New MacBook Pro

[Girardian]

The new MBP line / the refresh was released today.

Apple aficionados, what say ye? (While any posts are welcome, "Mac's suck" comments are not particularly helpful, like price comparisons to non-Mac options -- those opinions and options are common knowledge.)

I found the update to be painfully predictable, and lacking the uptick in technology Apple has been known for in the past when it does it's first release.

For example, no Blu Ray, no low energy display (like the iPad), no USB-3, still 4 Gigs of Ram, still no 1TB hard drive ... and still expensive.

There are definitely good points -- including the welcome i5 and i7 (although not quad core) processors and improved graphics, but overall after patiently awaiting what was coming, I'm not in a rush to buy.

 

[Mauby]

I picked up a MBP 13 back in January...the new 13 isn't much different than that one, so I'm not kicking myself that I "should've waited." I think Apple is least concerned with their laptops or desktops now. It's all about iTunes, iPods, iPhones, and iPads now...all of which I really have no interest in.

 

[LabelKing]

I don't like the unibody designs; the previous all aluminum body was far more appealing than this two-tone look, which looks a bit cheesy.

 

[pauliodotnet]

can you still upgrade the ram as easily as the 08 models?

remove batter, 4 screws, hello ram.

 

[Artisan Fan]

In before Tokyo Slim.

 

[blairh]

I have the previous model MBP. OP I think you are going to hard on Apple here. 10 hour battery life (probably more like 7 -8 hrs) is an amazing feature for the 13". 15" & 17" got battery bumps too. Bumping those models to i5 & i7 was a little overdue. I'm sure consumers would have liked an i5 in the 13" model too, but no surprise there.

Blu-Ray? Don't hold your breath sir. If Macs ever get the Blu-Ray option I reckon you'll see them first in an iMac and then in a MBP. I do think Apple should make it an option at the least.

The previous base model MBP (mine) came standard with 2 GB, so let's not overlook the fact that they bumped it to 4 GB. 1TB HD? Well, Apple is notorious for hijacking their customers on HD space (and charging absurd amounts to upgrade through them). Business as usual on their side. Still expensive? This is Apple. As long as you want to buy their products you'll be paying a premium price.

Honestly this was meant to only be a spec bump, and it's a good one. The unibody design is relatively new. I don't see their MBP changing drastically for at least another year. And truth be told, I love mine. LED screen is fantastic, 4.5 lbs is comfortable to carry around, trackpad is awesome. Well worth the money I laid down months back.

 

[btinl]

Originally Posted by pauliodotnet

can you still upgrade the ram as easily as the 08 models?

remove batter, 4 screws, hello ram.

no.

 

[A Y]

Here are the official instructions on how to upgrade RAM on the later (single-piece) unibodies:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1270

Basically you have to remove 10 screws, which are composed of 3 different-length screws.

--Andre

 

[J'aimelescravates]

The new ones are nice certainly, but not different enough from the previous model warrant an 'upgrade'.

I don't see Apple conforming to Bluray technology any time soon. Bluray will be on the path to obsolescence in a few years once HD streaming becomes more prevalent and that is the path Apple will take...HD streaming and downloading via itunes

 

[pauliodotnet]

I have an early 2008 model MBP - i was offered 1000 for it, so I am going to just go ahead an upgrade, but was making sure I could upgrade the ram.

Their price for ram/HD is absolutely asinine. I always remove and sell ram and replace with crucial or the likes.

i think this is a solid upgrade, wish the MB came w/ i5.

on the highest 15 MBP, there is an option to get it up to 3.06i believe.

 

[Despos]

ram prices for imacs were reduced today. Don't know about laptops.

Why keep expecting blu-ray when Apple says repeatedly that they don't embrace the technology and won't support it. If you want blu-ray on a mac you can get it thru third party vendors.

 

[Tokyo Slim]

Originally Posted by Artisan Fan

In before Tokyo Slim.

I see and hear all.

 

[ruben]

looks the same to me.

 

[GQgeek]

Apple's stance on some things is totally ******* marsupialed. Are they seriously boycotting blu-ray?

As if their spat with Adobe wasn't enough... Oh, and this just in, if you want to develop for the iphone/ipad, you HAVE to use their tools.

 

[ruben]

**** that, I'm boycotting blue ray.

spend all this time buying up DVDs and now I have to replace them at double the price?