I failed to mention that the MBP features the innovative gesture interface. This is a tremendous feature. I love the limited gesture capabilities on my iPhone...and after test driving a MB Air I am even more an advocate of expanding the trackpad's capabilities.
I also wanted to add that not only is the 15" a sweet spot for screen size, but it also features the LED backlit screen which gives you instant on for screen brightness and tremendous clarity. I would not handicap myself with a MacBook because I am only thinking of my current needs. Aren't you wanting to grow in your application of a new computer? Trust me...this is a no brainer.
Just when people had me leaning heavily on the Black MB you post this comment and I am nowsecond guessing myself again lol
That "The MB's graphics come at the expense of your memory and CPU as it is integrated in the CPU rather than "outsourcing" the graphic processing to a dedicated graphic card." is completely wrong as far as I can tell, though. Some memory is used (about 144MB), but I don't think more CPU is used because of having integrated graphics.
I think the update is solid in the sense of it being a quiet update as Apple has done similarly in the past. I do think that people have been hanging on for a more serious upgrade, which is probably why some people are a bit upset.
Obviously any upgrade is good news!
It seems bizarre that Combo Drives still exist in the Apple line-up and more realistic memory pricing would be a help. The difference between getting an Apple memory upgrade, and getting it from somewhere like Crucial seems insane.
I suspect you'll see you new case design when the new Intel processors come out (about 6 months before we see them in Macs?). If Apple made this revision too drastic, they'd have taken the punch out of the rollout of new laptops with the new processor. And you'd risk a bunch of upset customers who bought the new design but missed out of the new processor.
By keeping this upgrade relatively minor, they managed both sets of expectations.
I agree - I think we'll see the updated design in the Sept - Nov timeframe...along with Montevina and what not.
If the cost of a computer is 1099 bucks and the remote is 19, then just assume the cost of the computer is 1118 and compare that to your other options.
The number of people that do NOT want a remote and can now avoid having to pay for it is a good thing.
The price of the computer is based on the options you want.
Add up what you want, that's the price.
The idea that people will not buy this thing because the price of the remote added to the price quoted makes it not worth it..... is zero.
Stop moaning like little girls.....
How does NOT getting what they gave you previously, without a price reduction, SAVE you anything.
Look in the mirror. See that's you, a person - not a corporation and definitely not Apple. Apple is a corporation and it is the one that has saved the money, not you.
It's an easy mistake to make:
A single solitary person with a couple of Gs to spend on a computer and:
Apple, one of the world's largest and most successful multi-billion dollar corporations that shaves a few bucks off the deal so it can skim a bit more off you and make yet another model short a feature or two.
Just when people had me leaning heavily on the Black MB you post this comment and I am nowsecond guessing myself again lol
Hey I wouldn't second guess yourself just based on what that guy said. That is HIS opinion.
Personally I think the excuse that the Macbook is somehow inferior because it doesn't have a back lit keyboard and he can't type in the dark is LAME. I'm sorry. I have never owned a mac laptop with a back lit keyboard, I've used ibooks and macbooks, and I've done fine. Your fingers have a memory, and if you use your laptop regularly, it becomes automatic. I can type fine in the dark.
I think the back lit keyboard is a gimmick at best. And that guy is just trying to justify his buying the more expensive macbook pro. I think there is nothing wrong with saying the back lit keyboard is cool...but to say that the macbook somehow is impossible to type on in the dark is silly. :-)
Penryn isn't a revolutionary processor - it's just a die shrink so an enclosure refresh or what not isn't a good idea especially with the MBA just coming out.
I think they've made the right decision here and the MBP was a good machine anyway. I reckon we will see better improvements when Montevina comes and it gives them time to figure out how to best adapt the machines to a whole new chipset.
This kind of update shouldn't have taken this long though.
Don't get me wrong, I am sincerely disgusted with Apple's RAM upgrade prices. Though, buying it elsewhere DOES NOT MEAN that it will be in the computer the moment you get the computer, and it does not mean that it'll be installed by an Apple tech/machine, and it does not mean that it'll be warranted under Apple's one-stop-shop. If your aftermarket RAM craps on yo, u have to send it to your supplier, and if it hurts your computer, you have to deal with them, and for a lot of people, it's hard to know what is what, how it works, where to put it, and what to do if it won't turn on (plug-in the cord, dummy).
Now, I do expect to pay more for Apple RAM than aftermarket RAM, and thats mainly because they have to install it, but if your computer is built-to-order, then the price really shouldn't be much higher than aftermarket. Though, that is just how the aftermarket is... cheap and robust.
Until Apple RAM upgrades are the same price as, or competitive enough that I don't care to take the 3 minutes to install aftermarket RAM myself, I'll still but from the lowest bidder (currently NewEgg).
I am looking to buy my first Macbook (Pro) but I am having a hard time deciding between the op of the line Black MB and the entry level MBP. A little bit about my computer needs....I dont play any games....mostly surfing the net, might purchase Aperture 2 so I can edit some family photos, watch dvds burn cds, music.
I am usually the person that likes to buy the "best" or "top of the line" products so I am stuck between the 2 Apple products. I figured it would be $500 more for the MBP.
Opinions...thoughts or suggestions?
For what it is worth, I bought the stock-standard, entry level MBP toward the end of last year. I thought too about the MB and know that every acquaintance of mine who has one is very pleased with it, however, I am equally pleased with my purchase and would not change my decision.
I am particularly fond of the LED back-lighting and illuminated keyboard (this is the first Apple notebook computer that I have been easily able to read in direct sunlight since the advent of active matrix displays). Mine shipped with 2GB of RAM.
I also am comfortable using the trackpad and think that the new gestures capability will prove a hit.
whats worse, in the UK, the MacBook Pro 15 inch 2.5GHz costs "1,599.00 GBP" roughly
$3,155 USD compared to $2,499.00 USD in the states. thats a $656 price difference.
Um, doesn't the UK price include VAT? The US price is pretax. Add to that the fact that the dollar has been plummeting against the pound and you'd see why it would appear to be worth $3,155 when converted to USD. With the tax included in the price and the exchange rate at around two to one, you're also doubling the included tax.
I thought there would have been a case redesign for both of them Guess not...
I guess Apple didn't want to steal the Airbook's "thunder". Plus maybe they wanted to wait until the new intel chips are ready for the redesign. Around June?
Who knows.
This nice speedbump, larger hard drives and multi touch will keep sales churning until then. :-)
I've been hanging on for this update for a couple of months. My PB 17" is up on eBay right now. :-D I'm delighted with the LED screens, processor and gfx card bumps and especially, the multitouch trackpads, which, I'm guessing, will drive a lot of GUI innovation in Mac software for some time. Also, I'm getting tired of lugging my 17-incher around; I agree with the poster who said 15" is a nice sweet spot.
Hopefully, one of our local Apple Stores has one of these new machines on display so I can play with it before ordering one.
Why is the L2 Cache 3mb instead of the previous 4mb? Is it just because of the 45nm architecture (meaning less space for it)? Do we expect to get back to 4mb with the next processor? etc, etc
Hey I wouldn't second guess yourself just based on what that guy said. That is HIS opinion.
Personally I think the excuse that the Macbook is somehow inferior because it doesn't have a back lit keyboard and he can't type in the dark is LAME. I'm sorry. I have never owned a mac laptop with a back lit keyboard, I've used ibooks and macbooks, and I've done fine. Your fingers have a memory, and if you use your laptop regularly, it becomes automatic. I can type fine in the dark.
I think the back lit keyboard is a gimmick at best. And that guy is just trying to justify his buying the more expensive macbook pro. I think there is nothing wrong with saying the back lit keyboard is cool...but to say that the macbook somehow is impossible to type on in the dark is silly. :-)
No...this guy (that would be me) is not "trying to justify his buying the more expensive MBP." As I said in my posting, due to financial constraints I compromised and bought the MacBook. I'm not sure why you are so obsessed with the backlit keyboard--that certainly was not my primary argument for buying a MacBook Pro--but it is a nice feature. Re-read my original posting and I think you will see that there are many more compelling reasons for selecting the MBP if your finances enable you to do so.
To the British dude worried about the top graphics card only being 256 MB -- if you go to the compare specs section on the British website, it lists the top-end 15" MacBook Pro as having a 512 MB graphics card, so I think it's a mistake on the main buy page.
Hopefully they'll make the correction soon.
By the way, I'm happy with the MacBook Pro upgrade -- yeah, it's modest, but frankly I love the design of the MacBook Pro, and think the keyboard on the Air looks cheap in comparison. No more waiting around for me -- I'm buying a Pro and I'll check back in five to seven years to see what's changed.
Comments
I also wanted to add that not only is the 15" a sweet spot for screen size, but it also features the LED backlit screen which gives you instant on for screen brightness and tremendous clarity. I would not handicap myself with a MacBook because I am only thinking of my current needs. Aren't you wanting to grow in your application of a new computer? Trust me...this is a no brainer.
Just when people had me leaning heavily on the Black MB you post this comment and I am nowsecond guessing myself again lol
That "The MB's graphics come at the expense of your memory and CPU as it is integrated in the CPU rather than "outsourcing" the graphic processing to a dedicated graphic card." is completely wrong as far as I can tell, though. Some memory is used (about 144MB), but I don't think more CPU is used because of having integrated graphics.
Obviously any upgrade is good news!
It seems bizarre that Combo Drives still exist in the Apple line-up and more realistic memory pricing would be a help. The difference between getting an Apple memory upgrade, and getting it from somewhere like Crucial seems insane.
I suspect you'll see you new case design when the new Intel processors come out (about 6 months before we see them in Macs?). If Apple made this revision too drastic, they'd have taken the punch out of the rollout of new laptops with the new processor. And you'd risk a bunch of upset customers who bought the new design but missed out of the new processor.
By keeping this upgrade relatively minor, they managed both sets of expectations.
I agree - I think we'll see the updated design in the Sept - Nov timeframe...along with Montevina and what not.
let's stop being little girls about this.
If the cost of a computer is 1099 bucks and the remote is 19, then just assume the cost of the computer is 1118 and compare that to your other options.
The number of people that do NOT want a remote and can now avoid having to pay for it is a good thing.
The price of the computer is based on the options you want.
Add up what you want, that's the price.
The idea that people will not buy this thing because the price of the remote added to the price quoted makes it not worth it..... is zero.
Stop moaning like little girls.....
How does NOT getting what they gave you previously, without a price reduction, SAVE you anything.
Look in the mirror. See that's you, a person - not a corporation and definitely not Apple. Apple is a corporation and it is the one that has saved the money, not you.
It's an easy mistake to make:
A single solitary person with a couple of Gs to spend on a computer and:
Apple, one of the world's largest and most successful multi-billion dollar corporations that shaves a few bucks off the deal so it can skim a bit more off you and make yet another model short a feature or two.
Just when people had me leaning heavily on the Black MB you post this comment and I am nowsecond guessing myself again lol
Hey I wouldn't second guess yourself just based on what that guy said. That is HIS opinion.
Personally I think the excuse that the Macbook is somehow inferior because it doesn't have a back lit keyboard and he can't type in the dark is LAME. I'm sorry. I have never owned a mac laptop with a back lit keyboard, I've used ibooks and macbooks, and I've done fine. Your fingers have a memory, and if you use your laptop regularly, it becomes automatic. I can type fine in the dark.
I think the back lit keyboard is a gimmick at best. And that guy is just trying to justify his buying the more expensive macbook pro. I think there is nothing wrong with saying the back lit keyboard is cool...but to say that the macbook somehow is impossible to type on in the dark is silly. :-)
I think they've made the right decision here and the MBP was a good machine anyway. I reckon we will see better improvements when Montevina comes and it gives them time to figure out how to best adapt the machines to a whole new chipset.
This kind of update shouldn't have taken this long though.
Now, I do expect to pay more for Apple RAM than aftermarket RAM, and thats mainly because they have to install it, but if your computer is built-to-order, then the price really shouldn't be much higher than aftermarket. Though, that is just how the aftermarket is... cheap and robust.
Until Apple RAM upgrades are the same price as, or competitive enough that I don't care to take the 3 minutes to install aftermarket RAM myself, I'll still but from the lowest bidder (currently NewEgg).
I am looking to buy my first Macbook (Pro) but I am having a hard time deciding between the op of the line Black MB and the entry level MBP. A little bit about my computer needs....I dont play any games....mostly surfing the net, might purchase Aperture 2 so I can edit some family photos, watch dvds burn cds, music.
I am usually the person that likes to buy the "best" or "top of the line" products so I am stuck between the 2 Apple products. I figured it would be $500 more for the MBP.
Opinions...thoughts or suggestions?
For what it is worth, I bought the stock-standard, entry level MBP toward the end of last year. I thought too about the MB and know that every acquaintance of mine who has one is very pleased with it, however, I am equally pleased with my purchase and would not change my decision.
I am particularly fond of the LED back-lighting and illuminated keyboard (this is the first Apple notebook computer that I have been easily able to read in direct sunlight since the advent of active matrix displays). Mine shipped with 2GB of RAM.
I also am comfortable using the trackpad and think that the new gestures capability will prove a hit.
The MBP is worth the extra I feel.
whats worse, in the UK, the MacBook Pro 15 inch 2.5GHz costs "1,599.00 GBP" roughly
$3,155 USD compared to $2,499.00 USD in the states. thats a $656 price difference.
Um, doesn't the UK price include VAT? The US price is pretax. Add to that the fact that the dollar has been plummeting against the pound and you'd see why it would appear to be worth $3,155 when converted to USD. With the tax included in the price and the exchange rate at around two to one, you're also doubling the included tax.
I thought there would have been a case redesign for both of them
I guess Apple didn't want to steal the Airbook's "thunder". Plus maybe they wanted to wait until the new intel chips are ready for the redesign. Around June?
Who knows.
This nice speedbump, larger hard drives and multi touch will keep sales churning until then. :-)
Hopefully, one of our local Apple Stores has one of these new machines on display so I can play with it before ordering one.
if one does not really needs mobility should consider iMac, iMac is great value machine ...
http://www.intel.com/products/proces...t/core2duo.htm
http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_..._1ku_Price.pdf
and save lots of money also, i think apple makes more profit than previous model
Hey I wouldn't second guess yourself just based on what that guy said. That is HIS opinion.
Personally I think the excuse that the Macbook is somehow inferior because it doesn't have a back lit keyboard and he can't type in the dark is LAME. I'm sorry. I have never owned a mac laptop with a back lit keyboard, I've used ibooks and macbooks, and I've done fine. Your fingers have a memory, and if you use your laptop regularly, it becomes automatic. I can type fine in the dark.
I think the back lit keyboard is a gimmick at best. And that guy is just trying to justify his buying the more expensive macbook pro. I think there is nothing wrong with saying the back lit keyboard is cool...but to say that the macbook somehow is impossible to type on in the dark is silly. :-)
No...this guy (that would be me) is not "trying to justify his buying the more expensive MBP." As I said in my posting, due to financial constraints I compromised and bought the MacBook. I'm not sure why you are so obsessed with the backlit keyboard--that certainly was not my primary argument for buying a MacBook Pro--but it is a nice feature. Re-read my original posting and I think you will see that there are many more compelling reasons for selecting the MBP if your finances enable you to do so.
Hopefully they'll make the correction soon.
By the way, I'm happy with the MacBook Pro upgrade -- yeah, it's modest, but frankly I love the design of the MacBook Pro, and think the keyboard on the Air looks cheap in comparison. No more waiting around for me -- I'm buying a Pro and I'll check back in five to seven years to see what's changed.
Jake
2.5Ghz has 6MB L2 Cache,
http://www.intel.com/products/proces...t/core2duo.htm
Sorry, I was referring to the MB, not the MBP.
Why does the MacBook have a smaller L2 Cache (now 3mb, previously 4mb)? Do we expect that to increase with the next gen processor?