The rest of the post is amazing as well. You should copy that and paste in it the thread I started in the photo forum.... and the Macbook forums as well. Can we get a sticky of this Mods?
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Apple Releases Aluminum Unibody 17" MacBook Pro
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The rest of the post is amazing as well. You should copy that and paste in it the thread I started in the photo forum.... and the Macbook forums as well. Can we get a sticky of this Mods?
Very good point - it does take a way take flexibility, doesn't it? In general I prefer to have that control and the option to choose, as opposed to having my hands tied, so I can see where many users wouldn't be happy with this change. I think it is probably one of the reasons some users have decided to buy an Air as well.
Agreed.
Then why are they charging $50 for it now?
For those who cried and complained to apple. This is apple's way of "payback"
Yes they do. Sony has a 18" laptop with 1080p res. with a 1920 x 1080 Resolution
Then why can I see a difference at a normal viewing distance?
Don't ask me, I wasn't the one who brought it up. I was responding to the claim of no difference under fifty inches.
do you even realize that video isnt just about resolution?As for seeing the difference between 1080p and 720p on a 17" display, I'll not assault your perception, but simply note that all of the empirical data I've seen (do a search on AVSforum) says that the difference is not discernible by the human eye. More likely to be dissonance reduction, justifying the extra $$ paid for the higher cost monitor.
The fact is that under 42" at > 10' (and similar ratios) makes the difference between the 2 inconsequential.
But if spending the extra $$ rocks your boat, then by all means, keep the economy going.
you're trying to say that the heavily encoded HD movies you get from itunes look as good as a blu-ray? or that dvd's look as good as blu-ray's on a 17" inch display?
i'd like a link to the empirical data that supports this.
Yep - be careful what you wish for - or in this case, bitch about...
I am bitching because I wouldn't mind paying more for the option.... but with Apple you don't have the option... so the bitching will continue!
Yep - be careful what you wish for - or in this case, bitch about...
Well, this is something many lost sleep over. Might have been one of the largest complaints of the decade.
Actually, the switch the intel might have been, but look at apple now.
There may be a simple explanation why some products people expected for Macworld 2009 were not announced: Snow Leopard is not yet ready.
BluRay and HD movies in iTunes probably need many changes to subsystems of the operating systemnot for technical reasons but for copy protection requirements. These could best be introduced with a new version of the operating system that focusses on a rewrite of major components.
The mythical netbook/table/hyper-iPod will probably get an Intel Atom processor, which has less power than Core 2 CPUs. Another reason to rewrite major components of the operating systemthis time for speed.
Same for the Mac Mini, especially for the rumored version that also replaces Apple TV.
BluRay and HD movies in iTunes probably need many changes to subsystems of the operating systemnot for technical reasons but for copy protection requirements. These could best be introduced with a new version of the operating system that focusses on a rewrite of major components.
The mythical netbook/table/hyper-iPod will probably get an Intel Atom processor, which has less power than Core 2 CPUs. Another reason to rewrite major components of the operating systemthis time for speed.
Same for the Mac Mini, especially for the rumored version that also replaces Apple TV.
I am bitching because I wouldn't mind paying more for the option.... but with Apple you don't have the option... so the bitching will continue!
And I never said that wasn't acceptable!
That just goes to show that Apple has really lost its edge to the rich soccer moms out there that want a glossy screen cos it looks better, Bluray?!?!? we don't need that we've got a box that does it hooked up to our 50" plasma TV. Well I think I want more battery power, for those times I'm traveling and cant be bothered to plug it in as often.
Pahleeese!!
Pahleeese!!
Apple TV will only be good if they add some HD support (1080p, but the basic 720 will do) as well as a DVR. Other wise whats the real point of apple TV, if you could just hook up the computer to your tv?
Some notes on your comments
1: Non-removable is not the same as non-replaceable. The new 17" MBP battery can be removed,. It just takes removing 4 screws on the base of the computer to access the battery. The battery is not soldered in, so removing it to exchange it with a new battery is not difficult even for the mechanically challenged.
The only problem would be for those who carry an extra battery in order to get longer life during a trip. In the tradition of "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few", this very small minority is being accommodated by the newer, longer-lasting battery.
2: Using your MBP on AC power with the battery removed is not a good idea and Apple recommends against doing so.
3: No one has said that you can't upgrade the hard drive or RAM yourself. Again, all it takes is removing the same 4 screws in the base plate of the MBP. If you have ever upgraded the memory on the new unibody MB, you know that you also have to remove the screws in the baseplate. The owners manual in the box shows you how to do this. So PLEASE learn about this before making ignorant comments about having to buy your memory upgrade from Apple at the time of purchase.
4: Those who think the new 17" MBP prices are too much, look at the model it replaces. Then keep in mind that the new one has better construction, a faster processor, more RAM, the high-res display option, longer battery life, two GPUs, etc.
5: For those disappointed by the lack of new hardware, Apple will be doing another hardware event in February. Here they will introduce the Mac mini replacement and the upgraded iMacs. These were not introduced at MWSF so as to not steal away from the thunder of Apple's own event. Introducing the 17" MBP at MWSF was a small (and already expected) token to the attendees of that show. From now on, all new product introductions will be own Apple's on schedule and not the mandatory first week in January.
6: BD will not be coming to the Mac lineup any time soon, because it conflicts with Apple's business model for iTunes.
7: The anti-glare option is indeed the same as the "matte" option in prior models. It costs more simply because it is a build to order (BTO) option which costs Apple more from a business logistics point of view.
8: Those who predict that Apple is crazy with its pricing or is unaware of the current world economy should take a look at the top selling computers as ranked by Amazon. 6 of the top 25 best selling notebook computers are Macbooks and Macbook Pros. Except for the Toshiba L305, all other models are sub-$500 netbooks. This means that no other notebook computers in the "over $500" category (except for the L305) sell better than Apple's offerings.
1: Non-removable is not the same as non-replaceable. The new 17" MBP battery can be removed,. It just takes removing 4 screws on the base of the computer to access the battery. The battery is not soldered in, so removing it to exchange it with a new battery is not difficult even for the mechanically challenged.
The only problem would be for those who carry an extra battery in order to get longer life during a trip. In the tradition of "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few", this very small minority is being accommodated by the newer, longer-lasting battery.
2: Using your MBP on AC power with the battery removed is not a good idea and Apple recommends against doing so.
3: No one has said that you can't upgrade the hard drive or RAM yourself. Again, all it takes is removing the same 4 screws in the base plate of the MBP. If you have ever upgraded the memory on the new unibody MB, you know that you also have to remove the screws in the baseplate. The owners manual in the box shows you how to do this. So PLEASE learn about this before making ignorant comments about having to buy your memory upgrade from Apple at the time of purchase.
4: Those who think the new 17" MBP prices are too much, look at the model it replaces. Then keep in mind that the new one has better construction, a faster processor, more RAM, the high-res display option, longer battery life, two GPUs, etc.
5: For those disappointed by the lack of new hardware, Apple will be doing another hardware event in February. Here they will introduce the Mac mini replacement and the upgraded iMacs. These were not introduced at MWSF so as to not steal away from the thunder of Apple's own event. Introducing the 17" MBP at MWSF was a small (and already expected) token to the attendees of that show. From now on, all new product introductions will be own Apple's on schedule and not the mandatory first week in January.
6: BD will not be coming to the Mac lineup any time soon, because it conflicts with Apple's business model for iTunes.
7: The anti-glare option is indeed the same as the "matte" option in prior models. It costs more simply because it is a build to order (BTO) option which costs Apple more from a business logistics point of view.
8: Those who predict that Apple is crazy with its pricing or is unaware of the current world economy should take a look at the top selling computers as ranked by Amazon. 6 of the top 25 best selling notebook computers are Macbooks and Macbook Pros. Except for the Toshiba L305, all other models are sub-$500 netbooks. This means that no other notebook computers in the "over $500" category (except for the L305) sell better than Apple's offerings.
Although physical media may be on its way out, I think it will be around for a little over 1000 charge cycles.
So when you go on the road with a laptop, how do you watch the bluray copy of The Dark Knight you bought for home?
Please explain.
aTV already supports 720p.
I have a Panasonic Blu-ray player hooked up to a 42" Toshiba REGZA 1080p HDTV and I would beg to differ that there is no difference between Blu-ray and DVD on anything smaller then a 50". There is a HUGE difference. Not only in resolution, but in overall color and picture quality. There is also a HUGE difference in audio quality. The best audio you can get on a DVD is Dolby Digital or DTS. Blu-ray offers lossless Dolby True HD, DTS HD Master Audio or a direct PCM feed.
I assume downloads for everything?
Seems inevitable at some point in the future, but probably years away at the earliest.
This 17" Unibody MBP is absolutely amazing if the battery technology lives up to the results shown even at 90% of what Apple claims and the anti-glare is truly matte. I've always avoided the 17", due to the size, but I am almost willing to sell my 15" 2.8 unibody for a 17" 2.9 anti-glare. However, from a financial stand point, it will set me back at least $600. So what probably makes more sense is wait for the next rev (next year) and sell my 15" and go with a 17" or wait to see if they offer these same features in the 15" next year.
A lot of you really need to stop complaining about petty things. Remember this is a LAPTOP, meant for portable / hybrid use. If you want the multiple HD's, big screaming quad core CPU's, go with a desktop computer.
I will have to agree that I am a little disappointed that they did not show any previews for Snow Leopard, Mac Mini / iMAC update, or talk about the rumored updated Mighty Mouse.
Final assessment on the Unibody (15" & 17") laptop is that from a construction method, Apple has really set themselves apart from the competition. If you just care about pure power and none of the technology put into the design of this laptop, then stick with the previous version or go load Ubuntu / Windows on a Lenovo Thinkpad W700DS.
A lot of you really need to stop complaining about petty things. Remember this is a LAPTOP, meant for portable / hybrid use. If you want the multiple HD's, big screaming quad core CPU's, go with a desktop computer.
I will have to agree that I am a little disappointed that they did not show any previews for Snow Leopard, Mac Mini / iMAC update, or talk about the rumored updated Mighty Mouse.
Final assessment on the Unibody (15" & 17") laptop is that from a construction method, Apple has really set themselves apart from the competition. If you just care about pure power and none of the technology put into the design of this laptop, then stick with the previous version or go load Ubuntu / Windows on a Lenovo Thinkpad W700DS.
Yep, I've noticed it on my 46" Panasonic plasma as well. Not a huge difference I admit, but definitely present.
looking through my favourite price crawling machine i found a few others as well from Acer, Fujitsu Siemens, HP and a Toshiba in the 18" category
with 17" screens there are only plenty of 1920x1200 which can display 1080p but only with black bars
looking further there are actually even 15,4" laptops with 1080p support (and some with the higher 1920x1200): An Acer, HP, Fujitsu Siemens, Samsung and a Sony