The rest of the day's annoucements look at least sort of interesting, but the new mac book fails badly. No FW?! Seriously, didn't they learn their lesson the last time they tried to remove FW?
They should have implemented FW3200 across the board in all new macs for the past year anyway. Maybe Light Peak can take it's place, but until then removing FW is just dumb. I was going to be in the market for a low end mac laptop soon, but I will most certainly not be getting one of these. Without FW3200 or some obvious way to add Light Peak in the future, I think I'll just hold out a bit longer.
Please tell me who has FW3200 in any form. Newegg doesn't have any such devices in any form, be it add-in cards, drive enclosures, scanners, on-board ports, etc. I haven't seen it anywhere else. It doesn't look like the chips are ready yet.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BDBLACK
This Macbook occupies an entirely new price point
What entirely new price point? According to the US Apple site, this new white Macbook is the same price as last week's white Macbook.
Didn't Apple say something like 'Firewire is for the Pro' a while back?
So- what does that have to do with the price of eggs? Most video cameras that utilize FireWire are used at the consumer level, in addition to the pro level.
Your right. FireWire should be in *all* computers and it should stay in there forever regardless of whether the target market really has any FireWire devices to attach to it.
So what that pretty much all video cameras and removable hard drives are USB now? If one guy somewhere with a FireWire hard drive wants Firewire 400 ports, they should be there dammit! Because they are not making that thing for the majority, they are making it for me, and people like me who still have some FireWire devices and just don't want to switch or buy new gear.
I know that FireWire is on all the MacBook Pros, but even though I like the superiority that comes with using expensive FireWire devices, I'm cheap. I want to be able to buy the lowest-end, cheapest, entry-level MacBook and have it come with all the ports that a professional user would expect.
Apple is supposed to be building consumer products and I'm a consumer so I should always get exactly what I want. In fact if they don't give me everything I think I want, they aren't doing their job right, and it's probably evidence that the company itself is going to fail. This is because my experience is basically the yardstick by which everything must be decided.
What page in your fanbot handbook does this appear? Apple could tell you to eat (blank) and you'd do it.
So- what does that have to do with the price of eggs? Most video cameras that utilize FireWire are used at the consumer level, in addition to the pro level.
Not many consumer camcorders are still sold with Firewire, the ones that do, offer it in addition to USB deck-like services or straight USB drive access, so you can use either port.
That still doesn't say anything about the existing installed base, but given that you can pay only $200 for much more capable machine should be enough of an alternative.
Your right. FireWire should be in *all* computers and it should stay in there forever regardless of whether the target market really has any FireWire devices to attach to it.
So what that pretty much all video cameras and removable hard drives are USB now? If one guy somewhere with a FireWire hard drive wants Firewire 400 ports, they should be there dammit! Because they are not making that thing for the majority, they are making it for me, and people like me who still have some FireWire devices and just don't want to switch or buy new gear.
I know that FireWire is on all the MacBook Pros, but even though I like the superiority that comes with using expensive FireWire devices, I'm cheap. I want to be able to buy the lowest-end, cheapest, entry-level MacBook and have it come with all the ports that a professional user would expect.
Apple is supposed to be building consumer products and I'm a consumer so I should always get exactly what I want. In fact if they don't give me everything I think I want, they aren't doing their job right, and it's probably evidence that the company itself is going to fail. This is because my experience is basically the yardstick by which everything must be decided.
It took them almost 10 years to finally release a laptop that doesn't require you to spend much time at replacing parts.
It's been this slow incremental movement to a position they could have started with back in 1998.
I just took my 2007 C2D MB apart for cleaning [talk about dirty]. While it's not difficult it does take time and the top part is a bitch to take off especially if it hasn't been removed ever. You know it's a bitch when you need a credit card to even get in there.
Even though I wouldn't touch it with the still lame GPU, this new MB is very well built. I think it should be $150 cheaper though.
Yup, seems they left it out. I use the remote a lot to control movie playback on my 2-year old white macbook connected to the external monitor.
Also, they removed FW (don't really care), but why didn't they add an SD slot?
You are surely the minority with the remote control. There are USB IR adapters.
There looks to be room for an SD card, if not surely for FW or a mic jack. It?s clear Apple?s move here. I think more consumers will be upset when there cheap headset for using Skype doesn?t have a play to plug in the mic cable than they will over the other exclusion.
Quote:
And lastly, it appears that the plastic on the keyboard panel is glossy? That would be nasty for resting my hands on.
So, if I want to upgrade, I must go for the 13" 'pro', which is OK i guess. But I have to wonder - who is the macbook for now?
Polycarb is durable but it scratches easily. The coating put on it helps make it scratch resistant. For Apple?s sake, I hope they worked out a more reliable process.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Multimedia
I see no reason they couldn't have kept FW 400 or even put the smaller FW 800 port on this model other to save a dollar some bean counter decided would be a good idea. NOT! How did this decision get past Steve?
Pay the $200 for the MBP. You get a better display panel, FW800, and backlit keyboard in a thinner, lighter case that is more attractive and with a better resale value.
As for FW400. It?s dead to Apple. That port interface has been dying a slow death for a long time. It was a secret. We saw it go from the iPod in favour of USB2.0, then they stop allowing syncing with FW400, then finally charging wouldn?t work. FW itself will be around for sometime, but the FW400 interface is obsolete.
Quote:
Originally Posted by keitherson
What's even further mindboggling is why they are still skimping out on processors, the black MacBook 4,1 has a 2.4 GHz and that was over a year ago. It's now a year past, and the newest update has a 2.26 GHz processor that still doesn't match that. Seriously Apple, Intel Penryn processors are dirt cheap, why the hell are you skimping out on function for form when it costs practically cents?
Wasn?t that Black MB $1500, while this new MB is only $1000? In early 2008 the white MB was $1100 for a 2.1GHz CPU. No 7 hour battery with a bright LED-backlit display. I think the average consumer will appreciate these changes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rahmanc
A 13" MacBook Pro, with Firewire, card reader, backlit keyboard and up to 8GB of RAM capability is ONLY $200 more instead of $700 more like it used to be. While you are "holding out," you can save up $200 more and get what you really want.
Exactly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TBell
Without Firewire, I would have to have reinstalled the OS. That would have taken hours. SInce he doesn't bak up files like he should (he is old), he probably would have lost docs. I've impressed many people fixing troubled Macs using Firewire.
That isn?t true. Just boot using an drive connected to USB. Don?t need to have a 2nd Mac and a FW cable with you to do it. Just the OS installed on any a HDD, SSD or USB Flash drive. It?s much more portable and starts up much faster.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Takeo
I can't believe the new MacBook doesn't have a floppy drive! That's a huge deal breaker for me! How could they do that?! I'm outraged.
Apple is supposed to be building consumer products and I'm a consumer so I should always get exactly what I want. In fact if they don't give me everything I think I want, they aren't doing their job right, and it's probably evidence that the company itself is going to fail. This is because my experience is basically the yardstick by which everything must be decided.
Sure. And whaddya wanna bet you'll be the first "consumer" to pitch a fit when you find out how much more difficult your shiny new laptop will be to service without that superfluous firewire port.
This whole Firewire for Pros thing is BS. Apple itself on numerous occasions has touted the benefits of Firewire......If it were a "Pro" feature, Apple wouldn't have it installed on every Mac produced in the last ten years. When Apple removed Firewire last time, so many people complained that Shiller made a point of mentioning it's return on the very next version of the Macbook. There were lots of cheers. I do not think Apple has ever referred to Firewire as a "Pro" feature.
Future, everybody has a Firewire device to attach to it. Namely, the old Mac you are replacing it with. The main benefit of Firewire is Target Disk mode. Both USB and Ethernet do not replace that valuable troubleshooting/back up tool. This is the first omission of a Mac feature where Apple doesn't replace it with something more valuable. The $999 buys you a faster more energy efficient computer, as usually is the case when a new model comes out. This one, however, removes a truly Mac feature.
I decided to check where Apple really stands on Firewire and researched it on their site. This quote is from its developer page (as of 10/21/09):
"FireWire is one of the fastest peripheral standards ever developed, which makes it great for use with multimedia peripherals such as digital video cameras and other high-speed devices like the latest hard disk drives and printers.
FireWire is integrated into Power Macs, iMacs, eMacs, MacBooks, MacBook Pros, and the iPod. FireWire ports were also integrated into many other computer products dating back to the Power Macintosh G3 "Blue & White" computers. All these machines include FireWire ports that operate at up to 400 megabits per second and the latest machines include FireWire ports that support 1394b and operate at up to 800 megabits per second.
FireWire is a cross-platform implementation of the high-speed serial data bus -- defined by the IEEE 1394-1995, IEEE 1394a-2000, and IEEE 1394b standards -- that can move large amounts of data between computers and peripheral devices. It features simplified cabling, hot swapping, and transfer speeds of up to 800 megabits per second (on machines that support 1394b).
Major manufacturers of multimedia devices have been adopting the FireWire technology, and for good reason. FireWire speeds up the movement of multimedia data and large files and enables easy connection of digital consumer products -- including digital camcorders, digital video tapes, digital video disks, set-top boxes, and music systems -- directly to a personal computer.
In fact, Apple's FireWire technology was honored by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, receiving a 2001 Primetime Emmy Engineering Award for FireWire's impact on the television industry."
It's obvious this is dated and needs to be updated. That being said, there is obvious promotion for the technology. I agree that 400 should be dropped. They should have included 800.
I don't like name calling on forums. They are juvenile and usually and indication of a weak argument (or arguer). I'm not cheap. Apple has placed me in a precarious position. Those who use Firewire (a dedicated peripheral, faster than usb2) should probably wait for the Macbook Pro's update to come in later months. As it stands now, were I to purchase the Macbook pro with the peripheral I need, then I would be purchasing a laptop with the same processing speed as the new macbook. Now, I will wait until the Pro's next cycle which will certainly include a faster processor.
I was truly excited to purchase the new Macbook and brag to friends what a great deal it was (with firewire) and how much it does everything I need it to do. I was ready to do it today. Again, now I will wait.
I was truly excited to purchase the new Macbook and brag to friends what a great deal it was (with firewire) and how much it does everything I need it to do. I was ready to do it today. Again, now I will wait.
That extra $200 is really a deal breaker despite getting FW800, SD slot, IPS display over TN, backlit keyboard, aluminium body that is lighter and thinner? To me, that is definite up sell, especially if you are one that needs FW.
Or, you could spend the extra $300 and get the model with the faster processor, bigger HD, and more RAM right NOW.
It's been my experience that waiting serves no real purpose. The "Pros" were just refreshed recently, so you'd be waiting close to a year for the next speed bumps. It would amount to a measly $25/month "savings" should you wait. That's less than a dollar a day.
My step father has never heard of it either. Yet, when his Mac wouldn't boot because of a corrupted OS system file he certainly benefited from it. I hooked my Mac up to his using Firewire. I booted his in Target Disk mode. I replaced his corrupted system file in less then a minute.
Without Firewire, I would have to have reinstalled the OS. That would have taken hours. SInce he doesn't bak up files like he should (he is old), he probably would have lost docs. I've impressed many people fixing troubled Macs using Firewire.
Further, try moving your user file over from another Mac using Ethernet. With Firewire it takes less than a minute. With Ethernet you are going to spend quite a while dealing with user permissions issues.
You could also have used an Ethernet cable. That's the way I do it. Works like a charm.
So- what does that have to do with the price of eggs? Most video cameras that utilize FireWire are used at the consumer level, in addition to the pro level.
If you have an older camera, yes.
But, we've been through this before. Six months ago when we had our last discussion over this issue (surely you remember?), it was shown that over 80% of all new camcorders used USB 2.
That percentage is higher today.
So, if you have an older recorder, then stick with your older Macbook, or spend an entire $200 more to get the aluminum MBP.
Sure. And whaddya wanna bet you'll be the first "consumer" to pitch a fit when you find out how much more difficult your shiny new laptop will be to service without that superfluous firewire port.
What's even further mindboggling is why they are still skimping out on processors, the black MacBook 4,1 has a 2.4 GHz and that was over a year ago. It's now a year past, and the newest update has a 2.26 GHz processor that still doesn't match that. Seriously Apple, Intel Penryn processors are dirt cheap, why the hell are you skimping out on function for form when it costs practically cents?
<sarcasm>
Yeah, and my Dell tower from 2003 has a 3.2GHz processor!
That extra $200 is really a deal breaker despite getting FW800, SD slot, IPS display over TN, backlit keyboard, aluminium body that is lighter and thinner? To me, that is definite up sell, especially if you are one that needs FW.
All of Apple's notebooks use TN displays. A higher quality screen in the Pro, perhaps, but still TN.
Comments
The rest of the day's annoucements look at least sort of interesting, but the new mac book fails badly. No FW?! Seriously, didn't they learn their lesson the last time they tried to remove FW?
They should have implemented FW3200 across the board in all new macs for the past year anyway. Maybe Light Peak can take it's place, but until then removing FW is just dumb. I was going to be in the market for a low end mac laptop soon, but I will most certainly not be getting one of these. Without FW3200 or some obvious way to add Light Peak in the future, I think I'll just hold out a bit longer.
Please tell me who has FW3200 in any form. Newegg doesn't have any such devices in any form, be it add-in cards, drive enclosures, scanners, on-board ports, etc. I haven't seen it anywhere else. It doesn't look like the chips are ready yet.
This Macbook occupies an entirely new price point
What entirely new price point? According to the US Apple site, this new white Macbook is the same price as last week's white Macbook.
Didn't Apple say something like 'Firewire is for the Pro' a while back?
So- what does that have to do with the price of eggs? Most video cameras that utilize FireWire are used at the consumer level, in addition to the pro level.
Your right. FireWire should be in *all* computers and it should stay in there forever regardless of whether the target market really has any FireWire devices to attach to it.
So what that pretty much all video cameras and removable hard drives are USB now? If one guy somewhere with a FireWire hard drive wants Firewire 400 ports, they should be there dammit! Because they are not making that thing for the majority, they are making it for me, and people like me who still have some FireWire devices and just don't want to switch or buy new gear.
I know that FireWire is on all the MacBook Pros, but even though I like the superiority that comes with using expensive FireWire devices, I'm cheap. I want to be able to buy the lowest-end, cheapest, entry-level MacBook and have it come with all the ports that a professional user would expect.
Apple is supposed to be building consumer products and I'm a consumer so I should always get exactly what I want. In fact if they don't give me everything I think I want, they aren't doing their job right, and it's probably evidence that the company itself is going to fail. This is because my experience is basically the yardstick by which everything must be decided.
What page in your fanbot handbook does this appear? Apple could tell you to eat (blank) and you'd do it.
So- what does that have to do with the price of eggs? Most video cameras that utilize FireWire are used at the consumer level, in addition to the pro level.
Not many consumer camcorders are still sold with Firewire, the ones that do, offer it in addition to USB deck-like services or straight USB drive access, so you can use either port.
That still doesn't say anything about the existing installed base, but given that you can pay only $200 for much more capable machine should be enough of an alternative.
Your right. FireWire should be in *all* computers and it should stay in there forever regardless of whether the target market really has any FireWire devices to attach to it.
So what that pretty much all video cameras and removable hard drives are USB now? If one guy somewhere with a FireWire hard drive wants Firewire 400 ports, they should be there dammit! Because they are not making that thing for the majority, they are making it for me, and people like me who still have some FireWire devices and just don't want to switch or buy new gear.
I know that FireWire is on all the MacBook Pros, but even though I like the superiority that comes with using expensive FireWire devices, I'm cheap. I want to be able to buy the lowest-end, cheapest, entry-level MacBook and have it come with all the ports that a professional user would expect.
Apple is supposed to be building consumer products and I'm a consumer so I should always get exactly what I want. In fact if they don't give me everything I think I want, they aren't doing their job right, and it's probably evidence that the company itself is going to fail. This is because my experience is basically the yardstick by which everything must be decided.
What page in your fanbot handbook does this appear? Apple could tell you to eat (blank) and you'd do it.
remember, Techstud, there is an emoticon.
[he is being facetious and you are one of this targets]
This new macbook looks great.
It took them almost 10 years to finally release a laptop that doesn't require you to spend much time at replacing parts.
It's been this slow incremental movement to a position they could have started with back in 1998.
I just took my 2007 C2D MB apart for cleaning [talk about dirty]. While it's not difficult it does take time and the top part is a bitch to take off especially if it hasn't been removed ever. You know it's a bitch when you need a credit card to even get in there.
Even though I wouldn't touch it with the still lame GPU, this new MB is very well built. I think it should be $150 cheaper though.
Yup, seems they left it out. I use the remote a lot to control movie playback on my 2-year old white macbook connected to the external monitor.
Also, they removed FW (don't really care), but why didn't they add an SD slot?
You are surely the minority with the remote control. There are USB IR adapters.
There looks to be room for an SD card, if not surely for FW or a mic jack. It?s clear Apple?s move here. I think more consumers will be upset when there cheap headset for using Skype doesn?t have a play to plug in the mic cable than they will over the other exclusion.
And lastly, it appears that the plastic on the keyboard panel is glossy? That would be nasty for resting my hands on.
So, if I want to upgrade, I must go for the 13" 'pro', which is OK i guess. But I have to wonder - who is the macbook for now?
Polycarb is durable but it scratches easily. The coating put on it helps make it scratch resistant. For Apple?s sake, I hope they worked out a more reliable process.
I see no reason they couldn't have kept FW 400 or even put the smaller FW 800 port on this model other to save a dollar some bean counter decided would be a good idea. NOT! How did this decision get past Steve?
Pay the $200 for the MBP. You get a better display panel, FW800, and backlit keyboard in a thinner, lighter case that is more attractive and with a better resale value.
As for FW400. It?s dead to Apple. That port interface has been dying a slow death for a long time. It was a secret. We saw it go from the iPod in favour of USB2.0, then they stop allowing syncing with FW400, then finally charging wouldn?t work. FW itself will be around for sometime, but the FW400 interface is obsolete.
What's even further mindboggling is why they are still skimping out on processors, the black MacBook 4,1 has a 2.4 GHz and that was over a year ago. It's now a year past, and the newest update has a 2.26 GHz processor that still doesn't match that. Seriously Apple, Intel Penryn processors are dirt cheap, why the hell are you skimping out on function for form when it costs practically cents?
Wasn?t that Black MB $1500, while this new MB is only $1000? In early 2008 the white MB was $1100 for a 2.1GHz CPU. No 7 hour battery with a bright LED-backlit display. I think the average consumer will appreciate these changes.
A 13" MacBook Pro, with Firewire, card reader, backlit keyboard and up to 8GB of RAM capability is ONLY $200 more instead of $700 more like it used to be. While you are "holding out," you can save up $200 more and get what you really want.
Exactly.
Without Firewire, I would have to have reinstalled the OS. That would have taken hours. SInce he doesn't bak up files like he should (he is old), he probably would have lost docs. I've impressed many people fixing troubled Macs using Firewire.
That isn?t true. Just boot using an drive connected to USB. Don?t need to have a 2nd Mac and a FW cable with you to do it. Just the OS installed on any a HDD, SSD or USB Flash drive. It?s much more portable and starts up much faster.
I can't believe the new MacBook doesn't have a floppy drive! That's a huge deal breaker for me! How could they do that?! I'm outraged.
Apple is supposed to be building consumer products and I'm a consumer so I should always get exactly what I want. In fact if they don't give me everything I think I want, they aren't doing their job right, and it's probably evidence that the company itself is going to fail. This is because my experience is basically the yardstick by which everything must be decided.
Sure. And whaddya wanna bet you'll be the first "consumer" to pitch a fit when you find out how much more difficult your shiny new laptop will be to service without that superfluous firewire port.
This whole Firewire for Pros thing is BS. Apple itself on numerous occasions has touted the benefits of Firewire......If it were a "Pro" feature, Apple wouldn't have it installed on every Mac produced in the last ten years. When Apple removed Firewire last time, so many people complained that Shiller made a point of mentioning it's return on the very next version of the Macbook. There were lots of cheers. I do not think Apple has ever referred to Firewire as a "Pro" feature.
Future, everybody has a Firewire device to attach to it. Namely, the old Mac you are replacing it with. The main benefit of Firewire is Target Disk mode. Both USB and Ethernet do not replace that valuable troubleshooting/back up tool. This is the first omission of a Mac feature where Apple doesn't replace it with something more valuable. The $999 buys you a faster more energy efficient computer, as usually is the case when a new model comes out. This one, however, removes a truly Mac feature.
I decided to check where Apple really stands on Firewire and researched it on their site. This quote is from its developer page (as of 10/21/09):
http://developer.apple.com/hardwared...ire/index.html
"FireWire is one of the fastest peripheral standards ever developed, which makes it great for use with multimedia peripherals such as digital video cameras and other high-speed devices like the latest hard disk drives and printers.
FireWire is integrated into Power Macs, iMacs, eMacs, MacBooks, MacBook Pros, and the iPod. FireWire ports were also integrated into many other computer products dating back to the Power Macintosh G3 "Blue & White" computers. All these machines include FireWire ports that operate at up to 400 megabits per second and the latest machines include FireWire ports that support 1394b and operate at up to 800 megabits per second.
FireWire is a cross-platform implementation of the high-speed serial data bus -- defined by the IEEE 1394-1995, IEEE 1394a-2000, and IEEE 1394b standards -- that can move large amounts of data between computers and peripheral devices. It features simplified cabling, hot swapping, and transfer speeds of up to 800 megabits per second (on machines that support 1394b).
Major manufacturers of multimedia devices have been adopting the FireWire technology, and for good reason. FireWire speeds up the movement of multimedia data and large files and enables easy connection of digital consumer products -- including digital camcorders, digital video tapes, digital video disks, set-top boxes, and music systems -- directly to a personal computer.
In fact, Apple's FireWire technology was honored by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, receiving a 2001 Primetime Emmy Engineering Award for FireWire's impact on the television industry."
It's obvious this is dated and needs to be updated. That being said, there is obvious promotion for the technology. I agree that 400 should be dropped. They should have included 800.
I don't like name calling on forums. They are juvenile and usually and indication of a weak argument (or arguer). I'm not cheap. Apple has placed me in a precarious position. Those who use Firewire (a dedicated peripheral, faster than usb2) should probably wait for the Macbook Pro's update to come in later months. As it stands now, were I to purchase the Macbook pro with the peripheral I need, then I would be purchasing a laptop with the same processing speed as the new macbook. Now, I will wait until the Pro's next cycle which will certainly include a faster processor.
I was truly excited to purchase the new Macbook and brag to friends what a great deal it was (with firewire) and how much it does everything I need it to do. I was ready to do it today. Again, now I will wait.
I was truly excited to purchase the new Macbook and brag to friends what a great deal it was (with firewire) and how much it does everything I need it to do. I was ready to do it today. Again, now I will wait.
That extra $200 is really a deal breaker despite getting FW800, SD slot, IPS display over TN, backlit keyboard, aluminium body that is lighter and thinner? To me, that is definite up sell, especially if you are one that needs FW.
Again, now I will wait.
Or, you could spend the extra $300 and get the model with the faster processor, bigger HD, and more RAM right NOW.
It's been my experience that waiting serves no real purpose. The "Pros" were just refreshed recently, so you'd be waiting close to a year for the next speed bumps. It would amount to a measly $25/month "savings" should you wait. That's less than a dollar a day.
My step father has never heard of it either. Yet, when his Mac wouldn't boot because of a corrupted OS system file he certainly benefited from it. I hooked my Mac up to his using Firewire. I booted his in Target Disk mode. I replaced his corrupted system file in less then a minute.
Without Firewire, I would have to have reinstalled the OS. That would have taken hours. SInce he doesn't bak up files like he should (he is old), he probably would have lost docs. I've impressed many people fixing troubled Macs using Firewire.
Further, try moving your user file over from another Mac using Ethernet. With Firewire it takes less than a minute. With Ethernet you are going to spend quite a while dealing with user permissions issues.
You could also have used an Ethernet cable. That's the way I do it. Works like a charm.
So- what does that have to do with the price of eggs? Most video cameras that utilize FireWire are used at the consumer level, in addition to the pro level.
If you have an older camera, yes.
But, we've been through this before. Six months ago when we had our last discussion over this issue (surely you remember?), it was shown that over 80% of all new camcorders used USB 2.
That percentage is higher today.
So, if you have an older recorder, then stick with your older Macbook, or spend an entire $200 more to get the aluminum MBP.
Otherwise, FW is no longer needed for video.
Sure. And whaddya wanna bet you'll be the first "consumer" to pitch a fit when you find out how much more difficult your shiny new laptop will be to service without that superfluous firewire port.
Not the slightest bit harder.
What's even further mindboggling is why they are still skimping out on processors, the black MacBook 4,1 has a 2.4 GHz and that was over a year ago. It's now a year past, and the newest update has a 2.26 GHz processor that still doesn't match that. Seriously Apple, Intel Penryn processors are dirt cheap, why the hell are you skimping out on function for form when it costs practically cents?
<sarcasm>
Yeah, and my Dell tower from 2003 has a 3.2GHz processor!
Why are they getting slower?!?!?!??
</sarcasm>
That extra $200 is really a deal breaker despite getting FW800, SD slot, IPS display over TN, backlit keyboard, aluminium body that is lighter and thinner? To me, that is definite up sell, especially if you are one that needs FW.
All of Apple's notebooks use TN displays. A higher quality screen in the Pro, perhaps, but still TN.
Not the slightest bit harder.
So, you've implemented USB Target Disk Mode somehow?