Apple Announces New MacBook Pros, Updates MacBook Air

[arepadetrigo]

Another lost sale

You can add one more to your 2 or 3 Mac computers that won't be sold this year because of the glossy screen. I was planning on getting one ASAP. But now I'll just use a hand-mirror and save a couple of grand.

I am one of those that had been considering upgrading and was not happy to see the glossy screens. For months I had also been considering getting a couple of iMacs for my design business, but have been holding out for a non-glossy option on those as well. But after seeing that the laptops are headed in the same glare-friendly direction I don't know what to do.

And then I happened into a big box office supply store today and just happened to look at the laptops as I was walking by. And guess what? They had 9 different laptops from different manufacturers and ALL OF THEM HAD GLOSSY SCREENS! There was not one matte option to be had. So despite the whole obviously untrue makreting of "think different", Apple is just following every other manufacturer on this one. It doesn't make it any better obviously and I am still into a quandry as to what I should do to upgrade. So it appears that our options even on the switching to PC side are dwindling. I guess this is just the current fashion and we will have to wait it out until matte is back "in".

So here are 2-3 computer purchases that will likely not be made this year. Hopefully I can get by on what I have until function-over-looks becomes popular in the industry again. And ironically, I think it was Apple focus on design and others trying to match it that has lead to this "mine's shinier than yours" brinkmanship.

Perhaps when my bathroom mirror breaks I can replace it with an iMac or MacBookPro.

signed,
-Would Be Multiple Mac Purchaser

 

[SchneiderMan]

so its still a good idea to get ddr3 ram from apple?

 

[arepadetrigo]

Is Apple really a customer-friendly company?

We are about to find out if Apple really listens to its customers or not. I know the matte screen is a personal issue for me and I thought at first it was just "my" problem. All the fanboys came out mocking we "whiners" for not getting with the program. I thought this issue was a non-starter for most other consumers.

Then I noticed that a lot .... most .... comments here on MacRumors were negative toward the glossy-only offering. "Oh well," I thought. "That's just a few complainers like me venting on a message board." But now I see that this issue is not at all isolated. Everything I have read has mentioned the matte screen only as a big problem for lot's of people. For some it's only a preference. But for others, it's a matter of getting their job done effectively and efficiently on a Mac.

We all love our Macs for two basic reasons: 1) They're beautiful and 2) They just work. Whether the new MacBooks are beautiful is a matter of opinion. I personally don't think so. But whether they work or not is what's really important. For me, a glossy screen causes distraction, eye-strain, fatigue, and headaches. I cannot and I will not use one if any other option exists. Evidently I am not alone.

We buy Macs not because they just get by. We could get a Dell and get by. We buy Macs because the overall experience is not just ok, not just good, it's GREAT. Regardless of what the fanboys may think, matte is a strong, strong preference for lots of Mac customers. Why would I lay down $2000 for a laptop I just "like"? Why would I pay that much money for a computer and have to sigh every time I open the lid?

I know Macs are way better in most every way; but the screen is what you look at all day long. That element has to be MY WAY not Steve Job's way.

So Apple, are you listening? If so, I would like to hear an announcement that matte screens are coming back. If you do that, I'll buy one. Maybe even two. But if you aren't listening then not only am I out this round, but I will seriously question your commitment to your loyal customer base. In that case I will go back to the lowly Windose world and deal with the non-responsive vendors over there. At least they are only charging 1/3 to 1/2 to sell me a computer that I can get by with.

Apple, you messed up on this one. No one would hold it against you if you admit your mistake and correct it. In fact, we would know you're listening and continue to invest in your future. Otherwise, I'm outta here.

And for all you fanboys who are incredulous that anyone would ever switch back, this is the FIRST and ONLY time I have EVER complained about Apple's products. I have touted Macs for years now. So save your accusations.

 

[Timichango]

Is there a way to sign the petition with out paying? thanks for trying to stick it to apple and tell them they need to catch up with other makers in performance/bring back matte. I am not sure if i would have a preference for matte versus glossy, i do like a sharp image, but it would also be nice for apple to listen to all these users who they are loosing sales from. I am looking at apple because i am thinking about getting into recording...possibly drums. If they do not start making their products more comparable they will be losing my money.

The petition is free - it asks for a donation after you sign, I think, but it's not required at all.

 

[ajpl]

Oh, are you? Looked at your "Pro" site and your "Pro" work there little one. Do you have any idea who Brad Trent is and what sort of pro he is? Pretty evident that you don't. Your clients are consumer/retail types like Sears happy portraits. Of course they use PCs! That digital software for PCs only, well, more schmalz to you. Enjoy playing with your HDR and stand alone consumer plug-ins. And perhaps if you actually knew what you were talking about in regards to 64 bit and why Windows at present then I would comment on that but you're a waste of time. Asshat.

I've already commented on how all your remarksare complete nonsense in a previous post above, but now I'm intrigued as to why you appeared to have joined Mac Rumours to make a single post insulting me and wave the flag for Brad Trent. In a manner remarkably similar to Brad Trent's posts in this thread.
Are you possibly Brad Trent, using a pseudonym to hide behind whilst being so rude? If not why did you join to post such innacurate vitriol

Click for prior rebuttal, if anyone cares

 

[aplownspc]

oh yea ok i just got an email that said i signed it cool im signing it for your sake i could really care less glossy vs matte

 

[!¡ V ¡!]

I foresee another Apple G4 Cube dud with this new notebook. Heck these notebooks look related to the HP. Well might as well save myself some money and buy an HP instead.

 

[!¡ V ¡!]

Who is going to be getting SSD drive model?

To sum it up, at present SSD is not worth it when comparing price/storage/power ratio.

 

[Tosser]

I am one of those that had been considering upgrading and was not happy to see the glossy screens. For months I had also been considering getting a couple of iMacs for my design business, but have been holding out for a non-glossy option on those as well. But after seeing that the laptops are headed in the same glare-friendly direction I don't know what to do.

And then I happened into a big box office supply store today and just happened to look at the laptops as I was walking by. And guess what? They had 9 different laptops from different manufacturers and ALL OF THEM HAD GLOSSY SCREENS! There was not one matte option to be had. So despite the whole obviously untrue makreting of "think different", Apple is just following every other manufacturer on this one.

Except, what you saw there were the consumer models. Most other companies have matte pro versions. Go take a look at Lenovo as an example par excellence.

http://www.pc.ibm.com/uk/thinkpad/ (it's Lenovo).

 

[Timichango]

Except, what you saw there were the consumer models. Most other companies have matte pro versions. Go take a look at Lenovo as an example par excellence.

http://www.pc.ibm.com/uk/thinkpad/ (it's Lenovo).

This is the first time in the history of my life with Mac as my primary computing platform that I'm actually feeling anxious about being trapped... if the corporate decision making that led to yesterday's releases continues down the same path, and the hardware offering to professionals gets any bleaker (in portables at least), I'm not sure what I'll do - the idea of running Vista is absolutely abhorrent, the applications I need are alien to linux, and the hardware to which the best operating system in the world is tied keeps tear-assing around in a Camaro, putting on more cologne, polishing it's sunglasses, and acting like more and more of a douchebag.

Good times

 

[kgregc1]

MacBook and FW port on cinema monitor

If I connect a new MacBook to my 20" Apple cinema monitor, can I use the monitor's FW port(s) to connect to a video camera and a FW hard drive?

This might be a workaround solution for no FW on the new MacBook..

 

[TuffLuffJimmy]

If I connect a new MacBook to my 20" Apple cinema monitor, can I use the monitor's FW port(s) to connect to a video camera and a FW hard drive?

This might be a workaround solution for no FW on the new MacBook..

I don't believe so as there would be a bottle neck through USB still.

 

[iEdd]

Don't you need the FireWire cable plugged in for the FW ports on the display to work? Isn't it just a 2 port hub?

 

[kgregc1]

Don't you need the FireWire cable plugged in for the FW ports on the display to work? Isn't it just a 2 port hub?

Duh, I forgot about that.... I guess it's going to have to be a MBP, then....

 

[superstring]

Except, what you saw there were the consumer models. Most other companies have matte pro versions. Go take a look at Lenovo as an example par excellence.

http://www.pc.ibm.com/uk/thinkpad/ (it's Lenovo).

Funny you should mention Thinkpads. Those are actually the two computers that I was thinking of converting to iMacs if it weren't for the glossy screen. I don't do as much traveling as I used to (hence the Thinkpads) so I thought an all-in-one desktop would have been fine. But since they were glossy, I was holding out until the new MacBookPros came out. But now they are glossy, I am not sure what to do. MacPros are too large and too expensive when adding a monitor (I have a G5 PowerMac as well already). And now every other new Mac is glossy. Since I have been both PC and Mac for a while now, I had been planning on going completely Mac since the few programs I do need on the PC I could probably run in Parallels or Fusion. But the glossy screen is truly and issue. I have looked at the iMacs repeatedly in different stores (at least 4-5 different stores) and in every situation the glare and reflections just are too noticeable.

But I really hate researching computer equipment and that's another reason I have always liked Macs. They have always seemed to be in line with what I have needed or wanted at the time. Not any more. The frustrating thing is that I like OSX, but if the hardware is leaving me behind, I may just have to figure out how to install it on a PC instead. I am guessing there will be other companies that spring up to lure this disenfranchised group of design professionals. I know I don't have to upgrade now, but I also have to acknowledge the fact that getting new equipment down the line will be necessary. The question becomes how long I can stay competitive with what I have and hope that Apple comes back around to the pro segment of their users.

While I do prefer OSX, I use WindowsXP regularly and it isn't as bad as it is made out to be. Both OSes have the strengths and weaknesses. I was hoping to go completely OSX for my business, but I can still operate just fine on XP and OSX on the computers I already own (fingers crossed they don't break).

I guess I will just get my phones from Apple from now on (the iPhone is amazing and deserves the hype it gets - they did a great job with that product)

Anyway, I know I am preaching to the choir here (well, most of you), but I wanted to get my opinion out there as well.

 

[MagnusVonMagnum]

While I do prefer OSX, I use WindowsXP regularly and it isn't as bad as it is made out to be. Both OSes have the strengths and weaknesses. I was hoping to go completely OSX for my business, but I can still operate just fine on XP and OSX on the computers I already own (fingers crossed they don't break).

It's unreal how angry people are to the point of willing to throw away all their OS X software and move to a much HATED platform (i.e. Windows) that is now being rationalized all over a lousy stinking $20 Firewire port that 90% of Mac users don't actually use anyway (even less in the PC world where maybe 2% even have such a port to begin with) and a glossy screen that you COULD just add a matte filter strip to.

Of course, if Psystar were to WIN their court case, the floodgates for mac clones would open and you'd be able to easily get any hardware you want to go with OS X. But 80% of Mac users were rooting their hands off for Psystar to LOSE BIG TIME against Apple just a couple of months ago and now suddenly I'm seeing a lot of Mac users actually considering a Hackintosh.... How ironic! I guess your world views depend entirely on whether you feel you are personally being screwed by Mr. Jobs. If not, people tend to think he's a demi-god. Otherwise, they suddenly hate his guts over a glossy screen.

 

[strikeinsilence]

It's unreal how angry people are to the point of willing to throw away all their OS X software and move to a much HATED platform (i.e. Windows) that is now being rationalized all over a lousy stinking $20 Firewire port that 90% of Mac users don't actually use anyway (even less in the PC world where maybe 2% even have such a port to begin with) and a glossy screen that you COULD just add a matte filter strip to.

Completely agree. For me, OS X is everything. I don't get how people can throw away the whole user experience just so they can get bleeding-edge hardware. It's why the iPhone is so successful: it doesn't have the most features on the market, but the software it uses is ***** brilliant.

 

[Lictor]

I didn't read that closely about what he was using it for, but if he's referring to a digital camera system (I take it this means stills, not even video?), well, it's all the more ridiculous sounding that a single port plus hub solution wouldn't work. Hiccups aren't going to be a huge deal on something that isn't real time.

That just shows how ignorant you are of the whole process...

First, video is not real time either. You have more than 15ms between each video frame, that's *plenty* of time. Besides, video is very low bandwidth, even in full HD, in that 15ms, you can do plenty of time, like compress each frame on the fly and/or send it accross a network.

Digital backs are another story. First, the bandwidth is not that low compared to video. Full HD is a mere 2 mp, and it's not even encoded in RGB. If you use 10 bits per pixel, that's less than 2.5 MB per frame. Worst case scenario (uncompressed NTSC in 1080p) is only 150MB/s.
A 50mp back with a 16 bit resolution produces 95MB pictures. So, not that far from 1s for *uncompressed* Full HD video. And if you're doing studio work, you actually want to keep pretty close to that 1s per frame limit.
The difference is that you rarely deal with uncompressed video, but back *always* output uncompressed raw data. In many practical use, you will have a higher bandwidth with digital backs than with video.

Another issue is that most digital backs to not have a 95MB buffer of ultra-fast RAM to hold the whole image. They certainly don't have enough buffer to multitask the data transfer while capturing a new frame. So, usually, you do things on the fly : you have a smaller buffer, and the back pushes the data on the bus as it extract it from the sensor. That's the real issue : if the data output hiccups, you have a buffer overflow and the whole back crashes (or has to recover).
That's an issue I had with video compression boards : even if 15ms is plenty of time, you have to keep the transfer very smooth otherwise you tiny buffer (I had 4 kB) overflow, the board crashes, the PCI bus crashes and the whole PC goes with it. That's manageable with the PCI bus and Windows, because the architecture is built for this. But I can see how the system becomes unstable when you start dragging cables, interfaces, adaptaters and hubs around...

 

[volcom883]

hi, thinking of getting the macbook pro. could you tell me if upgrading the processor is worth for the following price:

# 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
# 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo [+ £178.60] / [+ $310.00]

the laptop will just run faster right?

thanks

 

[budidi]

hi, thinking of getting the macbook pro. could you tell me if upgrading the processor is worth for the following price:

# 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
# 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo [+ £178.60] / [+ $310.00]

the laptop will just run faster right?

thanks

of course it will be faster!!!.. but also hotter and with less battery time. if you are a traveller, i think you should go to the 2.53, otherwise... go for it

 

[Willis]

NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory

wow... those integrated graphics are pretty sweet. Better than my Macbooks 64MB...

I think we can see the iMac going down this exact same route using this chipset.

 

[PCMacUser]

Arrghh, I just got depressed looking at Dell's website here in New Zealand.

For the price of a single 2.5GHz Macbook Pro, I could buy TWO equivalent Dell laptops now (except the Dells are better spec'd - 500Gb HDD, higher res screen, etc).

Bye bye for now, Apple.

 

[ukmacmonster]

Well I've been waiting for a few months for these updates. My intention was to buy a standard MacBook for travel use, but the loss of the Firewire port has killed that idea flat! One of my primary uses will be to download video footage from my camcorder while on holiday.

So that forces me onto a MacBook Pro. It does look great and I'm sure it will do the job fine, but it's going to be a costly machine for the sake of a damn Firewire port! I have to say I'm a bit annoyed about that move from Apple.

Glossy screens are not my favourite either. I would have chosen a Matte option, especially for a laptop when you have no control over ambient lighting, but life goes on.

The rest of the upgrade sounds pretty good to me. Much improved graphics (might buy a few games now), slim case, fancy new track pad, LED backlit screen etc. Have to see how it looks and feels in the shop next.

I'll almost certainly buy the lower spec MacBook Pro this side of Christmas, but not impressed with the initial UK pricing. So probably wait a little to see if prices are cut. I'm sure they will be in Jan, but I need it before then.

 

[PMR]

9600M GT... Are you kidding me? 2GB standard...What a ****** leap. At least a 9700M GT or HD3850 and 4GB for $2000.

Apple released outdated hardware in "new" laptops. How cool is that?

 

[electricfiddle]

a TRUE pro machine!

APPLE has the power to increase efficiency and productivity (as well as profit margins) by releasing professional products. I didn't join this forum until I was outraged over Apple's recent developments... Because they seem to be focusing on the iPhone and iPod generation instead of US professional users...
A true pro machine would have 2 Firewire ports... 1 FW400+FW800 or 2 FW800 using a SEPARATE BUS for each... The problem with professional audio/visual users is that they stick them on the same bus! That's why we have to resort to esata express card options... A TRUE pro machine would offer esata as well as an express card slot. An although I don't personally care, I know graphic artists who need MATTE screens for color authenticity. Also, I don't believe it would be impossible for Apple, with such a creative-intuitive team to some how offer a second hard drive option.
So a pro machine... 'clearing throat' A TRUE pro machine would look like this...
2 Firewire ports (Separate Bus for each) 1 fw400+fw800 or 2 fw800...
esata port
express card slot
2 hard drive option
Matte screen option
8 gb of ram (future Nahalem)
and possible a mobile quad core (once snow leopard is released)
**one note with snow leopard** please focus on performance, efficiency, and a stable operating system... rather than more features that causes more problems and eats at the system resources... thus requiring more power, more fixes, and a longer wait for a stable system!
I have done my part... Called Apple Consumer Relations Division... filled out Apple's feedback forms online, signed the petition.... Have you? Posting on this forum will do little good... I didn't want to say this but the Apple rep told me... "All they care about is what is submitted on the forms, and what has been reported back to the Apple Consumer Relations Division... they really don't put a lot of stock in what is being said on these forums..." We need to spend LESS TIME on forums complaining... and MORE TIME calling Apple until they realize their BIG MISTAKE and put FIREWIRE back on Macbooks and give us a TRUE pro machine... Most PROFESSIONALS agree with the above! And yes there are some here...

To file a complaint about the exclusion of FIREWIRE in Macbooks you can simply click here... very simple.
http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbook.html

Or call 1800-MYAPPLE and ask for the Conumser Relations Division...

For MACBOOK PRO click here...
http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookpro.html