Apple Quietly Bumps 15" MacBook Pro, 256GB SD Option, New Keyboard

[iMacmatician]

Nobody seems to have picked up on the tapered foot on the new iMacs, doesn't seem to be mentioned on any of the news stories. It now looks like the cinema display foot. A very subtle but successful tweak in my opinion.

That is very interesting…

I think this move to get rid of the num. pad and decrease the width of the keyboard is a good sign that Apple might be prepping a multi-touch glass trackpad for their desktop line. By have it be smaller, one could attach (via usb) a trackpad to either end of the keyboard (lefty or righty).

Don't blow this off, I think its gonna happen in some manner. Multi-touch is still non-existent on their desktop line, a glaring signal to me.

Thoughts?

I think something like that is coming soon. And your logic points to it.

Powered by an Intel® Core™2 Quad processor and 4GB memory, it features a TwinTurbo mode that users can utilize to accelerate CPU and GPU performance via a speed key. A 16-inch full high definition display provides more-than-ample viewing space for documents, pictures or movies. Images are displayed in visual vibrancy and clarity, thanks to a dedicated NVIDIA® GeForce™ GT 130M graphics card with GDDR3 1GB VRAM. A newly-adopted illuminated ‘chiclet’ keyboard automatically lights up in low light conditions, while a Blu-ray disc combo optical drive completes this comprehensive package of panache and power.

Not even the Mac Pro has a 1 GB VRAM GPU.

you should fix up and realise that computers are nothing more than a big F***ing calculator...

My calculators have number pads.

 

[donbadman]

That is very interesting…

I think something like that is coming soon. And your logic points to it.

Not even the Mac Pro has a 1 GB VRAM GPU.

My calculators have number pads.

So do mine, my point exactly, I use the number pad all the time especially in Maya and doing those blasted tax returns...

 

[iMacmatician]

So do mine, my point exactly, I use the number pad all the time especially in Maya and doing those blasted tax returns...

I use mine for Mouse Keys, which is still on my MBP except that finding the right key is a bit more confusing because the grey numbers are gone.

 

[sishaw]

Sweet offer on the 256GB SSD drive!

That keyboard is going to irk some people though...it's default (which you have to deselect) on the iMacs...

Actually, I like it. I of course can't speak for others, but I'm a words guy, not a numbers guy, and have never had any use for any numeric keypad. On the rare occasions when I deal with numbers, I just use shift/top row on the keyboard. I suspect there will be a market for this.

 

[iMacmatician]

Actually, I like it. I of course can't speak for others, but I'm a words guy, not a numbers guy, and have never had any use for any numeric keypad. On the rare occasions when I deal with numbers, I just use shift/top row on the keyboard. I suspect there will be a market for this.

I use the keyboard row instead of the numpad for most number entry, just because I've never really used the numpad.

 

[madog]

I don't know if anyones mentioned this, but Apple's 'logic' behind the smaller BT version was for the reason that it could be better used while on someone's lap. That's assuming that a majority of people with BT devices use them in their lap while leaning back in their chair (it's weird using it while sitting upright), which is completely RETARDED as the mouse still needs to be used on the desk (unless you have a gyro-mouse, or use it on your thigh which is "super productive", and Apple doesn't make those so they don't exist to them--thighs or gyro-mice) negating the entire lap-keyboard concept as one would need to keep moving back and forth to use both.

Furthermore, who is most likely to purchase a wireless mouse/keyboard? What does Apple sell the most of? That's right, notebooks. Why the hell would someone want to have something that is inherently wireless and be forced to add (through Apple) a wireless device to have something as simple as a number-pad? Why get Apple's wireless keyboard at all if you have one of their notebooks to only get the exact same keyboard your MacBook already has?

Also, if you're like me, which you're not cause I'm completely out of my mind and horribly cynical, you would have noticed that Apple's wired keyboard has something like a two/three foot long cable, which is fine for the desktops if they sit right next to you, and if you don't have the little desk-keyboard-drawer-pullout-thingy (that's the scientific term for it).

So here's the point, what the **** are they thinking with a tiny version of a keyboard, which doesn't have a cable long enough to reach someone's lap in the first place (No I haven't seen the length of the cable, but I would bet my life on it being the same)? What could possibly be their reason for this? To save people from themselves and from clutter by freeing up an extra 5 inches on their desk? Edit: Also, have you noticed that Apple's USB extension cable only works with Apple made USB devices? Yes, it has a notch built into the female end, of which all of Apple's USB male ends have a corresponding grove built into them. How pathetic is that?

Who were the ad wizards that came up with that ultra-****ing-stupid idea? And while I do know it's an opt-out option, the point is why create something like this that has no market or no purpose of being in existence in the first place? Apple is either losing their ****ing mind and completely out of touch with their true user base or is doing their typical, "you didn't realize you wanted it or needed this until we tricked you into getting it", and is slowly and pruposefully niche-ing themselves out of existence.

It starts with the keyboard size, then ends with the MacBook Wheel, an entire lineup of machines with integrated graphics cards with 16 USB ports each, and 2 Ultra-Pin-Micro Display Ports which require three adapters to get to DVI.

Another Edit: I feel like Apple is a microcosm of movie Idiocracy with their new lineups this season, and will soon ship their machines with Mountain Dew logos and start claiming that their computers are what people need cause "it's got gigahertz", or something equally and fantastically ridiculous.

 

[twoodcc]

glad to see the SSD option and mbp speed bumps. i hope the keyboard with the numeric pad is still available though

 

[Hattig]

I think it is good that Apple are bumping at least one of their products as and when new hardware becomes available for the same cost.

If only they did it for all their products.

It would completely eradicate the boom/wait Apple product lifecycle. Except today's releases are "WTF/wait" or "Look at PC options".

Apple release something, the cost to manufacture drops over time, the competition improves their specifications over time, the Apple product loses value unless it is specification bumped or price dropped. As that latter is not an Apple tactic, they should be minor bumping every 4 to 6 months.

 

[NT1440]

<snip>

Ah Apple, you'll never win. People bitch and moan when you dont have an option for something, and when you DO make a FREE OPTION, you get rants from people acting as if the CHOICE is somehow the end of the world.

 

[madog]

Ah Apple, you'll never win. People bitch and moan when you dont have an option for something, and when you DO make a FREE OPTION, you get rants from people acting as if the CHOICE is somehow the end of the world.

My whole rant stems from the ****** upgrades they performed across the line, and this keyboard, which is only an option if you purchase it from Apple; and then quite possibly only online as in the past Apple only carried base machines in stock, and any upgrades to even a wireless keyboard/mouse is a custom order that has to be shipped (at least at my local corporate store), was the straw that broke this bastards back.

The thing is, no one is going to expect a tiny keyboard when they purchase a new iMac at the store unless specifically told otherwise (which isn't always going to happen) and seems to me as only a way for them to lower their overall costs to make an even higher profit; at no benefit to the consumer. Also, since when does something smaller, with less buttons/keys/widgets/wheels/gadgets sell for the exact same price as something with more? Do you ever think for yourself or do you just bend over and take whatever Apple gives you without question?

How many thousands of people are going to purchase an iMac from a local store, Amazon, or anywhere other than Apple Online only to uncover a little amputated keyboard? How many of those are going to think, "Wow, thanks Apple, that's exactly what I wanted"?

It's starting to get ridiculous.

If it was a cheaper device that you have to opt-in for as opposed to opt-out of then that would be different. But it isn't.

 

[localoid]

Everyone has different preferences and needs. Personally, I really like Apple's new USB compact keyboard. But then I've used compact keyboards since the days of the IBM model M compact.

 

[Phil A.]

Why would you want a laptop-sized keyboard for your desktop?? I just don't understand the logic behind this one. Can someone explain the benefits?

I use a compact Bluetooth keyboard at the moment when I'm working on my Mac Pro and prefer it to the full size one for a few reasons:

Firstly, it takes up less space on my desk

Secondly, the keyboard is exactly centred to my monitor when it's in use

Thirdly (and most importantly for me), I like the fact that the keyboard is exactly the same on my desktop and my notebook - it means the keys are in exactly the same place whether I'm using my Mac Pro or my MacBook Air.

I have always disliked numeric keypads for the simple reason I'm left handed and can't use them very well

 

[Mr. Giver '94]

I'm not trying to discriminate against all you left-handed mouse users, but hasn't anyone ever though that moving the numeric pad to the left side would make more sense for right handers?


Slim wired keyboard without numeric pad=fail

 

[kanon14]

The 256 GB SSD is lovely.

I wonder why they don't offer it as an option on MBA's too.

That's because the Air uses 1.8" HDD whereas the MB uses 2.5"

 

[oban14]

I use a compact Bluetooth keyboard at the moment when I'm working on my Mac Pro and prefer it to the full size one for a few reasons:

Firstly, it takes up less space on my desk

Secondly, the keyboard is exactly centred to my monitor when it's in use

Thirdly (and most importantly for me), I like the fact that the keyboard is exactly the same on my desktop and my notebook - it means the keys are in exactly the same place whether I'm using my Mac Pro or my MacBook Air.

I have always disliked numeric keypads for the simple reason I'm left handed and can't use them very well

Do you even use your Mac Pro for anything remotely "professional"? Any Maya, Logic or Final Cut user I know wouldn't imagine going through their work without a numeric keypad.

Those little keyboards are fine if all you do is surf the web, or maybe if you're a writer. But that begs the question why you need a Mac Pro in the first place?

 

[maytsang]

i bought 2.8ghz macbook pro 15" 360gb, 4gb ram a few days ago and now hear theres a newer one! most annoying thing is that its even cheaper than what i paid but better! phoning apple up tomorrow hoping for an upgrade... anyone know if they will charge for the restocking fee? it is still under the 14 day return policy...

 

[panosb]

Same here. I got the 2.8 Macbook Pro refurbished on Saturday. I am expecting to have it tomorrow in my hands. Does the exchange policy covers refusrbished models too? Can I exchange the 2.8 refurbished with the new 2.93 ? Too good to be true I guess....
It not fair. I didnt have the chance to open the box yet and a new model came out

 

[iSee]

I use a compact Bluetooth keyboard at the moment when I'm working on my Mac Pro and prefer it to the full size one for a few reasons:

Firstly, it takes up less space on my desk

Secondly, the keyboard is exactly centred to my monitor when it's in use

Thirdly (and most importantly for me), I like the fact that the keyboard is exactly the same on my desktop and my notebook - it means the keys are in exactly the same place whether I'm using my Mac Pro or my MacBook Air.

I have always disliked numeric keypads for the simple reason I'm left handed and can't use them very well

I personally love this keyboard for exactly the same reason as you:
* It's exactly the same as my MBP
* As a lefty a numeric keypad is not that natural for me to use.
I actually considered getting the bluetooth keyboard for my desk setup. The only reason I didn't is because I wanted the USB ports, so this guy would have been perfect.

But I can see why most wouldn't like it. I'd guess that most righties (which is most people, period) would prefer to have the numeric keypad even if they only use it from time to time.

 

[dal20402]

Do you even use your Mac Pro for anything remotely "professional"? Any Maya, Logic or Final Cut user I know wouldn't imagine going through their work without a numeric keypad.

Those little keyboards are fine if all you do is surf the web, or maybe if you're a writer. But that begs the question why you need a Mac Pro in the first place?

Erm... the new keyboard is only the default on iMacs. The keyboard with OMGZORZ NUMERIC KEYPAD!!1!1 is still the default on Mac Pros.

And, actually, when I use Logic, it's usually with my left hand on the main keyboard and my right on the mouse.

 

[iMaggot]

Oh ffs.... that really hacks me off. Screw you apple I WANT 2.93 ........
this is really not going well for me...

Yeah i got my MBP in FEB and now they bump them to 2.66GHz wtf Apple. I want the 2.66GHz bump in an update Apple!.

 

[gmcalpin]

How many thousands of people are going to purchase an iMac from a local store, Amazon, or anywhere other than Apple Online only to uncover a little amputated keyboard? How many of those are going to think, "Wow, thanks Apple, that's exactly what I wanted"?

****ing please. You need to relax. You sound ridiculous.

1) You would think that they would look at THE PHOTO at the online store… or THE ACTUAL PRODUCT at the Best Buy or wherever and notice, hey, wait, I need a different keyboard.

2) How many people don't already have a keyboard? Raise your hands. Anyone? No? Okay.

3) It's like when Apple switched to the hockey puck mice briefly with the Blue and Whites. I was like, "um, wtf," but it wasn't the end of the world. I bought a different one. If $50 extra bucks breaks your bank, you shouldn't be buying a goddamn computer in the first place.

4) YOU AREN'T EVEN GETTING ONE. Why the **** are you getting pissed off for what some imaginary, hypothetical "thousands" of people are going to be offended by? That's just plain moronic.

 

[Analog Kid]

Now we just need a wireless keyboard *with* a numeric keypad.

 

[dwarg]

Nice mockup hawaiipoolman. I want one! Well.... not the keyboard, but the multitouch mousepad would be awesome.

 

[dbwie]

why I like this keyboard

This keyboard will allow me to fit both my keyboard and the mouse on the slide out keyboard drawer on my desk. I hate reaching up to the desktop each time I want to move the mouse. I also hate having to switch out batteries on a wireless keyboard. This new keyboard is great for my needs. I have used laptop keyboards for most of my computing life, so the number pad has never been something I use.

 

[gmcalpin]

Jesus, how many people use this argument against all in ones? How often does the SCREEN of all things really break?

Um, actually, there have been a fair number of issues with the iMac's LCD screens.

http://www.applegazette.com/imac/imac-lcd-problems-continue-to-grow/

How often? I don't know. But at all is too much. That's one reason why I refuse to buy all-in-ones. Plus, I loathe the idea of replacing a really good monitor just because I want to upgrade my CPU. It's not very green. heh