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Regardless if you are writing or studying graphics communications, I don't think the CPU speed is going to make much of a difference. Both notebooks should be just equally future-proof. If a 2.0 GHz doesn't cut it anymore, neither will a 2.4 GHz one. The same is true today.

Most probably you'd notice a difference with a stopwatch when doing longer CPU-intensive tasks. There is a rule of thumb to this. As far as I recall, it'd take about a 30 - 50% higher clock rate on otherwise similar CPUs for you to really notice the difference with a stopwatch.
 
The New Macbooks and my recent online order.

I ordered up a refurbished black macbook for $1299.99 just the other day (like, 3 days ago) and it came and i am *in love* with it.. maxed out 250 gb hd and 2.4 ghz processor. then i looked online and now its only $1099.99!!!! so i called apple and they are going to issue me a $200 refund and it should arrive within a week. i am VERY HAPPY with this black macbook (it's maxed out and i love it, might add 2 more gigs of ram tho) and i don't want to return it just because new ones came out... you're not getting that much, in fact, i would pay more to get LESS.

now... apple refunding me the $200.. now THAT'S why I love Apple!!

B
 
Base on all the negative comments on this thread, I guess Apple had anticipated the lack of enthusiasm with the new 'books, hence predicted a profit dip. :D
 
Think of the clinetele. People who buy Macbooks today don't use the old technology Apple used to use. Firewire is no longer compatible with iPods, and only external HDDs seem to support it. It just isn't important to have one. I'd take an extra USB port any day.

Apologies for quoting from God knows how many pages back, I can't be arsed to trawl through the vast number of pages where no doubt this sort of response will have been posted numerous times.

iPods have shipped with USB cables for a long while now. Yet Firewire 400 has been included on every Mac laptop (with the exception of the Air, which let's face it barely has any connectivity) since the 2nd revision of the original G3 clamshell iBook back in 2000.

I bought my Macbook back in March, and I need Firewire. It is important to me. And as for "Only external hard drives seem to support it" - try telling that to every prosumer music producer or performer who uses an external Firewire audio interface, myself included. Both my rackmount audio interface for the studio and portable interface for gigs are Firewire interfaces, and both are still current models. I've used the equivalent USB models - same brand, same model name and they are SHOCKINGLY bad by comparison.

Not even having the option of using an ExpressCard to Firewire adapter means that any current user of a Macbook / iBook in the above demographic wishing to upgrade is either going to have to look at spending the extra on a pro laptop for what has been for the past 8 years deemed a consumer feature, or buy a refurb Macbook or a Windows based laptop.

If I were to have to upgrade to a Macbook now, I'd have to spend almost the same amount of money again as the entry level Macbook to replace my audio interfaces in my studio. Of course the sensible option would be to buy the Pro instead, but what if I didn't have the money for a MBP or new audio interfaces?

You can forgive the omission of Firewire on the Air, which is a wireless toy for a very niche market that requires you to carry around 3 times the weight of the unit again if you actually want to plug anything into it, but on the latest iteration of the self admitted "Best selling Mac. Ever"?

I think not. :(
 
Okay everyone. I noticed something.... don't know if this has been brought up yet.

Go to the apple store, and select the low end (new version) model... the $1299.

Check out the keyboard select. It's listed in both Spanish and English as BACKLIT.

Everywhere else on the site (tech specs included) it's listed as not.

So Apple, which is it? There are going to be some mighty unhappy folk when they turn on their $1299 macbook to see the keyboard as not backlit, even after they've selected that option on purchase...

Earth to dog13000 - you can't sue Apple for making a mistake!!!!

Are you American per chance? :cool:
 
Regardless if you are writing or studying graphics communications, I don't think the CPU speed is going to make much of a difference. Both notebooks should be just equally future-proof. If a 2.0 GHz doesn't cut it anymore, neither will a 2.4 GHz one. The same is true today.

Most probably you'd notice a difference with a stopwatch when doing longer CPU-intensive tasks. There is a rule of thumb to this. As far as I recall, it'd take about a 30 - 50% higher clock rate on otherwise similar CPUs for you to really notice the difference with a stopwatch.


Ok cool thanks a lot for answering, I should definitely upgrade to ram to 4gb though right?
 
Being a high school student and all, I was REALLY excited for the price deduction.
But it went up. :(

Oh well.
They still have my 1500 bucks.
It's just going to take longer to save for. :(
 
Firewire Fix?

I can live without firewire IF apple fixes everything with software that is currently firewire only now and included a USB to Firewire adapter to use one of the USB's as a firewire instead (if this is even possible).

If these things aren't going to happen I CAN'T live without firewire. I do use an HDV camera, external HD, Target Disk Mode, and even boot from external HD's for installation and fixing - all via Firewire.

I know I could buy another computer - I'm just saying under the circumstances not buying one of these. Bad choice Apple.
 
Hmmmm I don't think so. Although she said that, Steve wouldn't say that the 2.0 doesn't have illuminated in the presentation by mistake.

Plus, all the literature on the Apple site except when you order says that the 2.0 doesn't have backlit keyboard.

like when you go here: http://www.apple.com/ca/mac/whichmacbook/compare.html

it says in other features for the macbook:

MagSafe power port

Two USB 2.0 ports

Mini DisplayPort

iSight camera

Illuminated keyboard*

*Only available on 2.4GHz model.

I think you missed my total cynicism in that post!!
 
Apple Special Event = Boring.

A big shabang about minor upgrades to overpriced laptops. I mean whoopee to a piece of metal. Who really cares?

Do we really need a slide show about how a case is designed?

Is that really all they have to talk about?

They also like to brag about reducing their product packaging. Considering that everything down to the smallest products come in over sized over the top packaging, reducing this is a given, not a new feature.

They are just like any other computer manufacturer. Apple, Dell, Toshiba they all make good products - all have their strong and weak points.

My iMac was dead in just over 12 months.
My Toshiba of 6 years ago still goes strong.
My new Macbook Pro has been going strong for 3 months now.
My wifes new Dell is great PC.
My daughter was going to get a new Macbook - but they are now uggglyy. Much prefer the black or white.

Oh well we'll see what happens in Jan/Feb with the prices.

As i can see in the forums here and elsewhere there is a lot of general negative sentiment going around.

I showed my wife and daughter the new macbooks this morning over breakfast and they said - Apple are going backwards. Now they are not techy, but they would prefer a Dell for it looks better that the black keyboard crap now offered. :mad:
 
Ok..this isn't whining but, just trying to understand the logic of this
"upgrade":confused:
This is fine if you're a newbie with no firewire stuff but what about those of us with multiple macs, camcorders,external HDS and protools interfaces?
(ok this is me)

As others have said usb is only good for limited stuff.. Oh and this thing costs more money? why would I upgrade from last years macbook now?

I don't know how Steve could have missed the fact that California is nearly bankrupt like the rest of the country? Didn't ahnold just ask the Feds for 10's of billions of dollars?

This would have been a great time to release the $800 macbook.

Evidently Apple is overwhelmed by their success and trying to thin the herd.:eek:

The timing was perfect for a $800 notebook, yet the price actually went in the opposite direction. Surprised the heck out of me!

Well, here's hoping for a holiday pricing special in a couple months.
 
I was really considering upgrading from my 1.6 core duo with 2 gigs ram to a macbook 2.4 core duo 2 launched today but I cant justify the price to myself.

I have read that with the FSB increase and faster ram, the 2.0 is like a 2.4 (old macbook)... would I really notice a difference? is the .4 worth the extra $400?

I use it for basic surfing, email, some graphic stuff, love minor editing of photos but mainly for recording music for myself...
 
Apple Special Event = Boring.

A big shabang about minor upgrades to overpriced laptops. I mean whoopee to a piece of metal. Who really cares?

Do we really need a slide show about how a case is designed?

Is that really all they have to talk about?

They also like to brag about reducing their product packaging. Considering that everything down to the smallest products come in over sized over the top packaging, reducing this is a given, not a new feature.

They are just like any other computer manufacturer. Apple, Dell, Toshiba they all make good products - all have their strong and weak points.

My iMac was dead in just over 12 months.
My Toshiba of 6 years ago still goes strong.
My new Macbook Pro has been going strong for 3 months now.
My wifes new Dell is great PC.
My daughter was going to get a new Macbook - but they are now uggglyy. Much prefer the black or white.

Oh well we'll see what happens in Jan/Feb with the prices.

As i can see in the forums here and elsewhere there is a lot of general negative sentiment going around.

I showed my wife and daughter the new macbooks this morning over breakfast and they said - Apple are going backwards. Now they are not techy, but they would prefer a Dell for it looks better that the black keyboard crap now offered. :mad:

i too was very disappointed in the specs however for the guys at apple this may have felt like a break through they came up with a better way to make a case and they came up with a new GPU idea
am waiting on macworld for specs and a price cut
 
Well... not all hope is lost, I'd guess.

I wouldn't be surprised if Apple re-introduce FireWire on the next iteration of the MacBook. At least on the high-end model (there has to be some differentiation, right? ;) )
 
I was wondering how the screen would to hold up on the Macbook and the Pro, as the screen is glass, and from the looks of it, it would close flat against the body, with no pads. Then I downloaded a press image of the Macbook, and lo and behold, it looks like there's a rubber bumper gasket surrounding the screen. Pretty sweet.

would it be waterproof? :p
(water beats fire :D )
 
Apologies for quoting from God knows how many pages back, I can't be arsed to trawl through the vast number of pages where no doubt this sort of response will have been posted numerous times.

iPods have shipped with USB cables for a long while now. Yet Firewire 400 has been included on every Mac laptop (with the exception of the Air, which let's face it barely has any connectivity) since the 2nd revision of the original G3 clamshell iBook back in 2000.

I bought my Macbook back in March, and I need Firewire. It is important to me. And as for "Only external hard drives seem to support it" - try telling that to every prosumer music producer or performer who uses an external Firewire audio interface, myself included. Both my rackmount audio interface for the studio and portable interface for gigs are Firewire interfaces, and both are still current models. I've used the equivalent USB models - same brand, same model name and they are SHOCKINGLY bad by comparison.

Not even having the option of using an ExpressCard to Firewire adapter means that any current user of a Macbook / iBook in the above demographic wishing to upgrade is either going to have to look at spending the extra on a pro laptop for what has been for the past 8 years deemed a consumer feature, or buy a refurb Macbook or a Windows based laptop.

If I were to have to upgrade to a Macbook now, I'd have to spend almost the same amount of money again as the entry level Macbook to replace my audio interfaces in my studio. Of course the sensible option would be to buy the Pro instead, but what if I didn't have the money for a MBP or new audio interfaces?

You can forgive the omission of Firewire on the Air, which is a wireless toy for a very niche market that requires you to carry around 3 times the weight of the unit again if you actually want to plug anything into it, but on the latest iteration of the self admitted "Best selling Mac. Ever"?

I think not. :(

Please consider sharing your concerns with Apple, here: http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbook.html

Apple's crippling of the Macbook (via the Firewire ommission) combined with its recent screw ups with the Firewire chips on the so-called "pro" gear such as the MacBook Pro would seem to indicate that Apple is "losing it" in regards to their ability to produce computers suitable for the creative community.
 
Earth to dog13000 - you can't sue Apple for making a mistake!!!!

Are you American per chance? :cool:

No need to be such a jack*ss...

I don't know about sued, but have you ever heard of something called false advertising? You can't tell people you are going to give them one thing, and then give them something else.
 
Apple reducing prices = feasible? (actual question)

With the rumors of a $800-900 macbook, I was planning on buying one + CS4 + the high-end iMac, but these prices seem high so I'm wondering if there's any way Apple would reduce the prices on the macbooks in a few months or introduce a low-end macbook? Is this some kind of holiday season tide-over or introductory high price thing? Anyone who has been watching Apple for years have any idea? (Yes I still think these are ugly but I don't buy computers to look cool)
 
Looks like a Lenovo running ubuntu it is then. I had been waiting for a new MB but this "update" is seriously lacking. Goodbye Apple :apple:
 
Please consider sharing your concerns with Apple, here: http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbook.html

Apple's crippling of the Macbook (via the Firewire ommission) combined with its recent screw ups with the Firewire chips on the so-called "pro" gear such as the MacBook Pro would seem indicate that Apple is "losing it" in regards to their ability to produce computers suitable for the creative community.

Oh god I nearly forgot about that, one of the reasons (besides money) that I got my current MacBook is because of the MBP having a cheap and dodgy firewire chip in there, but that would have matched my chirping G5, fortunately easily solved, unlike the MBP FW800 chipset issues.
 
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