15'' MacBook Pros Shipping

[Plecky]

If we're talking about things we want to know from the soon to be proud recipients of the MBPs, then it has to be:

• Battery Life
• Wirelss Reception
• Usefulness of Front Row
• Speed differences compared to PBs
• Speed difference to 2.0GHz iMac Duo due to GPU

I agree with that list but my order would look something more like this:
- Battery Life
- Display (horizontal problem fixed from last gen. 15" PowerBooks, dead pixels, etc.)
- Sound (looping/echo problem found in 15" last gen. PowerBooks)
- Front Row (like the problems in the 20" iMac Core Duos with 256 mb X1600's that caused a weird form of ghosting, fixed now I think?) and just overall performance/usefulness.
- Speed differences compared to PBs
- Speed differences compared to other Core Duo Macs, 2.16 MacBook Pro vs. 2.0 MacBook Pro vs. 2.0 iMac Core Duo (and include the 1.83 iMac Core Duo and MacBook Pro when the MBP's start shipping and becomming available for such tests and comparisons) both from GPU, processor, and other factors.
- Lastly, and not hugely important for me, things like the built-in iSight, wireless performance although I expect it to be the same as the 17" PowerBooks, improving from the 12" and 15" PB's. Any other little changes, features, etc.

Battery life will by far be the biggest factor for me since Apple Care should be able to fix most of the other problems I listed, and I'm sure benchmarks for many of those comparison tests will pop up like they did for the iMacs, and many reviews will be posted about the new features/additions/and overall product. Battery life is the one thing that could cause me buyer's remorse. Nothing else I think would since it should be covered by AppleCare...

 

[roxnadz]

Eh...I cancelled it after about an hour or so of sitting there thinking "WTF am I doing??"

I'm going to wait.

Hahah, good man

I've been wringing my hands trying to keep them out of my wallet (which has the CC that could very easily purchase a MBP right now). Even if these things are completely bug-free, you know the Rev Bs are gonna be awesome.

Having a free Rev E PB17" 1.67GHz helps stem the envy a little, too )

 

[ezekielrage_99]

Nice finally getting the MacBook Pros, I'd be interested to hear how they actually are becasue the specs make it sound so sweet, it might tempt me to buy one

But I'm dubious about getting a REV.A Intel anything at the moment because you can't really tell what you are getting, either a killer product or something not quite up to standard.

 

[MrCrowbar]

I like the slim box. Maybe the 12" MPB will actually fit through my mailbox slit.
However, if I don't see a 12" or 13,3" MPB on April 1, I'm either getting the small intel iBook or the 15" MBP. Depends on what the insides of both will be. I'm still sure apple will surprise us all on that 30th anniversary with something really cool.

I've seen some 12" flip touch screen 1" thick notebook/tablet with 10 hours of battery and dual layer drive, iSight, two FW800 ports, backlit keyboard, touchscreen trackpad, iPod dock on the side, super high resolution screen, all in liquidmetal case (http://www.liquidmetal.com/applications/dsp.casings.asp
).
Oh right, that was me dreaming... I shouldn't hang out here before going to bed

 

[amateurmacfreak]

It has been established that I overlooked that portion of the site and have given thanks to Boombashi for pointing that out (see below)

Yeah, sorry, I feel like a jerk seeing that others had posted it before me.... so, to those who posted it before, nice find!
And I'll go hide in my little hole...
Sorry about that...

 

[anguz]

Bios??

Is the processor upgrade real? What I mean by this is that I tweak my PC config all of the time - to get higher clock speed etc.

My own feeling is that the processor increase from 1.67->1.83 and 1.83 to 2.0 is probably just a BIOS setting ... maybe waiting for tests to complete before being announced/changed.

Otherwise can you imagine - changing the CPU in thousands of machines - it doesn't bear thinking about. Perhaps the top of the line model is actually a new CPU - but the rest?

What do you think?

My question would be - if they really took out all of the 1.67 processors - where would they go?

Anyways, don't really mind as long as my new shiny MBP arrives soon

 

[mustard]

Is the processor upgrade real? What I mean by this is that I tweak my PC config all of the time - to get higher clock speed etc.

My own feeling is that the processor increase from 1.67->1.83 and 1.83 to 2.0 is probably just a BIOS setting ... maybe waiting for tests to complete before being announced/changed.

Otherwise can you imagine - changing the CPU in thousands of machines - it doesn't bear thinking about. Perhaps the top of the line model is actually a new CPU - but the rest?

What do you think?

My question would be - if they really took out all of the 1.67 processors - where would they go?

Anyways, don't really mind as long as my new shiny MBP arrives soon

I hear what you are saying but I am 100% confident that Apple didn't over-clock any chip from Intel (that would have instantly killed the deal). I personally think that no machine were built with the 1.67/1.83 specs but the current machines were built in advance in secrecy or are being built as we speak which is what is leading to the delays.

 

[amit307]

in stores?

How do apple retail stores handle new products. If they are shipping to individuals, does that mean they'll we can expect them in stors this week as well?

 

[1dterbeest]

While some stores may get some in stock, most stores have taken orders FOR customers and those will be the first ones coming in. They won't necessarily be in stock for purchase.

But what does the phone rep guy know anyway?

Keep calling the store to see if they have one in yet.
The store in Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL, is calling
me as soon as they have them in stock.

Meaning: If you haven't ordered one yet, you might
get it sooner by going to a retailer, but there is no
specific target date for that.

 

[the.snitch]

I hear what you are saying but I am 100% confident that Apple didn't over-clock any chip from Intel (that would have instantly killed the deal). I personally think that no machine were built with the 1.67/1.83 specs but the current machines were built in advance in secrecy or are being built as we speak which is what is leading to the delays.

Yeah i am positive too that no overclocking is involved. Aside from the fact that intel does actually stock the core duos in 2.0/2.16, the mactels use EFI not BIOS so there is no overclocking features readily available. Also, it seems a little irresponsible for ANY PC manufacturer to sell overclocked chips.
Another point being that intel x86 chips have a locked multiplier on the CPU, so to overclock the chips requires increasing the FSB to the CPU. And since the FSB speed is still reported as 667mhz, this confirms that there is no overclocking happening here.

/wipes hands, folds arms.

There, issue dealt with.

 

[dontmatter]

so many negative responses. What gives?

 

[artifex]

I like the slim box. Maybe the 12" MPB will actually fit through my mailbox slit.

*thump*crack* Aaah! That was my MBP!!!

 

[jacobj]

How do apple retail stores handle new products. If they are shipping to individuals, does that mean they'll we can expect them in stors this week as well?

There's a damn good chance that they'll be in Apple stores this week, but if you are referring to a reseller, your wait may extend to 2+ weeks.

 

[netb0y]

Did anyone who ordered from amazon.com get theirs yet? My amazon.com order's ship date is April 7.

 

[jacobj]

Did anyone who ordered from amazon.com get theirs yet? My amazon.com order's ship date is April 7.

2 things..

1. When did you order?
2. Has that date changed in the last 3 days? If not then maybe Amazon are a little behind on their info.

 

[eji]

a bit off topic, but...

... the 500GB LaCie I was eyeing up is no longer sold at the store I was looking to buy from. They do have the 600GB version though. One or two others do still have the 500GB drive if I still wanted it though...

I have the 500GB Big Disk Extreme (FW400/800, USB 2.0). Bought it for about $350 in October, though I've since seen it for much less on dealmac.com -- and the USB-only models are far cheaper. Unlike my Formac 500, which is the biggest POS I've ever owned, it's a wonderful external HD: quiet, sleek, reliable.

 

[NicoMan]

While some stores may get some in stock, most stores have taken orders FOR customers and those will be the first ones coming in. They won't necessarily be in stock for purchase.

Well you're kinda lucky that they are taking orders at all. In London at the flagship store on Regent Street they won't take orders. It's on a first-come-first-served basis only.

Today could be the day though.

 

[powermac_daddy]

don't wait your money on this now.
beta.

people should wait.

 

[jacobj]

don't wait your money on this now.
beta.

people should wait.

I have to disagree. I would argue that if anything was beta it was the iMac Duo and Apple have had plenty of time to iron out any issues that may have arisen from that release...

When did apple last release a product riddled with hardware defects?

 

[slazareth]

I have to disagree. I would argue that if anything was beta it was the iMac Duo and Apple have had plenty of time to iron out any issues that may have arisen from that release...

When did apple last release a product riddled with hardware defects?

I agree.

Also, as far as the battery life. I'm suprised no one has mentioned this yet, but...

I think the reason apple hasn't released a battery life statement is because there isn't enough UB software out there to give it a real test. Running software in rosetta has to drain more power than running apps native. Hopefully we'll see some 3rd party battery statements within the week.

As for me, I'm getting paid for a project I just finished in the next few weeks and then I'll be ordering a nice 2.0GHz Macbook with 7200RPM 100GB HD upgrade. I can't wait to order it. Not to mention the wait for it to actually get in my hands. What a glorious day that will be.

 

[BlackLilyNinja]

upgrade reasons

i think the 1.6's are going into iBooks and minis in march.

i remember one rumor saying there would be new ibooks or minis in march so that would explain why the processor bump. That way iBooks and or minis get the new processors. Although i think they will be single core except top end iBook. Then again, Apple has been pushing the benefits of multiple processer for so long it would be kind of cool to see their whole line go that route along with quad towers across the board in the summer or by christmas.

 

[floz]

wooooooohooooooooo, just got the shipping confirmation over here in Germany too. (ordered Jan 11, 2006 um 08:32 AM GMT)

let's hope the plane doesn't crash or somin ...

 

[jacobj]

Should I give in to my impatience and ask my reseller if they have any news? Of course I know they won't have any, but it makes me feel better, just in case. I mean they might know.... they just might...

See ya, I've got to make a phone call.

Edit: no news, but at least I know that now

 

[shakeyjake]

Shipped

My 2.0 CTO MBP with 100gb 7200rpm Drive has shipped (via TNT) to the UK, ordered 5:53pm on Jan 18th.

Looks like Apple are catching up quite well!!

I'm so excited!

 

[Craigy]

My 2.0 CTO MBP with 100gb 7200rpm Drive has shipped (via TNT) to the UK, ordered 5:53pm on Jan 18th.

Looks like Apple are catching up quite well!!

I'm so excited!

So as mine! - Does anyone know how to track UK TNT deliveries from the TNT web site?