MacBook, MacBook Pro and Ultra-Portable Updates

[boobooq88]

Well... just registered.... but have been reading all the forums and stuff for about a month now. but anyway... here are my thoughts (granted I've never own a mac but will by the end of June... update or not)

As far as ultra portable... I have no idea. I really concerned about the MBP. I don't really understand how people are saying the next MBPs won't include the LED displays. especially after this article. It says 15.4 inch LED displays (only MBP uses 15.4) and 100,000 of them to be shipped in May. I seriously doubt Apple is going to make 100,000 prototype laptops

And... as far as I can tell... if a company is going to put out new and great tech at an affordable price it IS going to be Apple.

also.... for those that say that there won't be an update until Leopard.... remember that leopard was supposed to be released in this spring. So I don't believe they'll do anything like that. and the reason that leopard was delayed was for the iPhone software. not the hardware. they already had the hardware figured out... so the iPhone will most likely not cause an issue with a hardware update.

Anyway... just my 2 cents.

What I'm hoping for:
MBP santa rosa 2.2ghz w/ Turbocache
2 gig RAM
160 gig HD (if its 120 ill be ok but I'll select 160 anyway)
ATI HD X2X00 or Nvidia GeForce Go 8X00
15.4" LED Display (1440x900 is fine for me but higher is always welcome)
3 USB ports (2 is just not enough... )
firewire 400 & 800 (of course)
better battery (could happen... so why not hope )

as base model... at 2 Gs (will it happen?... who knows... but we can hope)

sounds fairly reasonable... to me at least

I don't know what they can do to the enclosure... if they were going to redo it... but we will see

 

[theappleguy]

Wow, I'm shocked more people aren't excited by the news of updated Macbook Pros! I seriously don't understand why so many people aren't strong enough to pick up even a teeny tiny 13" notebook, and want something even smaller...

Imagine you are a university student. You leave the house at seven in the morning, catch a bus, walk up a big hill to university, then have to cross from one side of the campus to the other, carry it between classes/tutorials, also have to carry other books, stop off at the gym on the way home which you finally reach at six at night. That's quite a long time to be carrying something heavy, although I would rather see the weight decrease than the actual screen size.

 

[dcv]

A "ULTRA PORTABLE" laptop without an optical drive just isnt complete for everyday use.

There has to be some sort of at least 'optional' optical drive available for this notebook, but it's really not a necessity for everyday use. And an ultra-portable notebook would probably be an additional/secondary computer for most people, unless the specs really *are* great, but then the price tag would be pretty high. As most people here have already said, they don't use the optical drive on a daily basis.

Since we're "voting" i should add i'd want an optical drive in my computer: If i go on a trip and have to decide, ok, to watch a dvd on the flight, do i take my ultraportable and an external optical drive, or my 1" or 2" or 3" larger MB or MBP that self-contains everything i can anticipate needing on the trip, I'm going for the all-in-one.

You could load the DVDs onto your machine before you go. Or download something from the iTMS or whatever... with the increasing number of on-demand/streaming media sites and download stores plus DVD-ripping software I think this is a non-issue.

I seriously don't understand why so many people aren't strong enough to pick up even a teeny tiny 13" notebook, and want something even smaller...

Because 13" isn't teeny-tiny. I still have a 12" PowerBook and don't see the 13" MacBook as a replacement for various reasons, one being the size. I have a very compact notebook bag for my PowerBook, tried to fit a MacBook into it and it wouldn't go. If I'm just going away for the weekend, on a trip somewhere or just out for a coffee or something I don't want to carry a huge laptop bag or backpack with me. I'd prefer to buy just a slightly larger sized handbag. I found one recently that my PowerBook would fit into but a 10" or 11" sub-notebook would be even better. I'm not talking about a computer for everyday use but a computer for travelling etc. Something to use in conjunction with your digital camera to upload your photos when you're on holiday. A way of keeping in touch via email/iChat/Skype etc when you're on the move. It doesn't need to have the fastest processor, best GPU etc for Photoshop or video editing. It doesn't need an internal optical drive for burning CDs/DVDs or whatever. If Apple made a pared down true sub-notebook (10"/11") I'd buy one in a flash and probably also get a 15" MacBook Pro for more general use.

I think everyone's missing the point of the term "portable" here and getting too tied up in wanting the latest and greatest specs.

 

[splintah]

macbook with santa rosa !
thats what i am waiting for
get rid of that gma950 graphics finally

x3000 is really good for an onboard solution

then wait till the modbook makers finally get that new version ready
and there i am buying a santa rosa modbook

 

[Wolfpup]

Imagine you are a university student. You leave the house at seven in the morning, catch a bus, walk up a big hill to university, then have to cross from one side of the campus to the other, carry it between classes/tutorials, also have to carry other books, stop off at the gym on the way home which you finally reach at six at night. That's quite a long time to be carrying something heavy, although I would rather see the weight decrease than the actual screen size.

Okay, I suppose that makes sense.

 

[ezekielrage_99]

Why are those "Next Tuesday" rumors coming to mind...

Like I said about the iPhone I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[unexploded]

I'm counting on a Tuesday release...

It'd be funny if they say, "Announcing the new MacBook Pro. Shipping in October with Leopard!"

Grr.

Actually that wouldn't be funny at all. I think I'd cry!

Personally I could do with an optical drive. I honestly can't see how people could get along without one. Especially wanting to watch DVD's and installing applications. Popping a CD into a drive is far more easier than downloading or ripping a DVD to your hard drive. Most of the music on my iPod, for example, is from my own CD collection. So without the CD drive it's going to either encourage more sales from iTunes or encourage more illegal downloading. The latter, more so I think. And I think Apple will put the average PC consumer off from converting to a Mac because of the lack of CD drive.

How would it be ultraportable if you have to carry around some external drive? I can see Apple charging a ridiculous amount for an external drive that'll match your nice new sleek MBP or MB.

I could do with an extra Firewire 400 port too. That won't happen though.

 

[Eraserhead]

In all seriousness why wouldn't a 12" laptop that was really really light do? I mean then it'd be the same size as a pad of A4 paper, I'm not sure on what the fuss is about having a smaller laptop. My Macbook as it is small enough as it is to use on the bus.

Though loosing the CD drive sounds fine, I can count the number of times I've used mine on one hand, I would like to get 6-8 hours battery life though.

EDIT: I do see dcv's point, but I don't use a handbag

 

[miniConvert]

Because 13" isn't teeny-tiny. I still have a 12" PowerBook and don't see the 13" MacBook as a replacement for various reasons, one being the size. I have a very compact notebook bag for my PowerBook, tried to fit a MacBook into it and it wouldn't go. If I'm just going away for the weekend, on a trip somewhere or just out for a coffee or something I don't want to carry a huge laptop bag or backpack with me. I'd prefer to buy just a slightly larger sized handbag. I found one recently that my PowerBook would fit into but a 10" or 11" sub-notebook would be even better. I'm not talking about a computer for everyday use but a computer for travelling etc. Something to use in conjunction with your digital camera to upload your photos when you're on holiday. A way of keeping in touch via email/iChat/Skype etc when you're on the move. It doesn't need to have the fastest processor, best GPU etc for Photoshop or video editing. It doesn't need an internal optical drive for burning CDs/DVDs or whatever. If Apple made a pared down true sub-notebook (10"/11") I'd buy one in a flash and probably also get a 15" MacBook Pro for more general use.

I think everyone's missing the point of the term "portable" here and getting too tied up in wanting the latest and greatest specs.

You're absolutely right, of course

I have one of those tiny little T2XP's from Sony to take out and about with me. Somehow it does actually have an integrated CD drive, but I can honestly say I have very rarely used it. Perhaps Apple could supply the OS on a bootable Flash memory key, so we don't even need to buy an external CD drive if we don't want to? Either that or they just bundle the external in with the package - an ultraportable user isn't going to be fussed about leaving it at home in order to save space.

A 13" ultraportable is, well, a bit big really. However, if Apple do make it thin and light enough it could be a real winner. The current MacBook has a rather large border around the screen, and is quite chunky. That's fine, it's a powerful laptop. But if Apple were to utilise LV or ULV Intel processors and LED backlighting of the display, while ditching the CD drive and, possibly, reducing the number of ports, then we could end up with something very slim indeed.

I think if they really did to a job on a total ultraportable then, like you, I'd also get a 15" for when some power is required. To anyone who is finding it hard to appreciate the benefits of a true ultraportable, when was the last time you had a laptop that you took everywhere? Alright, so I don't have a handbag, but I can drop the tiny T2XP in my little case, or in my slim Prada backpack, and have it with me without even knowing it.

An Apple ultraportable wont be their biggest selling laptop. But it'll likely attract a premium for small size, as do all ultraportables, and be very profitable. Not to mention sexy as hell

 

[isgoed]

I agree with the idea of an external drive being included.

I was thinking of completely omitting the optical drive for the ultra-portable. By 2008 you will just stream HD movies from iTMS directly. However it seems that in some situations you will require an optical drive. Maybe they can incorporate the optical drive in an external monitor or at least make it possible to place it below the screen. A docking station could also be used below a monitor and that will look neater than having a separate station on the desk that looks like a severed apparatus.

 

[aLoC]

Maybe your desktop machine can share it's optical drive, through the network.

 

[dcv]

How would it be ultraportable if you have to carry around some external drive? I can see Apple charging a ridiculous amount for an external drive that'll match your nice new sleek MBP or MB.

*tears hair out!*

Because it's ULTRA-portable. It'd be designed for travelling light. You wouldn't need to carry the external drive around with you.

Yes, you need some sort of optical drive to restore from original OS X disks or to import your CD collection to iTunes or whatever but these are not all-day everyday tasks. If you purchase a new CD one day, surely you can wait til you get home in the evening to import it onto your computer? And if you're the sort of person who imports/burns CDs all day long everyday then no, an ultra-portable computer probably isn't for you.

(btw when I say 'you' I'm not having a personal dig; I just still think some people are missing the point of the 'ultra-portable' market!)

I could do with an extra Firewire 400 port too. That won't happen though.

Again... why would you need extra ports on an ultra-portable notebook? It's not gonna be a desktop replacement where you'd plug external monitor/keyboard/mouse/hard drives/EyeTV/etc into it!


For me an ultra-portable computer would be something like this:

- Thin & lightweight (under 2kg)
- Latest or as close to latest chipset but doesn't have to match the same speed as the top of the range Pro machines
- 1GB RAM as standard but could be upgraded to 2GB, don't think you need any more than that for a 'travel' machine
- 10" to 12" screen with as high a resolution as is possible. Any more than 12" is portable but not ultra-portable IMHO and <10" doesn't make for a very easy to use keyboard. Screen should be easy to read outdoors.
- Built in iSight for keeping in touch with people when travelling
- Decent Airport reception like the iBook/MacBook, not like the PowerBook/MacBook Pro
- Good battery life and a smaller power brick
- Integrated GPU like the MacBooks would be fine; it doesn't need anything fancy as someone who does heavy-duty Photoshopping or video editing etc won't be the target customer for an ultra-portable machine.
- USB 2 and/or FW400 port just for connecting a backup drive - or if it's possible have one of those Port Replicator things as an optional extra (I had one of those with my very old Sony Vaio)


I bought a 12" PowerBook for its portability but very rarely take it outside the house because for me it's still just that little bit too big/heavy (I mean I need an extra bag to carry it in), which is a hassle, plus the Airport reception on it is pretty crap. I've been longing for something a little smaller/thinner with better wifi and battery life for so long now! One of these plus a MacBook Pro would be my ideal setup.

*dreams*

 

[Draythor]

Being as everyone else is giving their two cents, I'd like to donate mine...
First off, a slimmer form factor on a macbook, would be wonderful! Currently I'm using a Samsung P30, it's ancient to say the least, and weighs a fair bit!
At first when I read, "without an optical drive" I thought that it would be totally useless, which it would be if it dosen't come with an external drive!
But if we're all honest, if Apple dosen't provide one, an alternate source will. I use my opical drive alot, burning, ripping, Playing DVD's etc ( for a full list see Technologic by Daft Punk )
As long as it dosen't cost too much more than the current models and shares similar features to the current MacBook models (save the optical drive) then I'd love it! I'm not into hardcore editing/gaming on a laptop so...there's my two cents!

 

[siurpeeman]

Being as everyone else is giving their two cents, I'd like to donate mine...
First off, a slimmer form factor on a macbook, would be wonderful! Currently I'm using a Samsung P30, it's ancient to say the least, and weighs a fair bit!
At first when I read, "without an optical drive" I thought that it would be totally useless, which it would be if it dosen't come with an external drive!
But if we're all honest, if Apple dosen't provide one, an alternate source will. I use my opical drive alot, burning, ripping, Playing DVD's etc ( for a full list see Technologic by Daft Punk )
As long as it dosen't cost too much more than the current models and shares similar features to the current MacBook models (save the optical drive) then I'd love it! I'm not into hardcore editing/gaming on a laptop so...there's my two cents!

i don't see how apple could neglect to include an external drive. how would one reinstall mac os x if needed?

 

[immaculate]

portablity, portability, portability

There has to be some sort of at least 'optional' optical drive available for this notebook, but it's really not a necessity for everyday use. And an ultra-portable notebook would probably be an additional/secondary computer for most people, unless the specs really *are* great, but then the price tag would be pretty high. As most people here have already said, they don't use the optical drive on a daily basis.



You could load the DVDs onto your machine before you go. Or download something from the iTMS or whatever... with the increasing number of on-demand/streaming media sites and download stores plus DVD-ripping software I think this is a non-issue.


Because 13" isn't teeny-tiny. I still have a 12" PowerBook and don't see the 13" MacBook as a replacement for various reasons, one being the size. I have a very compact notebook bag for my PowerBook, tried to fit a MacBook into it and it wouldn't go. If I'm just going away for the weekend, on a trip somewhere or just out for a coffee or something I don't want to carry a huge laptop bag or backpack with me. I'd prefer to buy just a slightly larger sized handbag. I found one recently that my PowerBook would fit into but a 10" or 11" sub-notebook would be even better. I'm not talking about a computer for everyday use but a computer for travelling etc. Something to use in conjunction with your digital camera to upload your photos when you're on holiday. A way of keeping in touch via email/iChat/Skype etc when you're on the move. It doesn't need to have the fastest processor, best GPU etc for Photoshop or video editing. It doesn't need an internal optical drive for burning CDs/DVDs or whatever. If Apple made a pared down true sub-notebook (10"/11") I'd buy one in a flash and probably also get a 15" MacBook Pro for more general use.

I think everyone's missing the point of the term "portable" here and getting too tied up in wanting the latest and greatest specs.

Absolutely agree. And perhaps reinforce your point that some people may be thinking of this ultra-light as their sole machine, one that's meant to do everything, all the time.

I think people who want and need portability want and need exactly that: portability. I do lots of travelling to make academic presentations, which often require me to run Quicktime movie clips, sound clips, biggish Keynotes/PowerPoints with embedded media etc. I get sent some of this stuff on DVDs to play at the presentation. Do I need a drive to play it in? No - I copy it all to my venerable 12" iBook and run it from hard drive. But the iBook isn't that light when you've been lugging it around all day (using public transport).

I also do a lot of digital photography. Again, if I could have an ultralight to transfer my film rolls to, and preview them in situ... and an 12" screen would be just fine. (I'm not talking about doing Aperture/Lightroom work on the photos. Have to confess I went with Lightroom...)

So, personally, if I could have an ultralight that saved on weight and gained on portability by axing that optical drive, I'd go out and buy it this afternoon.

 

[wnurse]

No, sorry. If you think you need a CD drive on an ultra-portable, you are not the target market for an ultra-portable.

As many others have said here, optical media is all but obsolete for many of us. Install from the network, load on a flash drive, or if absolutely necessary connect an external optical drive.



There I can agree with you. I think my 12" Powerbook is perfect for my needs, and my wife loves her 12" iBook. It will be a tough decision for me at replacement time if there's not something smaller than the 15" with a better keyboard than the MacBook.

How do you burn a music cd without an optical drive or play a DVD?. I presume ultra portable means you can walk with it (espicially in locations that do not have wi-fi). What's the point of a computer that is only usefull if broadband access is available?. What a waste of money.

 

[50548]

I will buy the 13" ultra-portable the moment it is released...I waiting for it...GO APPLE!

 

[wnurse]

Absolutely agree. And perhaps reinforce your point that some people may be thinking of this ultra-light as their sole machine, one that's meant to do everything, all the time.

I think people who want and need portability want and need exactly that: portability. I do lots of travelling to make academic presentations, which often require me to run Quicktime movie clips, sound clips, biggish Keynotes/PowerPoints with embedded media etc. I get sent some of this stuff on DVDs to play at the presentation. Do I need a drive to play it in? No - I copy it all to my venerable 12" iBook and run it from hard drive. But the iBook isn't that light when you've been lugging it around all day (using public transport).

I also do a lot of digital photography. Again, if I could have an ultralight to transfer my film rolls to, and preview them in situ... and an 12" screen would be just fine. (I'm not talking about doing Aperture/Lightroom work on the photos. Have to confess I went with Lightroom...)

So, personally, if I could have an ultralight that saved on weight and gained on portability by axing that optical drive, I'd go out and buy it this afternoon.

Aah yes, copying a dvd to my hard drive, cause i have nothing better to do with my time (unless you have a star trek computer, this takes a lot of time). imagine, everytime you want to watch a dvd, you copy to hard drive (i presume you may have to for some dvd's unless you have a super big hard drive that can hold all your dvd content or you only have a few dvd's). Apple is so smart, they will release a machine that only satifies a few people like you.. why bother manufacturing for the masses when like 5 people are interested in burning dvd's to hard drive.. better to manufacture for those 5 people.

 

[andy5000]

i would find not having an internal optical drive rather a pain,doesnt the 11" sony laptop have a dvd writer in it.
I suppose the battery life would be rather healthy though.
it would be nice for people doing business who travel a lot.

 

[cube]

Those rumored specs are ridiculous. Here is what it MUST have:

- Screen no bigger than 11", LED backlight
- DVD+-RW DL
- 160GB hard disk or bigger
- Core 2 Duo

(not even bothering mentioning the obvious networking specs, like Gb Ethernet)

Why would apple bother selling a worse computer than Asus (I don't say "making" because Apple does not build anything, maybe even Asus could be contracted to produce the "ultraportable").

 

[Erasmus]

Before I get to the main point of this post, I would like to say that the argument that a notebook without an optical drive is pointless for whatever reason is stupid. It's kind of equivalent to "You don't need 8 cores. You'll never use them!". Clearly, if you can't see a use for it, it's not meant for you. Other people can.

I would take a guess and say pretty much everyone who would want a ultra portable computer without an optical drive would at least have a large iMac at home, if not a Mac Pro, and possibly a MBP as well. Of course an ultra portable would be pretty much useless as a sole computer, especially as I really don't see Apple releasing an external optical drive. But then again, they do have that stupid dialup modem dongle...

ANYWAY... I reckon it's unlikely Apple will release an ultraportable notebook that doesn't have an optical drive. I don't think the market would be big enough.

But I am happy to see further rumours of new, awesome 15" MBPs. It is also a tad self centred, but I'm kind of happy to see rumours that the new MBs will be rubbish (I seriously doubt that this rumour is true, it's in Apple's best interests to move all of its product line to Santa Rosa) because it's an excellent excuse to go with the MBP.

 

[Veracon]

PLEASE give me a Santa Rosa-based MacBook. PLEASE.

(Even more importantly: One with a half-decent video card [don't mind integrated, just want something better than the GMA 950].)

 

[Manic Mouse]

PLEASE give me a Santa Rosa-based MacBook. PLEASE.

(Even more importantly: One with a half-decent video card [don't mind integrated, just want something better than the GMA 950].)

/dreams of an 8400 in a MB

 

[goosnarrggh]

I guess this is what differentiates the MacBook from the MacBook PRO. You want the Pro features? You'll have to get the Pro Book. There will always be a technological gap between the two lines. Makes perfect sense to me.

Nah. The only public mention of LED backlights Apple has made has been as part of an ecological press release due to the elimination of mercury. And nobody would classify "eco-friendly" as a "Pro" feature.

MacBook and MacBook Pro will both be on equal footing on this issue within a very short timeframe (pending commercial availability of LED-lit panels in appropriate form factors). Possibly though, the introduction of LED displays will be deferred in each model line until some other technological change mandates a new release.

 

[gnasher729]

i don't see how apple could neglect to include an external drive. how would one reinstall mac os x if needed?

If you buy an ultraportable laptop, I would expect that you have another computer. At least you would have access to another computer somewhere. Instead of adding an external drive, what about some software that lets you mount a DVD on a Mac or PC, and connect to the ultraportable through USB cable, or even through wireless?