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*Anyone who says they don't want a DVD-RW because "they wouldn't use it" is really not thinking very far forward. Aside from the obvious burning DVDs from iDVD/iMovie to share movies and photos with people, the shear usefulness of backing data up on DVD-R is worth the $2 it MIGHT cost them. Backing up purchased iTMS content, audio and video, photos from digital cameras, etc etc is so much easier when you can put 4gb+ on a single disc as compared to 800mb on a CD.

It sounds like you use your Macbook as a primary machine- many other people do not. My macbook is a second or third computer in the house and mostly an appliance and something used to check email on the road. I'd never think of trying to author a movie on the thing, when I have an iMac with a huge display.
 
Re: Combo drives vs. Superdrive...

Same here, I don't want to pay extra for something I won't use.

Oh come on. If those kinds of choices are so important, why aren't you using a PC laptop then where you can build these things to order? And what if you wanted a 2.4GHz MB? Would you be fine with paying extra for an unneeded Superdrive in that situation or would you be here singing Apple's praises just the same?

Most PC makers offer you a choice of drives in laptops across the board. I think Apple makes great machines, but I get a little tired of people coming up with ridiculous defenses for Apple's inflexibility and limiting the options available. There's no reason for it. They've grown massively in the last few years and they need to start offering more options to buyers. And we as users need to stop patting them on the back for it.
 
More a price drop on the macbooks, however still a good update. Strange how they didn't include the 2.6ghz as standard on the high end macbook pro, you have to pay £160 more for it.
 
good update, but not compelling enough to buy. i don't really need a new computer so i'll be waiting for a case update, so i may be using my "gulp" pc for another year or so before that happens.........:(
 
I'm not suggesting they need to put it on par with the MacBook Pro...hell, put an older graphics card in there, with only a third of the VRAM of the MacBook Pro. Besides, there are lots of other things that distinguish the Pro...such as larger displays, backlit keyboards, now multi touch, firewire 800, much cooler enclosure, express card slot for expansion.

No, what you are suggesting is that Apple put the features that matter to you in a MacBook, and features that don't matter should be left to the MacBook Pro.

The problem is Apple has millions of customers, not just you. They put what they feel belongs in a consumer laptop, and what belongs in a pro laptop based on the wants and needs of their customers as a whole, not individually.
 
I'm glad I'm not the only one who was pissed by that. They really need to quit this forced-upsell-by-leaving-off-basic-features crap. EVERY Mac should have a DVD-RW and you shouldn't be forced to pay $200 for a CPU and HDD upgrade you probably don't want to get it.

They'd probably SAVE money by simplifying the parts inventory and dropping the Combo drive all together; the parts cost is within a couple bucks at most, and the overhead of stocking an additional part and buying smaller quantities of two parts rather than a single one probably adds any savings right back in.

Point being is that MOST people want the SuperDrive, but DON'T want the faster CPU. The added HDD space probably falls in the middle. The people who DON'T want the SD would end up getting it for free*. It's just a ploy to make you buy the expensive CPU upgrade (the HDD upgrade doesn't add much to the bottom line either).

They did this with the mini, too, and the old iMac, and it's getting lamer every time. This is 2008, FFS; Walmart barebones PCs come with DVD-RW's now.

*Anyone who says they don't want a DVD-RW because "they wouldn't use it" is really not thinking very far forward. Aside from the obvious burning DVDs from iDVD/iMovie to share movies and photos with people, the shear usefulness of backing data up on DVD-R is worth the $2 it MIGHT cost them. Backing up purchased iTMS content, audio and video, photos from digital cameras, etc etc is so much easier when you can put 4gb+ on a single disc as compared to 800mb on a CD.

Never, ever backed up data on a DVD-R. Too unreliable for me, and harddisk drives are just too cheap to ignore for that purpose. That's probably why there is a Time Capsule coming out to extend networkd backup to wireless, and AppleTV to diminish the need for iDVD.

I would pay extra for a Blu-Ray drive.
 
IIRC The MacBook Pro hasn't had a major case redesign for over 5 years - since the Powerbook G4 Aluminium was released.

Probably because it doesn't need one. It's still the best looking laptop on the market. The Aluminum case is timeless. Apple would be stupid to change it now.

I wonder if those who want a case redesign really think it looks bad, or they want something that looks new so people will notice and come up to them and stroke their ego. Get over it people, it's a tool to do work. Go buy a Corvette if you want attention.
 
Hi,

thanks for your help. It's a copy of the receipt but there's no name on it, only the serial number and last 4 digits of the card he paid. It should work then, right?

Apple's POS system usually captures the full name of the person when a credit card is used, even if it doesn't print on the receipt. So when they scan the receipt and compare that name your ID, which they may or may not ask for...you might have some trouble.

If it were me, I'd ask to speak to manager when you go in and explain the situation to them. I can't imagine they wouldn't help you...nothing gets voide (that I'm aware of) when a computer is sold again like yours. There's not reason they can't help you and I'd bet they would.
 
Wow, I never post anything negative, but I think it's really sucks ass that the Macboooks don't have multi-touch and an LED screen.Those are the two things I want!

I'm just glad I'm not in a hurry to get a new laptop...

New features appear in pro models first. Some of them stay there - like backlit keyboards. One day you'll see multi-touch and LED backlit screens, but don't expect them to debut in the consumer space.
 
I wish they would have put in a real graphics chip. There are many that would be faster than Intel and still meet he size requirements and keep temps low.
 
It sounds like you use your Macbook as a primary machine- many other people do not. My macbook is a second or third computer in the house and mostly an appliance and something used to check email on the road. I'd never think of trying to author a movie on the thing, when I have an iMac with a huge display.

While you have a point there it's obvious that the exclusion of the DVD burner from the cheapest model is obviously sheer marketing tactics from Apple, forcing you to buy the middle-tiered one for a higher price if you want to write DVDs.
Not a biggie, I think but let's be honest. :)
 
Apple's POS system usually captures the full name of the person when a credit card is used, even if it doesn't print on the receipt. So when they scan the receipt and compare that name your ID, which they may or may not ask for...you might have some trouble.

If it were me, I'd ask to speak to manager when you go in and explain the situation to them. I can't imagine they wouldn't help you...nothing gets voide (that I'm aware of) when a computer is sold again like yours. There's not reason they can't help you and I'd bet they would.

Excellent, I'll do this way, thanks for the tip. Last question: will they charge me for the restocking fee or not? It's been opened but there's not a mark or anything on it and the only reason I bring it back is they've suddenly updated it...
 
You answered your own question

I just bought my refurb MacBook ...Should I return everything and spend $190 more...I mean for less than $120 I can get a 200-250GB HD,... What do you guys think?

Keep what you have.
Spend the money later on:
1. upgrading disk size
2. upgrading memory to 4GB

You did buy AppleCare, right?
 
I never get the bitching about combo drive. I sure don't want a DVD burner, if you do, you pay more and get the SD model.

It's not like if they suddenly dropped the Combo model the SuperDrive option would take the Combo model's pricepoint, so what's the issue, exactly??

You are missing the point entirely. There is no reason Apple cannot include a SuperDrive for the same price. It's not some exclusive technology available only to Apple. It's just a DVD burner. It's as common as dirt. Once upon a time there was a price difference but that was years ago. I can buy a PC laptop for $600 and it will come with a DVD burner. It's just pathetic that Apple insists on using outdated specs on a $1100 laptop.
 
Moving Back To MAC

I am switching back to MAC! My previous MAC was a Classic II. OS 7 I believe. I look forward to reading your posts, and learning more about the MAC OS.

--Larry
 
RE the lack of superdrive:
it doesnt matter if its 'only' $200 more for a superdrive, bigger hd, etc. The fact is that some people cannot afford $200 more! It doesn't matter how good value something is if you can't afford it in the first place!

Otherwise, a meh update really. Veery slightly faster procs, less L2 (!) and bigger HD - oh wait I forgot about the 320GB HD I have in my MB. :rolleyes:
 
(Although the question(s) weren't addressed to me I'd still like to answer them.)

...why aren't you using a PC laptop then where you can build these things to order?


Because I want to use a laptop with Mac OSX?


And what if you wanted a 2.4GHz MB? Would you be fine with paying extra for an unneeded Superdrive...


If I wanted a laptop with 2.4GHz processor then I'd either be happy with the price and purchase one, or I wouldn't be happy with the price and not purchase one. The Superdrive or combo drive would be secondary to my consideration.


...but I get a little tired of people coming up with ridiculous defenses for Apple's inflexibility and limiting the options available. There's no reason for it. They've grown massively in the last few years and they need to start offering more options to buyers. And we as users need to stop patting them on the back for it.


Who's patting Apple on the back? As I said earlier it's a fundamental economic principle.
 
Seriously though. Why isn't the /basic/ optical drive a DVD burner and the new super-duper drive a blu ray burner?

And 5,400rpm drives? Ridiculous. C'mon, Apple, you're supposed to have the most kick-ass machines, not just "well, we've got OSX, oh, and iLife!"

I'm pleased that someone got round to mentioning this.. clearly Apple need to keep a distance between MB and MBP specs for business reasons. But a huge opportunity has been missed here by not embracing Blueray at the very moment the format has won the format war..

By including Blueray they could then equip MB's with superdrives and everyone would be happy

I'll now have to wait probably 6 months to a year or more before I can confidently invest in a MBP which is just ridiculous given that these are meant to be designed for creative professionals..

and while we're on that subject, why is Apple not offering their very highest end customers cutting edge technology like Solid State hard drives?. They offer it in their fashionable Mac Air, but not to their 'Pro' line??

I personally think Apple are losing the plot. The MBP is not 'Pro' enough and consumers interested in their lower end machines are suffering. In the middle we have this MB Air thing which is totally out of place with the rest of their product line.
 
I think the lack of superdrive in the base model is a bad idea. Being able to burn DVDs is pretty much what people expect these days.

I think the use of DVDs is actually going down. You can't seriously make a backup on DVDs anymore with a 120GB or larger hard drive; backups need an external hard drive. Sure, there will be people who make movies and will insist on a DVD writer (they will also want a bigger hard drive), but lots of people will not miss it.
 
I caught that too. Very odd. The remote actually makes sense for laptop users who give presentations.

do you want one? I have two I think. And I can honestly say, "New, never been opened."

I'm sure it has its uses, but I'd rather they keep costs down and charge extra for the people who need one and don't already have one.

(And obviously, they're not keeping costs down, just charging extra. But its still a much needed win for me, with my Apple stock going down like madness!)
 
Probably because it doesn't need one. It's still the best looking laptop on the market. The Aluminum case is timeless. Apple would be stupid to change it now.

I wonder if those who want a case redesign really think it looks bad, or they want something that looks new so people will notice and come up to them and stroke their ego. Get over it people, it's a tool to do work. Go buy a Corvette if you want attention.

Uh, perhaps it is because people want the latchless design and ease of upgrading that the MacBook offers? The look would not change much. It would still be aluminum. There simply wouldn't be a latch release button or hooks for the lid. Still, if it's just a tool why not buy a PC for yourself then?
 
Pretty underwhelming update but not surprising considering the were updated recently in Nov.

This is good because now i don't feel bad about my SR 2.2 BlackBook. Only changes are 200MHz bump, a few extra GBs of HDD and thats pretty much it. Even the L2 Cache got downgraded, no Apple Remote (which i use) and no LED display nor case redesign

Looks like Montevina will be where i purchase a new comp
 
Excellent, I'll do this way, thanks for the tip. Last question: will they charge me for the restocking fee or not? It's been opened but there's not a mark or anything on it and the only reason I bring it back is they've suddenly updated it...

That's totally up to the manager. Their policy is to charge it on any serialized, open box item regardless of when it's returned. When new models come out, they are typically very sensitive to customers and usually do not charge the restocking. At least that's how we did it.
 
The low-end MacBook is a waste of space compared to the next one up - which is exactly what Apple want you to think.

2.4GHz CPU, 160GB HD, 2GB RAM, DVD-RW : £706 ex VAT (£829)
2.1GHz CPU, 120GB HD, 1GB RAM, Combi : £595 ex VAT (£699)

So £130 more (inc VAT) for what is actually quite a nice improvement in specifications. The Apple fee to upgrade the low-end to 2GB with 160GB is £90 (to £789 - might as well pay the extra £40).

I guess that the removal of the remote control (boo!) is the saving to keep the price the same, inflation considered. £15 though, bah.
 
You are missing the point entirely. There is no reason Apple cannot include a SuperDrive for the same price. It's not some exclusive technology available only to Apple. It's just a DVD burner. It's as common as dirt. Once upon a time there was a price difference but that was years ago. I can buy a PC laptop for $600 and it will come with a DVD burner. It's just pathetic that Apple insists on using outdated specs on a $1100 laptop.

I'm not missing the point, you want it cheaper. It's not hard to grasp. Apple however don't appear to be budging on price, whether or not you can get it cheaper elsewhere - just like their RAM, HD upgrades, and whatever other configs they offer.

If, as it appears, they're sticking to a certain price with SuperDrive models, then I'm glad they still offer a cheaper Combo option, as I'd never use the DVD burner. Ok?
 
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