Really annoying if it doesn't have firewire - I currently use a firewire video capture device with my MacBook and Final Cut Express.
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Indeed. As a service technician, I've had to replace the entire MacBook lower housing when the IR sensor fails. That's nowhere NEAR as common as the battery connector/sleep switch biting it.
On the current MacBook, the battery connector is only wired up to the motherboard and not directly attached. The connector is attached (though it's still removable) to the case!
Alright, I'll cave on a 15.4" MB at $1,000. That's actually better than most in the market, and it (if true) shows that Apple wishes to play in a highly competitive space. However, the 15.4" MBP and the 17.1" MBP models have a very daft pricing scheme. As I said in my last post, who the f**k wants to pay $2,000+ on a damn computer they can get for $1,500 or so?
I think this: The 15.4" MBP is gone. Adios. Bye-bye. Since we'll have a 15.4" MB, it makes no sense to confuscate the line that much. And the MBA needs to be far less than $1,500. I'd even go so far as to say that the MBA should get an Intel Atom processor, and play with the likes of the eeePC and the MSI Wind. MBA starting at $299-399. No more than that. Anything more than that for a MBA is price gouging.
I see the 17.1" MBP going to $1,799 or even less. What kind of MBP will go into the super duper expensive bracket that no one wishes to play in? How about a 19.8" MBP for $2,799? That might be something none of Apple's competitors can match, for sure. Every single one of Apple's competitors has 17" notebooks for WAY LESS than Apple charges currently. Apple pricing the MBP at about $1,399 or so makes more sense when you can see why Apple is doing what they're doing. The MBP probably costs them less than $1,000 to make the casing, the mobo, etc. So, if Apple wants to really compete in this 17" laptop space, then they have to up their game, price the new 17" MBP (if we're even calling it a 17" MBP) at prices none of the competition can match.
Also, remember the Brick? I don't think it's a manufacturing process. It's a new product which takes an existing Apple product (one that is very popular around here and that hasn't really been given a design refresh since it came out) to new heights.
If Apple was leaking all this stuff, surely they have an ace (or seven) up their sleeves. There wasn't very many pricing rumors leading up to the Let's Rock event, and there are still very few pricing rumors leading up to the Notebook 2008 event.
BJ
heres my mock up with the black MBA keys, i think i like the looks of it.
Photoshopped using the spy pictures and fixed with distort and whatnot
what do you think?
I like it, but it looks a little Dell Latitude-ish. I just hope if it is painted, the paint don't chip like the Dell....
I have interpreted their marketing campain to imply that macs do more than your average "business" pc (basic stuff like word documents, net surfing, email etc.). By stripping away functionality for things other than basic stuff, they seem to be going in the opposite way of their targeted marketing audience... People that want computer for more than the basics. Many of those people use FireWire regularly (all musicians and video people that I know at least).
I'm going to venture a guess that the mystery port is a slot for a new (seems a bit small for current, but could be possible) Apple Remote. I've always complained, usually to friends and myself, that it always goes missing and never where I want it to be. It would simply be a matter of convenience if the new computers came with a slot to store the remote.
Here's a better photo of the current MacBook battery connector. Credit to ifixit.com for these images.
As you can see, it's quite clearly attached to the chassis which is then connected to the plastic case.
Now if we're going for a new less bulky aluminium chassis/case approach, it might make more sense attaching the battery terminal to the case. There might not be any sort of chassis in this area anyway on this redesign!
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For varying levels of "attached", you are correct. It's held by 2 screws to the chassis, and 1 screw holds down a bracket which holds it to the logic board. (Though this varies, they didn't do that until later models)
It's not, however, PART of the case/chassis like the IR sensor/board is in the current MacBooks.
Fair enough, but I think the point remains - If this is a much more rigid case it might not have a chassis as such in as many areas. It may only be a mount, or a part of the battery connector, but I'm nearly certain that's what it is. It's got to be a more feasible answer than a HDMI or 'Dock' port!
Boy I hope not. That would be an amazing waste of volume. Does the remote even come with their laptops anymore?
My biggest issue with your whole MBA price drop discussion is that i'm sorry a 13.3" laptop is not a netbook any way you slice it. And people who want netbooks like ports look at the eeepc it's got more ports its small light and has a kick ass battery life like 6-7 hours if I remember correctly. The MBA is not a netbook and ultraportable maybe and thus merits the price to a degree.
On the issue of the 15" MBP I'm sorry but not all pros want a 17" but need the ports/ features of the MBP and interms of pricing you pay $2799 now if you don't want to pay it well DONT BUY IT!!!
So what can we exclude the mystery port to be?
- power: there is already a MagSafe connector
- display: there is already a display connector (albeit a new one we don't know yet, but the symbol next to it makes it clear it's for display output) next to the audio in-/outputs, it would make no sense to have two of them
- battery connector: seriously, what? The battery connects on the inside, and an external battery pack? Come on.
Also, why is it separated from the rest of the ports? This makes no sense in terms of design and logic. And it would get into the way when being used and there's something sticking out of it, because it is so close to the front.
This leads me to the assumption that this is some kind of docking port. If it is just simply a dock like many other out there (from Sony, Lenovo, etc.), or if it's a dock to a display with an integrated dock remains to be seen.
I tend to the display with a dock inside, as it would require some connector for WiFi and Bluetooth antennas (bad reception otherwise, especially if the display is made out of aluminium), the port being close to the front of the MBP is no issue anymore (as it sits in the display when being used), and it would leave the option to have a hard disk built into the display which connects as an external hard disk to be used with Time Machine or simply as an additional drive at home.
- power: there is already a MagSafe connector
- display: there is already a display connector (albeit a new one we don't know yet, but the symbol next to it makes it clear it's for display output) next to the audio in-/outputs, it would make no sense to have two of them
- battery connector: seriously, what? The battery connects on the inside, and an external battery pack? Come on.
Also, why is it separated from the rest of the ports? This makes no sense in terms of design and logic. And it would get into the way when being used and there's something sticking out of it, because it is so close to the front.
This leads me to the assumption that this is some kind of docking port. If it is just simply a dock like many other out there (from Sony, Lenovo, etc.), or if it's a dock to a display with an integrated dock remains to be seen.
I tend to the display with a dock inside, as it would require some connector for WiFi and Bluetooth antennas (bad reception otherwise, especially if the display is made out of aluminium), the port being close to the front of the MBP is no issue anymore (as it sits in the display when being used), and it would leave the option to have a hard disk built into the display which connects as an external hard disk to be used with Time Machine or simply as an additional drive at home.
Phew. I have read the whole thing. 99% of it is debate about the ports - Firewire, display and the "mystery" one at the bottom...
I think it's undeniable that the MB doesn't include FW, as there are pictures of it from all angles. The MBP does. Whether they've used that standard where you can use the LAN port remains to be seen.... doesn't bother me as I'll be going MBP. It does seem a WTF omission, but it wouldn't be their first.
The display one (which IS a display going by the |O| icon) is probably proprietary, with adaptors sold separately. If they're reducing costs, especially with the credit crunch/recession hitting, the profit has to come from somewhere!
The taped-over port and the fact that everything is on the left do seem to suggest the iMac-style dock. Obviously the Pro offers some additional functionality over the others which don't have that part - or maybe only the Pro can be docked and the MB was just made to be consistent in design.
Personally - as long as the Pro has a matte screen and a decent graphics card (read: NOT a downgrade from the current Pro) I'll be happy enough.
From the source link:
top-right. There's your Magsafe.
I think it's undeniable that the MB doesn't include FW, as there are pictures of it from all angles. The MBP does. Whether they've used that standard where you can use the LAN port remains to be seen.... doesn't bother me as I'll be going MBP. It does seem a WTF omission, but it wouldn't be their first.
The display one (which IS a display going by the |O| icon) is probably proprietary, with adaptors sold separately. If they're reducing costs, especially with the credit crunch/recession hitting, the profit has to come from somewhere!
The taped-over port and the fact that everything is on the left do seem to suggest the iMac-style dock. Obviously the Pro offers some additional functionality over the others which don't have that part - or maybe only the Pro can be docked and the MB was just made to be consistent in design.
Personally - as long as the Pro has a matte screen and a decent graphics card (read: NOT a downgrade from the current Pro) I'll be happy enough.
From the source link:
top-right. There's your Magsafe.
It looks like a barcode covered up by tape to protect the photographers identity. It even looks embossed and I don't know any other port holes to protrude like that!
Battery Connector? Check again - People that are talking about a battery connector are referring to the MB picture, not the MBP!
there is also always the possibility (no matter how small) that these aren't the new mb/p and we been whatever-ing over nothing. I personally would like a macbook that looked like the macbook air but without the price. I'd buy a mba if it cost around $1000 (although less is always better...) 
I'd say that besides speed, FW provides power which is more important than speed IMO.
- Whatever the tape is covering up, it's orange coloured. That would be a strange colour for a port hole!
- The orange shape is protruding away from the aluminium. All the other port holes are flush!
- If you squint, you can almost make out black/dark marks on the orange shape. I wont class this point as evidence because it's touch and go!
- It's a silly place for a port!
- It's not a video out, because that's elsewhere.
- It's not a 'dock' port, because that's a silly idea all round! (I'll eat not only my hat, but my socks and undercrackers if I'm wrong!)
So - It is NOT a port! It's just a sticker or barcode covered up intentionally by tape!
- The orange shape is protruding away from the aluminium. All the other port holes are flush!
- If you squint, you can almost make out black/dark marks on the orange shape. I wont class this point as evidence because it's touch and go!
- It's a silly place for a port!
- It's not a video out, because that's elsewhere.
- It's not a 'dock' port, because that's a silly idea all round! (I'll eat not only my hat, but my socks and undercrackers if I'm wrong!)
So - It is NOT a port! It's just a sticker or barcode covered up intentionally by tape!
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Umm, doesn't current BlackBook have black keys that are not backlit?
Like the one I am typing on now?
Couldn't these pics be from pre-production models. So people make be getting hot and bothered over something they won't ever see. I guess we'll find out if the macbook has a firewire port in less that 48 hours. My guess it will have a firewire port so I'm not too worried.