Pros & Cons of new MBPs

[Beric]

Cons: costs $2000 for $1300 worth of hardware.


Check out what you can get for $1,328.99 from HP (BTO).

dv5t series
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.4 GHz)
15.4" diagonal WSXGA+ High-Definition Widescreen Display (1680 x 1050)
3GB RAM
250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
Wireless N + Bluetooth.

All for $1328.99

 

[Alchematron]

NO Built in 3G Antenna
NO Blu-Ray Drive
NO Silver Keys
NO Matte Screen
NO Hi Res Screen
YES Butt Ugly Bezel
YES Sharp Edges

Sorry Steve NO SALE

 

[Europe calling]

Cons:
- Black keys on the keyboard, oh no! (I was glad i could get rid of them when i changed my last G4 for a Mac Pro)
- Glossy screen. Try to make that work when your outdoors! (That what i do with a laptop)
- It's screen looks ugly with that black bezel.
- More expensive.
- New display port
- Too much dependent on external adapters. How portable is that?

Pros:
- The old yesterdays MBP will drop in price!!! I'll get the previous model!

 

[Europe calling]

What the new MBP should have looked like!

In my opinion:

 

[Diatribe]

In my opinion:

Spot on. That looks sooo much better.

The thing I missed in my cons is that it is wider so we will have to buy new sleeves and bags too.

 

[MovieCutter]

What kind of camera do you have?

For HDV, I shoot with Sony Z1U and V1U

XDCAM HD- Sony EX1 and a range of other high end broadcast cameras, not sure which model though. The EX1 jacks into USB, so no need for firewire, and we pull footage from decks for the other cameras into our main server.

As for all the whiners complaining that they won't be buying the new MBP...you will. Eventually....you will.

 

[soms]

Con:
Having to logout to switch graphics cards.
LOL is this 1980?

 

[Interesting_Way_924]

is the battery life better? Like do you have to that cycling crap?

It's not better. Cycling? Ehhh thats inherent to batteries and even without cycling batteries aren't entirely off.

I can't believe no one pointed out the lower battery life on the new MBP and this was the FIRST THING Anandtech talked about in his article.

60whr => 50 whr.

Sure the new Montevina using DDR3 uses less power but 15% less power that they can cut the battery? Also by pushing us to a 9400 on idle the MBP can use less power. It's rated for 5 hours on a 9400 but FOUR (4) hours on a 9600. Now, remember the 8600GT? We were rated for 5 hours on the 8600GT. So if we can only get 4 hours on a 9600GT that's pathetic considering the 9600GT is a marginal increase and the same overall chip.

Now don't tell me that I'm not going to be playing games all the time or using the full power of my MBP when I'm on an airplane or whatever, but I don't appreciate only being to experience long battery life only by putting a seatbelt on my power machine.

Overall the MBP is NOT even very good at battery life. The whole 5 hour deal on a 8600gt is because the MBP uses aggressive speedstepping which doesn't happen in Windows. Bootcamp your MBP and you will see battery life drop. Look at Lenovo's T61p running on a 6 cell 60whr and you will see that you can never hit 5 hours. Given that I try to do intensive apps on my desktop, I can look past the fact that the MBP uses intense intel speedstep to make sure that it uses as little power as possible, but I think it remains that even a 60whr battery is quite small in the industry let alone a 50 whr one.

 

[Phrasikleia]

Wonder if it will fit in my BOOQ Folee 2M bag....1/2 inch might make it bulge at the seams.

No idea, but the bag I have won't fit something that is 14.35" wide. Mine loads vertically, and the laptop would stick out the top.

 

[Phrasikleia]

Cons: costs $2000 for $1300 worth of hardware.


Check out what you can get for $1,328.99 from HP (BTO).

dv5t series
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.4 GHz)
15.4" diagonal WSXGA+ High-Definition Widescreen Display (1680 x 1050)
3GB RAM
250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
Wireless N + Bluetooth.

All for $1328.99

Yeah, Macs have really become vanity items. They've had that element to a lesser extent for a long while, but this new Bling model pushes it over the top. It's gotten to where I'll feel downright profligate about getting a Mac.

 

[apple2E]

Check this s*** out!

(straight adapter)

Or, even cleaner

http://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-F017-006-Firewire-Hi-speed/dp/B000AAZQLI/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_b/104-9404165-9299121
Ta-Da!!

I just don't think some "pros" want to be using adapters all the time because you work on the fly...there can be around 8-10 guys on the road with macbooks and at times small things like that can get borrowed or used by a co worker. Yes, you're right about how we're going to have to purchase new cables and adapters but it shouldn't be that way.

 

[840quadra]

Cons:

• NO matte option - WTF Apple??? How about offering a laptop with accuracy?

Matte finish does not grantee color accuracy. In fact, the previous MBP was not known for having perfect color calibration, or presentation in matte or glossy finish. While I feel that LCD technology has greatly improved, many articles point out that only the high end CRT, or LCD monitors can offer true color calibration, and accurate representation.

• $30 more for adapter just to make proprietary video out useful. (This kind of omission is a serious departure from the Apple I've known and loved since 1986. What ever happened to the company that included these little surprises in the box that made the whole package feel truly premium?)

Since you are a user since 1986 do you not remember the DB15 Apple monitor connector, or the more recent ADC ports on Power macs?

Proprietary video connections are not exactly new territory for Apple. I don't like them, but it is a fact of life for this company, and like before, they don't always bundle adapters for devices that customers want (or need) to use.

 

[jbrenn]

You left off DDR3 from the pros. I think DDR2 is capping at 2GB modules, so DDR3 should be able to jump to 4GB, which means a total of 8GB possible when the motherboard supports it. I also think killing the firewire port is a GOOD thing, but only if they had added USB ports. I think you can buy ExpressCard firewire adapters, so I would've loved about 16 USB ports. Instead, they still have 2. Arrgh.

Your cons are pretty good, especially the matte part. I disagree about the video adapter. This new one takes up less space and lets you choose an array of adapters. They should've given people a free one with purchase, but oh well. I could also not give too much of a hoot about the 500GB option because they don't seem priceworthy, but I get your BTO point. You left BLU-RAY! out of the cons. If half the PC vendors can pop a BD-ROM drive in a $1,000 notebook, surely Apple could have a BTO option.

I could also do without hearing the phrase "tactile feedback" for the rest of my life. I never understood the need for it on iPhone (that's why there's a clicking noise when you type) nor do I get it on the trackpad.

wrong about ddr2 there are 4 gb chips available and the old mbp does actuall support 8 gb search this site for that

 

[wordmunger]

Cons: costs $2000 for $1300 worth of hardware.


Check out what you can get for $1,328.99 from HP (BTO).

dv5t series
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.4 GHz)
15.4" diagonal WSXGA+ High-Definition Widescreen Display (1680 x 1050)
3GB RAM
250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
Wireless N + Bluetooth.

All for $1328.99

... and 1.67 inches thick -- almost double the MBP.

I'd love to see a price quote like this for a computer that comes within even 10 percent of the MacBook Pro's size. You pay for portability, people.

 

[ipponrg]

I was a potential PC to MAC converter until these new MBPs came out.

I wanted basically a revision of the old MBPs but with new hardware. Looks like the new ones have new hardware but offset it with poor aesthetic decisions in my opinion.

The new MBP just didn't cut it for me. I dont like the chicklet-ish keyboard, black on alu color scheme, 2 USB, glossy screen, and display port connector. I wanted (at least) DVI/HDMI, 4 USB, matte screen, regular laptop keyboard. It would've been nice if Apple lowered their prices by a honest amount, but it's understandable because they are a luxury brand nowadays.

Looks like I'll have to wait another 2 years for another Macbook refresh :/

 

[MyDesktopBroke]

People are saying the 9600m with 256 is slower than the 8600 that was in the older models. True?

 

[Phrasikleia]

Since you are a user since 1986 do you not remember the DB15 Apple monitor connector, or the more recent ADC ports on Power macs?

Proprietary video connections are not exactly new territory for Apple. I don't like them, but it is a fact of life for this company, and like before, they don't always bundle adapters for devices that customers want (or need) to use.

Yeah, but I seem to recall those coming in the box. I don't remember paying extra for them.

 

[marbles]

If it actually clicks down physically then I am good. If it doesn't it sucks hard.

far as I can see you can assign the bottom parts of the trackpad to emulate a button ...if you wanted too.



I'm in the market for a new machine and am leaning toward buying the ne MB pro ....think I'll see how it pans out , but they do look very solid machines

 

[840quadra]

Yeah, but I seem to recall those coming in the box. I don't remember paying extra for them.

It depended on what system you purchased (Classic days), I don't recall ever having an apple monitor to VGA adapter in the box of my 5300 (yeah what a sad system). I had to buy the adapter from Sears.

And I don't believe that adapters were always available on the ADC systems if you wanted a specific type of monitor. I was surprised when our school purchased new G4 systems that came with ADC video cards, and we didn't have any adapters to run our classic Apple CRT screens. I haven't seen a G4 system with ONLY ADC since, but I clearly remember the IT director going ballistic about that when I was still in school.

 

[hokietoner]

I consider this a PRO. Now it matches the Apple Wireless Keyboard, which I love! I just wish they'd offer color options for the keys: black, white and matching silver (which I'd choose).

But I'm very disappointed that matte is no longer an option!

Colors and matching designs are the last things I look for in a good keyboard. I've had the newest iMac since the day it came out, and I don't enjoy the chicklet keyboard at all. In fact, several typing tests showed that I'm much slower on the chicklet keyboard than on a normal one. I really liked the old MBP keyboard, I thought the texture of the keys and the response after pressing were both very good.

I will definitively NOT buy a macbook pro until they change keyboard fads. Apple, please give us a keyboard which is designed for typing FIRST and looks SECOND!

 

[valvehead]

A string of steps backwards on the new MBP:

1. All ports crammed in on the left side
2. Smaller battery
3. Only one FW800 port
4. Mini DisplayPort: There's nothing wrong with DisplayPort, but the mini version is not standard
5. Adapters for Mini DisplayPort to DVI/VGA/etc. are not included. Apple charges $99 for the dual-link adapter separately! It looks like it steals one of the USB ports, too!
6. No matte screen option
7. Screen resolution is still only 1440x900 on the 15". Several other manufacturers are offering 1680x1050.
8. No Blu-ray option

The jury is still out on the two-tone look and the glass track pad.

I'm that glad I have the Feb. '08 model, even if it does have the infamous ticking time bomb (Nvidia 8600M GT).

 

[hokietoner]

A string of steps backwards on the new MBP:

1. All ports crammed in on the left side
2. Smaller battery
3. Only one FW800 port
4. Mini DisplayPort: There's nothing wrong with DisplayPort, but the mini version is not standard
5. Adapters for Mini DisplayPort to DVI/VGA/etc. are not included. Apple charges $99 for the dual-link adapter separately! It looks like it steals one of the USB ports, too!
6. No matte screen option
7. Screen resolution is still only 1440x900 on the 15". Several other manufacturers are offering 1680x1050.
8. No Blu-ray option

The jury is still out on the two-tone look and the glass track pad.

I'm that glad I have the Feb. '08 model, even if it does have the infamous ticking time bomb (Nvidia 8600M GT).

Even the imacs only have 1 FW800 port. Why do you need more? FW devices are designed to daisy-chain.

 

[jaytv111]

my cons:

No Blu Ray
No Esata
should have used full displayport and not a mini connector
No built in 3G
No Wireless USB
Expresscard is still the inferior 34 mm and not 54 mm type
It's heavier than the old model
Battery is smaller than the old model
Graphics should have been 9650 no 9600

Pros:

More powerful processors
two graphics cards
Touchpad

Other than that, nothing to really be excited about

 

[valvehead]

Even the imacs only have 1 FW800 port. Why do you need more? FW devices are designed to daisy-chain.

My point was more about there being only one FW port period. Some situations may not work well with everything on one port. If I'm doing multitrack sound for video, the demands on the bandwidth are huge. If a FW hard drive has to share bandwidth with the audio interface, it could result in dropouts. And don't tell me to get a FW or eSATA expresscard adapter; I shouldn't have to. USB is not an option either; it doesn't handle streaming well, and the CPU usage is much higher. FW is the way to go.

I'm seriously considering whether or not I want to stick with Apple. If this is the direction they are heading, then I don't want to invest any more in Mac-only apps. I love OS X, but I don't want to get stuck with crippled hardware in the future when it's time to replace my current MBP.

 

[Timur]

My point was more about there being only one FW port period. Some situations may not work well with everything on one port. If I'm doing multitrack sound for video, the demands on the bandwidth are huge. If a FW hard drive has to share bandwidth with the audio interface, it could result in dropouts.
...
I love OS X, but I don't want to get stuck with crippled hardware in the future when it's time to replace my current MBP.

Your current MBP also only offer one physical Firewire interface. The two ports on the MBP are internally just as daisy-chained and sharing the same bandwidth like all other devices. So if you could use the two ports on your old MBP successfuly for low latency audio plus harddrive you should also be able to use the one on the new MBPs. Considering how the Agere driven FW400 ports on last years MBPs played badly with FW400 audio interfaces it may even be a better solution.

Just make sure to stick the FW400 device last on the chain (like if you're using a FF800 and a FW400 HD then put the HD into the FF, if you are using a FF400 and a FW800 HD then stick the FF into the HD).