Oh, don't act so surprised. A refresh of Apple's long-in-the-tooth
MacBook Pro line was pretty much the only sure thing slated for today's event, and Apple certainly delivered. As for looks, you probably
know the score by now: chiclet keyboard, Air-inspired aluminum stylings, and a glossy screen that's flush with a new iMac-like black bezel (there's no non-gloss option for the purists out there). What's new is confirmation of a multi-touch glass trackpad, which suspiciously rids the computer of a single mouse button and adds some new gestures like app switching. Apple's also put in some effort on slimming down the computer, bringing it down to a mere 0.95-inches thick (though at 5.5 pounds it's a hair heavier than the original), but much of the real excitement happens under the hood. There's a new internal structure, that rumored "brick" of aluminum that helps Apple make the new Pro thin, strong and leaves room for the real goodies: the specs. Apple's using NVIDIA's new 9400M GPU + chipset 1-2 punch for integrated graphics, supplemented by 9600M GT switchable discreet graphics chip for heavy lifting, and pumping out those graphics over a Mini DisplayPort connector, if you'd like to supplement the LED backlit screen. As expected there's an SSD option, with drive accessible underneath the battery. The 15.4-inch base model retails for $1999, with a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of DDR3 RAM and both GPUs. Step up to $2499 and you get a faster CPU, 4GB of RAM and a 320GB HDD. The 17-inch MacBook Pro comes in a similar configuration with a 2.6GHz processor, starting at $2799, but sans the redesign and GPU love. Hit the jump for a breakdown of the configurations.
2.4GHz MacBook Pro (MB133LL/A) - $1,999
- 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 3MB L2 cache, 1066MHz System Bus
- 2GB 1066 MHz DDR3 memory
- 250GB 5400 rpm HDD
- NVIDIA GeForce 9600M graphics processor, 256MB GDDR3 memory
2.53GHz MacBook Pro (MB134LL/A) - $2,499
- 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 6MB L2 cache, 1066MHz System Bus
- 4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 memory
- 320GB 5400 rpm HDD
- NVIDIA GeForce 9600M graphics processor, 512MB GDDR3 memory
Shared Specs:
- Precision aluminum unibody enclosure, 14.35 x 9.82 x .95-inches, 5.5 pounds
- 15.4-inches LED-backlit display, 1440 x 900 resolution
- 8x Slot-loading SuperDrive
- Multi-Touch glass trackpad
- NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor
- Mini DisplayPort output port with support for DVI, VGA, and dual-link DVI
- Built-in iSight camera, stereo speakers, microphone
- Optical digital input / analog line in/out
- Built-in AirPort Extreme WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1
- 2 USB 2.0 ports
- Gigabit Ethernet Port, 1 FireWire 800 port
- ExpressCard/34 slot
- Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard & iLife '08
- 5 Hour Battery life
In The Box:
- MacBook Pro
- Display Cleaning cloth
- 85W MagSafe Power Adapter, AC wall plug, and power cord
- Lithium-polymer battery
- Install / restore DVDs
- Printed and electronic documentation
posted Oct 14th 2008 11:57AM
What??? I went to the Apple store site and noticed the student discount is only $100 for the MBP
evil...
Everyone is talking bad about the new laptops... but.. u know your going to get one..
I won't.
I was...
But now I won't.
Nope. Sorry, they're not good enough.
Nope. Also sorry, I don't have an offshore trust fund.
Kindof disappointed with the glossy screen. Anyone else think it's a bad move? Doesn't glare and reflections bother anyone or is the screen being used as an anti-sneaking-up-over-my-shoulder device?
I'm not going to be buying one until they come out with a matte-finish screen. Made that mistake when I got my macbook a few years ago. Won't be repeating that error.
Glossy looks great and sexy inside in a store showroom. Just wait until you try to use it under anywhere with sunlight, or in rooms with overhead track lighting, etc. I thought I could live with it. I was wrong.
Never again.
*The Iphone 3g is plagued by software and reception issues
*Mobile Me took weeks to get off the ground
*Exchange support isn't what it was supposed to be
*The Ipod Touch 2g doesn't have GPS
*The new Mac portables have less connections than before
*The new Mac portables are UGLY
*The new display is more than twice as much as any comparable monitor on the market
*Display port adapter "sold separately"
I've never owned a PC but Apple is dropping the ball all over the place.
*The Iphone 3g is plagued by software and reception issues
# "Plagued"? hardly.. all of the issues have been resolved with the newest firmware, and in fact only impacted a small % of users in the first place. if iPhone OS is plagued by software issues, then there is not even a word in any language to describe my experience with many windows mobile smartphones.
*Exchange support isn't what it was supposed to be
# ? please elaborate...
*The Ipod Touch 2g doesn't have GPS
# Why would an iPod have GPS? Google maps needs a constant data connection ...
*The new Mac portables have less connections than before
# and?
*The new Mac portables are UGLY
# the vast majority of the public disagrees with you...
*The new display is more than twice as much as any comparable monitor on the market
# Nope. Find me a same size display with 1920x1200 res, LED-backlighting, DisplayPort, and modern design.
*Display port adapter "sold separately"
# $15
Honestly is this really that exciting? The trackpad is interesting, but I don't know how many people would like having no physical mouse buttons. What's next, expand the trackpad to replace the keyboard?
To put it in perspective, for $1600 you can get a Thinkpad with switchable discrete/integrated graphics, LED display, the same processor+RAM, plus office pro and a 3year warranty, all for less than the base price of the pro. The Thinkpad keyboard is still the best in the business too. I do like the ssd option, but it's way too much extra money at this point.
And the black keyboard+bezel with metal body... Kind of ugly imo. Either all black or all silver is the way to go.
I kind of like the new design, but the (extremely?) glossy screen is a no go for me. And yeah, ThinkPads are amazing, though my Dell also has a very fine keyboard.
Any company that grows so fast will start to fall. Unfortunatley they are totally backtracking with these things. But maybe this will drop the prices on the used Mac Book Pro's... so it is good for me! Since I won't be buying one of these
Anyone looking for a great alternative need only to look at the Sony Vaio FW/AW series. Inexpensive, loaded (Bluray/HDMI/Widescreen), and better designed/looking . I was hoping for a 17 inch Macbook Pro with Bluray support but will go with a Sony instead. Apple continues to get worse with their design decisions in my opinion, especially at the prices they are asking.
For £700 (~$1400) I got a Dell studio 15, intel core duo (2.4ghz) 4GB RAM, 300GB HD HD Radeon 3400 256mb GPU AND a HDMI port.
Y'know.
Just sayin.
"Annoying anti-virus software"... you mean like installing avast for free? I've never had a problem with Windows, I recently got a new computer w/ Vista business and actually find it quite nice. Mac OS is fine too, but the reality is there are still a lot of programs (some of which I have to run for work) that only work for windows, so at that point if I got a Mac I'd still need to dual-boot Windows on it... so why would I buy an expensive mac to run windows when i can buy a comparable pc cheaper?
its so funny people are posting up pc comparisons to the new products...my only problem with all of your suggestions is that they all have windows on them, oh and not to mention all the annoying anti virus software you have to install..save it for another time..
"my only problem with all of your suggestions is that they all have windows on them"
Thats the exact point at which people will begin to low rank you.
Just thought you'd like to know.
haha and i care? some of you take this shit way too seriously..for giving an opinion i get a low rank...so hilarious to me!
Yeah, well... I might still end up going for a PC laptop with a decent matte-screen and then use the money I saved to buy the weight of my head in pot.
And I'm a Mac user.
@forreal
Run Windows? So do a good number of Macs.
As for expensive securityware, ZoneAlarm and Avast would like a word with you.
Well, that backfired.
Good thing I didn't put any money on it.
I don't get it, he made a blatant fanboy comment didn't he?
Meh, back to work.
@ Mark Anderson
Not to mention AVG, who appears to be holding a rather dented and bloodstained bat.
So wha happen to the $899 price point?
As usual, nowhere to be found. Good luck Apple in this new economy. Only fanboys need apply (buy).
And who was in charge of the design? Why does this thing look uglier than a Vaio?
I just picked up 3 Acer Aspire 16:9 15.4" notebooks for $399 and they include Core Duo, DVD DL, media card reader slot, PC card slot and 3 USB on one side. Because of its 16:9 design, it has a separate numeric keypad. Cool.
It also has a Synaptics trackpad that supports multitouch. Talk about beating apple to the punch!
Surprisingly, it is very fast booting and navigating, even with Vista SP1 on it.
I was going to erase it and do XP, but right now, no need.
Better than a Netbook (which doesn't come with a optical drive, and is often fugly also).
I'm totally indifferent to the design changes on the new Macbook, more power is always welcome, the price is disapoointing but usually worth paying to avoid a Vista machine.......
... but the lack of Firewire on the new Macbook is UNFORGIVEABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree about the firewire...got me on that one..but do most of you really notice a difference in fw 400 vs. usb 2.0? if any there might be a slight difference..i recently read that the usb 2.0 is technically faster than fw 400..anyone have some say on this? I mean an actual opinion on the fw speed vs. usb speed for the macbook, not a suggestion on how cheap they got their pc for, or what a ripoff the new line of mb is.
USB 2.0 has a speed rating of 480 Mbit/s.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Serial_Bus
Perhaps Apple is reaching too far in the future - USB 3 is replacing any firewire usage as it is a ten fold increase over USB 2 (read: 4.8 gigabits per second!) and is backward compatible with USB 2. Although they would have to update their ports to USB 3 from 2, but maybe its a bad way of getting people off of Firewire. Another thought since they brought up the subject of licensing - they could be trying to cut licensing costs. Perhaps to pay for that decidedly un-Apple design scheme.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9780794-7.html
--------------------------------------
www.ROCKandREVIEW.com
I CAN HAS 17" REDESIGNED MACBOOK PRO! I want it so bad!!! :(
When do you guys think their gonna release it? In time with the new macbook air release maybe? early november?
and.....who the f**k is going to spend $1200...where you can get the same for half the price from Dell and HP????
on second thoughts...i think buying this super-crazily-overpriced thingy will get you laid....
better spend 200$ of new clothes to get laid... no kidding!
1440x900 ?? Earth to yesterday... Come in yesterday...!
1440 x 900!!! Hahaha, sadly Dell are now better graphic design machine, with Dual Dvi out, 6 USB and a firewire, no glossy screens and better resolution and 9600gt for half the price. What a slap in the face for professionals.And you have to pay 99$ for a mini Dual-Link DVI Adapter... come on, I got that on my old toshiba!!
Vostro here I come!
And where is my aluminium now... If I want a black screen, I buy a pc!
damn apples!
5400rpm drives in a $2500 laptop LOL
i was crying when i couldnt find matte option ;((((
i wont buy it because of it.
I HATE GLOSSY CRAP.
Some of you were talking about the Thinkpad and I was just looking at the W Series Thinkpad and was customizing it to compare to the Macbook. They have an option for Vista Business in French (I'm in Canada) and it says next to it [Add 9,999.00]
I'm a videographer, and where did the standard DV Firewire port go? First they take away the very-useful S-Video port...and now I can't even plug in my camera or external FW drives?!?
What are they smoking at Apple? This is one of the WORST new designs I've seen them come out with in a while.
lol @ no hdmi. that was pretty much the deciding factor for me. gonna get an hp instead.
What photo editing\viewing software is shown in the pic with the bird?
If I am not mistaken that is Adobe Lightroom :)
These laptops look awesome and also has got some great power. It seems apple will have more converters from PC. There are few specs talks here.I think it needs other features though.
http://www.nzmobiles.com/laptops/59-apple/60-why-apples-new-macbooks-are-best-yet.html
WTF? Did they just redesign the battery again? Do they really think all their corporate users can justify no only replacing the laptop and buying extra dongles, but also replace the extra batteries?? As if the long time missing docking station isn't enough...
You can get a matte display.
I WANT A MATTE PRO !!!
snifff.ff.....
snifff.....
arghhh.....
BLACK .... KEYBOARD :( :=*
BLACK :? FRAME :(
gimme me external serial ata !!!
give me 4 usbs !!!!
I'm glad I kept my PowerBook G4 12" this long, seeing as I don't think there will be a direct replacement. I'm ashamed that Apple is still charging lots of money for something that can be easily matched with off the shelf parts, even when they themselves use them. Not only does it look ugly, but I can just imagine what a pain the trackpad/mouse thing is and the crummy zero-tactile feedback keyboard. Apple, please bring back the simple, yet powerful laptops that you used to produce.
Anyone know where to find the picture On the Desktop????
Pricing is disappointing. Don't like the black keyboard. Not too excited about the glossy screen. I'll look at Apple notebooks again when I decide to replace my PowerBook in a year or so. Nothing compelling about this update.
@SITEiNK
I agree with you the re-design not looking so classy. All that black makes it look more like some other lame laptops I've seen. I'm not impressed and really like the design of my "old" MBP (April 08). Some features seem cool, but nothing is revolutionary here (I guess except the manufacturing or whatever).
@Harkonian
I agree. I am not a professional, but I can't stand the glossy screens. Sure colors are supposed to be more accurate, but it makes actually doing any work on your computer a lot more difficult. People should be able to choose.
Love:
- bigger glass button-less touch pad
- glass screen
- environmental materials
Hate:
- two tone design
- black keyboard (worst thing happened to macbooks)
- shape of the notebook
- mini display port
- no distinguish between regular macbook and macbook pro. (I think this will drive the sales down on their pro models)
I think Apple has moved a step back from it's previous models especially the macbook pro. Apple has always been known for it's slick clean design, this time they loses the touch.
Apple is releasing products with less functions and expect people to buy it?
- iphone 3G
Missing MMS
Missing VoiceDial
Missing Video Camera
- Now notebook
Missing HDMI
Missing FireWire
Less USB ports
Apple is becoming the new Microsoft or Sony, where they put their profits in front of customer needs.
What? Still no full HD display? Bah, humbug! It's not going under anyone's tree I know, not unless Santa's elves do a switcheroo to 1080p
I am not sure about previous models but my Macbook Pro (2.4Ghz, 2gb ram,GeForce 8600M GT 256mb),which was the last upgrade before this new model was released, plays full 1080p without any problems at all. So I am assuming this model will be able to do the same.
But the Samsung X301 has pretty much the same spec, is 13.3" , sexy as hell with its red fading to black look and is less then half the price!!
Oh and does anybody else that the black keys and screen surround will make this date hella quick ??
if it lasts as long as the last mac books it'll look completly geriatric by the time it gets a "Refresh"!!
Oh and 2 Usb Ports..............................do i smell another lenovo style x300 comercial when they attach a 4 port hub et all!!!!
Seriously the last maching i has with less then 3 usb ports had a pentium 1 in it!!
mouse Come RIght in!
Keyboard Down the back there , loads of room.
Printer THOU SHALT NOT PASS
external HDD Sorry Mate , not tonight!
usb modem Are they Sneakers ??? I dont think so!!!
Still no blu-ray..
[Still no blu-ray..]
According to Steve Jobs we don't really want Bluray. In the style of Kenobi using the force on the Stormtrooper's in Star Wars:
'You don't need a Bluray player
This isn't the format you're looking for
Move along...'
Who needs Bluray anyway? Except for maybe creative professionals who would like the vastly improved storage capacity for their show reels, and commercial users who might want to play all those blue things available in HMV
This is Apple's own Aperture 2 program. It's also one of the stock pictures that comes with the program
I can't wait to take out a loan to get one of these things. :dodgy:
Tell Apple to return the matte choice for Macbook Pro:
http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookpro.html
argh, the black keyboard is horrible, makes it look like a crappy PC
Uhh, if you see one of these in person, you will probably like it. The screen doesn't seem to be overly glossy if you actually go and use one for more than 2 minutes. Like, what, is a black keyboard with LED white back lighting and a super bright LED display going to hurt? The screen shines through the gloss... don't just pretend you've used one and say its way too glossy.
The black frame actually helps the user... it provides a contrast to the bright screen so the display appears to pop. I don't know about all of you, but it still looks simple and sleek.
Buttt, for those who don't know good styling, they still sell the less color accurate 17 inch matte finish macbook pro.
Um... I hate to break it to all you but, not all the people who own MBPs are people who need all that gaudy stuff. People keep complaining about how the Display port was lost well. TOO BAD. I am only a sophmore in high school so don't give me bull crap about how it was a bad choice. You need a full size connector? Go down to bestbuy, they will have a connector cable for ya. As far as the lines, you can't question that this is a higher grade, you pay for quality okay? You want the old lines of the MBP? Then buy a 17" one and call it done and stop whining
I hate it,looks like a PC and that sucks, thankfully the older model its now the one to look for.
What i dont understand is why all the effort to promote the old Macbook pro in every TV show or movie to sudenly out of nothing change the desing to a PC look a like? I hate it!!