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17" MBPRO owners?

I have a replacement now and the backlight is even worse, it now has about 11 bright spots along the bottom of the screen (when viewing a black image). Does anyone know if Apple is able to keep the screen, but replace the backlight ONLY? This replacement model has the better LG screen rather than the yellowish Samsung one, so the screen is fine, it's just the backlight that's crap :/ Am I being too fussy or does nobody else have these problems?!
 
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Never made a decision back then, but the 17" macbook pro is looking like it may be the right machine. Its loaded pretty well right off the shelf, and thats what I like.

Will I be sorry about the 5400 rpm drive?

Thinking of ordering from Amazon, its 2329 there, free ship 2 day...
 
AMDGAMER said:
Will I be sorry about the 5400 rpm drive?
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someone else said this: A 5400rpm drive in a 17" MBP is like a ferrari with crappy tires! Buy yourself an aftermarket SSD. Crucial m4 seems to be pretty good, Intel always makes great SSDs, and there are a few others who make decent ones...

Keep the 5400rpm drive around as a time machine backup disk and you're all set!
 
Assimilated said:
Take a print of a known photo. Display the original file on both a glossy and AG screen (obviously without a bright light source behind you) and tell me what you see in terms of colours and shadow detail ...
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There are at least two different panel manufacturers for the current MacBook Pro. You would need to find two with the same panel with each finish to accurately measure whether or not there was a significant difference, other than that of preference.
 
NutsNGum said:
There are at least two different panel manufacturers for the current MacBook Pro. You would need to find two with the same panel with each finish to accurately measure whether or not there was a significant difference, other than that of preference.
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I certainly can't say I've compared on the basis of panel manufacturer, but the two models were otherwise identical and the differences in both colour accuracy and shadow detail were extremely marked. We're not just talking about an issue of subjective preference here.

I actually intended to buy the AG, and it was this test which persuaded me not to.
 
bdinger said:
Yes, very. My co-worker got a 2.2 15 with the 5400rpm, and it's definitely painful. You really notice the difference doing just about anything on the machine.
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Not really. If all you will be using the laptop for is internet, word processing, and some video, it's not drastic.
 
Assimilated said:
Pretty good if you have the glossy screen and calibrate it; pretty lousy with the anti-glare.
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I've found the antiglare to be leaps and bounds better than the antiglare - and I owned both. I got the AG first, then returned for a glossy, then went back to the AG and am very glad I did.
 
so i would have to buy a card reader and use the express card slot? Can you give me a link to one that you got? Does it stick out or look like its part of the machine? Also what express cards might I want to use?
 
AMDGAMER said:
so i would have to buy a card reader and use the express card slot?
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There are card readers connectable via USB, and you can also connect your camera or camcorder via USB to the Mac to import data from the device.
There is no need to use the ExpressCard slot for an SD card reader.
Can you give me a link to one that you got? Does it stick out or look like its part of the machine?
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Here are some. I don't know, if they sit flush, as I don't use an ExpressCard SD card reader, I simply connect my cameras and import from them via LightRoom.
Also what express cards might I want to use?
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I recently got an eSATA ExpressCard, which allows me to connect external HDDs via eSATA, which gives me up to 100 MB/s read and write speeds, which is a lot faster than Firewire 800 and I have a lot of external HDDs and data to move around.
Here are some other ExpressCards for USB 2.0 and 3.0 and Firewire and other uses.

Here are some threads about ExpressCards, provided by Mister GGJstudios:
 
awesome info. Amazon has the 17" for a good price, just checking return policy as I really need to get feel for the size of the 17" over the 15". I really am leaning toward the 17" because of the screen, large high res.
 
AMDGAMER said:
awesome info. Amazon has the 17" for a good price, just checking return policy as I really need to get feel for the size of the 17" over the 15". I really am leaning toward the 17" because of the screen, large high res.
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Im using a early 2011 17in but the 1920x1200 display is just beautiful.
The workspace you get on the screen is far more impressive than the 15in.

Once you get this size, you can never go back ;)
 
Eddyisgreat said:
i have the 2010 17" hi res. dont think much has changed in the 2011s , screen and speaker wise.

That said, its incredible. Great real estate, decent sound. Expresscard for those who use it.

Portable too, despite all the girly men who complain about breaking a nail every time they look at the 17".
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This!!!! I love my 15" but I have to admit I lust over the 17" whenever I see one in public. Especially the Max configuration +SSDs. Pinnacle of MBP titans. I know what to get on the next refresh. :D
 
I guess I should order it with an SSD. I'm guessing Apple cant do it at apple store or can they?

another option I'm considering is the LED cinema to my macbook AIR...for a cheaper solution for a bigger screen.
 
thermodynamic said:
(no notebook on the face of this earth has a IPS panel :( )
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Untrue. The Lenovo X220 has an IPS option. I own the tabletPC convertible version, the X220t that has this screen. It's very nice, but not really all that much better than the Macbook screens (which I also have a few of). IT's better no doubt, but just not really any better than the Apple screens, as these are very good, very bright, TN panels.

These screens are all so good now it's not an issue for the average user who isn't concerned about professional level color matching, and other professional uses. This wasn't the case just a year or two ago, but the TN panels keep getting better in terms of brightness, and perhaps contrast (not sure about the contrast, and there's of course, a number of technical issues that I, being an average user, am not aware of . Note: the viewing angles are much better on the IPS, but this is really only relevant for a tablet, and not for the average user IMHO).

I have a Macbook HD AG 17" with the better LG panel, and frankly this screen is better than any portable (maybe) :D ; better than the iPad or whatever. It's a TN panel, but it is very clear and the resolution really makes up for the other shortcomings (such as it not being of the lauded IPS variety).

note: Also, this particular IPS screen of the X220, has a very weird transient, ghosting anomaly, that the TN panels don't have.

I also have the 27" CD IPS that Apple makes. THis is actually the best screen that I own, but it's a bit heavy to carry to Starbucks daily.
 
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If I go to apple store would apple swap an SSD or a 7200 rpm drive into the 17" at the store if I paid for the drive? (obviously I'd take both home). Do they stock SSDs or 7200 RPM drives to install?

Going tomorrow to look at everything from the 17", to the cinema display mac mini etc etc
 
AMDGAMER said:
If I go to apple store would apple swap an SSD or a 7200 rpm drive into the 17" at the store if I paid for the drive? (obviously I'd take both home). Do they stock SSDs or 7200 RPM drives to install?

Going tomorrow to look at everything from the 17", to the cinema display mac mini etc etc
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Just buy one and stop worrying about it. It's just a computer, a 5400 rpm drive is nothing to be concerned about. Save your money and later, if you decide it's too slow, buy an ssd and install it yourself. It takes a maximum of ten minutes, even with zero prior experience.

Apple do not sell parts in store to do upgrades. You will need to visit sites such as OWC, Newegg, or Crucial for RAM and SSD components. It is also very unlikely that in-store techs will do third-party upgrades for you. Take five minutes, watch a YouTube video, and figure it out for yourself. It makes life a lot easier, and less expensive.
 
great point.

I have 5400 rpm in my macbook pro from 2008 never had any complaints. Im assuming any new mbpro will be snappier than that old one.
 
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