Apple Notebook Updates on October 14th? 120GB MacBook Air HDD?

[elmer91]

Want a MacBook Pro

Ok, I finally decided to join these boards after waiting for months to get a new MacBook Pro. It will be my very first Mac. I was holding out hope that new Macs would be here yesterday or perhaps sometime in September.

I can't afford to wait much longer. I'm a college student and have held out purchasing a new system because I really want a Mac. We're already several weeks into the semester and I find myself heading to the computer labs for things I can do if I had my own laptop (my Dell recently crapped out so I need a Mac now!).

This analysisshows that Apple's laptops are overdue for an update and am holding out hope that we'll see them this September. Not sure how much longer I can hold out being that I'm in school.

 

[xJulianx]

Yeah that was what i was planning to do but im a little worried about loosing picture quality (probably wrong), do you use a separate keyboard cause i guess the macbooks screen would get in the way?
thanks (I realise that im not really in the right thread lol)

You won't lose any picture quality. The MacBook can power displays with up to a 1920x1200 resolution, do you understand that?

And yeah, I use an external keyboard and mouse which I plug into the MacBook.

You can also use the external monitor while the MacBooks screen is still on, giving yourself two screens to work with. Personally, I have my iTunes window on my MacBooks screen, with everything else on my main 19" monitor.

 

[karlfranz]

Yeah that was what i was planning to do but im a little worried about loosing picture quality (probably wrong), do you use a separate keyboard cause i guess the macbooks screen would get in the way?
thanks (I realise that im not really in the right thread lol)

You don't lose picture quality because the external monitor is driven at its native resolution. So, although the MB screen resolution is only 1280x800, you could plug in a 23in display and it would run at 1920x1200.

When you use your MB with an external monitor, you have the option of keeping the lid on the MB close (clamshell mode) and using an external USB or Bluetooth keyboard. That way, the MB screen isn't in the way as you're concerned.

 

[viking5000]

The thing that comes closest to the shape of a brick is the mini. so this can only mean the event will all be about the mini.

Yes that is the ONLY thing that can mean..yeah right

 

[Awesome-o/]

You won't lose any picture quality. The MacBook can power displays with up to a 1920x1200 resolution, do you understand that?

And yeah, I use an external keyboard and mouse which I plug into the MacBook.

You can also use the external monitor while the MacBooks screen is still on, giving yourself two screens to work with. Personally, I have my iTunes window on my MacBooks screen, with everything else on my main 19" monitor.

Ah ok yeah i never really thought about using dual screen, is a nice solution. Also good to know i can still use external keyboards and mouses
Thanks for the help!

 

[The Tall One]

Impossible

There is no new technology to put into the Mac Pro. You will need to wait until January or buy the current model.

You are asking Apple to do something which is impossible. All other companies are exactly the same.

How is it impossible? Look at the Buyer's guide on this website. Way over due for an update. I'm not talking about inventing a new processor, I'm talking about a speed bump for the price. I want 3.0 ghz for 800 dollars less... for example.

 

[137489]

Ok, I finally decided to join these boards after waiting for months to get a new MacBook Pro. It will be my very first Mac. I was holding out hope that new Macs would be here yesterday or perhaps sometime in September.

I can't afford to wait much longer. I'm a college student and have held out purchasing a new system because I really want a Mac. We're already several weeks into the semester and I find myself heading to the computer labs for things I can do if I had my own laptop (my Dell recently crapped out so I need a Mac now!).

This analysisshows that Apple's laptops are overdue for an update and am holding out hope that we'll see them this September. Not sure how much longer I can hold out being that I'm in school.

With all the rumors and delays I was sick of waiting anymore myself and bought my macbook in April (I had been limping along on my dying 2 year old Dell). Glad I did and have been happy ever since. My Dell Laptop finally totally died 2 months later almost 2 years to the exact date of purchase. I also know other people who's Dell died after only 1 year. I would say if you need it now, by it now, and also look at MACMALL.COM. they had different configurations, and will also pre-configure it with Parallels, VM, or bootcamp so that you can have both our MS and MAC apps you need (although if you are like me, the more you us your mac - the more you will find native mac apps and not need Windows much). MACMALL also has some of the most competitive prices around and they ship same or next day and you can get next day delivery very cost effective.

I also could not wait for the mini refresh also as my wife's HP desktop needed an upgrade (4 yrs old, running media center edition and only 512 ram). Hardware was still in great condition, but it really was starting to show its age. She just loves the mini... And with Seminary starting back up tomorrow - we both needed it bad....

Apple really does not change much quickly, so I would say buy now if needed and you will still be happy for years to come. Unless they come out with a reasonable priced tablet - I am not looking to upgrade probably for another 3-4 years.

 

[chaosconan]

I can't afford to wait much longer. I'm a college student and have held out purchasing a new system because I really want a Mac. We're already several weeks into the semester and I find myself heading to the computer labs for things I can do if I had my own laptop (my Dell recently crapped out so I need a Mac now!).

We hear you, we feel your pain, we're all in the same predicament, we've been waiting too. If we can wait you can too.

 

[ncbill]

Yep, limited to 5mm high - single platter only.

Has Apple finally moved to the micro-SATA interface so they can use the new cheaper, higher-capacity SSDs?

Or will they be stuck w/ the current 64GB PATA SSD?

I believe that the new 240GB drive is a dual platter design which means that it won't fit in the Air. It is the reason the Air couldn't use the same 160GB drive that was in the iPod classic.

 

[Bengt77]

You don't lose picture quality because the external monitor is driven at its native resolution. So, although the MB screen resolution is only 1280x800, you could plug in a 23in display and it would run at 1920x1200.

When you use your MB with an external monitor, you have the option of keeping the lid on the MB close (clamshell mode) and using an external USB or Bluetooth keyboard. That way, the MB screen isn't in the way as you're concerned.

So a MacBook can actually run in clamshell mode? Wow, I thought that was one of the features that set the MacBook Pros apart from the 'normal' MacBooks. Nice!

 

[appletron]

Ok, I finally decided to join these boards after waiting for months to get a new MacBook Pro. It will be my very first Mac. I was holding out hope that new Macs would be here yesterday or perhaps sometime in September.

I can't afford to wait much longer. I'm a college student and have held out purchasing a new system because I really want a Mac. We're already several weeks into the semester and I find myself heading to the computer labs for things I can do if I had my own laptop (my Dell recently crapped out so I need a Mac now!).

This analysisshows that Apple's laptops are overdue for an update and am holding out hope that we'll see them this September. Not sure how much longer I can hold out being that I'm in school.

I feel your pain. I'm finishing a two year part-time higher education course this month in the UK. I have a MacBook Pro with my job but the time has come to get my own. Do I wait and lose my attractive discount or get a current model? I've a friend who is still studying so could get discount that way in October but not sure if things like Apple Care are transferable. They only seem to bother with serial numbers whenever I have called them. Oh Apple, why do thee frustrate so?

 

[The Tall One]

Fair advice

Why feel neglected? Everyone who's working in the film and television community seems to be well served with the current macPros. If you're working in HDV, you've got no excuse to wait- you won't be using much of the processing potential of even a midrange macPro tower that you can buy today. I'm STILL working on a G5 Quad, and it serves me just fine for working in SD uncompressed 10 bit, DVCPRO50HD, ProRes422 HQ... All those things you listed above you'll get if you buy a new macPro now.

There's no point in updating the macPros again until they can release them with Bluray Burners and Firewire 3200. One of which Apple isn't supporting yet, and the other which isn't ready yet.

Good advice. I would like a bluray burner but I believe that I could get the macpro with only one optical drive, leaving the second one open for when they finally release the blu ray burner. I would just hate to buy it when MacRumor's buying guide is telling me not to. End of product cycle.

 

[t0mat0]

Is it just me or does the less interesting laptops get more attention with updates these days than the desktop mac. Back in the day, there used to be many different Mac desktops to choose from... now its the MacPro or the iMac.

I need a new desktop mac with high end processing ability, something that can render HDV well, and has an excellent graphics card with the power to back it up.

Is it seriously too much to ask for a MacPro revision? I mean, come on... the macbook and the macbook pro have had their fun in the sun, lots of updates, plenty of use... but as a professional in need of a super computer, I feel neglected by Apple who use to be the leader in prosumer video editing.

I'd imagine Apple will swing back to showing the true grunt power of their Macs by mid-2009. The Mac Pro's time is when Nehalem kicks in, because after that, Snow Leopard's going to seriously open up the throttle, with the Mac Pro having a lot more to gain than other Macs. I'd imagine they'll be trying to line up Macs to have a benefit from SL prior to June next year, so any refreshes that can shift lines to Nehalem they'll take prior or around June i'd imagine.
Hopefully they'll at least bump the CPUs all up, and take the move to better mainboards as and when.

 

[Bengt77]

We hear you, we feel your pain, we're all in the same predicament, we've been waiting too. If we can wait you can too.

What you said. (Wrote, actually.) Man, is this a long wait, or what?!...

I just hope the wait will have been worth it.

 

[pito189]

Finally - a date. But I'm wondering if I'm the only one who loves the current backlit aluminium apple keyboard.

You are not. I dislike the plastic chicklet style greatly.

 

[The Tall One]

Yeah

I'd imagine Apple will swing back to showing the true grunt power of their Macs by mid-2009. The Mac Pro's time is when Nehalem kicks in, because after that, Snow Leopard's going to seriously open up the throttle, with the Mac Pro having a lot more to gain than other Macs. I'd imagine they'll be trying to line up Macs to have a benefit from SL prior to June next year, so any refreshes that can shift lines to Nehalem they'll take prior or around June i'd imagine.
Hopefully they'll at least bump the CPUs all up, and take the move to better mainboards as and when.

I can dig it. Thanks for the thought. I like my G5 dual core, but it does get a little skippy with the new itunes visualizer at full screen on my mid-sized Apple Cinema display. I upgraded the video card to the highest available for AGP8X. I've had the G5 since October of '05, and now everything thats coming out is for Intel only. I have a MacBook which is garbage when trying to render HDV, play computer games or do anything processor intensive... so I'm sure you can understand my interest in a new MacPro. I would go out and buy one now if I didn't feel like an update was coming, but not soon enough!.

 

[137489]

I still say color for the Macbook Air. Maybe in the same color as the nanos!

Oh that is ugly. IF you want one that color, contact incase and have them make a shell for it. I seen a girl at starbucks yesterday with a white macbook that had a hot pink incase. It was UGLY. me - I have a white macbook with a black incase and the black key color keybord protector. Now that is sweet looking.

 

[nitro9999]

how about SSD all the way for MAir rather than 120GB HD.

then at least life will be simpler...

 

[137489]

how about SSD all the way for MAir rather than 120GB HD.

then at least life will be simpler...

120gb SSD - price may be the factor

 

[CWallace]

Is it seriously too much to ask for a MacPro revision? I mean, come on... the macbook and the macbook pro have had their fun in the sun, lots of updates, plenty of use... but as a professional in need of a super computer, I feel neglected by Apple who use to be the leader in prosumer video editing.

The biggest problem is that Intel has effectively stopped development of the hardware that goes into the Mac Pro as they transition from the Xeon to the Core i7. The X5492 3.4GHz part is coming out, but it will cost $214 more then the X5482 3.2GHz part, which means it will likely show up as a $2000 option to the base dual 2.8GHz model.

120gb SSD - price may be the factor

Intel is supposed to be very aggressive in pricing on their new 80GB and 160GB SSD units... They will still be expensive, but should not be as exorbitant as current units and Intel is hoping to halve the price next year and halve it again in 2010 as production capacity increases.

 

[fleshman03]

So I was just thinking....

Maybe not having 10.5.5 can point to some type of upgrade sooner rather than later with MacBooks/ MacBook Pros/ Macs in general.

It seems them have been running around a bunch of Release Candidates for a while. Surely, the work and testing is nearly done.

Granted, I could be completely wrong too.

Thoughts?

 

[riversky]

I really don't think there will be case redesigns. It will be new CPU/GPU and hard drives. Perhaps new track pads (MacBook Air style) but that is it. I would expect radical changes to be reserved for major innovations and a larger event.

 

[Eder6301]

dumb....

i think that who ever actually thinks that the new macbooks will be aluminum or some type of metal are stupid. there is no way that the macbook and macbook pro are going to look identical besides size there needs to be some product distinction......

think bout it you guys know im probably right

 

[Compile 'em all]

Yes that is the ONLY thing that can mean..yeah right

yeah. i know things.

 

[Fred87nc]

Damn, I don't know what to do, I just bought my Macbook 2 weeks ago, Went in to get the free Mobile me and iWork at best buy and they gave me a new receipt for 03 of september. Meaning I have exactly until the 17 to return my Macbook .

I don't know if I want to take the 15% Restocking Fee. But It'll kill me to have a last gen a month apart. I also didn't get it through apple due to no financing. This blows.

What do you guys recommend? I have both software at home, If I return it do I have to return the software? what If I had them open? I heard about someone saying You can return it without the Programs if you say you already opened them.