Would you get a MBP if it's thicker, but more powerful?

[splitpea]

Who needs the power in a portable computer?
1GB VRAM in a notebook? I don't even have that much in my MacPro!

I'm a freelance designer and web developer. I could really use the ability to work with complex Photoshop files and run a non-sluggish local webserver without being chained to my desk.

I understand that lot's of people use their laptops as a desktop computer (I myself did it for about a year), but the majority uses their laptop as a portable, which they are intended to be! I don't want to play Crysis in the train, but what I definitely need is a lightweight computer with a long lasting battery.

Doesn't the current Macbook fit that bill for those who don't need the extra processing power? And the 13" MBP? And the Air?

The 17" MBP is a little unwieldy as far as portability, but they make it and it sells, so obviously there are people who are willing to sacrifice a bit of portability for extra functionality.

 

[splitpea]

Pro laptop =/= Gaming laptop.

Extra video memory is useful for pros too -- especially with the latest versions of Photoshop et al taking advantage of the GPU.

 

[Yixian]

Pro laptop =/= Gaming laptop.

Heh.. OpenCL.

 

[Transporteur]

I'm a freelance designer and web developer. I could really use the ability to work with complex Photoshop files and run a non-sluggish local webserver without being chained to my desk.

As I said, I do understand that. I've worked with a MBP as a desktop replacement myself for quite a long time, therefore I know about the need of more power, but how many people do actually use their notebook as a desktop replacement and would accept a heavier and thicker notebook?

Doesn't the current Macbook fit that bill for those who don't need the extra processing power? And the 13" MBP? And the Air?

Yes, that's exactly what they do. That's because I got myself a 13" and sold the 15", which was definitely more powerful, but way bigger and heavier.
As I just use the book one to 2 times a week for a little word processing and web surfing, that's plenty of power for me.

So you say that people that need portability have to use a 13" whatever book because Apple should add more weight in the 15+" models in order to make them faster than they are at the moment?
That's unreasonable.


Anyway, I still think that most people would definitely go for lighter and thinner notebooks instead of adding even more power than they currently have. 3GHz and 8GB Ram in a notebook. I do believe that that is more than enough for the majority of users that use their laptop as a portable, not as a desktop.

 

[splitpea]

So you say that people that need portability have to use a 13" whatever book because Apple should add more weight in the 15+" models in order to make them faster than they are at the moment?
That's unreasonable.

Anyway, I still think that most people would definitely go for lighter and thinner notebooks instead of adding even more power than they currently have. 3GHz and 8GB Ram in a notebook. I do believe that that is more than enough for the majority of users that use their laptop as a portable, not as a desktop.

I'm just saying there's room for both. Apple has a strong userbase among media professionals who do need the power in a laptop. They have lighter and thinner notebooks; heck, maybe they could release a 14" Air or something. I wouldn't want the 15" to be significantly heavier for the same reason I'm not buying a 17", but if a tiny bit more space for ventilation and an extra ounce or two of weight would allow me to have quadruple the video memory or a 50% faster processor, I'd jump at that chance.

 

[Yixian]

As I said, I do understand that. I've worked with a MBP as a desktop replacement myself for quite a long time, therefore I know about the need of more power, but how many people do actually use their notebook as a desktop replacement and would accept a heavier and thicker notebook?

Many people, but you might not find too many on here because most are having to make do with Windows PCs.

If the current MBPs absolutely cannot bare to be ust a few mm thicker, maybe it's time for a MacBook Extreme..

 

[iMacmatician]

Transporteur, you're right, 1gb vram isn't necessary and I'm not asking for that, I'm asking for 512 rather than 256, I'm asking for current gen graphics capabilities, not last gens.

We pay more than enough for this and yet at the expense of a few mm we lack it.

If this is the way it's going to be, neither the 15" or 17" should be called "Pro", their priority clearly isn't performance.

I see it like this. The "Pro" in a range is the highest end or highest performing line in that category.

MacBook - MacBook Pro
Mac mini - iMac - Mac Pro
iMovie - Final Cut Express - Final Cut Pro (Studio)
GarageBand - Logic Express - Logic Pro (Studio)
QuickTime - QuickTime Pro

I think the controversy lies in how high-end or high-performance the "Pro" model is, that the MacBook Pro isn't as high-end as it could or should be. Didn't some people also say that the QuickTime Pro-only features should be integrated into regular QuickTime?

So you say that people that need portability have to use a 13" whatever book because Apple should add more weight in the 15+" models in order to make them faster than they are at the moment?
That's unreasonable.

What do you think about two lines of notebooks, one a bit thinner and lighter than the MacBook Pro, and another somewhat thicker and heavier (but more powerful)?

 

[NT1440]

You guys realize its not as simple as make it 3mm thicker and just slap in a different chip right? You need to take into account things such as heat, power, etc

Have you seen the motherboard for the MBP's?

Other companies do other things, because they have different layouts, they aren't directly comparable.

That said, if apple did do a complete re-engineering making it a bit thicker for more power, no thank you. My 13" MBP is perfectly capable of my needs and will continue to be for quite some time.

 

[Transporteur]

What do you think about two lines of notebooks, one a bit thinner and lighter than the MacBook Pro, and another somewhat thicker and heavier (but more powerful)?

Personally, I would appreciate something like that, but I do not expect that from Apple. They always made their notebooks as thin as possible (including some restrictions on hardware of course), hence I don't see them putting more powerful hardware in it plus making them thicker.

 

[jb1280]

What do you think about two lines of notebooks, one a bit thinner and lighter than the MacBook Pro, and another somewhat thicker and heavier (but more powerful)?

I think this gets into this classic issue of "general user experience" versus "choice" in addition to muddling up the notebook line.

The notebook line is really clean and guarantees a certain, I would argue superior, user experience for the vast majority of people. You will get a machine that for its size and weight offers great battery life, competent performance, and great displays.

If you offer a line of thicker and heavier notebooks, only a relatively small number of people would truly benefit. At the same time, you will probably have people buying up for specs, and from Apple's perspective have a less great end user experience (heavier, thicker, less battery, etc).

Unfortunately for that 5% of Apple users, they will usually not get exactly what they want. The removal of expresscard and addition of SD card slot is a perfect example of this fact. Wasn't it like only 5% use it for something besides an SD reader?

For that 5% it was a punch in the gut, but I would say for the vast majority of users, the SD slot has only enhanced their user experience with their notebooks. I have to admit, I have grown to like mine on the 13"

If we are speaking of a hypothetical perfect Apple notebook, take the current 13" pro, lose the optical drive, replace that with more battery, and add a 256GB SSD.

 

[Zyniker]

Pro laptop =/= Gaming laptop.

+1

 

[mikes70mustang]

You guys realize its not as simple as make it 3mm thicker and just slap in a different chip right? You need to take into account things such as heat, power, etc

Have you seen the motherboard for the MBP's?

Other companies do other things, because they have different layouts, they aren't directly comparable.

That said, if apple did do a complete re-engineering making it a bit thicker for more power, no thank you. My 13" MBP is perfectly capable of my needs and will continue to be for quite some time.

God forbid the macbook pros be 1" thick again. Making it thicker to make it stronger and give it a lid that doesnt bow or tweak out on every one, seems like a good trade. Making it a little thicker would allow for more cooling options/space as well.

 

[harperjones99]

God forbid the macbook pros be 1" thick again. Making it thicker to make it stronger and give it a lid that doesnt bow or tweak out on every one, seems like a good trade. Making it a little thicker would allow for more cooling options/space as well.

My 15" is more sturdy than any other notebook I saw when shopping. All the plastic PC notebooks flexed and creaked seemed pretty fragile in comparison. Where do you draw the line between durability and size/weight? I don't want Toughbook's weight but I would take its durability.

 

[HLdan]

I have a 13" MBP, and I love it.

I ordered a 2nd HDD caddy. This made me think.

What if the MBPs were let's say 1cm more thicker, but had more raw power in them. There will be more room for better cooling system hence, better CPU & GPU (dedicated perhaps), 2 or even 3 HDD bays, bigger built-in battery, more I/O ports (eSata, ExpressCard, TV tuners)... etc.

I personally would buy one, even if it weights 1-2 kg more.

So what do you think?

I wouldn't want it any thicker at all. I love my 13"MBP the way it is however just to clarify, the thinness isn't the reason why there's no Esata or those other features you mentioned. Apple just doesn't want to put them in their machines, save the expresscard slot.

 

[Yixian]

+1

OpenCL, -10

 

[Transporteur]

God forbid the macbook pros be 1" thick again. Making it thicker to make it stronger and give it a lid that doesnt bow or tweak out on every one, seems like a good trade. Making it a little thicker would allow for more cooling options/space as well.

If you haven't yet, check out the unibody's. They are considerably more stable than the old books.
Thin AND sturdy. Best notebook body design I've ever seen, not saying that the books are perfect.

 

[tri3limited]

I think my MBP 15" is perfect. Powerful enough to offline a HD project, conform it, add a basic grade and some titling in motion before doing a playout to tape using an MXO2 and the PCIe slot.

What do people actually want their machines to be able to do? or is it just a case of latest greatest for the sake of it? Just saying cause mine works pretty darn well for me!!

EDIT: In fact I say basic grade but my last project - an 11 minute short film - had a primary grade, plus an average of about 4 secondaries per clip, as well as tracking and geometry. All that and it only took 45 minutes to render out. No bad for a thin laptop.

 

[xIGmanIx]

yes, and only if by thicker there was a reason, IE Blu Ray player, more USB/Firewire ports, express card. If they are going to have the same features i see no need, however i would welcome increase in foot print to include the above mentioned wants

 

[BlizzardBomb]

OpenCL, -10

The groundwork has been laid, but I haven't noticed any difference nor do I think many apps even utilize it yet.

 

[harperjones99]

I think my MBP 15" is perfect. Powerful enough to offline a HD project, conform it, add a basic grade and some titling in motion before doing a playout to tape using an MXO2 and the PCIe slot.

What do people actually want their machines to be able to do? or is it just a case of latest greatest for the sake of it? Just saying cause mine works pretty darn well for me!!

EDIT: In fact I say basic grade but my last project - an 11 minute short film - had a primary grade, plus an average of about 4 secondaries per clip, as well as tracking and geometry. All that and it only took 45 minutes to render out. No bad for a thin laptop.

It's kind of natural to want better and better. I love my 15" too but if I could have a 10ghz, 30gb RAM, 500TBhdd 15" that was 1/4in thick and weighed one pound hell I would take it It's all relative since we get used to things so fast and they become "not so special" anymore.

 

[n19htmare]

1-2kg More? lol

2kg is almost double the weight of current MBP13 lol.

Talk about going backwards. With the tech advances in the production process, things should be getting compact (32nm processors, GPUs on a smaller node, Solid State drives providing more capacities on small chips).

ALL these would lead to lower temperatures and lower power usage. Which will lead to not requiring large batteries and big fans.

Talk about going backwards lol.

 

[darngooddesign]

OpenCL, -10

Understanding that not everyone wants a thick-ass gaming laptop +100

 

[DivineEvil]

1-2kg More? lol

2kg is almost double the weight of current MBP13 lol.

Talk about going backwards. With the tech advances in the production process, things should be getting compact (32nm processors, GPUs on a smaller node, Solid State drives providing more capacities on small chips).

ALL these would lead to lower temperatures and lower power usage. Which will lead to not requiring large batteries and big fans.

Talk about going backwards lol.

Your post reminded me about the evolution of mobile phones... Everybody remembers that the mobile phones were like a brick in the 90's. Every manufacturer was racing to make the phones smaller and smaller. They even made a few ridiculously tiny models that weren't successful so that is when they stopped reducing the size. And started adding more features (color displays, cameras etc...).

So when will Apple stop reducing the thickness of the MB(P)s? Until every MB is 1nm thick? Why didn't Apple stick with having as thick as the Powerbooks, but having way bigger battery (15 or even 20 hours of battery) or any of the lacking features other brands have?

 

[Yixian]

Understanding that not everyone wants a thick-ass gaming laptop +100

So you're saying that the PowerBooks were "thick-ass gaming laptops"? Get a grip.

 

[harperjones99]

So you're saying that the PowerBooks were "thick-ass gaming laptops"? Get a grip.

Compared to the standard now yes they are thick.PowerBooks are old and that standard has been passed. What people are saying is that going back to bigger is backwards when it comes to progress in notebooks. Making a bigger case means it will get filled with more stuff which means it will be heavier, hotter, and have dismal battery life. That is moving away from Apples bearing.

I know you want a gaming machine but Apple is not your huckleberry. They likely are not going to be either.