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Another new thing is the optical digital audio in and out, presumably like the output on the airport express. So is there a chance one could hook this MBP to your 5.1 channel sound system?
MacBook Pro: What you need to know
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#44
BobVB 
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Posted 13 January 2006 - 01:45 PM
In reply to:
So what does a good road warrior do? Keep a PDF of their dial-up providers access # all over the country on their system and a little phone cable in their bag. Dial-up is basically free, unless you're at a hotel and get that connection charge. No cellphone nor lots of minutes required.
So what does a good road warrior do? Keep a PDF of their dial-up providers access # all over the country on their system and a little phone cable in their bag. Dial-up is basically free, unless you're at a hotel and get that connection charge. No cellphone nor lots of minutes required.
and here I haven't even had an account I could 'dial up' into for years And I email a pdf - who requires fax machines anymore? and there are the two sides of the debate.
IF the Apple modem wasn't so small and inline I could see the beef - but its inexpensive (if you can afford a MacBook Pro you can add in $50 modem) and it would coil up just fine with that phone cord you already carry around.
I do think the people who actually use modems in any capacity is small nowadays. I understand the minor inconvenience but don't see how it could be a deal breaker to someone who wants the laptop.
#45
AppleCoder
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Posted 13 January 2006 - 02:10 PM
I am surprised no one has commented on the battery life. I have never nor know any one, not even right out of the box, gotten 4.5 - 5 hours of battery life, well, ok, I digress, I have, when it is in sleep mode. I have three batteries for each PB and I get 3.5 - 4 hours of use from each battery--the most I have ever gotten with my 17" powerbook. I think that is good, but please stop the misinformation about battery length being 4.5 - 5 hours.
As far as being "PRO," they need to pack it with pro features. FW 800, many USB and FW ports as possible, the dual layer burner, speed, brightness, storage capacity, and lots of ram capacity; I am mixed with the modem--I have used it at people's homes that have no broadband and no wireless nearby.
As far as being "PRO," they need to pack it with pro features. FW 800, many USB and FW ports as possible, the dual layer burner, speed, brightness, storage capacity, and lots of ram capacity; I am mixed with the modem--I have used it at people's homes that have no broadband and no wireless nearby.
#46
MoreMacs
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Posted 13 January 2006 - 03:14 PM
"The MacBook Pros optical drive is slower than the PowerBooks (4x, instead of 8x), and it wont burn dual-layer DVD discs. Apple says this is because, the company has to use a new ultra-slimline optical drive in order to get the MacBook Pro down to one inch of thickness."
OK, if this is true then how come the new Duo Core Acer laptop has a DVDR DL drive and is also 1" thick? Plus why would Apple think users would want a slighly thinner case over the more handy S-Video and DVDR DL drive removed? It's not like the 15" PB was a behemoth.
And the least Apple could do is include the S-Video dongle. Geez, these things cost them nothing. $19 is a bit of an insult after paying $2K for a laptop that has considerably fewer goodies than its competitors or its predecessor. Apple is really pushing the loyal minions with its gouging.
OK, if this is true then how come the new Duo Core Acer laptop has a DVDR DL drive and is also 1" thick? Plus why would Apple think users would want a slighly thinner case over the more handy S-Video and DVDR DL drive removed? It's not like the 15" PB was a behemoth.
And the least Apple could do is include the S-Video dongle. Geez, these things cost them nothing. $19 is a bit of an insult after paying $2K for a laptop that has considerably fewer goodies than its competitors or its predecessor. Apple is really pushing the loyal minions with its gouging.
#47
astromino
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Posted 13 January 2006 - 04:23 PM
The Acer Travelmate 8200 will give the MacBook Pro a run for the money. It even comes with almost everything except the kitchensink, but it is not for sale yet in the US. No really it is impressive:
Configuration
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Intel Core Duo Processor T2500 (2MB L2 cache, 2.0GHz, 667MHz FSB)
2GB (1/1) DDR2 667 SDRAM
120GB SATA hard drive, 5400RPM
modular Super-Multi (DVDR, DVD-R, DVD-RAM) drive
5-in-1 card reader
15.4" WSXGA (1680 x 1050) TFT display
ATI MOBILITY RADEON X1600 graphics, 256MB DDR
802.11a/b/g WLAN, Bluetooth, gigabit LAN, V.92 modem
I have bought a couple of DVDR DL media, and burned them, but at a price that is somewhere around outrageous and non-affordable i.e. $2-5/disk - plus most stores don't even carry it, my thought is why not just wait for next generation drives 20GB ? I think the DL media is not going to take off.
I think there are only a few people who would want an S-video out. I have used it once, and won't ever use it again.
"... for a laptop that has considerably fewer goodies than its competitors or its predecessor. Apple is really pushing the loyal minions with its gouging."
And what competitors do you have in mind? Acer? OK that is going to give a run for the money. As I have shown in another thread, the Dell Inspiron 9400 is almost exactly the same price point as the MacBook Pro within <10%. I can hardly believe paying 10% over a "bottom-priced" Dell is price gouging /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Configuration
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Intel Core Duo Processor T2500 (2MB L2 cache, 2.0GHz, 667MHz FSB)
2GB (1/1) DDR2 667 SDRAM
120GB SATA hard drive, 5400RPM
modular Super-Multi (DVDR, DVD-R, DVD-RAM) drive
5-in-1 card reader
15.4" WSXGA (1680 x 1050) TFT display
ATI MOBILITY RADEON X1600 graphics, 256MB DDR
802.11a/b/g WLAN, Bluetooth, gigabit LAN, V.92 modem
I have bought a couple of DVDR DL media, and burned them, but at a price that is somewhere around outrageous and non-affordable i.e. $2-5/disk - plus most stores don't even carry it, my thought is why not just wait for next generation drives 20GB ? I think the DL media is not going to take off.
I think there are only a few people who would want an S-video out. I have used it once, and won't ever use it again.
"... for a laptop that has considerably fewer goodies than its competitors or its predecessor. Apple is really pushing the loyal minions with its gouging."
And what competitors do you have in mind? Acer? OK that is going to give a run for the money. As I have shown in another thread, the Dell Inspiron 9400 is almost exactly the same price point as the MacBook Pro within <10%. I can hardly believe paying 10% over a "bottom-priced" Dell is price gouging /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
#48
kelake
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Posted 13 January 2006 - 04:52 PM
Well luckily for me I only recently this past summer bought a 12" Powerbook - the MacBook Pro is an early adopter release and not really ready for people like I suspect. But if there are significant improvements in speed and all the pro level apps. I use are universal then I will certainly consider shortening my upgrade cycle.
All these changes within Apple are expensive for their end customers. Each new change (to OSX etc.) require new software and hardware.
All these changes within Apple are expensive for their end customers. Each new change (to OSX etc.) require new software and hardware.
#49
mike3k
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Posted 13 January 2006 - 05:53 PM
Some features may be inferior to last year's powerbook, but it's an improvement over my 2004 15" 1.5 GHz PowerBook G4. The screen is only 1280x854, so the MacBook Pro's screen is larger, and it has the same 4x single layer SuperDrive.
I've never used the FW800 port and I don't own a single FW400 device. I'd gladly swap it for a second FW400 port.
I do use the modem occasionally when I travel, so I'd miss it. In a pinch I can use my cell phone as a BlueTooth modem, as I did when my phone & DSL service were out after Hurricane Wilma.
I'll miss the PC card slot, which I use for a CompactFlash card reader, but I can use a USB reader instead.
I've never used the FW800 port and I don't own a single FW400 device. I'd gladly swap it for a second FW400 port.
I do use the modem occasionally when I travel, so I'd miss it. In a pinch I can use my cell phone as a BlueTooth modem, as I did when my phone & DSL service were out after Hurricane Wilma.
I'll miss the PC card slot, which I use for a CompactFlash card reader, but I can use a USB reader instead.
#50
MoreMacs
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Posted 13 January 2006 - 06:14 PM
You totally miss my point. I'll try to be clearer. Acer makes a laptop computer with the very same chip as the MBP and the very same 1" height case. Acer found a way to include an DVDR DL drive. Why is Apple giving us the line that they couldn't fit a DVDR DL drive in the MBP when Acer could. As you say...Acer!!
You can debate the need for a DL drive or s-video all you want. That is NOT the point. The point is another company found it possible to put these items in their similar dimensioned case. If another (lesser) company figured it out why wasn't Apple able to? I mean they even had half of Intel working with them on the design.
You can debate the need for a DL drive or s-video all you want. That is NOT the point. The point is another company found it possible to put these items in their similar dimensioned case. If another (lesser) company figured it out why wasn't Apple able to? I mean they even had half of Intel working with them on the design.
#51
the_mactivist
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Posted 13 January 2006 - 06:30 PM
I think the real issue here is that what once where standard features - FW800, pcmcia, modem, DL 8X burning, s-video - have now been deemed obsolete. Problem is, a lot of people don't agree with apple that these features are no longer part of the core set and we resent the idea of paying extra for them and having to carry around a bunch of adaptors - easy to loose, easy to forget - in order to do the basic things we could with our old laptops.
Imagine buying a luxury car without air conditioning, power windows, a cd player or a keyless remote. Imagine the car-maker decided FOR you that those are frivolous extras and if you really need to stay cool in the summer, you can buy an air conditioner attachment that stores in the trunk and hangs out the passenger side window. And don't you dare complain about it, it's a great car in so many other ways!
Ok, it's not a totally fair comparison, but you get the idea. I personally expected a faster laptop, with the same set of ports and basic functionality, for less money. Instead, we get the same price with many feautres missing. Apple's plan is that the optical audio ports, the built-in isight and the new processor should make up for it. But I don't buy it. Literally. I had the pre-order page filled out, but on a whim, i decided to read into the fine details and realized how much had gone missing. I'm waiting for the next rev and i suggest you do too.
Imagine buying a luxury car without air conditioning, power windows, a cd player or a keyless remote. Imagine the car-maker decided FOR you that those are frivolous extras and if you really need to stay cool in the summer, you can buy an air conditioner attachment that stores in the trunk and hangs out the passenger side window. And don't you dare complain about it, it's a great car in so many other ways!
Ok, it's not a totally fair comparison, but you get the idea. I personally expected a faster laptop, with the same set of ports and basic functionality, for less money. Instead, we get the same price with many feautres missing. Apple's plan is that the optical audio ports, the built-in isight and the new processor should make up for it. But I don't buy it. Literally. I had the pre-order page filled out, but on a whim, i decided to read into the fine details and realized how much had gone missing. I'm waiting for the next rev and i suggest you do too.
#52
the_mactivist
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Posted 13 January 2006 - 06:41 PM
hmurchinson wrote" "If you need a modem buy a the $50. Why should thousands of people have to pay for you need to fax or dial-up? "
This argument you make is silly because Apple took a bunch of things out and didn't reduce the price. Therefore, no one is subsidizing anyone's modem. In fact, it's the opposite. We're paying more for less.
This argument you make is silly because Apple took a bunch of things out and didn't reduce the price. Therefore, no one is subsidizing anyone's modem. In fact, it's the opposite. We're paying more for less.
#53
astromino
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Posted 13 January 2006 - 08:06 PM
Yeah, and you like a parallel port, ADB, and RS-232 on that too? How about the g'd ol floppy, or hey I was so used to those 8" floppies back in 1979.
Too bad for not filling out the preorder. You get double the processor, four times the bus speed, and now you want all that legacy stuff?
I don't agree with your comparison with a luxury car and the MB PRO. It is more like you got a Ferrari F50 instead of a Cadillac. Why would you want to have a cd player with that high-performance car? The engine would drown it out, and besides you want to loose weight on a racecar. Your whining about obsolete (or soon obsolete periperals like S-video) reminds me of my grandfather - remember the crank in front of the car - I still remmeber those. My grandfather had a hard time letting go of those...
Well, please, and this gentlement takes this 1995 Cadillac ... for the same price as a F50 /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Too bad for not filling out the preorder. You get double the processor, four times the bus speed, and now you want all that legacy stuff?
I don't agree with your comparison with a luxury car and the MB PRO. It is more like you got a Ferrari F50 instead of a Cadillac. Why would you want to have a cd player with that high-performance car? The engine would drown it out, and besides you want to loose weight on a racecar. Your whining about obsolete (or soon obsolete periperals like S-video) reminds me of my grandfather - remember the crank in front of the car - I still remmeber those. My grandfather had a hard time letting go of those...
Well, please, and this gentlement takes this 1995 Cadillac ... for the same price as a F50 /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
#54
blecch
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Posted 13 January 2006 - 08:14 PM
The machines on the show floor showed 3 hours or so of estimated battery life in the battery menu on a 100% charge, but the Apple reps said that they are working hard to improve the battery life so that it should be "comparable" to the 5+ hours on the PowerBook G4.
Certainly dimming the "65% brighter" screen as well as reducing usage of the CPU and GPU should help. Apple may have other tricks up its sleeve as well...
Battery life has been fairly important for Apple and its customers, so it seems likely that they will be able to squeeze reasonable battery life out of these power-hungry MacBooks!
Certainly dimming the "65% brighter" screen as well as reducing usage of the CPU and GPU should help. Apple may have other tricks up its sleeve as well...
Battery life has been fairly important for Apple and its customers, so it seems likely that they will be able to squeeze reasonable battery life out of these power-hungry MacBooks!
#55
astromino
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Posted 13 January 2006 - 08:15 PM
"We're paying more for less"
Pay more for less? Now you are really ridiculous. Hello what have you been smoking? Microsoft? /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
You get 4x the speed: how long did it take for the PB to quadruple in speed? Probably about 4 years since the original PB G4 400MHz came out. Since when is 4x1 < 1?
Or what about 2x CPU?
Or dual link DVI?
Or 256MB or graphics ram?
Just to name a few...
Pitty on you... get a grip on reality before it is too late. Otherwise nobody will take your crap seriously.
Pay more for less? Now you are really ridiculous. Hello what have you been smoking? Microsoft? /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
You get 4x the speed: how long did it take for the PB to quadruple in speed? Probably about 4 years since the original PB G4 400MHz came out. Since when is 4x1 < 1?
Or what about 2x CPU?
Or dual link DVI?
Or 256MB or graphics ram?
Just to name a few...
Pitty on you... get a grip on reality before it is too late. Otherwise nobody will take your crap seriously.
#56
HumanJHawkins
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Posted 13 January 2006 - 08:15 PM
In reply to:
...1/10th of an inch... That is all that it would take to have the dual layer, faster optical drive.
...1/10th of an inch... That is all that it would take to have the dual layer, faster optical drive.
I agree. Not just to have it come with the computer since this is really the new standard. But also to have more flexibility when Blue-ray or HD-DVD are available. I am sure there will be several months between the introduction of those that will fit older powerbooks (1.1 inch) and the new ones.
