Apple's New Macbooks

**dj_stick** · Oct 16, 2008, 12:15 PM

Macbook

Macbook Pro

Opinions anyone?

Personally I think they look quite nice, obviously designed along the same lines as the iMacs released late last year, however my main gripe is this:

No Firewire 400

The Macbook Pro's have s800, but got rid of the s400 port (ok you can use an adaptor) but for professional recording, generally you don't want an external drive on the same loop as your audio interface (though it can work)

As for the Macbooks, useless for pro audio work now (USB interfaces/hard drives don't count)

That's my little rant over, but the rest of the machines look quite powerful and tempting....

mkk · Oct 16, 2008, 12:49 PM

They'll make a lot of money on adapters seeing as you'll even need one to connect a normal monitor to these new laptops. You'd think they could at least include some with the expensive Pro model, but no. As the event video showed they manage to charge more or less twice as much per system compared to the rest of the industry, and they portray that as a good thing for the consumers. It was quite amusing to watch at times.

The 9400M graphics will certainly appeal to those already set for another Macbook, since the old Intel graphics was so poor. The Pro's get both the 9400M and the 9600M GT, but the user can't switch between them on the fly.

I wonder if this Nvidia chipset is somehow made exclusively for DDR3, as it's a mystery why they would otherwise opt for slower DDR3 memory compared to the previous DDR2 systems.

Lowfat · Oct 16, 2008, 03:48 PM

I love them personally. I am currently trying to sell my MBP in order to buy a Macbook. I have no use for firewire though so that doesn't affect me.

sterben · Dec 11, 2008, 07:34 AM

Bump for a semi-old thread.
I saw one today at the mall and it looked nice.
Only if it didn't cost a arm and a leg.

**dj_stick** · Dec 12, 2008, 01:12 AM

mmm they do look quite nice, but i wouldn't want to use one outside in the sunlight....

Zardon · Dec 22, 2008, 07:35 PM

I would hold fire on the new macbooks.......

TidBITS Problem Solving: Grey Lines Mar MacBook Air Displays

**dj_stick** · Dec 23, 2008, 02:43 AM

that's not good news, another reason to be glad i got the older gen mba

i don't know if it's me, but ever since the switch to intel, there have been build quality issues popping up every now and then.... first gen macbooks turning yellow, lower quality built in soundcards, exploding batteries (okay that wasn't just apple) display issues...

makes me think they're cutting costs where they shouldn't if they really want to charge a premium for what's supposed to be a premium machine

|2A|N · Jan 12, 2009, 10:13 PM

I was looking at that 17" Macbook Pro today on Apples website. I was thinking of pre ordering it but I am going to hold off till they are available for retail. Maybe I can get a refurb or one cheaper once they are in circulation.

Zardon · Jan 12, 2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by |2A|N

I was looking at that 17" Macbook Pro today on Apples website. I was thinking of pre ordering it but I am going to hold off till they are available for retail. Maybe I can get a refurb or one cheaper once they are in circulation.

Or just get the last model which has the LED screen (1920x1200), 4gb of ram and a 320gb HD. they are going for 300-400 less than the new one and actually are more viable IMO as the battery is removable and they have a standard dual link dvi out port (2560x1600) rather than the new interface which Im not a big fan of. also have both firewire ports as djstick said. I like the unibody but I dont think its such a selling point on a 17 inch machine.

**dj_stick** · Jan 14, 2009, 02:45 AM

the older gen would be my laptop of choice for a desktop replacement/mobile studio laptop

Oct 16, 2008, 12:49 PM	#2
mkk Cthulhu/Dagon 2012 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gefle, Sweden Posts: 4,481 Rep Power: 132 System Specs	Re: Apple's New Macbooks They'll make a lot of money on adapters seeing as you'll even need one to connect a normal monitor to these new laptops. You'd think they could at least include some with the expensive Pro model, but no. As the event video showed they manage to charge more or less twice as much per system compared to the rest of the industry, and they portray that as a good thing for the consumers. It was quite amusing to watch at times. The 9400M graphics will certainly appeal to those already set for another Macbook, since the old Intel graphics was so poor. The Pro's get both the 9400M and the 9600M GT, but the user can't switch between them on the fly. I wonder if this Nvidia chipset is somehow made exclusively for DDR3, as it's a mystery why they would otherwise opt for slower DDR3 memory compared to the previous DDR2 systems.

Oct 16, 2008, 03:48 PM	#3
Lowfat Xtreme Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Grande Prairie, AB, Can Posts: 4,254 Rep Power: 101	Re: Apple's New Macbooks I love them personally. I am currently trying to sell my MBP in order to buy a Macbook. I have no use for firewire though so that doesn't affect me. __________________

Dec 11, 2008, 07:34 AM	#4
sterben DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 59 Rep Power: 0	Re: Apple's New Macbooks Bump for a semi-old thread. I saw one today at the mall and it looked nice. Only if it didn't cost a arm and a leg.

Dec 22, 2008, 07:35 PM	#6
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	Re: Apple's New Macbooks I would hold fire on the new macbooks....... TidBITS Problem Solving: Grey Lines Mar MacBook Air Displays

Jan 12, 2009, 10:13 PM	#8
\|2A\|N SE7EN57 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 358 Rep Power: 72 System Specs	Re: Apple's New Macbooks I was looking at that 17" Macbook Pro today on Apples website. I was thinking of pre ordering it but I am going to hold off till they are available for retail. Maybe I can get a refurb or one cheaper once they are in circulation.