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Pros & Cons of new MBPs

PAUL BRIAN said:
i'm a musician/audio engineer and also hated the omission of firewire on the macbook

i wouldn't be getting the pro if that wasn't the case :mad:
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I always planed on getting a Pro if it had to be a Mac (still on PC desktop). I want to take it onto hot stage enviroments and run loads of effects through it. It's meant to be both a replacement for music hardware (especially Guitar, Vocal effects plus some synthesizer stuff) and desktop PC.

I have been waiting for this update since january since I didn't really need it at once (Ableton Live runs on both Windows and OS X anyway). My hope was that with Montevina's announced upto 40% smaller mainboard sizes and less energy-consumption the new MBP line would be somewhat smaller, weighting less and run longer on batteries.

I always expected the 9600M GT anyway, although a slightly better dedicated graphic for gamers (like me occassionally) would have been more suitable with the given option of turning it down to the inbuild 9400M for saving battery life.
I'd like to have a higher screen resolution as option for the 15", because for music apps (audio tracks overview and plugin windows) you really need that. 1680x1050 may seem small, but better a small overview of everything than having to scroll around. Unfortunately we're still stuck at 1440x900. The small resolution of the Macbook isn't enough for me unless I'd use it as a "secondary" take-around-everywhere solution.

Concerning ports I am mainly disappointed because of a still missing eSATA port (ExpressCards stick out of the chassis) and that there are only 2 dedicated USB ports left (are they dedicated even or just running as a hub?) with not a single port on the right side (yeah, buy the bluetooth mouse, cables are for lamers, eh?).

Shops in Germany don't have the new ones yet. Three different Apple Premium Sellers told me about awaiting them either "definetively by the end of this week" to "not until the end of next week". I had my eye on a Refurbished MBP 2.5 for around 1300 Euro last night, but today it was gone from the Apple shop (only far too expensive 1800 Euro ones left). When searching the web for prices I found one dealer offering the 2.5 MBPs for 2080 Euro, but one hour later the price went up to 2160 Euro. Still a good bit less than what Apple asks for in their Webshop (2249 Euro)
 
Timur said:
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).
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What is FF?
 
wordmunger said:
... 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.
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And if I don't care at all about portability (and actually view it as a negative, because of the extra heat of a thinner laptop), could you refer me to a powerful, cheaper Apple laptop that doesn't focus only on portability and design?
 
I think if enough people complain, they will have a matte screen. This was a stupid decision in the first place. Not all designers/photographers want a 17" to lug around.
 
wordmunger said:
... 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.
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The HP is 100% of the MacBook Pro's weight, which is what really matters for portability, not less than an inch of thickness. Both the HP and the MBP weigh 5.5lbs, so the Mac is no easier on your back; it's just thinner (and probably runs hotter for that reason). Beric gave the price for a BTO version with slightly better specs and identical weight that costs a mere $1328.99. The difference in hardware really comes down to form factor and polish. How often does your average person say, "Darn, if only I had an extra inch of space in my bag!"

C'mon now, how is it really a difference in portability if they're the same weight?
 
Anyone have any info on the display tilt angle? When apple first intro'd the LED screens, they became very limited in movement to tilt backward. (Guessing it was to keep the vents open)
 
I for one am VERY glad they've put the chicklet keyboard on all models.

I picked up the last MBP begrudingly because I needed a computer, but was hoping they'd update the keyboard. Prior to this MBP I had been using an MB and grown to love that keyboard. I'm a touch typist, and a software developer so I'm typing all day, and after I got used to the chicklet keyboard I noticed the keys got out of my way a lot quicker, and I could type significantly faster on it. That's just me though, and I understand it's a preference issue though... not sure what I'd expect apple to do with it really though, I wouldn't expect them to offer two entirely different keyboard styles on the same machine. I guess for now the 17" still uses the old keyboard.

I for one can't wait to go pick up a new MBP next week, now it's just a question of which version I want.
 
Michael CM1 said:
I also think killing the firewire port is a GOOD thing, but only if they had added USB ports.
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Not so much for those of us who use FW400 quite a bit.. (pro audio interfaces and DV)

Michael CM1 said:
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.
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Agreed.
 
SDAVE said:
I think if enough people complain, they will have a matte screen. This was a stupid decision in the first place. Not all designers/photographers want a 17" to lug around.
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Yeah and those are most likely going to lose the matte option as soon as they refresh in "the next couple months".
 
I just got my new MacBook Pro!

I am posting from my new MacBook Pro, and I LOVE it! it runs great, looks amazing and the track pad is just crazy awesome. I have no problem clicking anywhere on the trackpad, it just seems slightly easier at the bottom but it still works just fine at any spot. The display is beautiful and if you turn the brightness up it really dose cut down on glare. I am really glad I bought one and I can't wait to see what it can do.
 
MowingDevil said:
What is FF?
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Sorry, I'm so used to that everyone knows what a FF is on the music-production related forums I am writing in. ;)

A FF is a RME Fireface, there is a Fireface 400 using FW400 and a Fireface 800 using FW800.
 
Timur said:
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).
Click to expand...

If the hard drive and audio interface are both bus powered (I'm thinking Duet here), is daisy chaining going to work?

Anyone confirm that Apple is still using TI Firewire chipsets in the new MBP (surely they can't make the same error twice, but nice to be certain).
 
Loge said:
If the hard drive and audio interface are both bus powered (I'm thinking Duet here), is daisy chaining going to work?
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You can try at least. I don't know if the old "two-port" solution offered separate bus-power per port. It may depend on the order you switch them on, because most devices need more power when switching them on (the RME Fireface had bus-power issues when switching on once).

Anyone confirm that Apple is still using TI Firewire chipsets in the new MBP (surely they can't make the same error twice, but nice to be certain).
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There is a link somewhere leading to an asian site with a guy who has already taken the whole thing apart. Maybe you can send him a mail and ask him?
 
From what i see...

Pros:

  1. Thinner, stronger chassis + Glass display 'combo' - always welcome and pleasing to the eye, stronger machine, fewer parts and updates the look nicely!
  2. Better access to battery and HDD - this one needed to happen; definite plus!
  3. Graphic card duality - nice one; should help battery life somewhat...
  4. Gestured mousepad - nice touch; hopefully increases productivity..
  5. DDR3 - more memory supported after firmware update maybe?

Cons:

  1. Battery life - still can't get a full working day even while only using the chipset/graphics combo - come on apple!
  2. USB Ports - even the new netbook from Toshiba? has 3 USB 2.0 ports - what gives Apple? i thought the shrinking of the external display port would have allowed for one more USB 2.0 port...
  3. 5400 RPM HDD as standard - i don't see the point of this option any more...

Jury still out:

  1. Chicklet keyboard - haven't used one for extended period, but liked the vaio one i played with...
  2. Glass display in terms of reflective properties and colour reproduction - i NEVER judge these until i use it...
  3. Sharp-looking edge near wrist rest - won't know until i use it but hopefully not an issue...

Strong Suggestions for Apple:

  1. Flush-fitting Expresscard-based additional port card - customer chooses one for free at time of purchase e.g. [1xUSB 2.0 + 1xeSATA] or [2xUSB 2.0]
  2. Video adapter for Mini DisplayPort - customer chooses one for free at time of purchase (c'mon Apple we're paying more for the machines already, and the new machines must've been cheaper to manufacture judging by the demo'd process and bold statements about fewer parts in the machine)

Verdict:

A good advance for the apple lapintop family as a whole, and as usual apple has left us asking questions and wanting a little bit more..

Worth the wait? - Definitely! :D:D:D
Still a fan? - Without doubt ! :D:D:D
Considering a switch - Not a chance! :D:D:D

CaPoDiTuTTi
 
Timur said:
According to IFixit.com the Firewire chipset is an LSI FW643 aka Agere. That shouldn't matter so much because the FW800 port on the old MBP usually worked, only the FW400 ports were affected as far as I remember.
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Tell that to all of the RME owners. Agere is no good.
 
valvehead said:
Tell that to all of the RME owners. Agere is no good.
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I am an RME owner and RME's statement on this is:

RME's Matthias Carsten said:
If you read the threads in this forum again you should notice that there is more than one 'workaround' for this problem.

- FW 800 works perfectly. Just connect the FF 800 at this port.

- You can use an FW 800 to FW400 adapter cable. This way the Fireface 400 will work too (using the 800 port).

- The mentioned hubs/drives in between work too.
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Michael CM1 said:
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.
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It's limited to 4GB max of ram because of the chipset
 
In fact - after the event I bought the last version of the Macbook Pros. I don't believe there is a huge difference in speed and I really can't stay glossy displays. Got a good price as well.

In other words - glossy only and only FW800 are for me the dealbreakers on the new machines.
 
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