New MacBooks
Hi all, quite a while since I have posted here. Been spending a lot of time with my new Nikon D 80 and the Nikon Forum on DP Review.
I have been keen on a MacBook for quite some time. Purchase is not urgent and I have been waiting for Leopard release.
Any info out there on the jungle vines re a revised MacBook coming up soon, 'soon' as in the next few months?
I have been keen on a MacBook for quite some time. Purchase is not urgent and I have been waiting for Leopard release.
Any info out there on the jungle vines re a revised MacBook coming up soon, 'soon' as in the next few months?
Comments
Hi all, quite a while since I have posted here. Been spending a lot of time with my new Nikon D 80 and the Nikon Forum on DP Review.
I have been keen on a MacBook for quite some time. Purchase is not urgent and I have been waiting for Leopard release.
Any info out there on the jungle vines re a revised MacBook coming up soon, 'soon' as in the next few months?
Good camera, I have one too.
love it.
There is no info on an updated MacBook yet, only a product release history on which we can expect an update in the october /november time frame.
Probably Santa Rosa MacBooks with a modest speedbump of the C2D to 2.0 and 2.2GHz.
Recently travelled to Far North Queensland (Palm Cove, Port Douglas) and the annoyance of Internet Cafes is too much for me!
-=|Mgkwho
^^ I'm really hoping that's the case...I'm trying to hold out for a couple months as well.
Meant to mention one other thing. As far as I know, there is hardly a PC based laptop out there without a DVD burner as standard gear. It's nice that Apple offer a base model (MacBook) without the DVD burning capability, but should not this option be phased out?
Apple, let's go all the way with a new range, thinner, cheaper AND with a DVD burner as standard.
I preface this post with the fact that I have used Macs since around 1990, have owned 50+ for work, home and all my computing uses. I work in IT (used to work for Apple infact), and for many many years there was no doubt in my mind that I'd always stay with Apple machines. Since the Intel switch? Hmm, my faith is very much weakened.
Take this for an example. I am looking for a new secondary machine with an Azerty keyboard to go with my Macbook Pro, and have been shopping around. From the looks of it, I can't see how Apple can justify the price atm with the specs the Macbooks have.
For example:
Sony Vaio FZ11E (base model):
1.8 Core 2 Duo,
120Gig HDD,
Geforce 8400 GM (319mb) Gfx card
1 or 2 Gig RAM
15.4 Screen (only 1280x800, but much nicer than the Macbook's one)
Very similar form factor in terms of size
998 Euros!
Acer Aspire 5920
2.0 C2d
160 Gig HDD
Geforce 8400 GM
2 Gig RAM
15.4 Screen
1100 Euros
Let alone machines like the Dell XPS m1330 which has similar if not better stats than the ones above for the same (maybe a bit less) money.
I am at a loss...
I'd love to be able to spec a Macbook to the same level for the same price, but if I go to the Applestore.com/fr, I get this:
Macbook 13.3
2.0 c2d
2 Gig RAM
160 Gig HDD
All for a 1400 Euros! Still with the 950 graphic chipset, and without some of the other cool features that come as standard on the other machines.
Yes, there is the 'OS X' factor, but tbh, you can run Ubuntu on the above machines, and after using it for some time, Vista is a huge stepforward in terms of interface usability.
So, is OS X worth the extra 400+ Euros?
I am really, really struggling to justify it...
I just hope they upgrade the product line soon...
Do you think there is any possibility that Macbooks will be refreshed with an aluminium touch?
I mean consider the new iMacs, new iPods. And remember SJ said he wants to be more environmentally friendly when it comes to new products? Almost everything is moving to the aluminium age (at least for Apple).
But then again, it would be so similar to the MacBook Pros. I'm sure Apple wouldn't want to make them similar looking (they keep emphasizing on differentiating the Pro line of products).
Any thoughts, opinions?
13.3 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0Ghz (SILVER)
1GB RAM
X3100 graphics
100GB
13.3 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2Ghz (SILVER)
1GB RAM
X3100 graphics
120GB
13.3 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2Ghz (BLACK)
2GB RAM
X3100 graphics
160GB
can i side track a little?
Do you think there is any possibility that Macbooks will be refreshed with an aluminium touch?
I mean consider the new iMacs, new iPods. And remember SJ said he wants to be more environmentally friendly when it comes to new products? Almost everything is moving to the aluminium age (at least for Apple).
But then again, it would be so similar to the MacBook Pros. I'm sure Apple wouldn't want to make them similar looking (they keep emphasizing on differentiating the Pro line of products).
Any thoughts, opinions?
No doubt. They might mix in the black so it's similar to the iMac and to differentiate it from the Macbook Pro, but that might be due an update soon anyway. They should make it look similar to the iMac so they can differentiate the consumer products from the professional ones.
Anyone else a bit sad that they've abandoned the white look though?
The Macbook really is showing it's age atm imho... it needs an upgrade desperately.
Needs an upgrade - depends. If it stays at current price, yes it needs an upgrade. But desperately? No.
What I'd like to see on the laptop side for a nice, competetive lineup, in order of importance:
Macbook price drop to $999, Superdrive standard
Business ultraportable, 11", solid state HD available, (external optical)
Small MBP with high end mobile graphics
Since the Intel switch? Hmm, my faith is very much weakened.
Take this for an example. I am looking for a new secondary machine with an Azerty keyboard to go with my Macbook Pro, and have been shopping around. From the looks of it, I can't see how Apple can justify the price atm with the specs the Macbooks have.
Sony Vaio FZ11E (base model):
...
15.4 Screen (only 1280x800, but much nicer than the Macbook's one)
Very similar form factor in terms of size
998 Euros!
It's not remotely the same form factor if it's 15.4". A 15.2" Powerbook was way too large for my uses of the time, while a 12" iBook was pretty much right. The MB is bigger than the iBook, but still compact compared to 15+".
I am at a loss...
I'd love to be able to spec a Macbook to the same level for the same price, but if I go to the Applestore.com/fr, I get this:
Macbook 13.3
2.0 c2d
2 Gig RAM
160 Gig HDD
All for a 1400 Euros! Still with the 950 graphic chipset, and without some of the other cool features that come as standard on the other machines.
And what does it cost if you swap the HD yourself instead of BTO?
The 8400gs equipped machines would be OK for gaming, but other than that, the graphics don't matter. If that capability and 15" screen are something you want then obviously you should be comparing to MBP.
So, is OS X worth the extra 400+ Euros?
To me, I don't think it's worth $400 at the moment, but it is worth going with just slightly lesser hardware specs, and then there isn't a large price diff.
I just hope they upgrade the product line soon...
Don't we all.
Also, don't forget the used market. I grabbed a three month old Macbook with 2GB user installed RAM. I have a big 7200rpm disk sitting on my desk waiting to be swapped in. Even with the upgraded components, my total cost is going to be only slightly over 2/3 the price of the base spec MB. Now that's pretty hard to beat with any hardware.
No doubt. They might mix in the black so it's similar to the iMac and to differentiate it from the Macbook Pro, but that might be due an update soon anyway. They should make it look similar to the iMac so they can differentiate the consumer products from the professional ones.
Anyone else a bit sad that they've abandoned the white look though?
I miss the white iMacs too
I think the next set of specs will be
13.3 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0Ghz (SILVER)
1GB RAM
X3100 graphics
100GB
13.3 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2Ghz (SILVER)
1GB RAM
X3100 graphics
120GB
13.3 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2Ghz (BLACK)
2GB RAM
X3100 graphics
160GB
Agreed. This looks like the most probable update. But who knows, Apple might surprise us with better features?
I kinda love the white look as well. It's sorta the classic Apple look.
But hey, Apple's been pushed to be more eco-friendly with their products. So i guess they have no choice.
I miss the white iMacs too
I don't know about your stores in Wales, but some of the stores here in the states still have white iMacs on their display floors. I don't know about getting a discount or anything, but they are available (at least they were yesterday in Knoxville, TN).
I don't know about your stores in Wales, but some of the stores here in the states still have white iMacs on their display floors. I don't know about getting a discount or anything, but they are available (at least they were yesterday in Knoxville, TN).
Thanks, i'll keep pondering...
Thanks, i'll keep pondering...
FWIW, my wife and I just bought a MacBook 2.16 GHz and we love it. The trackpad takes a bit of getting used to as this is our first laptop, but I love wireless networking through the Airport Extreme.
We're looking forward to taking it with us on our anniversary trip next month.
Well, I would guess so, as last year new MBPs were released, then new MacBooks in early November. So if you can wait until just before Thanksgiving- which it sounds like you can seeing as Leopard's inclusion is what you're looking forward to.
-=|Mgkwho
You should consider giving that quote your name every time thing a rest.
-=|Ireland
Key 'desired' features are surely........speed enhancements, hard drive capacity up a touch, inclusion of a DVD burner as standard, back lit keyboard. A bit thinner would be a nice touch.
Oh, I almost forgot, a $100 price drop across the range!