apple's macbook introduced

[blessingx]

A couple of things to keep in mind aside from A-... revisions. Not sure on the paste issue on the 17" MBP (and there's certainly more air circulation space there), but it while it gets hot too, it's not nearly as much as the 15" models. Wether this is an acknowledgment and fix or simply more space I'm not sure. The MacBooks are got pretty warm also, though less so than any of the Pros.

On the HD front, I was contemplating a 100GB 7200 RPM drive on my earlier focused MBP, but couldn't find a comparison on heat and especially batter drain. This test though showed this differences on performance (at least with Apple options). In a portable setup (and its inherent compromises) it's why I'm sticking with 5400.

 

[bangraman]

I'm sure InvisibleShield and BestSkinsEver are rubbing their hands in glee

Nice notebooks. The GMA950 is not bad for a built-in chip as I (and others no doubt) have found in the computers they're integrated with. It certainly handles home-theatre requirements fine, if not games. I will be ordering the 17" MBP soon but one of these might be nice to have around as a throwaround laptop in the vein of my S2XP (which actually doesn't take very well to being thrown around).

 

[kugino]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bangraman I'm sure InvisibleShield and BestSkinsEver are rubbing their hands in glee Nice notebooks. The GMA950 is not bad for a built-in chip as I (and others no doubt) have found in the computers they're integrated with. It certainly handles home-theatre requirements fine, if not games. I will be ordering the 17" MBP soon but one of these might be nice to have around as a throwaround laptop in the vein of my S2XP (which actually doesn't take very well to being thrown around).

yeah, what kind of skins are we going to see? i wouldn't mind a screen cover that helps reduce a bit of the glare, though.

man, 95% of the hatred toward the MB is about the GMA950 integrated card. seems as though some are upset that it won't play their favorite 3D games at high framerates. i guess people were expecting some awesome gaming machine, though ibooks have never been in that category...

almost no one (except myself, of course

) is talking about the digital inputs and outputs, which is a big deal for a lot of us here...

 

[Jigglybootch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kugino man, 95% of the hatred toward the MB is about the GMA950 integrated card.

You've got that right. But the GMA950 really isn't all that bad. I was playing around with a Mac mini about a month ago and everything worked just fine. For what the machine is designed for (mini and Macbook) the GMA950 will suffice. But I still don't like it.

 

[kugino]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jigglybootch You've got that right. But the GMA950 really isn't all that bad. I was playing around with a Mac mini about a month ago and everything worked just fine. For what the machine is designed for (mini and Macbook) the GMA950 will suffice. But I still don't like it.

how much of the hatred toward the integrated graphics is because of very poor performance in PCs? from what i understand (don't know much about the PC world as i've been a lifelong mac user) integrated graphics is/was horrible on PCs. with the introduction of the mac mini some of those biases may have been assuaged because it appears that the optimizations for OS X were pretty good, making the GMA950 a rather nice performer even though it is integrated.

on the mac forums many of the critics of integrated graphics seem to be would-be switchers who are upset by this one aspect of the macbook. many end their post with, "gonna get a dell..." the others who are upset are the gamers who were hoping for a relatively inexpensive gaming machine (very distorted expectations, considering it's a mac)...

i don't know the answer...i'm not a gamer so the GMA950 will be more than enough for me...i'm more pissed off about the ram configurations and standard HD options, but it's still a nice machine, IMO.

 

[bangraman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kugino yeah, what kind of skins are we going to see? i wouldn't mind a screen cover that helps reduce a bit of the glare, though. man, 95% of the hatred toward the MB is about the GMA950 integrated card. seems as though some are upset that it won't play their favorite 3D games at high framerates. i guess people were expecting some awesome gaming machine, though ibooks have never been in that category... almost no one (except myself, of course ) is talking about the digital inputs and outputs, which is a big deal for a lot of us here...

Ah... didn't know about the screen. Is it the same 'x-black' finish as I have on my Vaios? It is a bit of a bugger in some lighting situations but I've got used to coping with it.


I would imagine given IS / BSE's other stuff they would do nothing less than a complete outer cover... but such a large area will be a pig to apply the skins unless they bundle some sort of smoothing tool. Perhaps that might put them off. Not sure.

 

[mshan]

For anyone willing to risk a revision A MacBook, just saw a thread over at FatWallet stating that Amazon is offering a $100 rebate on them (base model $999).

Not great, but not bad pricing:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...19241?n=541966


Reasonably priced RAM at Newegg.com:
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820221043

 

[blessingx]

Just be aware on the Amazon deal, it's taken them sometimes months to get Apples newest products in stock.

Also looks like the rebates are on all models.

 

[tyrion]

You can get the base model for $1049 with the education discount, no waiting.

 

[kugino]

the nice thing about amazon's rebates is that you do it online and get a confirmation that it's been processed...i got my $150 from an imac purchase a few months ago.

it's still the cheapest way to go since you don't pay shipping or tax, but the education discount makes up for the tax and you can get it built to order...

bangraman, the screen is like the sony glossy screens, only a tad less shiny. i believe it is an option for the MB pros now.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I visited the Apple Store across from work today during lunch.

Generally, the MacBook is a pretty good package. It's fast and responsive, and while I generally dislike glossy screens, it's really nice.

I was seriously thinking about picking one up, but got hung up by the keyboard. It's terrible, I hated it. It feels awful and looks like a cheapo PDA or kiddie computer. Why? It's every bit as bad as the puck mouse that came with the original iMac.

Hopefully, Apple will put a better one on it. Maybe I'll get one then. But for now, I'll stick with the 1GHz Titanium PowerBook I'm using right now. It's been a great machine so far, and I like the keyboard.

 

[blessingx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik I was seriously thinking about picking one up, but got hung up by the keyboard. It's terrible, I hated it. It feels awful and looks like a cheapo PDA or kiddie computer. Why? It's every bit as bad as the puck mouse that came with the original iMac.

You may hate it, but it's not terrible or awful. Personal perference. Are there HP, Toshiba, etc. keyboards I like better? Yep, but I like the new MBs over the PowerBooks/MacBook Pros keyboard (except the lighted part) which feel far cheaper/less solid built to me.

BTW, Macworld first look was published earlier today.

 

[mr56k]

Just wanted to chime in on the whole intel GMA graphics subject. I recently got a Mac Mini with intel chip in it. I did install 2GB of ram and got the Core Duo. I can say after working on them and using them that lots of ram makes osx really shine. Im not saying you need 2gb but definately bump it up some. My work includes " Photoshop" as im a amature photographer, email, internet, office, music of course and others and it runs super smoothe. I also have bootcamp installed with windows xp sp2 and that is also running fine. I use that for some windows only software and a few games I like to play. I already had a nice lcd, keyboard, mouse etc,,, so this little rig is working spectacular. Plus it doesnt hurt that I get discount as I work for an Apple Specialist

.

Just my 2 cents

 

[insomniac]

Was able to check out the MacBook too at a local store yesterday. I guess I'm in the minority but I actually like the keyboard. Felt comfortable with no flex.

I read awhile back that Apple had hired away a few of Sony's Vaio engineers and you can really tell from the MacBook. There are some features that are very Vaio-like, including the keyboard and magnetic lid clasp.

 

[kugino]

Quote:

Originally Posted by insomniac Was able to check out the MacBook too at a local store yesterday. I guess I'm in the minority but I actually like the keyboard. Felt comfortable with no flex. I read awhile back that Apple had hired away a few of Sony's Vaio engineers and you can really tell from the MacBook. There are some features that are very Vaio-like, including the keyboard and magnetic lid clasp.

not to mention the glossy screen

i, too, like the keyboard. it has a firm response, which i find better than the powerbooks. the ibook's keyboard aren't too bad, too. F12 is now it's own key without sharing with the "eject" button, if that makes a difference to anyone