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Apple Prepping for Notebook Refresh?

hmm, i really dont think I would buy a macbook if it doesnt have an aluminium case.

I realise this is just for aesthetic reasons, but it is just one more variable that would make me want an apple laptop over a windows one, that and the fact that OSX looks mighty nice, apple have made the software and the hardware, its a nice size (13.3 inches), and can then replace my main computer (since I am a student and so dont have time for games anymore, and mainly just do work and watch movies on my desktop computer - which is a pain to lug from home to uni and back when I need to).

Having said this, are there any small (12 - 13 inch or smaller) windows laptops which have metal cases? If so, and if they are reasonably priced (i.e. cheaper than the future 'aluminium' macbooks at ~ £600 (taking into account the student discount), I may well seriously consider buying one of those instead...

so, any small, cheap, metal cased, windows laptops on the market?


Edit: the alternative to the macbook I am considering is getting a mac mini for home (as long as it is updated from the current load of crap on offer), and an eee pc 901 for its mobility. Pricewise this works out around the same as the estimated price of the macbook. I would prefer the macbook though, being an all in one solution (unless of course the mini update, if and when it ever comes, makes it into an awesome little machine).
 
i'll probably be getting this one and just sell my blackbook for the extra cash towards.

kind of sad i just got my blackbook too! oh well new mbp. i have to force myself to be happy with my blackbook for now and i should be anyway!
 
hvfsl said:
I think that is more to do with VLC than anything else. Since I have tried BluRay movies on my PC before with hardware acceleration turned off and it seemed perfectly watchable to me.

I have a AMD 3800X2 (running at 2Ghz) and was using PowerDVD.
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Exactly, it has nothing to do with hardware...it's clear that VLC has screwed the pooch in terms of playback capabilities...try OSXBMC, which many people have reported as having a MUCH smoother playback of several formats under OS X...dunno about HD-DVD or BR, though.
 
kabunaru said:
The aluminium design is fine but I guess they could also add a magnetic latch, user-replaceable hard drive and a black-frame around the display (like the iMac) too.
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Skip the black bezel and we have a deal. That design scheme will only work with larger displays that have big bezels anyhow.

Putting it on the MBP is a very consumerish thing to do. It'd be pointless.
 
Digital Skunk said:
Skip the black bezel and we have a deal. That design scheme will only work with larger displays that have big bezels anyhow.

Putting it on the MBP is a very consumerish thing to do. It'd be pointless.
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However unlike the MBP the MB already has quite a large bezel, more than enough to accommodate an iMac style black rim. So perhaps Apple with differentiate the "pro" and "consumer" lines with this feature. If both the MB and MBP have aluminium cases, chicklet keyboards and magnetic latches there won't be a lot separating them, aesthetically.
 
I've been looking for parallels that would indicate how soon we would know if there was going to be an update and by comparing the Macbook update with the iMac update last summer it just seems like a matter of time. Last year around[URL="https://www.macrumors.com/2007/07/31/apple-event-august-7th/"] July 31st[/URL] iMacs were dwindling in stock. That day they announced an Apple event and one week later they updated. I wouldn't be surprised if Tuesday Apple comes forward and says they are going to have an event on the 29th or if they are keeping with the same form factor announce at the end of July on the 29th and release the 5th. I realize I am stating what has already been said but I wanted to give it a little more backing.
 
stone315 said:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB427Z/A?mco=47638CE4&fnode=home/shop_mac/software/apple

leopard is $130 from apple... is it possible to swap hard drives in a hp/sony laptop and install leopard? or is that not legit?

i'm just asking cause everybody's either complaining about the hardware in a mac or the os in a pc...
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1. It won't work.
2. **DISCLAIMER** This isn't the place to flare up about it, so don't. **DISCLAIMER** It's illegal.
3. Just get a refurb MacBook or Mac Mini. If you don't like the hardware, don't buy the system; a Mac must not be for you.
 
Tallest Skil said:
1. It won't work.
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It might. Go take a look at some hackintosh forums. OSX86 …

2. **DISCLAIMER** This isn't the place to flare up about it, so don't. **DISCLAIMER** It's illegal.
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No it's not. You merely absolve Apple from providing support in any way, form, or fashion.

3. Just get a refurb MacBook or Mac Mini. If you don't like the hardware, don't buy the system; a Mac must not be for you.
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I see. So one cannot like OS X, use Apps that only run on OS X, and hope to have it running on some better hardware, UNLESS they want to own an underspecced, sub-par-quality, Mac? :p
 
Tosser said:
It might. Go take a look at some hackintosh forums. OSX86 …
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Yeah, I know that OSX86 works. I did a Hackintosh laptop for a friend of my mother. OS X straight from a hard drive taken out of a Mac won't work in a PC, though, and that's what he said.

No it's not. You merely absolve Apple from providing support in any way, form, or fashion.
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Forgive me, you're right. I was still thinking along the lines of doing it commercially. It's not... technically illegal to do it for your own computer, but if you sell a non-Apple computer with OS X, the Hounds of Cupertino will be upon you. Case in point, Psystar, whose storefront is now for sale.

So one cannot like OS X, use Apps that only run on OS X, and hope to have it running on some better hardware, UNLESS they want to own an underspecced, sub-par-quality Mac?
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Apparently not, as that's the hardware we're given. What's sub-par about any Mac other than the Mini?
 
I would really like to see a more rugged version of the Macbook, perhaps titanium colored aluminum wrapped in rubber to prevent scrapes and dents in the body. No, not a ridiculous amount rubber, but enough to ensure that the MacBook doesn't get beaten up too quickly, and is easy to grab and handle.

The black MacBook is sharp, it would benefit from the addition of some features to improve its durability as well.
 
New Macbooks

I'm trying to sum up all of these rumors about new macbooks...here is what I am thinking...

New macbooks will be here 4-6 weeks (mid-august)

Concerning macbooks..not much change with the guts...but changes to the looks. (although i still think they keep one model that is white...i still think its cool)

Macbook pros...more of a gut update than the macbooks.

Maybe a "same price but extra performance" price change. So for example..2GB memory for the current price of 1GB. All models will remain above 1000.

But overall no huge change...no new intel chips..those will be the jan update?

Am i way off here?
 
iOrlando said:
New macbooks will be here 4-6 weeks (mid-august)

Concerning macbooks..not much change with the guts...but changes to the looks. (although i still think they keep one model that is white...i still think its cool)

Macbook pros...more of a gut update than the macbooks.

Maybe a "same price but extra performance" price change. So for example..2GB memory for the current price of 1GB. All models will remain above 1000.

no new intel chips
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1. Yes... ish.
2. There have been no recent hints as to the status of aluminum MacBooks. (but much clamor about the better IGPU)
3. There have been recent hints as to the status of slightly redesigned aluminum MacBook Pros and little talk about the better specs (they will be better across the board) beyond a better GPU (role reversal, eh?)
4. Spot on. Same prices, better specs. Always.
5. Wrong. The Penryns that go with Montevina are clocked faster, so yes.
 
Tallest Skil said:
Yeah, I know that OSX86 works. I did a Hackintosh laptop for a friend of my mother. OS X straight from a hard drive taken out of a Mac won't work in a PC, though, and that's what he said.
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Ah, yes, simply swapping will not work.


Forgive me, you're right. I was still thinking along the lines of doing it commercially. It's not... technically illegal to do it for your own computer, but if you sell a non-Apple computer with OS X, the Hounds of Cupertino will be upon you. Case in point, Psystar, whose storefront is now for sale.
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Yeppers (made up word – I agree with you).





Apparently not, as that's the hardware we're given.
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Hmm, with OSX86, the hardware aren't a given. I was also talking about what one might _want_. I can very easily imagine someone who likes OS X and have invested a considerable amount of money in software to run on the platform, but where the offerings on the hardware-front from Apple isn't "all that". Especially when you talk about the Mac Mini.
What's sub-par about any Mac other than the Mini?
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I already answered that. I said "sub-par-quality" (I know the hyphenation isn't correct, but still), which, in my book, refers to the fastly dwindling build quality of portable macs in general.
 
Tosser said:
I said "sub-par-quality"... ...refers to the fastly dwindling build quality of portable macs in general.
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Is the MacBook yellowing and cracking really that widespread? Aluminum would fix that... unless you're referring to some aluminum problems that I don't know about (warped MacBook Pro screens come to mind, but is that widespread either?)
 
Tallest Skil said:
Is the MacBook yellowing and cracking really that widespread? Aluminum would fix that... unless you're referring to some aluminum problems that I don't know about (warped MacBook Pro screens come to mind, but is that widespread either?)
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Well, that too, but I'm talking about logic board failures, over heating, core shutdowns, failing USB ports, "screen stripes", "sloppy" hinges and so on. All of it on the alubooks.
But if we wanted to, we could include the GPU-problems, pitting on the palm rest (resulting from a very poor and cheap anodizing process) and I'm sure there are numerous others I have forgotten.
It's not just whether a single problem is widespread or not. No, it's the sum of all these things.
 
Here's my thoughts;

When and where NO idea

What; montevina refresh, new cpu and GPU (x4500 mb and Nvidia something for MBP)

If anyone has read the tests of Lenovo x200 the performance, batt life and temperature is pretty impressive. Im hoping for a MB refresh moving in that direction.
http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/lenovo-thinkpad-x200.aspx

Design, I don't think MB will be refreshed, if it aint broke dont fix it. And they need reasonable arguments to keep the MBP more exspensive (gpu and casing IMHO)
 
Tallest Skil said:
OS X straight from a hard drive taken out of a Mac won't work in a PC, though, and that's what he said.
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sorry, what i meant was to switch the existing hard drive in a vaio with a blank hdd (such as the wd 320gb 7200rpm scorpio, which i'm planning to do no matter what laptop i buy), and then install leopard on the blank hdd. i'm not really seriously considering doing that, cause the prices on the upscale vaios are still a little too expensive for my budget, but i figured i'd just throw that out there. i'm probably just gonna wait for the updated macbook, just like half the other people on this forum.
 
stone315 said:
sorry, what i meant was to switch the existing hard drive in a vaio with a blank hdd (such as the wd 320gb 7200rpm scorpio, which i'm planning to do no matter what laptop i buy), and then install leopard on the blank hdd. i'm not really seriously considering doing that, cause the prices on the upscale vaios are still a little too expensive for my budget, but i figured i'd just throw that out there. i'm probably just gonna wait for the updated macbook, just like half the other people on this forum.
Click to expand...

You still can't put straight OS X into a PC.
 
stone315 said:
sorry, what i meant was to switch the existing hard drive in a vaio with a blank hdd (such as the wd 320gb 7200rpm scorpio, which i'm planning to do no matter what laptop i buy), and then install leopard on the blank hdd. i'm not really seriously considering doing that, cause the prices on the upscale vaios are still a little too expensive for my budget, but i figured i'd just throw that out there. i'm probably just gonna wait for the updated macbook, just like half the other people on this forum.
Click to expand...

If it were that easy, you could just format the HDD (resulting in a blank HDD, just like new), but it isn't. TS and I may disagree on a lot of things, but not this. He's absolutely correct when he states that it STILL cannot be done that easily.
 
I hope this update is soon. I want to buy a new laptop soon to replace my 5 year old dell brick!

I couldnt bear getting a macbook only form them to be updated weeks later
 
Tosser said:
Well, that too, but I'm talking about logic board failures, over heating, core shutdowns, failing USB ports, "screen stripes", "sloppy" hinges and so on. All of it on the alubooks.
But if we wanted to, we could include the GPU-problems, pitting on the palm rest (resulting from a very poor and cheap anodizing process) and I'm sure there are numerous others I have forgotten.
It's not just whether a single problem is widespread or not. No, it's the sum of all these things.
Click to expand...

I know many people with portable Macs and they couldn't be happier with their machines, as is my case with this wonderful 24" 2.8 iMac.

Again: Apple is by far the most reliable computer company in the world, and consistently rated as the one with fewest quality/build problems among all makers.

Therefore, don't take the complaints you see on this forum or on Apple Support as data...Olsen's Theorem always works for these cases, and gives you the impression that all is bad, when the silent happy millions out there are just happy and fully satisfied with their machines.
 
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