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Apple Announces New MacBook Pros, Updates MacBook Air

My early 2008 MBP: 2.5GHz, 4GB RAM, 250GB = £1470
The new MBP: 2.4GHz, 4GB RAM, 250GB = £1499

So, £29 more for 0.1GHz less, a cheap-looking, dated chiclet keyboard, no matte screen option, no FW400, no DVI output without a £30 adaptor and a design that's exactly the same as the cheaper MacBook.

I'm glad I didn't wait!
 
bananabar said:
My early 2008 MBP: 2.5GHz, 4GB RAM, 250GB = £1470
The new MBP: 2.4GHz, 4GB RAM, 250GB = £1499

So, £29 more for 0.1GHz less, a cheap-looking, dated chiclet keyboard, no matte screen option, no FW400, no DVI output without a £30 adaptor and a design that's exactly the same as the cheaper MacBook.

I'm glad I didn't wait!
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Funny that you refer the keyboard as "dated" when the one of the MacBook Pro is even older, as it's been used on countless notebooks dating back to the early 1990s.
 
bananabar said:
What happened to Apple pushing the bar? These are just small tweaks (and several of which make them less desireable to many - glossy screen one of them).

These are essentially the same - same res screen, slightly faster, slightly larger HDD etc.

And who is going to pay an extra $1000 for a Pro to get a backlit keayboard, FW800 and bigger HDD?
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Most likely millions. The MacBook Pro will most likely remain as popular as ever. Believe it or not, Apple would never just blindly redesign their notebooks. They listened to hundreds of hours of feedback, like most other corporations. Just like with the MacBook, the redesign likely came from features and design cues that consumers wanted to see.
 
Timichango said:
You asked for it, here it is.

I've started a petition to get matte screens back as an option.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/matte-macbook-pro/index.html

Let'er Rip fellas. :D

If this gets any momentum at all, maybe... just maybe...
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Too bad online petitions don't work. Especially on a third party site. The only way Apple would ever even listen was if you directly submitted feedback, and even then, I sincerely believe only a minority of so-called "pro" users even care enough to bother with this. Once again, majority rules. If the majority wanted glossy screens and are happy with them, then that's what Apple is going to do.
 
Not like it matters much, but maybe someone will agree...

I think the new Macbook is kinda cool. I understand it and I understand why they were designed the way they were designed and do what they do. Do I like it? No. Will I buy one? Maybe, if my '07 MBP ever dies an untimely death.

But I think the new Mac Book Pros are ****. What the **** were they thinking when they made that? I have the typical complaints about them, but it's seriously frickin stupid. There's nothing PRO about them.

The new 24" screen looks pretty cool IMO. It would match my iMac REALLY well and I was really looking onto getting one until... oops, they **** that up too. So I HAVE to buy this new, ugly, useless product JUST to use the cool new monitor? Stupid.

Macbook Air upgrades are well-needed and they did good with that. As if you could complain about a hard drive upgrade :p


But all in all...
I love my '07 Mac Book Pro and new iMac (if it didn't shut off on it's own...) and current iPods (because they haven't met early deaths YET)...
But I've really liked Apple ever since I was a kid. I feel more comfortable working with them and love their style. I just wish they were a bit more consistent with that style and with their product quality.
 
Quillz said:
Too bad online petitions don't work. Especially on a third party site. The only way Apple would ever even listen was if you directly submitted feedback, and even then, I sincerely believe only a minority of so-called "pro" users even care enough to bother with this. Once again, majority rules. If the majority wanted glossy screens and are happy with them, then that's what Apple is going to do.
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You're probably right, but dear god I hope you're not. The point here is that Apple's gotten bigger than in the past, sure, but that doesn't mean their selection needs to be.

The majority doesn't need to be the only group represented by the options that apple puts on the table - many companies thrive by catering to both niche markets and the mass market, and since those are apple's roots, there's really no reason they can't accommodate the niche market via options now.

Sign the petition for matte screens! You know you want to!
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/matte-macbook-pro/index.html
 
Timichango said:
You're probably right, but dear god I hope you're not. The point here is that Apple's gotten bigger than in the past, sure, but that doesn't mean their selection needs to be.

The majority doesn't need to be the only group represented by the options that apple puts on the table - many companies thrive by catering to both niche markets and the mass market, and since those are apple's roots, there's really no reason they can't accommodate the niche market via options now.
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I don't think Apple cares one bit about its roots. It's a corporation out to make as much money as possible, as between the iPod and the iMac, it's found that the best way to make money is to cater to the consumers who just want computers that work. You know, like the advertising says time after time. They don't want to have a million options, and they couldn't care less about glossy screens or matte screens.

No, I don't think this is the best method of operation, but until it stops earning Apple billions upon billions a year, don't expect any changes. Apple's market has greatly changed in less than ten years.
 
Quillz said:
Most likely millions. The MacBook Pro will most likely remain as popular as ever. Believe it or not, Apple would never just blindly redesign their notebooks. They listened to hundreds of hours of feedback, like most other corporations. Just like with the MacBook, the redesign likely came from features and design cues that consumers wanted to see.
Click to expand...

I doubt that Apple have received lots of feedback like "Please remove FW from Macbook, it's so useless" or "Please don't offer matte screen option for MBP".
 
Quillz said:
I don't think Apple cares one bit about its roots. It's a corporation out to make as much money as possible, as between the iPod and the iMac, it's found that the best way to make money is to cater to the consumers who just want computers that work. You know, like the advertising says time after time. They don't want to have a million options, and they couldn't care less about glossy screens or matte screens.

No, I don't think this is the best method of operation, but until it stops earning Apple billions upon billions a year, don't expect any changes. Apple's market has greatly changed in less than ten years.
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And you really believe that condensing everything to a one-size-fits-all product offering is the only way they can make as much money as possible?

Put another way, do you really think that offering options to pros is really going to eat away at their bottom line, given that we're all willing to pay a premium for pro-level features, and continue to act as mac evangelists? I just don't buy it.
 
Quillz said:
...cater to the consumers who just want computers that work.
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Such a shame they don't 'just work'.

Apple are plagued with problems and issues. Battery recalls, iPhone software issues (ask anyone who gets mail via IMAP or POP), rainbow screens etc. etc.

Buying a Mac is no longer a guarantee of a faultless computer.
 
bananabar said:
And who is going to pay an extra $1000 for a Pro to get a backlit keayboard, FW800 and bigger HDD?
Click to expand...

you do get others things as well. you get faster graphics, ExpressCard-slot (that you can use to add more FW-ports to the machine), bigger resolution and bigger screen....

Seriously, the whining is getting out of control. But what do you expect? People whined when they announced the black MacBook (even though they had no reason to), and they are whining again. Just whine, whine, whine....
 
Evangelion said:
you do get others things as well. you get faster graphics, ExpressCard-slot (that you can use to add more FW-ports to the machine), bigger resolution and bigger screen....

Seriously, the whining is getting out of control. But what do you expect? People whined when they announced the black MacBook (even though they had no reason to), and they are whining again. Just whine, whine, whine....
Click to expand...

Just sign the petition - you'll feel less dirty inside ;)
 
Quillz said:
I don't think Apple cares one bit about its roots. It's a corporation out to make as much money as possible, as between the iPod and the iMac, it's found that the best way to make money is to cater to the consumers who just want computers that work. You know, like the advertising says time after time. They don't want to have a million options, and they couldn't care less about glossy screens or matte screens.

No, I don't think this is the best method of operation, but until it stops earning Apple billions upon billions a year, don't expect any changes. Apple's market has greatly changed in less than ten years.
Click to expand...

In my opinion, Apple has become a little bit arrogant and egoistic because financially they are doing better than competitors. They have succeeded with their current business model (remove features and options to make more visually appealing thin products). As long as they are successful, I don't see changes in their business model. If someday their computers don't sell anymore, maybe then they begin to think about competing with features, competing with prices etc. instead of competing with OSX and visual appearance.
 
Underwhelming. I love the styling and the looks, but the hardware is not competitive, IMO. MacBooks are twice the price of generic notebooks, and Apple can't put an £8 SD card reader in it? What about wireless USB? They only seem to innovate in styling these days, instead of implementing the cutting edge of technology as they used to. And not offering a matte screen option for a "pro" computer is pretty dumb. I don't mind a glossy screen, but reading what the pro users on here say it's pretty obvious glossy is not suitable for a large number of people. There should be a matte option for the MBP.

Everyone I know who is in the market for a notebook looks at Apple and says one thing - too expensive. They think that build quality and great looks no longer justify the Apple Premium, and I agree. I would seriously consider getting a generic notebook and turning it into a hackintosh rather than these new MacBooks.

Edit: Looking at the store, the new base MacBook is £950??? :eek: Jeez.
 
bruno7 said:
To give Apple some credit - I really like the look of these laptops when they're closed. It's really sleek and being made from one piece makes them even more beautiful. But when opened I just cannot understand Apple's desire for the laptops to look exactly like iMacs.
Click to expand...

I could never understand why Dodge put the same basic Dodge Ram grill design on EVERY Dodge car out there (save possibly the Viper) for so many years. I know they want a consistent look so you know it's a Dodge, but come on; I don't want my car to look like a Ram truck. I guess it explains why I never bought a Dodge. I see they FINALLY broke the trend this year with the Challenger and some of the newer Dodges coming up won't have a Ram style grill anymore either, so I guess someone clued them in their entire line looks dated when they all look like the last Ram redesign almost a decade later. It doesn't matter which Dodge you bought; they all look like the Ram more or less.

So maybe this is Apple's ugly iMac phase. Wait until you see the Mac Pro redesign coming out early next year. No more cheese grater... but it ALSO looks like the iMac with black bevels on aluminum. That's great if you LIKE that look and a nightmare if you don't. It's an area PCs definitely have one up on Apple. You can get any style case that YOU WANT, not what Steve wants to sell you. Sometimes choice is good.

forgetaboutpro said:
Oh, so a person's knowledge of apple is hinged on how long they've been a member on MR for? That makes perfect sense.

Go double click your way to buying one of those AWESOME new 'pro' machines...
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You have to remember you're dealing with Mac fans here. Their 'logic' is not normal. It's fan worship logic where the longer you've been a registered fan on their favorite forum, the more important you are not how long you've actually used computers in general or how much you actually know. It's kind of like rock star worship versus actual musicianship. A smart person knows that someone who can play their own instrument is light years beyond a foam at the mouth fan, but fans couldn't give a crap if YOU can play a guitar or piano. They worship their idol and fight to be a bigger fan, not to understand music. Heck, you're a NERD if you know Linux to Mac fans, even though OS X is based on NetBSD Unix. But most Mac fans don't even know that much.

xbjllb said:
These iCrap shenanigans are going to cost Steve Jobs multi-MILLIONS of pro sales.

The new slogan:

APPLE: Time to move on.

:apple:
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Who are you kidding? Unless you are prepared to abandon OS X and go crawling back to Windows World (Linux is NOT an option for professionals unless your profession is in servers) then I'm afraid you are STUCK with whatever Steve feels like dishing to you on your plate. It's the price you pay for supporting a platform that has a total monopoly on OS X hardware. Oh wait. Mac fans tore me a new one for even suggesting that Apple has a monopoly on ANYTHING. You can always go buy a Dell they told me. Except unless you are going to HACK it yourself, you can't get OS X on a Dell so that means you *HAVE* to buy the crap Steve is selling you hardware-wise. Go buy a Windows machine if you don't like it, they told me. Well now I'm telling you and them the SAME THING. Go buy a Windows machine if you don't like it because Steve doesn't give a hoot what YOU want. This is all about Steve's massive ego. Steve knows best. Get used to it. It's what being a Mac owner is all about.

flipperanubi said:
How, pray tell, can they have a matte screen without putting plastic in the MacBook/MacBookPro line?

I think a few reflections from the glass are worth saving our planet.

Go Apple! Go Green!
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I guess you've never heard of recycling.... And if you think not offering matte is going to somehow save this planet, you're just as deluded as that nut Al Gore.
 
I will never purchase a glossy screen, so unless they offer a matte option I guess I will never own another Apple Laptop.

Sad.
 
AppliedMicro said:
Did you account for taxes? :confused:

EDIT: You didn't, apparently. The UK prices include 17.5% VAT (it i 17.5%, right?), while the Australian price apparently doesn't.
Click to expand...

Yes, 17.5% is correct.


pooryou said:
I will never purchase a glossy screen, so unless they offer a matte option I guess I will never own another Apple Laptop.

Sad.
Click to expand...


It is sad, these new machines are all so consumer-oriented. I assume there will be a healthy market for third-party anti-glare filters with a cut-out for the iSight camera.
 
maverick808 said:
He said how do they connect to their new MBs (MacBooks). The MBPs have FireWire 800, but the MBs have no FireWire at all, so that adapter is useless to new MB owners.
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99% of PC users couldn't care less about Firewire and that's why Steve doesn't care either. He's throwing in the towel and supporting USB 2.0 now and USB 3.0 in the future. Firewire died a LONG time ago by lack of consumer interest. Too bad for those of you that bought Firewire devices. You're like the Betamax users of the 21st century.

Apple dropped matte screens because of a total lack of interest on the consumers part. Do you seriously think they didn't look into what consumer preference is? It's 90/10 in favor of glossy. It's not worth Apple's investment to support 10%. Get a matte static plastic cover already.

And if not, who cares. You're not important to Apple. You WILL buy what Apple sells because you have no other choice if you want the OS X that you've come to love and worship. Apple doesn't have to compete hardware-wise with Dell for those that want OS X so you're screwed. If you buy Dell, you go back to Windows and Steve KNOWS you'd rather cut off your own arm than use Windows, ESPECIALLY Windows Vista. He's got you over a barrel and you know it. You will ALL cave and buy another Mac sooner or later despite your crying now. You have NO OTHER CHOICE. Muahahahahaa. :D
 
cal6n said:
No, you're not. You're just a tosser.
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Ah, yes. Your third grade tactics is working its magic, isn't it? :rolleyes:

Denarius said:
I really don't get this lowest common denominator bit seeing as they're damned expensive products when push comes to shove.
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It's not about the price alone. Although, if we use the iPod(s) as examples, they're expenisve too, yet they too are a product of lowest common denominator.
In all the things (not just the iPods), it has become a race of a feature-set aimed at the lowest common denominator, an aim that includes the build and assembly quality derived from thinking "lowest common denominator", and even their focus in recent years (as evident with the latest generations of the Macbooks which essentially killed off the pro line in anything but the name) has been a class example of the hunt for profit maxing expressed by catering to the lowest common denominator. And yes, I consider the average consumer of iPods and iPod derivates "lowest common denominator".
Caveat: I hope my reply doesn't "translates" too harshly, as I decided to give a proper reply instead of "well, just because quality costs big money, doesn't mean you get quality by spending blindly", as I think your question was a genuine one. I tried to respond genuinely.

What I really don't understand is why they are refusing to recognise that a fair number of people would rather have a matte screen and that getting rid of a second firewire port is a backwards step, made even more incomprehensible by the space saved by the smaller screen connector!
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True. To me it looks like they're twisting their statistics: Putting all the portables in one basket, and then deducting that because so many people bought MacBooks, not matte MBPs, then the glossy screens MUST be "teh H17" (I'm too old for that kind of language, but the ignorance of it seem to fit the use of those statistics).
 
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