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"Without Firewire, these are useless also for serious audio work. All mid-level or pro audio interfaces are Firewire (or internal cards)."
So, for professional work, one should use the MacBook Pro. http://You can alway...it in due time. Although I would want Firewire, there aren't any deal breakers here. The Pro adds Firewire, dedicated graphics, and a larger screen.
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New MacBook adds backlight display, Nvidia graphics
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#16
HalanR 
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Posted 14 October 2008 - 11:44 AM
@ Steven - yes, you can still boot with an external USB drive. Slow? Yes, but it does work. I will miss FW.
@Jamus - 256M, but yes, shared memory.
I still have my 1st Gen white MacBook, but these new enclosures are gorgeous! And, I like the new graphics. I'll have to watch the forums for awhile and see what kind of issues come up from this new model before upgrading. Maybe wait till any bugs are straightened out.
Except for the lack of FW, I'm sold on the new MacBook.
@Jamus - 256M, but yes, shared memory.
I still have my 1st Gen white MacBook, but these new enclosures are gorgeous! And, I like the new graphics. I'll have to watch the forums for awhile and see what kind of issues come up from this new model before upgrading. Maybe wait till any bugs are straightened out.
Except for the lack of FW, I'm sold on the new MacBook.
#17
Jarmo
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Posted 14 October 2008 - 11:44 AM
Initially dismayed, once again, this isn't half bad as Apples Mac announcements go.
The low end book is pretty good price now. Note it's NOT the same as previous low end. The previous one came with a Combo drive, this has superdrive for $100 less. And it's even more attractive as it's faster than the new book, and the next firewire portable comes at a $1000 higher price.
Still doesn't look like a value champ next to a brand name PC laptop with a bigger screen, better features and half the price. But hey, whatever.
The very usable GPU's in the new macbooks are much better than I expected, with the LED backlights these are... okay. Disappointed in the price hike but the features are there.
The low end book is pretty good price now. Note it's NOT the same as previous low end. The previous one came with a Combo drive, this has superdrive for $100 less. And it's even more attractive as it's faster than the new book, and the next firewire portable comes at a $1000 higher price.
Still doesn't look like a value champ next to a brand name PC laptop with a bigger screen, better features and half the price. But hey, whatever.
The very usable GPU's in the new macbooks are much better than I expected, with the LED backlights these are... okay. Disappointed in the price hike but the features are there.
#18
montgomery_burns
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Posted 14 October 2008 - 11:44 AM
It seems like every time a new display technology is available, Apple feels the need to go and make their own proprietary version of the connector, like they did with their Mini VGA, Mini DVI and Micro DVI.
Is this "Mini DisplayPort" an industry standard connector like the regular DisplayPort, or is it Apple's own proprietary twist on the standard, once again demonstrating Apple's obsession with making proprietary monitor connectors?
Is this "Mini DisplayPort" an industry standard connector like the regular DisplayPort, or is it Apple's own proprietary twist on the standard, once again demonstrating Apple's obsession with making proprietary monitor connectors?
#19
huzzam
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Posted 14 October 2008 - 11:45 AM
@palane: my point is that they've just increased the price of a quite-capable desktop recording system from $1000 to $2000 (plus the cost of audio interface, software, mics, plugins etc of course).
Even a serious hobbyist recordist won't find good enough specs in a USB2 interface, especially compared to the $500, firewire-only, beautiful sounding Apogee Duet, for example.
Even a serious hobbyist recordist won't find good enough specs in a USB2 interface, especially compared to the $500, firewire-only, beautiful sounding Apogee Duet, for example.
#21
ChasmoeBrown
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Posted 14 October 2008 - 11:58 AM
To paraphrase: you can put lipstick on that built-in GPU and shared memory, but it's still shared memory . . .
#23
freeasinbeer
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Posted 14 October 2008 - 12:07 PM
The article is silent on whether a Firewire port is included. The notes seem to imply that Firewire is not included. What is the truth?
#24
Schneb
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Posted 14 October 2008 - 12:14 PM
hayesk said:
No Firewire on the MacBook - only on the Pro model. That's a deal-breaker for me.
Agreed. However, as mentioned earlier, look at the specs of the $999 model. Firewire 400!!
www.apple.com/macbook/white/specs.html
If space was the issue, why not go with the ultra small Firewire input, like what is on a camera? I think Apple is going to regret this. Although, it may just be a ploy to get you to upgrade to the Pro like they did with iMovie 08 (and you know how well that went over).
#25
justme2
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Posted 14 October 2008 - 12:16 PM
Not on the straight MacBook -- you need Pro for FW800.
I'll hang onto my black MacBook for a while longer -- while the aluminum looks nice, I like the option of FW just in case. And I really don't do much that requires much processor speed -- mainly just Web surfing and writing, plus a few casual games.
I'll hang onto my black MacBook for a while longer -- while the aluminum looks nice, I like the option of FW just in case. And I really don't do much that requires much processor speed -- mainly just Web surfing and writing, plus a few casual games.
#26
wbrock0011
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Posted 14 October 2008 - 12:28 PM
I agree, no firewire is just stupid...why do they keep hobbling this machine...they finally fix the graphics issue but then they get rid of firewire!!!!! I like to be able to use the macbook as a portable video recorder and now I can't without firewire.
#28
spiderbat
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Posted 14 October 2008 - 12:35 PM
This is the second MacBook model to come without FireWire. If this could be justified in the Air due to its peculiar form factor, it is a very upsetting trend nonetheless. IMHO, it depends also on the fact that Apple is trying, with success, to entice new customers from another, inferior platform and is shifting its aim lower on features that these aren't able to appreciate in full.
