17" MacBook Pro Disassembly, RAM, HD and Battery Access

[Jimmy James]

Specifically, avi's and mkv's. They look terribly blocky and pixelated, but fine on a windows pc. I tried multiple players and posted on multiple forums and there is no solution.

In every other aspect I would love to own a Mac. Find me a fix for this and I'll go buy one.

 

[Wolfpup]

Oh, okay. Umm...(tries to remember the name) VLC doesn't work? I think that's what it's called.

I think the drivers probably don't accelerate video as well as in Windows. I have to admit I've never even used those formats, so... (I just want Blu Ray )

 

[Jimmy James]

Oh, okay. Umm...(tries to remember the name) VLC doesn't work? I think that's what it's called.

I think the drivers probably don't accelerate video as well as in Windows. I have to admit I've never even used those formats, so... (I just want Blu Ray )

Yeah, VLC. It's what I'm accustomed to using and was my first try on the Mac. I agree, it's probably the codecs that aren't as efficient.

Like I said; once (if) this gets resolved I'll own a Mac. Until then, no dice.

 

[ayeying]

Yeah, VLC. It's what I'm accustomed to using and was my first try on the Mac. I agree, it's probably the codecs that aren't as efficient.

Like I said; once (if) this gets resolved I'll own a Mac. Until then, no dice.

Have you tried the new ones yet? I never seen a blocky image on my videos played in OSX or Windows. Infact, I moved all my AVIs from my old Windows PC to the OSX platform and I never had any problems with codecs or such.

 

[Jimmy James]

Have you tried the new ones yet? I never seen a blocky image on my videos played in OSX or Windows. Infact, I moved all my AVIs from my old Windows PC to the OSX platform and I never had any problems with codecs or such.

No, I haven't tested this issue on the new macs yet. I had a Mac for a week (and returned it) that was far superior to my PC in every hardware aspect. The videos looked fine on my inferior-spec pc but not so much on the mac. I'm certain it wasn't hardware related.

I spend about an hour a day watching avi's, so maybe I'm more discriminating about this that most. Still, it was easily discernible to the extent that it gave me a mild headache every day I used it.

 

[seedster2]

I can appreciate the need for additional screen size, but I don't understand why the elected to keep the other specs so mundane on their top of the line desktop replacement - no quad core, no dual hard drives, no high end video card, one extra USB...

With additional width couldn't they add a number pad or full size keys?

I also look forward to seeing battery results when actually doing CPU/Drive intensive production work. I dont think those often quoted marketing numbers will warrant the fixed battery.

 

[Wolfpup]

Yeah, this would be a lot nicer with say a quad core, at least a 9700GTS (if not one of the 64 processor GPUs), and a slightly larger system with appropriate cooling.

As is the screen size is nice, but it's a bit bigger too, and you can attach any system to an external monitor, so...

 

[BenRoethig]

What I don't get is, why does Apple claim the battery isn't user-replaceable when it so obviously is, and easily at that

Same reason your car warranty recommends use of factory parts: $$$

 

[sos85]

In my opinion , I cant see many differences between macbook 15 and macbook 17.

The Macbook 17 battery is too big and heavy.

 

[G5isAlive]

Again, Apple isn't going to change it for 5% of the market, if you don't like it go to another hardware manufacture and you will be replaced by the next generation that wants the sleeker, lighter and longer lasting batteries. The new 17" is exactly what I want, it's 17" screen, it's light and small, has a long lasting battery and it's powerful enough for everything I need. If you guys want a changeable battery maybe you should get the 15"?

Wow. So as long as its what YOU want, its okay?

Bottom line is people are quick to throw around numbers that they have no clue on (show me the research that says 95% never swap batteries). And they are quick to say get an external battery without doing the homework (its 5 lbs and costs over $400).

There are people that swap batteries. Because they know as you are finding out, the newer next generation batteries are not as great as claimed. Steve Jobs wanted bragging rights. And we are paying for that.

 

[john.dk]

The new 17¨ . . comparison / answers?

Hello all.

I have not posted before in the forums but I need some help.

I had ordered a new unibody 17¨ online about 2 weeks ago, but yesterday I canceled the order. I am not so sure about two things. First, a little history...

Right now I work with a Macbook Pro 17¨ 2.16ghz early 2006 model (max 2gb ram). I use my laptop on location regularly, I have 5 batteries total.

As I had a friend going to the USA I had him buy the ram needed for the new unibody 17¨ to max it out at 8. It costs 2x more here in Spain.

In hindsight, I think the unreplaceable battery isn´t going to cut it for me and I will need an external solution, but I already have 5 batteries that would fit the last generation of MBP 17¨. But the Ram I just purchased won´t work with the previous model (will it?).

I want to know if I try and hold out until the end of the year for the i7 cores, will they take the same RAM as the new unibody 17¨?

Also if I buy a previous generation 17¨ before the unibody, would my batteries work ok? and would it be THAT much slower?

Thanks in Advance of any solutions you may have!

John in BCN

 

[Wolfpup]

Hello all.

I have not posted before in the forums but I need some help.

I had ordered a new unibody 17¨ online about 2 weeks ago, but yesterday I canceled the order. I am not so sure about two things. First, a little history...

Right now I work with a Macbook Pro 17¨ 2.16ghz early 2006 model (max 2gb ram). I use my laptop on location regularly, I have 5 batteries total.

As I had a friend going to the USA I had him buy the ram needed for the new unibody 17¨ to max it out at 8. It costs 2x more here in Spain.

In hindsight, I think the unreplaceable battery isn´t going to cut it for me and I will need an external solution, but I already have 5 batteries that would fit the last generation of MBP 17¨. But the Ram I just purchased won´t work with the previous model (will it?).

I want to know if I try and hold out until the end of the year for the i7 cores, will they take the same RAM as the new unibody 17¨?

Also if I buy a previous generation 17¨ before the unibody, would my batteries work ok? and would it be THAT much slower?

Thanks in Advance of any solutions you may have!

John in BCN

Keep in mind we don't really know when a 17" update will come-there may not be another real one until next year.

Any update will PROBABLY also use DDR3, but it might not be the same speed, so still may not work. It won't work with the previous gen 17" either.

As for speed, the CPU is a slight revision, and the GPU is clocked faster too. But both are fairly close. The new one has a user replaceable hard drive though, which is awesome (though it's harder to do than on the smaller models).

 

[Different Level]

wait, listen to me?

I doubt the new 17" MBP may not even get to 8 hours when running Aperture and Photoshop, let along three apps in the Final Cut Suite.

I doubt...may not even get... Nice.

 

[Digital Skunk]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but what is the point of a replaceable battery if the MBP would be used as a desktop replacement? Last time I checked, most desks usually have a power-receptacle somewhere underneath it located on the wall and approximately 12" from the floor.

As in you take it with you...

Does anybody WORK with their machines anymore?

There. Fixed that for you.

???

I guess you don't have much to add to the conversation either.

Good for you.

I hate it when mindless drones try to go toe to toe with those that actually KNOW something about using computers.... but then again, you know what they say about arguing with idiots.

 

[true777]

Has anyone received the 17" MBP with the antiglare screen? If so can you post pictures? I have seen the glossy 17" at the Palo Alto Apple Store, but would like to see what the antiglare machine looks like exactly before making a decision. The store employee wasn't sure whether they would have antiglare ones on display and seemed sceptical they would.

 

[lftrghtparadigm]

The back and forth discussion over this thing has got to be one of the most ridiculous in years, save for maybe the iPhone nano fiasco.

Its a non-removable battery because, it's a GOOD battery. Yes that's a new and different thing. A laptop with a good battery. Imagine the concept.

Unless you are THE guy who is out in the wilderness, away from all sorts of power for hours upon hours upon hours, WITH demanding, unrestricted use of your 17" MacBook Pro (gets funnier with each point)and needs to blow through the 8 hour charge and begin swapping your multiple fully charged battery backups..... then this is, of course, the expensive laptop for you.

Aside from that one scenario, which worldwide might be 4 people, this is a good product, in touch with actual users needs, and better than what it replaces.

 

[lftrghtparadigm]

As in you take it with you...

Does anybody WORK with their machines anymore?



???

I guess you don't have much to add to the conversation either.

Good for you.

I hate it when mindless drones try to go toe to toe with those that actually KNOW something about using computers.... but then again, you know what they say about arguing with idiots.

we know what Arn says about it, which is why most discussion with you is better off avoided.

 

[VoR]

The back and forth discussion over this thing has got to be one of the most ridiculous in years, save for maybe the iPhone nano fiasco.

Its a non-removable battery because, it's a GOOD battery. Yes that's a new and different thing. A laptop with a good battery. Imagine the concept.

It's that ridiculous? Discussions do go back and forth, and in this one some people are saying they don't mind the battery being inside the machine, some are saying they do and some don't even care!

You can justify wanting a removable battery for the obvious reasons, having an internal one (whatever the advertising blurb says..) seems like it has no advantages other than aesthetics. You call it a 'GOOD' battery, so do apple - just looks like a large one to me. It's a 17" laptop which are (more?) often used as mobile desktops/replacements, so it seems like a strange way to design the machine. There's no 'new' hardware and no swappable bays, it's just a mbp with a bigger screen and battery.

 

[gnasher729]

It's that ridiculous? Discussions do go back and forth, and in this one some people are saying they don't mind the battery being inside the machine, some are saying they do and some don't even care!

You can justify wanting a removable battery for the obvious reasons, having an internal one (whatever the advertising blurb says..) seems like it has no advantages other than aesthetics. You call it a 'GOOD' battery, so do apple - just looks like a large one to me. It's a 17" laptop which are (more?) often used as mobile desktops/replacements, so it seems like a strange way to design the machine. There's no 'new' hardware and no swappable bays, it's just a mbp with a bigger screen and battery.

When Apple announced that the new MacBook Pro would have a non-swappable battery, the reaction of "oh my god I can't swap the battery" was absolutely predictable. I think it was a good decision to make the battery non-swappable for the following reasons:

1. Those who complain that they can't swap the battery on a long flight forget that this is a 17 inch laptop, which means it is too bloody big to be used in an airplane in the first place. If you intend to use a laptop on a flight, this is not for you. No 17 inch laptop in the world is for you.

2. There are some people who currently swap batteries while on the road. The new battery has a much longer life (eight instead of five hours when new, and it will keep new longer than older batteries did), so the percentage of users who would need swapping is now much, much lower.

3. There are people who are afraid of the cost of replacing batteries when they get old (replacing means: Throw away old battery, put in a new one). To those I must say: The new batteries last a lot longer, 1000 charges of 8 hours instead of 300 charges of 5 hours until battery life is reduced by 20 percent. So after 1000 charges these batteries are still better than an old-style battery when it is brand new. In other words, replacements are much more rare. The battery has actually a good chance to outlast your laptop.

If you get your replacement batteries from Apple, you will safe a lot of money because by the time you need a new $179 battery you would have been through three $129 old batteries. If you buy your replacement batteries from eBay, you _can_ replace it yourself, as shown in the article, and you will be able to buy one from exactly the same sources as now, where the manufacturer of the batteries does an extra shift and all those batteries turn up on eBay. It is ten minutes work instead of one minute, that is all.

 

[Digital Skunk]

we know what Arn says about it, which is why most discussion with you is better off avoided.

Good to know that you get your cues from Arn...


Like I thought, you don't have a mind of your own.... so most discussion with you will just end up void.... like what you have been saying since you joined.

....

p.s. As I said, others have given their scenarios.... your kool-aid mind can't wrap around them so you choose to ignore them all save for one, take that one and blow it out of proportion and put forth an abundance of fallacies and FUD to denounce it.

This is the point where you bring me to your level (down that is) and beat me with your "never used a computer for real work a day in my life, just d!ck around with them all day," experience.

p.s. You can have your OPINION, but don't push it like it were a fact and applicable for people that actually know what they are talking about when it comes to THEIR OWN needs. When you talk like that, you become a kool-aid drinker and it's not very becoming. I am sure we could have had a great discussion.

 

[Digital Skunk]

When Apple announced that the new MacBook Pro would have a non-swappable battery, the reaction of "oh my god I can't swap the battery" was absolutely predictable. I think it was a good decision to make the battery non-swappable for the following reasons:

1. Those who complain that they can't swap the battery on a long flight forget that this is a 17 inch laptop, which means it is too bloody big to be used in an airplane in the first place. If you intend to use a laptop on a flight, this is not for you. No 17 inch laptop in the world is for you.

NOPE not true. Any 17" owner can attest to their ability to use a 17" MBP in flight, and they do fit nicely behind that tiny little tray. Remember that we are talking about the smallest, lightest, and not so filled with hardware 17" on the market. I have stuck mine in very tight places with not problem, and I am a fat @$$ with a big gut.

This simply isn't true.

2. There are some people who currently swap batteries while on the road. The new battery has a much longer life (eight instead of five hours when new, and it will keep new longer than older batteries did), so the percentage of users who would need swapping is now much, much lower.

True, but the main issue is when it does die, and the work that you do that won't get it to eight hours. Not that you don't understand, but for the sake of the retards that don't get it, I won't mention the examples that I and many others have given already. But there are times when (the classic last gen MBP) can get 3 hours with pro apps, and there is no outlet available at all.

3. There are people who are afraid of the cost of replacing batteries when they get old (replacing means: Throw away old battery, put in a new one). To those I must say: The new batteries last a lot longer, 1000 charges of 8 hours instead of 300 charges of 5 hours until battery life is reduced by 20 percent. So after 1000 charges these batteries are still better than an old-style battery when it is brand new. In other words, replacements are much more rare. The battery has actually a good chance to outlast your laptop.

This is true, and one of the best things the new battery brings, but my biggest fear is getting a defective battery or having it fail in some way shape or form when I need it the most. Then I have to send the WHOLE laptop in to repair. Granted this hasn't happened since the 15" 12" Powerbook/Sony battery issue, but.........

If you get your replacement batteries from Apple, you will safe a lot of money because by the time you need a new $179 battery you would have been through three $129 old batteries. If you buy your replacement batteries from eBay, you _can_ replace it yourself, as shown in the article, and you will be able to buy one from exactly the same sources as now, where the manufacturer of the batteries does an extra shift and all those batteries turn up on eBay. It is ten minutes work instead of one minute, that is all.

True. And sadly, none of this matters to begin with since there's a 70% chance most will just get the 17" MBP.... unless Windows actually convinces some to switch back.

 

[RaZaK]

unfortunately...

just get an airline adapter

depending on the airline, you may not get enough juice from the jack to power your laptop, or the seat may not have a jack, or the jack just might not work.

All of the above has happened to me on numerous occasions on trans-pacific flights. oh the humanity.

I vote for 8-hour batteries in all models.