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MacBook and MacBook Pro Unpacking, Disassembly and First Impressions
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Dell vs new MB
I have an appt to check out the MacBook first thing in the morning (PST). My debate is between the MacBook and a Dell E6400 (14"). The pricepoint on the mac has gone up so that I show the following...
MB 2.0 GHz - $1827
MB 2.4 GHz - $2127
Dell E6400 - $1625 (approx)
The MBs include Fusion and the adaptor to DVI.
The Dell is a 2.4 GHz processor, a P8600 chip with the same FSB as the Apple.
All 3 include an upgrade to 4GB of RAM (the MB from apple and the Dell from Crucial...by far cheaper on the Dell and VERY similar to crucial on the MB)
All 3 include 3 years of warranty coverage.
The Dell includes a 250 GB 7200 RPM HD, not an option on the MBs.
The Dell includes a dock and antivirus software.
So, for a lot more money I could get a cool trackpad, a cool case, OSX, and what else?
For less money I can get faster hardware but a system that isn't as trendy, and likely not as solidly built.
Boy do I have some thinkin' to do!!!
I have an appt to check out the MacBook first thing in the morning (PST). My debate is between the MacBook and a Dell E6400 (14"). The pricepoint on the mac has gone up so that I show the following...
MB 2.0 GHz - $1827
MB 2.4 GHz - $2127
Dell E6400 - $1625 (approx)
The MBs include Fusion and the adaptor to DVI.
The Dell is a 2.4 GHz processor, a P8600 chip with the same FSB as the Apple.
All 3 include an upgrade to 4GB of RAM (the MB from apple and the Dell from Crucial...by far cheaper on the Dell and VERY similar to crucial on the MB)
All 3 include 3 years of warranty coverage.
The Dell includes a 250 GB 7200 RPM HD, not an option on the MBs.
The Dell includes a dock and antivirus software.
So, for a lot more money I could get a cool trackpad, a cool case, OSX, and what else?
For less money I can get faster hardware but a system that isn't as trendy, and likely not as solidly built.
Boy do I have some thinkin' to do!!!
i'm one of those who were desperate to upgrade to a new mbp with nice 17" screen. i thought i would pass over glossy screen and i did, but 15" size only? come on! i don't have any intention whatsoever to buy cinema lcd or any other type/manufacturers lcd cause 17" has been just perfect for me so far... sadly my hardware's slowly gettin obsolete, so i was extremely disappointed yesterday during the presentation... everytime gizmodo's site refreshed i would scroll back and couldn't believe my eyes.
i mean, ok, the difference is not THAT big between 15" and 17", but hey i'm one of those who don't mind carrying bigger laptop.
i'm even thinking of switching to dell which was until yesterday unthinkable...
i mean, ok, the difference is not THAT big between 15" and 17", but hey i'm one of those who don't mind carrying bigger laptop.
i'm even thinking of switching to dell which was until yesterday unthinkable...
People should stop trying to convince glossy haters that these screens are any good.
Yes Apple cares, the question is about what. Obviously they don't care that a large group of users prefer matte so they decided not to offer that. Obviously they didn't care about that many users use firewire periphirals. Don't you think that it is odd to sell a machine (without firewire) with iMovie preinstalled? have a look in the "iMovie'08 getting started"-documentation (http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/iMovie_08_Getting_Started.pdf)
"What You Need
To complete all the parts of this tutorial, you need the following:
Digital video on one of the devices listed in the table on page 7, or video stored on your computer’s hard disk or an external hard disk connected to your computer with a FireWire cable.
At least several gigabytes (GB) of storage space available on your computer’s hard
disk or on an external hard disk connected by a FireWire cable. (The amount you’ll
need depends on the video file format you’re using. Check the instructions for
importing video from your recording device for more detail.) "
Is that "caring"? Well, I rest my case.
Every company cares about money, but isn't apple having conflicts with the licensing and use of blu-ray? Of course sony can have it on half of their products. Blu-ray is sony's technology they can do as they will. Imagine allowing them to put it in standard on the macbook. I would guess on a 500 dollar increase in price across the line, at minimum. I dont really thinking that by adding a blu-ray drive would affects itunes movie sales. All previous models could play standard dvds and itunes was still selling movies. I'm not even sure if the macbooks and pros can display 1080p. Does anyone know?
C
champ01
Guest
don't buy these new laptops let apple build what we asked for
apple will make new ones which will be in stores in less than 2 months
so think first buy an older model and let apple feel this punishment and let down on loyal customers
apple will make new ones which will be in stores in less than 2 months
so think first buy an older model and let apple feel this punishment and let down on loyal customers
So they'll stick with glass, that's fine. There are methods to make glass matte, you know that don't you? That was even done with the old CRT's. So if it's doable and have been doable for decades then why don't Apple offer that as an option? Well because they don't care.
I'm with you, this is a huge advancement for Apple and their portable lineup.
Not at all, I'm very impressed! They certainly are a better stab at a small notebook computer than AIR.
Frankly all the whiners complaining about the glossy screen really have nothing to support their opinions until they have seen the screens and used them in person. Are they ideal, I doubt it but lets be honest there is no perfect LCD screen for notebooks.
My biggest problem is that I purchased my MBP early this year so I simply can't go out and purchase one of these new. I wouldn't mind having one though. There is a lot of innovation in these machines from the case, to the track pad, to the GPU, the new 'Books are certainly state of the art. The move forward is impressive and frankly a MacBook now would likely be acceptable as a replacement for my MBP.
When it comes right down to it the machines are balanced, innovative and likely to sell like hot cakes. Apple will likely need to have a few more CNC
built to keep up with demand. These machines won't be like AIR, Apple is likely to see a long ramp as word about these 'Books gets out. In other words sales are likely to increase steadily as opposed to tanking.
Dave
PS
I was really down on the AIR (as can be seen in older articles) but this debut has left me feeling just the opposite. This is one hot lineup.
D
Not at all, I'm very impressed! They certainly are a better stab at a small notebook computer than AIR.
Frankly all the whiners complaining about the glossy screen really have nothing to support their opinions until they have seen the screens and used them in person. Are they ideal, I doubt it but lets be honest there is no perfect LCD screen for notebooks.
My biggest problem is that I purchased my MBP early this year so I simply can't go out and purchase one of these new. I wouldn't mind having one though. There is a lot of innovation in these machines from the case, to the track pad, to the GPU, the new 'Books are certainly state of the art. The move forward is impressive and frankly a MacBook now would likely be acceptable as a replacement for my MBP.
When it comes right down to it the machines are balanced, innovative and likely to sell like hot cakes. Apple will likely need to have a few more CNC
built to keep up with demand. These machines won't be like AIR, Apple is likely to see a long ramp as word about these 'Books gets out. In other words sales are likely to increase steadily as opposed to tanking.
Dave
PS
I was really down on the AIR (as can be seen in older articles) but this debut has left me feeling just the opposite. This is one hot lineup.
D
ALL OF THAT DOESN'T MATTER BECAUSE THE OG ENTRY LEVEL MB HAS A FASTER PROCESSOR THAN THE ENTRY LEVEL NEW ONE!!!
how is this progress?
Progress because there's now a separate GPU.
You're not standing alone.
My girlfriend and I are both acquiring the new notebooks.
She will go for the MacBook (second config) with an extra 2GB ram to replace her outdated iBook. She'll use the new laptop alongside her iMac 24" for school purposes. She's in her third year graphic design. She doesn't mind the glossy at all. She's used to it because of her iMac. She doesn't get all the hatred out there towards these screens.
I'll go for the MacBook Pro (second config) with the hdd upgraded to 7200 rpm 320GB. I'll use this device mainly for music making and digital dj'ing with my Torq Xponent system by M-Audio. And also to play the upcoming game titles: Starcraft 2 and Diablo 3.
I'm glad that they offer a more decent gpu in the mbp so that it gets nicer for the casual gamers. That's a big plus to me! And I think I'm not standing alone on this matter. Right now on my WinXP desktop pc I'm using an old 7800GTX (256mb ram). How does the 9600M GT 512MB compare to that desktop card? Does anyone know? What can I expect?
PS: The only thing I dislike is that there is no cable: mini display port -> hdmi. Now I need to buy the mini display port -> dvi and a seperate dvi -> hdmi to connect to my samsung lcd tv *and* I will need a seperate audio cable connected to my stereo receiver. It would've been nice if display port could be directly connected to hdmi and carry both the audio and video signal into one. Much more convenient. Maybe they'll provide such a cable in the near future?!
On The Macbook???
There is no separate GPU on the Mac Book. In fact Apple effectively reduced major chip counts by two. The GPU is integrated into the bridge connecting everything else.
The difference here is that the integrated GPU is of very high performance. Relatively anyways. Take a look at Apple web site. They clearly explain all about the advancements here.
Dave
There is no separate GPU on the Mac Book. In fact Apple effectively reduced major chip counts by two. The GPU is integrated into the bridge connecting everything else.
The difference here is that the integrated GPU is of very high performance. Relatively anyways. Take a look at Apple web site. They clearly explain all about the advancements here.
Dave
Stop comparing macs to PCs. You pay a premium for a well designed piece of machinery that runs one of the best unix variants out there. If you don't care for either then Macs are not for you.
don't buy these new laptops let apple build what we asked for
apple will make new ones which will be in stores in less than 2 months
so think first buy an older model and let apple feel this punishment and let down on loyal customers
On what planet do you live? There is no laptop manufacturer in the world that takes design advice from their customer base. In addition it takes many months to design a product such as the MBP in the current shape.
There is only a small fraction of customers complaining about the design. These laptops will be lapped up by the larger consumer base, and Apple will see an increase in sold laptops by next year. Even if a few decide not to buy because apple hurt their feelings.
The backlit keyboard is something you don't know how much you need until after you use it. It's very very useful and i really wish i still had one
Unless there is something amazingly special about the performance of the new MBP's, I can see myself getting a refurb older matte model.
So I'm pretty pissed at Apple for not including a backlit keyboard, but it's really not that big a deal at all. This is my first Mac and I'm getting the $1299 version. For me, it's all about not getting caught up in negativity and checking to see when prices drop and comparing and complaining. Obviously there are going to be little disadvantages to not buying the more expensive model. They want you to pony up and get the version that's $400 more. Forget that. I'm going to be happy with my new Macbook for the next several years
Yeah, I almost thought about that too. Not just for working at night (so I don't have to turn on the lights) but also in seminars at uni.The backlit keyboard is something you don't know how much you need until after you use it. It's very very useful and i really wish i still had one
I think I will spend the extra money on that. Besides, I can always use some extra performance. Though it's a shame it costs at least 300 Dollar more.
For one thing they reduced the resolution of the 15.4" models to only 1440x900 which is less than my work laptops at the same size and half the price. I don't see anything remotely 'Pro' about that.
is it glossy forever?
i'm ready to buy an MBP after a year of waiting, and my powerbook has a matte screen so i have no experience with glossy.
tell me, what am i in for sitting outside the starbucks (yeah, i know) with a glossy screen??? will they really be glossy hear [sic] on out??? if so, i might feel better about buying now.
i'm ready to buy an MBP after a year of waiting, and my powerbook has a matte screen so i have no experience with glossy.
tell me, what am i in for sitting outside the starbucks (yeah, i know) with a glossy screen??? will they really be glossy hear [sic] on out??? if so, i might feel better about buying now.