Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPod Touch and MacBook Updates for September?
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Well, he was responding to a post about Pro features. Which definitely extend beyond "another 2 inches of screen" a better GPU and a paint job.
Different ballparks. They might be comparable in price, but you can only fold one of them in half and use it on a plane.
There's clearly a convenience/portability/weight : performance premium in operation there. Same with iMac vs MacBook, iMac beats it out in specification, but it's not portable.I thought the same as you, I owned a MP at one point, but I could only budget for one machine and being constantly tethered to power, peripherals and a monitor was not a good fit with my life, so I went for a MBP instead.
...Which is why MacBooks can't be updated with all this speculated stuff, unless MBPs too are updated to offer more still, or they see a price drop.
To be fair, it has gone a bit far with the speculation. Although I can certainly see the aluminium and LED screens being incorporated.
I can also foresee that the Macbook Pro line will be updated to offer more still.
I use my macs for professional reasons (graphic design) but i keep thinking that the MBP is indeed the only overpriced apple machine out there... I dont compare it to PCs. I dont care about PCs. It just does not justify its price, compared to the entire apple line up.
It almost costs as much as a macbook+an iMac and almost as much as a Mac pro... but its the only way unfortunately. Back in the days of ibooks and powerbooks, the difference of specs was indeed worth the difference in price...
It almost costs as much as a macbook+an iMac and almost as much as a Mac pro... but its the only way unfortunately. Back in the days of ibooks and powerbooks, the difference of specs was indeed worth the difference in price...
I agree. The new iPhone is nice, but it doesn't feel the same as the original. If they give the iPod touch that plastic back it would feel the same way -- cheap and not solid. I would have to check it out first, but I think I would stick with my original iPod touch.
I agree that MBP's are becoming very over priced - and to be honest, it will take a lot for me to splash out that much when I could be a MacBook and an iMac for nearly the same price (if you shop around a bit!).
The laptop revisions should be something really special, or nothing at all - they are getting pretty stale now. I actually think the MacBook is doing really well, and doesn't need too much changing, but the MBP is getting completely outdated, and they should do something special if they are going to justify the same price point.
The laptop revisions should be something really special, or nothing at all - they are getting pretty stale now. I actually think the MacBook is doing really well, and doesn't need too much changing, but the MBP is getting completely outdated, and they should do something special if they are going to justify the same price point.
Turns out, they're actually getting cheaper. Or rather, they're constantly offering more each revision for the same price. So I don't know how you came to that conclusion.
Late 2006, Core 2 Duo
Mid 2007 "Santa Rosa", LED, nVidia GPU, 2GB RAM becomes standard
Early 2008 Penryn, Multitouch, 256MB GPU becomes standard, 200GB HD becomes standard
Trick is, it's not $1000. It's $500. Now that's not chump change, but as noted, you do get:
- dedicated graphics,
- two more inches of screen space,
- a better (IMO) keyboard,
- better connectivity (FW800),
- expandability (via the ExpressCard slot),
- easier monitor connectivity thanks to a full DVI port
And the MBP still comes with two USB ports, as well. But then since it has FW800 and FW400 whereas most PCs, at best, have FW400 (and then only the non-powered four-wire connection, at that), do you really need more then two ports when on the road?
For me, it was the exact opposite. I found the additional features of the MBP to be well worth the price over a black MB. But to each their own.
The main upgrade will be the design. I would not be suprised to see specs for the macbook to be base is 2.4 processor (top end at 2.6) and bumping up the macbook pro to 2.6 base (with options to go to 2.8 or 3.06) as well as better harddrive capacity. I think options will be 160 gb, 250 gb, 320 gb. I think 500 will wait for next year before we see it in an overhaul of the mbp's.
Also the graphics in the macbook will be the 4500 or whatever. I believe apple is still using that crappy x3100 or whatever. the 4500 is a big improvement, but a dedicated graphics card would be so much nicer. But you have to realize the macbook is apple BASELINE laptop. Which means it's cheaper (comparatively) and most people who buy introductory/bottom of a product line (even though the macbook ARE fairly powerful) do not need high end graphics cards. Those people would only need it for video editing and the like and would need a bigger screen anyways.
Also the graphics in the macbook will be the 4500 or whatever. I believe apple is still using that crappy x3100 or whatever. the 4500 is a big improvement, but a dedicated graphics card would be so much nicer. But you have to realize the macbook is apple BASELINE laptop. Which means it's cheaper (comparatively) and most people who buy introductory/bottom of a product line (even though the macbook ARE fairly powerful) do not need high end graphics cards. Those people would only need it for video editing and the like and would need a bigger screen anyways.
it's funny all this talk about the aluminum and such. Does it remind anyone else besides me of the black bush skit on chappelle show? Motha f***a bought some aluminum tubes. ALUMINUM!!! Do I need to remind you wtf you could do with an aluminum tube?
I heard a rumour some where about the new MacBooks not using Integrated graphics cards any more.
You could always get an external display if you need more space
That's your opinion. My opinion is MacBook/MacBook Air keyboard is better. When I tried typing on the MacBook Pro keyboard, I made more mistakes without looking at the typing than I ever did with the MacBook.
That I agree on but I already have it on my aluminium iMac.
Just what do you need an ExpressCard for?
So?
And the MacBook comes with two USB ports, as well.
I was mostly comparing the high-end white MacBook but to each his own I guess too.
it's funny all this talk about the aluminum and such. Does it remind anyone else besides me of the black bush skit on chappelle show? Motha f***a bought some aluminum tubes. ALUMINUM!!! Do I need to remind you wtf you could do with an aluminum tube?
Hilarious stuff. Sometimes I think Steve Jobs is really an alien and also invented the playstation (not the Japanese).
And btw Skit, Skit, Skit!!!
You could always get an external display if you need more space
....
That I agree on but I already have it on my aluminium iMac.
....
Just what do you need an ExpressCard for?
....
So?
Oh my, you have much to learn about MacBook Pro, and the people that need/use them. Consult google, I can but hope it absolves your ignorance
Imho
When the iphone 3G and the app store were first announced, I predicted the biggest part of the iphone 3G would be the app store, not the 3G (although 3G is a huge improvement).
Here's my next prediction preceeded by my conclusion.
Lower gross margins and shifting technology is stated; growing popularity and excellent all around OS, hardware and customer service. Predictions of revised ipods and revised laptops. Huge push of current ipod touch inventory (free or cheap with Mac purchase). !!!!!Apple's batteries, screens, chips, etc. are no better than anyone else's!!!!!
I refer you to (May 5, 2008):
http://www.forbes.com/2008/05/26/apple-solar-portable-markets-equity-cx_mlm_0526markets14.html
IMHO, as soon as Apple had a working prototype they filed the patent.
Here is the gravy--> ipod touch, iphone, and all laptops could run on sunlight or indoor light. The batteries would only be used for dark times; i.e., at night on a plane. Who else can run 15 to 20 hours a day or better. Add to this, any competitor who wants to compete will have to pay Apple money for the right to use the patented technology.
Can you say "iphone Solar" or "itouch solar", or how about MacAir Solar.
All I can say is Ch-Ching!!!
When the iphone 3G and the app store were first announced, I predicted the biggest part of the iphone 3G would be the app store, not the 3G (although 3G is a huge improvement).
Here's my next prediction preceeded by my conclusion.
Lower gross margins and shifting technology is stated; growing popularity and excellent all around OS, hardware and customer service. Predictions of revised ipods and revised laptops. Huge push of current ipod touch inventory (free or cheap with Mac purchase). !!!!!Apple's batteries, screens, chips, etc. are no better than anyone else's!!!!!
I refer you to (May 5, 2008):
http://www.forbes.com/2008/05/26/apple-solar-portable-markets-equity-cx_mlm_0526markets14.html
IMHO, as soon as Apple had a working prototype they filed the patent.
Here is the gravy--> ipod touch, iphone, and all laptops could run on sunlight or indoor light. The batteries would only be used for dark times; i.e., at night on a plane. Who else can run 15 to 20 hours a day or better. Add to this, any competitor who wants to compete will have to pay Apple money for the right to use the patented technology.
Can you say "iphone Solar" or "itouch solar", or how about MacAir Solar.
All I can say is Ch-Ching!!!
Bingo. That explains why there won't be a light-up Apple logo anymore. The logo might just be a PV cell.
Yes, they still fold in half, and have a screen and keyboard. This is pretty much essential for them to be classed as notebooks - there's not really that much room for change in that regard.
They're different sizes, have a different thickness. Their screens are entirely different shapes. Open or shut, they have different characteristics if you're paying attention, down to the latches and hinges. Stuff like Magsafe and iSight (or a lack thereof) are dead giveaways. You would have to have really bad eyesight to not be able to distinguish one from the other,
This apparently can't be conveyed through words, so I've done a photo hunt which should hopefully put this all to rest. Pay better attention to product design, guys.
All I know is when I come home. I sit down and grab the first aluminum metal apple laptop I see on the table. Damned be me ...if I don't grab my wife's 15 inch powerbook when I meant to grab my 15" macbook pro.
All I meant was that they look similar. I wasn't commenting on the macbooks or ibooks. I was referring to someones posting of the macbook pro and powerbook. When they are closed and I am not "anal" enough to inspect the thickness and look for an eye sight, I just look at the laptop and pick it up, they are similar. Wasn't the powerbook something like 1.2 inches thick and the macbook pro is like 1" thick. They're very similar if they are together. Thats all I meant.
NOTE TO APPLE- UPDATE THE MACBOOK PRO. Worth waiting for?
I am trying to buy a Macbook but after reading all of these postings do you think that I should just wait and see if they come out with a newer model? I do not want to buy one to only find out that there is a newer model being released next month or so! Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
I am trying to buy a Macbook but after reading all of these postings do you think that I should just wait and see if they come out with a newer model? I do not want to buy one to only find out that there is a newer model being released next month or so! Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Different ballparks. They might be comparable in price, but you can only fold one of them in half and use it on a plane. There's clearly a convenience/portability/weight : performance premium in operation there. Same with iMac vs MacBook, iMac beats it out in specification, but it's not portable.
Technically- you can fold both in half and take on a plane....
There's clearly a convenience/portability/weight : performance premium in operation there. Same with iMac vs MacBook, iMac beats it out in specification, but it's not portable.Technically- you can fold both in half and take on a plane....
it's funny all this talk about the aluminum and such. Does it remind anyone else besides me of the black bush skit on chappelle show? Motha f***a bought some aluminum tubes. ALUMINUM!!! Do I need to remind you wtf you could do with an aluminum tube?
Yellow cake!
I am trying to buy a Macbook but after reading all of these postings do you think that I should just wait and see if they come out with a newer model? I do not want to buy one to only find out that there is a newer model being released next month or so! Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
I think most people in your situation (including myself) are planning to wait. Unless you really need a MacBook now, you should probably do the same.