iMac and MacBook Pro Upgrades in First Half of 2011?

[Burger Thing]

Options are nice - especially on my Dell Latitude where the BD is in a bay slot, which also supports hard drives and batteries.

Nice to have the option of less weight (empty bay), more battery, extra hard drive space, or optical.

Even nicer that I can decide on which option each time that I put my laptop in its bag - and I even have the option of putting more than one of the bay devices in my bag!

And, not to forget, after one year of usage you'll have most likely the option to dispose your Dell into the trashcan or to send it in for repairs

speaking from experience

Jokes aside I would like to have the option to have the optical drive replaced with a SSD Drive. SSD drives are not yet there capacity wise for my needs, but at least I could run OSX on it and have a second 1 TB HD drive installed as well for my video files.

 

[Yebubbleman]

And, not to forget, after one year of usage you'll have most likely the option to dispose your Dell into the trashcan or to send it in for repairs

speaking from experience

Jokes aside I would like to have the option to have the optical drive replaced with a SSD Drive. SSD drives are not yet there capacity wise for my needs, but at least I could run OSX on it and have a second 1 TB HD drive installed as well for my video files.

You don't need to remove the optical drive to have flash. See the MacBook Air's blade SSD implementation.

So four models?

So I was originally thinking it meant they were adding a model, but then people were saying it took away a model so I guess when they say model, are they just talking 13 vs. 15. vs 17 or is it by processor?

If the latter ... I wonder if they are getting rid of the 13" (I really hope not, or at least I hope they bring it back when it's time for me to upgrade my MBP) or the 17"? I'd say most likely of the two, judging from what I read here, it would be the 17" (basically cause I hear the 13" is their most popular model... it would seem silly to discontinue your most popular model. And if they are reducing the amount of models then that means they aren't changing/replacing it). Isn't the 17" the least bought one?

From one 13" MacBook Pro fanboy to another, I don't think it looks good for our friend. It having the title of "best selling Mac" I think is a little bit dated. Since then, we have cheaper, faster, better selling MacBook Airs and cheaper just-as-capable white MacBooks. There's almost no point to it save for appeasing people like us who love the machine or need a FireWire port in a Mac portable, but don't want to spend the premium to go to the 15".

 

[Richard1028]

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Also I think you'll have to make the Plato quote on your own..if I analyze it on this thread I will be violating the Forum rules. If you need some help PM me.

Son, again I have no idea what you're going on about here. I think you're like 14 or something so in that vein I'm bowing out of this as there are laws against child abuse.

Cheers!

 

[Mal67]

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Of course there is a serious,actual reason.

If SD is out then MBP 13 will have the room for a discrete GPU and more battery life and a core iX..

Apple never acts before thinking..and I sincerely believe this is why their computers are so much more expensive than PCs.

Because they engineer their machines. They think,they do,they undo..THEY IMAGINE.

So I have no problem taking out the SD if it is for better performance.

Personally I can imagine a re-designed macbookPro. Still 13" but thicker than the current model. Plenty of room in there to have a discrete graphics chip as well as an i series chip and keeping the optical drive too. And the overall design would have that unique Apple styling which means that everyone would still be oohing and ahhhing over it and talking about how Smurfy it is and how they managed to keep the cost to a reasonable level.

 

[MattInOz]

Personally I can imagine a re-designed macbookPro. Still 13" but thicker than the current model. Plenty of room in there to have a discrete graphics chip as well as an i series chip and keeping the optical drive too. And the overall design would have that unique Apple styling which means that everyone would still be oohing and ahhhing over it and talking about how Smurfy it is and how they managed to keep the cost to a reasonable level.

They could always move something behind the screen. To get more edge to work with.

 

[Yebubbleman]

Personally I can imagine a re-designed macbookPro. Still 13" but thicker than the current model. Plenty of room in there to have a discrete graphics chip as well as an i series chip and keeping the optical drive too. And the overall design would have that unique Apple styling which means that everyone would still be oohing and ahhhing over it and talking about how Smurfy it is and how they managed to keep the cost to a reasonable level.

Apple will neither (a) kill that optical drive, nor (b) will it give it discrete graphics, nor (c) will it make it thicker, let alone do (a) for the purposes of (b) nor (c) period. It won't make it thicker to serve (b) either. They won't kill the optical drive on a Pro machine, nor will they do anything cool with reclaimed space except get rid of it. Otherwise, I'm down with your imagination's creation as it'd be rad.

They could always move something behind the screen. To get more edge to work with.

True story.

 

[zeech]

OK I need some advice. I'm buying my first Mac after years of PCs. I'm looking at the MacBookPro 15" 2.53 with 7200 rpm, antiglare, with Microsoft Word installed. Will mostly use for word processing and internet browsing. Right now it's around $2300 with these options. Does it make sense for me to wait, considering what I'm going to be using it for? Also, won't the price go up? If so, how much? The other thing is that I can get a free $75 giftcard if I buy it in 2010 so that is also factoring into my decision.

 

[Richard1028]

...Will mostly use for word processing and internet browsing. Right now it's around $2300 with these options. Does it make sense for me to wait, considering what I'm going to be using it for?

It actually makes more sense for you to save $2,000 and just get a cheap crappy laptop.

But that's just me being pragmatic again.

 

[Yebubbleman]

Assuming the plain macbook will stay in the mix (and it most likely will) the 13" MBP will need to differentiate itself in order to keep its "pro" status. I'd say the i5 would do this (The i3 going to the MB).

What I fear though is it won't have discreet graphics. Steve's obsession with uber-thinness may finally bite him in the arse. Not everybody wants notebooks that double as salad dicers and paint scrapers.

The 13" MBP is looking like the bastard child in Apple's "fleet" of 13-inchers and they don't know where it fits in the lineup.

Dropping that 17" MBP would sure make this easier. Good riddance.

(There, I said it and no lightening bolts yet).

I agree that the 13" MBP needs to differentiate itself, though I don't believe that it ever will, which is why, if there will only be four models in the next refresh, the 13" Pro will not be among them. They'll either (a) put in an i3/i5 and use ****** Intel graphics, or (b) maintain the status quo, neither of which are either appropriate or acceptable for a "MacBook Pro" at that point. Also, either option will be far less negatively recieved on any of the other Core-2-Duo-320M-weilding Macs. So, it's simple, kill the 13" Pro, then take your pick of either of the aforementioned option and you have your low-end Apple market.

OK I need some advice. I'm buying my first Mac after years of PCs. I'm looking at the MacBookPro 15" 2.53 with 7200 rpm, antiglare, with Microsoft Word installed. Will mostly use for word processing and internet browsing. Right now it's around $2300 with these options. Does it make sense for me to wait, considering what I'm going to be using it for? Also, won't the price go up? If so, how much? The other thing is that I can get a free $75 giftcard if I buy it in 2010 so that is also factoring into my decision.

Unless you care about FireWire or REALLY need an anti-glare screen, it makes sense for you to just get a white MacBook.

As for whether or not you wait, I'll put it to you this way. The best time to buy is about a month or so after a refresh; just around the time that all of the reviews are coming in. That way any initial problems with the rev have been worked out either in firmware updates or slight modifications in manufacturing and you are not experiencing any of them. That also gives you time to see whether or not it's actually a GOOD machine to buy or whether or not you'll be kicking yourself for actually not buying the previous gen when you could've. As it stands now, with the exception of the MacBook Air models, Apple's laptop lines are due for a refresh anytime now. The MacBook Pros were last done in April, the MacBooks in May. I'd expect one not too long from now.

You might then say to yourself "Well, there'll always be something newer", and you're right, but the more time you have with your machine being the current rev, the longer you'll have before said machine becomes outdated in terms of what kinds of software will be able to run on it.

 

[Mail503]

I agree that the 13" MBP needs to differentiate itself, though I don't believe that it ever will, which is why, if there will only be four models in the next refresh, the 13" Pro will not be among them. They'll either (a) put in an i3/i5 and use ****** Intel graphics, or (b) maintain the status quo, neither of which are either appropriate or acceptable for a "MacBook Pro" at that point. Also, either option will be far less negatively recieved on any of the other Core-2-Duo-320M-weilding Macs. So, it's simple, kill the 13" Pro, then take your pick of either of the aforementioned option and you have your low-end Apple market.

I have seen a lot of criticism against the 13' macbook pro on this forum, but i don't think that is the norm. I am sure there must be a lot of people who like the 13' size of the macbook pro, and they are willing to pay extra for an aluminum body. I think we will see some more differentiation between the pro and the macbook models in the next revision, in terms of graphics.

 

[Mal67]

I have seen a lot of criticism against the 13' macbook pro on this forum, but i don't think that is the norm. I am sure there must be a lot of people who like the 13' size of the macbook pro, and they are willing to pay extra for an aluminum body. I think we will see some more differentiation between the pro and the macbook models in the next revision, in terms of graphics.

I know someone who bought the 13"pro and they love it. They weren't interested in the lack of i3 or an affordable version of the i5 in a 13" package. Not interested in the discrete/integrated graphic debate. Just thought - great computer, great deal with applecare.

 

[CaoCao]

I wish there was a Toughbook-like Mac

 

[Steve121178]

OK I need some advice. I'm buying my first Mac after years of PCs. I'm looking at the MacBookPro 15" 2.53 with 7200 rpm, antiglare, with Microsoft Word installed. Will mostly use for word processing and internet browsing. Right now it's around $2300 with these options. Does it make sense for me to wait, considering what I'm going to be using it for? Also, won't the price go up? If so, how much? The other thing is that I can get a free $75 giftcard if I buy it in 2010 so that is also factoring into my decision.

Bit overkill for word processing...

 

[radomu]

So around when would this update happen? About late January, I assume?

There are rumors that the upper model Macbook pros would support the new ATI radeon chips.

 

[alexhchu]

Can't wait!

lol I need to upgrade my macbook pro

 

[Yebubbleman]

I have seen a lot of criticism against the 13' macbook pro on this forum, but i don't think that is the norm. I am sure there must be a lot of people who like the 13' size of the macbook pro, and they are willing to pay extra for an aluminum body. I think we will see some more differentiation between the pro and the macbook models in the next revision, in terms of graphics.

No criticism, those of us predicting the 13" Pro's demise are actually major fans of the damn thing. We just don't see it as having much of a future unless a radical change (that isn't in line with the white MacBook or Mac mini) is made to it, and frankly, I'm skeptical that such a change will be made.

I know someone who bought the 13"pro and they love it. They weren't interested in the lack of i3 or an affordable version of the i5 in a 13" package. Not interested in the discrete/integrated graphic debate. Just thought - great computer, great deal with applecare.

I'm not saying that those people don't exist. They clearly do and that's clearly why the 13" Pro held last year's title of "Best selling Mac. Ever." I'm saying that less of them exist with that product's target market audience than do with the other Core 2 Duo + 320M wielding machines' target market audiences. Though with the new MacBook Airs being as big of a hit as they are and with the white MacBook essentially being the same computer AND with far more of the 13" MacBook Pro's target market audience wanting a Core i series chip but not wanting an Intel IGP (read: wanting something that can't really be done with it), then it makes more sense to beef up specs on the MacBook and dissolve the 13" MacBook Pro.

I have seen a lot of criticism against the 13' macbook pro on this forum, but i don't think that is the norm. I am sure there must be a lot of people who like the 13' size of the macbook pro, and they are willing to pay extra for an aluminum body. I think we will see some more differentiation between the pro and the macbook models in the next revision, in terms of graphics.

The only way in which I can see this departure from the similarity to the white MacBook is if, on the next 13" MacBook Pro, Apple takes out the hard drive in favor of the MacBook Air's blade-style SSDs (256GB at base, or configurable with 512GB), and devotes maybe a fourth of the reclaimed space to battery (if any), while devoting the rest to having a discrete GPU. This gives us Sandy Bridge and a discrete GPU without forcing us to just have the Intel IGP. The 15" and 17" Pros would get to have both a hard drive AND a blade SSD, along with their usual discrete GPU. All three sizes of MacBook Pro would still retain optical drives, and that'd be that. The 13" MacBook would stick with Core 2 and the 320M for a bit longer, or switch to Sandy Bridge and an Intel IGP, while retaining the use of a hard drive, but with an option to have a traditional 2.5" SSD. That I could picture.

But I'm no engineer; it is possible that nixing the hard drive, in favor of the space-saving SSD blades, STILL might not provide enough room for a discrete GPU on the logic board. It's a nifty idea though, if I do say so myself.

 

[calaverasgrande]

All these predictions and wishes for crippled MBP's and MBA's on steroids re-badged as MBP's are silly.
Okay I get it, some of you don't use your computer professionally, so beefier CPU is only good for you if you can play games. You dont need any of the extra connectivity that the MBP 17" has so you dont understand it's place in the product lineup.
Let me put it this way, do you think Apple sells more Mac Minis or Mac Pro towers? If it's the former does that mean that all the pro level users (video/audio/graphics) should be forced to accommodate a beefed up mini with a bunch external peripherals?
Mac needs to make pro level machines to maintain vertical market share.
I am actually pissed that I can't get a MBP 15" with an expresscard slot unless I want a 2 year old model. If they did ditch teh 17 and didnt add the expresscard slot back to the 15" they would be pissing all over Apogee, one of their strategic partners. EG: Apogee device control is integrated into Logic Pro and Logic Express. And all of their pro level devices require an Expresscard to connect (or PCIe).

I think it's going to be a minor refresh, with the top 4 models kept intact but for a processor bump, except for the 13 MBP which had been made redundant since the debut of the MBA.
I think they may do something like
2.66 i5 MBP 15"
2.8 i5 MBP 15"
2.66 Sandy Bridge MBP 15"
2.8 Sandy Bridge MBP 17"
Maybe the demoted 13" MB will get an i3 but retain the unibody look, just change badges.
Heck maybe they will have a third line between the MB and MBP that has all the ipod colors for the kids.
iBook II?

 

[macintoshtoffy]

All these predictions and wishes for crippled MBP's and MBA's on steroids re-badged as MBP's are silly.
Okay I get it, some of you don't use your computer professionally, so beefier CPU is only good for you if you can play games. You dont need any of the extra connectivity that the MBP 17" has so you dont understand it's place in the product lineup.
Let me put it this way, do you think Apple sells more Mac Minis or Mac Pro towers? If it's the former does that mean that all the pro level users (video/audio/graphics) should be forced to accommodate a beefed up mini with a bunch external peripherals?
Mac needs to make pro level machines to maintain vertical market share.
I am actually pissed that I can't get a MBP 15" with an expresscard slot unless I want a 2 year old model. If they did ditch teh 17 and didnt add the expresscard slot back to the 15" they would be pissing all over Apogee, one of their strategic partners. EG: Apogee device control is integrated into Logic Pro and Logic Express. And all of their pro level devices require an Expresscard to connect (or PCIe).

I think it's going to be a minor refresh, with the top 4 models kept intact but for a processor bump, except for the 13 MBP which had been made redundant since the debut of the MBA.
I think they may do something like
2.66 i5 MBP 15"
2.8 i5 MBP 15"
2.66 Sandy Bridge MBP 15"
2.8 Sandy Bridge MBP 17"
Maybe the demoted 13" MB will get an i3 but retain the unibody look, just change badges.
Heck maybe they will have a third line between the MB and MBP that has all the ipod colors for the kids.
iBook II?

I doubt it'll be demoted; there are still many people out there who are pros who use 13.3 inch laptops but it will be interesting to see how Apple handle it - whether they'll look to ATI, nVidia or even go for the embedded solution. I'd say a good number of 13.3 inch users are looking for a balance between portability and speed so it will be interesting to see how they balance it up - if it is no better than the MacBook then it'll die, yet there is the technological limitations unless Apple are willing to do a redesign but keep the concept of a unibody.

 

[Yebubbleman]

All these predictions and wishes for crippled MBP's and MBA's on steroids re-badged as MBP's are silly.
Okay I get it, some of you don't use your computer professionally, so beefier CPU is only good for you if you can play games. You dont need any of the extra connectivity that the MBP 17" has so you dont understand it's place in the product lineup.
Let me put it this way, do you think Apple sells more Mac Minis or Mac Pro towers? If it's the former does that mean that all the pro level users (video/audio/graphics) should be forced to accommodate a beefed up mini with a bunch external peripherals?
Mac needs to make pro level machines to maintain vertical market share.
I am actually pissed that I can't get a MBP 15" with an expresscard slot unless I want a 2 year old model. If they did ditch teh 17 and didnt add the expresscard slot back to the 15" they would be pissing all over Apogee, one of their strategic partners. EG: Apogee device control is integrated into Logic Pro and Logic Express. And all of their pro level devices require an Expresscard to connect (or PCIe).

I think it's going to be a minor refresh, with the top 4 models kept intact but for a processor bump, except for the 13 MBP which had been made redundant since the debut of the MBA.
I think they may do something like
2.66 i5 MBP 15"
2.8 i5 MBP 15"
2.66 Sandy Bridge MBP 15"
2.8 Sandy Bridge MBP 17"
Maybe the demoted 13" MB will get an i3 but retain the unibody look, just change badges.
Heck maybe they will have a third line between the MB and MBP that has all the ipod colors for the kids.
iBook II?

I agree. If they don't find a means of differentiating the 13" MBP (i.e. giving it the Air's blade SSD and using the reclaimed space from nixing the physical hard drive to have some form of discrete GPU), it's toast and, as much as I like it, it should be.

 

[tigress666]

I think it's going to be a minor refresh, with the top 4 models kept intact but for a processor bump, except for the 13 MBP which had been made redundant since the debut of the MBA.

I disagree that the MBP has been made redundant since the new MBA. First of all, I more predict the 13" MBA will do the same as the previous MBA (I think the 11" will be the hit). It has the same footprint and is just thinner but you get a bigger hard drive standard than you can even get for the MBA (and you can easily install an SSD for it or upgrade/replace the hard drive), an extra input/output port (The firewire), ethernet port (not used much but I had to eat my own words of why do they need it anymore as twice this year I've been happy to have it), better battery, cheaper price (though maybe Apple does not want that), faster processor, more RAM standard and more ability to upgrade RAM.

Honestly, if Apple worked that way, the MBP and MB would have merged long ago cause they don't have much differences (RAM it comes with and extra port being really the big differences).

I mean honestly, I'd easily pick the MBP over the MBA. If I had to, I'd probably pick the MB over the MBA (though honestly, I hate the plastic case enough after my last MB that there'd be some arguement in my head for the MBA though usefulness if I get over the case the MB is more useful for me). I don't even understand why some one would pay more for the 13" MBA when the only advantage is size and it's not like the MBP is ridiculously big. It's still pretty portable in its own right.

 

[Yebubbleman]

I disagree that the MBP has been made redundant since the new MBA. First of all, I more predict the 13" MBA will do the same as the previous MBA (I think the 11" will be the hit). It has the same footprint and is just thinner but you get a bigger hard drive standard than you can even get for the MBA (and you can easily install an SSD for it or upgrade/replace the hard drive), an extra input/output port (The firewire), ethernet port (not used much but I had to eat my own words of why do they need it anymore as twice this year I've been happy to have it), better battery, cheaper price (though maybe Apple does not want that), faster processor, more RAM standard and more ability to upgrade RAM.

Honestly, if Apple worked that way, the MBP and MB would have merged long ago cause they don't have much differences (RAM it comes with and extra port being really the big differences).

I mean honestly, I'd easily pick the MBP over the MBA. If I had to, I'd probably pick the MB over the MBA (though honestly, I hate the plastic case enough after my last MB that there'd be some arguement in my head for the MBA though usefulness if I get over the case the MB is more useful for me). I don't even understand why some one would pay more for the 13" MBA when the only advantage is size and it's not like the MBP is ridiculously big. It's still pretty portable in its own right.

The 13" MacBook Pro was made redundant as soon as they put out the unibody white MacBook. The Air has nothing to do with said redundancy save for the fact that the 13" Air is more or less on par in terms of speed with the 13" Pro.

That said, unless we see a drastic departure from the similarities it shares with the white MacBook (and again, removing the optical drive to put in blade SSDs and a discrete GPU isn't a bad way to do it), the 13" MacBook Pro is toast, especially in light of the potential (a) move back to Intel graphics or (b) maintaining of the status quo with the Core 2 Duo. Neither of which are acceptible for a "MacBook Pro".

 

[tigress666]

The 13" MacBook Pro was made redundant as soon as they put out the unibody white MacBook. The Air has nothing to do with said redundancy save for the fact that the 13" Air is more or less on par in terms of speed with the 13" Pro.

Only cause of SSD which you can put on the MBP.

That said, unless we see a drastic departure from the similarities it shares with the white MacBook (and again, removing the optical drive to put in blade SSDs and a discrete GPU isn't a bad way to do it), the 13" MacBook Pro is toast, especially in light of the potential (a) move back to Intel graphics or (b) maintaining of the status quo with the Core 2 Duo. Neither of which are acceptible for a "MacBook Pro".

And I gotta disagree. They are small differences but for some people they do make a large difference, enough to justify the 200 dollar price difference. As I've said to you before, the case alone is worth the 200 dollars. Nevermind the having three input/output jacks (2 USB, one firewire) that make the MBP far better if you want to use it as a desktop replacement as well (which some people do. I am never buying a desktop again if I can help it, my MBP does fine as a desktop and I can take my computer with me when I travel).

I say the MB is redundant! But, I think they keep it around to have a cheap intro computer to get people into the mac ecosystem. So, honestly, neither really is that redundant.

 

[articcine]

I don't understand why some of you think Apple will discontinue the MBP 13". It's their best selling laptop, people want it.

 

[Yebubbleman]

I don't understand why some of you think Apple will discontinue the MBP 13". It's their best selling laptop, people want it.

Best selling laptop, like, a year ago...The Air is poised to take that position.

My only reasoning for predicting the 13" MBP's discontinuation is that in the next refresh, it will either gain an i3 and Intel Graphics (which, for the 13" MacBook Pro, is unacceptable) or it'll maintain a Core 2 Duo and the GeForce 320M (which, for the 13" MacBook Pro, is also unacceptable). Either option would be totally passable on the white MacBook, the MacBook Air and the Mac mini, however if Apple does that on the 13" Pro, they're gonna piss quite a few of their customers off.

And I gotta disagree. They are small differences but for some people they do make a large difference, enough to justify the 200 dollar price difference. As I've said to you before, the case alone is worth the 200 dollars. Nevermind the having three input/output jacks (2 USB, one firewire) that make the MBP far better if you want to use it as a desktop replacement as well (which some people do. I am never buying a desktop again if I can help it, my MBP does fine as a desktop and I can take my computer with me when I travel).

I say the MB is redundant! But, I think they keep it around to have a cheap intro computer to get people into the mac ecosystem. So, honestly, neither really is that redundant.

The aluminum is actually LESS forgiving in terms of taking dings, scratches and dents than the polycarbonate. It doesn't LOOK as cool, but it is actually far more durable. Given that and your point about it being the entry-point into a portable Mac, I'd have to argue that it is, by far, the least redundant of the two. Again, you are preaching to the choir as I much rather prefer the 13" MBP over the white MB, though, given our inability to have discrete graphics or even some non-Intel IGP alongside a Core iSomething and the negative press/attention recieved about it thus far, it makes far more sense to either merge the two into the "Next Generation MacBook" or for them to simply trim the fat and nix the 13" MBP

Only cause of SSD which you can put on the MBP.



And I gotta disagree. They are small differences but for some people they do make a large difference, enough to justify the 200 dollar price difference. As I've said to you before, the case alone is worth the 200 dollars. Nevermind the having three input/output jacks (2 USB, one firewire) that make the MBP far better if you want to use it as a desktop replacement as well (which some people do. I am never buying a desktop again if I can help it, my MBP does fine as a desktop and I can take my computer with me when I travel).

I say the MB is redundant! But, I think they keep it around to have a cheap intro computer to get people into the mac ecosystem. So, honestly, neither really is that redundant.

Also, note the OP, FOUR new SKUs as far as the MacBook Pro is concerned. There are six SKUs currently, one 17", three 15", and two 13". Assuming the rumor is accurate, either they're not refreshing the 13" MacBook Pro at all, or it is getting axed.

 

[tigress666]

The aluminum is actually LESS forgiving in terms of taking dings, scratches and dents than the polycarbonate.

Yeah, but at least if I take care of it it won't get those. Doesn't matter what you do with the white macbooks, they get cracked plastic, it is just inevitable. Everyone I knew with one the plastic cracked at the hand wrists. One guy they replaced the keyboard (and the handrest area) and it cracked again. That's what I'm talking about. And then I hear that the new ones are better but then see threads talking about newer ones that still have the same issues! So excuse me if I don't trust Apple for using a plastic that doesn't crack after a while. I will avoid buying another apple plastic laptop if I can help it (unless I really need a new one and that is really the only good option they give me. Honestly, even now if I had to choose between the MB and the MBA, there is less differences that really matter between the two that I could see maybe choosing the MBA cause I couldn't get myself to buy another laptop that I'd fear would inevitably crack on me and while it has a slower processor the MB doesn't offer me any more input/output ports which is very important to me so I wouldn't have to sacrifice that at least if I went MBA. I guess the MB would have a far larger hard drive and honestly that is important to me. So, most likely go with the MB, but it would be harder for me to choose between the two than choose between the MBP and MBA).

Given that and your point about it being the entry-point into a portable Mac, I'd have to argue that it is, by far, the least redundant of the two. Again, you are preaching to the choir as I much rather prefer the 13" MBP over the white MB, though, given our inability to have discrete graphics or even some non-Intel IGP alongside a Core iSomething and the negative press/attention recieved about it thus far, it makes far more sense to either merge the two into the "Next Generation MacBook" or for them to simply trim the fat and nix the 13" MBP

So just cause it won't get what you want it to get you think it should just go away? It sells well. The MB sells well. Why should they make something that sells well go away? If anything I feel the 13" MBA is going to be the one that will have a harder time selling. It still has the same issues the old MBA had that made it not sell well (it's not all that significantly smaller and you get a reduction in power/ability for the reduced size. The 11" does actually reduce the size significantly as a good trade off for losing some features and a smaller processor).