[auramac]

Excellent question. I've been checking the Apple Store periodically to see if it's been added as an option- so far, alas- no.

[AAARated]

I'm pretty impressed with the new 17". The new unibody chassis is incredible. I had a big concern about losing the FW400 port on the new machines but I guess it makes no difference really once you have an 400 to 800 adapter cable.
I was also concerned about the non-removable battery at first but after viewing the video at Apple.com I feel a bit better. My only concern is that Apple will not warranty it properly and failures will become a big hassle.
As a professional video editor, compatibility with Avid products is a must so I will have to wait and see - though I have to say the performance should be spectacular.

[Shrub]

I've self-upgraded the hard drive in my 17" MBPro (2.6GHz Core2Duo) to a 500GB model. So thrilled to hear that I can do that once this new 17" machine arrives.
Separately, I don't understand why Apple won't offer 500GB as an option. Can anyone at the Expo see if an Apple person can enlighten us as to whether this might happen?

[Martian]

bwalls said:

. I'd swap those two batteries for one that lasted 8 hours, though.

Unfortunately, if it really did last 8 hours (at usable brightness), Apple would have said 12 hours.

This sealed battery crap is a deal-breaker. Enough is enough with Apple's impractical hardware design decisions. Now Apple makes only one notebook--the 15" MBP--that isn't spoiled by a blatantly stupid marketing design flaw.

[Motivated]

There are clear engineering reasons to maximize the battery size at the expense of a removeable cover. There are really only marketing reasons to have a removeable battery. So, I think you have it backwards. I find it interesting that the 17" version corrects the only 2 negatives mentioned in reviews of the 15": battery life and matte screen. Then people complain about even that. I think a problem here, also is that people (other than paid reviewers) bitch about problems they percieve OTHER users might have. i.e. if you don't like the 8-hour battery, then don't buy the computer.

Apple's laptops are extremely well engineered and packaged. I personally appreciate the design and execution and that is a big reason I am buying one. For me, not having to purchase an extra battery and carry it with me, is a plus. I'm happy to just carry the charger. I do not ever forsee myself having to use my computer for more than eight hours without access to a power outlet.

[AAARated]

I'm inclined to agree. Apple is always the first to break with convention. Remember all the fuss when they stopped including 3.5" floppy drives . . . there appears to be some compelling reasons for the change and I for one am OK about it as long as the unit is good and Apple will be fair with their warranty of it. If they blow it in this area then all hell will break loose, but from what I have seen this is a proprietary unit and design and in those circumstances Apple products usually do well by not having to rely in outside vendors such as Sony etc.

[palane]

@Martian - I'll give you one out of two. Removing firewire from the uniMB was an unfortunate decision. I disagree with regards to the significance of the battery. A replacement battery for the PowerBook ran around $120. The new battery--with installation--runs $179. Combined with a longer lifetime, it's a good deal. I also like that Apple is acknowledging users who need the matte option, though an anti-glare coating isn't the same thing.

There are different definitions of user replaceable. After the hard drive died in my first iPod (my fault--it hung and I banged it in frustration), I installed a replacement drive myself. I wouldn't be surprised if a less expensive option became available for technically adept users.

The only valid complaint, in my oh so humble opinion, is that there is no internal or external option for extending the usable computer lifetime. I grant that there are cases where this is critical. Heck, even if you forget to charge the computer, its handy to have a back-up. For me, that's a keychain drive.

BB

[Motivated]

The fact that tools are required is protection for the consumer in that Apple can not blame a consumer for any battery problem if it is clearly shown that the screws have never been used. This is the same type of battery used on the Air and nobody has mentioned problems with that.

All that said, I think there were other engineering reasons why they went this way with the battery. Why is the 17" thicker than the 15". I suspect something is going on inside and, with the new unibody if they had a removeable cover, the thickness might have crept over 1". The unibody is very stiff, but it also limits flexibility in packaging due to CNC machine tool access. Anyway, just conjecture.

[Archiform_3D]

I think that the laptops are now at the stage where all these updates mean less and less. What does the new one do that the one of 2 years ago doesnt? I used to be the first to upgrade, passing my laptop down the line each time, but now all my key people have a more than adequate machine. For the first time I have no reason that I can even fabricate to get a new one.

Steve Bell

Archiform 3D

[folklore]

Archiform_3D said:

I think that the laptops are now at the stage where all these updates mean less and less. What does the new one do that the one of 2 years ago doesnt? I used to be the first to upgrade, passing my laptop down the line each time, but now all my key people have a more than adequate machine. For the first time I have no reason that I can even fabricate to get a new one.

You're the reason the economy is in the toilet. You're suppose to consume, not question why we consume.

:)

[JakeT]

Motivated said:

Quote

I personally appreciate the design and execution and that is a big reason I am buying one. For me, not having to purchase an extra battery and carry it with me, is a plus. I'm happy to just carry the charger. I do not ever forsee myself having to use my computer for more than eight hours without access to a power outlet.

I prefer not carrying a charger with me. I don't need to carry the DVD drive all the time either. If I could swap that out for a second battery, I might more than 8 hours and at full brightness.

I like being able to swap out a hard drive as easily as it was on the Pizmo. Pop one out and pop another in. There are a lot of reasons for it. Like, have one disk for the kids and one for the parents. Or have one for Mac OS and another for Windows.

The Pizmo was thin enough for me. I'm not obsessed about how thin it is.

[JakeT]

Where is the Firewire 3200?

[montgomery_burns]

Motivated said:

The fact that tools are required is protection for the consumer in that Apple can not blame a consumer for any battery problem if it is clearly shown that the screws have never been used. This is the same type of battery used on the Air and nobody has mentioned problems with that.

Removing these screws is also required in order to access the hard drive and memory. If changing the hard drive and memory yourself does not void the warranty, why should it be any different for the battery?

[Imagine_Engine]

I have no problem with the new MBP other than I was hoping for the new Intel Core 2 Quad mobile CPU and Blu-Ray. It's great they are giving working professionals the option to either have gloss or matte finish for the 17" HD display. I'm jump on buying one of these though I'm still paying off my current MBP. Guess it will have to wait till next year ;)