Now, correct me if I'm wrong because I've only been into macs for about 2 years now, but didn't apple do something similar to this back when the titanium powerbook was released? Wasn't the titanium released, and then shortly after we got the 17 and 12 inch aluminums, and then they lagged for a while before making the 15" match up with the other two? So isn't it possible that in 6 months or so apple will release a 17" MacBook Pro, 12" (or probably 13" widescreen) MacBook Pro (and a consumer version) that will be substantially better than the 15" they just released? This is what I believe will happen (based on nothing other than common sense, and the fact that this 15" MacBook Pro seems to have been rushed).
I think that something is going on with battery life that apple didn't like (hence no release of specs), but that they will iron all that out within a few months. Then they will probably add the dual layer DVD drive back in. The 17" still has a chance of getting a FW800, because apple seems to like to throw all of their bells and whistles at that model.
As for me, I'm pleased with the release, because it looks like things are moving in the right direction. I bought my first mac, a 12" powerbook a year ago (right when intel-switch rumors were starting to heat up) because I figured that by the time that a Rev B of the intel 12"/13" widescreen was out that the dust would have settled on all of the apps making the switch and the kinks worked out. I'm still hoping for that. I just really hope that they don't do away with a smaller pro model completely, unless their smallest consumer model is amazing.
Oh, and I LOVE the new magnetic power adapter - that is simply brilliant. The iSight is nothing I care much about, but I can't compain (though I don't really see how it would work in a smaller notebook and would rather them lose it if it will make a smaller machine). But back to the power adapter, that is innovative, and just what I expect from apple. They just need 2 or 3 more little (but extremely useful) adaptations like that, and they will have an amazing an cutting edge laptop again. I think we will get there though, and will refrain from making more judgements until apple releases additional laptops.