Sadly, it goes back...

[MarkCombs]

MrJingles

Hey MrJingles,

I totally agree - I think Apple has fallen in love with their press releases. I find it amazing that after a fantastic report that Apple has a 10% worldwide market share they make the decision to abandon their pro users (who WILL NOT buy a glossy Cinema Display). A user base I might add that was there for them when they were losing 100 million dollars a quarter back in the mid-90s. I was at an Apple store yesterday and I was very disappointed in this new pro option. The case is fantastic looking! But the glass looks like a an iMac and the glossy screen looks shiny and cheap. It was covered in smudge marks and I could see dust behind the glass. I talked to a manager, he told me "the glossy screen is the most popular - so we phased out the matte finish". I think when a company is trying to grow market share the last thing they want to do is ignore a large segment of the market. I would be willing to pay $200 over full retail for a MBP with matte option - I find it hard to believe that I'm alone. Maybe Steve has something up his sleeve. I don't want to get into a glossy versus matte argument - everyone is different - but why phase us out? Don't other manufacturers offer matte? Of course they do - I don't get it????

M

 

[zer0tails]

Hey MrJingles,

I totally agree - I think Apple has fallen in love with their press releases. I find it amazing that after a fantastic report that Apple has a 10% worldwide market share they make the decision to abandon their pro users (who WILL NOT buy a glossy Cinema Display). A user base I might add that was there for them when they were losing 100 million dollars a quarter back in the mid-90s. I was at an Apple store yesterday and I was very disappointed in this new pro option. The case is fantastic looking! But the glass looks like a an iMac and the glossy screen looks shiny and cheap. It was covered in smudge marks and I could see dust behind the glass. I talked to a manager, he told me "the glossy screen is the most popular - so we phased out the matte finish". I think when a company is trying to grow market share the last thing they want to do is ignore a large segment of the market. I would be willing to pay $200 over full retail for a MBP with matte option - I find it hard to believe that I'm alone. Maybe Steve has something up his sleeve. I don't want to get into a glossy versus matte argument - everyone is different - but why phase us out? Don't other manufacturers offer matte? Of course they do - I don't get it????

M

I hear you. I'm disappointed as well. But I think Apple has recognized that the money and the future is in getting the majority of iPod users to switch to mac i.e. the consumer. There is little room to grow in the pro market so Apple is catering to the masses now.

Glass screens with black bezels, and aluminium and fancy track pads are what attract consumers.

 

[pavelbure]

Glass screens with black bezels, and aluminium and fancy track pads are what attract consumers.

the thing is, if you place these next tp a matte screen they look even better to a consumer purchaser. what's the big deal anyways, just offer 2 options, other companies do.

 

[MrJingles]

I hear you. I'm disappointed as well. But I think Apple has recognized that the money and the future is in getting the majority of iPod users to switch to mac i.e. the consumer. There is little room to grow in the pro market so Apple is catering to the masses now.

Glass screens with black bezels, and aluminium and fancy track pads are what attract consumers.

That was my point but much shorter in length! =)

I had to get over the 'anger' phase of my new "phases of glossy only MBP announcement: " realization and stop taking it as an attack on me personally (Like Jobs knows who I am honestly) and just realize that the Mac-driven design world I live in might actually get phased out because the legions of new Apple consumers are shouting much louder with their disposable income than the old skool pro market is and I don't see that changing.

The market shifts in favor of where the $$$ is coming from. Most Joes and Janes don't have a clue if their computer is overpriced for what lies inside of its pretty case so this way Apple can continue to rake in 30% profits on their hardware costs.

It's not a knock on Apple for wanting to make as much money as possible (Go capitalism!) but I'm just a little hurt but that's my issue.

 

[bcaslis]

FYI.. in regards to the heat, I was testing plugged in, with the 9600 on. By default it is off. If people are saying that the heat is reasonable using the integrated graphics, that's fine, but if I pay $2K+ for a laptop I expect to use all of it's performance.

I was testing with the 9600 also. It runs warmer than the 9400, but still cooler than previous models.

 

[SilentCrs]

By the way (reading the glossy vs. matte arguments going back forth), if you reference my OP, you'll see that I actually LIKE glossy. I'm not a graphics designer, I like when videos and games "pop", and I honestly think the designer portion of Apple's market (as a percentage) has decreased dramatically.

That said, there's something going on with the new screens that wasn't evident in previous versions of the MBP. Maybe it's the LCD panel they're using now, I don't know. But when I held it up against my old machine (both the new machine I bought and one at a store), the new one was noticeably worse.

And, as I mentioned, I have a top of the line aluminum iMac. That also has the glossy screen and I love it. So it's something particular about these new MBPs.

 

[MowingDevil]

- Anybody still running a G4 class laptop is just being petty and cheap and ignorant. The machines have been upgraded FAR beyond those 133 MHZ FSB days.

I don't have one myself but thats a pretty ignorant statement..and thus kind of ironic I might add. Lots of people still love their 12" PowerBook G4s....I did run a G3 LONG past its duedate because you know what? It worked! What a concept. If your computer does the tasks you need why the F should you have to upgrade?!? Once all your peripherals and software work you shouldn't screw with it imo unless you get to the point where its too slow or is holding you back somehow. Getting caught up in the newest/greatest/fastest-gadget/upgrade cycle is fun if you have the money but at times its very superficial and shallow (for the reasons some people do it). Not falling victim to that marketing trap is petty, cheap & ignorant? Give your head a shake.

 

[donbadman]

Hey MrJingles,

I totally agree - I think Apple has fallen in love with their press releases. I find it amazing that after a fantastic report that Apple has a 10% worldwide market share they make the decision to abandon their pro users (who WILL NOT buy a glossy Cinema Display). A user base I might add that was there for them when they were losing 100 million dollars a quarter back in the mid-90s. I was at an Apple store yesterday and I was very disappointed in this new pro option. The case is fantastic looking! But the glass looks like a an iMac and the glossy screen looks shiny and cheap. It was covered in smudge marks and I could see dust behind the glass. I talked to a manager, he told me "the glossy screen is the most popular - so we phased out the matte finish". I think when a company is trying to grow market share the last thing they want to do is ignore a large segment of the market. I would be willing to pay $200 over full retail for a MBP with matte option - I find it hard to believe that I'm alone. Maybe Steve has something up his sleeve. I don't want to get into a glossy versus matte argument - everyone is different - but why phase us out? Don't other manufacturers offer matte? Of course they do - I don't get it????

M

I'd pay 100 more for the old design with the new motherboard, chipset and graphics cards. For me it's not just the fact it's glossy it's the bling bling SUV with stupid wheels look that I find repulsive. The new one looks like a puff daddy album cover...

 

[econoline06]

People keep referring to these machines and upgrades, when in fact besides for a faster FSB it really is a down grade.

I friend of mine was eagerly awaiting this latest update. He has a 12" powerbook and was one of the people holding out, hoping that Apple would release one. With the MacBook he thought he could get close. This poor guy went back and forth to the Apple store today just unable to give up his money. He set up some bench mark test and compared them between the new MBs, MBPs, and his 1G powerbook. He was dismayed by the performaces of the new machine. The biggest things to him though was the out right huge benzel around the screen and how even though it was glass the benzel looked like cheap plastic, as does the keys.

After the third trip he just said. "I am not going to buy something that I am not totally and utterly excited about. I am not going to buy something that maybe ok. I have to love it like I loved this powerbook, and the only time the new MB and MBP are aesthetically pleasing is when their closed"

He was absolutely right. If you don't just love the thing to death whats the point. When he sold me his MBP in favor of keeping his powerbook I was so excited. I thought to myself "Sweet, it's a little folding version of my MP"

I think he has decided to just pick up the previous model and enjoy the small benzel, good keyboard, and solid track pad, not to meantion, keep his audio interface since he will have FW400 and 800.

You gave it a shot, you were honest with youself, and now you get to spend to money on other needed/wanted things.

Ehh...by powerbook I assume you mean G4. Even the lowest end core 2 duos will beat the smack out of ANY powerpc out there. I upgraded from a G4 Mac Mini to a 1.6GHz G5 and the gain was huge. Then I upgraded from the G5 to a 2.4Ghz Core 2 Duo iMac, and the gain was outrageous in terms of performance. I'm not sure what you are getting at, but the new machines are very very speedy.

 

[Pngwyn]

So I was actually strongly considering purchasing one of the new MBPs today.. after reading this thread, I'm much more skeptical. Is the new MBP an actual DOWNGRADE, or is it just differences in design that make it worse than older models.

If I did end up purchasing an older model, it would be a lot cheaper, and if it runs better then that pretty much seals the deal...

 

[econoline06]

I don't have one myself but thats a pretty ignorant statement..and thus kind of ironic I might add. Lots of people still love their 12" PowerBook G4s....I did run a G3 LONG past its duedate because you know what? It worked! What a concept. If your computer does the tasks you need why the F should you have to upgrade?!? Once all your peripherals and software work you shouldn't screw with it imo unless you get to the point where its too slow or is holding you back somehow. Getting caught up in the newest/greatest/fastest-gadget/upgrade cycle is fun if you have the money but at times its very superficial and shallow (for the reasons some people do it). Not falling victim to that marketing trap is petty, cheap & ignorant? Give your head a shake.

The user defines obsolete BUT I can see both sides of this argument. I'm not sure what you mean by "marketing trap" in regards to upgrading your machine. I disagree with your statement about that if it "just works" then keep using it. My Apple IIGS still works. My iMac G3/233 still works. And my G3/400MHz tower still works and runs 10.4 decently. Does user satisfaction mean nothing to you? Does the fact that a system simply works outweigh the benefits of running a new system? I'm not trying to be a jerk I'm honestly asking these questions to get a better understanding of your point of view. I can't imagine running a G4 anymore to daily use, and I refuse to wait on things. I know your type (not in a bad way), I've got a friend that uses a PowerBook G4 still and loves it and is having a very hard time upgrading. It is almost a source of pride that they use these old systems still, and a testament to Apple's quality and longevity. Admittedly, I was almost reluctant to give up my 1.6Ghz G5...but once I started using my new iMac I was totally sold.

Also, chill out okay? Your freak out session was not warranted.