MacBook Pro unboxing pics appear online

These would certainly have been a mite bit difficult to Photoshop if they are in fact fake, but we'd like to call your attention to a particular photo set on Flickr that's got a -- gasp -- MacBook Pro being unboxed from its packaging, supposedly snapped from -- gasp! -- inside Apple headquarters. Someone alert the authorities. Particularly interesting is the lower-right shot of the battery, which when removed appears to expose, well, something bare and electronic. Can you taste the anticipation here, people?

[Veronica @ Feb 19th 2006 1:55AM]

that would be really amazing if when you removed the battery you got access to the memory slots... but a higher res version of the pic just shows some kind of circuit board or something. ah well, there's always next time for clever user-shortcuts, apple.

[Louis @ Feb 19th 2006 2:13AM]

It's probably the trackpad, if those are the hinges visible on the bottom of the case.

[Jonathan @ Feb 19th 2006 2:29AM]

That is the most beautiful Mac laptop I have ever seen! I NEED one! I placed my order yesterday. Got a 2.16 fully loaded beauty coming my way.

[Paolo Meyer @ Feb 19th 2006 2:45AM]

It's hard to say what it is. But I'm sure that Apple might have something planned as persusual. The memory slots appear to be accessable via the plate below the battery area. It's similar to the 17 inch design in the Power Book series.

I guess time will tell how successful this new design will be.

[fogd00d @ Feb 19th 2006 2:47AM]

Dear #3 -- how can that be the "most beautiful Mac laptop [you've] ever seen"? It looks exactly like the last two (?) generations of PowerBook. The difference is inside.

Didn't Steve himself comment on the unchanged nature of the design? Ah yes, its right here on an Engadget article from a few months back:

"The form factors are perfect, we don�t know how to make them any better."

Welcome to 2003, #3.

[kuck @ Feb 19th 2006 3:09AM]

quote: "The form factors are perfect, we don�t know how to make them any better."

How about, make them lighter, give them a trackpoint or at least a second mouse button?

I know Jobs can be very stubborn about these things, but hey, that is about the only thing being not perfect about the design. just admit it!

kuck

[doyouflip @ Feb 19th 2006 3:37AM]

#2 is right. The full size image makes it look pretty clear that the upper part is the button and the lower part is the back of the pad. Besides, that's the location of the battery on my 17" and the view I get when I pull the battery out.

[Uninvisible @ Feb 19th 2006 3:46AM]

The underside design is almost identical to the 17" PowerBook G4 [one that I own myself]. Removing the battery to gain access to the underside of the trackpad is actually a nice feature because it allows for techs to replace/repair the button or trackpad easily if a problem develops, without dismantling the entire case. And if you're a bit of a messy type, you can get under the button to clean any crud that gets in there.

I also like how simple it is to replace RAM - it's even nicer than the iBook G4 my girlfriend has, where you simply lift up the keyboard, pop the AirPort card out, and stick ram in the slot below it.

[Charlie @ Feb 19th 2006 5:55AM]

Has anyone noticed how the touchpad is larger than the PBG4's? Also, there are now two latches for the screen instead of one. The one on my PBG4 has already broken (need to press the button to engage it), so I say two latches is a pretty logical move.

The new box loos nicer as well, but I'm most jealous about the magnetic power adapter.

[Sumsa @ Feb 19th 2006 6:14AM]

Fascinating... ...have you already discovered the list of Apple IP-addresses hanging on the wall on one of those pictures??? ^^

http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrewescobar/101215484/in/set-72057594066307201/

...to be exact...

17.206.25.43 for example being one of their Name-Servers....

[jnasato @ Feb 19th 2006 8:05AM]

I like Apple's newer, slimmer packaging. They make the products look so sharp and simple! ...Which makes me feel like I need a shower and a shave.

My iBook box is like 10 inches deep.

[Mike @ Feb 19th 2006 8:58AM]

#9 The two latches are there because the iSight is in the place that the original latch was on the PB G4's. I they had placed just one latch on either side, that would have been very bad, so they placed two and went with the 17" style design. And yes, I noticed that the trackpad is larger as well, which is a welcome upgrade as the new screens are much higher res than my PB G4.

[rus @ Feb 19th 2006 9:01AM]

It's a trackpad ... and the form factors are NEARLY identical .. the new Macbook is actually a tad bit slimmer than the PowerBook G4 it replaced.

The trackpad IS bigger it is slighlty upsized from the pbg4

I saw both of these things at MacWorld Expo

[Timmay @ Feb 19th 2006 10:02AM]

Man O man, Apple always has had nice packaging, but nothing well ever beat the packaging of the Treo 180/270. That was the best packaged gizmo ever.

Timmay

[js @ Feb 19th 2006 10:15AM]

"The form factors are perfect, we don�t know how to make them any better."

- you're kidding right? They didn't make very good use of the space. There's still empty space where they could put a multiformat card reader or possibly a TV tuner port. I'm pretty sure they could make the Macbook even thinner since there are missing features. A wifi on/off switch, and status indicators would be helpful too.

[js @ Feb 19th 2006 10:19AM]

"The form factors are perfect, we don�t know how to make them any better."

- you're kidding right? They didn't make very good use of the space. There's still empty space where they could put a multiformat card reader or possibly a TV tuner port. I'm pretty sure they could make the Macbook even thinner since there are missing features. A wifi on/off switch, and status indicators would be helpful too.

[ec @ Feb 19th 2006 10:30AM]

#16 - I hope you are kidding! I'm all for the card reader (although the built in PCI Express slot will accommodate one) and the TV tuner. But I can't stand those laptops with external, breakable wifi switches and ugly lights. The design is simple and elegant - who needs a HDD indicator light? That would seem like a dinosaur. The battery has its own indicator on the bottom of the laptop - and you can turn on or off wifi through a simple one-click interface at the top right of the screen.

[Rob @ Feb 19th 2006 10:50AM]

Yay, some easy access... Now about that Treo 650 you're giving away...

[js @ Feb 19th 2006 10:51AM]

@ #17, I wouldn't expect a $2000+ notebook to be very simple. Macbook Pro is for more advanced users hence the designation of "Pro". Adding a solid (not flimsy) wifi switch and possibly a power-on indicator would help. For instance, how would you know if the notebook is on if the screen is malfunctioning?

[Fod @ Feb 19th 2006 12:24PM]

19: the machine chimes (a firmware thing) as soon as the power button is pressed.

[Mike @ Feb 19th 2006 12:33PM]

yeah, the less clutter on the outside (wifi buttons, superfluous lights) the better. the elegance of macs come in their simplicity.

[js @ Feb 19th 2006 12:57PM]

@20: Then Apple hasn't done their research. Deaf people can use computers too. I wonder where most of their R&D investment went...

[Thomas Averin @ Feb 19th 2006 1:09PM]

@ 21:

"Then Apple hasn't done their research"
I wouldn't be talking!

http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/universalaccess/

FACE!

[duke @ Feb 19th 2006 1:48PM]

Only noob like #3 will dig the "new" mac job is pushing out. Remember the days apple used to advertise their shit runs 3x , 5x or 10x faster on a ibm G5 chip ?

Now what did Job said again ? Intel shit runs 2x & 4x faster?

Any intelligent person can spot a liar when they see one

[Igor @ Feb 19th 2006 2:37PM]

#14 - Except Treo 650 of course.

[js @ Feb 19th 2006 2:49PM]

@22: I'm talking about the fact that if the screen doesn't show up anything and the machine is ON before the OS is booted. You wouldn't know if it's on or off when you're deaf.

Besides, the link you gave me, you can't access those functions unless the OS has booted.

FACE.

[sogo @ Feb 19th 2006 3:03PM]

To #19:

Umm, why would we need a wifi switch again? If you have the menu wifi option on, you can see if you have a connection. Hell, even if you don't, you can easily open it in the networks preferences.

And as for the status light: If the screen was of you would just touch the track pad or hit the space bar. If it doenst turn on, one might be so inclined to either apple-option-delete or just plain hardboot. isnt doing restart almost a natural reaction??

I can see what you mean in that you will find out immediately that the screen is broken, but in reality you save little/no time because people will try to restart, or well hardboot, again. So it was quite meaningless..

Those idea are nice, but in reality arnet too necessary. Maybe in the future apple will adopt it somehow but all in all, they are not usefull++.

[Joel @ Feb 19th 2006 3:45PM]

"24. @22: I'm talking about the fact that if the screen doesn't show up anything and the machine is ON before the OS is booted. You wouldn't know if it's on or off when you're deaf. "

The "On" button itself lights up when powered on, IIRC.

[oliver @ Feb 19th 2006 4:00PM]

if you need to know whether or not the machine is on and the screen (or other hardware) isn't working correctly, the caps lock key is prety useful - it lights up only when the keyboard is getting power (and is in caps lock mode, obviously). I've had to use this trick when my motherboard was malfunctioning.

I agree that a wifi switch and power light, HD in use ligh, etc are pretty useless. On the other hand, I do sort of miss the manual eject 'hole' that my tibook had... to each his own.

oo

[Desert @ Feb 19th 2006 4:51PM]

Wow, all those bitching about how the form factor isn't perfect should just stick with your Dell. I've owned a 17" PB RevA and yes, the form factor and trackpad are PERFECT.

[John Doe @ Feb 19th 2006 7:02PM]

"I hope you are kidding! I'm all for the card reader (although the built in PCI Express slot will accommodate one) "

EC. You will never see a card reader that isn't freaking HUGE outside the slot because the slot is smaller then the CF form factor. A card that is used by most if not all professional digital cameras. apple screwed up badly in this decision. They should have gone with the 54mm card instead of the 34mm one. Watch as future MBP's come with the 54mm variant. Apple made some questionable decisions on the MBP all in the name of shaving off some space. Personally I couldn�t give less of a crap though which is why my MBP should be arriving in +/- 72 hours from now.

[John Doe @ Feb 19th 2006 7:16PM]

"Wow, all those bitching about how the form factor isn't perfect should just stick with your Dell. I've owned a 17" PB RevA and yes, the form factor and trackpad are PERFECT."

Hey zealot. There is no such thing as perfect. That quote from Jobs was his RDF field working overtime. Of course they weren't going to redesign the case. No doubt Apple's resources were all focusing on just getting the dang thing up and running.

Watch as Apple revamps the MBP�s form factor with Merom and then all you fanboys start screeching like teenage girls that THIS is now the perfect laptop. And before you bitch at me like a teenage girl be aware my MBP will be here in less then 72 hours. See there is a difference between being a fan and a zealot. We fans aren�t willing to drop down and blow jobs if he asked.

[Andy C. @ Feb 19th 2006 8:35PM]

You guys are kidding right? You want a power light just in case the LCD screen isn't functioning? In the 1 in 10000 chance that your LCD goes dead with no warning (most LCDs that are failing show SOMETHING on the screen), turn off the lights and the backlit keyboard will light up. If you can't turn off the lights, cover both speaker grills with the palms of your hands (where the ambient light sensors are) and the keyboard will light up. Or you could just hit the volume keys and see if the volume clicks emanate from the speakers. Or as someone already suggested, hit the caps lock key. Or close the screen and see if the sleep light starts to flash.

As for the person who wants a wifi switch, the only real benefit to having a physical switch is that you can activate it when the computer is off or asleep. If the computer is off or asleep, then there is no wifi signal coming from the antenna anyway, so what's the point of turning it off? I have been using wifi enabled notebooks for a long time and have never wished I had a physical switch to turn off wifi. The AirPort menu gives me quick access to turn wifi off from any application without adding another ugly switch to the outside of Apple's beautifully sleek notebook enclosures.

Some of the other things that Windows notebook users will probably complain are missing:
- Intel inside sticker
- Made for Windows XP sticker
- Windows XP registration key sticker
- Assorted FCC, MAC HW address and serial number stickers on the bottom
- Dedicated media player buttons
- Hinged door to cover all those ugly legacy ports
- Cooling fans visible in the back
- TONNES of grilled cooling vents
- Tray loading DVD drive with eject button on it
- Lots more screws visible
- External wifi antenna
- Lots of little blinking LEDs so you know your notebook is working (because the blue screen of death isn't obvious enough)

Did I miss anything?

As for the form factor being perfect, it's not, it just looks that way compared to every other brand of notebook out there. Show me one notebook that has a better form factor, you can't. Oh, and it is improved over the PowerBooks. All cooling vents are in the back now, none are visible from the front and side. Also, the built-in iSight camera is definitely an improvement to carrying around an external video camera. They've also moved the wifi and bluetooth antennas to the hinge for better reception, removing the need for those small plastic panels that used to exist on the left and right edges of the screen's case. Being even thinner than the previous model is also a step closer to perfection.

So the MacBook Pro is NOT the same form factor as the PowerBook 15". :-P

[Thomas Averin @ Feb 19th 2006 10:00PM]

#24:

try this: wait at least a minute, if it doesn't work, there is something wrong!

FACE!

[Bill Gates @ Feb 20th 2006 1:23AM]

I am loading Windows Vista on this as we speak.

[Jeff @ Feb 20th 2006 7:02AM]

My last powerbook was 550mhz (The one where the paint chipped off & Apple swore up and down it was "Normal")
At least if I get one of these they have solved that problem & got a processor worth having.

[js @ Feb 20th 2006 3:02PM]

"try this: wait at least a minute, if it doesn't work, there is something wrong!

FACE!"



That is the most intelligent post you've made in a while. I salute you.



I never knew that engadget posters were so anti-Microsoft. Get a real computer.

[the other steve jobs @ Feb 21st 2006 3:45PM]

#33... you don't have to go thru the list of all teh various stickers that are found on Windows laptops...

i just call them "NASCAR laptops". When people ask me wtf is a "NASCAR laptop" - i explain that anything with that many stickers on it must be a NASCAR.

[Bo @ Feb 22nd 2006 1:55PM]

js-your power light argument is one of the stupidest things I've ever heard of. As previously mentioned, even if you're deaf you can still hit the caps lock and see if the keyboard lights up. Also, all those random lights on PC notebooks are some of the most annoying things I've ever seen. Perhaps you would prefer if everyone's computer was like the X41 Tablet, which has two power buttons and that latch thing on top that sticks out idiotically whenever the computer is in notebook mode?

As for a wifi switch, I don't understand how that's a "pro" feature in any way. As a tech support worker at my college, I see tons of users almost every day whose wireless "stopped working"; turns out that their wifi switch turned off while in their bag and they just didn't notice it. Wifi switches are BAD; they're generally pretty flimsy and they can snap off. The form factor isn't perfect on the powerbook by any means, but please, random indicator lights and wifi switches? Might as well have a punch card reader while we're at it.

[GDog @ Jun 7th 2007 4:05PM]

What, thats it???? Where are the rest of the pic's....Too afraid to take the 6 screws out?