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Apple Releases New 15" MacBook Pro, Updates 17" MacBook Pro
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What The :*#! Is Apple Doing
I have been an Apple user since the late 80's when I was a kid. I've always loved my Macs. My last purchase was the last Macbook Pro G4 b4 they became intel based macs and I have been waiting to upgrade it to what I thought would be a better, more powerful "PRO" computer . I guess I waited too long an the more I wait the worst they gets. We lost the Firewire 400 in the last Update and now we lost the express card slot. How are we (video editors ) going to digitize (yes, mini dv, DVCAM and HDV are still used) and use an external Hard drive with only one FW port and no express card slot for a second FW or eSATA drives. Is apple going to make an eSATE to SD card reader or FW to SD ???
Or are they just planning to stop all Final Cut Pro apps ???
If your going to take away from a "PRO" system what makes it a "PRO" system, why call it a "PRO" ?
I have been an Apple user since the late 80's when I was a kid. I've always loved my Macs. My last purchase was the last Macbook Pro G4 b4 they became intel based macs and I have been waiting to upgrade it to what I thought would be a better, more powerful "PRO" computer . I guess I waited too long an the more I wait the worst they gets. We lost the Firewire 400 in the last Update and now we lost the express card slot. How are we (video editors ) going to digitize (yes, mini dv, DVCAM and HDV are still used) and use an external Hard drive with only one FW port and no express card slot for a second FW or eSATA drives. Is apple going to make an eSATE to SD card reader or FW to SD ???
Or are they just planning to stop all Final Cut Pro apps ???
If your going to take away from a "PRO" system what makes it a "PRO" system, why call it a "PRO" ?
So, I guess people who need more than 7 hours on a battery charge are out of luck and need to start looking into a windows laptop? I'm a photographer I'm often on location shooting tethered to my laptop for 10+ hours with no power.
I guess they expect us to buy multiple laptops rather than multiple batteries.
Don't even get me started on the glossy screen.
I guess they expect us to buy multiple laptops rather than multiple batteries.
Don't even get me started on the glossy screen.
Hi guys, I know you probably get a lot of 'which should i buy' questions, but, here's another!
First off, I can say that I'm pretty happy with the upgrades. I'll be getting a faster machine for less money.
I'm an architeture student. The machine will be used for some CAD, PS, Illustrator, etc. Even some basic rendering - VRAY. Also, all the usuals - email, web, word, etc.
I'm basically torn between the 15" and 17", both 2.8GHz (which I will probably upgrade to the 3.06GHz). I had previously settled on the 15" due to portability reasons, but with these upgrades only ~$250AUD separates the models.
The real temptation is the higher res and option for matte screening on the 17". My current laptop is capable of 1600 x 1200, but I use it at 1280 X 1024 most of the time just fine. As you are all aware, I can also elect for the desirable matte screening. I've never used a glossy screen before, so I can't really say that it's not for me, it's just I've heard the 'anti-glare' is much nicer.
What does everybody think? As much as I tempted by the 17", it just seems like an awfully large 'portable' - not that I'll be moving it around that much.
p.s. can I get a higher res out of the 15" if I connect it to an external LCD?
First off, I can say that I'm pretty happy with the upgrades. I'll be getting a faster machine for less money.
I'm an architeture student. The machine will be used for some CAD, PS, Illustrator, etc. Even some basic rendering - VRAY. Also, all the usuals - email, web, word, etc.
I'm basically torn between the 15" and 17", both 2.8GHz (which I will probably upgrade to the 3.06GHz). I had previously settled on the 15" due to portability reasons, but with these upgrades only ~$250AUD separates the models.
The real temptation is the higher res and option for matte screening on the 17". My current laptop is capable of 1600 x 1200, but I use it at 1280 X 1024 most of the time just fine. As you are all aware, I can also elect for the desirable matte screening. I've never used a glossy screen before, so I can't really say that it's not for me, it's just I've heard the 'anti-glare' is much nicer.
What does everybody think? As much as I tempted by the 17", it just seems like an awfully large 'portable' - not that I'll be moving it around that much.
p.s. can I get a higher res out of the 15" if I connect it to an external LCD?
i agree with you here, apple is going back to the powerbook days line-up, size doesn't necessarily indicate "pro-ness" of the machine.
unibody is the new powerbook.
plastic macbook is the new ibook - i think they will add more to these though
Another use for the word pro is to describe a hooker. You can twist it all you want, but never refer to the white Macbook as "cheap".
No. Bad squirrel.
"Pro" = function over form.
"Luxurious" = form over function.
Pro.
Not Pro.
Because we want to be able to watch on our laptops the Bluray DVD's we are buying for home.
I can completely understand were certain users are coming from. Apple is leaving the "pro" users behind it seems in favour of your general consumer which is sad considering it was those "pro" users who supported Apple when they weren't the fashion accessory they have become to an certain extent.
The Mac Pro is an pro machine, everything about it is as far away from a consumer product as you can get which makes it all the more confusing that the laptops lose more and more features.
It doesn't effect me at all because for what i use it for I'm fine but it does for a large majority of "pro" users and the frustrating thing is that they want to stay with Apple, they want OS X, they like the computers but Apple keeps taking away things for no good reason but to benefit your average "macbook" consumer
The line should have changed from the Macbook 13" - 15", creating higher end more feature rich "pro" machines.
The Mac Pro is an pro machine, everything about it is as far away from a consumer product as you can get which makes it all the more confusing that the laptops lose more and more features.
It doesn't effect me at all because for what i use it for I'm fine but it does for a large majority of "pro" users and the frustrating thing is that they want to stay with Apple, they want OS X, they like the computers but Apple keeps taking away things for no good reason but to benefit your average "macbook" consumer
The line should have changed from the Macbook 13" - 15", creating higher end more feature rich "pro" machines.
Yeah, it's becoming a bit of a problem. The #1 "pro" factor in my mind is the ability to customize the machine to fit your exact requirements. We normally associate professional Macs with creative professionals who work in video, graphic design, print and audio/music, but there are thousands of professions and they can't possibly all need the same feature set.
As an example, here are your choices when putting together a Dell Precision m6400 17":
- CPU: 5 options (2.53-3.06 Ghz duo, or 2.53 quad)
- Display: 4 options (from 1440x900 CFL to 1920x1200 LED w/ 100% Adobe color gamut)
- RAM: 4 options (from 4 GB to 16 GB DDR3 1066 MHz)
- RAID Controller: 4 options (Mirror, Striped, 1x non-RAID, 2x non-RAID)
- Hard drive: 12 optins (one or two, HDD or SSD etc)
- GPU: 2 options (Quadro 512 MB or 1 GB)
- Optional 3G broadband HSDPA 7.2
- Optional fingerprint reader
- Optional secondary 9-cell battery
- Optional integrated 2 MP webcam
- Optional port replicator + desktop stand combo
- Optional anti-theft measures (ranging from simple engraved asset tags to 3 year ComputraceOne theft recovery service)
- 3 year basic warranty and NBD service included, optional 3 to 5 year ProSupport
- I/O: 4xUSB, 1xFirewire, eSATA, ExpressCard 54, PC Card, SmartCard reader, 8-in-1 memory card reader, WiFi N, Mini DisplayPort, VGA port, 9-pin serial, Gigabit ethernet
Yada yada blah blah... you get the picture. It's a very malleable config. And if the M6400 still doesn't fit the bill, they have 23 other professional laptop models to choose from (each one with a similar list of BTO options), including one with ballistic armor in case you're planning on taking your laptop to war.
"There's just one problem... it doesn't run OS X!" - yeah, but that's an artificial limitation imposed by Apple, not a shortcoming of the Dell laptop.
Then there's Apple's MacBook Pro 17":
CPU: 2 options (2.8 or 3.06)
RAM: 2 options (4 or 8)
Hard drive: 4 options (5400 or 7200 RPM HDD / 128 or 256 GB SSD)
Display: 2 options (glossy or matte)
Warranty: 1 year (free) or 3 years
I/O: 3x USB, 1x firewire, Mini DisplayPort, ExpressCard, Gigabit ethernet, WiFi N, integrated webcam.
And that's it. The rest of the BTO options are just software, display adapters etc. All other properties of the machine have been predetermined for you. If it's a 15", forget the matte/glossy option and the ExpressCard.
The only possible advantage for the customer with Apple's limited range of options is that Apple saves a helluvalot of money by keeping the options down to a minimum. You're ordering from the set menu instead of á la carte. This should result in cost savings that are passed on to the customer, and make the Mac a lot cheaper than the Dell. But it's the other way around.
OMG, I'm a switcher!
Hmmm.... Don't know what to think about Apple anymore.
I didn't upgrade my PB last time round because of the glossy screen. I thought I'd wait until the next upgrade as there was so much uproar about it that the matte option was bound to be re-introduced next time around, even though it might be a BTO option like the 17". But instead it's got even worse!!!!!! I've got an old PB Titanium that is better specced, processor/ram/HD aside, than the latest offering.
Apple produce applications for pro photographers, video pros and audio pros but don't offer the hardware they need to work with them on the move anymore. I REALLY don't want to go to a PC laptop but it's got to the point where I don't have a choice. Apple will be getting switchers, but but in both directions, Mac users are being forced away by absurdly limiting hardware. I guess they've worked out that the trade-off is worth it, make gains in the consumer market at the expense losing the creative professional market. But that seems uneccessary, why not offer a 13 and 15" MBP that are like a smaller 17" and call those the "Pro" models, and call the rest MacBooks. It's that simple.
The Mac OS is great but it is severely crippled by the hardware now, if you need to be mobile. The great thing about Apple was that it always "made sense" and it always worked rather well. It doesn't make sense anymore.
I've been using Macs for fifteen years now and have loved using them, but now I almost feel I have to turn my back on an old friend because they've changed in unacceptable ways.
I will keep my old PB for domestic use until it dies, but I can't work Apple your hardware anymore.
Sorry Apple, I can't believe I'm saying this but it's time to go, I have no choice now.
Totally Bummed
Hmmm.... Don't know what to think about Apple anymore.
I didn't upgrade my PB last time round because of the glossy screen. I thought I'd wait until the next upgrade as there was so much uproar about it that the matte option was bound to be re-introduced next time around, even though it might be a BTO option like the 17". But instead it's got even worse!!!!!! I've got an old PB Titanium that is better specced, processor/ram/HD aside, than the latest offering.
Apple produce applications for pro photographers, video pros and audio pros but don't offer the hardware they need to work with them on the move anymore. I REALLY don't want to go to a PC laptop but it's got to the point where I don't have a choice. Apple will be getting switchers, but but in both directions, Mac users are being forced away by absurdly limiting hardware. I guess they've worked out that the trade-off is worth it, make gains in the consumer market at the expense losing the creative professional market. But that seems uneccessary, why not offer a 13 and 15" MBP that are like a smaller 17" and call those the "Pro" models, and call the rest MacBooks. It's that simple.
The Mac OS is great but it is severely crippled by the hardware now, if you need to be mobile. The great thing about Apple was that it always "made sense" and it always worked rather well. It doesn't make sense anymore.
I've been using Macs for fifteen years now and have loved using them, but now I almost feel I have to turn my back on an old friend because they've changed in unacceptable ways.
I will keep my old PB for domestic use until it dies, but I can't work Apple your hardware anymore.
Sorry Apple, I can't believe I'm saying this but it's time to go, I have no choice now.
Totally Bummed
The 13" is a great machine, and if you're not going to play games on it, it's fine for IT work.
I have the MBP, and I generally leave it on the 9400m most of the time. I run 4 or 5 VM's, Office, FF, etc and it runs great.
If anything I'd recommend getting the 13" 2.26Ghz and then getting a Corsair 256GB SSD, along with as much memory as possible.
I literally LOL'd at this.
Pro = stupid name for any laptop, because you can't possibly define what "Pro" means objectively.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/professional[1]
What I do professionally requires different specs than what someone else does professionally. I could professionally do my job on pretty much any of the Apple notebooks, except the Air.
On the opposite end, people like to buy a "Pro" machine for home use, simply because they like the specs.
"Pro" needs to go.
Hmmm.... Don't know what to think about Apple anymore.
I didn't upgrade my PB last time round because of the glossy screen. I thought I'd wait until the next upgrade as there was so much uproar about it that the matte option was bound to be re-introduced next time around, even though it might be a BTO option like the 17". But instead it's got even worse!!!!!! I've got an old PB Titanium that is better specced, processor/ram/HD aside, than the latest offering.
Apple produce applications for pro photographers, video pros and audio pros but don't offer the hardware they need to work with them on the move anymore. I REALLY don't want to go to a PC laptop but it's got to the point where I don't have a choice. Apple will be getting switchers, but but in both directions, Mac users are being forced away by absurdly limiting hardware. I guess they've worked out that the trade-off is worth it, make gains in the consumer market at the expense losing the creative professional market. But that seems uneccessary, why not offer a 13 and 15" MBP that are like a smaller 17" and call those the "Pro" models, and call the rest MacBooks. It's that simple.
The Mac OS is great but it is severely crippled by the hardware now, if you need to be mobile. The great thing about Apple was that it always "made sense" and it always worked rather well. It doesn't make sense anymore.
I've been using Macs for fifteen years now and have loved using them, but now I almost feel I have to turn my back on an old friend because they've changed in unacceptable ways.
I will keep my old PB for domestic use until it dies, but I can't work Apple your hardware anymore.
Sorry Apple, I can't believe I'm saying this but it's time to go, I have no choice now.
Totally Bummed
Well said.
I think Apple are still having anxiety issues over the late 90s when they were trying to sell too many models and have gone to the other extreme now in the chase for maximal profit margins by streamlining their range with excessive parts sharing.
Times change. This strategy is now pissing off the content producers who have traditionally used Apple's more fully featured hardware. Many others have said it before but Apple seem to have worked out their destiny lies in lowest common denominator offerings to the mass consumer market. They truly are out-Sonying Sony, who Steve Jobs has repeatedly claimed to be his benchmark.
This "good enough for everyone" approach is pure hypocrisy. Professionals may as well start using Windows 7 on their choice of hardware if this continues. Apple will gladly lose these customers in favour of the consumer shiny crowd.
It's a good job Apple don't licence OS X as right now with the state of their computer hardware they'd be screwed, and they full well know it. The Pros would defect because they need to, and most consumers would defect simply on pricing.
he will just give the same goofy answer for expresscard as he did for Blu-Ray. "Expresscards are a world of hurt"
bah, they got rid of the slot to save a few bucks. doesn't seem like even a partial tradeup for a "pro" laptop to get a lil SD slot, hell Apple could offer both if them wanted.
Sorry, but i have a couple expresscards and i really don't want to have to lug around a 17" notebook with me. pretty lame move apple.
i agree 100%.
Maybe Apple doesn't think their consumer base realizes that they are cutting features to save $$, the expresscard, firewire 400, matte screen option and ... blu-ray would all cost money to add and lets face it. apple is getting pretty cheap with their parts. to them its all about the margins.
hell even the new iphone isn't much different, sure a few tweaks, but nothing game changing. even the camera in it is just 3 megapixels. hell we don't even have news if they finally made the speakerphone function loud enough.
well actually watching it on the laptop isn't the best, but... alot of us own movies on BD which we want to watch on laptops. why buy, or rent, something on digital download when we are going to want full HD for at home later?
don't get me started on the BD digital copy, with enough of those you don't have any room on your hard drive anymore.
I Don't understand their international pricing. Apple may be a US based company, but it does most of its manufacturing in China. so the costs for some countries when currency valuations are involved should go down.
Sublime irony - first wireless SD card announced
Oh dear! Both barrels, both feet I think...
From Digital Photo Review website:
"Eye-Fi creates wireless SDHC card for pro market"
Wednesday, 10 June 2009 12:00 GMT
"MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 10, 2009: Eye-Fi Inc. today unveiled the Eye-Fi Pro, a new wireless SDHC memory card for digital cameras that allows professionals and photo enthusiasts to automatically upload images straight from their camera to their computer and the Web. Available today, the Eye-Fi Pro includes RAW image support and peer-to-peer connectivity for a direct connection between the camera and a computer, no router or Internet connection required (also known as ad hoc)."
Full article at dpreview.com here.
Erm... so why do we need the SD card slot?
I know, a lot of people already have the standard SD cards, but if this is the way forward there's not much future in built-in card readers... You would have thought Apple would have known about this
Cheers - Zaphodz
Oh dear! Both barrels, both feet I think...
From Digital Photo Review website:
"Eye-Fi creates wireless SDHC card for pro market"
Wednesday, 10 June 2009 12:00 GMT
"MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 10, 2009: Eye-Fi Inc. today unveiled the Eye-Fi Pro, a new wireless SDHC memory card for digital cameras that allows professionals and photo enthusiasts to automatically upload images straight from their camera to their computer and the Web. Available today, the Eye-Fi Pro includes RAW image support and peer-to-peer connectivity for a direct connection between the camera and a computer, no router or Internet connection required (also known as ad hoc)."
Full article at dpreview.com here.
Erm... so why do we need the SD card slot?
I know, a lot of people already have the standard SD cards, but if this is the way forward there's not much future in built-in card readers... You would have thought Apple would have known about this
Cheers - Zaphodz
Oh dear! Both barrels, both feet I think...
From Digital Photo Review website:
"Eye-Fi creates wireless SDHC card for pro market"
Wednesday, 10 June 2009 12:00 GMT
"MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 10, 2009: Eye-Fi Inc. today unveiled the Eye-Fi Pro, a new wireless SDHC memory card for digital cameras that allows professionals and photo enthusiasts to automatically upload images straight from their camera to their computer and the Web. Available today, the Eye-Fi Pro includes RAW image support and peer-to-peer connectivity for a direct connection between the camera and a computer, no router or Internet connection required (also known as ad hoc)."
Full article at dpreview.com here.
Erm... so why do we need the SD card slot?
I know, a lot of people already have the standard SD cards, but if this is the way forward there's not much future in built-in card readers... You would have thought Apple would have known about this
Cheers - Zaphodz
Agree 100%