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MacBook and MacBook Pro: Penryn, Battery Life, Updates Sooner than Later?

this is last minor revision before the major update on MBP.
I wish I can wait for the major update, but I need one now.
I hope they delay the major update as long as possible,
like we had to wait too long for this minor update,
so that I can enjoy current laptop as much as I can. :)
 
Opinion: Just bought an upgraded MBP today

I was looking to buy a new laptop and I settled on getting a new MBP. I did my research and decided to wait until these updates. So I agonized like everyone else and checked macrumors.com daily to see when Apple would finally update the Pros. I have been using an old Dell laptop so anything is a huge upgrade for me. So when I saw that the new MBPs came out today I went to my local Apple Store and picked up the $1999 15". I've never owned a Mac before and I am not really experienced with using MacOS. Here is my opinion of my new Macbook Pro coming from an unbiased newbie Mac user.

This thing is extremely fast and smooth. I'm very familiar with the "spinning beach ball of death" as I called it along with all my friends as we had to use hideously slow ibooks in high school. Well I have yet to see that damn ball and everything has been extremely snappy. By fault, I admit I am a pretty anal person when it comes to new things, so I was disappointed to have a dead pixel (yes just one, and fortunately its near the top of the screen so its not a big deal) But, I would rather not have a dead pixel if given the choice ;). I would of liked for the update to have had a magnetic latch because mine seems to be a little on the loose side when my MBP is closed. This is not a large gripe but something I noted to myself. Also, I am not a big fan of the keyboard, which I hoped they would of updated. I am usually pretty fluid when typing on my old Dell. I find myself having trouble typing without having to stop and fix a mistake on the MBP. Keep in mind I've had this thing less than a day so maybe I'll getting better at it. What I really want to note is the amazing battery life that this thing has. I admittedly know nothing about Macs so I looked a Mac beginners guide which advised me to calibrate my battery right away. Little did I know how difficult this would be. It was difficult because my dang MBP doesn't want to run out of battery power!!! I kid you not on it's first full battery the thing lasted 5 hours plus with constant use and me finally having to watch a DVD to try and drain the thing. It's sleeping soundly now as I type this out on my sluggish Dell. The battery life is a huge plus for me as I am going to need my MBP for school and note taking, its going to be convenient to have so much battery life with one recharge. Those are my feelings on my new MBP. I know that many of you were unhappy with the update but for me it was the perfect time to buy a new laptop and I'm very happy I went with the MBP when I did.
 
What's with the Apple Remote? It's a very handy little device, and Front Row serves little purpose without it...

What can I say... I'm happy with my Merom MacBook, other than the fact that I'm on my fourth hard drive... *sigh*

*knocks*
 
Rhythmac.com

http://www.rhythmac.com/history/macbook
http://www.rhythmac.com/history/imac
http://www.rhythmac.com/history/macbookpro

This is a good site to watch for apple's release trends. It charts them as a grid so you can see the yearly cycles.

Looking at this I'd say that this is the last MB/MBP update until the fall, before the holiday buying season (Oct, Nov), and after the back to school sales. The iMac will probably be updated in the next month or so and then again in the fall around that same time.

If you look at the shortest cycle length, they're about 5 months. So there's not really enough room for two short cycles before the holiday shopping season. Two of their shortest cycles (like if they came out with new laptops in July) would mean getting the next revision out in December, which is too late for the holidays.

That's just some speculation based on historical data, and given the current macro-economic outlook...

(I was hoping for a multi-touch, aluminum, LED screen MB, and maybe the option for a matte screen (why not while I'm dreaming?), but I guess I'm out of luck for now. I don't think I want to wait until this fall, but my PBG4 is hanging in there...)
 
I've been waiting for the environmental upgrades

I confess that I don't get geeked out over incremental spec issues any more, but I've been waiting months for the environmentally-friendly upgrades. I'm very excited by the more eco-friendly MBPs, but must confess that the lack of keyboard upgrade has me back waffling between an MBA or MBP. The eyes like the larger screen; the fingers liked the newer keyboard and trackpad; the shoulders like the lighter weight; the geek likes the built-in RW-DVD and speed. Decisions, decisions.
:rolleyes:
 
niemo810 said:
What's with the Apple Remote? It's a very handy little device, and Front Row serves little purpose without it...

What can I say... I'm happy with my Merom MacBook, other than the fact that I'm on my fourth hard drive... *sigh*

*knocks*
Click to expand...
Hard drive might last longer if you stopped knocking on it...

Does the Remote drive Keynote too? That's the best reason I can think of to carry it with a laptop.
 
TheSpecialist said:
Interesting that Apple is changing so much, even more appealing to me is that they did at least 1 thing every tuesday...!!!:eek:

Also, the new MBP doesn't have the Apple logo on the command key anymore, it now says command or cmd.
Click to expand...

I have a Santa Rosa (late Merom) MacBook, and I don't have the :apple: symbol either. I'm a Mac veteran so I don't need it, but I can see how come people have grown to rely on it...
 
Comparing options

Here is a spreadsheet I made comparing various options (as a comma delimited text file). It might be useful for anyone who might be shopping around. It compares MB/MBP, Refurb/New, (with EDU pricing on the New), and a 4GB Ram upgrade option.

If I were buying today, I might be tempted to just get the low-end MB and put 4gb of ram in it. (A superdrive would be nice, but I can live without it.) It's a tough call between the refurb MBP and the new one.

:)
 

Attachments

  • MacbookCompare.txt
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gkarris said:
The 4-6 month "PC" cycle is a bit dizzying...

Do I buy, do I wait, do I buy, do I wait...

I bought - 2 months later - oh shoot, a new one's out....
...
Click to expand...

Dizzying, yes, but that should help you buy a computer with more confidence. As a former Windows user, new hardware from different manufacturers seemingly are released weekly so you can more than likely find the perfect computer to fit your needs. With Mac, updates occur maybe twice a year, I find this completely messes with my mind. Some of you still using the older powerbooks probably haven't upgraded because your still waiting for the perfect laptop from Apple. While OS X is far more superior than Windows, I think there are many comparable hardware options on the PC side of the world that could match up to the MacBook Pros if they had OS X running on them.

I'm headed to my local Apple store first thing in the morning to by the new MacBook Pro. I know this gal will last me well beyond the complete overhaul that will come maybe within the next 2 years.
 
nikiski said:
Thanks, but that picture looks like a 17-inch'er to me.

I checked with my friend whom has taken his 2.4GHz MacBook Pro 15" (Mid-2007) apart and has confirmed that it has 3 wires. A different card may be? :)
Click to expand...

Hmm... doubt the 15 and 17" models have different cards... but then again, don't they also have slightly different superdrives?
 
apple101 said:
If anybody knows this site it tells when they update all apple products.
if you google know when to buy a mac this website comes up saying when the product is going to be updated. And yes, the iMac is on that list.
the only thing I can't provide the link because I'm on my iPod touch and it does not have copy and paste, yet.
Click to expand...
To be fair, when Apple unveiled the current iMacs, they'd been due for an upgrade for well beyond the average product cycle. That list is a better guide for an average of when each product is due for a revamp rather than telling you when it's actually going to happen.
akadmon said:
I like your Mini theory. My money is on the Mini, though the iMac can't be far behind. And in case some of you iMac lovers get overly excited, I'm giving you a heads up: no touch screen iMacs until 2012 :D
Click to expand...
When have they done anything for the Mini that didn't appear to be an afterthought after doing it to the iMac? You'll see them upgraded together or the iMac first, from everything I've seen. It's the bigger seller and the bigger priority in their book.

I don't know what's up with people dreaming of touch screen iMacs. It's not practical and it'd be expensive as heck. Touch screens will be more effective in smaller devices like the MBA so they can be carried around like a tablet. And I say this as an art guy who's all about the screen interface. :p I'd much rather see a decent tablet screen come out instead of a touch screen iMac. Accuracy over "Ooo, touchy!" :D
 
CommodityFetish said:
http://www.rhythmac.com/history/macbook
http://www.rhythmac.com/history/imac
http://www.rhythmac.com/history/macbookpro

Looking at this I'd say that this is the last MB/MBP update until the fall, before the holiday buying season (Oct, Nov), and after the back to school sales.

If you look at the shortest cycle length, they're about 5 months. So there's not really enough room for two short cycles before the holiday shopping season. Two of their shortest cycles (like if they came out with new laptops in July) would mean getting the next revision out in December, which is too late for the holidays.

That's just some speculation based on historical data, and given the current macro-economic outlook...
Click to expand...

I agree. I would also like to add that i believe the next update will be a major one, not just a bump in specs. Im talkin exterior changes, specifically to the macbook (at least Im hoping so as i plan to get one for college).

let me explain my wishful thinking...

the ibook was introduced in 1999 and saw a major exterior change in 2001. Late 2003 saw another pretty radical change in appearance. Early 2006 ushered in the macbook. So basically there was a change about every 2 years. well its 2008 now, 2 years after the introduction of the macbook. Since its introduction we have seen 5 revisions, but no serious change in appearance.

needless to say i am really hoping for a major revision the next time we see the macbook go under the knife. that would justify the insane amount of time i have spent waiting to buy (insert criticism of this decision here);)
 
cthomet said:
I agree. I would also like to add that i believe the next update will be a major one, not just a bump in specs. Im talkin exterior changes, specifically to the macbook (at least Im hoping so as i plan to get one for college).
Click to expand...

I completely agree that the next revision will be from the bottom-up. While the current models are beautiful, it is time for a design refresh.
 
rdp322 said:
I just purchased a new MacBook Pro 2.2GHz with 160 MB HD for $1,799 at the local Apple Store 10 days ago. This was a "must buy" situation since I gave my G4 to my mother when her G3 Pismo started falling apart. Now I am wondering if upgrading to the new model would be worth the $180 restocking fee.
Click to expand...

Wow, that is rough knowing that the new ones were around the corner since Intel announced these chips in Jan. But then again, you have a unique situation in helping your mom...thats pretty cool. A Pismo? We used to have a Pismo...have a g4 667 we are waiting to replace.

Anyway, if you can return it, I probably would...you would have to do the caluclations and see if the 180 is worth it. After all the low end is 2.4mhz which is faster and cheaper than the old low end.

It may be worth it, if it comes out to be the same price, I would switch it over.

Different track pad on the mac pros, faster processor (or dead even with the low ones), supposedly better batter life...despite the new way apple finds the battery average etc.

take care and peace

- dalen
 
2 Things:

1. I was very mad to find that the Apple store on 5th Ave. NYC did not have any new Macbook Pros. Quite disappointing.

2. I know there has been a lot of criticism on the mbp. but you have to realize that technology advances so fast that the model you buy will eventually get redone and I think no matter what there will always be people mad that they didnt wait. I too would have loved to have seen some of the noted upgrades, but i know that the next upgrade will prolly be about 7 months away maybe longer. so i will just buy now.
 
skwoytek said:
I'm more worried about the next refresh of MBPs.

My ADC discount expires in September. So do I buy the latest MBP fresh on release, today? Or, do I hold out until September for one more refresh, with the possibility of time running out and then using my discount to buy a six-month old MBP.
Click to expand...
I am on a similar boat, my subscription ends in oct, I plan to wait though, montevina is due mid 2008 so I hope apple will get the updated mbp soon after since its around time of back to school promos. Thats my educated guess...
 
steinah6 said:
Wait, when was a slim-profile, slot-loading Blu-Ray drive announced/introduced? I was not aware there were any in production (Apple does not manufacture these parts...)

Edit: I shoulda googled it.

http://store.fastmac.com/product_info.php?cPath=10_2_52&products_id=195

$899 for the option, probably close to $1200 in the MBP if Apple built it in. I suppose you would like an 128GB SSD with that? $5k MBP?
Click to expand...

The Panasonic slot-loading laptop drive has been available for almost two years now. Keep in mind that OEM prices are significantly less. They could probably offer it as a $500 BTO option.
 
PK0408830 said:
2 Things:

1. I was very mad to find that the Apple store on 5th Ave. NYC did not have any new Macbook Pros. Quite disappointing.
Click to expand...

Did you ask them when they were getting them or are they sold out? I assumed stores received them today judging by other threads in this forum that I read. I guess I better call before I make the 40 minute drive to my Apple store!
 
Hi all, thanks for this article and comments, I think I'm finally ready to buy!

Just wanted to ask if anyone could tell me the difference in the performance of a 200GB Serial ATA @ 7200 rpm Hard drive compared to the 250GB Serial ATA @ 5400 rpm?

I would like to have a storage capacity of 250GB, but will the 7200 rpm be a lot faster performance wise compared to 5400 rpm, or is the speed more down to the memory?

Would appreciate any advice.
 
MacSKY said:
Did you ask them when they were getting them or are they sold out? I assumed stores received them today judging by other threads in this forum that I read. I guess I better call before I make the 40 minute drive to my Apple store!
Click to expand...

from what i heard the other apple stores in the City have them but the 5th ave. one hasnt even had them yet. Kind of odd but I am assuming many other apple store have them. good luck though and hope you love the mbp..i cant wait to get mine
 
What exactly does montevina do? Does it mean we have to wait another 6 months to get .1ghz speed bump?
 
NoRights said:
To be fair, when Apple unveiled the current iMacs, they'd been due for an upgrade for well beyond the average product cycle. That list is a better guide for an average of when each product is due for a revamp rather than telling you when it's actually going to happen.When have they done anything for the Mini that didn't appear to be an afterthought after doing it to the iMac? You'll see them upgraded together or the iMac first, from everything I've seen. It's the bigger seller and the bigger priority in their book.

I don't know what's up with people dreaming of touch screen iMacs. It's not practical and it'd be expensive as heck. Touch screens will be more effective in smaller devices like the MBA so they can be carried around like a tablet. And I say this as an art guy who's all about the screen interface. :p I'd much rather see a decent tablet screen come out instead of a touch screen iMac. Accuracy over "Ooo, touchy!" :D
Click to expand...


Yeah, I'm into graphic designing as well... plus I wouldn't want finger streaks all over my screen when I'm modeling.
 
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