Is the new Macbook the 13" MBP killer?

[tibi08]

would actually be nice to have a part I can accidentally touch while opening and closing the screen without leaving fingerprints for my OCDness to clean up later lol..

Agree it's personal preference - it's a balance between practicality and aesthetics - arguably you are closer to the practicality end of the scale than others...

As a umbp owner I find that this thread was a bait... and too many people jumped on it, I feel like people are fearful of their descision to buy a 13 inch MBP is less justified with the new MB. Maybe it is. Maybe it isn't. I'm glad that apple made a bunch of improvments on the new MB, and I see no reason to crap on it. We each bought our notebooks for our own reasons and uses.

Agree completely - personally I haven't bought yet, but if I could buy right now i'd still get the MBP.

 

[Richard1028]

Having had two MBs, I'll never buy plastic as long as there's an option.

Understandable.

But I noticed on the new MB's they got rid of those two protruding plastic strips on the lid - designed to keep the display from setting flush onto the palm rest. These IMO caused a lot of cracking issues... especially for the "lid-slammers" out there. Even my carefully closed macbook shows some indentations where these strips rub on the palm rest.

This was a design changed that needed to be done.

 

[GeekGirl*]

Sadly, I'm not sure many people will get that....



Vant speaks the truth...

IMHO I had the 13 MBP and the 15" MBP the 13" is just a MB, I find both a ugly laptop with the black and alum. that why I am going for the white.

 

[9822737]

The MBP 13":

• Has the aluminum unibody
• Is smaller in every dimension and lighter
• Supports up to twice the RAM
• Has a FW800 port
• Has a backlit keyboard
• Has a SD card slot

http://www.apple.com/mac/whichmacbook/compare.html

To me, this justifies the extra money, I think just the Aluminium case justifies it! But the SD card slot and FireWire is also a must have for me.

 

[J&JPolangin]

Lots of rev A products today that looked nice, but I'll wait for rev B before deciding...

 

[lumpi]

Oh no doubt that aluminum is better at conducting heat. The one large problem I always had was apple not using it to their advantage. None of the heat sinks or hot components have a direct connection to the aluminum case itself. If it did, the CPU could never really heat up much more than the case temp. All the heat we feel is from components -> air (an even better insulator than plastic) -> Aluminum. If you ever want to see what does that to heat conduction, try lifting your heat sink off your cpu and leaving a mm of space while running (actually don't the chip will fry). Given that the macbook is plastic, (and more insulative in that fact) Heat could be an issue, unless apple made some design improvments to move hot air out more efficiently, or improved the heat tolerances of the parts, or they said screw it, they're gonna buy new ones anyways. It will be interesting to see which they picked.

Hmmm. It seems so obvious that I doubt they hadn't tried that. My guess is that whoever tested the first prototype linking the case directly to the processor was rushed to the hospital with 3rd degree burns...

I find the aluminium to get pretty hot (almost hurting when touching at the wrong spots) already. In fact, I would gladly trade a few GHz here and there for a cooler design.

 

[9822737]

Hahaha it's funny reading some of the ridiculous comments on here trying to defend the MacBook pro. How many people use FireWire these days? And just exactly how many people do you know that isn't an apple geek who puts 8 gig of ram in a 13" laptop?
It's hardly anyone and the new MacBook beats the MacBook pro on value and a lot of people and students will see it that way too which is what apple are no doubt hoping for.
The screens are the same, the CPU is pretty good and I only know a few people with plastic MacBooks but none have had any cracking issues. Not to mention the graphics are also the same as is the chipset.

No idea what Market the 13" mbp is aimed at now because if your a pro then you would no doubt opt for at least a 15" machine?

I could not disagree more with this post, I think the new MacBook is a great machine but I would still not choose one over the Pro.

For me the Aluminium body (looks amazing and feels sturdy), the SD card slot (convenience over a cable), FireWire port (which I do use, to import video AND backup), the 8GB RAM limit, and even the backlit keyboard are all massive selling points for me.

Each to their own, this is just my opinion.

AnDy

 

[copykris]

blahblahblah*snip*

AnDy | MacBook Pro 13" 10.6

there

feel better about your 'puter now?

 

[mikes70mustang]

There would be nothing stopping a user from putting an SSD into a Macbook themselves. While it's not an order option like it is for the MBP, it would be pretty foolish to pay the Apple price for things like RAM or a SSD anyways.

I also agree with others about the supported RAM argument. I can't think of any usage for 8GB of RAM on a 13 inch machine, other then the bragging rights factor. It's simply overkill. Maybe in 3-4 years it would be useful, but at that point the processor and integrated video would be just as great as a hinderance.

I max out 4 gb of ram easily. With in less than an hour doing a lit. review. Just having a few pdfs open and a few browser tabs with endnote running.

 

[str1f3]

So let's all rename the white Macbook a Macbook Pro too.

Well, you're starting to see the differences between the MB and 13" MBP if you're reading the headlines on MacRumors. I wouldn't consider the MB a professional machine because, frankly, it looks like a computer for kids and it lacks the luxuries that exists in the MBP

If the main difference you're citing is the graphics card, few "professionals" actually use it. You would only be considering essentially graphic designers. Professional movie editors would be using a Mac Pro and photographer can more than get by with a 13" MBP.

 

[hexonxonx]

Its $999 and does everything a 13" MBP does with the exception of firewire. But do you really use firewire that often?

I use firewire on my 13"MBP because not only is it faster than USB, it also frees up the two USB slots so I can connect my iPhone and connect my broadband card as well when I travel.

Also, a lighted keyboard makes a huge difference in certain situations. Try using one sometime and you will see how much of a convenience it really is. Both of these are the biggest reasons I bought my 13" MBP last month. Plus it has a 320GB HD.

 

[vant]

Oh no doubt that aluminum is better at conducting heat. The one large problem I always had was apple not using it to their advantage. None of the heat sinks or hot components have a direct connection to the aluminum case itself. If it did, the CPU could never really heat up much more than the case temp. All the heat we feel is from components -> air (an even better insulator than plastic) -> Aluminum. If you ever want to see what does that to heat conduction, try lifting your heat sink off your cpu and leaving a mm of space while running (actually don't the chip will fry). Given that the macbook is plastic, (and more insulative in that fact) Heat could be an issue, unless apple made some design improvments to move hot air out more efficiently, or improved the heat tolerances of the parts, or they said screw it, they're gonna buy new ones anyways. It will be interesting to see which they picked.

Um, not a good idea as static electricity from the user could damage components.

 

[II Tipsy II]

I will be entering college next fall, and I was debating on whether or not I wanted to get a 13" MB or a MBP. I think that the MB is great for a student that likes the Mac interface, and just wants to have a Mac because it is a Mac. But I personally think that the MBP is for me because I love the aluminium unibody, and the lighted keyboard. The SD card slot and firewire is also a plus for me because I will be using an external harddrive. I have decided to wait until January 2010 to see what new upgrades Apple will add to the MBP line. Hopefully they drop the 2.26 model and use the 2.53 as the base model and increase the hdd size.

I think that this debate is a personal preference, and you can't really say which one is better than the other because it is all up to the intended user.

 

[cababah]

I think the new MB is a good computer; it just looks a little cheap (due to the plastic construction) to me compared to the other MBP line.

Anyone know how the LCD in this one measures up to the improved ones in the 13" MBPs? That would be a huge factor in upgrading considering that the viewing angles on those old ones were terrible.

 

[mikes70mustang]

I think the new MB is a good computer; it just looks a little cheap (due to the plastic construction) to me compared to the other MBP line.

Anyone know how the LCD in this one measures up to the improved ones in the 13" MBPs? That would be a huge factor in upgrading considering that the viewing angles on those old ones were terrible.

No one thought they were terrible until the new ones came out

 

[NC MacGuy]

No one thought they were terrible until the new ones came out

Not entirely true. I know I wasn't the only one involved in a few lengthy threads when the uMB was first released and a bunch of owners were pretty disgusted in the display quality thinking it was similar to the MBA's given Apples hype.

I wasn't the only one who returned one because of the display issue alone.

 

[puffnstuff]

:sighs: Why do people compare a recent updated product to something that was updated months ago?

Soon the new MBP comes out it will be better than the MB. October new MB comes out it will be better than the MBP so a cycle continues.

As it stands now I am more than willing to pay the extra $200 because it's lighter,smaller, has an SD slot and is more durable.

I'm holding on to my crackbook though because I am waiting for the new 13" MBP. I am hoping can drop the weight some more.

 

[prodigee]

I really don't understand why every time a new product comes out we have to compare it with something that is older than the newest. I would say that the MBP 13" still wins for well the reasons everyone else has mentioned that and the new MB doesn't have the ability to use the Apple Remote.

 

[patrixl]

the new MB doesn't have the ability to use the Apple Remote.

Is this confirmed, or is still based on the fact one can't add an Apple remote when ordering it online? This could just be a bug in the Apple Store..

Until it's confirmed though either by Apple or by actually testing it on a live unit, can we know for sure?


Patrix.

 

[vant]

Is this confirmed, or is still based on the fact one can't add an Apple remote when ordering it online? This could just be a bug in the Apple Store..

Until it's confirmed though either by Apple or by actually testing it on a live unit, can we know for sure?


Patrix.

You cannot use an Apple Remote with the new MBs.

That is definitely confirmed.

 

[NC MacGuy]

Is this confirmed, or is still based on the fact one can't add an Apple remote when ordering it online? This could just be a bug in the Apple Store..

Until it's confirmed though either by Apple or by actually testing it on a live unit, can we know for sure?


Patrix.

Go to the front page and click on iFixit link. No IR 100% confirmed.

 

[GGJstudios]

Is this confirmed.

MacBook (13-inch, Late 2009) - User Guide - Index:

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MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2009) - User Guide - Index:

​

 

[Stetrain]

such fun to see how some apparently feel a pressing need to come to this thread to justify their recent MBP acquisition

OH YEAH WELL AT LEAST WE HAVE AN SD CARD SLOT!

ahah

you guys...

Fun to see how people buy the computer that they want or need, and don't appreciate it when people find fault with that.

If you are going to start throwing out the fit-and-finish features as unnecessary, then throw out the glass trackpad, the polycarbonate unibody, the built-in battery, OSX, and Apple support and get a Dell.

There are people who need/want the stronger and lighter aluminum body, the backlit keyboard, and firewire port (LOTS of people for this one) and the SD card slot. There are people who want the configuration options to get a very high performance machine in a small and light package. Those people will probably buy a 13" MBP, just like people bought the 12" Powerbook and the Macbook Air, even though there were lower cost machines that didn't fit their needs as well.

 

[waynechriss]

I bought my white macbook over the summer and initially this news kinda peed me off considering the slimmer design and larger hard drive storage of the october refresh. I'm planning to sell my macbook not for the new one, but for the MB Pro 13. You know why? I had my macbook for only a couple of months but i can see that thing cracking in less than a year. I'm always bringing it with me on transit and to school and that thing is not durable. I've had to wrap it in bubble wrap when putting it in my backpack in case it cracks. I love macs but the plastic is simply not strong, it creaks everywhere. Plus the thing gets dirty fast.

I LOVE the aluminum unibody design of the macbook pro. It feels like a $1200 machine. I tested it out my brother's mb pro 13 and i love it. Its lighter, sturdy and i favor the glass edge to edge display compared to the one of the macbook.

I know i'm talking pure asthetics but that is enough to warrent a purchase over the white macbook.

 

[NC MacGuy]

I bought my white macbook over the summer and initially this news kinda peed me off considering the slimmer design and larger hard drive storage of the october refresh. I'm planning to sell my macbook not for the new one, but for the MB Pro 13. You know why? I had my macbook for only a couple of months but i can see that thing cracking in less than a year. I'm always bringing it with me on transit and to school and that thing is not durable. I've had to wrap it in bubble wrap when putting it in my backpack in case it cracks. I love macs but the plastic is simply not strong, it creaks everywhere. Plus the thing gets dirty fast.

I LOVE the aluminum unibody design of the macbook pro. It feels like a $1200 machine. I tested it out my brother's mb pro 13 and i love it. Its lighter, sturdy and i favor the glass edge to edge display compared to the one of the macbook.

I know i'm talking pure asthetics but that is enough to warrent a purchase over the white macbook.

I think the unibody plastic should, in theory, alleviate a lot of the cracking and case issues the previous gen. MB's had. Hope so anyway...