Considering a MBP - Questions

[hutchingsp]

I currently have a 24" imac and I've been considering a MacBook Pro to complement it as I'm getting tired of being chained to the desk just to surf or do work etc.

I've just got back from the Apple Store as I wanted to have a look to get a feel for the MBP and to check out the matte and glossy screens.

I like the look and feel, and whilst the glossy screen has that "WOW!" factor in the store, in daily use I think I'd grow sick of the reflections, so would probably be look at the matte screen.

I almost got one there and then, but I thought I'd ask if anything significantly new and different was in the pipeline?

I know the MBP's have just had a refresh, I guess I'm thinking things like blu ray drives etc.

I guess an build/quality niggles should be resolved by now?

Thanks in advance.

 

[wrldwzrd89]

I currently have a 24" imac and I've been considering a MacBook Pro to complement it as I'm getting tired of being chained to the desk just to surf or do work etc.

I've just got back from the Apple Store as I wanted to have a look to get a feel for the MBP and to check out the matte and glossy screens.

I like the look and feel, and whilst the glossy screen has that "WOW!" factor in the store, in daily use I think I'd grow sick of the reflections, so would probably be look at the matte screen.

I almost got one there and then, but I thought I'd ask if anything significantly new and different was in the pipeline?

I know the MBP's have just had a refresh, I guess I'm thinking things like blu ray drives etc.

I guess an build/quality niggles should be resolved by now?

Thanks in advance.

I wouldn't expect Blu-Ray drives in any of Apple's machines any time soon, due to how power-hungry they are right now - particularly in a notebook running on batteries. Let's just say that current notebooks with Blu-Ray drives don't last long enough on a single charge to watch an entire movie.

As for quality issues, I tend to agree, they should be fixed by now. I say go ahead and buy - you will not regret it. I love my MBP.

 

[deadpixels]

i believe blueray drives are also too thick to fit inside the MBPro so no luck for now. it seems the next MBPro might be a 'complete' redesign since it's been basically the same look since the alubook some years ago, a redesign means RevA problems all over so you might be better just getting one now.

 

[Wingnut330]

If you already have an iMac and want to have a second machine, I would look at the MBA. It's a great compliment. If you are replacing the iMac then I would go MBP.

 

[hutchingsp]

Let's just say that current notebooks with Blu-Ray drives don't last long enough on a single charge to watch an entire movie.

Ah now that's something I wasn't aware of, I naively assumed they'd arguably be more efficient than current cd/dvd drives.

Wingnut330 - take the point about the air, but tbh it just doesn't do anything for me, I look at it and think "hmm nice piece of engineering" but that's about all.

 

[jjahshik32]

I currently have a 24" imac and I've been considering a MacBook Pro to complement it as I'm getting tired of being chained to the desk just to surf or do work etc.

I've just got back from the Apple Store as I wanted to have a look to get a feel for the MBP and to check out the matte and glossy screens.

I like the look and feel, and whilst the glossy screen has that "WOW!" factor in the store, in daily use I think I'd grow sick of the reflections, so would probably be look at the matte screen.

I almost got one there and then, but I thought I'd ask if anything significantly new and different was in the pipeline?

I know the MBP's have just had a refresh, I guess I'm thinking things like blu ray drives etc.

I guess an build/quality niggles should be resolved by now?

Thanks in advance.

I think the next revisions of the mbp will have bluray drives instead of the superdrive (current). Because I read about the montevina's are coded for bluray support I think it will be implemented soon if not the revision right after but no longer than that.

http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20070920/intel-montevina-plays-nice-with-hd-dvd-and-blu-ray/

 

[hutchingsp]

The other option of course is a refurbished model.

Here in the UK a new MBP is around £1150 after educational discount.

A refurb can be had for £900 which is:

Refurbished MacBook Pro 2,2Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
15.4 inch (diagonal), (1440x900 resolution), TFT Widescreen2GB (two SO-Simms) 667Mhz DDR2 SDRAM120GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive8x Superdrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)Nvidia GeForce 8600m GT with 128MB of GDDR3 SDRAM and dual-link DVIBuilt-in Airport Extreme (802.11n) Built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR

Appreciate any thoughts - should stress that money isn't an issue in so much as I can afford either, it's more about getting the best value for money as this isn't something I actually need to buy, if that makes sense.

 

[Guilfox]

I Bought mine new from here

Hi There,

Can't say enough about my MBP. For me money was a bit of an issue and I didn't want to spend more than £1000 so was looking at the refurbs. I bought mine before the recent Penryn update so even the 2.2 refurb model was over £1000. I found this person on ebay and even though he doesn't accept Paypal he was fine. I met with him and paid cash and he let me test it first so I was happy. I was very sceptical at first and if money isn't an issue then the refurb 2.2 Model at £929 is a bargain.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Apple-MacBook...41177QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

 

[robanga]

I purchased an iMac in October and a MBP as a companion to it in January. Quality is great, looking in a forum always makes you feel like there are issues with a product but in reality its a small percentage.

Check the buyers guides and rumors about updates, but they just got refreshed. Waiting is an endless loop, just enjoy.

 

[hutchingsp]

What I'm not clear on is what the real world difference are between the processor families and graphics chipsets.

For example 2.2 to 2.4ghz seems a small CPU jump.

The video I could see making a difference as if I find myself using this more than the iMac I may reach a point where I choose to move/retire the iMac and may want to add an external display where 128mb vs 256mb of video card memory may make a difference?

Equally I find myself looking at the refurb 17" models and thinking "hmmmm"....

 

[Achiever]

What I'm not clear on is what the real world difference are between the processor families and graphics chipsets.

For example 2.2 to 2.4ghz seems a small CPU jump.

The video I could see making a difference as if I find myself using this more than the iMac I may reach a point where I choose to move/retire the iMac and may want to add an external display where 128mb vs 256mb of video card memory may make a difference?

Equally I find myself looking at the refurb 17" models and thinking "hmmmm"....

You will need to consider your needs and budget when deciding whether to purchase a refurb of the previous MBP (Merom processor) model or a new version of the current model (Penryn processor). The refurb will save you a few dollars, but a new MBP with the most recent Penryn processors have other features you may want to consider. First, the newer models have a smaller chip, making it more efficient => better battery life. Also, you have the multi touch trackpad on the Penryn models that are not available on the previous models. Finally, the newest models have slightly larger HD and faster processors on the base model, giving you more bang for your buck. Food for thought.

As for the 17" model, keep these factors in mind: will you be traveling with your MBP? If so, 17" is big, a bit bulky and not very light. You will feel it if you travel with it often. Also, only the newest models of 17" offer an LED screen and (I believe) only as a BTO. This screen, which is standard on all 15" models, is not only environmentally sound, but great for picture quality and battery life.

 

[hutchingsp]

As for the 17" model, keep these factors in mind: will you be traveling with your MBP? If so, 17" is big, a bit bulky and not very light. You will feel it if you travel with it often. Also, only the newest models of 17" offer an LED screen and (I believe) only as a BTO. This screen, which is standard on all 15" models, is not only environmentally sound, but great for picture quality and battery life.

I hadn't realised the MBPs were using LED displays as standard on the 15" models - sounds like another tick in the "good" column.

With reflection I think the 17" would just have been a "nice to have" but not especially practical as I can't justify a new one, and with the refurbs it seems even the earliest 17" models are more than a new 15".

It's looking more and more like the new 15" base model is the way to go.