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MBP Unibody vs. Classic: Long term observations needed
- Thread starter DoNoHarm
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In your mind it is...probably because you adore it but numbers are numbers and the machine is wider by 0.7 and heavier by .1 pounds. Although the numbers are small so overall difference would be negligible but saying the heavier/wider machine feels smaller/lighter than the smaller/lighter one...doesn't compute
There are also some VGA to Svideo converters on ebay like this here. But you will of course need to get the mini-displayport to VGA adapter first.
So how does the glass and trackpad break on the new one? I have the new one for quite a few months now and have not found a way. Enlighten me please.
hopefully you haven't done that yet... notice how everyone who recommends the classic clearly over the unibody doesn't actually own a unibody.
i've had both. classic for over a year (september 2007 until october 2008), and since then i've had my unibody, and i HIGHLY recommend the unibody.
1. no 8600m GT issue (that's why i switched to the new design... my logic board had to be replaced twice, and then the third time the graphics didn't fail but i was experiencing regular kernel panics)
2. trackpad (really changes your computing style. it cannot be explained in words how intuitive it is to use after a month of acclimation.)
3. construction (contrary to what a few have said here, i am a college student who travels with his MBP almost daily and let me tell you, the uMBP is FAR sturdier than the classic. i had both!! it's better made in almost every way. think about it... why would apple - or anyone else, for that matter - take a step back in design/construction? remember that whole "brick" saga before we knew what it was going to be? remember all the excitement of that construction process? it really worked!!)
4. lifespan (since undergoind this redesign, it will be 5+ years until the exterior of apple's notebooks change again. do you really want the design that debuted in 2003, with the powerbook?)
5. capability (has far newer chipset, better CPU, supports more RAM, better battery life in 9400m mode, better video performance in 9600m GT mode)
6. connectivity (you may not have one now, but the new apple displays use miniDP and the classic MBP does not have that port... new one does, and monoprice sells cheap adapters)
so even if you listen to the haters saying the old ones are better made (they're not), balance that against the features and capability of the new one. with all else being equal (it's not), why buy the older design?
and since it's not really equal at all, i'd say it's an easy choice - get the unibody. i've had both, and i couldn't be happier with the uMBP.
What he said - My "old school" Macbook Pro has been taken pretty good care of, but I noticed yesterday there's a small dent in the speaker grill- doesn't matter much, but it's still annoying, and I have no idea how it got there.
I used a 17" Core Duo MacBook Pro from August 2006 to February 2009 at which point I purchased a new Unibody 17" MacBook Pro.
Best upgrade ever. The keyboard feels more robust which may not seem like a big deal but after using the original MBP some of the keys started to show their cheapness especially the right side shift key which came off on more then one occasion due to a very fragile clipping mechanism. And when I say fragile the key is held down by two plastic notches which are like 2mm in size
But other then that losing the Gasket around the edge was nice as mine never really 'fit' perfect there was always an ever so slight gap on the bottom right edge near the optical drive. And speaking of the optical drive having it at the front made it inconvenient for putting discs in if the computer was actually on your lap, having it at the side in the new Unibody is much more convenient
I've only had my Unibody for a few months but it definitely is built better and given the choice between the two designs I would take the Unibody with only two changes. A Bluray Drive with OS X software support and a normal sized Display Port connector so that we could have used adapters already available.
Both of these 'changes' didn't exist on the Classic either however. I did consider selling my Classic since its not 'that' old and I did upgrade it with a 320GB 7,200RPM Disk (Shipped with 100GB 7,200RPM) and also an 802.11n card in replace of its 802.11g one - But after thought I've decided to keep it even with its faults compared to my new unibody I can get a lot done with it.
Best upgrade ever. The keyboard feels more robust which may not seem like a big deal but after using the original MBP some of the keys started to show their cheapness especially the right side shift key which came off on more then one occasion due to a very fragile clipping mechanism. And when I say fragile the key is held down by two plastic notches which are like 2mm in size
But other then that losing the Gasket around the edge was nice as mine never really 'fit' perfect there was always an ever so slight gap on the bottom right edge near the optical drive. And speaking of the optical drive having it at the front made it inconvenient for putting discs in if the computer was actually on your lap, having it at the side in the new Unibody is much more convenient
I've only had my Unibody for a few months but it definitely is built better and given the choice between the two designs I would take the Unibody with only two changes. A Bluray Drive with OS X software support and a normal sized Display Port connector so that we could have used adapters already available.
Both of these 'changes' didn't exist on the Classic either however. I did consider selling my Classic since its not 'that' old and I did upgrade it with a 320GB 7,200RPM Disk (Shipped with 100GB 7,200RPM) and also an 802.11n card in replace of its 802.11g one - But after thought I've decided to keep it even with its faults compared to my new unibody I can get a lot done with it.
Well "haters" sounds quite out of place on these boards in my opinion.
I have a classic MBP and considered upgrading to the new model due to the 8600 fiasco, but I'm still thinking about it. Actually given all those macbook pro models went through regarding defective hardware and the power improvement of the macbooks, I was wondering if it was more convenient to buy a macbook and eventually hooking it up to an external display if you miss/need the quality and the size of the pro screen.
A thousand bucks in the bank will buy a lot of stuff - spare motherboard, spare MBP classic, PS CS4, Nikon D90 kit, 1000 songs on iTMS, a nice gift for the girlfriend, 2 weeks at a Cabo resort for 2, 28.57 40lb. bags of Iams lamb and rice dog food... and the list goes on... or an upgrade to a new unibody MBP from the 'classic' model. It's your money. Sounds like you made your choice, and it's a valid one. It doesn't make you, or any of us who would agree with you... haters!?!? That's Mac vs. PC stuff, not Mac vs. Mac stuff.
If you're getting Applecare and the laptop is still in good shape, go for it. There are lots of parts out there in the world. And lots of 'classic' MBPs that are going strong, despite all the doom and gloom naysayers that they'll all fail. Everything fails... eventually. Life is not a guarantee, and nothing's permanent. Carpé Diem!
If you're getting Applecare and the laptop is still in good shape, go for it. There are lots of parts out there in the world. And lots of 'classic' MBPs that are going strong, despite all the doom and gloom naysayers that they'll all fail. Everything fails... eventually. Life is not a guarantee, and nothing's permanent. Carpé Diem!
I switched to the unibody because of the graphics chip thing, and I'm pretty happy with it. Using the low power graphics chip gives me amazing battery time, the screen is significantly better, design feels sturdier with no misalignments like the previous generation always had, trackpad is a great improvement, the screen tilts back sufficiently unlike the previous ones, doesn't run a hot...in other words, it's simply a better computer overall. What I don't like? Glossy reflections, black keyboard, cheap plastic covering the hinge!
Well perhaps if they'd use them normally. If you take care of your stuff, something like that isn't really possible. I mean it's not even real glass.
for me the only reasons that made me buy the clssic where
1.matte screen
2.black bezel on the new one
purchased 2/Nov/2008
manufactured end of Oct...
if they do make a uMBP with matte option i will buy it....
untill then...
1.matte screen
2.black bezel on the new one
purchased 2/Nov/2008
manufactured end of Oct...
if they do make a uMBP with matte option i will buy it....
untill then...
I have the classic and I would buy a Unibody tomorrow if Apple changed one thing:
1.) Matte screen
-a.) Silver screen bezel, like the 17".
This will be the first generation of PB/MBP that I will be skipping simply and solely because of the lack of a matte screen option.
This is despite the following problems I have with my current classic:
1.) 8600M GT timebomb. I work for long periods of time very far away from FedEx, much less an Apple store. When this thing goes down, there will be the possibility that I will not be able to have it repaired for 3-6 months.
2.) Fit issues. The top case and lower case WILL come loose and start to creak on a classic MBP. Period.
3.) All the rest of the MBP problems that are on MR.
1.) Matte screen
-a.) Silver screen bezel, like the 17".
This will be the first generation of PB/MBP that I will be skipping simply and solely because of the lack of a matte screen option.
This is despite the following problems I have with my current classic:
1.) 8600M GT timebomb. I work for long periods of time very far away from FedEx, much less an Apple store. When this thing goes down, there will be the possibility that I will not be able to have it repaired for 3-6 months.
2.) Fit issues. The top case and lower case WILL come loose and start to creak on a classic MBP. Period.
3.) All the rest of the MBP problems that are on MR.
I have a SR MBP 2.2. I bought it as a refurb, and it's now been with me 14 months. I love this computer. Period. Unlike some others here, unfortunately for them, my MBP Classic doesn't "creak" , the lid closes just fine, latches work just like they're supposed to, no graphics issues, runs cool, nothing's fallen off or bent or collapsed or cracked. All components still work perfectly. All ports are doing stellar service. I got a replacement battery just before warranty ran out because it was in the mid-70% range capacity, now my battery is 99%. Applecare good till mid-Spring 2011. The keyboard is solid, and I bang the hell out of it. My MBP goes into my backpack several times daily, as it's my constant companion when I'm out on the road, or in the field. I just do a quick fold of a small towel around it, then shove it in the backpack. No sleeve, no keyboard protector...nada. The machine still looks practically new. No scratches. No dents. Absolutely a workhorse. Maybe the nVidia 8600GT gpu will give out, who knows? Maybe I'll get hit by a bus. Who knows? We can live in fear of timebombs or suicide bombers or "evil doers" or cancer or the IRS or any of a huge number of gloomy prospects for our future. Just watch Fox News Corp, you'll get enough doom and gloom reasons to keep you busy for a while being unhappy, or you can just go on with life, take a look around at your immediate situation, and seize the moment.
I think that classic spec you have is from when it originally came out. The Santa Rosa platform classics are indeed lighter at 5.4 lbs.
http://www.anandtech.com/mac/showdoc.aspx?i=3240
And the depth and width is pretty substantial when you hold the machines on top of one another.
FWIW I do really love the feel of the unibodies in stiffness, how accurately the screen matches the body... but I'm not big on the machine growing a bit and that big bezel around the screen... a big performance increase will be in order before I trade up (maybe quad core in a year or two).
Glad somebody got this right! The classic and unibody just feel different. Sure the unibody is constructed better but it's also noticeably wider which does make it feel heavier/harder to grasp. It's a trade-off.
yes.
is the classic MBP worth $1000 more than a better-equipped notebook running vista/xp/even ubuntu? not really, not for me anyway. but the unibody is.
i use this machine because of its hardware advantages... graphics card switching, unibody construction, amazing trackpad. OS X is an added bonus but i would be just as happy buying this from HP or lenovo.
the classic, on the other hand, offers no advantages over a similarly equipped (and therefore far cheaper) windows notebook.
my roommate bought a gateway m-6862 from best buy in september for $350. it had a better CPU, more RAM, faster RAM, better video card, more VRAM, a full 64 bit OS, HDMI out, over my classic MBP. all for 1/7 the price... i felt like an idiot.
then i upgraded to the unibody and it was almost all worth it. if i had to pick again, i would probably go the gateway route because i'm a poor college student.
i guess my reasoning here is: if you're going to spend outrageously for the ability to use OS X, why not go that extra bit and get the current model, with all of its advantages?
if you're just interested in the classic, it makes FAR more sense to buy a $350 closeout gateway/dell/HP/lenovo/toshiba/whathaveyou and install OS X on it.
People making the argument for a classic MBP is like telling you to buy a five year old used car to save money. We spend the extra for a new car for many reasons. One, the new features, and two the performance improvements, and three the way it looks and feels to us and the status symbolism of it.
I think most that say get the classic have a classic themselves.
I owned a classic MBP 2.33 GHz, and I loved it... actually owned two of them. Sold one, bought a uMB, then bought the second classic MBP for $600 to replace the one I shouldn't have sold. BUT, that wasn't for a primary Mac. It was for my kids to use the MBP for games/entertainment and for me to Boot Camp into Windows on it.
As a primary Mac, get the unibody MB. The build quality is amazing as the unibody brick aluminum is so solid to hold and use. The display is absolutely gorgeous. The dual graphics ensure that you have a working MAC! The classic, unless you buy older 2.33 with ATI, has the very problematic 8600. The new one has FASTER RAM. The new one will probably allow 8 GB of RAM (definitely if you buy high end). Finally, it looks a lot cooler and you will own the latest and greatest.
If for no other reason to buy the unibody, do it for 8 GB of RAM support. Having 8 GB of RAM will ensure the MBP will be plenty fast and be "current" for several years. I would use 4 GB of RAM for a year or 18 months; then when the RAM prices drop, spend $150 for 8 GB of RAM... probably will add two years of useful life to the MBP you buy!
If you are going to go classic, you're doing it for money saved, so just buy a used one like I did for $600! That's saving money. But life is too short. Buy the unibody and enjoy! One last idea, may want to wait and see if we get an updated MBP soon with an OLED display, and 8 GB of RAM guaranteed support in both low and high end.
Good luck with whatever you buy!
I think most that say get the classic have a classic themselves.
I owned a classic MBP 2.33 GHz, and I loved it... actually owned two of them. Sold one, bought a uMB, then bought the second classic MBP for $600 to replace the one I shouldn't have sold. BUT, that wasn't for a primary Mac. It was for my kids to use the MBP for games/entertainment and for me to Boot Camp into Windows on it.
As a primary Mac, get the unibody MB. The build quality is amazing as the unibody brick aluminum is so solid to hold and use. The display is absolutely gorgeous. The dual graphics ensure that you have a working MAC! The classic, unless you buy older 2.33 with ATI, has the very problematic 8600. The new one has FASTER RAM. The new one will probably allow 8 GB of RAM (definitely if you buy high end). Finally, it looks a lot cooler and you will own the latest and greatest.
If for no other reason to buy the unibody, do it for 8 GB of RAM support. Having 8 GB of RAM will ensure the MBP will be plenty fast and be "current" for several years. I would use 4 GB of RAM for a year or 18 months; then when the RAM prices drop, spend $150 for 8 GB of RAM... probably will add two years of useful life to the MBP you buy!
If you are going to go classic, you're doing it for money saved, so just buy a used one like I did for $600! That's saving money. But life is too short. Buy the unibody and enjoy! One last idea, may want to wait and see if we get an updated MBP soon with an OLED display, and 8 GB of RAM guaranteed support in both low and high end.
Good luck with whatever you buy!
This is of course subjective, and I have an opinion that disagrees.
The current performance increase just isn't significant enough for me to upgrade to a machine I find less aesthetically pleasing. The 8600 issue, sure, but in my case I have extended AppleCare so I'll take my chances.
If someone were to offer me a straight up swap of my entry level Penryn vs. entry level Unibody, no money exchanging hands (and no option to sell), I would keep my machine. No lie.
Come early next year when the Nehalem class machines come out that may be another story.
EDIT: Your car analogy has some merit when you think back to the late 90 BMWs vs. some of the controversial designs Chris Bangle came up with. The 'Banglelized' designs certainly look more modern, but manybimmer fans were soured on what they felt was a lack of design congruence. That's definitely how I feel in this case. And I feel the 'classic' is indeed a modern classic.