I'll wager he meant "something new... that significantly warrants waiting, over buying current."
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Apple Notebooks to See Major Design Changes?
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I'll wager he meant "something new... that significantly warrants waiting, over buying current."
I use the Logic keyboard cover for Final Cut Pro. It blocks the back light, but I rarely cut in the dark.
Besides faster chips, I doubt there will be anything substantial. And even if there are faster chips, they won't be outrageously faster than the current models. Some Apple rep said it himself, it's pointless comparing new machines to previous models, there won't be that much of an improvement.
The biggest thing that a Mac Book could use is a multi-touch keyboard. The MBP only really needs a slight tweak in the case, magnetic latch, and user serviceable HDD... nothing else really.
Hdmi
One great change they should make to the MBP is to replace the DVI port with an HDMI port. They are the same digital signal so there are cables to convert, but HDMI includes audio as well which is much more convenient when plugging the MBP into a television. This is the one feature that I wish my current generation had.
One great change they should make to the MBP is to replace the DVI port with an HDMI port. They are the same digital signal so there are cables to convert, but HDMI includes audio as well which is much more convenient when plugging the MBP into a television. This is the one feature that I wish my current generation had.
Indeed, and a true addition that would be very welcomed. That would go a lot further than simply making it look like the MBA for no reason at all.
so i am currently looking at the macbook pros, and here's what i've decided to get:
15" mbp with 2.4ghz processor
4 gigs ram
200gig 7200rpm hdd
(unless anyone thinks i should just go with the macbook with the same specs minus the 7200rpm hdd?)
but anyways, with my college discount, the mbp is gonna be $2,069. i'm not really sure what i want to go into at this point, but it's gonna be something in the areas of math, computer science, physics, or engineering. is there any real reason to wait for upgrades? i have to order by august 13, and i kind of want the ipod touch, but that's not too important to me. i do want some significant osx experience before college, because right now i'm running a dell dimension 4100 from like 1999 and it sucks. basically, does anyone think there's going to be any form of hugely significant upgrade that warrants waiting?
edit: and my college has a sweet computer lab full of imacs. so is there any reason i should worry about needing any power/speed upgrades?
15" mbp with 2.4ghz processor
4 gigs ram
200gig 7200rpm hdd
(unless anyone thinks i should just go with the macbook with the same specs minus the 7200rpm hdd?)
but anyways, with my college discount, the mbp is gonna be $2,069. i'm not really sure what i want to go into at this point, but it's gonna be something in the areas of math, computer science, physics, or engineering. is there any real reason to wait for upgrades? i have to order by august 13, and i kind of want the ipod touch, but that's not too important to me. i do want some significant osx experience before college, because right now i'm running a dell dimension 4100 from like 1999 and it sucks. basically, does anyone think there's going to be any form of hugely significant upgrade that warrants waiting?
edit: and my college has a sweet computer lab full of imacs. so is there any reason i should worry about needing any power/speed upgrades?
...almost...
Montevina is the new mobile platform which includes the new 45nm Penryn processor, the Cantiga chipset, 1066 FSB, and various other components. Technically speaking, Apple does not use Intel's platforms since they do not use all of the components, but the platform name is referred to as a point of reference.
Q2'09 will bring the Calpella platform with the new Nehalem architecture/processors (along with new chipsets, no FSB, etc.).
Then the shrink to 32nm a year later.
Then a new architecture the next year.
Then another shrink.
Tick...
Tock...
On the subject of waiting: I just don't get it.
I would have to be delusional to genuinely believe that I "threw away" $2000+ on my computer only to have it become "obsolete" within 6 months. The reality is that I could sell my 15" MBP for $1400 in less than a day on ebay with no problem, then turn around and buy whatever the latest and greatest is for the same $2000 (EPP pricing) I spent back in Feb '06, possibly less the way Apple does their pricing. So it's more like a $600 upgrade; figured over the time of ownership that's less than $300 a year, less than $25 a month, less than the cost of a cheap cup of coffee a day.
So for those that need to be on the bleeding edge of Apple technology, my suggestion is to BUY NOW. Then when the inevitable update happens (pretty much a given it will be within 6 months), BUY AGAIN and sell that "useless" old one to some poor, technologically deficient sap who can't afford to be as top notch as you. Repeat ad nauseum. It really won't cost that much in the long run, just cut back on the Starbucks maybe
.
I think what you have spec'd out is pretty sweet. The only reason you would want to look at the Mac Book is if you don't mind 13.3" screens and won't be doing high-end gaming. The MB is a really good machine that will do almost everything a MBP can do except be a larger computer and run 3D games.
There won't be any significant upgrade that warrants waiting. Never has been, and never will be. The only thing anyone can do is wait for those big jumps, the last one being the move to Intel chips.
Even a redesign is overrated, since I am sure it won't add too much in terms of hardware improvements. So if you can wait, then wait since getting the most out of you dollar is good. But if you need/want a machine now then buy one now. Besides, if you are going to college, there will be plenty of time to work on getting a new machine before you are even deep into your sophomore year.
ok thanks. one more question though, depending what i go into, i might need it for advanced programming or cad work (or possibly both). would the macbook be able to handle either of those as well as the pro?
also how easy is it to install a better hard drive in the mbp? i heard it's easy in the macbook but not so much the pro.
So for those that need to be on the bleeding edge of Apple technology, my suggestion is to BUY NOW. Then when the inevitable update happens (pretty much a given it will be within 6 months), BUY AGAIN and sell that "useless" old one to some poor, technologically deficient sap who can't afford to be as top notch as you. Repeat ad nauseum. It really won't cost that much in the long run, just cut back on the Starbucks maybe
It's what I do
See sig.So for those that need to be on the bleeding edge of Apple technology, my suggestion is to BUY NOW. Then when the inevitable update happens (pretty much a given it will be within 6 months), BUY AGAIN and sell that "useless" old one to some poor, technologically deficient sap who can't afford to be as top notch as you. Repeat ad nauseum. It really won't cost that much in the long run, just cut back on the Starbucks maybe
You still lose so much money with it, even if its "just" a $600 upgrade, as you say in your top post.
As far as i can remember, when I was studying to be a civil engineer for half of my young adult life, CADD programs ran mostly in RAM, so the GFX card may not be an issue. But that was almost 7 or 8 years ago, so I am sure the apps have been brought up to date.
You will have to check the specs on the apps that run on Mac OS X or Windows, to see if the integrated cards on the MacBooks are sufficient. Or even the MBP for that matter.
Personally speaking, you may want to just go for the 15" MBP just to have the larger, slightly higher def screen. Also, you may want it just to be on the safe side as far as GFX cards, since you never know that the next great Mac OS X CADD app may be GFX card reliant.
Programming apps don't crunch GFX cards that much if at all. As for the HDD, the Mac Book is wicked easy, and is an upgrade covered by the Apple warranty. The MBP's isn't, but it is easy to upgrade yourself. If the HDD crashes though, it won't be covered, and if the machine conks out for some unforeseen reason and they get word you did the upgrade they can refuse to service it.
It's what I do
Indeed, i remember when you were selling it and I was trying to redeem hundreds of glass bottles and cans. Let me know when you do it again.
Go figure. I just bought a 15" MBP a couple of weeks ago.
Yeah but it's a great machine. I say enjoy your MBP, and you can chuckle when the first new books roll out their little glitches...
I have started to save up for a refurb MBP to replace whichever of my G4 powerbooks croaks first. My sweet MBA ate most of my hardware budget for 2008. I have so far resisted some strong impulses to shell out what's left on a 32Gb iPod touch. I do want to keep saving for the pro book. I have an 8Gb iPod touch now anyway, and actually like the smaller size (less thought and time to reload it when I tire of what's on it).
So next year when I have the hardware $$ replenished, I'd probably still go for a refurb of the current MacBook Pro. My friends who have them really, really like them and they all use them instead of desktops.
They need to keep the DVI port because so many monitors do not support HDMI. However, they should add an HDMI port, as well. Our 17" HP laptops have DVI and HDMI outputs.
Writing code doesn't really care what GPU you have. Now, if you happen to be coding 3D images, the output will care...
As for CAD, if you are just doing 2D CAD or simple 3D (mostly basic shading), then the MB's GPU should be okay. If you wish to do actual 3D modeling, then you'd want an MBP since it will be better at it. Either way, it is a good idea to check the requirements of whatever CAD package you are thinking of running to see what they require and recommend.
On the Pro, you have to pull off the top cover and stuff, so it's more involved, but it's not horrible. But it is much more time-intensive then the MB.
Wouldn't an HDMI-DVI cable solve that? Wouldn't even require a dongle or adapter, just the cable.
Also, does anyone know the max output for HDMI? Is it the same as DVI there, because if it's lower it would be no good for larger displays like 30" ACDs (which still have just a sole DVI port - argh where are the multi-source inputs like everyone else, Apple!
)
Man, I'm such in a dilemma. Should I get the Air now or do I wait for the new Macbook. Haha. I believe with the new design, it will look for Air-ish though not as thin.Plus, I would save lots of moolah. hehehehe..
now the question is...
WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN?heeehhehehe
Man, even choosing a dish from a menu in a foreign language is a much easier choice.
now the question is...
WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN?heeehhehehe
Man, even choosing a dish from a menu in a foreign language is a much easier choice.
I agree with you...
If all the models are made from the same materials and have the same features then what would set them apart other than size? Not enough to distinguish them. White or Black iPhone... White or Black Macbook.
If all the models are made from the same materials and have the same features then what would set them apart other than size? Not enough to distinguish them. White or Black iPhone... White or Black Macbook.
Those are the exact specs that I got, except I bought the 4 gigs of ram from crucial.
And HDMI is the current and near future standard for the largest HD TVs, so it certainly can handle a 30' monitor. HDMI and DVI are the exact same digital signal, HDMI cables are just much smaller and carry audio as well.
Except it is not a matter of the physical size of the screen but its native resolution. The average 30" monitor has a much higher resolution (Apple's 30" is 2560 x 1600) than even the largest HDTV, which on average top out at 1920x1080.
slicecom and the rest
12" powerbooks and the quality of MBP with Leopard HAS TO IMPROVE, recall the big deal over that "magnet" power connector which by now on my MBP15 is as loose as a beer bottle cap; and then there has to be a better design for the ethernet plugs...i have gone through near a dozen now because that damn plastic piece gets tangled with the two 6 extension plugged outlet strips that are full.
frankly i can't fathom why so many think/want "its time for a change" in the design of the MBP? do you mean it like women who have long gorgeous yummy flowing hair (on their head)- (very much like that male who has a good carpetting on his chest) and then get bowl boy hair cuts and think they are on top of the world or do you mean change as in gee after two weeks maybe i should change my underwear? i want to see user replaceable ram and HD in the MBP myself....
PB12"
Mac Mini w dialup plug
MBP15"
iPod nano 8gb red
iPod 60 gb
iPod classic 160gb
12" powerbooks and the quality of MBP with Leopard HAS TO IMPROVE, recall the big deal over that "magnet" power connector which by now on my MBP15 is as loose as a beer bottle cap; and then there has to be a better design for the ethernet plugs...i have gone through near a dozen now because that damn plastic piece gets tangled with the two 6 extension plugged outlet strips that are full.
frankly i can't fathom why so many think/want "its time for a change" in the design of the MBP? do you mean it like women who have long gorgeous yummy flowing hair (on their head)- (very much like that male who has a good carpetting on his chest) and then get bowl boy hair cuts and think they are on top of the world or do you mean change as in gee after two weeks maybe i should change my underwear? i want to see user replaceable ram and HD in the MBP myself....
PB12"
Mac Mini w dialup plug
MBP15"
iPod nano 8gb red
iPod 60 gb
iPod classic 160gb
HDCP and Digital Restrictions Management
Apart from the Spec differences noted above: Even if the display is driven with a lower res you might encounter problems with the HDCP protocol. This Digital Restrictions Management thingie might stop you from seeing anything on your display as it is optional for DVI whilst required for HDMI.
DVI -> HDMI should always work
HDMI -> DVI will work if the resolution is within both specs range and a) "No HDCP is used" or b)"The DVI port happens to support HDCP".
I hate Digital Restrictions Management... No mater if for Music, Video, Games, ... It's just plain crap...
Wouldn't an HDMI-DVI cable solve that? Wouldn't even require a dongle or adapter, just the cable.
Also, does anyone know the max output for HDMI? Is it the same as DVI there, because if it's lower it would be no good for larger displays like 30" ACDs (which still have just a sole DVI port - argh where are the multi-source inputs like everyone else, Apple!
Apart from the Spec differences noted above: Even if the display is driven with a lower res you might encounter problems with the HDCP protocol. This Digital Restrictions Management thingie might stop you from seeing anything on your display as it is optional for DVI whilst required for HDMI.
DVI -> HDMI should always work
HDMI -> DVI will work if the resolution is within both specs range and a) "No HDCP is used" or b)"The DVI port happens to support HDCP".
I hate Digital Restrictions Management... No mater if for Music, Video, Games, ... It's just plain crap...
The Type B connector can do some crazy high resolution. I want to say something like 3800x2400.
I would prefer Display Port. Regardless, I doubt Apple will incorporate any new connectors on the MBP until they update the ACDs. Please, please, please, Apple.
I'd say there's a farily good chance of DisplayPort at some point, seeing as it's Intel backed; ie Apple would have to remove it from the stock Intel board designs to replace it with HDMI or whatever. Plus the 2 aren't interchangeable (although Wiki reports that DisplayPort can carry an HDMI or DVI video signal).
Are there any Intel manufactured boards / platforms on the market now with built in HDMI? As if not I think Intel would be unlikely to go out of their way to accomodate a competing technology to the one they've backed without taking issue with Apple over it.
Having said that I just rememebred the
TV has an HDMI port, so who knows?
Are there any Intel manufactured boards / platforms on the market now with built in HDMI? As if not I think Intel would be unlikely to go out of their way to accomodate a competing technology to the one they've backed without taking issue with Apple over it.
Having said that I just rememebred the
TV has an HDMI port, so who knows? I'd say there's a farily good chance of DisplayPort at some point, seeing as it's Intel backed; ie Apple would have to remove it from the stock Intel board designs to replace it with HDMI or whatever. Plus the 2 aren't interchangeable (although Wiki reports that DisplayPort can carry an HDMI or DVI video signal).
Are there any Intel manufactured boards / platforms on the market now with built in HDMI? As if not I think Intel would be unlikely to go out of their way to accomodate a competing technology to the one they've backed without taking issue with Apple over it.
Having said that I just rememebred the
Please note that the
TV also uses nVidia graphics. So your point still is somewhat relevant.