New MacBook Pro's Appearing in Retail Inventory?

[kabunaru]

I have tried one of those at the Apple store in NJ today.

Two issues:
1. the Apple key is 4 keys away from the left, instead of 3, as on my desktop keyboard . What is the "fn" function key for? Very confusing.
2. The screen is horrible!!! I just cannot stand these glossy screens. For me that is the one show-stopper. I need a matte screen.

Otherwise the laptop was very snappy. Performance was great except that it easily choked on 1080p quicktime videos. The weight is very light, the thin body makes you forget that it is longer than the 12" Powerbook by a good inch (depth is about the same).

We are still waiting for a better small, light Powerbook to replace our 12" Powerbook. Unfortunately, because of the glossy screen, it is our conclusion that the Powerbook 12" remains the best travel laptop. We still use it professionally for that purpose. If it was just as fast or as thin as the Powerbook Air, though....

Not having a CD drive, Firewire, or a removable battery do not matter to us at all.

Well, one person did put a matte screen in their MacBook:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/267104/
Don't know about MacBook Air though and how that process will go.

 

[tennisplaayer11]

Do you think apple will want to compete with the primary's on tuesday? It's probably gonna be a crazy news day. I think if they do release a new MBP, they are better off waiting till the next tuesday, so they get more attention.

I think introducing it this Tues. would be a GOOD thing. Since Macworld, people have been saying "Apple won't introduce the new MBP for a few months because it will take media attention away from the MBA." THIS IS APPLE'S CHANCE! The one tuesday where all of the media is focused on the primaries, not many people will be paying attention to an upgrade in an existing laptop. Releasing the mbp on feb. 5 would not draw any media attention because of super tuesday= GOOD THING! come on apple!

 

[Aviv]

Didn't buy in June

You've been waiting since August when the last update was in June. Why didn't you buy in August since they were less than 2 months old?

I didn't buy in June because I purchased a new Mac Pro in May. The speedbumps were hardly a legitimate reason to justify a purchase given the probability of a refresh within a few months. However, we are into February now and we haven't seen anything.

I heard that Apple had to redirect manpower to focus on the MBA resulting in the MBP's being delayed from appearing at MacWorld this last January....

I would just like to see some love for the professional community is all... The Mac Pro's hardly got touched, only affecting those who have don't have quad systems....(aside from the grfx cards updates, which have problem within themselves).

Once again, the Macbook Pro's just need some love...

 

[lowbuzz]

Nothing personal - I was just thinking that if Steve is still focused on his "accessory" computer, he may hold off on the laptop I need until he can claim the Flair a phenomenal success.

Everyone has their own needs - and props to the folks who can afford to accessorize.

I use Macs because I can flip open my laptop and get my work done. Keep that formula going and I'm chill.

I'd just appreciate it if he'd return his focus to those boring old computers that most of us need to get our work done.

Will do, lowbuzz. I'm going to organize my extensive network of rich, hipster, metrosexual friends to buy one MBA per week (because money is NO object for my set), just so that we can create artificially inflated demand, and convince Apple to drop the MBP and MB lines. The fact that Apple continues to work on the MB and MBP lines really pisses me off, because it just competes with what I and my rich, hipster friends really want.

Seriously, man. I truly like it - warts and all. It's clear that you don't, and I respect that, but it's really not a threat. Steve still loves you.

 

[MARTB]

Im a newb and waiting for the updated MBP....first lappy and escapie from MS hell.

Is it always this whacked when an update or new Apple product is pending?

Been checking different threads regarding the MBP and looking for a simple answer... battery and now best buy sku#.... ...can't wait till it's over on tuesday

 

[Martin C]

I think introducing it this Tues. would be a GOOD thing. Since Macworld, people have been saying "Apple won't introduce the new MBP for a few months because it will take media attention away from the MBA." THIS IS APPLE'S CHANCE! The one tuesday where all of the media is focused on the primaries, not many people will be paying attention to an upgrade in an existing laptop. Releasing the mbp on feb. 5 would not draw any media attention because of super tuesday= GOOD THING! come on apple!

Media attention on the MacBook Air is pretty much over now. Why wouldn't Apple want additional media attention? Anything to boost up that stock again.

 

[akadmon]

now as far as someone else saying that Best Buy does not get Stock until a month after apple, that is not true. We had the SR Macbooks right when they were announced and we also had the new iMacs right when they came out. the Air will be in stores within the next few days for demo and will be in stock for sale in the next few weeks.

Yeah, and what Macs did BB carry before that? That's right -- none. So let's see what happens when they actually carry an inventory of older models. I bet they milk it as long as they can, just as CompUSA used to do.

 

[hbchad]

Speed Improvement?

I've been waiting on the latest and greatest MacBook Pro updates for 9 years now...ever since I bought my Powerbook G3 333mhz. I think they are finally fast enough that I will buy a new one when we get an update. I just hope I get a significant speed increase over my current machine. Or should I wait for the update after next...? I like to be on the cutting edge and don't want to be behind the curve..

I love all yall who are on the edge of your seat waiting to upgrade from a slower C2D(heck even a G4)...you don't know what you have...

 

[adwdaw]

My son and I went to our local Best Buy in Elk Grove to see the inventory record for ourselves. I was interested in seeing the entire contents of the description field since it was truncated in the screen shots. We asked an employee to look up 8703441. Although there's likely no significance to it, the complete description in the field was, "Macbook Pro 1".

 

[Zadillo]

I've been waiting on the latest and greatest MacBook Pro updates for 9 years now...ever since I bought my Powerbook G3 333mhz. I think they are finally fast enough that I will buy a new one when we get an update. I just hope I get a significant speed increase over my current machine. Or should I wait for the update after next...? I like to be on the cutting edge and don't want to be behind the curve..

I love all yall who are on the edge of your seat waiting to upgrade from a slower C2D(heck even a G4)...you don't know what you have...

You will see a major increase in performance. But frankly, the performance increase you see will be pretty major whether you got a current C2D-based system or one of the newer Penryn based systems.

You have to realize of course that if you are constantly waiting because you always want to be on the cutting edge, you will be stuck using an old system for 9 years because you never get anything current.

-Zadillo

 

[Bigsam411]

Yeah, and what Macs did BB carry before that? That's right -- none. So let's see what happens when they actually carry an inventory of older models. I bet they milk it as long as they can, just as CompUSA used to do.

Not sure what you are trying to say but if you are saying BB is going to start carrying the old stuff I dont see how that would be. The Oldest model we carry right now is the 2.16 Blackbook and thats only because the Blackbook does not have as much value as the white macbook and is the old version of it. oh and its discounted 150 off in order to sell through them.

One last thing is that BB has always carried mac, its just that not all of the stores carry them and the ones that do have small shops setup by apple and staffed with an apple employee.

My son and I went to our local Best Buy in Elk Grove to see the inventory record for ourselves. I was interested in seeing the entire contents of the description field since it was truncated in the screen shots. We asked an employee to look up 8703441. Although there's likely no significance to it, the complete description in the field was, "Macbook Pro 1".

Yeah the other two skus for macbook pro say "macbook Pro 2", and "Macbook Pro 3". they do that because apple has not announced specs yet so when they are announced the actual specs will replace what it currently says.

 

[Tosser]

I have tried one of those at the Apple store in NJ today.

Two issues:
1. the Apple key is 4 keys away from the left, instead of 3, as on my desktop keyboard . What is the "fn" function key for? Very confusing.

I take it you aren't accustomed to laptops?
The "fn" if for "function" – that top row has F1, F2, F3 etc on them besides the other icons. When you hold down "fn" you can use that top row as function keys. That is normal on a laptop – even PC's. You didn't expect a laptop to have dedicated funciton keys, did you?

2. The screen is horrible!!! I just cannot stand these glossy screens. For me that is the one show-stopper. I need a matte screen.

Yup, me too.

We are still waiting for a better small, light Powerbook to replace our 12" Powerbook. Unfortunately, because of the glossy screen, it is our conclusion that the Powerbook 12" remains the best travel laptop. We still use it professionally for that purpose. If it was just as fast or as thin as the Powerbook Air, though....

Not having a CD drive, Firewire, or a removable battery do not matter to us at all.

Is that the royal "we"?

 

[akac]

I take it you aren't accustomed to laptops?
The "fn" if for "function" – that top row has F1, F2, F3 etc on them besides the other icons. When you hold down "fn" you can use that top row as function keys. That is normal on a laptop – even PC's. You didn't expect a laptop to have dedicated funciton keys, did you?

Mine does. Since I use function keys far more than the brightness, sound, etc.. keys I set the setting in OS X to use them as real function keys.

But to the original poster, I believe the PowerBook 12 had the same FN key as well. At least to my memory. And the glossy screen is awesome. In real life, its never bad.

 

[hbchad]

You will see a major increase in performance. But frankly, the performance increase you see will be pretty major whether you got a current C2D-based system or one of the newer Penryn based systems.

You have to realize of course that if you are constantly waiting because you always want to be on the cutting edge, you will be stuck using an old system for 9 years because you never get anything current.

-Zadillo

Zadillo -
Sorry, I may not have made my sarcasm quite clear enough. I haven't really been waiting 9 years...I have had several pc desktops and an iBook G4 since i got my G3 powerbook. I gave the ibook to my sister and my P4 desktop to my dad in December with the intention of buying a MBP immediately. Then, with word of impending updates, I decided to start playing the waiting game. Now I am left with my G3 PB. I was poking fun at the people who are concerned about a couple of mhz here or there. All of these new machines are so fast it blows my mind. I can't wait to load photoshop with less than 10 bounces on the dock.

Now I'm just waiting for updates so I can get the most for my hard earned money...

 

[Tosser]

Mine does. Since I use function keys far more than the brightness, sound, etc.. keys I set the setting in OS X to use them as real function keys.

LOL, true – I thought of including the information that you could choose to use the top row as function-keys instead of "volume", "screen brightness" etc, but chose not to.

But to the original poster, I believe the PowerBook 12 had the same FN key as well. At least to my memory. And the glossy screen is awesome. In real life, its never bad.

Yes, and so did the TiBook, if I recall correctly – and the iBook and what have you.

And this – the Thinkpad X41 (click it, it's too big for embedding):

http://media.arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware/thinkpad-x41.media/keyboard_popup.jpg

hell, I just had a look at an old Dell Latitude D501 – even that thing has the fn-key.

 

[wildlywicked]

Do you think Apple will really update the MBP now and again in June? It would make sense if this was simply a speed bump, but I question whether or not they will add multitouch now and then do a case redesign later.

The MBP hasn't really changed physically since it was released right? It seems like multitouch would come with a redesign...

My prediction (maybe wishful thinking in part): Macbook Pro Update in next few weeks will be the whole deal. add Penryn, multitouch trackpad, new keybord, and slightly different/thinner case. If there's going to be any new ports ie. HDMI, add those now too.

When Montevina comes, that will be the "speed bump" because I think WWDC will be focused on the 3G iphone and a tablet Mac. An updated MBP doesn't seem like big enough news for a keynote, and since the Penryn is physically smaller than the current processor, the case redesign should come with that.

Ok... what do you think?

PS: I'm no expert, I'm fairly new at all this so this is pure speculation

That is EXACTLY what I'm hoping for. I am tired of waiting (7 months) and as long as update comes with 17" LED I'm happy. Waiting for Montevina to future proof your laptop is stupid - Montevina warrants a speed bump, not an entire case redesign or as many like to call it: a "major update".

No, MBPs are due for the 'major update' NOW.

 

[Papajohn56]

I'm ruling out a redesign other than the trackpack. I don't foresee this as being a large update, but the Montevina will probably be a big one.

I never tried out. I had better things to do then get into spandex with a bunch of other guys and hi five eachother.

I think your avatar explains your bitterness towards athletes.

 

[MacRoom]

2.8GHz Penryn, 17" LED 1920 x 1200, Touch Trackpad Is My Hope For Now

That is EXACTLY what I'm hoping for. I am tired of waiting (7 months) and as long as update comes with 17" LED I'm happy. Waiting for Montevina to future proof your laptop is stupid - Montevina warrants a speed bump, not an entire case redesign or as many like to call it: a "major update".

No, MBPs are due for the 'major update' NOW.

I'm hoping for:

LED 17" 1920 x 1200
2.8GHz Penryn Option
Touch Trackpad

I foresee the 3GHz Quad MacBook Pro at the January 6, 2009 SteveNote as the next "Major Update".

 

[fuji]

I would be more happy to see Apple 'update' their UK pricing inline with the US prices!

 

[fleek1116]

These SKUs aren't new!

I work at Best Buy and I have been desperately waiting to get a macbook or MBP for a long time now. I decided to wait for Macworld to see what ole' Jobsy had to say. About a week before Macworld, these three SKU's titled "Macbook Pro 1" "Macbook Pro 2" and "Macbook Pro 3" showed up underneath the Apple section in mobile computing as well as another SKU titled "New Macbook". Well low and behold, Macworld comes around and the MBA is announced and when I look at the new SKU's, the "New Macbook" changed to the model number for the Macbook Air, and the price went from 1099 to 1799. But the other Macbook Pro 1, 2 and 3 SKUs are still there, and they have the same prices as the current MBPs and the same cost to Best Buy listed as the current MBPs. So I don't think BB has any advanced knowledge of any Apple models coming, but simply made a guess (which by the way I hope they are very correct on). An update, even if small, while keeping the same price point would be awesome. Also, I know this is my first post on here so it may seem unreliable, but I assure you, I wouldn't have wasted my time registering, and typing all this to feed you guys crap. I've been wasting a lot of time at work researching these new SKU's and I hope that we get some definitive news soon.

One last thing: the in-stock date, which as others has said is very unreliable, has been Feb 10th on all 4 SKU's since they showed up. Even the MBA was 2/10 before it was even announced.

 

[onicon]

As long as they don't fu*k up the keyboard color wise as on the MacBook Air and there is at least the option for a matte display, all is fine with me.

 

[adkiller]

I work at Best Buy and I have been desperately waiting to get a macbook or MBP for a long time now. I decided to wait for Macworld to see what ole' Jobsy had to say. About a week before Macworld, these three SKU's titled "Macbook Pro 1" "Macbook Pro 2" and "Macbook Pro 3" showed up underneath the Apple section in mobile computing as well as another SKU titled "New Macbook". Well low and behold, Macworld comes around and the MBA is announced and when I look at the new SKU's, the "New Macbook" changed to the model number for the Macbook Air, and the price went from 1099 to 1799. But the other Macbook Pro 1, 2 and 3 SKUs are still there, and they have the same prices as the current MBPs and the same cost to Best Buy listed as the current MBPs. So I don't think BB has any advanced knowledge of any Apple models coming, but simply made a guess (which by the way I hope they are very correct on). An update, even if small, while keeping the same price point would be awesome. Also, I know this is my first post on here so it may seem unreliable, but I assure you, I wouldn't have wasted my time registering, and typing all this to feed you guys crap. I've been wasting a lot of time at work researching these new SKU's and I hope that we get some definitive news soon.

One last thing: the in-stock date, which as others has said is very unreliable, has been Feb 10th on all 4 SKU's since they showed up. Even the MBA was 2/10 before it was even announced.

Are there any "New iMac" or "iMac 1" or "New Mini" etc of some sort? If that isn't the case, then the rumors are true that Apple intended to release the MBPs at MWSF but delayed them. Else, why would BB stop at adding new SKUs for the MBA and MBPs and not the rest of the Mac line?

Also has the in-stock date for the MBA changed? Is the MBA available now at BB? If not what is the current in-stock date? Could it be possible that MBA and MBPs are arriving at BB on the same date?

Thanks,
-Ad

 

[aswitcher]

12" looks more unlikely.

I guess trackpad, all metal redesign with new keyboard, new power 90' adapter, mag latch, better battery, new chip?, slightly lighter...

 

[design-is]

aaaaah, yet another thread where we all lay in wait, ready to pounce when they are eventually released ...

I honestly don't know what I'm going to do all day when they do actually come out

 

[UmichMusic]

C'mon Apple... sooner than later!

I've been reading this thread all weekend and I'm so anxious for the new MBP that I can't seem to tear myself away from the rumors!

I'm on a PowerBook G4 (Ti) and it's been through some tough times. The optical drive is dead, there are several cracks in the case, the battery is dead, the power connection is touchy, and the latch is busted and makes the poor thing think it's closed when it's not and vice versa (screen issues). Sadly, it's still a MUCH better computer than my work provides -- a Dell "laptop" circa 2001 that weighs about 10 pounds, takes literally 15 minutes to boot, and can barely open a Word document.

I was expecting an update in January and therefore put off the purchase until then... but now, I just am hoping that this poor thing doesn't die before I get the shiny new lappy on my porch.