I second this...I will decide between a MB and MBP over graphics performance (need it for architecture CAD progs e.g. ArchiCAD)- is this new 9400M up to it?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Announces New Aluminum MacBooks
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I second this...I will decide between a MB and MBP over graphics performance (need it for architecture CAD progs e.g. ArchiCAD)- is this new 9400M up to it?
I know I shouldn't because there's technical reasons why this isn't good, but that macbook is so darn beautiful!!! I can't wait to get to an Apple store, just so I can see it with my own eyes.
Ummm how is a smaller student discount a + point? We pay enough for our education as it is.
No Firewire...
Such a shame but this is a deal breaker for me and I'm guessing many others.
I use my Macbook for work as an Apple Technician/Engineer and myself and a friend use 2 of them on stage when we play, Firewire is crucial to both of us..
I support a school that uses 30+ Macbooks for a range of things including iMovie...
Now a family that wanted a nice little rugged laptop for their "digital life", a music hobbyist that has already invested in a decent Audio Interface, anyone who has already purchased a FW400/800 ext. HDD and needs a new laptop - will have to pay £££'s extra for one port and a load of "features" they don't want or need!
You've really screwed us here Apple... Nice one..
Such a shame but this is a deal breaker for me and I'm guessing many others.
I use my Macbook for work as an Apple Technician/Engineer and myself and a friend use 2 of them on stage when we play, Firewire is crucial to both of us..
I support a school that uses 30+ Macbooks for a range of things including iMovie...
Now a family that wanted a nice little rugged laptop for their "digital life", a music hobbyist that has already invested in a decent Audio Interface, anyone who has already purchased a FW400/800 ext. HDD and needs a new laptop - will have to pay £££'s extra for one port and a load of "features" they don't want or need!
You've really screwed us here Apple... Nice one..
1) Did anyone notice that if you want to hook up the new MBP to a 30" via dual dvi, the cable costs $99?!?!!? Hopefully I am wrong, and they still include a regular cable from their integrated external video port -> dual dvi.
2) One of the sweetest things on the MBP was always the keyboard. The nice soft, quiet feel to it. Granted, I haven't tried the new one, but I can imagine it will not be to my liking.
3) No matte display, enough said. =(
4) No esata ports
5) No high res for 15"
Yes, more complains... Honestly, I think the only attractive thing is the glass touchpad, which sounds neat. In actual use, will be TBD. It is very tempting to sell my 2.33, and just buy a Penryn model. My biggest reason for wanting to upgrade is 4GB of ram vs 3GB, and faster CPU. Other than that, I can't see any reason to.
2) One of the sweetest things on the MBP was always the keyboard. The nice soft, quiet feel to it. Granted, I haven't tried the new one, but I can imagine it will not be to my liking.
3) No matte display, enough said. =(
4) No esata ports
5) No high res for 15"
Yes, more complains... Honestly, I think the only attractive thing is the glass touchpad, which sounds neat. In actual use, will be TBD. It is very tempting to sell my 2.33, and just buy a Penryn model. My biggest reason for wanting to upgrade is 4GB of ram vs 3GB, and faster CPU. Other than that, I can't see any reason to.
Am I alone in not using Firewire nor caring much about it
I'm surprised by the comments to this.
If you are someone who wanted to buy a MacBook in the UK yesterday, the cheapest model was £699 with a Combo drive. Now, for just 20 quid more, you can get a machine that has a Superdrive. I am also assuming, as it is the old model, it has a Firewire 400 port. If you really need that...
The middle range MacBook has 256Mb of graphics memory and a dedicated graphics card. For the same price - £949 - as the old top range MacBook and a slightly smaller Hard Drive. So you are getting a much better deal. The specs have been ramped and it is a new design. Not so terrible. And if you can't afford it, go for the older, cheaper model.
How many consumers really have Firewire devices? I've two hard drives attached to my current iMac and they are both USB2.0. If I want to use these on any PC, it is easy. My MacBook has used Firewire a couple of times to attach a camera that also attaches using USB2.0 I was considering a Firewire hard drive, as it is very much slightly faster, but they are much more expensive and difficult to really justify if you are a little price conscious. And I guess if you aren't, why not go the whole hog and get a MacBook Pro?
I really don't think the Firewire is a deal breaker for most consumers. But the new vastly improved graphics capability is much appreciated.
I'm surprised by the comments to this.
If you are someone who wanted to buy a MacBook in the UK yesterday, the cheapest model was £699 with a Combo drive. Now, for just 20 quid more, you can get a machine that has a Superdrive. I am also assuming, as it is the old model, it has a Firewire 400 port. If you really need that...
The middle range MacBook has 256Mb of graphics memory and a dedicated graphics card. For the same price - £949 - as the old top range MacBook and a slightly smaller Hard Drive. So you are getting a much better deal. The specs have been ramped and it is a new design. Not so terrible. And if you can't afford it, go for the older, cheaper model.
How many consumers really have Firewire devices? I've two hard drives attached to my current iMac and they are both USB2.0. If I want to use these on any PC, it is easy. My MacBook has used Firewire a couple of times to attach a camera that also attaches using USB2.0 I was considering a Firewire hard drive, as it is very much slightly faster, but they are much more expensive and difficult to really justify if you are a little price conscious. And I guess if you aren't, why not go the whole hog and get a MacBook Pro?
I really don't think the Firewire is a deal breaker for most consumers. But the new vastly improved graphics capability is much appreciated.
They said it is an open standard. Don't have a link handy right now, but I saw it mentioned in one of the slides in Gizmodo's live feed of the keynote. I also saw here (a few days ago) a presentation from the DisplayPort website that mentioned a mini-displayport is undergoing specification.
A really hot MacBook
Price rises.
L2 Cache still less than Nov 07 version [was 4MB].
No firewire port.
Caveat that performance declines when machine runs hot.
Early adopters – BEWARE!
Price rises.
L2 Cache still less than Nov 07 version [was 4MB].
No firewire port.
Caveat that performance declines when machine runs hot.
Early adopters – BEWARE!
Overall the systems look great. I'll continue to use my macbook since I use ProTools recording software that requires a firewire port. I was looking forward to an upgrade....but don't want to shell out the extra cash for a MBP.
Other than that it looks great!
Other than that it looks great!
You know I was seriously considering investing a new Macbook and a Cinema display as oppose to my MBP, but seriously? Economy Apple, economy. I can understand wanting to make a strong profit, but this does remind me of the iPhone ordeal again. When's the last time do you think they spoke to someone who doesn't make 6 figures a year?
I'll stick with my SR MBP, happily.
I'll stick with my SR MBP, happily.
Dreadful, dreadful, dreadful.
I'm desperate for an entry level MacBook to replace my broken iBook G4. There's no way I'm paying more for a white MacBook than I would have this morning (especially since I'm a student and I believe our discount has been reduced too?!), and the new ones are nice enough but too expensive for way to little an update.
Looks like a generic PC + Linux for my on the go computing. Or eBay for an old model.
The white one is better for $999. Apple added a superdrive. So you are getting a much better price. So thw new white book is a great deal.
An updated 13-inch white MacBook featuring 2.1 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processors, a 120GB 5400 rpm hard drive and a slot-load 8X SuperDrive® is now available for $999 (US).
It's the prices that jump out at *me*....and not in a good way. Reasonably cool upgrades, but not at that price point. No way. Dropped firewire on MBs for no apparent reason? Disappointed overall.
Was hoping that ilife 09 would be bundled with it but alas I'm going to have to buy that when it comes out too Apple are making a lot of money out of me today
Apple are making a lot of money out of me todayALL video cameras (mini-DV, hard drive based, flash memory based, and even the old Digital-8 camcorders) are firewire-only. If your notebook doesn't have firewire, you can't import video from your camera!Dont trying to be rude or anything but honestly i have never anyone i know (even myself) use firewire and i'm a computer/device geek
Not sure perhaps in some business areas it is more common but i never across it "yet".
What the hell was Apple thinking taking away this critical port?? And why do they still bundle iMovie with the Macbook? It's useless without a firewire port to import video from!!
well i was looking for a replacement macbook but dam are they expensive!
looks like i'll plod on with what i got for another year
looks like i'll plod on with what i got for another year
Well, lets see, all of my external drives are firewire and my video camera is too....so it looks like I will be holding on to my Blackbook until Apple comes to their senses and puts a firewire port into their MacBook, or until I absolutely have to have a new computer AND can afford one of their MacBook Pros...lame....
So...does that mean it is as capable as the graphics chips in the outgoing MBP? Sorry if this is a dumb question, but the graphics issue confuses me
apple eliminated FW from the MB because consumers (well the ones who even know what FW is) see it as a Pro connection. Most people know usb because thats what they use almost all the time to connect to their devices. Apple is trying to push those who want or need FW to the MBP.