MacBook Pro Upgrade At Photokina?

[HecubusPro]

I don't think there's going to be a huge tweak/re-design to the MacBook Pro.

I think there would be a much bigger event tomorrow if it was to get redesigned in any major way. Otherwise, I think it's business as usual, only with Core2 Duo added and perhaps a magnetic latch and removable hard drive in the MacBook Pro.

And I would have thought the introduction of a 24" HD iMac would have been a big deal worthy of more than a press release launch on the apple store. Yet, there it was one day when I woke up with nary a parade in sight to welcome it into the world.

 

[HecubusPro]

Photokina starts at approximately 8:30AM PST, right? Total newbie question: announcements then, or the standard Tuesday? I've been assuming that's the case, but I need to be able to plan my schedule to get out of class as fast as I can handle and dash to the Apple store and get to work

Even if they do announce the MBP C2D Monday or Tuesday, they might not have any in stock in apple stores for a few days.

 

[rowdy268]

Not sure...

Photokina starts at approximately 8:30AM PST, right? Total newbie question: announcements then, or the standard Tuesday? I've been assuming that's the case, but I need to be able to plan my schedule to get out of class as fast as I can handle and dash to the Apple store and get to work

I haven't seen any solid info on when the actual apple event is...noone really has been able to pinpoint a time for the event

 

[ChickenSwartz]

I've been waiting since June like a lot of people. I was expecting to wait until WWDC, the every tuesday after that until Paris so I'm hoping, and praying tomorrow is the day.

This is what I want on my desk...

15" MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo
2.33Ghz
2GB ram (later 4GB)
160GB or more harddrive
256MB VRA
Superdrive

I would forgive apple for the wait if we got a totally new look to the MacBook Pro.

I decided to get a MBP in May. Didn't really need one then, so I have been waiting ever since. I am getting to the point where I need a portable computer. October 16th is the day.

Here's what I want...
15'' MacBook Pro
2.00 GHz Core 2 Duo
1x1GB RAM
100GB 5400RPM HD
Somewaht better graphics card than X1600
Easy Swap HD
Black Anodized Al
Same or better bettery life
Same size/weight
Matte Screen
Price: $1999

 

[DJMastaWes]

Are you wanting the gloss or matte finish on your screen & why?

Matte; because I'm going to be doing a lot of graphic/photo work a matte screen is a MUST. Glossy doesn't show true color, it's over saturated, so when I'm editing, I might edit what looks good on a GLOSSY screen, but on a true screen, it won't look good. and the glare factor.

 

[Eriden]

At first I thought 'Great - I didn't customize anything, should be no problem to return.'

Then I'm reading the fine print on my order slip and I find out that choosing the free optional glossy screen means that by this time tomorrow, I'm potentially going to be stuck with an outdated/overpriced 15" MBP that won't even arrive until Wendesday.

I don't want to call and cancel the order, just in case there's no announcement. Nor do I particularly like the idea of making a case after the fact to a customer support rep that they should do me any favors, especially when it's my fault for not doing more research, but in this case I may make an exception.

Meanwhile, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that there's a reason that my original 2 day time-to-ship extended to 4 days, and my package tracking page says Apple missed the FedEx cutoff time by 15 minutes on Friday...maybe they wanted to make sure I didn't get it until at least Tuesday after the announcement b/c there's a C2D inside?

I've started trying to convince myself that if I were Apple and wanted to cut down on people bitching about buying a MBP one week, then a new one coming out the next, I'd give free nanos out up until the week before the announcement, then hold all orders from the week prior, drop in C2Ds, and make sure they don't arrive until after the announcement.

How's that for rationalization?

I've gotten conflicting information on the glossy vs. matte option as to whether choosing glossy counts as BTO. Two reps at the local Apple Store told me that choosing a glossy screen didn't make the order BTO. When I called a sales rep at Apple by phone, she told me that changing any of the default options on a web order makes it BTO.

I think the best way to get a returnable glossy MBP would be to order one from the refurb page, though I'm uncertain as to whether there are a different set of return/exchange rules that apply to refurbs.


I've got a sinking feeling that this week will bring no announcements for those of us who've been waiting since August for the merom MBP's. Talking to numerous people at my local Apple Store yielded uniform comments that no one is staying late to move product, and they are not expecting larger than normal shipments from Apple in the next two weeks, but they all admitted that a lack of shipments doesn't necessarily mean that there won't be any major updates.

 

[DHagan4755]

Look, the release a few weeks ago of the 24-inch iMac was an expansion of its current line. There wasn't a radically new design. It was the same design only a larger display.

The MacBook Pro with Core2 Duo processors will be announced in what is generally the same enclosure as Apple's using now. If it were December 29th, and Apple hadn't updated their MacBook Pro in some time, I would say, "Radical new design is possible," but I tend to think that Apple would have a media event in the U.S. with a hint that it's about the MacBook Pro...not piggy back on a photo event in Cologne, Germany.

Hey, I am one of the first people in line saying the MBP needs to be redesigned. From the hinge design, the port layout, hard to change HD, etc. It's a 3-1/2 year enclosure that is long in the tooth. I just don't see Apple unveiling something like that at the event tomorrow. Gosh, I hope that I am wrong!

 

[criticalb]

I've gotten conflicting information on the glossy vs. matte option as to whether choosing glossy counts as BTO. Two reps at the local Apple Store told me that choosing a glossy screen didn't make the order BTO. When I called a sales rep at Apple by phone, she told me that changing any of the default options on a web order makes it BTO.

The order status page on my order says 15" MBPRO CTO, which is referred to in the fine print of the sales and refund page as Configure-To-Order. Looks like I'll be appealing to the humanity of a random sales rep.

 

[iLunar]

Look, the release a few weeks ago of the 24-inch iMac was an expansion of its current line. There wasn't a radically new design. It was the same design only a larger display.

The MacBook Pro with Core2 Duo processors will be announced in what is generally the same enclosure as Apple's using now. If it were December 29th, and Apple hadn't updated their MacBook Pro in some time, I would say, "Radical new design is possible," but I tend to think that Apple would have a media event in the U.S. with a hint that it's about the MacBook Pro...not piggy back on a photo event in Cologne, Germany.

Hey, I am one of the first people in line saying the MBP needs to be redesigned. From the hinge design, the port layout, hard to change HD, etc. It's a 3-1/2 year enclosure that is long in the tooth. I just don't see Apple unveiling something like that at the event tomorrow. Gosh, I hope that I am wrong!

Didn't the Macbooks just come out with little fanfare except on Apple's website? That was a pretty radical new design, and they didn't even have a special media event for it, no?

It somewhat coinicided with opening of the Apple store in NYC, but I believe that was a few days later after the Macbooks had already been released.

 

[iMeowbot]

Will Steve Jobs make a keynote in Germany??

It's possible but unlikely. For the less visible (to the general public) shows, other Apple spokescritters often do the job.

Did he ever announce "big things" outside US?

Sometimes. The iMac G5 was introduced in Paris, for example (Schiller did that one IIRC).

For a speed bump, I wouldn't expect much fanfare.

 

[DHagan4755]

The iBooks/MacBooks are the only product in Apple's product matrix that never gets the red carpet treatment.

 

[Multimedia]

My Hopes Are Not Predictions

Monday is aproaching... Do you still think that, Multimedia?. I´ve been waiting for the new MBP merom for 2 month and after read the most part of your post, I would like to think you are wright. You have to know that here, in spain, a couple of friends and I use to believe in your words (the most part of the times...)

We would like to know exactly your predictions for this monday. Thanks.

Well that's very kind, thank you. But I don't feel like I have a crystal ball on this round. I can only tell you what new ADDED - nothing taken away from the current feature set - features I am hoping for tomorrow in the next generation of MBP. Not that it will be this or even that it will be tomorrow for sure. I think it will be tomorrow but I'm not certain thanks to all the mixed messages here. I do believe it will be a major design change to accommodate better cooling and address other bugs found this year in the first gen Intel models based on the old G4 design.

In order of expectation/hope with percentage I think it will happen:

• 2.33GHz Merom Standard in top 15" and 17" Models - 100%
• Easy Access HD Bay - 100%
• eSATA both 15" & 17" - 70%
• Black Anodized Aluminum Case for All Models - 50%
• Expresscard/54 not the current 34 in 17" - 30%
• 1920 x 1200 screen in 17" - 10%
• 1920 x 1200 screen in NEW 19-20" Model - 20%
• FW800 Added Back Into The 15" Model - 50%

I will be surprised but gleeful if all that happens. If only the 2.33GHz stock speed and the easy access HD Bay are added to the current feature set I will be happy. The rest of my wish list would be gravy and surprisingly unexpected.

 

[Multimedia]

Steve Introduced The First USB2 15" Aluminum PowerBook G4 In Paris 3 Years Ago

Look, the release a few weeks ago of the 24-inch iMac was an expansion of its current line. There wasn't a radically new design. It was the same design only a larger display.

The MacBook Pro with Core2 Duo processors will be announced in what is generally the same enclosure as Apple's using now. If it were December 29th, and Apple hadn't updated their MacBook Pro in some time, I would say, "Radical new design is possible," but I tend to think that Apple would have a media event in the U.S. with a hint that it's about the MacBook Pro...not piggy back on a photo event in Cologne, Germany.

Hey, I am one of the first people in line saying the MBP needs to be redesigned. From the hinge design, the port layout, hard to change HD, etc. It's a 3-1/2 year enclosure that is long in the tooth. I just don't see Apple unveiling something like that at the event tomorrow. Gosh, I hope that I am wrong!

I for one KNOW you're wrong. 100% wrong. The lower key the better. Apple does not want to rub it in the face of all those who just bought the last model to look like it's still 2003.

It's possible but unlikely. For the less visible (to the general public) shows, other Apple spokescritters often do the job.

Sometimes. The iMac G5 was introduced in Paris, for example (Schiller did that one IIRC).

For a speed bump, I wouldn't expect much fanfare.

Steve Introduced The First USB2 15" Aluminum PowerBook G4 @ 1.25GHz In A Paris Apple Expo SteveNote 3 Years Ago. He had already introduced the first still USB1 17" Aluminum PowerBook G4 @ 1GHz in his January 2003 MWSF SteveNote.

You guys who think this is only going to be a processor swap speed bump really blow my mind. I can't for the life of me see why you don't expect a major design change this time round. The current design is 3.67 years OLD. It's almost a record as one of the longest running designs in Apple history.

• Original iMac CRTs 3.67 years.
• iMac G4 Lamp 2.5 years.
• Current iMac design is only 2 years old.
• White iBook May 1, 2001 - May 16, 2006 Just Over 5 Years - The Current Design Longevity Record Holder
• Original PowerMac G4 1.75 years
• Titanium PowerBook G4 design only lasted 2.67 years.
• Current Aluminum PowerBook G4 3.67 years Since January 7, 2003.
• Even the current Mac Pro design including when a similar but not same design housed G5s is only a little over 3 years old since June 23, 2003.

Pay attention to your Apple Design History People!

The current design tells you it houses a 32-bit processor. The new design will signify it has a 64-bit processor inside and you will be able to tell the difference from 20 feet away.

The MacBook was released without a big event/keynote, I believe. Anything goes, man, anything goes.

Zactly. If this isn't a design change moment for the MacBook Pro then it will set a new record as the longest running design in the history of the company passing up the original CRT iMacs run.

 

[dongmin]

I don't think there's going to be a huge tweak/re-design to the MacBook Pro.

I think there would be a much bigger event tomorrow if it was to get redesigned in any major way. Otherwise, I think it's business as usual, only with Core2 Duo added and perhaps a magnetic latch and removable hard drive in the MacBook Pro.

The MacBook was released without a big event/keynote, I believe. Anything goes, man, anything goes.

 

[oneighturbo]

that's 'restraint' on an entirely different level - respect oneighturbo

i thought everyone would get a kick out of that! Yes I am going nuts. I had it delivered to work and was going to leave it locked there over the weekend.

as far as the ship dates.. i think the 24hr thing is for non BTO orders.. they seem to be sitting in CA already to go! Mine ended up coming early since it was the base 2.0GHz. If you go BTO then it starts in China?

as far as matte/glossy. I am also in the design industry. Heavy PS/Illus/Flash/Deamweaver etc. I choose the matte as i have two 20" Cinemas at work and a Dell 20" all running a matte screen. The MBP will be connecting to the Dell at home. This should keep everything close to identical and yes the Dell is just a good as the Cinema's.

how many hours til Photokina?

 

[RichP]

Steve Introduced The Aluminum PowerBook G4 In Paris 3 Years Ago.

You guys who only think this is going to be a processor swap speed bump really blow my mind. I can't for the life of me see why you don't expect a major design change this time round.

The aluminum series of Powerbooks was released at MWSF. The 15" came later, but the style and case design were already established by the 17 and 12.

I tend to doubt most things you have listed, although I wouldnt be suprised to see the 2.33s in black anodized only show up at a premium pricepoint. The easier access hard drivers are hard to say, you sacrifice overall thickness to offer such a feature, and we know apple strives hard to keep the pro line very thin.

Whether or not we accept it, the macbook pro was a new case design. If there is a change, i wouldnt expect anything too revolutionary.

 

[azeteg]

This thread is insane. Almost 1000 posts about a laptop CPU upgrade

I sold my Powerbook G4 1.5GHz 4 days ago, in faith of an apple launch the 25th or 26th. Now I am laptopless. Something I haven't been for a long, long time.

Speaking with my friends at the local Apple Store, I believe that there (sadly) won't be any Merom updates at all for the Macbook Pro's. They told me that they still have 20 MBP's (lowest model) in stock, and when Apple has a new product launch - stock has always been depleted before the new machine is announced.

If Apple decides to release an update to the MBP tomorrow I think we will ONLY see an announcement of C2D MBP's. No other spec changes. Sadly.

-- writing this at my gf's 12" PB --

 

[circoloco]

what I want is a 13inch MBP with the new processor, same size as the MacBooks but in a nice little aluminium shell and a little more kick!! we'll see eh?

 

[ChickenSwartz]

I've gotten conflicting information on the glossy vs. matte option as to whether choosing glossy counts as BTO. Two reps at the local Apple Store told me that choosing a glossy screen didn't make the order BTO. When I called a sales rep at Apple by phone, she told me that changing any of the default options on a web order makes it BTO.

I think the best way to get a returnable glossy MBP would be to order one from the refurb page, though I'm uncertain as to whether there are a different set of return/exchange rules that apply to refurbs.


I've got a sinking feeling that this week will bring no announcements for those of us who've been waiting since August for the merom MBP's. Talking to numerous people at my local Apple Store yielded uniform comments that no one is staying late to move product, and they are not expecting larger than normal shipments from Apple in the next two weeks, but they all admitted that a lack of shipments doesn't necessarily mean that there won't be any major updates.

I would think no, since they sell them in the stores with glossy screen.

 

[Pressure]

what I want is a 13inch MBP with the new processor, same size as the MacBooks but in a nice little aluminium shell and a little more kick!! we'll see eh?

No, we won't see it.

 

[Clydefrog]

This thread is insane. Almost 1000 posts about a laptop CPU upgrade

I sold my Powerbook G4 1.5GHz 4 days ago, in faith of an apple launch the 25th or 26th. Now I am laptopless. Something I haven't been for a long, long time.

Speaking with my friends at the local Apple Store, I believe that there (sadly) won't be any Merom updates at all for the Macbook Pro's. They told me that they still have 20 MBP's (lowest model) in stock, and when Apple has a new product launch - stock has always been depleted before the new machine is announced.

If Apple decides to release an update to the MBP tomorrow I think we will ONLY see an announcement of C2D MBP's. No other spec changes. Sadly.

-- writing this at my gf's 12" PB --

no C2D at all i find that impossible

 

[raymondso]

what I want is a 13inch MBP with the new processor, same size as the MacBooks but in a nice little aluminium shell and a little more kick!! we'll see eh?

same here
i don't want to carry a 15' MBP to school...it's too large

 

[Eriden]

Speaking with my friends at the local Apple Store, I believe that there (sadly) won't be any Merom updates at all for the Macbook Pro's. They told me that they still have 20 MBP's (lowest model) in stock, and when Apple has a new product launch - stock has always been depleted before the new machine is announced.

If Apple decides to release an update to the MBP tomorrow I think we will ONLY see an announcement of C2D MBP's. No other spec changes. Sadly.

I would think what he means is that he believes that there won't be any Merom updates this week. There is no way that Apple will neglect Core 2 Duo in its portables. It is not a question of if, only when.

 

[CPTMONK]

cant wait for tomorrow , come on apple!!

some people have been saying the MBP merom will be released but wont be available the same day... but with the new imac it was availiable instantly, so i see no reason for it not happening again

i hope there is no re design , i love how it is, this will be my first mac :O

 

[iGary]

I can't wait to point my finger and laught at you lot tomorrow.