Macbook Pro

[sabre_ac]

Hey guys,

Looking to pick up on of these things in the next month, was wondering what people's experience is with them?

I'm doing some travelling but it will stay in the one place most of the time, is there a big difference between the 15' and the 13'?

My other question is Mac are set to have another convention on the 14th of October where they are rumored to be releasing updates to the macbook pro and Macbook air. How long does it normally take for these updated models to hit the stores after they appear at a convention?

 

[Nardz]

http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#MacBook_Pro

Product MacBook Pro
Recommendation: Buy only if you need it - Approaching the end of a cycle
Last Release April 13, 2010
Days Since Update 180 (Avg = 208)

that link will give u a good insight into the release cycle for all apple products, also with links to any rumours regarding new hardware.

i've got the 15'. just took it with me around the world to 4 different continents - had no problems with it, hardware is still sound.

this is my first mac - and i love the thing. was worried at the start about "missing" windows/windows software, but its never been an issue - etax was probably the biggest problem and i finally got around to installing vmware and it works like a charm.

its been over a year and i've only had very minor issues. took it in a few months in because the hinge was making a funny noise - they replaced the LCD screen (which would normally cost around $1k), apart from that i've had my charger replaced once, and the battery replaced, both under warranty. i've purchased the applecare protection plan to get an extra 2 years warranty.. which was expensive, but IMO worth it as i dont plan on buying another laptop any time soon.

as for your 15' vs 13' question... apart from the obvious spec issues that you can see by looking at the apple website (15 inch will have more grunt), one thing i've found - it's a slight nuisance - but if you have the laptop open, and lift it to an angle where the base of the laptop is 45 degrees or more, the screen will tilt down. the hinge doesnt handle the weight of the screen too well, due to the weight of the glass.

The 13 inch does not have this problem so much, with the screen being smaller, less glass, lighter.

The 17 inch will have this problem worse.

go into a JB Hi-Fi or an apple store and check it out. It's no biggie, but something you'd probably wanna know prior to purchase.

oh and if you're travelling, you'd wanna get this case.
you can use the laptop whilst its still in the case, or just slide it in and out like a conventional case, and has good shock absorbtion - it's an essential for travelling. i picked one up from JB Hi-fi

 

[seanoff]

i have a new Pro after my Macbook ran out of life.

changing over was Easy, if you are coming from another Mac it is a doddle. took my apps, etc automatically.


the differences are laid out here
http://www.apple.com/au/mac/whichmacbook/compare.html

you can make a decision based on what's important to you. I have a 13".

they feel amazing. the aluminium body feels a solid as i've ever felt in a laptop.


looked at Mac rumours, http://www.macrumors.com/, can't see anything apart from an 11.6" Air. This is the macbook list off macrumors. http://www.macrumors.com/site.php?mode=search&term=macbook&submit=Search+Site
the thing on the 18th Oct is a results conference. so mostly expect to see we sold x of these, y of those, k of them etc.

 

[Nardz]

you may be right - but its only 8 days - you'd be silly not to wait to see what they announce..

 

[red+black]

i was looking at a 13" and instead went with a 27" iMac. But I bought an STM bag (link below) with a view to buying a 13" MBP or an iPad. I love the bag, they have them at most Apple shops.

http://www.stmbags.com.au/catalog/laptop-shoulder-bags/scout-small-laptop-shoulder-bag/

I got a good price at MacFixit

http://www.macfixit.com.au/shop/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=1186

With regards to coping after Windows, not a problem. I know you're looking at a notebook, but I'll just mention my two biggest (minor) gripes about the iMac: no USB3, no blu-ray dvd player/burner.

 

[sabre_ac]

Cheers for the replies guys.

It's an odd situation, I've decided on a macbook pro but now waiting on any increase in specs before I arrive at my destination

I fly out on the 9th of November so my plan was to order the following package around the 25th of October (Giving it enough time to arrive to be safe).

Macbook pro 15 in with the screen upgrade
STM backpack (These look pretty cool and don't scream laptop bag)
Office
Mouse

Though I've read a few places that Apple always upgrades their macbook series in October/November or at the very least macbook air is up for a massive overhaul. I can't actually find hte link anymore that mentions the convention on teh 14th of October.

Temptation therefore is to actually pick up a new macbook pro at my destination (Canada) on the 11th of November..Hopefully giving enough time for any announcement to become true.

 

[red+black]

Wait for Office 2011 which I think is due very soon. Or do without it and have a look at Open Office or Neo Office.

15" STM Scout bag should go for $70-$80.

Couldn't find any mention of an Apple conference this month

And with the MBP screen, you may want to go matte/antiglare rather than reflective/glossy.

 

[Nardz]

Macbook pro 15 in with the screen upgrade

And with the MBP screen, you may want to go matte/antiglare rather than reflective/glossy.

i assume that's what he's talking about.

this will also help with the issue i described with the screen not standing while leaning the laptop, as there's no glass so the screen is lighter, but i personally prefer the glossy screen anyway.

 

[red+black]

i assume that's what he's talking about.

Not quite.

Standard: 15.4-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with 1440 by 900 pixels

Optional: 15.4-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit hi-res widescreen display with 1680 by 1050 pixels (glossy or antiglare)

So you can upgrade to hi-res glossy for $140. For an extra $70, you can go hi-res antiglare.

 

[Nardz]

wasnt aware of that... didnt have that option when i bought mine 15 months ago..

 

[sabre_ac]

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2010/10/apple-back-to-the-mac-event-oct-20-new-os-x-macbook-air/

Will definitely have to hold now, might see what the update to the macbook air is like.

Anyone know the time lag between these events and the release?

 

[red+black]

I think any lag would be minimal.

 

[seanoff]

oct 20 event is almost definitely

10.7 Lion

PC world doesn't think the Macbook line is in for any significant update except for the Air. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscent...apple_planning_for_back_to_the_mac_event.html

 

[rfctigerarmy]

I've got a 13" MBP. Got it second hand but for a very reasonable price. I was just looking for something that's a bit of a muck around machine, to be honest. Got my 27" iMac for work, so this does a small amount of work in comparison and it's really just used for the 'net, office and skype. Doesn't ever get much stress.

Battery life is really good. Idles really well. Very solid machine.

I wanted 13" because it's a notebook. 15" doesn't seem like a convient option for a notebook IMO. Size becomes an issue, as does weight.

Anyway, really good machine. Love it but like I said, it's just a bit of a toy for me.

 

[tarky]

They're great, just make sure you buy apple care for it to extend the warranty to 3 years.
I found out the hard way when i paid $4300 for my 1st one and the logic board failed in the 13th month of owning it. I was told it'd cost $1000 for a replacement but it was getting out of date anyway, so i just tossed it and forked out another $4000 for the newer model + apple care. Haven't had any problems with this one going on 2 years now.

 

[Nardz]

you've got up until the end of your standard warranty to buy applecare. no need to buy it at the start.

 

[grizzlym]

I've owned Macs - desktops and laptops - for over ten years. Love 'em, great computers. I've had all the various sizes of laptops and have toggled between the pros and the ibooks.

First up, the pros are not only better specced up but they're also much sturdier and designed to be on for prolonged use. Specs, for most of us, aren't a huge deal anymore unless you're flippin' around massive PSD files on a regular basis. I've seen tv commercials cut and rendered on a shop-specced macbook pro, so there's ample power for most users.

Personally, I would stay clear of the 17 models as they are fairly big and heavy, not to mention price. It's a lot of real estate. The 15's are nice, but for my money the 13's are a great computer at a great price.

 

[red+black]

13" is probably about as big as I'd ever go.

I was kind of hoping a while back that Apple would release a 10"/11" MBP.

 

[nike1]

i dont think they'll be releasing any new "updated" macbook pro's considering they only did it about 6 months ago..

 

[grizzlym]

13" is probably about as big as I'd ever go.

I was kind of hoping a while back that Apple would release a 10"/11" MBP.

Very strong rumour that a 11 air will be coming out soon.

http://www.appleinsider.com/article...revamped_11_6_inch_macbook_air_next_week.html

 

[red+black]

I hope that this week's probable announcement of Mac OS X 10.7 means that 10.6.5 will be released asap. I'm waiting on support for the exFAT file system, make it easier to use external drives between Mac and Windows seeing that FAT32 seems to have been dropped from Windows.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/exFAT

 

[red+black]

New MBAs

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2010/10/2010-10-20274back2mac.jpg

No change to the 13" MBP.

Can now configure 15" and 17" MBP with 2.8 GHz i7 processor.

 

[seanoff]

The MBAs seem a little exxy for so little memory.

Sabre a 13" MBP would seem to be the go atm.

 

[red+black]

Jesus wept! What ridiculous prices!

http://store.apple.com/au/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook_air

 

[Nardz]

well not really....

the 11 inch 64gb is only $100 more than the 64gb ipad - it was never going to be cheaper

maybe from there the jumps are a bit too steep - $300 for an extra 64gb

from there its an extra $100 for the 13 inch and faster processor
and from there its an extra $400 for 128gb.

probably reflects more on the cost of solid state storage.

though it can definitely be argued that the iPad is over priced therefore pushing the price floor of the MBA up higher than it should be..

edit: dont see much sense in choosing the 13" MBA over the MBP though.. MBP is cheaper, better specced, has optical drives, even if it is a bit thicker...