Apple Announces New Aluminum MacBooks

[tmoney468]

Currently you would have to go to DVI then get a DVI to HDMI converter. The only thing you have to worry about is HDCP as I don't think Display Port usually sends the HDCP signal to DVI.

Displayport doesn't have HDCP at all, it has another copy protection format (look on wikipedia). Also, HDMI and DVI are exactly the same format, just that HDMI carries audio as well. So I would doubt you would need a displayport-> DVI, then a DVI to HDMI cable as well.

I guess if there were to have a mini displayport to HDMI, then the same cable to DVI would be possible as well

 

[editguy]

Why are you guys insisting on making up these hypothetical situations that make non sense whatsoever to support your arguments?

Printer and scanner at the same time? LMAO. You want Apple to include a port in a machine they will ship millions of just so when the situation arises that someone somewhere absolutely must PRINT AND SCAN at the same time they can do it?

The fact is, when designing the machine, ports take up space. This will instantly affect the shape and volume of the laptop. Some of the people will say, they don't care. But Apple does care and this is what makes Apple. They care how their products look and it is one of the top reasons why they continue to thrive. The iPod till this day has no removable battery and fm tuner. Have you ever asked yourself why? despite of the fact that every other mp3 player out there includes both.

Apple always designed products that cater to 90% of the population, products with features that are deemed essential. Having 4 USB ports is not essential to 90% of people that buy laptops. Having FW is not essential to 90% of people that buy laptops.

Since Apple is now the great and powerful Oz, why don't they just eliminate all the ports? Since making it thin is all that matters (not meeting your customers needs) That should allow them to make it about 3 mm thick. But while they're doing that they might consider that the average PC laptop not only has firewire but has 4 or 5 USB ports.

If form over function is driving Apple's future, they will lose the creative content producers. The market that gave Apple a foothold in the computer world and saved them during the years that they struggled.

 

[diamond.g]

Displayport doesn't have HDCP at all, it has another copy protection format (look on wikipedia). Also, HDMI and DVI are exactly the same format, just that HDMI carries audio as well. So I would doubt you would need a displayport-> DVI, then a DVI to HDMI cable as well.

I guess if there were to have a mini displayport to HDMI, then the same cable to DVI would be possible as well

True on HDMI = Single Link DVI + Audio. Yeah, wasn't sure about HDCP. So some monitors/TVs wouldn't work with just HDMI as they expect a HDCP signal as well (since HDMI more or less requires it).

 

[Adamo]

I take it this new display format (arg!) doesn't have an adapter with the current MacBook and you have to buy it separately?

 

[tmoney468]

True on HDMI = Single Link DVI + Audio. Yeah, wasn't sure about HDCP. So some monitors/TVs wouldn't work with just HDMI as they expect a HDCP signal as well (since HDMI more or less requires it).

I think the only reason you would care about HDCP is if you were planning on playing Blu-Ray videos (which requires HDCP), and both the monitor/TV as well as the video card would have to be HDCP capable.

I don't know how the new DisplayPort copy protection works, how it's compatible/not compatible with Blu-Ray, and what commercial product actually uses that copy protection.

 

[shortyjj]

True on HDMI = Single Link DVI + Audio. Yeah, wasn't sure about HDCP. So some monitors/TVs wouldn't work with just HDMI as they expect a HDCP signal as well (since HDMI more or less requires it).

So the DVI does *not* carry audio. You'd need a separate audio out to make this work? I hope Apple makes something for this, requiring 3 cables is ridiculous.

 

[Scottological]

For those pros upset about the lack of FW, I assume you're in the photo or video trade. In that case, the screen on the MB wouldn't be of sufficient quality for you anyway. You'd need to upgrade to the MBP just for the better contrast ratios alone, I would think, even if the MB did have FW.

Believe me, I'm sympathetic, but carrying a 14" by 10" rectangle less than an inch thick that weighs all of 5.5 lbs should be well within the physical capabilities of most anyone.

I've been on shoots where we were all using MBP's. We complained about the talent, the DP, the craft services table, but never the modest weight of a laptop.

 

[diamond.g]

So the DVI does *not* carry audio. You'd need a separate audio out to make this work? I hope Apple makes something for this, requiring 3 cables is ridiculous.

Displayport does support audio (although it is optional). But yeah DP -> DVI you lose audio.


Looking at Wiki shows that version 1.1 of DP supports HDCP. Not sure what version Apple is using though.

 

[editguy]

For those pros upset about the lack of FW, I assume you're in the photo or video trade. In that case, the screen on the MB wouldn't be of sufficient quality for you anyway. You'd need to upgrade to the MBP just for the better contrast ratios alone, I would think, even if the MB did have FW.

Believe me, I'm sympathetic, but carrying a 14" by 10" rectangle less than an inch thick that weighs all of 5.5 lbs should be well within the physical capabilities of most anyone.

I've been on shoots where we were all using MBP's. We complained about the talent, the DP, the craft services table, but never the modest weight of a laptop.

I use it for location work and then either connect the hard drive to the desktop when I get back or connect it to an external monitor. Anything I can do to reduce size and weight I will do. It's not the only piece of equipment we have to carry. It's one of many.

 

[hamzab]

Posting this from apple store using new macbook!

Its brilliant!

 

[MagnusVonMagnum]

But by the introduction of a real graphics chip instantly for a cheap price you can do everything, have dual cores, 4gb of ram, video card, and don't need to get a pro, you can be tiny and portable on the road, and plug it into the big ol' monitor when you get to home/office.

I wouldn't call $1200-1500 "Cheap" for a Macbook under ANY conditions. Not when something equivalent to the previous Macbook now goes for $600 and what the new one does for $1000. They're still about $400-$500 overpriced, IMO.

 

[editguy]

I wouldn't call $1200-1500 "Cheap" for a Macbook under ANY conditions. Not when something equivalent to the previous Macbook now goes for $600 and what the new one does for $1000. They're still about $400-$500 overpriced, IMO.

Yep, you're correct!

 

[piraeus7]

For those who welcome the new Apple bubbles of illusion, the following link is dedicated:

http://www.primatelabs.ca/blog/2008/10/macbook-and-macbook-pro-performance-october-2008/

If your only concern before buying a new computer is design and if you plan to buy an new laptop from Apple then i have nothing to tell you but this:

The past generation macbook @ 2.4 Ghz is far faster than the new macbook at 2.0 (!!!!!!). It is also about $50 cheaper (!!!!), it does have 1 fw port and it has only worse graphics card. By the way, if your work is not graphics orientated (that is you belong to the majority of users) you dont need the better graphics card.

The past generation macbook pro @ 2.4 is a faster machine than the best macbook @ 2.4 and they do cost the same price. The old macbook pro has bigger display and resolution (35% more working space, less scrolling and clicking which is time), far better graphics card (yes, 8600 is better than 9400), it has 2usb+2 fw ports and it can be sold with matte monitor.

The choice is yours. All laptops sold by Apple are very overrated and far more expensive than great alternatives by Sony, Toshiba and other brands (ok, we dont like windows but we talk about hardware only) but the new ones are just a lie.

Oh Steve, you are a great great liar. How many times your new laptops are faster than the previous generation models, uh? Did it take you time to invent words like «unibody»? There are words like «monolithic» or «monocoque» meaning the same thing if you want to impress the ignorants. Oh my goodness...

 

[brop52]

If I wanted the previous generation MB I would have bought one during the summer with a free iPod touch just like everyone else did along with the $100 ed discount. People are buying these for the design and not the small performance difference between 2 GHz and 2.4 GHz. The Black MB was never a good deal for the value you get.

 

[Eric S.]

Oh Steve, you are a great great liar. How many times your new laptops are faster than the previous generation models, uh? Did it take you time to invent words like «unibody»? There are words like «monolithic» or «monocoque» meaning the same thing if you want to impress the ignorants. Oh my goodness...

Well I do have to stick up for Apple on that one. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unibody#Automobiles:

"Nash Motors introduced this type of construction in 1941 with the new 600, generally credited with being the first popular mass-produced unibody construction automobile made in the United States."

 

[iEdd]

Currently you would have to go to DVI then get a DVI to HDMI converter. The only thing you have to worry about is HDCP as I don't think Display Port usually sends the HDCP signal to DVI.

It should carry HDCP, but the computer should handle that if you're playing blu-ray anyway.
Edit: As it's been said, DisplayPort is a friendlier system so no DP device should CREATE HDCP or anything of the sort to break its output like HDMI can.

A single cable would be better as the Mini DisplayPort to DVI cable strips the sound from it. Why couldn't Apple just make an HDMI cable with the sound?

 

[ageha]

For those who welcome the new Apple bubbles of illusion, the following link is dedicated:

http://www.primatelabs.ca/blog/2008/10/macbook-and-macbook-pro-performance-october-2008/

If your only concern before buying a new computer is design and if you plan to buy an new laptop from Apple then i have nothing to tell you but this:

The past generation macbook @ 2.4 Ghz is far faster than the new macbook at 2.0 (!!!!!!). It is also about $50 cheaper (!!!!), it does have 1 fw port and it has only worse graphics card. By the way, if your work is not graphics orientated (that is you belong to the majority of users) you dont need the better graphics card.

The past generation macbook pro @ 2.4 is a faster machine than the best macbook @ 2.4 and they do cost the same price. The old macbook pro has bigger display and resolution (35% more working space, less scrolling and clicking which is time), far better graphics card (yes, 8600 is better than 9400), it has 2usb+2 fw ports and it can be sold with matte monitor.

The choice is yours. All laptops sold by Apple are very overrated and far more expensive than great alternatives by Sony, Toshiba and other brands (ok, we dont like windows but we talk about hardware only) but the new ones are just a lie.

Oh Steve, you are a great great liar. How many times your new laptops are faster than the previous generation models, uh? Did it take you time to invent words like «unibody»? There are words like «monolithic» or «monocoque» meaning the same thing if you want to impress the ignorants. Oh my goodness...

"NVIDIA chipsets might not be as good as the Intel chipsets"

Of course not but they're cheaper

 

[piraeus7]

Steve is a liar. He told us lies by over-emphasizing the design aspect of the new laptops hiding at the same time their serious drawbacks: minimal value of money, less expandability, arbitrary exclusion of users who want a matte screen, indirect and hidden costs thru «special» adaptors and a huge price. This is not the honest way though.

 

[ajpl]

The iPod till this day has no removable battery and fm tuner. Have you ever asked yourself why? despite of the fact that every other mp3 player out there includes both.

The same reason as the iPhone has no radio unlike most other phones, so Apple can flog you more stuff from iTiunes. Letting you listen to music without giving them money is not going to happen if Apple can do anything about it. Non replacable battery means you have to give Apple more money when your iPod battery dies. It's all about making money, but sadly by coercion, not by tempting you with the best products.

 

[localoid]

Well I do have to stick up for Apple on that one. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unibody#Automobiles:

"Nash Motors introduced this type of construction in 1941 with the new 600, generally credited with being the first popular mass-produced unibody construction automobile made in the United States."

The new MacBooks are your grandfather's Nash!

 

[iEdd]

I don't really think radio competes with iTMS. Otherwise why would iTunes have all the internet radios? You'd have to have a really really lax mind and diverse taste in music to be able to substitute listening to the radio for listening to quality music without annoying presenters and ads. [Edit: I mean substitute owning ANY music for completely listening to the radio, ie. iTMS and radio can coexist without competing as radio listeners will still buy music - actually more likely to find a new song they like.]

Standard radio antennae have to be long too (half wavelength). Take FM 92.9 (MHz), that requires a 1.6m aerial for optimum reception. Generally they compromise by putting the antenna into the headphones, but it seems more trouble than what it's worth, particularly as it makes the iPhone thicker, more expensive and more prone to interference.

 

[Adamo]

The choice is yours. All laptops sold by Apple are very overrated and far more expensive than great alternatives by Sony, Toshiba and other brands (ok, we dont like windows but we talk about hardware only) but the new ones are just a lie.

No alternative by Sony will ever convince me, neither with Toshiba. I do like HP machines, but even then they are nothing in comparison build-wise.

 

[javierbds]

They have killed the entry-level MacBook-iBook line

The fact is the non metal line is gone, the price points reflect that.

Probably, in the next rev, they'll add some connectivity to the 13 model and call it a Pro or not ... So, gone is the entry level line.
They are just keeping the whitey until supplies last or Snowy cat.
I´m waiting to see what they do to the mini ...

This is so Apple:
- mmm ... this is selling like, you know, a lot !
- Maybe we should kill it
- But, you know, there is a crisis
- Crisis? What crisis?

 

[Compile 'em all]

Since Apple is now the great and powerful Oz, why don't they just eliminate all the ports? Since making it thin is all that matters (not meeting your customers needs) That should allow them to make it about 3 mm thick. But while they're doing that they might consider that the average PC laptop not only has firewire but has 4 or 5 USB ports.

If form over function is driving Apple's future, they will lose the creative content producers. The market that gave Apple a foothold in the computer world and saved them during the years that they struggled.

creative content producers have the pro line.

 

[ThinkOSX]

The new MacBook doesn't need FW, its glossy screen mirrors data much faster!