I don't know why people always go on about a docking station for Mac laptops. does anyone outside of IBM *ever* use a docking station?
Yes, they do. HP and IBM dominate the business market for laptops (here in the UK at least), and their docking stations are wonderful things. It is much better that you can leave your monitor, keyboard, mouse and power connected full-time to the docking station and not have to mess around with leads every day. It's tidier too (than having leads trailing all over the place), and it causes less wear on the laptop because you aren't forever attaching leads (that might also get pulled and twisted while they're connected).
Don't forget that Steve Job's next target is The Enterprise. He has said this a few times. I think we might see a few business oriented decisions coming our way.
Maybe, but I think that (a backlit kb) will be one of the ways Apple will help distance it from the MBP and MBA.
As we discussed on an earlier thread a backlit KB is not a sign of being pro. Wish someone would come out with a easily replaceable backlit KB and kick their asses.
A pro feature is a feature that a pro media producer would use and a regular user wouldn't e.g. some type of audio/video port or special graphic designer's LCD or something.
I occasionally use 2 firewire ports also, though I think I can get around it with 1. It may be that Apple is trying to push laptops more into the laptop realm (ie less connections), and not as alternatives for your home PC. I'm not sure what I think if that's the case... as for many people the laptop is their primary computer (myself included).
As for the DVI port - just replace your DVI-to-VGA adaptor with a mini-DVI-to-VGA adaptor. Don't daisy-chain 2 together. Oh.... the MBA uses a Micro-DVI, not a Mini-DVI, so I'd assume the same for these.
I'd rather see Apple moving to HDMI (or Display Port) than micro-DVI, but then it wouldn't be backward compatible with VGA at all. And there's a lot of background hardware required for HDCP, not just the port
One of the best things about the MacBook Pro is that it DOES have a lot of ports and I do NOT have to lug around a bunch of EXTRA adaptors just t be able to plug into standard desktop monitors, etc..
With Micro, or mini-DVI or HDMI, I'm going to need TWO adaptors to cover any situation; whatever-port-to-DVI AND whatever-port-to-VGA . That is unless desktop monitors and projectors start coming equipped with new connectors. Will it be the monitor I want? Who knows? That doesn't look like it'll happen soon.
Apple made USB mainstream, but USB was a pretty much unused standard already. it had been stuck into some PCs already, but wasn't popular. Apple gave it cachet with all the colorful iMac accessories that appeared. It's ridiculous for Apple to try and go it alone by announcing the new Apple Standard. There are anti-Apple forces who would use something else to fight Apple.
After the ADC debacle, Apple should certainly feel shy about committing to any new monitor connection "standard". it makes sense for them to stick with standard DVI until the whole question gets a bit more settled. OR try to put together some kind of tech company conference to decide as an industry, but of course that would break down into camps pro and con no matter which connector was "standardized".
It's a bit like the question about the silly docking station thing. It's a failed as a concept for the mass-market, like the tablet PC.
Does a docking station capable machine forgo standard ports in favor of a mega-port requiring some sort of big adaptor? Or will it still have Ethernet, FireWire, USB, etc. in addition to Mythical-Mega-Port? Or will I have to lug this mystery MMP adaptor around in addition to standard cables, adaptors and power supply?
I would guess Apple will trim the front of the Cinema Displays in black to match the iMacs (and more than likely to also match the new laptops), switch to DisplayPort for the video connection, add an iSight and maybe taper the edges like the MacBook Air?
...would love to see that connectivity and iSight happen. Don't really care one way or the other about the aesthetics, but wish they could wring out more accurate color from the top-of-the-line displays. What would really be killer if they'd build an ACD that doubled as a true pro-level HD monitor for video editing, but then I'd worry about premature wear from non-editing usage. And it would probably end up costing more than a Sony or Panasonic.
Quote:
As for the Mac Pro chassis, the only thing I could see as a functional change would be to reduce the height. Removing the handles is a start, but many like the handles since the chassis is pretty stout (especially when loaded up with HDDs & such). I think Apple should offer an option of either the handles or rack mount ears (or, even better, roll-out rack mount rails) pre-mounted from the factory.
Personally, I love the handles, and have since the G4s. Keeps the tower off the floor. Very handy for when maintenance contractors come in over the weekend and wet-wash hard floors or clean carpeting in the work areas. Also handy if your work habitat is underground and prone to minor bouts of water intrusion following heavy rains.
As we discussed on an earlier thread a backlit KB is not a sign of being pro. Wish someone would come out with a easily replaceable backlit KB and kick their asses.
The one that's in the MBP seems to be pretty durable though. A two year old was standing on my notebook before I realized it. No ill effects noticed.
Quote:
A pro feature is a feature that a pro media producer would use and a regular user wouldn't e.g. some type of audio/video port or special graphic designer's LCD or something.
They do in a way. MBP offers optical audio inputs and outputs. I don't remember seeing that on competing notebooks. It offers dual link DVI, not a whole lot of notebooks offer a DVI jack (some now offer HDMI though), much fewer offer dual link. Most notebooks don't offer a powered firewire jack, Apple offers models with a full FW400 jack and a full FW800 jack.
Quote:
Originally Posted by iDave
I had a backlit keyboard once and after trying it out, never used it once. I don't type in the dark. How many really do?
I don't know, but I do on occasion. I have heard of event DJs finding the feature useful.
Docking station that eliminates any laptop drawbacks. The next few months (all the way up to MacWorld SF), would be a good time to introduce this. With the new form factor of the macbook/macbook pro about to show up and the cinema displays also needing a refresh.
I've posted this link way too many times. Never gets any traction. Maybe someday it will actually happen I won't have to keep posting it.
As we discussed on an earlier thread a backlit KB is not a sign of being pro. Wish someone would come out with a easily replaceable backlit KB and kick their asses.
The Pro at the end of the MacBook Pro isn't some set in stone assertion that every feature it has over the MacBook is for professional audio and video users. It's just a marketing term to differentiate the cheaper machine for the more expensive one. THe backlight keyboard helps with this division. As does an option for matte or glossy screens and the use of ExpressCard slots, even though they can found on machines cheaper than a MB.
For the love of God, don't lose the FW400 port on the MBP...
As a cameraman/video editor I use it every day to capture video, coupled with a 7200rpm FW800 drive as a scratch drive.
I could cope with a mini 4-pin 400, but not being able to capture AT ALL on a MBP would really screw over every mobile video editor I know.
I thought a FW400 could chain behind a FW800 device with a cable adapter. I did mention this a few posts back, but I also mentioned that doing captures this way can result in occasional dropped frames.
It's fairly low-cost to switch to an ExpressCard-adapter and eSATA external drive in lieu of FW800, and free up that FW port for vid capture (assuming there isn't an issue with that -- I frankly don't have personal experience going from camera FW out to FW800 in). The move to solid-state media for camcorders will likely make this a thing of the past. I know I love using my Sony SxS cards instead of digitizing video, although it precludes having eSATA drives connected to my MBP at the time. ExpressCard adapters for extra FW or USB ports are also readily available, and really cheap... about $20. (I know, Batman's utility belt... what are you going to do?)
Docking station that eliminates any laptop drawbacks. The next few months (all the way up to MacWorld SF), would be a good time to introduce this. With the new form factor of the macbook/macbook pro about to show up and the cinema displays also needing a refresh.
I've posted this link way too many times. Never gets any traction. Maybe someday it will actually happen I won't have to keep posting it.
Here's traction: I disagree about the physical connection into a "dummy imac", because the current air seems to have the "hearts and minds" of apple's style police and uses wireless for airdisk... the current mba has two huge, deal-killing, limitations:
- Not enough ports
- Too slow
Intel's July/August updates allows current technology in the mba form-factor, so the remaining deal-breaker is the lack of ports. Apple's solution on the air was airdisk; using an existing computer as a wireless dock for optical media, etc. The logical progression of this technology, though, would be a "dummy mini"-like box ('a brick') with all the ports... except instead of being a standalone machine for $500 it's an apple-tv like $200, and it wirelessly docks with the laptop using existing airdisk technology. Put the brick out of sight, and when the laptop's within range you're good to go because everything you'd ever want is already hooked up. No dock-connectors, ugly or otherwise.
One last thought: Dock-connector interfaces take up internal space in a laptop - the smallest laptop wouldn't have one.
It's fairly low-cost to switch to an ExpressCard-adapter and eSATA external drive in lieu of FW800, and free up that FW port for vid capture (assuming there isn't an issue with that -- I frankly don't have personal experience going from camera FW out to FW800 in). The move to solid-state media for camcorders will likely make this a thing of the past. I know I love using my Sony SxS cards instead of digitizing video, although it precludes having eSATA drives connected to my MBP at the time. ExpressCard adapters for extra FW or USB ports are also readily available, and really cheap... about $20. (I know, Batman's utility belt... what are you going to do?)
OK - we have 4 sony HDV V1Es, plus 1 HDV handycam, and two HDV decks. HDDs for the Sonys are available, at a cost of about £700 each, or however much Firestores cost. I then have to buy four adaptors for the FW400 leads, plus 4 new eSATA drives, and 4 expresscards?
P2 cards et al are nice, but for low-end video makers DV and HDV are still the de facto standards. Ever tried to get footage off those hellish mini-DVD cameras into FCP or Avid?
Mind you, this is assuming we get 4 new MBPs at work, which is also unlikely...
It's fairly low-cost to switch to an ExpressCard-adapter and eSATA external drive in lieu of FW800, and free up that FW port for vid capture (assuming there isn't an issue with that -- I frankly don't have personal experience going from camera FW out to FW800 in). The move to solid-state media for camcorders will likely make this a thing of the past. I know I love using my Sony SxS cards instead of digitizing video, although it precludes having eSATA drives connected to my MBP at the time. ExpressCard adapters for extra FW or USB ports are also readily available, and really cheap... about $20. (I know, Batman's utility belt... what are you going to do?)
I think the SxS concept is pretty nice, but the transition to file-based capture and storage is still only just getting started and ongoing. I expect it to take several years, who knows, maybe a decade to transition away from tape. We're what, a year and a half into SxS and Sony still introduced a new pro HDV camcorder like last month.
I think the SxS concept is pretty nice, but the transition to file-based capture and storage is still only just getting started and ongoing. I expect it to take several years, who knows, maybe a decade to transition away from tape. We're what, a year and a half into SxS and Sony still introduced a new pro HDV camcorder like last month.
Comments
I don't know why people always go on about a docking station for Mac laptops. does anyone outside of IBM *ever* use a docking station?
Yes, they do. HP and IBM dominate the business market for laptops (here in the UK at least), and their docking stations are wonderful things. It is much better that you can leave your monitor, keyboard, mouse and power connected full-time to the docking station and not have to mess around with leads every day. It's tidier too (than having leads trailing all over the place), and it causes less wear on the laptop because you aren't forever attaching leads (that might also get pulled and twisted while they're connected).
Don't forget that Steve Job's next target is The Enterprise. He has said this a few times. I think we might see a few business oriented decisions coming our way.
Maybe, but I think that (a backlit kb) will be one of the ways Apple will help distance it from the MBP and MBA.
As we discussed on an earlier thread a backlit KB is not a sign of being pro. Wish someone would come out with a easily replaceable backlit KB and kick their asses.
A pro feature is a feature that a pro media producer would use and a regular user wouldn't e.g. some type of audio/video port or special graphic designer's LCD or something.
A pro feature is a feature that a pro media producer would use and a regular user wouldn't...
I had a backlit keyboard once and after trying it out, never used it once. I don't type in the dark. How many really do?
I occasionally use 2 firewire ports also, though I think I can get around it with 1. It may be that Apple is trying to push laptops more into the laptop realm (ie less connections), and not as alternatives for your home PC. I'm not sure what I think if that's the case... as for many people the laptop is their primary computer (myself included).
As for the DVI port - just replace your DVI-to-VGA adaptor with a mini-DVI-to-VGA adaptor. Don't daisy-chain 2 together. Oh.... the MBA uses a Micro-DVI, not a Mini-DVI, so I'd assume the same for these.
I'd rather see Apple moving to HDMI (or Display Port) than micro-DVI, but then it wouldn't be backward compatible with VGA at all. And there's a lot of background hardware required for HDCP, not just the port
One of the best things about the MacBook Pro is that it DOES have a lot of ports and I do NOT have to lug around a bunch of EXTRA adaptors just t be able to plug into standard desktop monitors, etc..
With Micro, or mini-DVI or HDMI, I'm going to need TWO adaptors to cover any situation; whatever-port-to-DVI AND whatever-port-to-VGA . That is unless desktop monitors and projectors start coming equipped with new connectors. Will it be the monitor I want? Who knows? That doesn't look like it'll happen soon.
Apple made USB mainstream, but USB was a pretty much unused standard already. it had been stuck into some PCs already, but wasn't popular. Apple gave it cachet with all the colorful iMac accessories that appeared. It's ridiculous for Apple to try and go it alone by announcing the new Apple Standard. There are anti-Apple forces who would use something else to fight Apple.
After the ADC debacle, Apple should certainly feel shy about committing to any new monitor connection "standard". it makes sense for them to stick with standard DVI until the whole question gets a bit more settled. OR try to put together some kind of tech company conference to decide as an industry, but of course that would break down into camps pro and con no matter which connector was "standardized".
It's a bit like the question about the silly docking station thing. It's a failed as a concept for the mass-market, like the tablet PC.
Does a docking station capable machine forgo standard ports in favor of a mega-port requiring some sort of big adaptor? Or will it still have Ethernet, FireWire, USB, etc. in addition to Mythical-Mega-Port? Or will I have to lug this mystery MMP adaptor around in addition to standard cables, adaptors and power supply?
What's the saying? KISS? Keep It Simple Stupid.
I had a backlit keyboard once and after trying it out, never used it once. I don't type in the dark. How many really do?
The backlit keyboard is nice luxury feature. It seems kind of magical. It's certainly not necessary, but can be useful on a plane or train.
I connect my MBP to my HDTV with a long video cable and use it in a semi-lit room. The backlit keys are a pretty cool thing.
I would guess Apple will trim the front of the Cinema Displays in black to match the iMacs (and more than likely to also match the new laptops), switch to DisplayPort for the video connection, add an iSight and maybe taper the edges like the MacBook Air?
...would love to see that connectivity and iSight happen. Don't really care one way or the other about the aesthetics, but wish they could wring out more accurate color from the top-of-the-line displays. What would really be killer if they'd build an ACD that doubled as a true pro-level HD monitor for video editing, but then I'd worry about premature wear from non-editing usage. And it would probably end up costing more than a Sony or Panasonic.
As for the Mac Pro chassis, the only thing I could see as a functional change would be to reduce the height. Removing the handles is a start, but many like the handles since the chassis is pretty stout (especially when loaded up with HDDs & such). I think Apple should offer an option of either the handles or rack mount ears (or, even better, roll-out rack mount rails) pre-mounted from the factory.
Personally, I love the handles, and have since the G4s. Keeps the tower off the floor. Very handy for when maintenance contractors come in over the weekend and wet-wash hard floors or clean carpeting in the work areas. Also handy if your work habitat is underground and prone to minor bouts of water intrusion following heavy rains.
I had a backlit keyboard once and after trying it out, never used it once. I don't type in the dark. How many really do?
If you are a PRO graphic designer, audio engineer or video editor you're not working in the COMPLETE dark either.
You might however watch movies and play video games in the dark so if anything this should be a MacBook feature and not a pro feature.
The backlit keyboard is nice luxury feature. It seems kind of magical. It's certainly not necessary, but can be useful on a plane or train.
I connect my MBP to my HDTV with a long video cable and use it in a semi-lit room. The backlit keys are a pretty cool thing.
Yeah those are all general user 'fun' situations.
As we discussed on an earlier thread a backlit KB is not a sign of being pro. Wish someone would come out with a easily replaceable backlit KB and kick their asses.
The one that's in the MBP seems to be pretty durable though. A two year old was standing on my notebook before I realized it. No ill effects noticed.
A pro feature is a feature that a pro media producer would use and a regular user wouldn't e.g. some type of audio/video port or special graphic designer's LCD or something.
They do in a way. MBP offers optical audio inputs and outputs. I don't remember seeing that on competing notebooks. It offers dual link DVI, not a whole lot of notebooks offer a DVI jack (some now offer HDMI though), much fewer offer dual link. Most notebooks don't offer a powered firewire jack, Apple offers models with a full FW400 jack and a full FW800 jack.
I had a backlit keyboard once and after trying it out, never used it once. I don't type in the dark. How many really do?
I don't know, but I do on occasion. I have heard of event DJs finding the feature useful.
You mean like that ugly dock-connection port on iPhones and iPods?
This is what the docking stations will look like.
http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/01/...notebook.dock/
Docking station that eliminates any laptop drawbacks. The next few months (all the way up to MacWorld SF), would be a good time to introduce this. With the new form factor of the macbook/macbook pro about to show up and the cinema displays also needing a refresh.
I've posted this link way too many times. Never gets any traction. Maybe someday it will actually happen I won't have to keep posting it.
As we discussed on an earlier thread a backlit KB is not a sign of being pro. Wish someone would come out with a easily replaceable backlit KB and kick their asses.
The Pro at the end of the MacBook Pro isn't some set in stone assertion that every feature it has over the MacBook is for professional audio and video users. It's just a marketing term to differentiate the cheaper machine for the more expensive one. THe backlight keyboard helps with this division. As does an option for matte or glossy screens and the use of ExpressCard slots, even though they can found on machines cheaper than a MB.
As a cameraman/video editor I use it every day to capture video, coupled with a 7200rpm FW800 drive as a scratch drive.
I could cope with a mini 4-pin 400, but not being able to capture AT ALL on a MBP would really screw over every mobile video editor I know.
*edit*
Maybe i was overreacting with "AT ALL".
For the love of God, don't lose the FW400 port on the MBP...
As a cameraman/video editor I use it every day to capture video, coupled with a 7200rpm FW800 drive as a scratch drive.
I could cope with a mini 4-pin 400, but not being able to capture AT ALL on a MBP would really screw over every mobile video editor I know.
I thought a FW400 could chain behind a FW800 device with a cable adapter. I did mention this a few posts back, but I also mentioned that doing captures this way can result in occasional dropped frames.
doing captures this way can result in occasional dropped frames.
Exactly my point.
Exactly my point.
It's fairly low-cost to switch to an ExpressCard-adapter and eSATA external drive in lieu of FW800, and free up that FW port for vid capture (assuming there isn't an issue with that -- I frankly don't have personal experience going from camera FW out to FW800 in). The move to solid-state media for camcorders will likely make this a thing of the past. I know I love using my Sony SxS cards instead of digitizing video, although it precludes having eSATA drives connected to my MBP at the time. ExpressCard adapters for extra FW or USB ports are also readily available, and really cheap... about $20. (I know, Batman's utility belt... what are you going to do?)
This is what the docking stations will look like.
http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/01/...notebook.dock/
Docking station that eliminates any laptop drawbacks. The next few months (all the way up to MacWorld SF), would be a good time to introduce this. With the new form factor of the macbook/macbook pro about to show up and the cinema displays also needing a refresh.
I've posted this link way too many times. Never gets any traction. Maybe someday it will actually happen I won't have to keep posting it.
Here's traction: I disagree about the physical connection into a "dummy imac", because the current air seems to have the "hearts and minds" of apple's style police and uses wireless for airdisk... the current mba has two huge, deal-killing, limitations:
- Not enough ports
- Too slow
Intel's July/August updates allows current technology in the mba form-factor, so the remaining deal-breaker is the lack of ports. Apple's solution on the air was airdisk; using an existing computer as a wireless dock for optical media, etc. The logical progression of this technology, though, would be a "dummy mini"-like box ('a brick') with all the ports... except instead of being a standalone machine for $500 it's an apple-tv like $200, and it wirelessly docks with the laptop using existing airdisk technology. Put the brick out of sight, and when the laptop's within range you're good to go because everything you'd ever want is already hooked up. No dock-connectors, ugly or otherwise.
One last thought: Dock-connector interfaces take up internal space in a laptop - the smallest laptop wouldn't have one.
It's fairly low-cost to switch to an ExpressCard-adapter and eSATA external drive in lieu of FW800, and free up that FW port for vid capture (assuming there isn't an issue with that -- I frankly don't have personal experience going from camera FW out to FW800 in). The move to solid-state media for camcorders will likely make this a thing of the past. I know I love using my Sony SxS cards instead of digitizing video, although it precludes having eSATA drives connected to my MBP at the time. ExpressCard adapters for extra FW or USB ports are also readily available, and really cheap... about $20. (I know, Batman's utility belt... what are you going to do?)
OK - we have 4 sony HDV V1Es, plus 1 HDV handycam, and two HDV decks. HDDs for the Sonys are available, at a cost of about £700 each, or however much Firestores cost. I then have to buy four adaptors for the FW400 leads, plus 4 new eSATA drives, and 4 expresscards?
P2 cards et al are nice, but for low-end video makers DV and HDV are still the de facto standards. Ever tried to get footage off those hellish mini-DVD cameras into FCP or Avid?
Mind you, this is assuming we get 4 new MBPs at work, which is also unlikely...
It's fairly low-cost to switch to an ExpressCard-adapter and eSATA external drive in lieu of FW800, and free up that FW port for vid capture (assuming there isn't an issue with that -- I frankly don't have personal experience going from camera FW out to FW800 in). The move to solid-state media for camcorders will likely make this a thing of the past. I know I love using my Sony SxS cards instead of digitizing video, although it precludes having eSATA drives connected to my MBP at the time. ExpressCard adapters for extra FW or USB ports are also readily available, and really cheap... about $20. (I know, Batman's utility belt... what are you going to do?)
I think the SxS concept is pretty nice, but the transition to file-based capture and storage is still only just getting started and ongoing. I expect it to take several years, who knows, maybe a decade to transition away from tape. We're what, a year and a half into SxS and Sony still introduced a new pro HDV camcorder like last month.
I think the SxS concept is pretty nice, but the transition to file-based capture and storage is still only just getting started and ongoing. I expect it to take several years, who knows, maybe a decade to transition away from tape. We're what, a year and a half into SxS and Sony still introduced a new pro HDV camcorder like last month.
Damn. I like the way you put it better.