Apple Releases Penryn-Based MacBook Pros with Multitouch

[gregvet]

256 or 512 vram?

I for one am pleased with the update, will be ordering mine next month. Not sure yet whether to go for the base or mid spec 15" model. Anyone got any realistic ideas as to how much difference the 512 vram will make when using Aperture, compared to the 256 model?

 

[MidiMonk]

Glad you guys got your updtate, i will wait till june for the real monster till then my 2.4 SR MBP kills

 

[OS X Dude]

I've been waiting for this update to make my purchase, but which mac to purchase is my newest question. I'm hoping for some suggestions. I've narrowed it to:

1. updated 2.4 GHz MBP for ~$2000.oo
2. refurb 2.4 GHz MBP for ~$1650.oo
3. refurb 2.2 GHz MB Black for ~$1050.oo

Basically, I'm looking for a laptop that will be primarily used for basic operations (ie, word processing, wireless internet surfing/emailing) as well as a few work related chores such as photoshop editing and powerpoint presentations. Also, enjoy recording music and making music videos for uploading to YouTube, so I want some editing capabilities and a lap top that can handle those jobs fairly easily (Actually, this last item is pretty important in terms of what I want)

So what are your thoughts on which comp is the best buy for me? Also, Here are a few extra specific questions and I'd really appreciate any thoughts, opinions, insight, etc.

1. I read that the MBP wireless wasn't as good as the MB. Do you agree with this, and if so, will the MBP update eliminate this problem?

2. How big of a deal is the LED screen (MBP update) vs the TFT scream (MB and MBP refurb)?

3. How big of a deal is the NVIDIA GeForce (MBPs) vs MB?

4. How important is multitouch? Does it really make editing in photoshop or internet browsing significantly easier?

5. And what about the backlit keyboard vs MB keyboard?

Like I said, any and all thoughts, opinions, etc are appreciated.

Even my MB (C2D 2GHz) would chew up everything you need to do and spit it out without a sweat, so the new ones will slaughter your requirements!

1. Negligible difference, follow basic router guidelines (put it on a high place etc) it'll be fine. Aluminium disturbs wi-fi signals more than plastic, but it is negligible.

2. LED makes normal LCD screens look like they're lit by dying fireflies farts - MUCH brighter and less energy. Thinner too.

3. Put it this way, the MBP would run Crysis at decent settings, the MB would play the 6 year old (almost, woah that's a long time!) Halo 1 at average settings. X3100 card in MB would handle all but most demanding video editing

4. nice, but not essential. Zooming is easier, but paging back is easier with [ and ] commands

5. Unless you're editing in the dark, no point.


Hope this helps!

 

[Orythis]

if i order it, how many days will it actually take? and... do i need to be home to accept the package, or some other family member to accept? thanks for you time! im wayyyy to excited to get this mbp! XD

 

[femiguel]

it's ok....

it's a good upgrade anyway...

 

[deputy_doofy]

For all the complaints about wanting a redesign, I've yet to see a PC laptop that looks better than my MBP. Now, some Sony's look just as nice, but not better.

 

[Appler]

reply

Appler and asdavis10, thanks very much for the helpful answers. So there really is such thing as "free internet" without a G3 card attachment if I was to simply pop open my new MBP at a coffee shop or library? I just assumed that sounded too good to be true.

God, I realize this makes me sound like a dinosaur. But until recently I've worked mostly from home on a Dell XP with Ethernet connection and still on dial-up from some assignment venues. The wait for this update has been agonizingly long but now I can finally join the 21st Century!

Never too late to learn my friend. Libraries, coffee shops, bookstores are all most likely to have free internet access to lure customers. Unless you work on remote construction sites or something, and are desperately in need of internet access, you are safe in this respect. Welcome to the Mac family

 

[Sannekita]

I'm really happy they updated! We've waited for so long. I think it is crazy that people are already saying they'll be updated majorly at WWDC... this waiting game never ends!!

 

[Cloudane]

Yeah, it's definitely better to keep a "tired old design" with "tired old specs" as opposed to something 10x faster

Too right! It still does everything I want it to do, and in a 12" package too. Why should I buy power that I don't need?? That's like rolling your eyes at someone who buys a Mac Mini when there is a Mac Pro which is 10x faster, or doesn't buy every single update even though Apple claim it's the "fastest ever" each time.

If it'd have had the much nicer keyboard, and maybe "felt" newer (psychological thing... if it looks like something from 5 years ago then it "feels" like something from 5 years ago) it might have been enough to sway me in combination with the better specs.

Funny how people treat a non-purchase decision with so much scorn, as if they work for Apple or something. I often wonder how much commission some of the folk in this forum are on!

 

[jmadlena]

That's beautiful.. After all that waiting and nothing but a speedbump

It's a bit more than just a speed bump. New model processor, bigger standard hard-drive, better graphics card with more VRAM, LED backlight in the 17-inch High Res display. Just because they don't redesign the case every year doesn't mean this isn't a great machine.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Just for the record BluRay is overrated and expensive. I plan on getting a BR drive as soon as an cheaper external slim option becomes available or when I just find it on the web.

Apple isn't waiting for BR to become anything, and the format wars were over before they started. HD content is being streamed over the web and any one that is buying BR discs and watching them at home is lost.

Rent the movies, rent the HD content and stream it. BR is overrated, a day late and a dollar short. The only thing it's good for now is burning 50GB of info on an expensive disc that will take FOREVER TO WRITE TO.

* Tell that to those of us with PS3's awaiting mod chips to play copied games (I know its illegal - I'm not one doing it but if its available & other selling I'd buy a copied game ESPECIALLY if its 1yr old and STILL selling at 69.99CAN when our dollar is just about par, give or take 7cents with the US dollar. Case in point RFOM!) Resistance is over 1yr old, great game but should've dropped in price long ago ... and its replacement v2 is due in 4mths or less.

* Tell that to those of us that STILL like to have packaged leaflets, Shirts (like the Family Guy's Star Wars parody), action figures (the kids love em), etc, even just to sign it with a special marker to someone special that loves those keepsakes. Think about using your phone as an MP3 player, and compare it to the iPod before those games, photo viewing on larger screens (smartphones are comparable for clarity & movie watching). you still like that ETCHED iPod don't you?!

Discs are not going away soon ... many ppl on many providers STILL cannot afford streaming HD content (say 4movies) every 2 weeks; as restrictions will abound. Movie Theatres were to begin streaming HD content just 3yrs back and haven't for fear of copyright infringement and content stolen off the main/backup servers.

I don't wish to install another garbage applet or software just to see commentary or another special additional content of the movie I'm watching. Keep streaming huge amounts of data, multiply 4 HD movies/wk for say 30ppl in your 'hood ... and watch the limitations or your DSL/Cable provider JACK up the price significantly claiming bandwidth load is too much; we need to recover costs.

 

[amac4me]

Just ordered my 15.4-inch 2.5 MacBook Pro.

 

[MarkW19]

Are you ordering the new model as an additional computer, or to replace the old one? If it's a replacement, that's not remotely worth the upgrade, particularly for what you're using it for.

Overall I'd expect the new system to be slightly faster (not noticeably though), but I suspect there might be a few individual programs you could find that would run slightly worse.

It's a replacement, but only because I'm returning this one to Apple for cosmetic damage. So, I get more power/spec for the same money, and also get a partial refund as my CTO 7200rpm HD is now a lot cheaper as an option!

I figured the 200mhz jump in CPU would help with my audio work, particularly as MainStage CPU usage is occasionally into the red, but not often - so, just that bit more would give me a needed safety net. Also, I figured the new chips would work better/more efficiently, as well as just a raw increase in clockspeed. But, I am concerned with the DROP in L2 cache!

 

[Digital Skunk]

Then buy a PC and hang out at VistaRumors.com

Besides, if Apple is so bad, why is their marketshare growing, while everyone else's is shrinking?

I didn't say Apple was bad.... I actually said in the post that was supposed to be read first then commented on that Apple's laptops aren't as expensive as some may think. The price difference is usually $50-$100 in favor of the PC, not that much if you take into account the design of the Mac and MacOS X.

I was sort of stating that the quoted post's comment about Mac being more expensive by A LOT was wrong.

 

[Mr Maui]

I didn't say Apple was bad.... I actually said in the post that was supposed to be read first then commented on that Apple's laptops aren't as expensive as some may think. The price difference is usually $50-$100 in favor of the PC, not that much if you take into account the design of the Mac and MacOS X.

I was sort of stating that the quoted post's comment about Mac being more expensive by A LOT was wrong.

Then accept my apology for misunderstanding.

 

[Masivemunkey]

If you buy a laptop at the apple store will they have models with the 7200 hard drive in stock or do I have to order it from the apple store online?

 

[jmadlena]

MacBook Pro USB Ports

There is already 3 USB Ports in the MBP, I'm glad I bought a MBP before. This is a kinda poor update.

Nope, I'm holding my MacBook Pro (as of the June 2007 update) right now. I count two USB 2.0 ports. One on the left, and one on the right.

EDIT: Scratch that. I forgot that the 17-inch already has 3 USB 2.0 ports. I have a 15-inch. Sorry.

 

[JGowan]

um, no. well http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/specs.html has no mention of a 17" LED.

Wrong.

MacBook Pro makes your ideas even more brilliant with a sharp, high-resolution screen. Choose the 15.4-inch, 1440-by-900-pixel or the 17-inch, 1680-by-1050-pixel digital display, with glossy and antiglare options. Or choose the new, optional high-resolution 17-inch LED backlit model for the optimal viewing experience. The 15-inch and 17-inch LED backlit displays are lighter, more power efficient, and they deliver full screen brightness the instant you turn them on. Both LED backlit displays are mercury-free — and the 17-inch high resolution display is also arsenic-free — so they're better for the environment.

http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/design.html

 

[Dreamer2go]

IMHO, I think this update is a below-par upgrade....
the multitouch trackpad is nice, but most of the upgrades aren't really @@ ... you know, like WOW omg.
8600GTM is aging...series 9 are already coming out soon...

But I'm very happy for all the people who waited till today~!

 

[gilfrishman]

Old timer needs help choosing

I used my 1st Mac in 1985, purchased my 1st in 1993, currently own 7-8 (from Power Computing Tower to G5 Dual 2.5Ghz), but this will be my 1st Intel Mac. I've been waiting to replace my TiBook 800Mhz, whose video died 12/07, so now is the time.

I too have been disappointed - at MacWorld and every Tuesday since, and I'd love more changes, but I am a Mac guy and I need a new laptop, so this is where I buy. Yet - I still have questions and can't grok the site specs, so I'm asking here:

What is the difference in displays between the 15" and 17" standard and the Hi-Res 17"? Is it just that I can set the resolution higher for more screen space? Is the 1920x1200 going to make my eyes ache like my old CRTs did when I upped the res?

I don't buy Macs just to buy. I buy when I need - though I will wait (like this time) for a soon to come revision. I don't mind spending the extra for the 17 inch Hi-Res, but I can not comprehend if it is worth it. I can use extra screen real estate (palettes, palettes everywhere) if my 50 year old eyes can take it. OK - so here is what I will use this MBP for: Final Cut Pro (when I am away from my G5), Adobe GoLive, Safari, Mail and watching old movies - black and white (Film Noir in my case) in bed. Is there any reason for me to go with hi-res 17"? I will go with the 200GB 7200 RPM in any case, and am planning on trying Glossy this time around. Planning on sticking with the standard memory and processor. Just the display is giving me fits.

Wise advice is appreciated. I have 3 Apple shopping cart tabs open and am just waiting for knowledge so I click the correct Add To Cart button.

Thanks!

 

[TriNitroToluene]

Sweet!!!

They've got the new ones at the Retail Store at Lenox. Heading over there NOW!!

 

[c.galaz1]

Question????

Difference between the 3MB shared L2 cache and the 6MB shared L2 cache?

 

[Appler]

Forgot

I forgot to ask this question:
In Leopard, do you still have the option of the old screen backgrounds? (like the blue ones; the default tiger background)
If not, how can you import them from a Tiger to a leopard. thanks

 

[amacisbetter]

Woohoo!

I think it may be time to get a new MacBook Pro! These things have everything I would want in a laptop! Plus, my GF got a MacBook Pro about a month ago so mine would be better Oh how she will hate me/want to use mine

 

[Digital Skunk]

* Tell that to those of us with PS3's awaiting mod chips to play copied games (I know its illegal - I'm not one doing it but if its available & other selling I'd buy a copied game ESPECIALLY if its 1yr old and STILL selling at 69.99CAN when our dollar is just about par, give or take 7cents with the US dollar. Case in point RFOM!) Resistance is over 1yr old, great game but should've dropped in price long ago ... and its replacement v2 is due in 4mths or less.

* Tell that to those of us that STILL like to have packaged leaflets, Shirts (like the Family Guy's Star Wars parody), action figures (the kids love em), etc, even just to sign it with a special marker to someone special that loves those keepsakes. Think about using your phone as an MP3 player, and compare it to the iPod before those games, photo viewing on larger screens (smartphones are comparable for clarity & movie watching). you still like that ETCHED iPod don't you?!

Discs are not going away soon ... many ppl on many providers STILL cannot afford streaming HD content (say 4movies) every 2 weeks; as restrictions will abound. Movie Theatres were to begin streaming HD content just 3yrs back and haven't for fear of copyright infringement and content stolen off the main/backup servers.

I don't wish to install another garbage applet or software just to see commentary or another special additional content of the movie I'm watching. Keep streaming huge amounts of data, multiply 4 HD movies/wk for say 30ppl in your 'hood ... and watch the limitations or your DSL/Cable provider JACK up the price significantly claiming bandwidth load is too much; we need to recover costs.

I can see the point about the PS3, forgot about those users, but my comment was mainly in reference to Apple offering it as BTO or making it standard. I don't think Apple will make that move for a while, definitely not in the next update or two.

BR is an option I want myself, but I don't mind if it's an external fullsized or slot loading drive. And I can always pay $600 or so for a slot loading BR drive and have it installed on my future 17" Penryn.

I live by optical discs when it comes to purchasing software etc, but i don't think they will put the high end creative pro stuff on BR just yet, and that leaves only movies and archiving, which in that case BR is overrated.

Movie theaters are suffering a big loss because people have killed the movie going experience with home theaters, cell phones, crying children, and loud mouth high school kids that won't ****. I'd rather pay $4 to rent the movie from my couch, then pay $16 for two tickets, and I'd rather watch it in the comfort of my own home than in a sticky seat that some pimple faced, voice cracking, I just hit puberty, kid didn't clean.

All this to say that for most people, BR came a bit too late, and a bit to expensive to be a viable, widespread medium as DVD and CD currently is. In the years it takes BR drives and discs to be as inexpensive as DVD/CD players and discs were three years ago, streaming/rentals/borrowing from the guy next door/ and maybe even video compression would render it a very niche product for movie viewing and archiving.

That only leaves gaming consoles and those few people that have both an HDTV and BR player.