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

[chillywilly]

i see they didn't add a matte display option to the 15" mbp..

See... that's the one piece that I was hoping for. A matte option. I'm sure I could get used to the glossy screen in time, but having a matte option would have been nice. I'm getting close to needing a MBP update (mine turns 3 years old next month). It's working great still, but I would like that new keyboard, a speed bump (mine is 2.0 Ghz) and longer battery life.

 

[srl7741]

Black Keys

Do you think we will ever see the same key board but with the Black Keys like the NoteBooks use? It seem that combination would complement the entire line better than the current key board. I love the current but the Black keys would sure be nice.

Just a thought?

 

[cms2]

What does Apple have against the number pad? I seem to remember the keyboards on the old apples at middle school didn't have the number pad. Maybe a number pad killed Steve Jobs' dad...

 

[Spanky Deluxe]

The slight speed bumps and more SSD options are a good sign in my opinion. I'm not bitter at all even though I bought my MacBook Pro in October. Why? Well first of all four months is quite a long time in the tech world and second of all, they're only minor bumps. 2.53GHz to 2.66GHz means very little to me. I bought mine at a time when I knew it would stay 'current' for a reasonable length of time (i.e. right after a launch).
Also, this could mean that Apple will now be updating their models more regularly as the cost of components drop which would mean that the comparative value of a MBP compared to competitor's products will remain largely constant. Hopefully this will extend to other lines and, for example, the Mac Pros will have their speeds boosted in a few months time.

As for the number pad.... I don't see the point in getting rid of it really. I personally use mine all the time and wish they would release a full sized wireless one. I wouldn't mind if they even started pricing the full sized ones slightly higher due to the added cost in materials. When I get do buy my next desktop computer I will have to stick with the wired keyboard for the numpad. If they did a full sized wireless one, I'd happily give them the extra cash for it - hell, I'd pay £20 more for a wireless full sized one - but if Apple doesn't want my money...

 

[hodgeheg]

Yes, possibly

Hah. Is there some large fraction of the Apple user base that had a problem with the numerical keyboard? How are you supposed to use Numbers or any other application that requires numerical input with THAT?

The bluetooth mini-keyboard was OK since it was marketed as an additional input device, but they've gone off the deep end with this one.

I can't believe it's the default choice. That means every person who buys the iMac at retail (from places like Amazon, Best Buy or Mac Mall) are going to have to deal with not having a numerical keypad. What's next a keyboard without arrow keys?

I'm very glad that the other keyboard with numeric keypad remains available AT NO EXTRA COST (so where's the problem?) for those that want it, but I doubt I'm unique in being thrilled that they released this. Yes there are quite a lot of people who have reasons for preferring it. If, like me and lots of poeple who don't use spreadsheets extensively, you never use the numeric keypad, then all it achieves is making your mouse further away than is ergonomically optimal. It probably doesn't bother most people as much as me, but for me, the difference is the difference between so much pain mousing I can't use an external keyboard (I get similar problems if I offset the keyboard to compensate) and being really happy.

The other benefit, for some people, is that it's virtually identical layout to their laptop. I just want something that turns my Air into a desktop without requiring me to hold two keyboard layouts in my head, so I'm thrilled. What I'd *really* like is one like this but with the multi-touchpad too, but you can't have everything.

Apple are often quite bad for taking choice away (e.g. glossy screens) and have to be dragged kicking and screaming into giving it back (e.g. 17" MBP). On this occasion they're *giving* us choice, so why complain? One of the options has to be the default - I imagine this keyboard is cheaper to manufacture so it doesn't seem unreasonable for that to be the default from a business point of view. Anyone who wants the other doesn't have to pay.



PS I also think they should offer a full sized wireless keyboard with numeric pad (even though I don't want one). However I think it's unlikely :-(

 

[finalcut]

damn it! And my 2.53GHz MBP is only a month old

 

[newb16]

Space. Also, some people HATE HATE HATE the number pads. I feel so off centered when using a keyboard with a number pad.

It's not a number pad, it's a cursor movement pad.