Apple unveils faster, more affordable MacBook Pros - Page 5

Originally Posted by maccpu

Is Apple using the T or P series CPU's in the Macbook Pro 15 and 17?

For example:

2.66 Ghz - T9550 or P8800

2.8 Ghz - P9700 or T9600

Originally Posted by JeffDM

Come on, do batteries really fail that quickly for most people?

Originally Posted by dakesey

So, I do need a special adapter? I cannot just use a SD card as is?

Originally Posted by Sybaritic

In advance of Bare Feats doing a comparison between the 2.8GHz and 3.06GHz, does anyone have sense of the benefit of the $300 cpu upgrade? The 3.06GHz runs hotter (35W), which in a laptop can be an issue ...

Originally Posted by Carmissimo

The glossy screens is a mistake

but what could you possibly have against two additional hours of battery life? Not only does the built-in battery allow for more charge cycles, it will require recharging less often which means the battery will last even longer.

Odds are the hard drive will go long before the battery does.....

Originally Posted by JeffDM

Come on, do batteries really fail that quickly for most people?

Originally Posted by melgross

Have you seen the streaming service? It's not great. The people who used to buy 8 hour tapes and copy four movies like it.

Still, BD usage is growing faster.

Originally Posted by SDW2001

I don't agree. It's easier to position it to reduce glare. The glare is more pronounced, but it doesn't bleed across the entire screen. The devil that you know is better than the one you don't.

Secondly, look at the screen quality overall. It's freaking amazing. I put my "new" MBP (bought Saturday and being returned when my "new-new" ones comes in) against my 2006 matte screen. It's so much better it's not even funny. It's sharper, brighter and has much more vibrant colors. It's nothing short of amazing.



True. It's one reason I am sucking up the 10% restocking fee to get a "new new" one.



I don't agree with that. This will be my 4th pro laptop from Apple since 2000. I've had battery problems with every single one of them. I've had HDD problems in maybe one or two.




Yes. See above. In my 2006 MBP, I had a battery down to 50% capacity in 8 months. Apple initially told me they "weren't interested" in replacing it. I finally got them to change their minds. I had a PBG4 battery replaced under AppleCare once. I also had 1-2 batteries for my Pismo replaced. Batteries are getting better, and that's a good thing. I can't wait for the new built-in option.

Originally Posted by BenRoethig

SD car reader
Check

Originally Posted by Hattig

With external magsafe battery packs, you don't need to switch out batteries like other laptops, you just plug in the external battery and keep on trucking - no shutdown/restart required.

These new batteries last a lot longer as well, and have greater power capacity, but the side effect is that they're non-replaceable.

Originally Posted by djames42

Assuming you meant card - I personally think this sucks. I paid $19 for an Express/34 multi-card reader that I use for pulling photos into Aperture (my DSLR uses SD). I also paid $200 for an Express/34 UMTS 3G card. It's not going to fit into the new SD card reader.

I wish Apple had left the Express slot and offered an Express memory card reader as a BTO option to highlight and offer the convenience of semi-built-in SD card support for those who wanted it.

I've never been one of those who complained about Apple's offerings - even when they removed Firewire from the MB, it was at least available on the Pro. Ah well...

Originally Posted by Hudson1

It seems most mobile phone services are offering USB 3G dongles for free after rebate and 2 year contract agreement. They're cheaper than the EC/34 3G cards.

Originally Posted by Hudson1

It seems most mobile phone services are offering USB 3G dongles for free after rebate and 2 year contract agreement. They're cheaper than the EC/34 3G cards.

Originally Posted by s.metcalf

So the 2.8 is still only 25W? Can someone confirm? Would it be that Apple just upped the clock rate from the 2.66 or would it be a new processor from Intel? I notice that the original 15" processors were 2.53 and 2.8 ghz.

Originally Posted by JeffDM

Isn't it a little bit risky though? I try to not have long sticks hanging out my USB port if I can avoid it, because I know there's a risk that someone will bump it during use. And the EC/34 is already stowed away for portability. Or is doesn't that work with these cards?

Originally Posted by Carmissimo

Here's something that maybe a lot of people haven't considered. Yesterday's laptop announcements will impact Mac Mini sales. I was looking to upgrade my mini to better accommodate editing the HD video that I can now shoot with my new camera. It was an easy decision to do so by way of buying a new mac mini maxed out with the faster processor and 4 gigs of RAM. But that was before Apple offered laptops that are not that much more expensive speced out comparably and with an option to get even better hardware for more cash.

In Canada, for example, if you max out a mini, the price tag before taxes is $1,357, including a wired keyboard and mouse. You end up with a 2.26Ghz Core 2 and 4 gigs of RAM. The MacBook Pro 13", in comparison, now checks in at $1,639 speced more or less the same (same processor, same memory, same hard drive) which, really, is a bargain for adding portability. And on top of that, it's possible to wind up with a significantly faster 13" MacBook Pro for not much more money whereas the mini tops out as described above. Maxed out (not including a $1,200 doubling of RAM), a 13" MacBook Pro retails here for $1,929 and that's for a 2.53Ghz processor and a 500GB hard drive.

So now as it stands, you can spend a really modest amount more to add portability to what a top-end mini would offer or opt for a more powerful alternative, which is simply not possible via a mini.

Seems to me this means, probably, that the mini will have to either be tweaked lower prices, better specs, maybe a combination thereof - or Apple really does intend to pull the plug on the mini line. I can't see it as a viable product for enough consumers to soldier on largely unaffected by changes in the pricing of the laptops on which it's based. There is no excuse for Apple to sell a MacBook for $1,369 with similar specs to a mini that will set you back $1,357. The advantage of the mini is a slightly faster processor (very slightly) and firewire. That pales in comparison to what the MacBook offers as a laptop considering a $12 price difference.

My guess is that Apple will announce changes to the mIni very soon but with little fanfare, mainly because it would have been kind of odd to lump in the mini with all those laptop announcements. If that fails to happen, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what the mini's future will be.

Originally Posted by JeffDM

Isn't it a little bit risky though? I try to not have long sticks hanging out my USB port if I can avoid it, because I know there's a risk that someone will bump it during use. And the EC/34 is already stowed away for portability. Or is doesn't that work with these cards?

Originally Posted by maratus

P: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macbook_pro
T: http://www.everymac.com/systems/appl...acbookpro.html

Originally Posted by Anklosaur

Sorry if this has been said but I've never really understood the need to connect a raid array to a notebook. Do you really carry the array around with you everywhere? I guess I could see it for a musician... or maybe a high end photographer, but still do you really need that much faster disk access out in the world? I'm just curious.

Originally Posted by Graeme

The card reader is just a gimmick to cover the removal of the slot and appeal more to consumers not workers.

Originally Posted by Graeme

...

By removal of the slot Apple have crippled the connectivity of this model to the point where it wouldn't do the job for me or any one else who needs a good selection of ports- that can handle sustained data transfer or the ability to add them.

The only useful port on this machine in this regard is the single fw800 with no hope of improving on that and no redundancy in case of failure. so the machine is not customisable to various set ups you need in the working world.
...

Originally Posted by Hudson1

These machines still have ethernet and that's faster than any of these other ports being talked about.

Originally Posted by Pedrofan

\t
I'm still waiting for the numpad on the 17'' macbook pro, How can you call pro a computer without number pad?? Real professionals use programs with lots of number entries!!
I'm still waiting for quad proccessor qx9300 17'' macbook pro All other brands already have it.
I'm still waiting for quadro fx graphic cards or gtx graphic cards; buying a 2500€-3500€ notebook with a nvidia 9600 gpu IS A JOKE
I'm still waiting for BlueRay

CONCLUSIONS - I'm not going to wait anymore. I'm, going to buy a dell m6400 covet. THAT IS A REAL PRO NOTEBOOK, NOT THIS.

Originally Posted by Graeme

No need to say sorry- most people who don't use particular ports or other capabilities of a computer will never appreciate the need from them.

By removal of the slot Apple have crippled the connectivity of this model to the point where it wouldn't do the job for me or any one else who needs a good selection of ports- that can handle sustained data transfer or the ability to add them.

The only useful port on this machine in this regard is the single fw800 with no hope of improving on that and no redundancy in case of failure. so the machine is not customisable to various set ups you need in the working world.

in no way would this machine replace my tower when i'm not at my desk. so thats why i said for me it's no longer a pro machine. just a macbook with a better video card- so not worth considering.

The card reader is just a gimmick to cover the removal of the slot and appeal more to consumers not workers.

Originally Posted by Graeme

Connecting via Ethernet not really an option.

Originally Posted by JeffDM

Is it really a problem to go up to a 17"? If you're connecting a RAID on the go, then the extra inch of width isn't going to be a big deal compared to carrying a RAID.

]If redundancy and storage capacity is the main issue (and not raw speed), Drobo Pro does iSCSI (over ethernet, but maybe that's redundant). The same unit also connects by FW800 and USB, so you can still connect in case a port dies.

Originally Posted by Graeme

No need to say sorry- most people who don't use particular ports or other capabilities of a computer will never appreciate the need from them.

By removal of the slot Apple have crippled the connectivity of this model to the point where it wouldn't do the job for me or any one else who needs a good selection of ports- that can handle sustained data transfer or the ability to add them.

The only useful port on this machine in this regard is the single fw800 with no hope of improving on that and no redundancy in case of failure. so the machine is not customisable to various set ups you need in the working world.

in no way would this machine replace my tower when i'm not at my desk. so thats why i said for me it's no longer a pro machine. just a macbook with a better video card- so not worth considering.

The card reader is just a gimmick to cover the removal of the slot and appeal more to consumers not workers.

Originally Posted by Graeme

well the 17" is the only option- which i think is a sad state of affairs- the 15" has always been a great size- just right. in-fact i'm on one right-now- esata card plugged into raid storage and a blue-ray burner. firewire 400 into a video deck/external monitor- FW800 in-use with another drive that's just been given to me with some footage on. and the ethernet port is being used on a network (for Internet and printers.)

No im not lugging all that stuff about (some but not all)- but i work in various places and need connectivity and scalability. something that Powerbook and Macbook Pro's have always given me. and what i thought was the whole point of that type of line. where a computer is used as part of a scaleable larger set up that's not permanently in an office.

Originally Posted by SDW2001

No, that's not what it is supposed to be. It's a machine with more power for prosumers and creative professionals. Concerning what you're doing:

1. Why are you plugged into a hardline ethernet? No wireless?
2. Why can't you get a FW hub for your many attachments?
3. Do you really need them all attached at the same time?
4. Do you understand how much "better" the new line is? Faster processors, better batteries, etc...for significantly less money?

Originally Posted by SDW2001

"Crippled the connectivity?" That's a bit extreme. I would like to know what you were doing before that you cannot do now. You have FW800, Ethernet and Wireless. You also have USB 2.0 and SD reader. What specifically do you "need" more ports for?

Originally Posted by Graeme

1. I use both - wireless at home office/ Ethernet at main office & printers- linked to FCP server Xserves

2. i wouldn't touch a FW hub for editing. stuff get dropped- and deck control on my Sony deck wont work trough a hub.

3. If your capturing from a tape source then you need port for the deck- then you need a port for your storage to capture to.- in my case a fairly portable/compact Sonnet raid- 2 pairs of stripped disks then one of those pairs is mirrored to the other- 5th bay /Drive is for Render files only.
So you need at least 2 dedicated controllers that can sustain data-flow- USB2 cant do this. and you certainly don't want to capture to your system drive.

You can chain firewire - but have found that decks like to be first on the chain and decks rarely have 2 ports to then chain a Hard disk from. Plus Sata for media drives is excellent.

Also while editing I need the raid attached with your media on the eSata and in a portable set up I route the Video and Audio back through the firewire video deck to a external monitor- on my Tower set up- i have a dedicated card for this.

Even when I work on a project that all the media comes from Card-based sources- I still need my eSata Raid- which i can't plug in to the 15".

I need to work in offices-home- hotel rooms and on location.What i plug into the computer changes depending on the job in hand/ format I'm working in. or what kit has been hired.

4. So the 15" is distinctly no use to me or 80% of the editors/video produces that i know- despite being a little more powerful- money is not the issue- if the machine can't do the job its needed for- then it doesn't matter if they gave them away for free.



With the 15" i can't do the first thing i need to do in my workflow- log and capture- if a laptop cant do the basic then there is no reason for me to buy it.

I'm not saying or ever said that the machine is Useless to everyone-Good for set ups where you only need to connect a few USB devices- but if you need pro connectivity like me- and I'm no oddball in my edit set-up- then the 15" has now dropped out of the picture when looking for a new computers.- its an Macbook that can run 'Colour'

I need the laptop that has similar connectivity as my Tower set up- that will let me plug my kit in- if feel this is a basic need for me- 17" now is the only option- in a so called Pro laptop line.

I Wouldn't buy an iMac for the same reason- poor connectivity for video production- Mac towers/ MacPro have expansion possibilities. thats why we buy them- thats why we used them when they had an 8th of the processing power that they have now.

You can sell the most Powerful Tractor in town that will run for 500-miles on a 1 tank of petrol- but if you cant attach a tow-bar on the back you wont catch any farmers buying it.

Hope I don't sound aggressive- just answering the questions you have asked

Originally Posted by SDW2001

Thanks for the response. First, let me say you're way beyond me in terms of your needs. However, I have two thoughts I'd like to offer.

1) I really think you're going beyond what most portables are designed for. When you're into that kind of editing/dumping/capturing/etc, you really need a desktop. I realize your older notebooks have worked, but it was really just because you had them rigged to do so. I don't believe they were really designed for that kind of heavy work, even if they could do it. It's sort of like taking your Toyota Highlander to an off road race. It may do it, but it's not designed for it.

Originally Posted by JeffDM

Color me unconvinced by this argument. Adding a card is hardly rigging it up to exceed the capabilities of the computer. If you want to talk about what people need, you need to keep in mind that while 2.5GHz dual core CPUs may seem old hat, but it is far more power than most people really need. Relative to that power, even FW800 is like sumo wrestler breathing through a straw.

Car analogies don't hold up here, cars don't double in anything every couple years. There was a time when video editing desktops ran in tens and hundreds of megahertz and did the job pretty well, saying that using a notebook running at multiple gigahertz to do the same is going beyond the design intent of the machine doesn't make sense. Especially when the machine series in question was designed to handle Final Cut Studio as an officially supported machine, and Apple has demonstrated notebooks in the past with that software suite.

Also while editing I need the raid attached with your media on the eSata and in a portable set up I route the Video and Audio back through the firewire video deck to a external monitor- on my Tower set up- i have a dedicated card for this.

If your capturing from a tape source then you need port for the deck- then you need a port for your storage to capture to.- in my case a fairly portable/compact Sonnet raid- 2 pairs of stripped disks then one of those pairs is mirrored to the other- 5th bay /Drive is for Render files only.

Originally Posted by SDW2001

A MBP really isn't designed for all of that. You'll have a hard time convincing me otherwise. I can understand the point about only 1 FW800 port, of course.

The vast majority of even pro users aren't doing that kind of stuff. They are photo editing, writing music, recording, importing video from one source, etc. Obviously Apple agrees.

Originally Posted by SDW2001

Thanks for the response. First, let me say you're way beyond me in terms of your needs. However, I have two thoughts I'd like to offer.

1) I really think you're going beyond what most portables are designed for. When you're into that kind of editing/dumping/capturing/etc, you really need a desktop. I realize your older notebooks have worked, but it was really just because you had them rigged to do so. I don't believe they were really designed for that kind of heavy work, even if they could do it. It's sort of like taking your Toyota Highlander to an off road race. It may do it, but it's not designed for it.

2) I think people with your needs are not a large market segment. This is obviously why Apple changed the specs. They don't just change features without knowing their market (well...usually). Obviously their research showed people on the whole weren't using some other options.

I will agree that not having FW400 is a pain. I need to buy a FW400>800 cable just to use my 3 year old camcorder now. But, I rarely use FW anyway.

Originally Posted by JeffDM

Color me unconvinced by this argument. Adding a card is hardly rigging it up to exceed the capabilities of the computer. If you want to talk about what people need, you need to keep in mind that while 2.5GHz dual core CPUs may seem old hat, but it is far more power than most people really need. Relative to that power, even FW800 is like sumo wrestler breathing through a straw.

Car analogies don't hold up here, cars don't double in anything every couple years. There was a time when video editing desktops ran in tens and hundreds of megahertz and did the job pretty well, saying that using a notebook running at multiple gigahertz to do the same is going beyond the design intent of the machine doesn't make sense. Especially when the machine series in question was designed to handle Final Cut Studio as an officially supported machine, and Apple has demonstrated notebooks in the past with that software suite.

Originally Posted by SDW2001

You're missing the point. I can understand that "adding a card" is not supposed to be beyond the machine's capabilities. But he's not just doing that. He's doing stuff like this:



and this:



A MBP really isn't designed for all of that. You'll have a hard time convincing me otherwise. I can understand the point about only 1 FW800 port, of course. The vast majority of even pro users aren't doing that kind of stuff. They are photo editing, writing music, recording, importing video from one source, etc. Obviously Apple agrees.

Originally Posted by JeffDM

That list doesn't really sound like it would really make the machine sweat.



I only saw one video import source in Graeme's list. Are you sure that each and every one of those uses is more common than doing pro video editing on a notebook? Stacking several different uses against is stacking the deck, in my opinion. I there weren't enough pictures that I could find of Apple's notebook setups at the final NAB event they were at, most were blocked by people crowding around them.

Apple did say that using a card was "single digit", but they didn't say that people were exceeding the machine's "intended use" with them. We weren't given the user base, I wouldn't be surprised to find that 9 in 10 buyers of the 15" were consumers, not pros.

Originally Posted by Graeme

No my set up is very traditional/basic- for an editor / video producer. a 'video in' device and a 'storage device'- both devices requiring something other than USB/ethernet for capture

With the addition of a (broadcast) monitor connected through the video deck- if im editing. (thats not a wacky or odd thing to do- a Standard FCP setup- absolutely nothing special)

Not very much to ask from a MBP -My old 500mhz Powerbook could do the same setup for working with DV- although i use more various and demanding codecs now.

No one in there right mind who works with lot of Raw footage/media professionally would capture or store on it on their system hard drive- laptop or desktop- thats a big no no. so you always need at the very least 2 suitable ports- or the ability to add them.

I'm Not trying to convince you, that you personally need Sata, firewire or an expansion card.
I guess I'm trying to convince you, that i do need something more than USB and 1 lFW port- and my needs are not out of the ordinary for a MBP User- and that for my current work- the new 15" model is now next to useless.

I personally don't feel the need to convince anyone of what i need to do my work- i know what i need already- but happy to answer questions if it's productive in some way.