Remember that the MBP is NOT a gaming computer. It is designed to be a work computer, which has the capability to play great games at highish qualities. I would say the closest thing that Apple has to a gaming computer is the 24" iMac. Anyone wanna argue?
Well, it sounds like Apple has a gap in its platform, then. Steve seemed to want to imply Apple is going to take gaming seriously at the WWDC, so how about some 'gaming' desktops and laptops, then? Some of us want a mini-tower expandable desktop (because games tend to need faster graphics displays over time than CPU and throwing out the entire computer for lack of a small part update sucks). Likewise, if MBP is for Pros, then shouldn't the regular MB be game capable? Intel GMA 950 means MB is not for games. So if MBP isn't either, then they are missing a model in their lineup.
Apologies, I believe I am in somewhat of a bad mood at the moment, but the MBP and Mac Pro are primarily work computers, not gaming computers. Easily seen by the use of a 2.2/2.4 GHz processor, when there is no doubt that is complete overkill for almost every game, especially running a 8600M GT. Maybe it wouldn't be GPU limited with an 8800 or something, but it is.
I don't understand the CPU argument. How can a computer possibly be too fast for gaming? Games evolve and so do their requirements. I'd LOVE to have a computer that's overkill for games in the CPU and graphics departments. That would mean I wouldn't have to replace that computer for several years. Buying a machine that's 'adequate' for today means it will need to be replaced tomorrow.
As for monitors with uneven colors or lighting, I once bought a Mag monitor for my old Amiga 3000 that had a graphics card in it plus pass-through for native modes and I wanted flexibility, seeing at the time it was one of the few capable of both 15kHz and 30+ kHz output and the display was terrible. Colors were uneven across the display and the corners were noticeably darker than the center. I sent it back and bought from another brand, now out of business. It was perfectly even across, but sadly it didn't last but a couple of years. These were all CRTs.
I've got a 19" NEC Multisync95 right now with this PC that I've had for over 5 years, only cost me $250 at the time at Circuit City and it's worked perfectly all this time with no flaws, HD resolutions (up to 1920x1440) and no complaints. While I like the flat displays in terms of size, I'm concerned about refresh rates and quality of the picture compared to CRT.
OTOH, I've got a Panasonic PTXA100U LCD projector for home theater downstairs that is 720P projecting onto a 93" screen and its picture is utterly amazing (save the blacks aren't perfectly black). It does seem to do well with games and there is no dialogue lip-sync delays what-so-ever, so maybe LCDs are improving in those regards.
Regarding someone's earlier point about Macs being made in China....
I really do think it's a shame Apple is following the corporate trends to send American jobs overseas to Communist China. IMO we should not deal with that country period, no matter what monetary gains there is to be had. They won't trade fairly (IMO trade should be 'fair' not 'free' because nations are not equal in economic terms) and I am especially leary of how tainted food is coming into the U.S. from China now. I wouldn't be surprised if this is on purpose either. I don't trust Communist governments and I certainly don't trust any part of my own government that embraces them while telling me piddly Cuba is evil by comparison.
I would happily pay more for U.S. made goods (or goods made in another country on par with the U.S. economically in Western Europe, for example) to NOT support a giant Communist country like China. I believe quality controls would be better as a result as well. You used to be able to at least buy quality electronics from Japan, but sadly now Japan outsources their own manufacturing to other countries like South Korea and even Communist Vietnam. Whereas things like TVs used to last 8-15 years (I've got an old 19" Magnavox TV in my den that is over 20 years old and STILL running just fine), I was told to expect my last 27" CRT TV by Sony to last 4-6 years. It's been around 5 years and it's still running, although it's not heavily used since it's a secondary tv in a dining room (with a 57" HDTV that ran fine for 5 years before I gave it to my mother) being replaced with the 93" projector system I now have in my main family room.
But it's gotten to the point where NOTHING is made in the U.S. anymore. No TVs, no DVD players, very few textiles, etc. Made In The USA is a joke. Even U.S. cars are often made/assembled in Mexico now whereas Japanese cars are increasingly MADE in the U.S. so I buy Japanese cars now (better to support the worker than top executives, IMO).
A friend of mine wanted to buy a new suit and wanted it Made In the USA. He had a HARD time finding ANYONE that sells stuff made here still. He finally found a custom tailor and paid through the nose to get one because the textile base in the U.S. is largely gone due to no tariff protection any longer against countries like China flooding the market here to put us out of business.
So if Apple REALLY wants to differentiate itself in the U.S. from 'common goods', it could make a good part of their lineup here and ADVERTISE that fact within the U.S. I firmly believe a lot of Americans would buy more U.S. goods if they were made aware of what is STILL made here. I know I'm willing to pay more for quality U.S. goods than low quality goods from a Communist country. Maybe that's not the best economic idea for corporations, but I'm no capitalist. Sometimes doing what's best for the country long-term should be more important than next quarter gains. Globalism sounds good until you realize it impacts YOU because some corporate bean counter determined slave labor was the way to make the shareholders more quick money. Sadly, the people that are supposed to be representing the people of this country are selling out to corporate interests because that's who pays for their campaigns. That kind of internal corruption is what eventually killed Rome so long ago. I guess history has a way of repeating itself.