I'm not fond... however the massive discount on the previous 2.66 is great. $2299 (canada). I just grabbed one on a whim today same price as the new 2.66 but with double the L2 cache and double the video memory.
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How does everyone feel about the non-removable battery? And lack of expresscard slot?
- Thread starter MVApple
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For those who think it's a good move: we're talking generally here, not just your specific situation....
I never use expresscard, but it's very useful to a lot of pros and was a good thing to have, certainly much more useful than SD. Would have been a good idea to remove it on the cheapest 15" but keep it on the others. That way the lower end MBP 15 would be clearly differentiated.
As for the SD card slot - what were they thinking? Nobody with pro equipment uses SD cards! It should have been a CF card slot and even that is totally unnecessary. For compact digicams, SD is fine, but that's not what pros are using.
Built in battery is just stupid on a laptop. Sure, most people don't swap out batteries, but what if you need more battery time? Or if your battery fails (happens all the time)? then you have to stop using your computer and send it in to Apple for a replacement battery. Crazy.
I feel that Apple is going astray here.
I never use expresscard, but it's very useful to a lot of pros and was a good thing to have, certainly much more useful than SD. Would have been a good idea to remove it on the cheapest 15" but keep it on the others. That way the lower end MBP 15 would be clearly differentiated.
As for the SD card slot - what were they thinking? Nobody with pro equipment uses SD cards! It should have been a CF card slot and even that is totally unnecessary. For compact digicams, SD is fine, but that's not what pros are using.
Built in battery is just stupid on a laptop. Sure, most people don't swap out batteries, but what if you need more battery time? Or if your battery fails (happens all the time)? then you have to stop using your computer and send it in to Apple for a replacement battery. Crazy.
I feel that Apple is going astray here.
i like the updates. longer battery life is always good and i just bought a new hd video camera with SD storage, so everything worked out great!
let's face it, pros would be buying the bigger macbook pro anyway with the better video card. this size is for the more mainstream user.
let's face it, pros would be buying the bigger macbook pro anyway with the better video card. this size is for the more mainstream user.
S n o b !!
I think your attitude is pretty snobbish! Not everyone who buys a MBP spends the same amount of money (or more) on a DSLR outfit.
I for one welcome the addition of the SD slot, although CF would also have been nice.
Rethink your attitude ! Cheers
I think your attitude is pretty snobbish! Not everyone who buys a MBP spends the same amount of money (or more) on a DSLR outfit.
I for one welcome the addition of the SD slot, although CF would also have been nice.
Rethink your attitude ! Cheers
Replacing the ExpressCard slot with a SD card reader is indefensible. An SD card reader could be bought for the express slot, but you can't turn a SD card reader into another firewire port, or an SATA port, or a 3G wireless card.
It's a major step backwards, period.
It's a major step backwards, period.
I think the Expresscard will be back, just like the Firewire.
I for one just bought a Nikon D40, so the SD slot is perfect for me. But then again, my 3G card is useless in the new ones, so I guess I'm still using my Classic MBP on the road.
I for one just bought a Nikon D40, so the SD slot is perfect for me. But then again, my 3G card is useless in the new ones, so I guess I'm still using my Classic MBP on the road.
Stupid move getting rid of the express card slot for an SD card reader. Nothing pro uses SD - only little compact cameras. Going to edit photos with a MBP from a little point and shoot? Maybe if it was a CF card reader that would've been okay.
ExpressCard can be had in the SD card reader flavour if you were so inclined anyway. E-Sata is much more useful than an SD Card reader, which you can buy in USB or FireWire form anyway.
ExpressCard can be had in the SD card reader flavour if you were so inclined anyway. E-Sata is much more useful than an SD Card reader, which you can buy in USB or FireWire form anyway.
As someone said earlier, removable battery is less than ideal. Built-in batteries are good for iPods. If my battery dies on an iPod, I can send it in to Apple and I can part with my music for 1 week or so.
But last year at school, my MBP's battery died (dropped to 23% health after 54 cycles). All I did was go to the Apple Store and they swapped out my battery (it took 2 minutes). If I had a built-in battery, and it died, I would have to give Apple notebook and I wouldn't be able to do my papers/work for days. That's just as inconvenient as it gets.
However, I wonder if these new built-in batteries are more reliable? Are there any studies? Because I know before with the removable batteries, there was a chance of getting duds (like I did).
But last year at school, my MBP's battery died (dropped to 23% health after 54 cycles). All I did was go to the Apple Store and they swapped out my battery (it took 2 minutes). If I had a built-in battery, and it died, I would have to give Apple notebook and I wouldn't be able to do my papers/work for days. That's just as inconvenient as it gets.
However, I wonder if these new built-in batteries are more reliable? Are there any studies? Because I know before with the removable batteries, there was a chance of getting duds (like I did).
I bought the 17" with the non-user-replaceable battery a few months back and it really is phenomenal. However, one thing slightly worries me: When the battery died in my old MBP 17" it died in spectacular style - the whole thing expanded and burst its way out of its casing.
I remember thinking how glad I was that the battery wasn't buried inside the MBP case or it would have done some damage.
I really hope the new one doesn't do that!
I remember thinking how glad I was that the battery wasn't buried inside the MBP case or it would have done some damage.
I really hope the new one doesn't do that!
I'm getting my 15" MacBook Pro today (or whenever the local Apple Store gets them in) and honestly I was really pleased with yesterday's announcements, overall. I do like the new battery, but I'm on the fence about removing express card. I had planned to use that slot for a 3G card...guess I'll be going USB or tethering with the iPhone. At the same time, I'm happy my SD cards don't require an adapter anymore.
Overall, pretty happy with the update.
Steve
Overall, pretty happy with the update.
Steve
But you used to have both!
Plenty of people who do buy a MBP spend money on things like eSATA that need at least ExpressCard.I know pros who would rather carry around a 15" laptop instead of the 17".
well I was waiting for the conference before I buy a MBP for an audio recording rig. I had planned to use the express slot for an eSata external drive. anybody with experience know if I will I get by alright recording to the internal drive? or should I give in and get the bigger 17"?
I'll be using a firewire interface to record the audio, and had heard it's best to use an eSata hard drive to avoid overloading the firewire ports.
I'll be using a firewire interface to record the audio, and had heard it's best to use an eSata hard drive to avoid overloading the firewire ports.
I've never used my express card slot and to be perfectly honest has no idea what it's use is...
Wasn't intended to be snobbish, but let's be real. Someone that has enough disposable income to spend $2k+ for a laptop and is also somewhat serious into photography, pro or amateur, is also likely to spend the money for a something like a 50D or D300, and are less likely to buy a $300 D40 or Rebel. Those semi-pro cams use CF, and not SD.
That's not elitist or snobbish, it's demographics. Just like it is less likely that someone spending $2k+ on a laptop will drive a beat up second hand compact instead of a nice family sedan.
I never had a need for an expresscard, but I use SD cards all the time, so that is a big plus.
The non-removable battery is great for longevity, but a bit annoying that Apple does not trust it's users to replace and dispose of the old battery properly. I guess I could get used to it.
I just wish Apple would cover the battery under Applecare for the full three years instead of 1 year.
The non-removable battery is great for longevity, but a bit annoying that Apple does not trust it's users to replace and dispose of the old battery properly. I guess I could get used to it.
I just wish Apple would cover the battery under Applecare for the full three years instead of 1 year.
Getting rid of the Express card slot is utter rubbish. I was actually interested in getting the new MBP 15'', but as I just found the new MBP lacks one, I am extremely disappointed. I use the Express card slot for pro audio stuff (run a UAD Xpander card with it) and it is one of those features that make the Macbook Pro truly Pro. Completely absurd marketing / engineering decision.
A very disappointed Apple customer.
A very disappointed Apple customer.
No express card, Nooooooooooooo................
Similar story here,
I was waiting for the new MacBook Pros and wanted to go for a 15" this time instead of the 17" i have due to it being too big to take out.
Now i Produce electronic music and rely on at least two firewire ports one for an Apogee DUET and one for a Liquid Mix. It could have been done if they left the express card in but now i am stuck, unless i go for another monster 17"
Anyone know if i could use a firewire hub with these as i cant link through as they only have one port each.
Similar story here,
I was waiting for the new MacBook Pros and wanted to go for a 15" this time instead of the 17" i have due to it being too big to take out.
Now i Produce electronic music and rely on at least two firewire ports one for an Apogee DUET and one for a Liquid Mix. It could have been done if they left the express card in but now i am stuck, unless i go for another monster 17"
Anyone know if i could use a firewire hub with these as i cant link through as they only have one port each.
ewww ouch
I think it's some sort of marketing move by Apple...
What they do is take something away and when they return it everyone goes wow
Firewire removed - returned wow
expresscard removed - later returned wow
man Apple are really forward thinking
That is called the Steve Jobs Reality Distortion Field. Some people are more prone to it. lol
I've never used the express card slot on my MBP. For me the SD slot would be more useful. As for the battery, if it lasts as long as they say I'm good with it. That and I'm sure I could replace the battery myself if I had to.