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Macbook Update in progress (2.4Ghz)

grefenius said:
Well, with the EUR going tits up these days, I do have some sympathy for Apple's price bump.

999 US / 1,24 USD/EUR (exchange rate) = 806 EUR excl VAT
806 EUR * 1,19 (VAT rate in Germany) = 959 EUR incl VAT
Click to expand...

Tell me the last time an Apple computer has become more expensive in the US, just because the dollar was showing some weakness.

A lot of merchandise is traded in Euros these days. And my income does not change, just because some exchange rate bump...
 
MacBook Update!

I ordered a MacBook with 4GB of RAM on Saturday 15th and now three days later they have updated it!:mad: My new MacBook has not yet been shipped, will I get the updated version?

Any views appreciated
 
Wow, times have changed in 2 years.

I bought my 2008 white macbook from MacMall, as it was a heck of a lot cheaper than Apple, and I could get a better spec'd BTO machine at the time. and the motherboard being used only accepts up to 2gb ram.

2.4 ghz, 2gb ram, 250gb hard drive. that machine, modem (which I never used), mini DVI to VGA, mini DVI to DVI, final cut express, iwork 08 (which is the version I am still using), Applecare, and Aperature cost me over $2500 at the time. And that was with no tax and free shipping.

Now, if I go to Apple and spec the same thing (of course we know it is using faster processors, has a better battery, and better display than my 2008) - the cost is almost 1/2 the price (well half would be 1250, but apple is showing $1556 - close enough).

I would probably consider an upgrade if I had the money, but then again maybe not. My machine is still running perfect. Although with my ipad, it is getting less use now. I only use it for video editing and mass storage now.
 
SmokyD said:
Looking over the posts so far, here is a collected summary of the differences between the base 13" MBP vs the base 13" MB. For 200 dollars more, you get:

- Illuminated Keyboard
- FW800 port
- Crack resistant aluminum case
- SD card slot
- 4 GB of RAM instead of 2GB on the MB
- Separate Audio In and Audio Out/Headphone jacks (this has generally been overlooked so far, but is crucial if you want to use both headphones and audio out at the same time, or just don't like switching between them a lot)
- Battery level indicator
- Slightly less weight
- Slightly smaller in all dimensions
Click to expand...

My new base model 13" Macbook Pro certainly does not have separate audio in/out jacks.

But I definitely agree that the base MBP is worth the price for an upgrade over the new Macbook for many users. If you factor in the current prices of RAM alone, I think the upgrade to the base model MBP is mostly justifiable. 2x2 GB of RAM is like $110 now. If you look at the cheapest prices available for the laptops themselves, for example on MacConnection, the base Macbook usually runs about $925. Add in that RAM upgrade and you're at $1035.

I don't know about anyone else, but I'd say that all of those other extra features (SD card slot, aluminum, form factor, etc) are worth at least (and, in reality, more than) $65 to me, bringing us to about $1100.

Guess what a new base model MBP costs from MacConnection? Yup, $1100.
 
SmokyD said:
Looking over the posts so far, here is a collected summary of the differences between the base 13" MBP vs the base 13" MB. For 200 dollars more, you get:

- Illuminated Keyboard
- FW800 port
- Crack resistant aluminum case
- SD card slot
- 4 GB of RAM instead of 2GB on the MB
- Separate Audio In and Audio Out/Headphone jacks (this has generally been overlooked so far, but is crucial if you want to use both headphones and audio out at the same time, or just don't like switching between them a lot)
- Battery level indicator
- Slightly less weight
- Slightly smaller in all dimensions

Both have about the same battery life. Only thing in favor of the MB is that Wi-fi reception may be better with the polycarbonate case. Other than that, it's really a no-brainer that the MBP is the much better deal. I'm sure Apple knows that and would be happy for most people to go for the MBP.

The real problem here is that the MB is $100 or so too expensive. If the same base model were $899, it would differentiate itself much better and would look more reasonable in relation to the MBP.
Click to expand...

Well... sadly the 13'' MBP does have just one jack for both audio In and Out
 
Can anyone clarify whether the SD slot on the MBP is SDHC or just SD? I'd have expected it to be SDHC these days (just SD would be useless), but then again if it was SDHC, I'd expect the Apple tech spec to have said so rather than just calling it an SD slot.

Given that I normally have an SDHC USB reader in my camera bag anyway, that addition isn't something that would sway me towards paying an extra £60 for the MBP (assuming I upped the RAM to 4Gb in the MB). In fact, Firewire is the only difference that's close to crossing the border from 'want' to 'need' and justifying the extra cost. It may not cost a lot more, but if I don't *need* to spend it...

Steve.
 
miicah said:
$1326 for the 13inch macbook upgraded to 4gb
$1399 for the base macbook pro.

$70 gets you firewire 800 and an aluminium case. Ridiculous.
Click to expand...

Agreed.......................... as an Apple user and aapl investor I see this update and having virtually zero impact. Apple should have either lowered the price or deleted this item. The bean counters won this time.

cheers to the longs
JohnG
 
wowmoco said:
Well... sadly the 13'' MBP does have just one jack for both audio In and Out
Click to expand...

That, and most of the other features are wonderful, but aren't deal breakers for most.

We Mac users have gone a long time without SD Card readers, and FW is all but dead (unfortunately) in today's consumer age. The only real benefit to getting the Pro would be the option for SSDs, backlit keyboard, and aluminum case if that tickle's your fancy.

Otherwise, in regards to processor and graphics (the only parts you can't upgrade later on) the Macbook is pretty much the same machine.
 
SmokyD said:
The real problem here is that the MB is $100 or so too expensive. If the same base model were $899, it would differentiate itself much better and would look more reasonable in relation to the MBP.
Click to expand...

Exactly. When you can get Core i3/5 Dell Vostro 3300's for £439+VAT the MacBook starting at about £720+VAT is way overpriced and possibly over specified. A 2.4Ghz base model is also a bit OTT really if all you wanted was a basic laptop.

At one point Macbooks here were £649 inc VAT. Now they're £200 more expensive and a good £300-400 more than basic models from other manufacturers. Apple's never been a bargain basement brand but you can understand where the 'Apple tax' jibe comes from.

ps. please don't think I'm suggesting the Dell is better, I'm just using it as an example of a decent-ish mid range basic laptop to show how out of touch Apple are.
 
wowmoco said:
Well... sadly the 13'' MBP does have just one jack for both audio In and Out
Click to expand...

Yeah and that's a mess... the 2 year old white MB I'm using has seperated audio jacks. And I DO need it!
Now if I look for a new machine out there good ole' Steve is telling me: "Want seperated audio jacks for your recording stuff? Get a 15"/17" MBP, yeeehhh..." :(
 
They offer this model as an alternative for people that don’t want the aluminum case. The polycarbonate cases are great for education and environments where it’s important to have durability.

Ever dropped an aluminum MacBook? It dents. Whereas, the worst you have to deal with on the polycarbonate case is possible cracking (and the biggest problem with cracking for this model has been because of manufacturer defects).

The plastic MacBooks are really solid machines.
 
sjwk said:
Can anyone clarify whether the SD slot on the MBP is SDHC or just SD? I'd have expected it to be SDHC these days (just SD would be useless), but then again if it was SDHC, I'd expect the Apple tech spec to have said so rather than just calling it an SD slot.

Given that I normally have an SDHC USB reader in my camera bag anyway, that addition isn't something that would sway me towards paying an extra £60 for the MBP (assuming I upped the RAM to 4Gb in the MB). In fact, Firewire is the only difference that's close to crossing the border from 'want' to 'need' and justifying the extra cost. It may not cost a lot more, but if I don't *need* to spend it...

Steve.
Click to expand...

Up to 32GB SDHC:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3553
 
The "gap" between the Macbook and entry level 13" Pro baffle me. I would've liked to have seen the previous or current high end 13" MBP (2.53GHz and 2.66GHz respectively) become the base models and have the 2.8GHz P9700 in the high end configuration. A processor speed bump could also justify moving up to a pro or sticking to a regular macbook, imo. If Macbooks kept their firewire port, even if it was just a 400, I'd probably buy another one. I think the white unibodies are really pretty haha.
 
2GB RAM rocks!

2GB RAM in 2010, is it good enough?

No SSD option either, why white plastic cannot accept SSD drive?

wait until thanksgiving you can find this @ $799 everywhere, may be worth $799.

it is magical and apple printing money out of thin air (thick plastic macbook) !!! :D
 
Apple's comparison page for reference if people couldn't already find it.

I have to agree that the two models are close enough in price, WHEN you max out the BTO options of the MB, to make you wonder which to get. The MB at the high-end only gives you partially what the entry MBP gives you, and if you don't really need the features of the MBP, you have saved money, even if it isn't a lot.

(Is it worth the price? Not sure on that one)

As for HDMI, which all but the MBA have: I would rather have the Display Port standard with multiple output options (and yes, multiple adapters) than multiple ports. I've found that having the extra adpaters gives you more flexibility, even if it does take up space in a bag. Hopefully, the port standard will stay around. (Unless LightPeak takes over ;) )
 
Nice computer, but it's a joke at this price

£849?! Really?! Is Apple Inc taking the p1$$?

I've had a white MB with C2D and 2GHz in 2006 - for £815. Almost four years and the same processor range is still around with higher prices? I know that almost everything else have changed in the MB since, after all I moved on too; but £849?!!!

For something that looks like a Tesco Value kitchen appliance?
 
MacBookUK said:
I ordered a MacBook with 4GB of RAM on Saturday 15th and now three days later they have updated it!:mad: My new MacBook has not yet been shipped, will I get the updated version?

Any views appreciated
Click to expand...

Yep,
Most likely this is why it hasn't been shipped. You could check with Apple just to be safe, or send it back if the old model arrives.

In any case, you will be getting the new model.

...and since you upgraded the RAM it will be a "MacBook Pro" performance-wise. :rolleyes:
 
SmokyD said:
Looking over the posts so far, here is a collected summary of the differences between the base 13" MBP vs the base 13" MB. For 200 dollars more, you get:

- Illuminated Keyboard
- FW800 port
- Crack resistant aluminum case
- SD card slot
- 4 GB of RAM instead of 2GB on the MB
- Separate Audio In and Audio Out/Headphone jacks (this has generally been overlooked so far, but is crucial if you want to use both headphones and audio out at the same time, or just don't like switching between them a lot)
- Battery level indicator
- Slightly less weight
- Slightly smaller in all dimensions
Click to expand...


You can't use the remote with the Macbook because there's no infrared receiver.
 
MacBookUK said:
I ordered a MacBook with 4GB of RAM on Saturday 15th and now three days later they have updated it!:mad: My new MacBook has not yet been shipped, will I get the updated version?

Any views appreciated
Click to expand...
Your name seems to imply you're in the UK, so I'm going to answer as such. I doubt they'll send the new one because they've raised the price. Probably still send you one of the old ones.

However, they're not allowed to charge a restocking fee here. So if you want the new one, then just do a return on the one they send you and order a new one. It's a bit of a pain, but at least you won't be out of any money to do so and I'd say it's worth it for a laptop you're going to use a lot in the future.
 
This new pricing is a complete JOKE.

As someone so astutely stated earlier for $70 more get the MBP. You'd be stupid not too.

I really wanted to purchase a 13" MB, which would have been cheaper. Maybe I'll still buy one but not from Apple. Where can I buy the previous MB model NEW?

THANKS!
 
kernkraft said:
£849?! Really?! Is Apple Inc taking the p1$$?

I've had a white MB with C2D and 2GHz in 2006 - for £815. Almost four years and the same processor range is still around with higher prices? I know that almost everything else have changed in the MB since, after all I moved on too; but £849?!!!

For something that looks like a Tesco Value kitchen appliance?
Click to expand...

+1 i bought the MB in 2006 and specs remain similar only that time 2.0GHz was high end processor if I remember correctly.

2GB RAM not so nice apple, do not be greedy and why there is a limit of 4GB?

intel and other companies innovate the hardware and apple limits the hardware, geez it is keep happening...
 
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