Apple Announces New Aluminum MacBooks

[kerryn]

I was looking to see if there was anything that could convert a FW signal into a USB one and I did come across this.

Now it is $90 and comes with crappy windows software, but I wonder if the cable by itself will work, or perhaps it relies upon windows drivers which if that is the case, then new Macbook users are SOL if they want FW.

 

[corinhorn]

The person with Apple's Consumer Relation's division said if Apple gets enough viable complaints they may change the design of the products... Posting on this forum may do very little good, that's why WE must file with Apple's Consumer Relations Division which you can speak with my calling the main number and requesting to file a complaint with Apple's Consumer Relation's division...

What's the number? 1-800-MY-APPLE?

I really think this is going to be the way to get FireWire back. We need to get an organized campaign. Fans of the TV show "Jericho" had a great campaign and brought the show back from cancellation after its first season. It was because they were organized and didn't simply post complaints at CBS's forums.

I don't have enough leadership skills to begin such a campaign for FireWire, but I would happily help support.

 

[corinhorn]

I was looking to see if there was anything that could convert a FW signal into a USB one and I did come across this.

Now it is $90 and comes with crappy windows software, but I wonder if the cable by itself will work, or perhaps it relies upon windows drivers which if that is the case, then new Macbook users are SOL if they want FW.

Interesting, but I think that would be like having a sports car being towed by a Geo.

 

[Parental]

i made a summary of the event

http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=T-JcLA2vEIY

 

[electricfiddle]

The number is 1-800-MYAPPLE and you can tell them you want to file a complaint with Apple Consumer Relations for their lack of Firewire on the new Macbook...

 

[editguy]

I was looking to see if there was anything that could convert a FW signal into a USB one and I did come across this.

Now it is $90 and comes with crappy windows software, but I wonder if the cable by itself will work, or perhaps it relies upon windows drivers which if that is the case, then new Macbook users are SOL if they want FW.

The funny thing about that is that most PC laptops have a PCMCIA or Express card slot so they wouldn't really have a need for that cable. You can get a firewire card for less money.

 

[corinhorn]

I just called 1-800-My-APPLE and asked to file a consumer complaint. The CR rep said they've been hit hard today. Really hard. I think the key is to be kind and courteous.

 

[editguy]

Hey guys, flame me all you want but here's my two cents:

I have been in the market since May for a new laptop, about the time the update rumors started coming out. I have managed (I have no idea how) to hold back on buying a blackbook until the update. Now that the update is here, I'm actually very impressed and willing to buy and regardless of all the major issues everyone seems to have I am going to pick one up as soon as I can.

I know i know no firewire, but I don't think I've ever owned a product that uses that. The price stayed the same so why is everyone getting upset over that? There are big improvements that really make this new macbook state of the art.

Everyone seems to have a real gripe with the glossy screen, but personally I think it looks great. I am an advertising major and I understand why there would be a desire to have a matte screen, but like other people said if you don't like it, you can always buy a 3rd party screen cover.

long story short, I am so happy to finally be getting a mac, and I am very optimistic about this machine doing everything it should do for me and more. And I'm sorry if the update has made some people turn their noses at apple, but just remember:no one is MAKING you buy it!

It's great that you got the laptop you wanted, and that you don't need firewire. But everyone knows that no one is making them buy. That's just the point: many people wanted to buy until they realized Apple has disabled the MB as a video or audio machine.

 

[peschybear]

Nice machines

I like the new look and the idea that companies are becoming more concerned about the environment.
It's a pity that the firewire is gone, but still I like the new Macbooks and for me they are a lot more attractive then the former plastic ones.
I ordered one first thing this morning

 

[marbles]

It's great that you got the laptop you wanted, and that you don't need firewire. But everyone knows that no one is making them buy. That's just the point: many people wanted to buy until they realized Apple has disabled the MB as a video or audio machine.

I guess now that Apple considers anyone who makes music or video on a Mac a professional and should therefore go buy a MB pro ,the thing is there are a lot of hobbyists that have just been totally excluded from the new MB range because of the lack of firewire ....

I can't see hobbyists shelling out the money needed to buy a MB pro just so they can use the peripherals that ARE required to do those tasks in this day and age ....

....fine , firewire may not be used in 5 or 10 years but it is now and it is a very poor move on Apple's part that the only option is to buy the MBpro or the white book (with all it's known defects) ....I'm not best pleased myself , but have been saving for a long time so could at a stretch afford the pro

......I just don't know if I want too ...I mean the extra cash needed for a MBpro could have paid for a nicer sound card in my case ....

 

[dam0dred]

Well, after the initial excitement of the beautiful design has worn off I'm afraid I'm going to have to join the chorus of complainers.

No FireWire is totally lame and the price is almost like a slap in the face - completely unacceptable for what is inside of it. I can only hope that there is a 300$ early adopter tax and that after Christmas these will drop to a reasonable price.

 

[eidrunner247]

Well, after the initial excitement of the beautiful design has worn off I'm afraid I'm going to have to join the chorus of complainers.

No FireWire is totally lame and the price is almost like a slap in the face - completely unacceptable for what is inside of it. I can only hope that there is a 300$ early adopter tax and that after Christmas these will drop to a reasonable price.

I think that's a long hope. If you don't use firewire then it won't affect you. I'm not sure how many people do. I didn't know so many people here did use it!

 

[catchcatch]

I think the whole firewire thing can be summed up with Apple's own words (plus a few corrections)


New design. Less features. Less technologies.
All engineered to standards that don’t even exist anymore.

=

 

[Snide]

I think that's a long hope. If you don't use firewire then it won't affect you. I'm not sure how many people do.
I didn't know so many people here did use it!

We DO use it, not "did" use it. My Jan '07 mid-range WhiteBook™ with its firewire port just became all
the more precious, especially since Applecare runs till Jan 2010. I use firewire all the time for many things.

No firewire = no upgrade. Simple as that.

 

[NT1440]

All engineered to standards that don’t even exist anymore.

huh?

 

[MagnusVonMagnum]

Do you have a link for that? The best price I found was $1569.

The problem is that when searching for the laptop if Amazon picks a different default vendor (happened to me the 2nd time I searched there) than Amazon themselves, the REBATE price won't appear. I'm not sure how to get it to appear directly, but if you add the the Amazon version to your car and then when your cart list appears click on the computer link, it will bring up the Amazon listing of the computer which contains the rebate price and link for $1444. It's still $1569 BEFORE the rebate, though. I just hope the NVidia GPU thing isn't going to be an issue.

 

[mojohanna]

Well, after the initial excitement of the beautiful design has worn off I'm afraid I'm going to have to join the chorus of complainers.

No FireWire is totally lame and the price is almost like a slap in the face - completely unacceptable for what is inside of it. I can only hope that there is a 300$ early adopter tax and that after Christmas these will drop to a reasonable price.

Just what did you want in it for cripes sake? They updated the processor, updated the graphics, created a much more solid machine. Included pro-like features such as the LED backlit display, the multi-touch trackpad, and (at least for the higher end MB) a backlit keyboard. Hardly a slap in the face. What no one seems to get into their heads is that Apple is not going to go with the flow of PC manufacturers. They always have and until something drastic happens, always will do their own thing. Apple did not get to where they are today by following all of the PC lemmings off the cliff. They have made bold design statements in both hardware and software. Granted they are not always right (see G4 Cube) and they make mistakes (maybe not including FW will turn out to be a massive mistake) but they are certainly selling a s-load of computers and based on the numbers, people seem to be switching in droves.

I would say that for what you pay for (lets just call it an average of the two price points, $1450) you are getting a big step up in techology (regardless of the elimination of the FW) as well as build quality (at least from an outside looking in perspective. It will remain to be see just how durable this new construction platform is, but it looks pretty damn solid compared to my 17" PB).
These prices, will NOT drop in only 3 months. The earliest you will see a price drop is MW and I doubt that as well. The best you can hope for is that they add in FW port at MW.

 

[cube]

It doesn't matter what they added. They turned into a useless kit by the sole omission of FireWire. Now you know what they meant by 'brick'.

 

[50548]

Just what did you want in it for cripes sake? They updated the processor, updated the graphics, created a much more solid machine. Included pro-like features such as the LED backlit display, the multi-touch trackpad, and (at least for the higher end MB) a backlit keyboard. Hardly a slap in the face. What no one seems to get into their heads is that Apple is not going to go with the flow of PC manufacturers. They always have and until something drastic happens, always will do their own thing. Apple did not get to where they are today by following all of the PC lemmings off the cliff. They have made bold design statements in both hardware and software. Granted they are not always right (see G4 Cube) and they make mistakes (maybe not including FW will turn out to be a massive mistake) but they are certainly selling a s-load of computers and based on the numbers, people seem to be switching in droves.

I would say that for what you pay for (lets just call it an average of the two price points, $1450) you are getting a big step up in techology (regardless of the elimination of the FW) as well as build quality (at least from an outside looking in perspective. It will remain to be see just how durable this new construction platform is, but it looks pretty damn solid compared to my 17" PB).
These prices, will NOT drop in only 3 months. The earliest you will see a price drop is MW and I doubt that as well. The best you can hope for is that they add in FW port at MW.

I must agree with pretty much everything that you said...those saying that the new MBs are a slap in the face are simply ignorant, or suffer from amnesia in terms of their own past complaints.

Yes, FW SHOULD have stayed in my opinion...but apart from those that REALLY use it, nobody cares. The targeted markets for the MBs don't even know that FW exists, in fact...and I am talking here about students, housewives, retired people, young people etc...for them, USB is more than enough.

The new MBs are MILES ahead of the old ones, and ALL users' complaints have been addressed. Indeed, the new MBs ARE FINALLY a replacement for the 12" G4, as they encompass most of the features that MBPs have, apart from those extra ports and better GPU.

And again: if you NEED FW, stick to your computer or buy one that has such port.

 

[cube]

I must agree with pretty much everything that you said...those saying that the new MBs are a slap in the face are simply ignorant, or suffer from amnesia in terms of their own past complaints.

Yes, FW SHOULD have stayed in my opinion...but apart from those that REALLY use it, nobody cares. The targeted markets for the MBs don't even know that FW exists, in fact...and I am talking here about students, housewives, retired people, young people etc...for them, USB is more than enough.

The new MBs are MILES ahead of the old ones, and ALL users' complaints have been addressed. Indeed, the new MBs ARE FINALLY a replacement for the 12" G4, as they encompass most of the features that MBPs have, apart from those extra ports and better GPU.

And again: if you NEED FW, stick to your computer or buy one that has such port.

Typical Appleserfism. FW400 is a consumer technology.

 

[editguy]

What no one seems to get into their heads is that Apple is not going to go with the flow of PC manufacturers. They always have and until something drastic happens, always will do their own thing. Apple did not get to where they are today by following all of the PC lemmings off the cliff.

PC lemmings!? What the heck are you talking about? They're the ones that introduced computer users to firewire. Then, after coming to rely on it being there, they yank it. It's like a meth dealer getting you addicted and then refusing to sell to you anymore.

 

[psychorocker]

I travel a lot so I need a small form factor and I'm into my music. I record with an M-Audio 410 which is FIREWIRE. I was looking for the graphics performance upgrade to improve the iLife suite but buy dropping the Firewire they have just killed everything that makes the macbook a macbook.

"It just works" is history a far as I'm concerned, i'd rather it still be plastic and get the firewire back.

I've submitted my feedback to apple as well.

 

[APPLSPY]

This is a well made strategy from apple to get the consumers used to the upcoming products. Yes, they are always one step behind and every new product is a "test" for the new upcoming products.

- They didnt make that glassy screen just because its pretty. They have a reason for this. If you take the bottom part of the MB and MBP you get that screen similar to an iPhone or iPod Touch. The same line of design like a 13" or 15" iphone. Get it? What a nice MacTouch this will be...

- At this time many developers have experience writing apps with touch control for the iPhone and because this product runs OS X they now have the basics to mod desktop apps for a touch interface.

- The making process of the notebooks was so focused because this will be robust enough to create a device we can use as a tablet, running desktop OS x.

- Have you seen something called the ModBook? Yes, its real.

So, my future "predictions" are: WWDC 09 will be the the jump start for this tablet device as they need developers to mod apps for the touch interface.
A year from now they will introduce the MacTouch as it will be a success for christmas sales.
Macworld 09 will be the lauch of the new MBP 17" and revised MacMini.

Steve, if im right give me a ring!

 

[jgbhardy]

Macbook looks like Toshiba laptops

I think the new Macbooks look like an Toshiba laptop, having a black keyboard on a silver palm rest and then the black border as well. looks nice closed and like a mac but one you open it, it just looks like a new Toshiba satellite or something.

I think the Black glass screen is just too mix and match and looks like a pc style rather then macintosh style. Come on apple where is that macintosh style gone.

p.s my mobile me still isn't working apple needs to sort this out now! It wont sync any of my documents. Also iweb isn't publishing my website properly.

 

[jaduffy108]

No firewire...no target mode(!)...no express card slot, so no esata either. Then Apple wants $1300 or $1600. You must be kidding! No freakin' way. Now..anyone doing serious photography work, etc MUST buy a MBP...BAD MOVE APPLE!