Apple Releases the MacBook Pro

[Randall]

well, they sell a tiny USB modem which doesnt cost too much. I think it makes sense to sell extras that are out of date separately rather than force everyone to buy it...

I dunno about that. This is the first notebook without a dial modem that I have ever seen. It seems lacking data ports for it to be considered "Pro". Just my 2 cents.

 

[sw1tcher]

The name powerbook was changed because it no longer used the PowerPC processor... I agree its a not the most snappy name, but it really had to change with the change of processor.

But Mac notebooks have been called PowerBooks even before they started using the PowerPC proc.

 

[generik]

So which gives you more value for your money? I would still vote for the 15" MacBook. Why? Because the MacBook runs OS X instead of crappy Windows, and is lighter, which is important for those of us who actually travel with a notebook.

Lol, you really amuse me. Apple put a $400 cheaper processor (the 1.67 is probably ~ $200+ compared to $600+ on the 2.0) into a more expensive computer, scrimp and cut corners on everything, and you'd still think so?

Put a dollar value on OSX, because when you try to do it.. you'd realise the price of it far exceed that of a Mac Mini itself. Need OSX that much just get a Mini, or wait for some other wizards out there to dicipher the secrets so you can install on your Acer 🙄

 

[MattG]

Still a great machine, just commiserating with those who don't want to add one more piece to their "sack of annoying clutter." (Frankly, I think power supplies should be internal on some models: I'd tolerate thicker laptops with a retractable cord and no brick!)

Internal power supplies would be great, but wouldn't that also generate a lot more heat? I know my power supply gets pretty warm out in the open; can't imagine what it'd be like inside of an aluminum body.

 

[mnstr_trd_sd]

i guess my main concern is running all those expensive applications that i bought.

but intel? someone clue me in to why they chose this particular chip. i really don't know to much about it. what are it's advantages and disadvantages.

 

[Val-kyrie]

Battery Performance

Battery Results

These are for the Centrino Duo (Yonah). It seems it gives better battery life compared to older Centrinos. The Battery Life - Business Applications was promising offering 30 more minutes than the old model while giving 16.6% increase in performance.

This will vary, however, depending upon the implementation of integration of other components by the particular manufacturer. Note that the test to which you refer relies upon Intel integrated graphics.

From the article:

Both the ASUS W5F and W5A were configured identically, with 512MB of DDR2-533 memory, 80GB hard drives and both relied on their Intel integrated graphics [emphasis added]. The only difference was that the W5F was based on Intel's Napa platform while the W5A was Sonoma based. Both CPUs operated at 1.86GHz, with the Napa platform using a Core Duo processor and the Sonoma platform using a Pentium M processor.

For all tests, each machine was tested with a clean install of Windows and all drivers installed (the latest available as of the publication date), but none of the bundled applications were installed (with the exception of any battery/power management utilities).

All performance tests were conducted with the Power Management settings set to Always On.

All benchmarks were conducted with the display set to the native resolution of the notebook's LCD panel.

Mobile Mark 2005 battery life tests were conducted with the Power Management settings set to Portable/Laptop, but with the screen set to never turn off and with the hard disk set to power down after 5 minutes. All battery life tests were conducted with the displays set to 60 - 70 nits.

Performance testing was done using Business and Multimedia Content Creation Winstone 2004, as well as SYSMark 2004.

Battery life testing was done using Mobile Mark 2005.

 

[thes]

I dunno about that. This is the first notebook without a dial modem that I have ever seen. It seems lacking data ports for it to be considered "Pro". Just my 2 cents.

I agree with you about the ports... 2 USBs and 1 Firewire hardly seems enough - especially considering that iPods these days charge from the USB (unless you've bought the external charger).

So, one USB for an external mouse, and another charging the iPod... there's none left for other peripherals.

 

[ruud]

Not sure if it's been mentioned in the many pages so far, but as far as video out is concerned, there's a possibility it works the same way as on the mac-mini, using a DVI->Video adapter. Although I can't find anything related to this feature on the Macbook webpages, hmmm.....

 

[Sirus The Virus]

I have never wanted a laptop this bad in my whole life. 🙂

 

[thes]

But Mac notebooks have been called PowerBooks even before they started using the PowerPC proc.

good point, but regardless, they needed a way to distinguish between the PowerPC powerbooks and the Intel Mac Books...

 

[Randall]

When you look at the screen, it's screaming to wanna fill in the extra "gap" on top of the display caused by the iSight. They really need to find a way to integrate the iSight and not lose any screen real estate.

 

[mpw]

Plus 8.5% tax in California, makes it $2711, i.e. more than UK.

Ah but ALL my prices are tax free.

If you include taxes it'd be;
CA $2499 + .8.5% = $2711
UK £1514 + 17.5% = £1779 or ~ $3139 = ~15.8% more than CA

And that's why some in the UK whine about 'Apple's' pricing when really it's a tax thing.

 

[Lacero]

I have never wanted a laptop this bad in my whole life. 🙂

Heh. Yeah.

When Steve introduced the MBP, it's as if a million PowerBooks cried out against obsolescence and were quickly silenced.

Here's to the Crazy Ones ​

 

[Stella]

Nope, its because there is no Yonah Solo yet. Apple won't release an iBook at the same processor speed as the PowerBook ( sorry, Mac book Pro ).

the annoying thing is AUSTECK (SP) who manufacture the iBook for apple, were showing off a Core Duo lapton that was a carbon copy of the iBook. it had an even faster processor than the macbook. very annoying. apple could have easily released an iBook today, but didn't. why? cos it would have showed up the macbook. lame.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Sweetness

iSight builtin; not relevant to me because, well its focus center point isnt adjustable without moving the screen. I work on a computer looking down on it - laptop wise - so its more confortable on my wrists & eyes.

>>strange though that this is the ONLY laptop announced with the new Intel Dual Cores that have teh Express card slot. pure new adopters!

>>256MB of video today is amazing nothing to cry about here; wishes fulfilled. Great Job!

>>Apple is now with the pack, lets hope that the performance is there or close to WinXP based machines.

Im was hoping for a serious BLACK model but I guess Apple doesnt want to fully alienate the existing sales models. And also funny is that the iMac has got 3 revision in less than 12 months?!!! 😱


Who, that has order teh MacBook Pro's, are going to do a DualBoot?!!

Now let the rumors begin on the whats next to Intel.

 

[SyAmine]

No Cardbus!!!

No Cardbus Slot!!! This is no good, my soundcard works of cardbus. Boo!!!

Still, looks like a nice machine, mmmmm.

 

[sw1tcher]

This is great but it's weird that Apple is still selling the entire line of PowerBook G4's alongside the new MacBook Pro.

For the same price, why would anyone buy a 15" PowerBook G4 for the same price as the MacBook Pro? 🙄

To run PPC programs that won't run under Rosetta, which there are a lot of... Particularly the Apple's Pro stuff. This reason alone is making me rethink my purchasing decision. Guess I'll have to do a bit of research to see if my apps will run under Rosetta or not.

 

[mnstr_trd_sd]

what's the big deal about these processors anyway? why did apple change them from the PowerPC?

so i could get a better understanding someone please clue me in?

thanks😱

 

[Randall]

what's the big deal about these processors anyway? why did apple change them from the PowerPC?

so i could get a better understanding someone please clue me in?

thanks😱

5x faster then the G4 is all you need to know. 😎

 

[thes]

Lol, you really amuse me. Apple put a $400 cheaper processor (the 1.67 is probably ~ $200+ compared to $600+ on the 2.0) into a more expensive computer, scrimp and cut corners on everything, and you'd still think so?

Put a dollar value on OSX, because when you try to do it.. you'd realise the price of it far exceed that of a Mac Mini itself. Need OSX that much just get a Mini, or wait for some other wizards out there to dicipher the secrets so you can install on your Acer 🙄

Apple Macs have always been overpriced compared with PCs. If you consider the relative price difference between the Intel processors and the PowerPCs, the difference is less than $100 per chip. The main point is that no one has noticed this before.

Comparing an Acer to an Apple Mac is hardly relevant. Even if you compare Acer to other high-end PC makers, such as Sony, the price difference is huge. Computers are not only determined by their components, but also their build quality and general design. Acers are not known for good design, while Apple is definitely one of the leaders in design.

There is no doubt a premium to be paid when buying an Apple, but there is a big difference in quality.

 

[eXan]

Though, specs are nice, the lack of FW800 and that ugly space ontop of the screen (between isight and the screen itself)

 

[d.f]

why not?

Nope, its because there is no Yonah Solo yet. Apple won't release an iBook at the same processor speed as the PowerBook ( sorry, Mac book Pro ).

thats my point....!!! Macbook get the lowest grade Core Duo, despite being a top of the line laptop, so the iBook suffers. how close are the g4 iBooks to the g4 powerbooks..?

the laptop i am reffering to above proved that a 12" laptop can operate happily with Core Duo. isn't the Yonah Solo going to be pretty lame...?

 

[chubad]

I was surprised that there was no mention of Adobe's progress towards "universalization" of their software.

Adobe has said that they will not be converting their currently shipping versions but they would be in the next version.
This is why the PowerMacs will be last to go Intel. Steve said Apples Pro Apps will be universal binary by March. Depending on how far Adobe is on CS3 it is possible that Photoshop won't be ready until 2007. Or late 06 at best.
Steve seemed to have a little jab aimed at Adobe in the Keynote. He said that Pro's will not be happy running PS under Rosetta. He's spot on with that one. A 20% hit it performance to some who spends many hours a day in PS is huge.
This is why I bought a Quad. I want to skip the entire transistion and move to Intel when everything is second or even 3rd generation.
The Macbook is a prime example. Kiddies this is just a placeholder. Something to say look we're Intel. Of course it's 4X faster than a Powerbook. It's dual core compared to single core. An aging chip vs the latest. I'm not impressed in the least. The good stuff is still in the pipeline. Watch and see.

 

[darwin022]

While I KNOW that no one is going to read this (as I read through 13 pages of your posts)...

I, for one, am a stockholder, very pleased at today's release and what it did to our stock 😀. I'm just glad it wasn't Yet Another Fing Ipod.

However, I am also a powerbook user and I am even MORE happy that they released this (even though the name sucks). I will be ordering one in the next day or so, after I read an actual account from people who are at MWSF playing with them.

The only thing that slightly annoys me is a complete lack of a projected battery life other than one person saying that he was told by a sales rep on the phone that they expect it to be 5.5hr. When was the last time that a phone sales rep actually had an educated, real world answer?

I think the price is right. One thing I learned when I bought my first powerbook: You are paying a premium for quality and packaging. Sure, they have their problems, but find another laptop that has close to the performance, as sexy of a package, is as light and has as nice a screen, for the same $. The acer comes close, however it is still heavier and runs windows. (I use both, 1 XP workstation, 1 Server 2003 home server, 1 1.67GHz 15" G4 pbook on 10.4).

Working as a network technician on PCs every day, I learned quickly to ENJOY a computer that wakes up when I ask it to, doesn't crash on a regular basis, and is overall more usable than the Windows counterparts I use every day (though I still thank Bill every day for keeping me employed).

for the tl;dr crowd:
- +1 stockholder who was happy with the new powerbook (excuse me, macbook Pro) release
- +1 stockholder who is BUYING one of these to replace his 4 month old pbook
- you pay a premium for quality and a better built OS.
- Bill, thanks again for creating an OS with so many problems, you make it possible for me to afford nice Apple products!

 

[boombashi]

I dunno about that. This is the first notebook without a dial modem that I have ever seen. It seems lacking data ports for it to be considered "Pro". Just my 2 cents.

Gotta start somewhere - Apple was the first to ship without a floppy as well...and they are still in business 😉 They can't please everyone, but they try to please as many as possible while keeping their consumer products at a resonable price point. I had an iBook for 2 years and used the modem a total of zero times, granted everyone is different, that is why they have the add on. If you can rember they sold an add on floppy drive for the original iMac when it first came out.