Apple Releases the MacBook Pro

[kretzy]

Fair enough - and I didn't mean for you to take my personally, it was just more of a bastardly emphasis to my sarcasm.

Haha, that's ok.

Sarcasm is a way of life for me, I just took it the wrong way.

 

[Val-kyrie]

Switchers Won't Care

Apple still has to pay for OS X development, along with the other free applications. That costs money.

Apple is not just like any other HW vendor in that they have a huge amount of in-house software development. They don't have the quantity that MSFT does to get the software overhead cost down as low as MSFT can with Windows.

- Kelson

about the cost to Apple, only the bottom line. This might kill Apple--though I certainly hope not. I can see Apple asking $200-250 more than an equivalent PC notebook, especially if it can run Win apps too, but more than this and no amount of rationalization will woo a Windows user.

BTW--There are excellent, FREE, AV programs and Firewalls that use minimal system resources (~ virtually unnoticeable). I use WinXP at work and am the Office and IT Manager for a small office and have no problems with it. An argument based strictly on OS--especially one a switcher will have to learn--is a non-argument. Better is the software bundle and integration, but again, I don't think Apple will be able to command more than $200-250 more than an equivalent PC notebook and expect to gain marketshare.

 

[thes]

Well, not according to Steve Jobs. When he announced the switch to intel, he specifically stated that you could install and run windows on an intel mac. But you would not be able to run osx on a non-Apple product.

So what are you referring to? Is there something people don't know about?

if that is the case, then I am wrong... any quotes?

 

[netb0y]

XP may be versatile in booting hardware, but I doubt the hardware would be so accomodating. I would think that the BIOS would be written so that it specifically loads MacOS X rather than load some sort of boot-loader as with other PCs - remember while other BIOSs are written so that it could support any number of different operating system, Apple's approach is completely opposite. They will be writing it so that there is no way of bypassing the loading of MacOS X.

I suppose it all depends on how much security they built in. If it was just in the BIOS, it should not be that hard for someone to somehow hack the BIOS, or just 'pretend' to run MacOS X but run a windows loader instead. However, if, in the likely event, that they built in some security onto the hardware itself, then it could become much harder.

In other words, I don't know, but I wouldnt bet on it either way.

People have been loading linux on their PowerBooks for a while now, probably using grub or lilo bootloader, which can be used to boot Windows.

 

[Alex Cutter]

I would have to think that the Powerbook will be faster than the Mac mini in photoshop...

Maybe. But Jobs specifically said the speed wouldn't be sufficient for pro users. I can't imagine how slow Illustrator will be.

And when its native to x86 the thing will scream

Yes. Next year.

 

[thes]

People have been loading linux on their PowerBooks for a while now, probably using grub or lilo bootloader, which can be used to boot Windows.

reading the above posts, i stand corrected!

 

[leosantos]

what's with all the whining!

And, seriously, would you rather apple redesign the case just because they want something new, but end up with something uglier?

Oh, and it costs too much. What? 4X the speed of previous PBs, numerous other specs increased, and at the same price. Sure, computers are supposed to always get faster and cheaper, but your not supposed to get 4X at the same price in one jump, and we did. So it will take longer to burn a DVD. And a quarter the time to edit the movie you put on it. Sound like a deal to me.

To the first point, uh... no. No one's asking for ugly. All we wanted was for Apple to be Apple, the wow-design masters. Apple isn't known for ugly. But they're not known for old news either. And to tout this Frankenstein that actually got worse in many aspects as the revolution makes the upgrade just not worth the money.

Which brings me to your other point quoted. We all know it's not truly 4 times faster. Let's wait for the full benchmarks before we all drink the Apple flavored Kool-Aid.

 

[macidiot]

if that is the case, then I am wrong... any quotes?

See post 476. THere's a link there. I was wrong. It wasn't Steve Jobs, it was Phil Schiller.

 

[PowerbookG31991]

i think you will need to change a little more than just the harddrive to make your Mac run windows...

exactly why you would want to run windows, I really have no idea

Most of the hardware is made for only apple's OS and software only, and trying to rebuild a windows-mac compatable MacBook Pro would be a waste of your time and money, your better off buying a MacBook Pro and another windows computer.
Yet, you can understand if someone wants to put windows on a Mac, if they have been so acustomed to windows.

 

[netb0y]

Wonder which 1.66 mhz chip is in the MacBook...
http://www.intel.com/products/processor/coreduo/specs.htm

Battery life could be very different between the two systems if they are using the L2400 1.66 mhz chip.

Anyone know which 1.66 mhz chip is in the MacBook Pro?

In the mainstream chip range, the top model at launch is the Core Duo T2600 clocked at 2.16GHz, while the lowest chip is the T2300 at 1.66GHz. Two low-voltage versions, the L2400 and L2300 are clocked at 1.66GHz and 1.5GHz...
http://www.vnunet.com/itweek/news/2148148/intel-debuts-dual-core-laptop

 

[boombashi]

...but in the end the whole package is just not worth the upgrade.

Upgrade from what a 6 month old PowerBook? probably not - same with the new iPod video, I haven't bought one because I already have a 40GB photo...but for new purchaser and people that have been waiting for a significant upgrade I think it is a respectable upgrade to say the least.

 

[runninmac]

Maybe. But Jobs specifically said the speed wouldn't be sufficient for pro users. I can't imagine how slow Illustrator will be.

Not to get into a flame war but... compared to the G4 powerbooks you should at least be getting the same proformace or even better, With the iMac G5s/Core Duo's you will see the effects, thats what I mean... but I could be wrong.

 

[kbonnel]

macbook battery same as G4 15" battery.

dupicate. weird.

Kimo

 

[EGT]

timeless mac statement

It's true though. Hopefully not "timeless".

 

[Randall]

Most of the hardware is made for only apple's OS and software only, and trying to rebuild a windows-mac compatable MacBook Pro would be a waste of your time and money

haha thanks I enjoyed that. Seriously though, x86 was not made for Mac, you got it the other way around there.

 

[digitalbiker]

I follow battery management rules pretty strictly regarding cycling and draining, etc. and I NEVER got more than 2:15 on my titanium pb 1GHZ even out of the box....Is 3 hours for the new notebook that bad? Do you guys get much better results on later versions of the pb? Just wondering because, despite all of the fantastic specs I see on notebook manufacturers websites, the only notebook that really blew me away in terms of battery life was a friends ibm x41t that i witnessed at more than 6 hours. Everything else seems to be in the 3 hour range anyway.

I easily get 5 hours without power saving on my G4 1.67 PB, "last and best PowerBook". I have a 7200 RPM drive, an Dual layer DVD burner and brite high res screen yet easily get 3.5 hours when watching DVD's. Best battery life of any laptop I have ever owned.

 

[dguisinger]

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.

To be completely honest; I have owned 3 laptops from Dell in the last 6 years. I have never EVER ordered a dell laptop with a built in modem; never had a need. And its becoming less and less of an issue to more people.

So.............sorry to say it........but suck it up, pay the money if you really want the modem, and its not too big, so stop worrying about it.

Welcome to 2006

 

[PowerbookG31991]

I checked out the battery for the new macbook (found the part number and did a search on it at apple.com), and it is the same one as the G4 15", so that might give some idea's as to the life of the battery. Anybody have any ideas on the power consumption of the new macbook?

Kimo

Considering how powerful the processor is, you may only get about 5-8 hours of power.
I wouldn't be so suprised if the batteries are recalled back for heating up problems...

 

[Val-kyrie]

Modems are still needed

Or no drive - I think Apple will eventually the SuperDrive all together. Also for all the winers that there is no 8xDL superdrive - you can buy an external for $70 or less. iDVD '06 supports external Burning if you listend to the keynote. I would have liked an 8xDL internal for convenience, but I'm sure they removed it to conserve battery life. And who uses modems anymore anyway, you can get wi-fi EVERYWHERE except BFE.

I still need a modem--NO Wi-Fi or Hi-Speed available in my area and in many areas around me.

BTW, what is BFE???

 

[Randall]

I easily get 5 hours without power saving on my G4 1.67 PB, "last and best PowerBook". I have a 7200 RPM drive, an Dual layer DVD burner and brite high res screen yet easily get 3.5 hours when watching DVD's. Best battery life of any laptop I have ever owned.

And something tells me it would take having the same processor and hardware inside for 5 years before the battery life could get that good again.

For all the advances we go through in technology year after year, it amazes me how the battery never really evolved. Freaking Lithium-ion batteries have been around for I don't know how long, and they have only marginally improved over the last 10 or so years. Pathetic.

 

[macidiot]

x1600

So does anyone know if this is an x1600 xt or x1600 pro gpu???

 

[thes]

Not to get into a flame war but... compared to the G4 powerbooks you should at least be getting the same proformace or even better, With the iMac G5s/Core Duo's you will see the effects, thats what I mean... but I could be wrong.

the problem of the translated binaries is that I dont think it will take full advantage (if any advantage) of the Dual Core processor. Considering some of the Adobe programs will be optimised for the G4, coupled with the added translation times, and the fact that you're effectively only using one of the two cores... would probably mean the programs will not run faster. I suppose it may run slightly faster for some tasks that are not particularly optimised for the G4 but (much) slower for tasks that are optimised...

Basically, not good news.

 

[misam]

Applecare or not?

I am buying a new macbook pro, but can't decide whether or not to get Applecare or not. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Sam

 

[iJWC]

I still need a modem--NO Wi-Fi or Hi-Speed available in my area and in many areas around me.

BTW, what is BFE???

There is an option to buy a plug in modem for $49 when you purchase a new Macbook.

 

[digitalbiker]

Not to get into a flame war but... compared to the G4 powerbooks you should at least be getting the same proformace or even better, With the iMac G5s/Core Duo's you will see the effects, thats what I mean... but I could be wrong.

No you won't even be close to running like a native PPC version of Photoshop for the pro. Rosetta is an emulator and runs much slower than native PPC apps. Also many pro apps won't even run at all in rosetta. Kind of embarassing because many of the pro apps are Apple's own.

When you really study Apple's performance figures they only based them off a few apps. Even the x86 native versions of iTunes, safari, pages, etc ran at 1.7 to 1.9 times as fast as the G4. This sounds about right considering the Yonah is a dual core chip. Almost twice as fast for the same CPU speed. Rosetta emulated apps run about as fast as an 800 mhz g3 machine.