on with my 15" PowerBook G4 until the 15" MacBook Pro are on par in every level! Clear enough?

I of course understand your clear point, I just feel the need to clarify your opinions further.

1. The new perpendicular 5400 rpm drives are just as fast as a 7200 rpm drive atm. Hell, even the 200 gb 4200 rpm is faster at disk reading and writing when it's filled with the adequate amount of data. Why do you feel the need of a more battery consuming and heat producing drive?
2. There is quite a difference here, seeing that the new Superdrives support dual layer burning, thus being above par on the burning level with your old Powerbook.

I do understand your reasons coming from a Powerbook. Had you had an iBook or an older model the reasons would probably have been different

 

[dongmin]

1. Latchless "latch" - By no means a dealbreaker, but it would improve the minimalist design of the MBPs.

2. Easily-upgradable HDD - For a pro machine, this is a must. I keep a mirror backup of my iBook's HDD. I like the idea of swapping out the drive in an instant if I get a serious failure.

3. eSATA - FW800 is nice, but eSATA is becoming the new standard for fast data transfers.

4. Better screens

5. 8x Superdrive

6. Better battery life

7. Price drop

 

[djellison]

Thinking about it a little more - WWDC'07 ( early June I've heard mentioned ) would be my decision point - see what they announce then. New OSX, new iLife, new iWork with Keynote that can animate....I'm in.

Doug

 

[mandoman]

1. Latchless "latch" - By no means a dealbreaker, but it would improve the minimalist design of the MBPs.

2. Easily-upgradable HDD - For a pro machine, this is a must. I keep a mirror backup of my iBook's HDD. I like the idea of swapping out the drive in an instant if I get a serious failure.

3. eSATA - FW800 is nice, but eSATA is becoming the new standard for fast data transfers.

4. Better screens

5. 8x Superdrive

6. Better battery life

7. Price drop

Amen to the above, especially eSATA - I really need that, though
they need to keep firewire too. You won't get a price
drop though, just more features @same price.

 

[Slakerr]

does anybody think we will see any off this before June ?

 

[Bern]

- Waiting for Leopard
- Waiting for iLife '07 and iWork '07

I like the glossy screens. When I'm working in my home/office I use an external monitor.

 

[Inspace]

I'm pretty much with the crowd who hates glossy screens and loves a small form factor. I've been using my 867mhz PB G4 12" for 3 and a half years now. Its definitely becoming a bit of a problem. However, having toted around a 15 inch, I know that that just won't work for me in my particular situation. I think that the MacBooks are just great, but I just cannot stomach the glossy screen. I don't understand why an option was not added––perhaps just for the higher-end MacBooks. However, I will have to choose something soon enough, as my old PB 867 is starting to make strange noises and slowing down. I will miss it, and regret that I cannot find a laptop that I "really" want.

 

[maxrobertson]

I'm waiting for Leopard, because I'm kind of worried that the current MacBooks might not be able to handle Core Animation to its fullest extent and I don't want to spend the money on it. I don't need a new computer, just one for college so it's no big deal for me to wait.

 

[junkster]

I've been waiting since 2004, and finally bought a MB C2D in late November 2006. The main reason I didn't buy an iBook in 2004 was because I didn't have a real need. I just liked them Then the Intel switch came along in 2005, so waiting became a smart idea. I didn't jump when the MBP came along, because it was more than I wanted to spend, and I liked the form factor of the 12-inch iBook. Turned out to be a good move because of all the problems that cropped up with the MBP. I almost jumped again when the original MB was released, but decided to wait and see if the problems had been ironed out. Again, it was a good move.

When the MP C2D hit the market, I finally bought one, and I've been extremely happy. It's much faster than I need, it's small, and the battery life is great. Zero problems.

In terms of waiting, the only valid reason IMO is to avoid upgrading to iLife '07 and Leopard. There just aren't massive improvements in battery life and performance waiting in the wings. LED backlighting will extend battery life a bit. Flash cache for the hard drive, ditto. But these are gentle improvements. Intel doesn't have any stunning improvements lined up for mid-2007.

IMO, the MB and MBP are fantastic computers and you'll be happy with either one. I plan on keeping mine for the next 5 years. I'll upgrade to Leopard when it's released.

 

[vi2867]

I purchased an iMac "17 in October, because I decided that the specs were just a bit better than the MacBook, and there is a more chance of damaging the computer by carrying it around.

Today I just order a MacBook C2D. Well let me tell you my iMac is in excellent condition because I never use it! I don't even have time to load my music onto it. Now I am taking a 300 dollar loss in trading in my iMac for a MacBook, which I will use, because I will take a chance and carry it with me.

 

[macjay]

However, I will have to choose something soon enough, as my old PB 867 is starting to make strange noises and slowing down. I will miss it, and regret that I cannot find a laptop that I "really" want.

Amen! I'm on an iBook G3 and would really like to upgrade to a current model, however none of them really appeal to me.

Should I buy a 15" MBP in the interim and then re-sell it if/when they come out with a 12" MBP?

The 12" iBook/PB design is just the best...