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I wasn't trying to be funny (much) but to give a fairly realistic experience using it. I knew from how much time I spend using Word what to expect from the exercise without any cache involved. I just know I can't seriously consider an iNtel uNtil Word, Excel, Photoshop and Illustrator are Universal binary. For users who don't live in those apps (as I do) will love the iNtels.
MacBook Pro: What you need to know
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#72
hillstones 
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Posted 16 January 2006 - 11:26 AM
A bunch of CRY-BABIES!
Waaaah...it doesn't do this, it doesn't that! Nothing makes you people happy.
1) No S-Video. Wrong. The DVI can output a TV signal with a simple adapter. Why add another port when the DVI can do it? A small adapter cable won't add much to connect to an S-Video cable.
2) No Modem. You already have to carry around a phone cord, a small USB modem won't add extra weight to your laptop case. Why add cost to something that most rarely use. If you need the modem, pick one up and throw it in your bag.
3) FW800. Rarely used, not even the third-party vendors embraced it. Hard drives. Big deal. FW400 and USB2 are plenty fast enough for most people. When you are out on the road, are you lugging around your FW800 drives? DV cameras never embraced FW800, so there is no reason to keep it. For those that want it, the ExpressCard slot will provide an option for it. Don't make everyone pay for something that is rarely used.
I like how someone claimed they cut features and did not lower the price. These people are smoking dope. Dual Core CPU, PCI Express, Faster Graphics, Faster motherboard, iSight, MagConnector (very cool) for Power, Brighter LCD...all in the same form-factor. This is a big improvement over the PowerBook G4. Once the software catches up, they will be excellent laptops.
Waaaah...it doesn't do this, it doesn't that! Nothing makes you people happy.
1) No S-Video. Wrong. The DVI can output a TV signal with a simple adapter. Why add another port when the DVI can do it? A small adapter cable won't add much to connect to an S-Video cable.
2) No Modem. You already have to carry around a phone cord, a small USB modem won't add extra weight to your laptop case. Why add cost to something that most rarely use. If you need the modem, pick one up and throw it in your bag.
3) FW800. Rarely used, not even the third-party vendors embraced it. Hard drives. Big deal. FW400 and USB2 are plenty fast enough for most people. When you are out on the road, are you lugging around your FW800 drives? DV cameras never embraced FW800, so there is no reason to keep it. For those that want it, the ExpressCard slot will provide an option for it. Don't make everyone pay for something that is rarely used.
I like how someone claimed they cut features and did not lower the price. These people are smoking dope. Dual Core CPU, PCI Express, Faster Graphics, Faster motherboard, iSight, MagConnector (very cool) for Power, Brighter LCD...all in the same form-factor. This is a big improvement over the PowerBook G4. Once the software catches up, they will be excellent laptops.
#74
khurtwilliams
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Posted 17 January 2006 - 05:57 AM
I posted a short entry on my blog (Attention Deficit Tech Disorder ) comparing the specs and prices for the MacBook Pro and iMac to a Dell E1705 laptop and Dell XPS 400 desktop.
#75
creativeg5
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Posted 17 January 2006 - 10:55 AM
Bill,
I know what you mean. Ars Technica just posted results of testing the new iMac Coreduo. Very informative. The system sounds solid and fast. Depends on what you are doing though - of course. Rosetta sounds great - but heavy apps like Photoshop sound a bit tough. I wish I knew when Adobe was going to introduce a Universal Binary version of the Creative Suite. I am ready to upgrade, but only if it is going to run on an Intel based mac.
Ars Review of iMac Coreduo
I know what you mean. Ars Technica just posted results of testing the new iMac Coreduo. Very informative. The system sounds solid and fast. Depends on what you are doing though - of course. Rosetta sounds great - but heavy apps like Photoshop sound a bit tough. I wish I knew when Adobe was going to introduce a Universal Binary version of the Creative Suite. I am ready to upgrade, but only if it is going to run on an Intel based mac.
Ars Review of iMac Coreduo
#76
Blizzsard
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Posted 17 January 2006 - 01:44 PM
I agree about the naysayers but I would like to live in the universe where PowerBooks get 4.5 to 5 hours of runtime off a single battery charge ... or even 3+ hours ... sure my 17" occasionally claims there are 3 hours left but if I actually do anything that rapidly falls and I probably average 2 hours of actual work (that's web browsing and such, it's less if compiling code or other heavy duty crunching).
Where does the "5 hours" number come from and why does MacWorld repeat the figure? I don't think I've ever owned a PowerBook that could run that long that if all it was asked to do was sit there with the display on the lowest brightness setting.
Where does the "5 hours" number come from and why does MacWorld repeat the figure? I don't think I've ever owned a PowerBook that could run that long that if all it was asked to do was sit there with the display on the lowest brightness setting.
#77
pdrayton
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Posted 17 January 2006 - 02:19 PM
It's pretty common among notebook manufacturers to tout "maximum battery life" based on maximizing energy saver settings while doing absolutely nothing on the computer.
It's technically honest, though not relevant or that helpful because people turn on a computer to use it!
But, once one manufacturer does this then others feel compelled to follow because battery life is very important to consumers. The importance battery life has for consumers is reflected in the prominence independent reviews give to "actual battery life" simulating usage that's common in real life.
I really don't think Apple's lack of battery life information is a big deal for the moment. I'm much more interested in Macworld's review.
It's technically honest, though not relevant or that helpful because people turn on a computer to use it!
But, once one manufacturer does this then others feel compelled to follow because battery life is very important to consumers. The importance battery life has for consumers is reflected in the prominence independent reviews give to "actual battery life" simulating usage that's common in real life.
I really don't think Apple's lack of battery life information is a big deal for the moment. I'm much more interested in Macworld's review.
#79
minderbinder
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Posted 19 January 2006 - 02:40 PM
"Don't purchase an IntelMacBook Pro until the FireWire 800 port is put back on the machine."
But what about the huge numbers of people who will likely never need FW800? You expect us all to take a bullet for you?
"How can this be a Pro model when the iMac is faster?"
In general, laptops aren't as fast as desktops, due to power requirements among other things. I guess by your logic, there's no such thing as a "pro" laptop from any manufacturer? And the PowerBook was even slower, I guess it's even less pro?
"the fact is apple could've spread firewire 800 if it wanted to, and it should have!"
And how would that work? The only reason FW400 caught on was because it made it onto video cameras. Even if every mac had FW800, there's no incentive for PC users to use it. What would have helped would have been making the connectors and cables compatible (like USB).
"what about maybe putting ONLY a firewire 800 port on the macbook and sell an 800>400 adapte"
Are you insane? There are probably ten times as many FW400 devices available and in use. Let's dump the popular connector in favor of the one that didn't catch on.
But what about the huge numbers of people who will likely never need FW800? You expect us all to take a bullet for you?
"How can this be a Pro model when the iMac is faster?"
In general, laptops aren't as fast as desktops, due to power requirements among other things. I guess by your logic, there's no such thing as a "pro" laptop from any manufacturer? And the PowerBook was even slower, I guess it's even less pro?
"the fact is apple could've spread firewire 800 if it wanted to, and it should have!"
And how would that work? The only reason FW400 caught on was because it made it onto video cameras. Even if every mac had FW800, there's no incentive for PC users to use it. What would have helped would have been making the connectors and cables compatible (like USB).
"what about maybe putting ONLY a firewire 800 port on the macbook and sell an 800>400 adapte"
Are you insane? There are probably ten times as many FW400 devices available and in use. Let's dump the popular connector in favor of the one that didn't catch on.
#80
droidworx
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Posted 20 January 2006 - 04:10 AM
I would prefer to have a smaller footprint and adapt my Macbook for my needs. I really couldn't give a damn about not having VGA or FW-800. The Express/34 slot gives me the flexibility to configure it how I want.
As posted earlier, the Express/34 gives direct access to the PCI-E bus as well as the USB2 bus. I don't know about you but I think this addition along will provide more flexibility than ever. If you folks need FW-800 and a modem, someone will probably make it. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I also think that Apple realizes that Powerbook or Macbook users tend to hang on to their laptops for more than 1-2 years which is typical in PC world. The Express/34 card may not be that popular now, but for those who bought the MacBook without that would be complaining next year when they can't get a WiMax card or whatever for their MacBook Pro that is only a year old.
I think that Apple is trying to make sure that these computers are somewhat stable for the next few years. They made the descision not to support the Firewire 800. Actually I read in an article somewhere that Intel only supports firewire 400 on their chipsets and this could be the reason for no FW-800 support. So maybe, just maybe, Apple had no choice but to drop FW-800.
BTW, I also noticed that a 7200 RPM 100 gig drive is available as an option which will surely help on the performance side of things as well.
Just finalizing the purchase of 2 of these baby's. Will let you know how it goes.
As posted earlier, the Express/34 gives direct access to the PCI-E bus as well as the USB2 bus. I don't know about you but I think this addition along will provide more flexibility than ever. If you folks need FW-800 and a modem, someone will probably make it. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I also think that Apple realizes that Powerbook or Macbook users tend to hang on to their laptops for more than 1-2 years which is typical in PC world. The Express/34 card may not be that popular now, but for those who bought the MacBook without that would be complaining next year when they can't get a WiMax card or whatever for their MacBook Pro that is only a year old.
I think that Apple is trying to make sure that these computers are somewhat stable for the next few years. They made the descision not to support the Firewire 800. Actually I read in an article somewhere that Intel only supports firewire 400 on their chipsets and this could be the reason for no FW-800 support. So maybe, just maybe, Apple had no choice but to drop FW-800.
BTW, I also noticed that a 7200 RPM 100 gig drive is available as an option which will surely help on the performance side of things as well.
Just finalizing the purchase of 2 of these baby's. Will let you know how it goes.
#81
droidworx
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Posted 20 January 2006 - 06:04 AM
Here are some preliminary Macbook Pro tests. Interesting because they are testing against the old Powermac G5 as well as Laptops but there is a comparison for sure.
http://www.craigtheg...reports/MacBook[u]ProPerformance_Analysis.php
http://www.craigtheg...reports/MacBook[u]ProPerformance_Analysis.php
#82
mjkphoto
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Posted 23 January 2006 - 08:24 AM
If Apple considers the MacBook Pro their "Pro" laptop, then creative professionals may be looking elsewhere to replace their PowerBooks when the time comes.
As a photographer, I use the PC Card slot on my PowerBook to transfer files from my Compact Flash Cards and Microdrives. The ExpressCard /34 will make that impossible without an external adapter. It might be possible with the ExpressCard /54, but Apple appears to be more concerned with their Pro laptop being small than functional! Not to mention that the ExpressCard /54's size will make it more efficient in dissipating thermal energy, something very useful for high performance applications!
The loss of FireWire 800 is also a blow to those of us with FireWire 800 external hard drives, used for photography, digital video, and audio. Yes, it "appears" that we may be able to buy another adapter to enable our FireWire 800 drives through the ExpressCard /34 slot. Another adapter! And just how are we to send faxes from our laptops without a modem? Another adapter.
One of the big selling points of the PowerBook was its many useful ports. Apple has removed four very useful ports. The ExpressCard /34 is a poor choice, considering the ExpressCard /54 will accommodate /34 modules, but the /34 cannot accommodate /54 modules.
If this is what Apple considers to be a "Pro" laptop, than my PowerBook may be the last Apple laptop I purchase. It is a shame that Apple is forsaking true functionality for the sake of going small.
As a photographer, I use the PC Card slot on my PowerBook to transfer files from my Compact Flash Cards and Microdrives. The ExpressCard /34 will make that impossible without an external adapter. It might be possible with the ExpressCard /54, but Apple appears to be more concerned with their Pro laptop being small than functional! Not to mention that the ExpressCard /54's size will make it more efficient in dissipating thermal energy, something very useful for high performance applications!
The loss of FireWire 800 is also a blow to those of us with FireWire 800 external hard drives, used for photography, digital video, and audio. Yes, it "appears" that we may be able to buy another adapter to enable our FireWire 800 drives through the ExpressCard /34 slot. Another adapter! And just how are we to send faxes from our laptops without a modem? Another adapter.
One of the big selling points of the PowerBook was its many useful ports. Apple has removed four very useful ports. The ExpressCard /34 is a poor choice, considering the ExpressCard /54 will accommodate /34 modules, but the /34 cannot accommodate /54 modules.
If this is what Apple considers to be a "Pro" laptop, than my PowerBook may be the last Apple laptop I purchase. It is a shame that Apple is forsaking true functionality for the sake of going small.
#83
mjkphoto
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Posted 23 January 2006 - 08:28 AM
The ExpressCard 34 is not wide enough to accommodate Compact Flash Card readers. Since so many photographers use the PC Card slot on their PowerBooks every day, Apples decision to go with the smaller ExpressCard slot is a SLAP IN THE FACE to creative professionals.
#84
swedish_guy
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Posted 24 January 2006 - 03:26 PM
It would be nice if Apple could get back that TiBook designer to the drawing board, and let him not only put back the missing ports, but also take control over those bldy cables hanging out from the left and right. My mouse always tangles up in the mess. Keep the cables on the back, thanks! Like the glorious days when Apple got it right with their first TiBook.
