Apple Releases the MacBook Pro

[Epicurus]

Well...

I own and still use a PowerBook G3 Lombard...

...But, I've just started my PhD in physics. I really need a machine as the MacBook. I am going to carry it around everywhere, so I would really prefer a smaller, 12 or 13 inch model.

Do you think the smaller model will be dual core? I ask this because of that rumour that said that de 12inch "PowerBook" would be droped...

And those of you with the PB15, is the size ok for everyday and everywhere use?

I have to decide if I buy the MacBook or not... I can use the computing facilities at the university meanwhyle... I can't possibly get a MacBook before the end of March, anyway, since we don't have an Apple Store here in Portugal

Thoughts? Opinions?

As a fellow Physics Ph.D. guy and a PB15 user, I am delighted to be able to offer you my opinion. The PB15 is a great computer in general and the library of UNIX applications available for it (through "fink" and others) make it a good computer for Physics specifically. Since fink is not out for the Intel systems yet its hard to say how fast the majority of these UNIX apps will make the transition, but the big ones certainly will sooner or later (ROOT, TeX/LaTeX, Octave, Gimp, etc.). I've got a new iMac Core Duo so I've been keeping a close eye on developments. Things will probably be more clear by the end of March, after Apple and a bunch of the other major software firms (Wolfram, The MathWorks, Maplesoft, etc.) get their Pro apps out the doors.

I've never had much trouble carrying the PB15 around on campus, and whatever strain I might have endured the 15" screen made up for in a hurry. A 13-14" widescreen MacBook with dual core might be a strong alternative, but the weight differences might not end up being that noticable.

 

[zync]

One of the best posts so far on the MacBook Pro. Thank you for the wonderful insights.

You too.

 

[QuantumMac]

Thanks for the opinions and insights. I spent some time with a PowerBook 15" at a local store and convinced myself that it ain't so big.

And for our kind of work, the screen size is well apreciated, right Epicurus?

I also believe that those UNIX apps will be universal soon...

Anyway, since I'll only buy by March I have some time to think about it...

Thanks again!

 

[zync]

Thanks for the opinions and insights. I spent some time with a PowerBook 15" at a local store and convinced myself that it ain't so big.

And for our kind of work, the screen size is well apreciated, right Epicurus?

I also believe that those UNIX apps will be universal soon...

Anyway, since I'll only buy by March I have some time to think about it...

Thanks again!

If you're going to wait as far as March, I'd suggest that you wait a little longer. I would imagine that Apple might update the MBP just before school starts, so if you can hold out until then it'd probably be best. By then they will have received a lot of user requests and they might fix all of the qualms that many of us have with the current version. Of course if you just want a PowerBook go right ahead

 

[GregA]

Basically, (in XP) there is no centralised syncing, although every manufacturer (and their dogs) provide some solution. It may also rely on you having an appropriate app to sync to (ie. Outlook).

It's nowhere near as elegant as iSync.

Still, iSync only syncs your devices to Apple apps (iCal, Address book, etc) right? If it was truly centralised syncing it'd sync to Entourage too wouldn't it?

[edit: oops, sorry, just saw the request for XP stuff to stay off this thread]

 

[grahamtriggs]

Still, iSync only syncs your devices to Apple apps (iCal, Address book, etc) right? If it was truly centralised syncing it'd sync to Entourage too wouldn't it?

[edit: oops, sorry, just saw the request for XP stuff to stay off this thread]

iSync/Entourage aren't XP though ;-)

Actually, it is possible to use Entourage with iSync: http://www.e2sync.com/ - but it costs more money.

This is one of the problems - it's probably possible for 3rd parties to add additional support to iSync... but there is a general lack of interest in doing so.

 

[Epicurus]

Thanks for the opinions and insights. I spent some time with a PowerBook 15" at a local store and convinced myself that it ain't so big.

And for our kind of work, the screen size is well apreciated, right Epicurus?

I also believe that those UNIX apps will be universal soon...

Anyway, since I'll only buy by March I have some time to think about it...

Thanks again!

The 15" screen is great (in my opinion) due to its nice balance of size and portability. Its big enough to be useful while not so big as to be bulky. Of course, if you can afford it I'd recommend getting a big 2nd monitor for at home so you can really spread out your work. The only thing that really feels cramped for me on the 15" is working within LaTeX. With a few spreadsheets open, Matlab running, two or three .tex files open for editing (plus their PDF previews), and the console, and the terminal... things stack up quickly. Expose is a lifesaver. I've become quite adept at switching in and out of programs in a blur of activity, even popping up Dashboard to use its dictionary and a sneak quick look at my RSS feeds and the weather. Having a second display at home makes life easier, especially if you're referencing a lot of PDF journal papers. I can drop 9 or 10 big PDFs on the second display where I can get to them quickly to check a referenced equation (or whatnot).

Even with all my tricks I still admire those who can be productive on a 12" screen.

 

[absurdio]

I just noticed that the power adapter for the mbp is 85watt, rather than 65 for the powerbook and 45 for the ibook. What're the implications of that? Does that mean the new lithiumwhatever battery needs a wholly different kind of charger? Does that mean the battery will just charge faster? Or does that mean that the mbp sucks up electricity like a goddamn sponge?

 

[mrichmon]

I just noticed that the power adapter for the mbp is 85watt, rather than 65 for the powerbook and 45 for the ibook. What're the implications of that? Does that mean the new lithiumwhatever battery needs a wholly different kind of charger? Does that mean the battery will just charge faster? Or does that mean that the mbp sucks up electricity like a goddamn sponge?

Different kind of charger: Yes. But then this is made necessary by the new magsafe power socket design.

Battery charging faster/mbp sucking up electricity like a sponge: We don't know and have no way of knowing until the final production units ship. It is possible that the new batteries require more power during charging. Or maybe apple uprated the power adapter in anticipation of the power needs of future computers that will also share this power adapter design. Or maybe the mbp requires more power when the system is running under high performance settings but on battery requires less than previous powerbooks. (Ok, this last option is unlikely given the overall claims of improved performance per watt.)

Ultimately, questions about battery performance and power requirements can only be resolved when people get their hands on the final product. My bet is that Apple has designed the power adpater specifications with future products in mind. People tend to get annoyed by changes in design of reusable things like power adapters. So, since Apple has decided to change the adapter design the smart thing to do is to design it so that the adapter will be common across all laptops for some number of years.

 

[jbouklas]

Edited.

 

[KillerBuck]

MacBook Pro RAM and HD Options

First time poster, losing virginity here.

I'm trying to decide on the MacBook Pro, and would like some advice please.

I know that I am going to purchase one, regardless of the flamers bashing the laptop after years of whining for an upgrade from the G4, so that is not my question.

My question is that I am unsure if I should max out the RAM and the HD (meaning adding the 7200 rpm HD) as an Apple option, or if I should wait and purchase cheaper 3rd party hardware after the fact. Will I be provided better/faster/bigger options once the laptop is 'out there'? Will third party hardware work as well with the MacBook as Apple hardware does? Or will it cause conflict (heating, power consumption, etc...)?

Will somebody with experience in this regard please let me know about the pros and cons in attempting such feats?

Thanks in advance...

KillerBuck

 

[cheekyspanky]

Just noticed my order has been updated a bit..

 

[robbieduncan]

Just noticed my order has been updated a bit..

Mine too

 

[cheekyspanky]

Shame I wont be able to pick it up until the weekend!

Looking forward to it now, fingers crossed I don't end up with a duff one.

Reckon there's any chance of it getting to us any sooner than the 7 days shipping time?

 

[AlBDamned]

Mine too

That'll be Clay's spot then

 

[robbieduncan]

Shame I wont be able to pick it up until the weekend!

Looking forward to it now, fingers crossed I don't end up with a duff one.

Reckon there's any chance of it getting to us any sooner than the 7 days shipping time?

I kind of hope not, I'm on holiday in France till the 12th!

 

[robbieduncan]

That'll be Clay's spot then

Nah, I think I was ahead of him anyway

 

[weldon]

My question is that I am unsure if I should max out the RAM and the HD (meaning adding the 7200 rpm HD) as an Apple option, or if I should wait and purchase cheaper 3rd party hardware after the fact. Will I be provided better/faster/bigger options once the laptop is 'out there'? Will third party hardware work as well with the MacBook as Apple hardware does? Or will it cause conflict (heating, power consumption, etc...)?

First, welcome to the forums!

My opinion here is probably representative of many, but certainly not definitive. I would max out the hard drive on the order from Apple and buy the memory third party after the laptop is delivered. Here's my reasoning...

While you might save money buying a larger hard drive from newegg.com or a similar source, changing out the laptop drive is a pain. Just copying files from the original drive can be a pain too as you will need an adapter to hook the laptop drive up to an external enclosure. I would eat the upgrade cost here and get the biggest drive you can afford. You will appreciate having more space down the road.

The RAM is, on the other hand, easy to add. You will save plenty of money by buying the memory from a third-party and you will be able to quickly install it yourself. I would do some research to make sure you get memory that will be compatible with your new MacBook Pro. You can probably just see what people are buying for their new iMac Core Duo's because I believe they use the same memory.

 

[cheekyspanky]

I kind of hope not, I'm on holiday in France till the 12th!

Whereas if mine showed up a few days earlier it would be perfect for me to pop home and pick it up!

*keeps fingers crossed..boy this will be painful by the time it ships..*

 

[noelister]

MacBook Pro Shipping Date

I wonder why some say Feb 7. Mine still says the 15... What gives?

 

[AlBDamned]

First, welcome to the forums!

My opinion here is probably representative of many, but certainly not definitive. I would max out the hard drive on the order from Apple and buy the memory third party after the laptop is delivered. Here's my reasoning...

While you might save money buying a larger hard drive from newegg.com or a similar source, changing out the laptop drive is a pain. Just copying files from the original drive can be a pain too as you will need an adapter to hook the laptop drive up to an external enclosure. I would eat the upgrade cost here and get the biggest drive you can afford. You will appreciate having more space down the road.

.

Don't forget, that unless you have the hard drive upgraded by an Apple certified technician, you'll void the warranty - not something you want to do on your new MacBook Pro . Getting an Apple tech to do it after it's arrived will likely cost more than getting it BTO so the only real choice is to upgrade the drive at build.

 

[nostaws]

My order NOT updated

I ordered my powerbook 4 days after macworld, and my order still says shipping on the 15th, and delivery on the 23rd. I ordered over the phone.

 

[robbieduncan]

I wonder why some say Feb 7. Mine still says the 15... What gives?

Mine has always said the 7th. I ordered the second the UK store was back up, so I am probably in the first batch and you are in the second batch. That's all.

 

[noelister]

Mine has always said the 7th. I ordered the second the UK store was back up, so I am probably in the first batch and you are in the second batch. That's all.

I see, that is a bit of a bummer but understandable. I ordered mine about 2 hours after the Steve note because I was in class . All I can say is the wait is killing me. I sold off my Rev. D powerbook a week before MacWorld and life has not been the same...

 

[KillerBuck]

First, welcome to the forums!

My opinion here is probably representative of many, but certainly not definitive. I would max out the hard drive on the order from Apple and buy the memory third party after the laptop is delivered. Here's my reasoning...

While you might save money buying a larger hard drive from newegg.com or a similar source, changing out the laptop drive is a pain. Just copying files from the original drive can be a pain too as you will need an adapter to hook the laptop drive up to an external enclosure. I would eat the upgrade cost here and get the biggest drive you can afford. You will appreciate having more space down the road.

The RAM is, on the other hand, easy to add. You will save plenty of money by buying the memory from a third-party and you will be able to quickly install it yourself. I would do some research to make sure you get memory that will be compatible with your new MacBook Pro. You can probably just see what people are buying for their new iMac Core Duo's because I believe they use the same memory.

Thank you very much for the info. It has helped me make up my mind on the RAM issue.

As for the HD, I have one more quick question:

-I read in an earlier post about the 7200 rpm HD draining more battery power when in use. While this makes sense, in your opinion, how much will this affect the length of time that the computer will keep a charge? I don't expect to be using Photoshop or any extremely hungry app (other than Office or iWork) while unplugged, but do like to watch a movie or listen to tunes during airtravel. Considering that these new drives are SATA-based, rather than my 12" PB G4's UATA and are already an upgrade, will I even tell the difference if I'm not up/downloading files 10+ GB on a regular basis?

I apologise for any ignorance, and am definitely not a tech pro by an stretch of the imagination, but I have paid for more than I needed in the past and don't feel the need to do so if it won't affect my work (public relations and communications).

Thanks again,

Killerbuck