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Macbook is Gone
- Thread starter jacobo007
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Well, I have mixed feelings about this--but only just. My first Mac was a white Macbook, but I grew dissatisfied with it after the initial excitement (including buyers remorse every time I saw an aluminum model in the wild), and ultimately sold it and bought a MBP after only five months (truth be told, I probably would have preferred an 11" MBA if they had been available at the time I bought the white MB). It was my first, but...
That said, this seemed inevitable--the iPad was the first shot across the bow and the MBA refresh last October (complete with a cheaper entry level model and an ominous "next generation of MacBooks" tagline) was the beginning of the end. Apple clearly believes that the iPad is a more appropriate "everyman" computer for seniors or mainstream casual users, with the Air for students and more demanding consumers, and the Pro for content creators and developers. The white Macbook was too reminiscent of Apple's product line at the beginning of the last decade (e.g. iBook, iMac G4, iPod classic) and too redundant with the $999 Air. This is a company that places a priority on aesthetic commonality and simplified product lines.
That said, this seemed inevitable--the iPad was the first shot across the bow and the MBA refresh last October (complete with a cheaper entry level model and an ominous "next generation of MacBooks" tagline) was the beginning of the end. Apple clearly believes that the iPad is a more appropriate "everyman" computer for seniors or mainstream casual users, with the Air for students and more demanding consumers, and the Pro for content creators and developers. The white Macbook was too reminiscent of Apple's product line at the beginning of the last decade (e.g. iBook, iMac G4, iPod classic) and too redundant with the $999 Air. This is a company that places a priority on aesthetic commonality and simplified product lines.
I think the only problem with this is that Apple no longer sells a computer that can serve as anyone's main computer for under $1000. I had a white Macbook that was my only computer through college and it was perfect. Of course, when I was shopping for a replacement for it I went with a 13" Macbook Pro because I realized for $150 more (education discount) it was a better buy...but $1000 is an important psychological barrier. I'm not sure if I would have ended up with a Mac back then if my choices were to spend over $1000 or to have an 11" screen.
And yes, the mini is an option, but the only monitor Apple sells is $1000 all by itself and it doesn't come with a keyboard or mouse.
And yes, the mini is an option, but the only monitor Apple sells is $1000 all by itself and it doesn't come with a keyboard or mouse.
It's a shame. Can't imagine Apple without a white laptop now. Ever since the clamshell iBook debuted in 1999, they've always had a fun looking laptop. But it would have to be $700 or less to be competitive now. And maybe that's just not cost-effective for Apple.
But the last MB might become a classic keep its resale value like the black MB and the 12" Powerbook. So if the refurb is a good price, it would be worth getting.
But the last MB might become a classic keep its resale value like the black MB and the 12" Powerbook. So if the refurb is a good price, it would be worth getting.
I just noticed this myself on the apple site and did a double take. I really think the MB had a real place for those that wanted a Mac but didn't need all the bells and whistles and had a limited budget - like seniors who want their first computer or first mac.
It had a real place for some people and now I suspect those with a limited budget considering the move to Mac may just pass. A 11" just doesn't cut it for us older folks with poor eyes.
The basic MB for $899 or even $799 would help those on the fence with standard needs convert to Mac or get their first computer - NO more
I really agree with you on that. I'm in grad school and many grad and undergrad students likes Macbooks because it fit into their budgets and they didn't want to get PC's.
The MacBook went to somewhere better...
I'm happy for it. MacBook Air has always sucked.
Was speaking to Apple telesales earlier (for info about employer discounts) mentioned I was thinking of getting my old Macbook updated, but now the option for me has gone. Whilst I like the MBA, for £849 I'd like a laptop I can easily upgrade the memory and HDD on. The next option for me is the MBP 13" but to be honest the glass screen makes it unusable.
Wow- don't know what I'm going to do for a laptop in the future. Aluminum is worthless to me as it's not durable enough to take what I dish out. I've dropped my black MB about 10 times and it's fine. Won't be able to say that about an aluminum MBP.
Agreed.
Apple will find out soon enough that this was a BAAAAAAAAAAAAAD decision.
Try the Moshi iVisor Pro for the 13. It isn't as good as a matte screen, but does help and is much easier to install than the "film" options.
Agreed completely.I just noticed this myself on the apple site and did a double take. I really think the MB had a real place for those that wanted a Mac but didn't need all the bells and whistles and had a limited budget - like seniors who want their first computer or first mac.
It had a real place for some people and now I suspect those with a limited budget considering the move to Mac may just pass. A 11" just doesn't cut it for us older folks with poor eyes.
The basic MB for $899 or even $799 would help those on the fence with standard needs convert to Mac or get their first computer - NO more
While a part of me thinks back to the introduction of the iPod Nano which replaced the very popular iPod Mini, I really think the low end MBA is not a suitable replacement for the entry level Macbook.
They've essentially replaced their low-end notebook with a mid-tier netbook.
The REAL successor to the Macbook should be the low-end MBP 13", but that one's more expensive.
I don't know... I don't think the a first-time Mac buyer will want to give up a disc drive, screen size, and a lot of hard drive space for less weight and bulk.
Apple doesn't have a proper replacement for the white macbook. I like many, now we got a punny air (what were they thinking 2gb of ram? seriously apple?) and an glare book pro. Let's hope mine lasts long
i am worried apple is becoming so elitist
they need a 800 dollar 13 inch macbook (metal or plastic, the cheaper of the two) to attract more new users
they could use a sandy bridge i5 with 4 gb ram and 320 gb hhd and help grow the number of macs.
you would think a company would try to grow and have more products for different users but it seems like apple is playing hard to get
they need a 800 dollar 13 inch macbook (metal or plastic, the cheaper of the two) to attract more new users
they could use a sandy bridge i5 with 4 gb ram and 320 gb hhd and help grow the number of macs.
you would think a company would try to grow and have more products for different users but it seems like apple is playing hard to get
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Wow- don't know what I'm going to do for a laptop in the future. Aluminum is worthless to me as it's not durable enough to take what I dish out. I've dropped my black MB about 10 times and it's fine. Won't be able to say that about an aluminum MBP.
Yeah I love my blackjack and my nephew loves the one I gave him. They can really take a joke, both machines still look great and we don't abuse them but we sure don't baby them. Earlier in the year, I promised mine to someone else in my family "for a little later on" and now I feel like pawning off my horrible mpb13 on them instead. I guess I could love the mbp13 if the wireless drop issue disappeared. But that black macbook has been fabulous, only machine I have liked better was the 12"G4 and the blackjack actually got me past that.
Not sure where the machine is to make me let go of the blackjack! I know it's not that mpb13. I'd like to put that through the window over the wireless thing. If Lion fixes that, I'll be relieved and maybe able to make friends with the machine but I'm not holding my breath. Every time I think mbp13 I think ETHERNET CABLE and other unprintable things.
So now I'm thinking to get the white macbook refurb for a leisure machine - optical drive handy for watching DVDs since I cannot stream video here, and wireless that "just works" (hopefully better than the mbp13) for surfing around. The 2GB RAM and 250GB drive that are standard on the white macbook make it more than good enough for my purpose.
It just seems wrong. I'm surprised. So many people love the plastic MacBooks for obvious reasons- durability and price. Why discontinue one of your best sellers? It makes no sense.
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i still have my black book
Yep, me too- and it's not going anywhere, anytime soon.
i thought about selling the thing so many times, but now is a reason more than ever to keep it.
before mine died, the 12 inch powerbook was the baddest m*therf*cker ever made by apple.
if they just upgraded the internals, it would still be king.
luxury keyboard
matte screen, almost edge to edge compared to today's apple products
compact size, even smaller footprint than the Air i think
just add backlit keys and upgrade the internals, and they can have my money forever
if they just upgraded the internals, it would still be king.
luxury keyboard
matte screen, almost edge to edge compared to today's apple products
compact size, even smaller footprint than the Air i think
just add backlit keys and upgrade the internals, and they can have my money forever