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Apple Phasing Out White MacBook in Favor of Entry-Level MacBook Air?
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Many other manufacturers don't have the wide-spread issues with plastic cracking on much cheaper machines. My $400 netbook has yet to crack. If it did at least I could buy another one and still not equal the cost of a MacBook.
The MacBook doesn't need to have these issues, and its a fine machine otherwise. Apple should just improve whatever exotic process their using, or just use a simpler one that doesn't produce the cracking, not discontinue the MacBook.
I don't understand that at all. Wouldn't most people in their first car be listening to a media player like an iPod? I've had multiple cars with CD players, and only listened to CD when the aux input broke until it was fixed.
No they didn't idiot...check their website..iPod Classic is still on sale for $249.00
Been saying that for months! Yet so many people still passionately disagreed.
Haters gonna hate...
Haters gonna hate...
Yes well it's so much fun
watching a DVD on a notebook connected to an external optical drive. iirc the cable (built-ON) for the mba's superdrive measures only a few inches. Would have to buy a breakfast-in-bed tray to hold the mba and its assistant. Perhaps I would feel differently if broadband had been deployed in the US to the point where it was as common as having an electrical panel in your house, and if traffic weren't capped and throttled (oh, sorry: "managed") to show preference for whatever the ISP preferred to stream your way. Meanwhile I like to watch movies on a notebook and I use one with an optical drive at least half the time.
I stand corrected on bus speed. Most of my previous post was geared toward the how similar current models are.
But my "Guess" which anyone is free to take or leave, on future models is based on the form factor of the Air and its ability to dissipate heat.
I hope they don't!
My next computer is/was going to be a MacBook. Believe it or not, I actually LIKE the white! It is old-skool Apple and reminds me of my original iBook, original iPod and old iMacs.
I was just waiting for them to update it. I would get a MacBook Air but to get a similarly equipped MBA (processor speed, optical drive, storage) it comes to $1778! So either a $999 MacBook or a nearly $1800 MBA? I guess at that point I would go for the 13" MacBook Pro. Still, even that is $200 more. Sure, it has a faster processor and larger HD but I would assume an updated MacBook would have a new processor and perhaps larger storage.
Apple needs a fully functional, entry level computer for the masses. But I suppose Apple is used to paving the road, not driving on it so it would certainly not surprise me if the MB was discontinued.
My next computer is/was going to be a MacBook. Believe it or not, I actually LIKE the white! It is old-skool Apple and reminds me of my original iBook, original iPod and old iMacs.
I was just waiting for them to update it. I would get a MacBook Air but to get a similarly equipped MBA (processor speed, optical drive, storage) it comes to $1778! So either a $999 MacBook or a nearly $1800 MBA? I guess at that point I would go for the 13" MacBook Pro. Still, even that is $200 more. Sure, it has a faster processor and larger HD but I would assume an updated MacBook would have a new processor and perhaps larger storage.
Apple needs a fully functional, entry level computer for the masses. But I suppose Apple is used to paving the road, not driving on it so it would certainly not surprise me if the MB was discontinued.
It's a replacement when it comes to CPU to Northbridge/PCH bus. I know they aren't really comparable since FSB had effect in many other things but when simply looking it as a bus between the components, DMI is the new thing.
So why don't the current models get hot? The TDPs we are looking at will be the same. The heat argument is only guessing and the form factor has nothing to do with it. MBAs don't use the same CPUs as MBPs anyway.
Bullpuckey!
my 2006 MacBook is still going strong, being used every day. Maxed memory, upgraded hard drive, replaced battery. Still kicking strong. Still making me money be useful.
got knocked off a table a month ago, fell 3 feet, came out okay.
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Noooo!!!! What will we do without a superdrive!!!!
Wait... isn't that the thing that came broken in my first MB? Also the thing that just broke on my iMac? Last hope is with my MBP...
Mmm.... I guess I liked this change... =)
Wait... isn't that the thing that came broken in my first MB? Also the thing that just broke on my iMac? Last hope is with my MBP...
Mmm.... I guess I liked this change... =)
DMI is actually not something new. Intel has been using DMI to connect the northbridge to the ICH southbridge for years now.
Lovely in white (or black)
Personally I would miss the white MacBook should it be discontinued.
This from someone biased, as I still love my black MacBook. If some do not, I've also always liked the feel and touch of its plastic case as well. When these models were first introduced, a perfect lovely novelty with wide aspect and sharp screens. Also with enough computing power in the day to really do something.
Should Apple wish to retain the white MacBook, perhaps in doing so by more or less retaining its specs, but lowering the price. That would differentiate it, and the lower price allowed as their practice is to discount new offerings, only customarily in offering more power for the same money. But there is surely still a market of people with modest computing needs and budgets, who would welcome an even more affordable white MacBook fairly much as it is.
In just aesthetics I've never been exactly keen on the aluminum MBPs and Airs, although undeniably stylish. Color me black, but I prefer it, and liking the MBPs in part simply because at least they offer a decent black bezel. Something it seems Apple will still not offer on its upcoming MPAs, God knows why. Some of us would favor them as a light option all the more if entirely in black. Decent specs and not the likely dumbed-down GPU would help as well.
That aside, Apple would likely find a loyal following for its most modest white Notebook for a long time to come - if allowed.
Personally I would miss the white MacBook should it be discontinued.This from someone biased, as I still love my black MacBook. If some do not, I've also always liked the feel and touch of its plastic case as well. When these models were first introduced, a perfect lovely novelty with wide aspect and sharp screens. Also with enough computing power in the day to really do something.
Should Apple wish to retain the white MacBook, perhaps in doing so by more or less retaining its specs, but lowering the price. That would differentiate it, and the lower price allowed as their practice is to discount new offerings, only customarily in offering more power for the same money. But there is surely still a market of people with modest computing needs and budgets, who would welcome an even more affordable white MacBook fairly much as it is.
In just aesthetics I've never been exactly keen on the aluminum MBPs and Airs, although undeniably stylish. Color me black, but I prefer it, and liking the MBPs in part simply because at least they offer a decent black bezel. Something it seems Apple will still not offer on its upcoming MPAs, God knows why. Some of us would favor them as a light option all the more if entirely in black. Decent specs and not the likely dumbed-down GPU would help as well.
That aside, Apple would likely find a loyal following for its most modest white Notebook for a long time to come - if allowed.
I have always thought that making a 13" MBP without discrete graphics was a mistake. A professional product should have a dedicated graphics card. Perhaps Apple is going to rebrand the 13" MBP as the MacBook for the time being and lower the price. Unless of course SSD prices have fallen enough to reduce MBA prices. Either way I think there needs to be a 13" computer available at $999.
To those slaying Optical Drives just because they "hardly use it", all I can say is that you do not speak for everyone else in the world of MacBook's.
The Optical Drive has so many applications that phasing them out 'entirely' would be quite ludicrous. For a start, the most obvious consumption is DVD's as this is still the preferred (and mainstream) medium for watching films. DVD's are dirt cheap and most families/consumers will have collections that they have built up over the years.
To Apples logic, phasing out the use of 'DVDs' for playback is efficient because hey, you can "just" download films from iTunes and thus contribute more to their ecosystem of products.
Problem 1: Most films cost more than the DVD counterparts.
Problem 2: The library of films for download is less than on DVD.
Problem 3: They are compressed to death, resulting in ridiculous quality for the price.
You may suggest then "OK - Use HandBrake to rip your films, and ditch the DVDs". Just how large is your hard drive? If you trust Apple, compressed HD films that are often similar sizes as SD films are passable. Hmmm...
What about Audio CDs? Many people, believe it or not, care about audio quality and still prefer to buy CDs over compressed downloads. With no Optical Drive, how do I rip my CD to the Mac and upload the songs to a portable audio player?
Apples answer - you use iTunes, again, and pay for overpriced MP3's.
You may make another suggestion - "Well, just buy an external drive". Why should I have to buy an external drive when computers that are a fraction of the price have them as standard (and are almost always faster, with Blu-ray support)?
Ditching the Optical Drives on the MacBook Pro's would just put the icing on the cake. Coming from a music production background, i've been using MacBook Pro's/iBooks for the past decade and we would burn CD's almost daily.
Just because a selection of consumers don't want/don't use Optical Drives doesn't miraculously mean that everryyonne else waves them away either.
It merely proves on Apple's part that they're pushing capitalism above quality of output - something that even 10 years ago they would have scorned at. But because they're so beefed up over the slimming down of products today, it is no wonder that they're compromising features over large-scale appeal, because they're obviously enjoying the amount of power and profit that has been gained over the past several years. Lets not forget that many of the best Apple products were actually introduced when the company had less mainstream appeal - all because they were not under so much pressure to meet demands that they have today. Today, they have discovered a 'niche' and an audience that brings in extra bucks, and it feeds off the fetish for miniaturisation.
Lets not forget though...
... cutting off those extra millimetres on their devices annually really makes them "The best iXXX/MacXXX ever!"
RE: White MacBook 'end-of-lifed' - It would indeed be a sad occasion as, to me, this product is the staple Apple Mac. It is instantly recognisable, and I feel should continue to live but simply at a cheaper price point - thus reflecting the cheaper production than those alluminium unibody's.
When the current MacBook Air was introduced, Steve Jobs said on stage after the announcement "So this is the future of the MacBook." Not, the future of the MacBook Air, simply the MacBook. I therefore believe the Air will replace our white friend, and will be renamed in the future as the standard 'MacBook'.
The Optical Drive has so many applications that phasing them out 'entirely' would be quite ludicrous. For a start, the most obvious consumption is DVD's as this is still the preferred (and mainstream) medium for watching films. DVD's are dirt cheap and most families/consumers will have collections that they have built up over the years.
To Apples logic, phasing out the use of 'DVDs' for playback is efficient because hey, you can "just" download films from iTunes and thus contribute more to their ecosystem of products.
Problem 1: Most films cost more than the DVD counterparts.
Problem 2: The library of films for download is less than on DVD.
Problem 3: They are compressed to death, resulting in ridiculous quality for the price.
You may suggest then "OK - Use HandBrake to rip your films, and ditch the DVDs". Just how large is your hard drive? If you trust Apple, compressed HD films that are often similar sizes as SD films are passable. Hmmm...
What about Audio CDs? Many people, believe it or not, care about audio quality and still prefer to buy CDs over compressed downloads. With no Optical Drive, how do I rip my CD to the Mac and upload the songs to a portable audio player?
Apples answer - you use iTunes, again, and pay for overpriced MP3's.
You may make another suggestion - "Well, just buy an external drive". Why should I have to buy an external drive when computers that are a fraction of the price have them as standard (and are almost always faster, with Blu-ray support)?
Ditching the Optical Drives on the MacBook Pro's would just put the icing on the cake. Coming from a music production background, i've been using MacBook Pro's/iBooks for the past decade and we would burn CD's almost daily.
Just because a selection of consumers don't want/don't use Optical Drives doesn't miraculously mean that everryyonne else waves them away either.
It merely proves on Apple's part that they're pushing capitalism above quality of output - something that even 10 years ago they would have scorned at. But because they're so beefed up over the slimming down of products today, it is no wonder that they're compromising features over large-scale appeal, because they're obviously enjoying the amount of power and profit that has been gained over the past several years. Lets not forget that many of the best Apple products were actually introduced when the company had less mainstream appeal - all because they were not under so much pressure to meet demands that they have today. Today, they have discovered a 'niche' and an audience that brings in extra bucks, and it feeds off the fetish for miniaturisation.
Lets not forget though...
... cutting off those extra millimetres on their devices annually really makes them "The best iXXX/MacXXX ever!"
RE: White MacBook 'end-of-lifed' - It would indeed be a sad occasion as, to me, this product is the staple Apple Mac. It is instantly recognisable, and I feel should continue to live but simply at a cheaper price point - thus reflecting the cheaper production than those alluminium unibody's.
When the current MacBook Air was introduced, Steve Jobs said on stage after the announcement "So this is the future of the MacBook." Not, the future of the MacBook Air, simply the MacBook. I therefore believe the Air will replace our white friend, and will be renamed in the future as the standard 'MacBook'.
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That would be silly for you, but for the other 99.9% of users who could probably get by with iPads as their sole device, 64gb is plenty.
Good move cutting the fat AAPL. 400+ for a reason.
Great post miniroll32.
Part of the reason I've yet to, and probably never will, join the streaming movie revolution is the quality and availability debate. Some of us enjoy hard-to-find and international films, and often a streaming service is not the route to go.
Or I want the best quality version of an album out there. Or let's say I want to listen to a CD in the car, because the FM radio adaptor for my iPhone that plugs into my AUX sounds like a crappy radio station.
Part of the reason I've yet to, and probably never will, join the streaming movie revolution is the quality and availability debate. Some of us enjoy hard-to-find and international films, and often a streaming service is not the route to go.
Or I want the best quality version of an album out there. Or let's say I want to listen to a CD in the car, because the FM radio adaptor for my iPhone that plugs into my AUX sounds like a crappy radio station.
Oh well. The MacBook Pro is basically the same thing as the white MacBook. The only exception is the price and the structure and build of it. I think the aluminum MacBook is better for the price anyway. If the buyer doesn't need an optical drive and is not in need of a large HD, they don't need to make a large purchase for a MBP and can go with the Air.
Optical drives are already dead - there are some niche uses for them, but the masses no longer require them.
People don't care about being able to play DVDs on their laptops, they have Netflix on their iPads. I'm actually pretty surprised music CDs are still being sold in stores, give it a couple years.
When they first introduced the new Macbook Air design, didn't they make a comment like "we think this is what Macbooks will become in the future" or something along those lines? I think it would make more sense to rename the Macbook Air to simply "Macbook" and get rid of the white one. The white macbook is basically the entry level Macbook Pro with a white plastic casing at this point, which doesn't make a lot of sense. Also, the macbook air is for all intents and purposes a stripped down macbook pro (no cd drive, less powerful, etc., but still has the same general appearance, albeit thinner).
You'll be surprised what the 'masses' actually use. You need to look beyond your own point of view.
I disagree. Boxee, WD TV, Apple TV, itunes, netflix, Blockbuster, amazon, hulu, zediva, snagfilms etc. are the way a majority watch movies. I say this not as a geek but as a cyclist among other things. People simply don't buy many DVD's anymore.
I think the Macbook will still be around...
In other parts of the world like Asia, there are no movie or tv downloads from the iTunes store. There is no Netflix of Tivo. Internet is still not as fast to allow good streaming.
Most people still watch movies from good old DVD discs.
To be able to differentiate the Macbook and have it's own edge, I wish Apple will bring back colors!
Presenting the new Macbooks... in colors of Tangerine, Indigo, Blueberry and Key Lime!
In other parts of the world like Asia, there are no movie or tv downloads from the iTunes store. There is no Netflix of Tivo. Internet is still not as fast to allow good streaming.
Most people still watch movies from good old DVD discs.
To be able to differentiate the Macbook and have it's own edge, I wish Apple will bring back colors!
Presenting the new Macbooks... in colors of Tangerine, Indigo, Blueberry and Key Lime!
That depends on your demographic. Here in the U.K, I don't know a single person that:
1. Even steps foot in 'Blockbuster' anymore (hence why they have DFS-style sales every week).
2. Uses iTunes to 'buy' films. Most don't even use iTunes to manage their media.
3. Knows of 'Snagfilms' or 'Zediva'.
Physical products are still the way forward for most people - purchasing second hand DVDs from Amazon for a few pence (plus £1.24 postage) is ridiculously cheap.