iPhone,
iPhone,
iPhone... wait, what's that? You're still pining for those refreshed, possibly
Core i5- /
i7-equipped MacBook Pros that
have been long rumored? If a source close to
Australian MacWorld has any merit, we'll finally be seeing updates to the laptop line -- Pro and Air, allegedly -- this Tuesday, April 13th. No word on what the new models would feature if true, but without an event all its own, the best we can expect is probably a spec boost. Best Buy seems to be adding some fuel to the fire, first by showing a proverbial
mark of death in its database last month, and now by making the 15-inch model unavailable on BestBuy.com. Undoubtedly the retailer's waiting for a new shipment of potent portables, but the question remains, what will they run under the hood?
[Thanks, Ryan]
Update: UK retailer John Lewis is also
showing its MacBook Pro and MacBook Air options as out of stock, though it suffers no such shortages with MacBooks. Draw your own conclusions [Thanks, Ben].
posted April 9th 2010 1:54AM
Ok this is an honest question: Why do people prefer a MacBook over a cheaper, user-component replaceable laptop?
@n8equalsd
Because 85% of people wouldn't know a f'ing hard drive if it hit em in the face. T_T
@n8equalsd Because Apples hardware tends to be better constructed than the plastic PC stuff.
And there's a little thing called OS X people like too.
@n8equalsd because it doesnt run windows, doesnt have viruses and spyware, blah blah blah bs they like to throw around
if you want to use a Macbook please by all means use it, but do so because you like Macbooks, not because its *not* windows
@n8equalsd I can speak for myself only: I just like the whole Mac OS interface. I'm not much of a tech guy, and from what I understand (and from my hands on time with my friends Macbooks), it works great. I love the multi-touch pad. I'm not quite sure what other laptop have that. And I'll be away from home most of the time, so I need a laptop that can run for more than 5-6 hours on a single charge.
If you can direct me to an alternative that has a similar track pad and great battery, I would be grateful and would consider it. I figure I'd ask and consider my options. I have 3 weeks left to purchase a laptop :(
@ellenich
Really? I'd like to see that first statement proven.
@gearh34d2012
I doubt it can be really proven, but I completely agree. I find keyboards and trackpads on Best Buy laptops are just garbage compared to any Apple laptop. However, there are some keyboard exceptions (ThinkPads jump to mind).
I've yet to find a Windows laptop with a trackpad even nearing that on a MacBook.
@bobp I know it may sound pretty stupid, but I guess that's my main reason for wanting my laptop to be a Mac. I just LOVE the trackpad. It's so easy and convenient, especially that four finger swipe to bring up all my programs. Very useful. My main PC is running windows, and I wouldn't mind having a windows laptop. If there is another laptop that has a trackpad similar to the Macbooks (and similar battery), I would be on it in a heartbeat. Personally i don't care too much for the aluminum body or anything. I just want convenience.
@n8equalsd
The Mac OS is a lovely OS to live your life in. Things really do "just work" 97% of the time. A Mac comes standard with very good tools to play music, organize photos and make great looking movies. An Mac will work well with all your toys like iPods, iPhones, iPads or digital cameras. They are made better than most computers (and with out a doubt better designed than most). The do actually have some very innovative features: MagSafe is genius. And many computer users, not just Apple users, will never want to open their computer case. You pay a bit more, but to be fair, you do get a bit more, too.
@n8equalsd
Points for: well-designed and built, fairly well-specced hardware despite the price (at least, when a new model is launched), great battery life, good quality screens, smooth trackpad, thin profile, option of using OS X without resorting to hacking.
Points against: sharp edges always slice my wrists when I type, aluminium body conducts heat to hands, feels cold and rough against skin and my (metal) watch makes a horrible scraping sound on it. Keyboard lacks any feel so it's difficult to type on, the trackpad on unibody macbooks makes drag 'n drop difficult at best. Servicing the laptop is complicated by the enormous array of torx screws and fiddly design, making it difficult to open even if it's just to blow dust out with a compressed air bottle.
OS X specific point: All the keyboard shortcuts are completely changed round. Being used to Windows/Ubuntu, I often try using standard shortcuts, find out they don't work, go to the comparatively slow trackpad and rage because a simple task is taking me so long. Using a macbook under Windows is fine though :)
Hope that's helped (I don't own a Mac btw, this is my experience on friends' machines).
@AlienSix I LOL when people give me the 'Macs don't get viruses' speech.
Firstly, Macs do get viruses, as does any platform. You'll notice Apple state on their site "Macs don't get PC viruses". Dah. I think PC companies should advertise "PC's dont get Mac viruses".
Secondly, I can't remember the last time I've seen a virus on a PC. The days of viruses and malware are long gone (at least for those who aren't still running 10 year old windows operating systems). Windows Vista, Windows 7 and heck.. even WinXP SP3 are all quite resistant to viruses and malware. I would happily bet my bank account on Windows 7 being *more* secure than OSX when it comes to virus attacks. Microsoft have actually put a lot of thought into the issue and made some real changes. Win7 features some serious anti-virus and anti-malware functionality including DEP, malware signature checking & UAC.
Above all, the average Windows user is less ignorant of viruses / malware, as they haven't been fed this "macs dont get viruses" crap which can only lead mac users into a false sense of security.
OSX is a solid platform and resistant to most viruses.
Windows is a solid platform and resistant to most viruses.
Arguing that Windows = viruses and spyware is just rediculous garbage these days. Apple still spout that crap from their commercials, when it's simply not true.
@higherdestiny
sorry, I disagree, wait until some big new exploit on Windows 7, and then we'll hear you talk
@higherdestiny Actually, Windows is more secure, it just gets attacked more often. They recently compared OSX to a farmhouse with no locks in the country and Windows to a house with bars on the windows in a city.
@n8equalsd MacBooks are just as easily upgradeable as any Windows machine. I'm just sayin'.
@n8equalsd OSX
I wonder if the new MacBook Pros will allow you to view Flash content at all.
Not as a flame, but I'm getting 6.5 hours strong out of my XPS M1530 running Ubuntu. Screen lit at 60% and all Desktop Effects enabled.
@gearh34d2012 6 hours is very good! I will definitely put this on my list of options for a laptop!
I'm not understanding all the hatred at Engadget for covering Apple stuff. I haven't been on here long, but I do see them cover a wide variety of products and they seem to be fair about everything. I do realize that Apple has been spoken of quite a bit today, but, well, they did have a press conference today.
The editor's work hard and I like their overall unbiased reviews. If they like Apple, that's their opinion but they do keep things in perspective. People should be a bit more fair on their assessment of the staff at Engadget, or...well, just don't come here?
@Severian126
I think it's mostly because it seems like they stretch meager tidbits of content and info out across multiple posts instead of consolidating which gives off the impression that they're trying to milk users for as many clicks and page views ( ads ) as possible. Which makes us feel cheap, used, and objectified like the dirty, dirty consumer whores that we are.
@DavidMcGuigan Gotcha, that's fair. It would be useful to have everything consolidated into a single page I agree.
@DavidMcGuigan This made me laugh
@AlienSix
Pretty sure you mean LOL.
@DavidMcGuigan
they have too. then it would be like a site like wired where news would take a full day or 2 to get to the reader. i think you forget this is a blog. okay duh.
@leemahi
What? English please.
@Vaio
The MBPs already have DDR3 and it is obvious the next update will have an i5 processor with probably an i7 BTO.
I feel you are probably the first customer ever who is not going to be let down by an update to a product.
Prediction:
With much fanfare, Apple will announce an all-new revolutionary line of MacBook Pros featuring breakthrough technologies which just so happen to have been available in PC laptops for ages.
Nothing new here, move along.
@higherdestiny -- "breakthrough technologies which just so happen to have been available in PC laptops for ages."
Macs are not just about the hardware... it's OSX.
I'm a Windows XP user... but even I know that people don't buy Macs for the hardware.
hmmm the canadian futureshop website's computer section is also down right now . . . I wonder if they have anything going on tonight!
i5 or i7 inside and probable ssd drives my guess. Unless they're putting in 640gb hd's in the new ones. 2500 eat price tricked out.
please be an Air with a core i3. oh please.
Maybe they'll finally refresh the terrible, low res, low pixel density 1280x800 and 1440x900 displays?
lmao who am i kidding
Dear editor: As of 3:42am central time, ALL of the MacBook Pros on BestBuy.com are "not available for shipping." Most of the Airs and original MacBooks are still there, however.
One of the larger Apple retailer in Sweden has the dates april 15, 21 and may 5 and 15 for 15,4" and Unknown on 17". We always get them a couple of days later than the US so this finally looks like the real deal.
http://www.macoteket.se/ProductList.aspx?cat=1068
I just checked some more UK suppliers, and in addition to John Lewis, Comet, Dixons and Micro Anvika are all showing "out of stock" for most of the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air lines, but not MacBook.
i5 or i7 in one of these things. Say hello to my first mac.
@BrownSound
I thought Intel had better processors than the i5/i7 coming out pretty soon? I hope that is the reason it has taken so long.
Anyways, I am also going to replace my 6 year old laptop the day these things come out. Then again, I have been waiting since November for these to get updated...
Not to worry
Sent from my iPhone
@Vaio
I hope the 13 incher and lower end 15 incher get discreet switchable graphics as well, as Arrandale's IGP alone would be a downgrade from then 9400M.
i hope it comes out before the 23rd because thats my birthday when im going to get one!
$1,700 dollars? What a joke, a fool and their money are soon parted, it's so true.
@19850615
I'm not sure why you've shown us this...however I do know that you London time is an hour behind.
@drange
That is exactly why I am holding out on buying a MBP! The overall build quailty is just that QUALITY! My brother has a 15 inch HP laptop that was nice for about the first oh maybe 2 months. He has had it for a year and a half now and it is falling apart. I have a 5 year Compaq laptop that is in better condition than his. I think that PC makers on the Windows side of the spectrum have gotten lazy about the way that they make their notebooks. Its really sad.
@Vaio
like the icon, who is it?
I really hope Apple is delaying this because they are putting something special into the new MacBook Pros.
I have no idea but something like USB3 or Bluray or whatever.
Otherwise it seems to be a hell of a long wait for new processors in these, especially since the iMac had these processors so long ago.