[Deinhard]

OK...so the name's a little lame, but the new MacBook Pro is at the top of my "must get" list for early 2006.
Any thoughts on performance, features, etc?

[Argent]

Yeah, the name's going to take some getting used to.
I've noticed that the tech specs include one FireWire 400 port, but no FireWire 800 porton a "pro" laptop no less. I wonder why that is? I guess the adoption of FireWire 800 wasn't what Apple was hoping it would be?
I absolutely love the "magnetic power adaptor plug" feature. It's the kind of idea that only Apple could have implemented (and everyone else will steal).
At any rate, I'm holding out for universal binary versions of the Adobe & MS Office suites, as well as the complete Macbook lineup (17" and 12" versions) before making any purchasing decisions.

[Deinhard]

MS Office binaries will be my tipping point since I'd already decided to go with the 15" PowerBook. Oh am I lucky that I haven't had enough money to buy the PB before now! /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[Earthling7]

Looks absolutely fab, not that different from the PB actually. The name is more tha "a little lame", but if it really is 4x, 8x, 100x faster than the now totally unsexy (Apple will have you believe) Powerbook, then it's a must get for the poweruser.
I must say I wasn't expecting the Intels quite that soon. It will be interesting to see how this beast fares in the real world. I won't be getting one myself any time soon, as my 11-month 12" is doing fine, but I can't wait to see what the first buyers will think of it.

[viper11885]

I'm really glad to see that the new laptop is out with the Intel processor. However, a little dissapointed that only one size is available right now.
Hopefully there will be a smaller size available closer to next semester as I will be needing a laptop.

[d00d]

In reply to:

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OK...so the name's a little lame

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A little lame? A little lame?
Ugh. MacBook Pro is not only a terrible name (I'm going to be terribly embarressed when I talk about them with PC users), but it takes a product name with years of recognition and industry respect. It's like dropping the ThinkPad moniker, only worse.

[mgbasinski]

In reply to:

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it takes a product name with years of recognition and industry respect. It's like dropping the ThinkPad moniker, only worse.

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The "power" in "powerbook" came from "powerPC". The new laptop doesn't have a powerPC processor anymore, does it?

[mavapa]

My main question for any Intel Mac is how easily will I be able to boot in Windows? The only reason I would prefer an Intel Mac over a PPC (all else being equal, which I know it is not) is that capability. Anyone who deals with an entire office full of Wintel computers loaded with both commercial and non-commercial software will understand why I need this capability. If I can run the Windows-only software under Windows and go back to OS X for the rest of my work, I can avoid having a second computer in my office.
My major concern is the endedness of Intel vs PPC. I have software that reads packed binary files that originate on a big-ended system, and it is simply easier to keep the endedness the same on the reading end as on the writing end.

[pdrayton]

In reply to:

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MacBook Pro is not only a terrible name (I'm going to be terribly embarressed when I talk about them with PC users), but it takes a product name with years of recognition and industry respect.

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The new name may not have the oomph of PowerBook, but I suspect it's done for several reasons:
1). Makes it extremely easy for the press and consumers to to differentiate it from the non-Intel PowerBook series.
2). Regardless of whether or not PowerBook was named after the PPC chip it's been well publicized that the PowerBook line was lagging significantly in speed/power. A new laptop that's 4 times faster than its predecessor is ample reason to give it a new name. The lack of "Power" in the PowerBook line was getting a lot of publicity.
3). Wouldn't surprise me in the least if "PowerBook" wasn't readily recognized by Windows users as a Mac, and/or if "PowerBook" didn't have the brand recognition many Mac users claim it does. After all, if "PowerBook" has such recognition and respect why do so many PowerBook owners talk about "TiBooks"?
MacBook Pro isn't the snazziest of names... but it'll do for the line what needs to be done.

[Argent]

In reply to:

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The "power" in "powerbook" came from "powerPC".

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Actually, no it didn't. The PowerBook 100, with a Motorola 68000 processor, was introduced in 1991. The PowerPC chip didn't debut until 1994. The very first PowerBook with a Power PC chip (the 5300) wasn't released until 1995.

[barkomatic]

Despite the fact that I've grown to love Tiger, it would be a great convenience to boot up into Windows when necessary. I guess some of the new owners will try that out when the new Macbooks ship in February. I think I'll wait to see how well that works out for them before trying it myself. I have a feeling it might be a tad complicated at first to have the two operating systems on one machine.
I thought it was strange that the "old" 15 inch powerbook continues to be sold on the website--for the same price as the new model. Why is that?

[Argent]

In reply to:

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After all, if "PowerBook" has such recognition and respect why do so many PowerBook owners talk about "TiBooks"?

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Well, because ever since Apple did away with model numbers in the late 90's, nicknames like "TiBook" and "AluBook" are the only way of distinguishing between laptop models when discussing them online. Based on conversations I've had, I'm pretty sure that someone who's never owned a Mac laptop or visited an online Mac forum/website doesn't know what the heck a TiBook is.

[d00d]

In reply to:

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The "power" in "powerbook" came from "powerPC".

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No, it didn't. The "Power" in "Power Mac" did.
Powerbook 100 Specs - 68k processor goodness
EDIT: Oof, didn't read down to Argent's post. D'oh! Oh, and right on about TiBook only being used in forums. Consumers not in know don't use those terms.

[Jacques]

You're waiting for a smaller screen, Viper11885 ... and I'm waiting for a bigger one too ! I'm certainly not going back to a smaller screen than my gorgeous 17'', and I'm not going to give up Firewire 800, ... so there's a little more time to wait until "my" MacBook comes to the Apple Store !
(and we'll all have to buy new spare batteries, and spare power adaptors, and a modem, ... but that's life !)