New MacBook Pros get dissected, look like old MacBook Pros

We'd love to tell you that during AnandTech's dissection of the "new" MacBook Pros they made a shocking discovery about the internals of the systems that brought into light significant changes and / or upgrades to the computers. We'd like nothing more then to say that it appears Apple has completely reworked the architecture of these machines to be harder, better, faster, and stronger. But honestly? They're exactly the same as the old models, save for those little Penryns, and as a result, kind of boring. Don't believe us? Take a look at the photos -- you'll see.

[travis.Taylor @ Feb 27th 2008 8:54AM]

Doesn't surprise me too much... I have the 2.4ghz model from the last update, and while it would be nice to have the bigger Hard Drive and beefer video card... I am totally content with my current laptop.

Now, had they added the new keyboard from the MacBook and a slightly sleeker design... I would have seriously considered selling my MBP to purchase one.

[Luis @ Feb 27th 2008 9:12PM]

So wait. Can i just swap mobos in order to upgrade for ome Peryn action on my 1st gen MBP?

[darkstar @ Feb 27th 2008 8:57AM]

the exterior is nice and super clean. but honestly, its boring after what...5 years? jeez, u would think they have people redesigning laptops as much as the ipods...i have no qualms about the ipods. seems they get better and better every year!

[Raheem @ Feb 27th 2008 8:57AM]

If it ain't broke... break it.

[tanooki2003 @ Feb 27th 2008 9:27AM]

That should be "If it ain't broke, fix it until it is"

[Franco @ Feb 27th 2008 9:57AM]

Don't expect the overall design to change much. Look at thinkpads and dells. They all look similar. The only different is the shape and size. Thank apple that a macbook like different from macbook pro.

[Jordan Marton @ Feb 27th 2008 9:04AM]

Where is the chip for the multi-touch? Where did they squeeze that in?

[happy_penguin @ Feb 27th 2008 9:04AM]

What the hell did they expect them to look like?

[Deven @ Feb 27th 2008 9:05AM]

With Apple products, it always feels like something bigger and better is just around the corner. I mean yea, the MBP just got updated and it's a good time to buy, but there's an uneasy feeling something major might come soon.

[Franco @ Feb 27th 2008 10:01AM]

it is true for all computers. The only difference is Apple is more careful about internal information so people are surprise when updates happens compare to Dell or HP alway leaking information about their products.

[bryan Webster @ Feb 27th 2008 9:06AM]

So does this mean apple saying existing macs cant have a multi touch trackpad because the hardware is dfferent turns out to be a complete lie?

[Mike @ Feb 27th 2008 9:38AM]

No, the new MacBook Pros have new trackpad hardware. The motherboard and the layout of all the components are the same though.

[Vasilis @ Feb 27th 2008 9:07AM]

The GPU is the same as yours, the extra memory won't make a difference. Now can we all say 9600M or 8800M fast enough??? Oh and a higher resolution screen pretty please.

[satanhimself @ Feb 27th 2008 9:16AM]

I don't understand why Apple doesn't put decent GPUs in the MBPs at least. An 8600M is pitiful for a premium notebook. If they want more PC users to switch they are going to have to start thinking about this.

AA

(My Blog : http://satanhimself.wordpress.com/ )

[Ypoknons @ Feb 27th 2008 10:08AM]

For the 15" MBP there just isn't enough space for cooling. The only 15" laptop with a 8800M is the Alienware 15X, and it's 2ibs heavier and much thicker. The MBP's specs are really pretty good for its size class. The move to 512MB vram is actually quite handy these days in games with huge textures - it's not a huge deal but it's hardly useless. The MBP is really somewhere between 15 and 14 inchers. The 17" model has less excuses, but it's definately slimmer than most 17ers.

[Dale @ Feb 27th 2008 11:54AM]

@satanhimself: The 256MB 8600M GT in my MacBook Pro runs UTIII, Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars and World Of Warcraft at 1400x900, all settings maxed, with pretty consistent frame rates. It runs pretty hot.

I really don't see the appeal of anything beefier in a laptop. In a desktop? Sure, it would be great to have a multiple monitor-powering, Crysis-devouring son of a bitch in a system that has the means to deal with the heat.

[Luis @ Feb 27th 2008 9:09AM]

Yesterday was so disappointing! after so many weeks of predictions and hype, Apple reveal the "new Macbook Pro" and by new they mean the same old, and by same old they mean 2003 design old. It was so boring that even the speed bump and GPU weren't that exciting. I hated that the trackpad, even though now is a MultiTouch, it still looks exactly the same and small. To sum it all up the release was BORING and seemed rushed.

I guess we'll have to wait for another 9 long long months to see if finally Apple decides that their "Oh-so-perfect" design needs a REdesign desperately. But don't count on it, lately Apple is just filled with let downs, probably their just focusing on their iPhone (but hey Apple the Mac is much more important!!!)

[Kizorblade @ Feb 27th 2008 9:47AM]

"after so many weeks of predictions and hype"

Your fault then for becoming so hyped and realizing that it wasn't your dream machine?

And while you may argue it needs a redesign, I think it looks fine and still looks hells better then the majority of the notebooks out there. No?

[illingist trooper @ Feb 27th 2008 11:01AM]

Well, first of all, the MacBook Pro has reached "good design". It's very functional and lean. I wouldn't mind seeing some clever new Apple design, but the truth is, these machines are the result of years of distilling and refinement in functionality and I don't need to see 'change' for the sake of change.

The 'pizzazz' is in what you do with it.

[Michael @ Feb 27th 2008 3:43PM]

I agree with the others. I think the design is beautiful in its simplicity. I can't see how they could get much better. And personally I don't want them to change it just because some people are sick of it. I've never owned a MBP and when I do get to buying one later this year I would like for it to be this same design. I think the big update is the new trackpad.

[Karl Viklund @ Feb 27th 2008 9:13AM]

A creation by god!

[Rynth @ Feb 27th 2008 10:48AM]

If god drank heavily and smoked crack, then yes, yes it is.

[Gorillamonk @ Feb 27th 2008 9:19AM]

I still think the way that this is built is better than a lot of other laptops.

[Kronk @ Feb 27th 2008 9:24AM]

In the fullness of time I think we'll see that the Macbook Air was really a design experiment and the Macbook Pros will have incorporated many of the Air's design flourishes without the same feature sacrifices.

That said, I'd love to see them reintroduce a small MBP (12" or 13") to compete with the best Windows subnotebooks (Sony TZ, Panasonic W series) with a slim bezel screen (ie small footprint, not just thin), 8 hour battery, built-in 3G/WiMAX, optical drive (Blu-Ray?), and plenty of ports.

[CosterMonger @ Feb 27th 2008 11:14AM]

like a black back lite keyboard?

[Kronk @ Feb 27th 2008 12:11PM]

I like the Macbook (I have one myself) but I think it is too big/heavy at 5+ pounds. They should be able to make a 3 pound subnotebook that doesn't leave off all the features like Macbook Air.

[daniel @ Feb 27th 2008 9:25AM]

Can you upgrade last models 2.4ghz to a new 2.6ghz penryn?

[Andrew @ Feb 27th 2008 10:29AM]

Yeah. You just need really small hands.

[Evan @ Feb 27th 2008 9:33AM]

It's pathetic how Apple hasn't changed or shrunk the MBP design in years.

It's even more pathetic that Dell can't match Apple's thinness after all this time.

[Joe @ Feb 27th 2008 9:58AM]

Yes, but Dell's difference in size is directly proportional to price.

[Peter N @ Feb 27th 2008 10:17AM]

Don't you mean inversely proportional, since you are so obviously a mac-hater?

[L.Rawlins @ Feb 27th 2008 12:55PM]

How thin is 'thin' before it gets ridiculous though Evan? Take the Macbook Air for example, so thin that they not only removed connectivity and functionality... they also removed the point of purchase.

Even Apple don't seem to know how to sell the device beyond, 'It fits in an envelope'.

Nice...

Now all I need is a stamp with 'Return To Sender'. It's not hard to make a notebook thin if all you're doing is removing hardware to make it so.

[phanbouy @ Feb 27th 2008 1:20PM]

It's not hard, no. But if it was cheap I'd be all over it like a fiend to his crack rock.

[Russ Hughes @ Feb 27th 2008 9:42AM]

You must have a slack news day in the office - a non-story if ever I read one! Come on guys write something newsworthy.

[phanbouy @ Feb 27th 2008 9:56AM]

This just in off the AP wire -- Russ Hughes enjoys flogging a dead horse of a meme into oblivion, hence perpetuating the expectation from each engadget user that engadget NEVER post a story that doesn't personally interest them.

[Russ Hughes @ Feb 27th 2008 10:34AM]

Phanbouy - swallowing a thesuarus is not the same as humour, not quite sure of your point, had I posted a comment like this on every occasion then perhaps you would have made a point that could have been accurate or funny - on this occasion you acheived neither, anyway good luck next time!

[phanbouy @ Feb 27th 2008 10:37AM]

Thesaurus? Those are words I actually use. Sorry they were too big for you, but that's what google's for. But good job on your continuing bucketful of fail, gnat.

[Russ Hughes @ Feb 27th 2008 10:53AM]

Yawn!

[phanbouy @ Feb 27th 2008 11:03AM]

Yawn? I think you meant "wahhhhh!!!!!"

[Mike K @ Feb 27th 2008 11:35AM]

I KNEW IT!! Look at the hard drive the ribbon cable covers the whole that says "Don not cover this hole!!!" My macbook pro's hd crashed and when i swapped it out i noticed they covered it... Conspiracy???

[Yours Smugly @ Feb 27th 2008 10:15AM]

I really don't understand what made people believe Apple would roll out new designs of MacBook and MBP just like that. Sure, the current MacBooks didn't get the Stevenote treatment (all they got was a 'silent release' on a Tuesday late May 2006), but had Apple been planning to introduce a new industrial design to both of their laptop lines there sure would have been a special event for that.

Silly people. They deserve to be disappointed.

[John @ Feb 27th 2008 11:07AM]

I've just been disappointed by Apple so much recently i was hoping they would impress me again, I feel cheated for liking them. *sigh* One day I'll learn...oh wait they charged me $20 to unlock a feature that was already on my ipod touch i got for christmas. f*ck them, im getting a dell.

[Yours Smugly @ Feb 27th 2008 11:17AM]

Well, that's what you get for being too good for too long. People expect you to bring out something insanely great and brand new every frickin' week.

Have a good time with Vista on that still-thicker-and-uglier-than-the-5-years-old-MBP-design Dell, John.

[John @ Feb 27th 2008 11:36PM]

*sigh*

[brad @ Feb 27th 2008 10:54AM]

If you're willing to go with the "older" Macbook.....you can get the Superdrive model for $1144 at Amazon. Subtract the $75 rebate and the $30 credit for signing up for the Amazon credit card and you've got a great deal ($1039). Free shipping too.

I got one last night........

[Akiacat @ Feb 27th 2008 11:00AM]

Is it just me, or is the MacBook Pro in the photos missing the second USB port all new MacBooks come with? O_o

[Dino @ Feb 27th 2008 11:46AM]

No, the images do look that way, but it seems like they put one USB port on either side of the machine. The tech specs still show there to be two USB, one FW400, one FW800.

[Taylor @ Feb 27th 2008 11:48AM]

Man, why you got to go and make some negative article for no good reason. Now I don't feel the joy of my new purchase because it has the great design of 20+ years behind it. Man, you'd think they should come up with a whole new way to re-arrange all that stuff in there just to make Engadget happy.

[Kevin Ressler @ Feb 27th 2008 11:58AM]

Ipods are based on perceived obsolescence. So people see who has the new model and who doesn't and they feel stupid with the old model so they go buy the new one though their current ipod still works fine.

MBP are based on planned obsolescence. They don't have to look like they don't function anymore because after a few years stuff stops working right. So the saying should be, "If it ain't broke on the outside....they'll make it break on the inside"

[Frederik @ Feb 27th 2008 12:05PM]

Honestly though, the amount of design innovation that Apple implemented toward their product is probably reaching a point of saturation. Let's just look at it this way:

iMac G3 (the gummy drop one) is pretty similar in comparison the 128K, Classic and Performa. The thing that makes the G3s unique is because Apple delivered them in so many color schemes (13 when I searched the Wikipedia) that there was probably one color that suited a person's taste. Anybody still remember Indigo, Ruby, Sage, etc.?

iMac G4 (the Pixar Lamp one) is probably one of those strokes of genius that Apple came up with. It was simply a head turner and I could not describe it any more elegant than that: it was just a head turner.

iMac G5 and its Intel successor are technically not considered a design innovation because many people probably expected it already. After all, the only way you could woo people more is by getting thinner and/or disappear behind the screen.

If Apple could reinvent the iMac in an even more radical design, I would probably write a letter to the Holy See promoting Steve Jobs for sainthood.

That's on the desktop side of the equation. Mac mini is just a rebirth of G4 Cube and the PowerMac/Mac Pro will always be in a tower form.

On the portable camp, laptops will always be laptops. You have to open it before using one. If you don't have to open it, then it is probably a handheld which comes with a thumb-sized keyboard (though I often derided it as nail-sized). Mag-Safe power cable is definitely a Live-Safer for those who know the nightmare of having their notebooks yanked because somebody accidentally snatched the wire. Magnetic latch is definitely a nice feature and the ambient light sensor for the keyboard is another stroke of genius. Beyond that, you probably have to keep getting thinner and thinner. Adding a swivel to make it like a tablet PC would definitely be great but I am a little bit against the idea of writing over my computer screen. I like it clean and spotless. What else can we do with a laptop?