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Steve Jobs on Lack of Firewire in MacBooks
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I originally proposed a FW400 to replace a USB port. But I agree FW800 would be ideal!
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My compliments!
Sure like the model with FW800. That would be fantastic.
Maybe we will see a pro model with it.
That was also the downfall of the 12" PB. It was too good a balance of power, price, and size so it stole too many sales from the 15" PB in the eyes of Apple. They saw the MB doing the same thing which is why they yanked the FW port, IMO.
Lethal
Could be.
For me, I needed the extra screen space so I went with a PB15.
But it was fun to work on my Dad's PB12. Apple really did it right.
Now with the MB and MBP bodies being built the same, is Apple's concept going to be:
Consumer:
MB13
Pro:
MBP15
MBP17
IMHO, the current MB13 is the first Apple laptop size and feel wise that could replace a PB12.
Just need to add the FW and video.
Oh well, probably not going to happen unless Apple receives enough feedback and sales slump.
Then again, maybe Apple will introduce one in the future. If memory serves, the PB15 was introduced, then later the PB12 and PB17 models were introduced. So who knows, we may see both in the future. Here's hoping.
Im kinda cheesed because i use firewire for target disk mode sometimes to get the new os on my computer oops lol and to like transfer data between computers
Target Disk Mode is one of my favorite uses of FW.
Worst case, maybe Apple will add this to the USB port.
Could be.
For me, I needed the extra screen space so I went with a PB15.
But it was fun to work on my Dad's PB12. Apple really did it right.
Now with the MB and MBP bodies being built the same, is Apple's concept going to be:
Consumer:
MB13
Pro:
MBP15
MBP17
IMHO, the current MB13 is the first Apple laptop size and feel wise that could replace a PB12.
Just need to add the FW and video.
Oh well, probably not going to happen unless Apple receives enough feedback and sales slump.
Then again, maybe Apple will introduce one in the future. If memory serves, the PB15 was introduced, then later the PB12 and PB17 models were introduced. So who knows, we may see both in the future. Here's hoping.
I also hope there will be a new member of the MacBook family that brings FireWire in a 13" form factor, but I doubt it will happen. Apple is so focused on thin, each new model gets thinner and less functional. Not all of us are obsessed with being thin. Give us an obese option with lots of beefy specs. I have the right to be fat and feel that my notebooks should compliment my massor does Apple discriminate against us fattys?
Have they been to any techy conventions? The majority of us are fat
Geeks like gadgets and when it comes to laptops the faster and sleeker the better but you can't do away with peripherals!!! You could argue that "pros" want bigger screens, but I used to have the 17 inch PB and it was nothing but trouble. The screen broke twice! So I very much lean towards the smaller more portable laptop these days. You can always have a huge screen for your desktop but when your on the go you don't want to have to be handling your laptop with kid gloves. I want somthing I can throw around when I'm on the go. The smaller screen is more structurally sound. So as a "pro" I need something smaller with all the connections any person would need or encounter daily.Silly Apple
Has anyone written Steve Jobs since his original response?
Same here.
I purchased one for my Dad a few years ago. Still works great.
Normally I would agree with you. However, the more I play around with the MB, the more I think that it could be a good replacement provided:
- FW is added. (Discussion in this thread has covered some options. Not sure if someone mentioned it, but other than Ethernet --> FW, or simply add FW, Apple could change one USB port to a FW800. That way the MB would have Giga Ethernet, FW800 and USB 2.0. Sure 2 USB ports would be nice, but giving up one for FW800 would be worth it for many folks.
- Video is updated to something similar to the new MBP15.
- Matte screen option.
Just my take. I am sure others will have a different opinion.
I have a different opinion, because the 13" is rather huge compared to the 12.
Understand.
Just saying that the MB13 form factor is close enough to be a PB12 replacement for some.
Anybody have any side by side photos of the PB12 and MB13?
Here's a picture from Macworld (not quite side-by-side, but...)
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oof! That is not a favorable comparison. That's a very significant difference. Anyone know what the weight difference is between these two machines? (my tired butt doesn't have the energy to go research the specs right now)
Here's something:
This picture doesn't even show just how much bigger the 13 incher is, since they centered it.
Anyway:
13 inch Unibody:
Height: 0.95 inch (2.41 cm)
Width: 12.78 inches (32.5 cm)
Depth: 8.94 inches (22.7 cm)
Volume: 108.5 cu. in.
Weight: 4.5 pounds (2.04 kg)
12 inch PB:
Height: 1.18 inches (3.0 cm)
Width: 10.9 inches (27.7 cm)
Depth: 8.6 inches (21.9 cm)
Volume: 110.6 cu. in.
Weight: 4.6 pounds (2.1 kg)
Much more from here, including ports and whatnot:
http://lowendmac.com/ed/moore/08cwm/12-in-powerbook-successor.html
Thanks, but I was thinking PB12 compared to the new MB13.
Cool. Thanks. The new MB13 looks much bigger.Here's something:
This picture doesn't even show just how much bigger the 13 incher is, since they centered it.
Anyway:
13 inch Unibody:
Height: 0.95 inch (2.41 cm)
Width: 12.78 inches (32.5 cm)
Depth: 8.94 inches (22.7 cm)
Volume: 108.5 cu. in.
Weight: 4.5 pounds (2.04 kg)
12 inch PB:
Height: 1.18 inches (3.0 cm)
Width: 10.9 inches (27.7 cm)
Depth: 8.6 inches (21.9 cm)
Volume: 110.6 cu. in.
Weight: 4.6 pounds (2.1 kg)
Much more from here, including ports and whatnot:
http://lowendmac.com/ed/moore/08cwm/12-in-powerbook-successor.html
Although, looking at the stats, the Unibody MB13 actually has a smaller volume because it is thinner. And they almost weigh the same. Most interesting.
Thanks, but I was thinking PB12 compared to the new MB13.
Cool. Thanks. The new MB13 is definitely much bigger.
No problem. It's not bigger in volume, though. But given how much older the 12 inch PB is, one would assume they could make that just as thin as the unibody, giving the 12 inch PB a volume of 88.8 cu. inches compared to the 108.5 cu. inches of the unibody MB.
it looks like you posted before my edit took.
MR (or Safari) froze on me for a bit.
Hmmm.... Interesting.
C
champ01
Guest
Does anyone REALLY care about thickness or weight? Be honest
I don't and people that do are stupid
I mean people are stupid if they want smaller but don't care if they loose all the features (like fw etc.)
Who cares about how small or light it is (all the products now are small enough)
For instant I hate my Iphone that it feels like plastic crap and like my 1st generation ipod touch much better in that way
APPLE should be about POWER and after that BEAUTY/DESIGN
and not BEAUTY and then thinking about POWER
So my next Macbook Pro should be:
- Loads of power
If I pay €2200,- on a laptop it needs to be the king of all beasts so where is the quad-core (should be in macbook pro's by january I think/hope)
- Blu ray drive
Everybody i know buy's blu ray and never any dvd anymore only when we need to burn something
- 1 more Firewire port
Just because it's easier that way I hate to carry hubs on me or split cables and these are things you forget when you're in a hurry
- 10 hour battery life
Apple can say what they want about weight and size, but if we have to carry an adaptor all the time then it will never be as perfect as it would with a better battery
- Video projector on the back of the screen
No this isn't sci fiction its already available in a very small factor (like ipod size)
Having a monitor output is great (all tho I don't know about the new connector because this forces you to not forget a mini to dvi cable)
We all know we cant carry 22 inch screens in our bags but having something that can project against a wall or whatever could be very useful
Designing this on the back of a laptop display isn't that much of a problem because they made this very small (it can easily fit in a Ipod or Iphone)
if you don't believe me check youtube and search on things like '' pico projector ''
I'll pay €2500,- for a 15inch Macbook Pro with these features
And I know Apple can build these laptops for this price
There are so many great things out now....
I don't wanna be forced using Apple products just because of the best OS and the bling bling factor
I wanna buy Apple products because they are the best products out there if you get my point
Does anyone REALLY care about thickness or weight? Be honest
I do, but not to the point where I lose everything in favor of thinner/lighter laptop ... *cough*MBA*cough*
I'm not sure it's possible from a technical standpoint, plus there are issues connecting two USB-A ports together.
Here's one opinion that it is possible, but would require an EFI firmware upgrade plus a special intelligent cable:
Yes, USB Target Disk Mode is Needed Badly.
How would Apple add this to USB? Target disk mode needs to be able to work independent of the CPU and how do you propose USB works without the CPU?
The Air is designed for that.
If they removed the MacBook and replaced it with the Air, then yeah, but your statement is meaningless.
Go to a shop and pick up a Toshiba R500 or R600, which are very similar.
The R600 is the MBA done right. It does not have FireWire, but it has ExpressCard.
You doen't even get to moan about Vista with this machine when you see the price.
UPDATE: The R600 comes with XP downgrade media.