Apple Releases the MacBook Pro

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif

Apple has released the fastest notebook ever, dubbed the MacBook Pro, featuring an Intel Core Duo processor. Features of the new portable include a built-in iSight camera, IR Sensor, Apple Remote, ATI Radeon x1600 video processor, and a new, innovative magnetic power plug. The new MacBook Pro is available in two configurations:

1.67 Core Duo - $1999
Ships: February
15.4-inch TFT display with 1440x900 resolution
1.67GHz Intel Core Duo processor with 2MB shared L2 Cache
667MHz frontside bus
512MB (single SO-DIMM) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300)
80GB 5400rpm Serial ATA hard drive
Slot-load SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 128MB GDDR3 memory
iLife 06

1.83 Core Duo - $2499
Ships: February
15.4-inch TFT display with 1440x900 resolution
1.83GHz Intel Core Duo processor with 2MB shared L2 Cache
667MHz frontside bus
1GB (single SO-DIMM) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300)
100GB 5400rpm Serial ATA hard drive
Slot-load SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 256MB GDDR3 memory
iLife 06

MacBook Pro also features a full-size backlit keyboard, AirPort Extreme wireless networking (802.11b/g), Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, ExpressCard/34 slot, dual-link DVI video out, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 2.0, FireWire 400, and optical digital and analog audio in/out.

The MacBook Pro is available for preorder at Apple Store.

[Lacero]

Now I know why Steve saved this until the very last second!

One word: W00T!

For this occasion, I think I speak for everybody!

[nagromme]

There we go. Just as expected!

My Visa card just leapt out of my wallet like a spawning salmon. In slow motion. Glittering in the sunlight. Majestic music.


OK... bigger screen, thinner case, iSight camera, remote control (works with docked iPods too), dual CPU cores... and same case? Good. I LOVE the durability/scratch-resistance of my 2-year-old aluminum PowerBook.

Some notes on the specs... ExpressCard/34, not PC Card. FW 400 only. (FW800 only on some higher 17" model yet to come I assume?) Digital optical audio, mic, scrolling trackpad and lighted keys still standard. Slightly bigger screen, but wider in shape with slightly fewer pixels: 1440x900 (the old 15.2 had 1440x960). That's OK by me: I'm not a fan of tiny pixels. 128 or 256 VRAM. All models support 30" external screen apparently. No mention of TV out, but I assume it's still there (or at least with an adapter).

Slightly bigger footprint now: 9.6" deep vs. the old 9.5, and 14.1" wide vs. the old 13.7. Thinner but wider--if your old case is tight, you may need a new one. And it looks like the power brick is new--rectangular, but otherwise similar to the old square one. Still has the nice switchblade prongs.

http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/whatsinside.html

Now, somebody who knows laptop GPUs... how will the new MacBook's ATI X1600 be for Doom 3, say? My 2-year-old PB runs it... barely.

(And it can't be long until MacBook Express, or multiple screen sizes, or whatever replaces the iBook... and even a new Mac Mini... these are the first Intel Macs, not the last!)

[MacNut]

It appears that FW 800 is dead, unless the PowerMacs see it, That new power cord alone is worth it.

[Patch^]

:O

I'm a bit disappointed that there is no FW800 and not that many USBs, but still very cool!!

Now i have to save up for one lol...

[dodonutter]

I want one but im way too poor and i already have a 1.5GHz 15" which is really fine for my needs.

Damn not being rich

[FoxyKaye]

Couldn't find it in the tech specs, but the Apple site is also swamped.

Does anyone know if the MacBook Pro has Sudden Motion Sensor? It should, but since I couldn't find it, thought I'd ask.

And yeah, the new power adapter is an excellent thing.

[atari1356]

This is the machine I wanted a year ago... too bad I can't afford one now.

No FW800 is disappointing, but not a big deal. I'll wait for Rev. B.

[MacNut]

I was wondering if Steve had a laptop up his sleave but I never expected a new um Powerbook.....ur Mac book Pro, don't like the name so much. But love the result it brings.

[ShavenYak]

This is a sad day.

It means the official end of "Powerbook G5 next Tuesday" comments.

About FW800... is it on any of the Windows-based Core Duo laptops? I'm betting this MacBook is a very generic design, whose sole purpose is to be out there as an alternative to them. Apple probably didn't want to spend a whole lot of time adding flair to what may be a transitional model before they really make the MacBook stand out from the crowd.

I'd bet that the Intel based PowerMacs (or whatever they get called) will have FW800.

[wordmunger]

No mention of battery life anywhere -- not even in the tech specs. I imagine if you crank the display up to full brightness and max out the CPU speed, this thing doesn't last long at all. I'd be interested to know how long it could last doing basic stuff -- word processing, surfing, etc. -- with the monitor dimmed down to the same level as the old PowerBook.

[OutThere]

Originally Posted by wordmunger

No mention of battery life anywhere -- not even in the tech specs. I imagine if you crank the display up to full brightness and max out the CPU speed, this thing doesn't last long at all. I'd be interested to know how long it could last doing basic stuff -- word processing, surfing, etc. -- with the monitor dimmed down to the same level as the old PowerBook.

I'll take the liberty of guessing that the new battery life is better left unsaid.

[Lacero]

Firewire 800 bandwidth is way more than is need for the majority of today's external devices, and for field video production use, is way more than required since acquisition codecs like DVCPROHD only goes up to 100mbits. If one piece of technology could be removed, FW 800 would be it. There's always the PC card option to add back FW 800 functionality.

Overall, a very impressive update!

Here's to the Crazy Ones http://forums.macrumors.com/attachme...chmentid=35452

[brepublican]

duplicate thread

*sigh*

[mlrproducts]

I want a smaller vers. Will definately wait for the 13"!

[Sleix]

What I'm curious about in this whole charade? Hmm...will it be able to dual boot a certain you know what OS now that it's here...whether it be a linux, windows system, etc...

(No flames, just that I want a system that can handle two OSs, and now that the opportunity's presented itself in a way that I can appreciate it...)

Sleix

[brepublican]

Originally Posted by ShavenYak

This is a sad day.

It means the official end of "Powerbook G5 next Tuesday" comments.

Yeah but it heralds the birth of "MacBook 13" next Tuesday?" threads

Don't fancy the name too much though

[AUBPsych]

I literally screamed and jumped out of my chair when he did that as the "One More Thing...". Oh my goodness, I am so excited about it! Thanks for the live coverage, MR.

What about educational discounts? Will those be available after February for the MBPs? Otherwise, I can't afford even the basic one.

Also - there shouldn't be that much of a price gap inbetween the two models. Just my opinion, though.

When May comes around, this mofo will be mine...

[mr_flibble]

Originally Posted by MacNut

It appears that FW 800 is dead, unless the PowerMacs see it, That new power cord alone is worth it.

Lets face it: Apple won't ever be the same again. Why they dropped fw800? In fact they didn't, they just have minimal influence to motherboard design now and Intel chipsets do not include fw800. Apple has no choice and they have to use what Intel offers to everyone, Intel is not gonna create special boards for Apple. Now there will be a bit problem for Apple to differentiate in the hw part of their solutions, additionaly when they will prepare 1.7GHz notebook there will be always someone with 2.0GHz one already and for less.. and here is the problem of PC customers, they are usually overestimating CPU and believe than quicklier CPU will bring them more responsive system..kinda religion. Forget special features for Mac world only, it is the past, Powerbook is dead, long life MacBook Pro (just please change that stupid name, pleaseee, Powerbook name doesn't deserve such a cruel future..), one of PC notebooks with great design and OS X!

And here we have another questions: What else Apple had to give up to get Intel to their machines? Is there still OpenFirmware or we have BIOS now? Does FireWire Target mode work? Is it possible to install Windows/x86 Linux beside OS X now? Answers, answers please!

[Maestro64]

Originally Posted by mr_flibble

Lets face it: Apple won't ever be the same again. Why they dropped fw800? In fact they didn't, they just have minimal influence to motherboard design now and Intel chipsets do not include fw800. Apple has no choice and they have to use what Intel offers to everyone, Intel is not gonna create special boards for Apple. Now there will be a bit problem for Apple to differentiate in the hw part of their solutions, additionaly when they will prepare 1.7GHz notebook there will be always someone with 2.0GHz one already and for less.. and here is the problem of PC customers, they are usually overestimating CPU and believe than quicklier CPU will bring them more responsive system..kinda religion. Forget special features for Mac world only, it is the past, Powerbook is dead, long life MacBook Pro (just please change that stupid name, pleaseee, Powerbook name doesn't deserve such a cruel future..), one of PC notebooks with great design and OS X

I do not believe it is an Intel board inside the system, plus apple used thier own chip set and controllers around the processor. Apple is only buying the processor not all the bus controls and such since many other mac features would not work. Like I said above, we lost the features due to power not because on the intel chip set like you think.

[Evangelion]

Originally Posted by Maestro64

I do not believe it is an Intel board inside the system, plus apple used thier own chip set and controllers around the processor. Apple is only buying the processor not all the bus controls and such since many other mac features would not work.

One of the reasons why Apple chose Intel, is that they can provide them with the total package. Procerros, chipsets and MoBo's (if needed/wanted)

[stevep]

Originally Posted by nagromme

My Visa card just leapt out of my wallet like a spawning salmon. In slow motion.

And so did mine. And then I saw the price and it went back in again. Once again the $ to £ conversion is just rubbish for UK buyers.

[ansalmo]

Originally Posted by stevep

And so did mine. And then I saw the price and it went back in again. Once again the $ to £ conversion is just rubbish for UK buyers.

Rubbish? It's INSANE

$1999 in the US, £1779 in the UK. That's over $3100 according to xe.com.

My credit card's going back to bed too, particularly with nothing smaller than a 15.4" model - that's too big for a portable IMHO. Roll on the MacBook Amateur...

[Stella]

Wrong!
MBs start from #1429, in U$ its $1999.

The top model is #1779, where as the top model in US is $2499

Originally Posted by ansalmo

Rubbish? It's INSANE

$1999 in the US, £1779 in the UK. That's over $3100 according to xe.com.

My credit card's going back to bed too, particularly with nothing smaller than a 15.4" model - that's too big for a portable IMHO. Roll on the MacBook Amateur...

[ansalmo]

Originally Posted by Stella

Wrong!
MBs start from #1429, in U$ its $1999.

The top model is #1779, where as the top model in US is $2499

Interesting - the graphic at www.apple.com/uk changed over the past hour from stating "from £1779" to "from £1429". Must have had some irate Brits deluging their switchboards....

On the new iBook having the Core Solo, that would be extremely disappointing given the minimal price difference between the Solo and Duo lines, but makes sense from a marketing point of view. Curse those evil marketdroids.