[jhorton]

The original MacBook Pro (January 2006) lacked the FireWire 800 that was present in the 15-inch PowerBook G4 it replaced (it did continue to sport a FireWire 400 connection). FireWire 800 was, however, present on the 17-inch MacBook Pro introduced in April 2006, and returned to the 15-inch in October 2006. So, while you're right that the 2008 unibody 13-inch was the first Intel-era machine to forego FireWire, it's not the first time Apple has removed a feature only to add it back in a short period of time.

[palane]

I believe the original MacBook Pro debuted without Firewire (and there was very little rejoicing). As here, Firewire returned. [Edit: sorry, it was FW800 that was removed, as a previous poster noted.]
BB

[fyrefly]

Would also be nice to have included the 2.4Ghz MB Unibody scores from this review:
http://www.macworld....nummacbook.html
The Article states that the 2.4Ghz MBU achieves a score of 213 in Speedmark 5 - pretty much identical to the 2.26Ghz current model! If the 2.26Ghz performs similarly to the older 2.4Ghz model, it's like the same laptop with a better screen and improved battery life for cheaper!

[Lorre]

oldmanca said:

Isn't the back-lite keyboard new for the 13" aluminum? I don't remember hearing (or reading) that the aluminum MacBook had that previously Pro feature.

All in all, a nice machine. Good feature set, firewire 800, Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi 802.11 N, all hard to find in a Windows laptop. A pity my MacBook, an early 2008, white, 2.4 GHz, is still plenty for my needs.

Exactly the same feeling here. I also have an early 08 2.4 machine and these new ones seem so sexy!

But hey, if we hold out another year with our "outdated" machines, by that time we'll by quad-core MBP's with OLED screens for the same money :)

Well, one can dream... still, it won't hold out to wait another rev or two, these things will only get better in the future!

[graxspoo]

I am a bit peeved that they went with this "switchable audio input" business. I'm a guitarist and I really like being able to simply plug my guitar into my laptop and overdub listening through headphones. No can do with this new puppy.

Now I realize I can replicate this functionality with a small USB interface, so this is nowhere near as annoying and crippling to me as the lack of FireWire was... but still its one more thing to go searching for when I want to record a quick idea. I'd happily give up the built-in mic, since the audio quality on that is so horrible I'd never use it even for scratchpad purposes.

And, it just seems a bit chintzy to me... I mean all the electronics are there. Couldn't they find someplace to add the jack? Its so small...

I am really glad Apple added back the FireWire port, but without the audio input I'm still not quite tempted enough to upgrade for now.

[newuser1980]

I used macbook for 4 years since it release, there are many problem on these macbook,

1st the battery will be dead in 2 years, the battery icon will show an 'X'

2nd the power supply will get explosure, now I went through my 2nd power supply

3rd the builtin isight will failed to work, my stopped work on 3 year

4th the keys will break and pop out, my number lock key just fall out, and I have found that inside the key it was held by 2 very thin plastic slighty better than a hair.

so I will never buy macbook or pro, these are horrible, I have a 10 years old ibm it never have these probem

[trip1ex]

Back-lit keyboard and improved display are also new to the Macbook (Pro.)

So that is 5 new features for the $1199 model and 4 new features for the $1499 pricepoint. :)

[caleb45]

The Macbook Unibody 2.4ghz has a back-lit keyboard.

[JS2009]

I'm bemused that the addition of a SD card slot qualifies this 13" to be labeled Pro. Firstly, why couldn't Apple have provided one of those multi-card slots that are capable of receiving several different types of cards? They could have. Secondly, most pro photographers in the world use Nikon or Canon -- and, to my knowledge, these brands have their pro range and their amateur range. The pro range use CF cards -- so Apple's offering a SD card is not going to help the pro photographers who use the pro Nikon and Canon DSLR's.
Next, I used to be livid, but now I just shake my head when Apple produces a supposedly pro notebook computer without offering even a paid-option for a matte, anti=glare screen. Have a look at the numerous comments at http://macmatte.wordpress.com where professionals are complaining that Apple is forsaking the needs of professionals to produce computers that are more attractive to general consumers, rather than meeting the needs of professionals who require matte screens. (Sure, ther are professionals who use glossy screens, but that does not negate the fact that there are other professionals who required matte screens. See http://macmatte.wordpress.com)

[maximum90]

I really think it's probable they changed the audio in/output because of physical space. Check out the images from this AppleInsider article.
http://www.appleinsi...les/09/06/10/13inchmacbookproteardownrevealsunimaginativesdcard_slot.html

[Mark_G]

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[xmit]

"You pick your pearl and you pay the price" said musician Taj Mahal in 1975. If you bought the previous model then it was the best available for your needs at the time. I didn't have the metal unibody version and still use a black 2.2 plastic model that works great for me. I don't like metal laptops and Apple looks like they have no intention of upgrading the plastic version with an sd card or other newer features. They don't even make a black version any more. So be happy with what you have or sell it and upgrade.

[Nanosound]

I just got one of these. It's a great machine for the price. I put in one of the Seagate 500gb/7200 drives which went very quickly.

[bear90039]

I'm poor, can't run out and a get every new shiny apple. I do have a brand new black MB 2.4. Brand new because everything broke in the first year and a half. All the black paint fell off, the track pad stopped working, the optical drive stopped reading even leopard was playing tricks on me. They tried to stick me with $500 bill, but they replaced everything for free, even threw in a new heatsink. Now it doesn't get hot. My next will definitely be a MBP, but not for many years. This one still kicks ass. If it breaks again before the applecare is up, I'll get another brand new black MB. I do like the shiny new apples.