I think the new machines are beautifully designed and certainly of a much higher build quality than the previous ones. Having said that, I think Apple made a REALLY bad decision not to offer a matte display option. that's what kills it for me and that's what makes it less of a 'pro' machine in my mind. The keyboard keys I find to be really comfortable if you keep a light touch.
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Lets unite to bring back a decent MBP
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Maybe it's just me but I like my new MBP, while I will agree that the MB needs firewire. I'm happy with the MBP, I'm one of those that likes the chiclet keyboard, yeah it would have been cool aluminum colored but eh, it works. Glossy screen doesn't bother me, but it if did I'd just get a sheet of anti-glare material.
Thank you. Since when does appearance make the difference between pro and consumer machines? Also, if you think the MB and the MBP look identical I suggest you're not looking hard enough.
It's what's under the hood that counts. Let's face it, design changes aside these are the fastest and most capable Apple notebooks to date. Why do we want Apple to go backwards?
Well the appearance of a professional machine is important to those who actually use the machines for working with business clients. Do you think anyone would appreciate a lawyer showing up for court in a clown suit and take them seriously? It wouldn't matter how good an attorney he was people's first impression would be what the think.
As for under the hood, well that another aspect of this new Frankenstein that makes it less desirable. Yes there are a few minor improvements with the cpu and GPU but their performance increases over the previous models are negligible at best. This is of course aside from the 8600 GOU defects on the earlier model. However replacing the firewire, bluetooth, etc chipsets with cheaper cost ones with less device compatibility is certainly not moving forward over the previous model.
Anyway, everyone has their opinions, just as I do so thats cool, but I for one will lay money this Frankenstein release will disappear quickly. So if you like it then get them while their hot.
I completely agree.
I used a powerbook for a long time, and I can tell you that my new 15.4 MBP is far superior in every way. Build quality and all.
Stop bitching about the 'matte' option.
My old Powerbook had a matte screen, and it was good. And although the new glass display can have some glare at the lower brightness levels, when you crank this baby to full brightness it looks beautiful.
Firewire 400? Who cares. Get an adapter. Most things are usb 2.0 if anything these days.
The reason they can make this thing so damn small and light is the convenience of these new ports that Apple has created (i.e. mini display port)
And I'm not going to lie - I personally love the new design.
I think it's pretty funny how everyone is bashing the new MBP. Just before this revision people were screaming to see a redesign. And you got one. Yes, it does not have a matte screen, but if it did, it would look a lot worse with the new glass display.
And it IS a pro machine. And is it capable of 8gb of RAM. And it is capable of using both graphic cards simultaneously. It is a big step from last years model with all the yelowing of the screens, and failed GPU's. (Hopefully nothing like that will happen like that to the new machines) *crosses fingers*
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And it IS a pro machine. And is it capable of 8gb of RAM. And it is capable of using both graphic cards simultaneously. It is a big step from last years model with all the yelowing of the screens, and failed GPU's. (Hopefully nothing like that will happen like that to the new machines) *crosses fingers*
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Yeah, because that's an analogous comparison. A clown suit is certainly comparable to a MacBook Pro. As someone who does both photography and videography I can tell you right now, the new Pro looks just fine for impressing clients. As long as what you're showing them is quality, it doesn't matter. What is there about the Pro that would turn them off? Is it the red nose, really?
I was trying to come up with a real good way to express, but you said exactly what I was thinking. The new MBP looks like a terrifying machine and does not represent a professional look. For people at high level, this notbook looks like a stupid toy.
And yet, neither of you have given a reason why you think it looks so garish. Everyone I've bumped into has drooled over mine. I've heard the words "beautiful" and "gorgeous" tossed around a lot. Nobody has said anything about it looking unprofessional.
I think it's pretty funny how everyone is bashing the new MBP. Just before this revision people were screaming to see a redesign. And you got one. Yes, it does not have a matte screen, but if it did, it would look a lot worse with the new glass display.
And it IS a pro machine. And is it capable of 8gb of RAM. And it is capable of using both graphic cards simultaneously. It is a big step from last years model with all the yelowing of the screens, and failed GPU's. (Hopefully nothing like that will happen like that to the new machines) *crosses fingers*
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You might want to read this thread https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/573906/ over on the 8gb ram, cause it looks like nobody was successful getting it to work so far. As for the big step, well thats a subjective opinion, I see it as a big step back.
Look I hope you don't get the wrong idea in reference to my post, I am not trying to steal anyone's happiness if they happen to somehow like the looks of this thing. I however and what appears to be a large majority on the boards and the net, feel it is not only ugly but very unprofessional looking. The best way to describe it would be the clown suit because it has a stereotypical appearance of a kids machine. Something you can equate to the slew of dime a dozen cheap PCs found at BB, Costco, CC, etc. The usage of cheap black plastic keys along with the gigantic black bezel and black hinge area certainly look to most like a teenagers dream. Or better yet I use the term Frankenstein because when you look at the machine it is blatantly obvious that the sum of its parts are from multiple design sources to save $ and just do not flow together as if someone scrounged together spare parts and threw them together. I suppose you could interchange the Frankenstein description with MacGyver model if it makes someone feel better. Just look at the ridiculous screen bezel (macbook) Look at the cheap looking back plastic keys (macbook air) Look at the two tone color scheme (HP or Dell or Asus or Toshiba or e-machines etc)
Anyway, if someone truly finds this appealing and they are happy then I really am happy for them but those who do can't expect the majority to agree. What I am seeing is most people so far think it is awful. Even at the Apple store which was crowded, I heard many people look a them while I was there and heard most saying things like "what were they thinking?" "Oh wow did they butcher that" and "look they got rid of the Pro and are only making Macbooks now" but my very favorite was "That looks just like my son's Dell now" So it isn't just a few people saying these things. If you don't believe it then I suggest go to an Apple store and spend some time around the MBP area and just listen to the majority of comments you will hear.
This is so dumb. Why dont you go to Ford and complain that the V6 mustang has the same body as the GT mustang? It's still superior inside to the macbook. People spring the extra money for the power of the pro, and you still get it, nothing has changed
I honestly own both the new macbook pro and older macbook pro, and I have to say that although it's nice... there is nothing professional about it, they have sacrificed most ports that are necessary to most professionals out there, and yes I consider having to buy and fiddle with adapters as "sacrificing". Pro's just want things to work, maintenance should be almost unnecessary. I feel like apple's current line is simply a throw back to those black accented keyboards and crap they tried to pass as pro mice and keyboards a while ago. I feel like such a contrast between colors on a pro machine, such as the black keys or frame around the screen, make things visually distracting, and certainly will cause problems for people who rely on their mac for precise visual editing. Just too much pop if you ask me. The good old aluminum was sexy, felt well put together, and just had a sense of coordination. I mean, everything just went together smoothly and there was nothing on the machine to distract you. It was also very original in the sense that, how many portable machines do you know of that are made of anodized aluminum. It just felt expensive, exotic, complete and most of all professional. The new machine is great, but it reminds me of a sony vaio. Yeah, so the apple quality is there, but I am telling you it's not the same. Lets face it, the macbook and macbook pro is not about being a consumer or a professional anymore... it's more of less like purchasing a mustang, or a mustang gt. One has better gas mileage, not by much,... one has a larger engine and insurance is more expensive. Both are made of the exact same metal, exact same interior components and both are together aimed at the same consumer. Now everyone wants the gt, but sometimes we have to sacrifice. Lets just hope apple trumps these new macbook pro and makes the Mustang Cobra of laptops... one that is truly an enthusiasts laptop, with the superior build quality, upgraded components, more bang for the buck, better design as far as looks go, and all the ports bells and whistles you'd expect such a machine to have.
Now he's got the idea. We don't want the GT, we want the Cobra, the shelby of mac laptops. Something that will throw the pro's back into their seats!
I've been to the Apple Store twice in the last two weeks. The first was last Thursday when I went to replace my aging PowerBook and the second was when I went back to pick up my drivers license that I'd left behind earlier.
I didn't hear anything like what you're describing, and I always toy around at the tables when I go (I'm usually very busy, so a trip to any store is a treat).
I know some people on the net are talking about how much they dislike the new Pro, but it's not as overwhelming as you are making it out to be. There is always a vocal minority that riles against change.
I will concede, that the minority cannot expect the majority to agree, nor can the majority expect the minority to agree. Every man is entitled to his own opinion, and this is certainly a case where any statement is strictly subjective. Under no circumstance would I argue otherwise, but that doesn't change the fact that my professional experience with this machine has been very different from the doom and gloom that you and your cohorts espouse.
EDIT: And I just realized it's only been in the last week, not two weeks.
I havnt bought the new macbook pros yet but I think it looks alot better than the previous mbp. The build quality is far superior and especially the screen looked much brighter and more contrast with white whites instead of yellow/purplish tint led screens on the older mbp.
Not to mention the new trackpad is much larger and my fingers glide easily on the glass trackpad as well. And the invisible clicker is ingenious!
I do however miss the matte screens... but I wasnt bothered at all by the glossiness of the screens especially in the well lit apple store.
Not to mention the new trackpad is much larger and my fingers glide easily on the glass trackpad as well. And the invisible clicker is ingenious!
I do however miss the matte screens... but I wasnt bothered at all by the glossiness of the screens especially in the well lit apple store.
Is the main circuit board/chipset different on the two models?
Sure, there are a few additional features on the high-end version, but you have to admit the family line is the same. They look the same, same colors, shape, screen, keyboard, construction, materials, CPUs, and basic graphics GPU. They're both geared to consumers, clearly.
Glitz/shiny is not a professional requirement, nor was the new keyboard, which was a cost savings and happens to be somehow in favor with many in the consumer market - which works out for Apple. Perhaps they can get away with saving money and construction costs while having the iPod consumers think all the nice new changes are truly important things. Just make the Macbook a huge iPod. Next, they might just change the OS interface to resemble an iPod - with music and video (iTunes) and a browser becoming the new OS. Turn it on... you have your Frontrow automatically on. It looks glitzy and shiny on a shiny screen, is easy enough to understand for most dummies, deals with consumer things (digital pics, music, videos, web browsing) while looking really, really cool.
Would it upset you if Apple just dropped the "Pro" part of the Macbook name? And why? Is the badge important, or is it the philosophy that matters?
Just something to think about...
Most people on these forums as well as on others only post when they have something to complain about. Think about it. How many people post messages on forums just to say that they got what they expected?
I don't know about your experiences, but most of the people I know that have seen the new MBP think it looks better than the previous gen MBP. Also, I don't quite understand why black on silver looks unprofessional. With the glossy screen and the chiclet keys, maybe I can see where you're coming from but overall, it doesn't look much less professional than the previous gen MBP.
I'm going to get flamed for this, but I think that much of this hostility against the new MBP originates from those who feel the need to convince themselves that their Penryn MBP is not yet "outdated." Yes, I understand that the new one doesn't have the same "pro" functionality as the previous one but the pros don't even seem to be the ones complaining the loudest.
Lastly, to the OP, there's nothing that you can do short of trying to convince everyone to not buy the current gen MBP in order to get Apple to give in to your demands. According to them, they did some research/polls and concluded that the majority of their customers prefer the new features that they've now integrated into the MBP. You could call BS, but I went to the Fifth Avenue store in Manhattan last weekend, and let me tell you, the checkout lines were packed. It looks like the majority of consumers interested in Mac portables do not care about these "problems" since they are trivial to the majority of people with money to blow on Apple notebooks.
You ran out and bought a laptop and then got it home and decided it "looks" cheap? Jesus.