New MacBook + MacBook Pro

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Im surprised nobody posted this yet.

New MacBooks just announced today.

http://www.apple.com/

Im using a white MacBook right now and ive been waiting/anticipating this release.

So what do you guys think? I know theres quite a few mac users on this forum

Personally, i think its quite a leap in terms of hardware. Im really liking the better integrated graphics, LED screen, aluminum housing, light up keyboard, and the new trackpad.
But i am not too sure about the look. Mac products used to look distinct and exclusive. The whole silver/black scheme have been used on computers for at least 10 years. Also, the lack of firewire support is indeed questionable.

136063-macbook-buddies_original.jpg
 
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Lack of Firewire? It has a FW800 port, dude.

I'm really digging it, though. Not sure about the black, but it looks really good when it's closed.

I'm just wondering how it compares with a similarly-priced iMac.
 
I really like the new look, I wasn't ever really big on the white or black Macbooks. They're damn expensive though, but judging by how much I like my iMac, I'm sure it would be worth it.
 
They look beautiful, but specs-wise, they're nothing special. The macbooks finally have discrete graphics and the MBP has a hybrid sli mode. The hybrid SLI appeals heavily to me since I do a lot of portable work, but not enough for me to go out and spend $2000 on a laptop.

The sad truth is that the upper end macbook pro costs $500 more than a very similarly specced Lenovo Thinkpad W500. By similar specs, It's part-for-part the same specs and most of the comparable software pre-installed. If the price difference was $250, I'd be first in line to sell my black macbook for the new macbook pro.

The new features are sweet and so is the design. I'll wait another 6 months or so - allow the current notebooks to enter their second generation and hopefully see better processors on there first.
 
As a Macbook Pro user, I'm not in love with the new look. The black glass look doesn't work on the laptops, in my opinion. They're not bad looking things by any stretch, but I think that the previous Macbook Pro was a better looking design, and something that will age better than this new one.
Annoyed at the new (very expensive) pricing for us Aussies, guess we can blame the horrible state of the Australian dollar lately for that. :(
 
Personally I think they look better than the old ones, but apparently the glass screen is way too reflective. My glossy HP screen has enough reflections and makes it impossible to use in bright light, or with any lighting behind me. And Apple have no plans to release a non-glossy screen.

mbp_im_1.jpg


The 'no button' trackpad is actually pretty interesting. I'm not sure what I prefer, I think I like the idea of just tapping the bottom, but the giant trackpad now looks kinda out of proportion.
 
Well it does look better than the last MacBook, the Mac look is too common around here now. :crazy: But that aluminium MacBook looks awesome.... :drool: The buttonless trackpad does look interesting, not sure about the screen though......

So the rumour about the new MacBook being cheaper is a lie? 👎 Also, Apple still isn't supporting Blu Ray for their Mac products?
 
I don't really care about this as much as I'm trying to figure out which tar is more _ _ _... Muz or Casio.
 
*whoooooo*

$1299 start price?

Oh, don't get me wrong, its a lovely machine, and I'd love to own one. Problem is, I don't think I could ever pay that much for a laptop. Still, very nice indeed!
 
Bah, I think the black keyboard is an eyesore. They now look like any generic laptop. Closed, they look nice though.

Omnis
Lack of Firewire? It has a FW800 port, dude.
Click to expand...

Macbook does not have a Firewire port.
 
Heh, I don't mind the black keyboard, I didn't like it on the Air, but its grown on me. The black bezel I don't like. I've a suspicion it'll look a lot better in person than in photo, so I'll have to stop by the Apple store sometime next week. :p
 
Well the video card upgrade seems pretty cool, though I find it strange these options are only for the 15" and not 17". I wouldn't mind a 17" with all the fix'ins and the 1920x1200 screen option. You can never have enough screen real estate!

And DDR3 RAM standard is coolbeans.
 
I think the black glass thing is a mistake, it looks from a distance that you have had a bad repair and your silver laptop has been fitted with a black screen, it works on the imac but here it makes it look generic and ordinary like something HP would do... not really all that impressed.

Robin
 
Casio
Personally I think they look better than the old ones, but apparently the glass screen is way too reflective. My glossy HP screen has enough reflections and makes it impossible to use in bright light, or with any lighting behind me. And Apple have no plans to release a non-glossy screen.

mbp_im_1.jpg


The 'no button' trackpad is actually pretty interesting. I'm not sure what I prefer, I think I like the idea of just tapping the bottom, but the giant trackpad now looks kinda out of proportion.
Click to expand...

That photo just single handedly changed my mind. When you can see a little bit of aluminum around the black bezel it looks waaay better. I'm sure they look better in person than in Apple's photos, which look far too two-tone and not as professional looking as before. I do like the hardware updates though. :)
 
I quite like it. Although I'm not too happy about the £100 price jump on the 'Pro. I'm so glad they chucked the stupid latch away - mine doesn't pop up quite like it used to and is now horribly fiddly to do with one hand. Definitely not happy about that screen, though. I don't want glossy. It drives me mad. It'd highly surprise me if more glossy screens were bought on the previous one, too, so it's hardly a logical decision sales wise.

I do like the bridging of the gap between the standard MacBook and the pro, though. I'd probably go for a MacBook next time - I just couldn't live with the 64mb graphics card and prone to dis-colouring plastic of the old model, but this one looks more promising. And it's cheaper and lighter than the 'Pro.

And I didn't like the black keyboard at first, but it's grown on me.
 
Jeez, all this complaining about glossy screen. You guys must've been on the verge of suicide before LCD TVs were mainstream.
 
Soundtrack
They got rid of Firewire connections on the 13 inch Macbook only. FW800 on the 15 MacbookPro.
Click to expand...

Which is exactly what I said one post above yours.

Sage


;)
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Still ugly and still generic looking. :D Although it is better looking without the spaces inbetween the keys.

Omnis
Jeez, all this complaining about glossy screen. You guys must've been on the verge of suicide before LCD TVs were mainstream.
Click to expand...

Glossy monitors (ala iMac and the new Cinema Displays) are fine. Laptops are meant to be portable and used in all different kinds of natural and artificial light. Glossy screen = reflections = can't see what's on the actual screen.


With all that said, I need to sell my Macbook Pro and buy an iMac.
 
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Since Apple kind off blurred the line between MB and MBP I thought it could be useful to other readers to clarify your point.👍

Allow me to agree on your reflection about the screen.:nervous:
 
Too expensive, most rumors predicted some price cuts, but instead they raised the prices. I picked up a white plastic Macbook with 3 year AppleCare for under $1200.
 
Rumors are just that – rumors. Now that Think Secret is gone, the only reliable source is John Gruber – I believe he has a 100% hit rate.
 
Kevin Rose has had a fairly reputable record as well, but he seems to be more on the money with the iPod and iPhone things than anything else. That being said, I do keep wondering why Apple won't offer a cheap "starter" laptop? I mean, lets be honest, they could shove an old G5 processor in there, make it moderately ancient, and give people Leopard and they'd still be happy if it came in for less than $800. Hell, at that price, I'd take the performance hit to get the clean Appleness.

Maybe that little secret is somewhere up their sleeves, but I don't know. Jobs knows that as long as the Apple is on the back, people will buy them at any price. But, to that end, I think he is missing a huge opportunity by skipping out on this lower-end stuff.
 
My bet is they'll be releasing a overpriced netbook for around the $700-$800 mark.
 
Yup Macbook Nano netbook will probably be next and it will probably cost triple the competition!
 
YSSMAN
That being said, I do keep wondering why Apple won't offer a cheap "starter" laptop?
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Say it with me: marketshare does not necessarily equal success. Right now, Apple has a higher market cap than Google, and although it has 18% of US unit sales it brings in 31% of the revenue. They didn’t get there by wallowing in the cheapie market that is dominated by pricecutting. It’s a market that Apple doesn’t want to be in, doesn’t need to be in, and is most likely best off not being in.
 
I agree with Sage on this. Whether it be deserved or not, the Apple range has an aura of grandeur about it from a buyers perspective. The Apple range (again, whether it is real or perceived is not important) is a line of premium products. Introducing a line of cheapo anything into it not only risks alienating the Apple "click," but would also risk destroying the entire Apple image.
 
I don't disagree with Apple's "Holier-than-thou" principles, after all its what makes them Apple... But, I don't know, it seems like they could really cause a stir if they dipped a bit lower. But hey, if people are willing to pay the money for what they've got hand-over-fist, you know they're doing something right.
 
i don't like the mix of colours, i liked the whole White thing. But that wasn't a Pro.

I do like how the keys are black however, because it wont have the finger tellow stains i see on the matte keyboard surfaces.

Also, a super reflective screen means it's a hard clear plastic surface, correct? That's good for wiping off debris thats on the screen, and good for a rear view mirror :lol:
 

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