New MacBook Pro's Appearing in Retail Inventory?

[lowbuzz]

That's why I wish you people wouldn't buy that stupid Flair thing. If it's a complete failure, he'd give up on it and incorporate the technology into the Pros. Buying one of those things is basically telling him he can continue to cannibalize Apple's computers to support his gadget fetish.

I wish you'd all cancel your orders - anyone who buys one obviously doesn't really need the stupid thing.

Also, given you're so loaded, can you just send me one of the lastgen computer you probably have just laying around? I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a tricked-out MacBook Pro today.

I'm currently a non-profit individual, so you could count it as charity - plus I'll vote for whoever you want me to on Super Tuesday.

Also, you've never been wrong - and you're incredibly handsome/beautiful - and I'd throw in my firstborn also, but given my genetics, it'll most likely be retarded.

Though multi-touch and Penryn will be nice additions, I don't think any new MacBook's or MacBook Pro's will have that many new features to make older models obsolete (so to speak). I think its gonna be another year before there are 1) major changes or 2) new Apple laptops. Though the MacBook Air is a niche product, I don't think Apple will cannibalize its sales by introducing a product that could sway on-the-fence buyers away from the flAir (as someone put it). But I've been wrong once or twice in my lifetime



Mac Pro 3.2GHz Quad/8GB/500HD x 4/2 24" LCD's
MacBook Pro 15"/2.33 GHz Dual/3GB/120HD
MacBook Air 1.8Ghz Dual/2GB/64SSD (eventually when it gets shipped to me)
8GB iPhone
16GB iPod Touch
30GB iPod
40GB Apple TV (patiently waiting for update)

 

[GreyMatta]

I sure hope it will have that and maybe an updated keyboard.

(Mockup)

where do I sign for one of those ?

that keyboard looks very nice indeed

 

[krye]

OMG. I can't believe anyone is actually going to base anything off what Best Buy has to say.

As always, it will be guess, wrong, guess, wrong, guess, wrong, guess, get it right, look like a well-informed genius.

You all know that eventually, someone is going to be right. Right?

 

[Tosser]

On these flash drives - I was jonesing hard for new MacBook Pros with flash drives. I thought that would be kick ass - given they might be too expensive now, but upgrading in the future would be possible.

I'm sure I'll win technomoron of the year for this one - but what's the DEAL with these flash drive things?

Well, as far as I understand, they're fast, really fast – except maybe for sustained transfer. One caveat, though: You can get ass-slow ones too – just like the one in the MB Flair. There are differences in speed there, just as there are differences in speed with SDHC-cards (and CF-cards for that matter).

With that said and done, SSD will give you a much "faster" computer because the user interface will be faster (since it has almost no seek time).

Also, there is zero mechanical parts in it, making it much more rugged. Everything else might shake loose, but your data will be safe.

– And if it's anything like a CF-card (it is), you could put a nail through it and will still work (well, the rest of it – not the part with the nail through it, of course).
Also, it works from very low temperatures to rather high ones.

This I haven't seen mentioned anywhere around here, but one of the best things, imo, about solid state vs. harddrives is that it wont condense if you bring it in from the cold. Condensation is something I worry about – living in Denmark and all.


Oh, and yes, it does weigh less, but that really isn't something to worry about.

For instance, why would it not be possible to remove an old hard drive and replace it with a flash drive in the future?

It is possible. You just have to find someone who supports the "plug".

 

[Tosser]

where do I sign for one of those ?

that keyboard looks very nice indeed

Yup, and with that shape you could actually use a normal DVI, have firewire, a normal non-mechanical USB-slot, a normal Magsafe, and an expresscard-slot.
It's not because the MB Air is thin those things have to be "special" (or non-existant), no, it's because they have tapered the edges.

 

[asdavis10]

That's why I wish you people wouldn't buy that stupid Flair thing. If it's a complete failure, he'd give up on it and incorporate the technology into the Pros. Buying one of those things is basically telling him he can continue to cannibalize Apple's computers to support his gadget fetish.

I wish you'd all cancel your orders - anyone who buys one obviously doesn't really need the stupid thing.

Also, given you're so loaded, can you just send me one of the lastgen computer you probably have just laying around? I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a tricked-out MacBook Pro today.

I'm currently a non-profit individual, so you could count it as charity - plus I'll vote for whoever you want me to on Super Tuesday.

Also, you've never been wrong - and you're incredibly handsome/beautiful - and I'd throw in my firstborn also, but given my genetics, it'll most likely be retarded.

You don't have to worry about the tech being placed in other Mac models. That's coming either way. A SSD in a MacBook or MacBook Pro right now would be quite expensive not to mention rather limited in capacity (I believe the largest SSD for a laptop is currently 128GB). The Air will actually help to drive the prices down...eventually (it will need help from other laptop manufacturers though). In 15 months we will probably see SSD's as an option in new laptop models.

 

[lowbuzz]

As you pointed out, beyond speed, the best part is that (from what I understand) it's almost infinitely more reliable.

I just received (and sent back) 2 Lacie Quadra 500GB drives. They both made awful scraping noises - not cool.

On this plug thing, though - laptops are for the most part disposable items. Other than memory and drives, you can't really upgrade them.

So quite seriously, on a laptop - when replacing a drive, are you also replacing it's I/O (like on an external drive, for instance).

Given the right price point, I don't think there's anyone who wouldn't toss their disk for a flash drive in a heartbeat.

Is there any realistic potential for current drives to be replaced with flash drives, or would it rely on a completely new "platform".

It is possible. You just have to find someone who supports the "plug".

 

[DocSmitty]

That's why I wish you people wouldn't buy that stupid Flair thing. If it's a complete failure, he'd give up on it and incorporate the technology into the Pros. Buying one of those things is basically telling him he can continue to cannibalize Apple's computers to support his gadget fetish.

I wish you'd all cancel your orders - anyone who buys one obviously doesn't really need the stupid thing.

Also, given you're so loaded, can you just send me one of the lastgen computer you probably have just laying around? I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a tricked-out MacBook Pro today.

I'm currently a non-profit individual, so you could count it as charity - plus I'll vote for whoever you want me to on Super Tuesday.

Also, you've never been wrong - and you're incredibly handsome/beautiful - and I'd throw in my firstborn also, but given my genetics, it'll most likely be retarded.

I think lowbuzz needs to take a couple Vicodin and spend a few weeks reading the last 3 months of threads in the Macbook / MBP forums

Anyway, there IS a market for the MBA, there ARE more people buying it than all the nay-sayers think, and it's not going to go away this year like some people have said.

To answer the legitimate question you asked previously, your best bang for the buck in a 15" screen size Apple laptop is the base model 15" 2.2ghz. Upgrade to 4gb ram (and bigger HDD if you choose) with 3rd party RAM. Feel free to buy refurb if you want, the warranty is the same on those. Oh, and some would say the quality-assurance process on those is even better because they need proper testing to guarantee functionality before resale, while they assume the new in box items work.

 

[BenRoethig]

You know, if you have the money to throw around, you can just buy a 2.5" sata ssd from any online retailer.

And then find that you pretty much have to disassemble the machine to install it.

I hope this is a Quad, I saw an ad for a Quad laptop, also we need to separate the MacBook from the MacBook Pro and a quad processor would certainly do that.

Pro's on the go can use the extra cores.

The Macbook Pros are thin and lights. Quads aren't going to fit. 8800 isn't going to fit either, unless you want a machine that is much thicker. Alienware's new m15x is by far the smallest machine yet released for such a setup and that's still 0.3 inches thicker and a pound a half heavier than the 15" Macbook pro.

No way Blu Ray arrives in the MBP before the Mac Pros.

Panasonic also has to intro its 9.5mm slot loading drive (they already have a tray drive). Apple uses ultra slim drives designed for ultraportables to make their machines a hair thinner.

 

[lowbuzz]

You're a gentleman and a scholar - and your good looks are exceeded only by your amazing ability to give me one of your laptops. Also, your intellect is dazzling - I wish I could be more like you. Just using a laptop that you once used... truly, I'm not worthy. But yet I would dedicate my entire life aspiring to become more like you.

Also, if it's helpful, I could send you a photo and a personal message each month, thanking you for all you've done to help. You truly are a kind, generous person with loads of money.

You don't have to worry about the tech being placed in other Mac models. That's coming either way. A SSD in a MacBook or MacBook Pro right now would be quite expensive not to mention rather limited in capacity (I believe the largest SSD for a laptop is currently 128GB). The Air will actually help to drive the prices down...eventually (it will need help from other laptop manufacturers though). In 15 months we will probably see SSD's as an option in new laptop models.

 

[lowbuzz]

I just popped 3 - and man, I'm feeling good. But I'd feel even better if one of you rich bastages would just give me a shiny new laptop for which I'd be forever grateful. I'm currently dedicating my first novel to you - it's a romance novel, about a really hot girl who gets all hot and bothered... but I digress and pop another Vicodin.

I think lowbuzz needs to take a couple Vicodin and spend a few weeks reading the last 3 months of threads in the Macbook / MBP forums

 

[abijnk]

off the tangent from recent tech centric posts, but is anyone else harboring a secret hope that there will be some kind of super bowl commercial extravaganza announcing a new and improved macbook pro? this would be the sort of dramatic venue and audience size everyone keeps saying an announcement like the mbp update requires.

NO!

*slunks off to check the time until the super bowl starts*



I am putting my money on this Tuesday. I don't really *need* a new laptop since I just got my current MacBook in November, but I want to upgrade now. (I know I know, and I am kicking myself for not getting a pro back in November...)

What about 10.5.2??? I haven't heard anyone bring that up yet... I would think/hope the releases would coincide.

 

[Tosser]

On this plug thing, though - laptops are for the most part disposable items. Other than memory and drives, you can't really upgrade them.

Hmm. As it now – not in general, but right now - the SSD-prices are rather high and the space on them aren't really up to scratch. When that time comes, all that will matter is whether the "plug" (the I/O) will fit. Yes, it will be as hard to change as changing it for another HDD, but the only thing that will matter if wether, say, Samsung is using the same plug (be it PATA, SATA, IDE or whatever). Other than that it will work and function just like a HDD-replacement.

So quite seriously, on a laptop - when replacing a drive, are you also replacing it's I/O (like on an external drive, for instance).

I don't know if you're asking or not? But to me, the "plug" _is_ the I/O, although simplified.

Is there any realistic potential for current drives to be replaced with flash drives, or would it rely on a completely new "platform".

An SSD will function just like a mechanical HDD for all intents and purposes. An SSD, unlike NAND, is a disk drive, albeit a solid state-one. You can get all sorts of SSD's, including an ExpressCard-one to fit in your slot in the MBP.

 

[EagerDragon]

off the tangent from recent tech centric posts, but is anyone else harboring a secret hope that there will be some kind of super bowl commercial extravaganza announcing a new and improved macbook pro? this would be the sort of dramatic venue and audience size everyone keeps saying an announcement like the mbp update requires.

I would love a new ad during the superbowl for just about anything new except an iPod.

 

[akadmon]

Since when does Best Buy get their hands on new stock at the same time as Apple's own stores? Puhleeze! Just like CompUSA in the past, Best Buy will be selling old inventory a month or two after the new model has come out, and people will buy, because, let's be frank, most people don't follow Macrumors and such. Heck, most people don't even bother going to apple.com!

This is so blatantly bogus. I can't believe you guys are falling it

OK, I'm tuning out. Time to go back to real life. Go Pats!!!

 

[Mindflux]

OK, I'm tuning out. Time to go back to real life. Go Pats!!!

Since when does 'real life' have to do with overpaid metrosexuals in tights pounding eachother into the turf?

 

[Stridder44]

That's why I wish you people wouldn't buy that stupid Flair thing. If it's a complete failure, he'd give up on it and incorporate the technology into the Pros. Buying one of those things is basically telling him he can continue to cannibalize Apple's computers to support his gadget fetish.

I wish you'd all cancel your orders - anyone who buys one obviously doesn't really need the stupid thing.

Also, given you're so loaded, can you just send me one of the lastgen computer you probably have just laying around? I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a tricked-out MacBook Pro today.

I'm currently a non-profit individual, so you could count it as charity - plus I'll vote for whoever you want me to on Super Tuesday.

Also, you've never been wrong - and you're incredibly handsome/beautiful - and I'd throw in my firstborn also, but given my genetics, it'll most likely be retarded.

Someone get this man a beer and a medal.

 

[EagerDragon]

The Macbook Pros are thin and lights. Quads aren't going to fit. 8800 isn't going to fit either, unless you want a machine that is much thicker. Alienware's new m15x is by far the smallest machine yet released for such a setup and that's still 0.3 inches thicker and a pound a half heavier than the 15" Macbook pro.

I Could be wrong (sorry no polls), but IMHO, I would think a PRO would be more interested on pro features and horse power on a laptop than thickness of the unit. A traveling pro would be interested on the weight, features and power rather than on the thickness. Again I could be wrong.

Lets hear from the pro's ..... Would you be willing to use a thicker MacBook Pro (same weight) if it had more power and better graphic card?

 

[Stridder44]

Since when does 'real life' have to do with overpaid metrosexuals in tights pounding eachother into the turf?

Someone's still bitter about not making the team back in H.S.

 

[kockgunner]

Why would the update of the macbook pro be really small? The machines have been out for a long time ( the design going back to the PowerBook). Now the only update is going to be the processor and the trackpad? Can anyone confirm the minor update?

 

[DocSmitty]

Since when does Best Buy get their hands on new stock at the same time as Apple's own stores? Puhleeze! Just like CompUSA in the past, Best Buy will be selling old inventory a month or two after the new model has come out, and people will buy, because, let's be frank, most people don't follow Macrumors and such. Heck, most people don't even bother going to apple.com!

This is so blatantly bogus. I can't believe you guys are falling it

OK, I'm tuning out. Time to go back to real life. Go Pats!!!

Best Buy *does* get skus into their system months in advance of when they actually get the product. The dates listed are very very general and in no way represent actual shelf dates for Best Buy stores. I used to work there, and the inventory screen shot looks legit, I'm just curious how they would take a screen shot on a system and further send it in to MacRumors... the in-store computers have fairly limited abilities. I guess you could take a screen shot on the manager station and load it onto a pen drive.. maybe...

 

[Tosser]

I Could be wrong (sorry no polls), but IMHO, I would think a PRO would be more interested on pro features and horse power on a laptop than thickness of the unit. A traveling pro would be interested on the weight, features and power rather than on the thickness. Again I could be wrong.

Lets hear from the pro's ..... Would you be willing to use a thicker MacBook Pro (same weight) if it had more power and better graphic card?

Actually, I couldn't give a toss about the graphics card – I don't do graphics, but audio. More power? Yes, that is always nice.
But what I really would like is an MBA with a tad more power, smaller footprint, squared (in order to make space fr FW800, expresscard slot etc) and a matte, higher resolution screen. In short, a wee bit smaller and a bit lighter MBP, but with the same resolution. Oh, and no optical drive.

Graphics? Pfft. Those things are for amateurs and gamers!

 

[scrambledwonder]

While the new MacBook Pros will likely incorporate only modest updates (Penryn and Multi-Touch), with their imminent release, its hard to justify the purchase of the current 8 month old models.


Article Link

Aww, that hurt my MBP's feelings.

 

[BornToMac]

I don't think that this really means anything. Currently, about 60% of Atlanta area stores have Apple kiosks w/ the full line of Macs (except MBA). Recently, while at a Best Buy that did not carry Macs, an employee told me that all Best Buys stores would soon have the kiosks. So..... I believe the "new skus" in the system are simply preparations for the launch. Also, this could be a good way for Apple to relieve the rest of it's current MBP inventory before the release of the new Penryn update. Either way, hurry up and release the damn thing!

 

[macman2342]

My two cents...

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