Macbook Released

[Mord]

3DMark scores comparing the FX5200 Go (note the Go, this is what was in the 12" PB, not a FX5200) show the GMA950 getting about double the score.

that entirely depends on wether that 5200 go used 128-bit or 64-bit memory, their are multiple packages with the same brand name, oh and can i possibly have a link to such benchmarks, +3dmark is debateable real games give better ideas of performence.

 

[dr_lha]

that entirely depends on wether that 5200 go used 128-bit or 64-bit memory, their are multiple packages with the same brand name, oh and can i possibly have a link to such benchmarks, +3dmark is debateable real games give better ideas of performence.

Compare it to what was in the 12" PB, which is the only valid comparison, which I'm guessing used 64bit memory - are you sure the "Go" version gave the option of 128 bit memory?

The GeForce Go FX5200 is a crap graphics card. I should know, I own one (in a 12" PB).

I've tried a variety of 3D programs on my Mac mini, and it wins over the 12" PB in all cases, including some that are running in Rosetta.

I'll say again, compared to the GFX chip in the 12" PB, the GMA 950 is an *upgrade*. I won't argue that it may be a downgrade compared to what's in the iBook *for 3D* (it certainly beats the 9550 for 2D stuff and video).

 

[Mord]

for 2d stuff and video the 9550 still wins, the ati core can take more of a workload off the cpu playing videos than gma 950 can and for 2d stuff the gpu is not used much apart from with QE and CI which theirs not much diffrence anyway.

 

[kodel]

Total Loss of Respect for Apple

I can't believe that Apple would blatantly rip people off by trying to charge $150 more for a black macbook. I have always been an apple fan since the early days of my mac lc. I love the products, innovation, and progress the company has made. But lately, there have been disturbing trends - like charging $100 for a leather case for the ipod. Like charging $16 for socks to hold an ipod. And now, charging a premium for a different color of computer? It is so blatantly a rip off to consumers that I must say I hope apple gets blasted for doing this. When trying to woo pc users to switch, they should concentrate on not creating an image of a compnay that will do any pathetic thing to suck more money from the consumer.

 

[netdog]

This is a great little laptop for the price. The people who virulently bitch and moan here about the graphics should just buy an MBP, a computer that is priced competitively with other such graphics-enabled PC portables. Nobody expects the MacBook to be the computer of choice for those running Final Cut, and this constant blathering about that is just making this thread relatively worthless.

We get it. The MacBook isn't designed for heavy Photoshop or Video editing. It also isn't priced to deliver those sorts of capabilities, nor does it have the appropriate screen size for such work. No need to keep going on about it.

 

[netdog]

I can't believe that Apple would blatantly rip people off by trying to charge $150 more for a black macbook. I have always been an apple fan since the early days of my mac lc. I love the products, innovation, and progress the company has made. But lately, there have been disturbing trends - like charging $100 for a leather case for the ipod. Like charging $16 for socks to hold an ipod. And now, charging a premium for a different color of computer? It is so blatantly a rip off to consumers that I must say I hope apple gets blasted for doing this. When trying to woo pc users to switch, they should concentrate on not creating an image of a compnay that will do any pathetic thing to suck more money from the consumer.

If you don't want to pay for the black, then don't. I bought white for that very reason. That said, your comments are just poisonous. I think you are probably mad about something deeper than the MacBook. Just a thought.

 

[luminosity]

they're not ripping people off. Some people really want black, and will pay a premium for it.

 

[Multimedia]

Confirmed - Final Cut Studio DOES Work On MacBooks

Post 724 - Loving this machine! The keyboard feels fantastic, I love typing with it!

Very impressed with the speed of the machine (2ghz white one) even though it's only got the standard 512mb of ram. Despite the ram Final Cut Pro runs very nicely, and I shall be sticking 2gb in at the earliest opportunity!

I wanted a nice notebook to replace my iMac, and this is going to do *very* nicely!

If Final Cut Pro doesn't support integrated graphics, then how come I've been using it all evening on my spanky new MacBook? Leemo Post 1502

Which version do you use? The latest ub version? Does it work well? Would be the only pro app I'd use on the MacBook.

I'm confused. Are both Familytunes and Leemo using FCS on the MacBook or only Leemo? Is there a third FCS MacBook user out there?

Using the latest 5.1 UB version it works fantastic. I do a lot of video editing for my masters degree so I dropped in one of my existing project files - ran, edited, complied extremely quickly. I can see why they're not advertising it as running Pro Apps well (since they want to sell some MacBook Pros too!) but it does - and does them all bloody well.

Well thank GOD for the Bloody British speaking up. I have been trying to find you for the past 24 hours. OK so have you tried Motion and Soundtrack Pro yet? I'm getting very excited. Tell us more about your Bloody Wonderful Experience with Final Cut Studio!

It's on Page 61 Post #1515 of this MacBooks Released Thread.

From Post 1698 - Thanks Rich - Leemo is British as well.

Some guy called Leeno said Final Cut Pro runs very well.

I understand your only concern may be Motion.

If you are going 2GB of RAM then i don't see much of a problem as your GPU will be able to run at it's full potential and your system RAM will be unaffected.

Rich.

From Post 1110:

I did search, and Leemo was the only user to say he was using Aperture.
Quite frankly, I don't believe that Aperture will even install much less run on these new MacBooks.
I asked for pics for that as well and no response.

And, I'm still waiting to see if anyone has tried running Final Cut yet.

It's working great for Leemo. He's a 21 year young TV Journalism Masters Candidate in London. Here is the link to his outstanding website.

 

[Gatezone]

Oxymornic statements

they're not ripping people off. Some people really want black, and will pay a premium for it.

These two statements are not mutually exclusive. People can really enjoy being ripped off. People can really enjoy believing what they want to believe even though the kool-aid is going to kill them. They can even die happy. One would still have to say that they are dead, or that paying a premium for a colored case is a rip-off according to many definitions.

And for the free-enterprise devotee's this isn't saying it should stop. Not at all. I fully support consumer rip-offs based on the intelligence level and passionate desire to be 'extra cool' and have the color of choice. Hey, what the frack does anyone care if you pay through the nose for black? The color is far more important than upgrading memory, hard drive, or those other inconsequential items. Or if you have money to burn you get it all anyway. Cheers for you and your bank account.

 

[gregorsamsa]

So far most people seem really positive about MB. Gedto's post (page 66, chart showing MB v 12" PB) speaks volumes! I'm certainly NOT disappointed, but won't be replacing my 12" iBook just yet (if ever!). Still feel that releasing 3 X 13.3" models restricts expanding the user-base even more so. A 15.4" version, alongside the 2 superdrive 13.3" models, would've captured an even bigger market! Anyway, looks like I'll be waiting for Leopard & perhaps, now, an iMac. Just hope all those potential switchers won't be put off by the £749 combo. Also, not sure about iSight on MBs (MBPs, yes!). In the age of the video phone, does the average consumer really need this luxury added to the overall price? Don't think so.

Haven't read ALL the posts, so here's one dumb question: Granted that widescreen Macs aren't widescreen TVs, still, why the thick black borders evident top & bottom of the screen when playing DVDs? I'd have thought dedicated widescreen displays would've eliminated such a nuisance.

 

[ImAlwaysRight]

for 2d stuff and video the 9550 still wins.

I believe that is true if those GPU's were on the same processors and all other hardware were the same. But you're talking 9550 with G4 1.5GHz and GMA950 with Core Duo 2.0GHz. I'll take the GMA950 with Core Duo 2.0GHz, 667MHz RAM, etc. any day.

Haven't read ALL the posts, so here's one dumb question: Granted that widescreen Macs aren't widescreen TVs, still, why the thick black borders evident top & bottom of the screen when playing DVDs? I'd have thought dedicated widescreen displays would've eliminated such a nuisance.

I think it has to do with 16:10 vs. 16:9 resolution of movies.

 

[mygoldens]

Yes Believe me

that got my attention - i want to believe you

can you expand on that a little...

could you scroll around smoothly?
what about when there is a fair bit of action going on ?
any idea of what frame rates you're getting?
do you have all the settings on lowest at 1024 X 768
are you running a mac version or a windows/bootcamp version.

thanks!

just for the record - i'm not slamming them - if you're not into games they sound like great specs for a great price.

I was and am playing smothly at 1024x768, reduced graphics of course, but every bit as ggod as the Macbook Pro. I did not turn on the frame counter, but I was taking others down in the multi player version. The settings I should say were medium. I am running the Mac version (windoze sucks, although I will probably loaad it at some point for other items I need). Scrolling was very smooth, I play on the Modern weapons site, very nice, I am happy, using mine at work now. I am getting over 3 hours on the battery, with full brightness.

GO APPLE!!

 

[Gatezone]

I'm confused.

First clue...

... OK so have you tried Motion and Soundtrack Pro yet? I'm getting very excited. Tell us more about your Bloody Wonderful Experience with Final Cut Studio!

Keep it in your pants, Multi, I would stongly advise you to look more deeply into this combo (FCS & MacBook) before shooting your wad. Get some in-depth information other than just people saying it's wonderful...

 

[Cedd]

These two statements are not mutually exclusive. People can really enjoy being ripped off. People can really enjoy believing what they want to believe even though the kool-aid is going to kill them. They can even die happy. One would still have to say that they are dead, or that paying a premium for a colored case is a rip-off according to many definitions.

And for the free-enterprise devotee's this isn't saying it should stop. Not at all. I fully support consumer rip-offs based on the intelligence level and passionate desire to be 'extra cool' and have the color of choice. Hey, what the frack does anyone care if you pay through the nose for black? The color is far more important than upgrading memory, hard drive, or those other inconsequential items. Or if you have money to burn you get it all anyway. Cheers for you and your bank account.

To me a "rip-off" suggests that you are being misled about your purchase in some way - that is not what Apple are doing with the Black Macbooks - they are offering a colour option at a premium. If you buy a new car and want a non-standard paint job (e.g. metallic or whatever) then there is often a premium to pay - that is not a rip-off. You could argue that the Apple colour option should be free or should be cheaper but the fact is that people know exactly how much they are being asked to pay and what they are getting in return - therefore they are not being misled or ripped off.

 

[HelloKitty]

Should I wait??..

Honestly, I like the new MacBook a lot, and I think it's very attractive. But if Intel is indeed coming up with Merom at the end of this summer, is it a good idea to wait until then? Because seems to me Merom is a big step ahead from Yonah.

Could anyone give me some suggestions? Otherwise I might go to Apple Store and buy one this weekend

 

[SPUY767]

No graphics card + glossy screen = no purchase.

I'd pay 250 more for black, gfx, 20GB, no glossy screen.

Great spec machine otherwise, just not what I need.

Check that, there was an error with the site this morning, the option is now only on the MBPs. Wow, that really is kind of a dumb idea.

 

[Gatezone]

Ripping off or just brilliant parasitic marketing?

To me a "rip-off" suggests that you are being misled about your purchase in some way - that is not what Apple are doing with the Black Macbooks - they are offering a colour option at a premium. If you buy a new car and want a non-standard paint job (e.g. metallic or whatever) then there is often a premium to pay - that is not a rip-off. You could argue that the Apple colour option should be free or should be cheaper but the fact is that people know exactly how much they are being asked to pay and what they are getting in return - therefore they are not being misled or ripped off.

I like your distinction, but I think there is a hybrid definitioin of rip-off which transcends the stupidity of the buyer. In other words free enterprise is littered with examples of consumers getting hip to a company 'ripping them off' and the company "adjusting" their approach to the market in a way that speaks to the situation. I would say the distinction is that there is nothing "wrong" with what Apple is doing because they are doing it in plain sight and everyone is a consenting adult. However, I think that an organization like Consumer Reports or another watchdog organization would advise it's members that this is not a consumer friendly or sensible purchase and the blogosphere and public opinion might just breakdown and call it a rip-off.

It's cool that Apple can get away with it. Really cool that they can gouge a little more money out of these 'consumer' products. I admire their capitalistic zeal and trust in their loyal customer base. It shows a certain symbiotic (benign parasitic?) relationship. More power to them. I think they should come out with a flaming red one and charge $500 more for the suckers who will pay for it.

 

[netdog]

T...paying a premium for a colored case is a rip-off according to many definitions.

A rip-off occurs when someone pays thinking that they are getting something that they are not. Apple is not deceiving anyone here. They are charging a premium for an alternate color, and it is up to the consumer whether they wish to pay for it or not. I didn't, but some will. Who on earth is anybody on this board to say what is the right or wrong choice for another. In any case, this is not a rip-off. It's just a choice that many, myself included, don't find to be worth the money. To tell the truth, I might have paid a premium for the white rather than being stuck with the black that I don't want. Would I be ripped off if I had made such a choice? No, and frankly my choices aren't for any of these people to judge.

rip-off
Function: noun
1 : an act or instance of stealing : THEFT; also : a financial exploitation
2 : a usually cheap exploitive imitation

Apple is neither stealing nor exploiting. It is not a rip-off by any definition.

 

[Gatezone]

Glossy Shiny People

Check that, there was an error with the site this morning, the option is now only on the MBPs. Wow, that really is kind of a dumb idea.

Is that true for the Macbook or only the Pro?

 

[MIDI_EVIL]

I don't have a problem with Apple using Integrated Graphics. I do have a problem that I can't find anyone who has a MacBook with 2GB of ram and Final Cut Studio reporting here if they work together and if so how well??!! I understand that all FCS parts may not work well but do any and if so how poorly? Please somebody?

Some guy called Leeno said Final Cut Pro runs very well.

I understand your only concern may be Motion.

If you are going 2GB of RAM then i don't see much of a problem as your GPU will be able to run at it's full potential and your system RAM will be unaffected.

Rich.

 

[Gatezone]

rip-off.... a financial exploitation

Apple is neither stealing nor exploiting. It is not a rip-off by any definition.

Read for comprehension, not to support your feelings.

I am happy that people are paying extra for black. I think it is completely their choice and they are making the right one for their own situation. This does not mean that the marketing and pricing 'instruments' that Apple is employing are ot 'rip-offs' that are exploitive.

 

[netdog]

Read for comprehension, not to support your feelings.

I am happy that people are paying extra for black. I think it is completely their choice and they are making the right one for their own situation. This does not mean that the marketing and pricing 'instruments' that Apple is employing are ot 'rip-offs' that are exploitive.

Exactly who is being exploited? (the definition applies to exploiation in the pejorative sense regarding rip-off)

 

[retroz311]

there's this thing called a mac book pro that has discrete graphics and will probably play your 100,000 games. apple has a number of choices for you...choose the one that will fit your use. or get your dell and stop trolling around here.

Don't mean to flame you dude, but ok MBP for games? So, as I have pointed out before:

X1600 ABout $30.00, backlit keyboard ($4.00), firewire 800 $.30 cents, and you as well as apple demands $1000+ dollars so you can play games?

Is it any wonder Mac OS is being installed on generic PC's.

 

[stefan15]

My two cents on that integrated graphics card...

I think it's fine if you are alright sacrificing anything above trilinear filtering, antialiasing, and shadow quality. With those things turned off (shadows down to low quality) it should be fine, with most games able to run at 1024x768 around 40fps.

Don't expect quality. But it's a notebook anyways.. can anyone explain to my why notebook gaming is such a necessity? Stick a PCI-E X800XL into your PC [more games anways].. they go for around $250CDN these days (and can play Q4, FEAR, Ghost Recon:AWF at 1152x864 4xAA etc, good stuff)

 

[Gatezone]

Brilliant exploitive pricing for Macbook

Exactly who is being exploited? (the definition applies to exploiation in the pejorative sense regarding rip-off)

This is circular. One of the definitions of 'rip-off' is that it is financially exploitive. There doesn't exactly have to be a specific person for a price, strategy, or practice to be financially exploitive. If one thing cost X and the same thing costs 2x and the perception in the market is that the manufacturing cost or value differential does not warrant the price difference then it can be said to be exploitive.

It's ok, man, really for Apple to be financially exploitive. It isn't 'wrong' it is them exercising their well ability to get extra bucks for something they think their customers want. They are smart, they are invincible, they are Apple. Applaud their cool marketing ploy and lay back and enjoy it. Why defend such a brilliant move?