Macbook Released

[retroz311]

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?

It IS A RIP off when parts cost less than $50+ for the MBP and they design the MacBook to NOT run any PRO applications - it's the same business model that Avid / Digidesign had for a while, whereas other open platforms allowed for many plug ins, unlimited tracks, etc. In the end Avid/Digi bought Midiman and has since doubled their track counts as PC's got much more powerful.

For APPLE to CRIPPLE the MACBOOK with GMA vs a cheap X600 (which plays unreal fine) but in apples case would allow users to run motion, 3d swift, IS A RIP off. How can you justify $1000 more really just for a GPU that costs nothing these days (x600), the other differential options a pennys, or thereabout.

Mark these words, the MACBOOK PRO will becomes the MACBOOK as soon as memron and quad CPU's come out!

The MAC BOOKS need dedicated GPU, to market this as a laptop for students, dude, they play games all the time, the GMA can't handle it. That is another RIP OFF! Market to students, then they get upset they can't play games.

 

[mikesk8]

....some comments on weight

I would say its a bit strange that Macbook is so heavy..2.36kg is much more than, for example, sony sz (13.3"); in the beginning I thought its a mistake..but its not( ..

 

[gregorsamsa]

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.

Apple no longer just makes wonderful, innovative & user-friendly computers. They're also a very successful business selling an extremely cool brand-name appealing to generation ipod. This includes a lot of fashion-conscious people who'll pay extra for any product/gimmick that boosts their self-image, be it a black MB, special edition Xbox 360 or whatever. One can hardly knock Apple for doing what all successful companies do. (Then again, easy for me to say as I'd always go for white anyway!)

 

[Gatezone]

I would say its a bit strange that Macbook is so heavy..2.36kg is much more than, for example, sony sz (13.3"); in the beginning I thought its a mistake..but its not( ..

Exactly my point. While the sz is more expensive it is half the weight or less. And while you do pay extra for the carbon case there is a qualitative difference not just a color... I some times wonder if the Apple engineers actually get out that often and wonder around Fry's . I guess it might be a little depressing but might also lead to real innovations. Someone tell me again what is innovative about these Macbooks? Eh, they'll get it right or at least better in about 12 months and they will give exactly frack-all about those people statistics who bought this throw-it-against-the-wall laptop revision.

 

[Gatezone]

Just lower your expectations and you'll be fine

The key to these recent releases by Apple is lowered expectations. From lack of native applications to the little 'ticks' of graphics, colors, as well as the things that will come out in the next 30-60 days that no one knows about yet. We haven't had the obligatory battery recal yet and that seems to *always* happen, no? I mean could they get the batteries on the Pro right after years of screw ups? Naaaaa, not quite yet.

It's like a relationship with each new product. Excitement, passion, blind lust, expectation, and then give it a little time and the projections and expectations begin to fade and you can see what you wake up with in the morning. If you are mature and wise you roll over and sleep for a couple more hours and put off thinking. If you are young impulsive and still have your U2 iPod ear buds in your ears you lay there listening to your life's sound track for awhile and then go buy a black macbook and go through the same cycle with it.

 

[dr_lha]

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.

In what way can the ATI take the load of the CPU for movies exactly? For pushing pixels the GMA 950 is an extremely fast chip, so generally for Movies and 2D stuff its hard to beat compared to Apple's previous laptop chips. I think you are simply wrong here.

 

[andrewm]

Ditto on the first part - Integrated is fine for the MacBook

And FYI it does (in a way) have a two button mouse. to use it you just put two fingers on the pad when you push - functions the same as a right click

I stand corrected on the two-button issue, although I have to ask users of that method--is it a little convoluted compared to a split button?

 

[Legacy]

CHEAPEST RAM dealer in UK for MacBook

Please someone PM me with details. I'm looking to get at least 1GB now and probs 2GB (2x1GB) if theyre under £120 for the pair...or if anyone has a pair of 1GB's or even a single that I can later pair (ie possible to buy same type of RAM)..I am open to offers

I need the MacBook RAM DDR2 667 Unbuffered I think? Tecchies will know which one

 

[gloss]

Exactly my point. While the sz is more expensive it is half the weight or less. And while you do pay extra for the carbon case there is a qualitative difference not just a color... I some times wonder if the Apple engineers actually get out that often and wonder around Fry's . I guess it might be a little depressing but might also lead to real innovations. Someone tell me again what is innovative about these Macbooks? Eh, they'll get it right or at least better in about 12 months and they will give exactly frack-all about those people statistics who bought this throw-it-against-the-wall laptop revision.

The MacBook is hardly intended for the same market as the SZ series. The MacBook is a consumer/student portable, the SZ notebooks are ultramobile powerhouses. There's a reason they cost $1000 more than the MacBooks.

When Apple decides to create an ultramobile pro machine, they will. But it doesn't make sense for people to project their own needs onto a machine that was never intended to fill that niche.

 

[gloss]

I stand corrected on the two-button issue, although I have to ask users of that method--is it a little convoluted compared to a split button?

Actually, it's very nice. Setting an extra finger down and clicking is handier for me than having to worry about WHERE my finger happens to be when I'm clicking. We've got a bunch of PC laptops around the office that I use regularly and I find Apple's implementation to be much more comfortable.

This is assuming occasional use. I'm not a huge right-clicker to begin with. If you're working in such a way that you need constant access to the function, it may be a different story.

 

[dr_lha]

I would say its a bit strange that Macbook is so heavy..2.36kg is much more than, for example, sony sz (13.3"); in the beginning I thought its a mistake..but its not( ..

The Vaio SZ is about $1000 more than the MacBook though, so its hardly a fair comparison.

 

[Gatezone]

Giving you the finger

I stand corrected on the two-button issue, although I have to ask users of that method--is it a little convoluted compared to a split button?

You wouldn't expect Apple to actually admit that two buttons work do you? It's their way of giving you the 'finger' (or two fingers in this case) and saying do it our way chump.

I've been using two button mice on Mac's for years, you just have to ignore them sometimes. Their pricey mouse sort of works ok, but how often do I need to scroll diagonally, and how much easier is a two button scrolling cheap optical mouse to use? Pretty easy.

 

[Mord]

In what way can the ATI take the load of the CPU for movies exactly? For pushing pixels the GMA 950 is an extremely fast chip, so generally for Movies and 2D stuff its hard to beat compared to Apple's previous laptop chips. I think you are simply wrong here.

mpeg2 hardware decodeing and all of apples fancy quartz stuff.

 

[Gatezone]

Vaio vs Macbook

The Vaio SZ is about $1000 more than the MacBook though, so its hardly a fair comparison.

There are SZ's that start under 2k, sw them in fry's recently as well as on line. The only fair comparison is a fair comparison with all the features side by side like someone did so nicely for the Macbooks, Pro, and 12 incher.

Most people who use mac's won't consider a PC so it might be a futile gesture, although instructive to those of us who use Mac's but have not joined the cult.

 

[Gatezone]

The MacBook is hardly intended for the same market as the SZ series. The MacBook is a consumer/student portable, the SZ notebooks are ultramobile powerhouses. There's a reason they cost $1000 more than the MacBooks.

When Apple decides to create an ultramobile pro machine, they will. But it doesn't make sense for people to project their own needs onto a machine that was never intended to fill that niche.

Hmmmm... I guess i just don't buy the party line that Apple (or Sony maybe) really understands the difference between consumer and professional use.

I totally agree with the expectation and projection process, but I don't really see a legitimate "niche" for these Macbooks. Does that mean they won't sell? No, they'll sell, but does that mean they make a lot of sense as a separate and distinct product line? No, unless you factor in consumer subsidized throw it against the wall market testing. .

 

[dialectician]

When Apple decides to create an ultramobile pro machine, they will. But it doesn't make sense for people to project their own needs onto a machine that was never intended to fill that niche.

That's not quite true, because the MB is replacing the 12 inch PB, which was the closest thing Apple had to an ultraportable.

And if Apple releases a subnote that weighs under 4 pounds, I am happy to pay $1000 more to save my back...

 

[macamacamac]

Nice laptop

Love the glossy screen. I've had that on my powerbook since 2003 with a crystal film sold in Japan, you can upgrade your old powerbook as well from here:

http://www.powersupportusa.com

Keyboard seems to be the same kind that sony has had on their subnotebooks, the keys seems kinda small.

Easy to upgrade harddrive and ram, nice.

Don't do any gaming so I am not sure if I need a dedicated gpu. Does having a video card help playing back HD quicktime content, or is this dependent on the processor? I can't playback any of those HD quicktime videos on my 867 powerbook....

Apple states system requirements for 1080p playback:

For 1920x1080 (1080p) video at 24 frames per second:
QuickTime 7 for Mac OS X:
Dual 2.0 GHz PowerMac G5 or faster Macintosh computer; 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo or faster
At least 512MB of RAM
128MB or greater video card

So will the new macbook perform? If so, maybe it's time to upgrade.

 

[Gatezone]

The One Two Three and Mr. Smith

That's not quite true, because the MB is replacing the 12 inch PB, which was the closest thing Apple had to an ultraportable.

And if Apple releases a subnote that weighs under 4 pounds, I am happy to pay $1000 more to save my back...

Would yo uplease make that $500

Why do you think this is so hard for people to understand? We understand that the Macbook is not "the one." More power to all of you who see Neo reflected in the shiny new display screen. But in our dimension it is not the One.

Ok so there needs to be ultra small, small, medium, and large because there are some people around who want to have a heavy small laptop for some reason. But still let's not split it up so unmercifully within in each 'size.'

 

[FocusAndEarnIt]

I'm gonna get one - later.

It has to be twice the specs of my current one, GHz, talking now.

So basically, 2.8GHz. And it has to be at least 2 years. (had it for 10months)

Mine now:
1.42GHz 14"
1.5GB
80GB



I love 'em, but.. there's just something about them that I just don't like.

 

[mxpiazza]

this thread is quickly turning into a flame war...

bottom line, this is their bottom of the line PC... other companies entry level notebooks all have integrated graphics. people are just pissed off because apple threw a bunch of other non-entry options into the notebook, so the entry-level graphics are out of place... maybe people should just be happy with what they are getting in their entry level notebook.

yes, this did theoretically replace the 12" PB, but if you need a pro notebook with pro functionality, you are going to have to deal with a 15" MBP for the time being and the foreseeable future... a 12" computer with pro options is nice, but i dont know of any mobile professionals who really do a lot of work, if any, on a 12" laptop... all my friends in TV editing and graphic design are *required* to have a 17" apple laptop, and others wouldnt ever use anything less than the 15". i'm sure there are exceptions, but the cost of packing all the pro tech into a 12" form factor, which would then be passed onto the consumer, i'm sure was not worth it for apple.

99% of people would agree that these specs are better than they thought they would be, and yet, that is the main source of all the complaints. just enjoy the computer for what it is, and if you don't want one, dont buy it, that's fine... but i wouldnt be holding onto your clamshell iBook waiting for a 12" MBP to come out anytime soon, because its not coming.

 

[ppnkg]

I really can't understand the people who complain about the black macbook. Did you have any choice of colours before? NO? Well, apple decided to give you a choice now, at an extra cost. Where's the problem?

 

[Multimedia]

I'm gonna get one - later.

It has to be twice the specs of my current one, GHz, talking now.

So basically, 2.8GHz. And it has to be at least 2 years. (had it for 10months)

Mine now:
1.42GHz 14"
1.5GB
80GB



I love 'em, but.. there's just something about them that I just don't like.

No the MacBook runs more than 5 times as fast as yours. It's 4GHz total power with a faster processor times two cores. I am sure this MacBook will way last 2 more years.

 

[Gatezone]

....Don't do any gaming so I am not sure if I need a dedicated gpu. Does having a video card help playing back HD quicktime content, or is this dependent on the processor? I can't playback any of those HD quicktime videos on my 867 powerbook....

Here's the rub. There are a lot of us who don't do a lot of gaming but I think there are things that we do want to do (movies, consumer video editing, etc.) that *might* be affected by these decisions.

 

[fblack]

Wow, and to think that not too long ago Intel was the enemy and PowerPC our best friend. Now people are defending vehemently the pros of Intel integrated graphics. What's next, everyone cheering wildly for Windoze to run on a mac? Oh, wait a...

 

[jxwolf]

Love the glossy screen. I've had that on my powerbook since 2003 with a crystal film sold in Japan, you can upgrade your old powerbook as well from here:

http://www.powersupportusa.com

Keyboard seems to be the same kind that sony has had on their subnotebooks, the keys seems kinda small.

Easy to upgrade harddrive and ram, nice.

Don't do any gaming so I am not sure if I need a dedicated gpu. Does having a video card help playing back HD quicktime content, or is this dependent on the processor? I can't playback any of those HD quicktime videos on my 867 powerbook....

Apple states system requirements for 1080p playback:

For 1920x1080 (1080p) video at 24 frames per second:
QuickTime 7 for Mac OS X:
Dual 2.0 GHz PowerMac G5 or faster Macintosh computer; 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo or faster
At least 512MB of RAM
128MB or greater video card

So will the new macbook perform? If so, maybe it's time to upgrade.

I just downloaded 3 different 1080p trailers and they played perfectly on my MacBook. No dropped frames, etc. The only time the framerate slowed, it slowed to 23.5 instead of 23.98 but it was only for an instant. These MacBooks are solid.