I don't quite understand the Mac notebook lineup anymore

There used to be pretty distinct differences between MBP vs. MB, and MB vs. MBA. Now...not so much.

So the design of the MBP used to be the primary distinction between it and the MB. Now it's not. So the only difference between a "Pro" notebook and an "Amateur" notebook is the size of the screen (13.3 vs. 15), the graphics processing and the CPU speed? Doesn't seem like too much.

I also don't understand why anybody would shell out $1799 for a MBA vs. $1299 for a new MB. $1299 gets you a similar aluminum design, same keyboard, same screen, a faster base processor, same amount of RAM, larger/faster HDD, same GPU and more battery life. Are people really going to pay $500 to save 1.5 pounds?

John

 

Well for starters the MBP is the only one that has Firewire now (if you care about that).

 

Yeah the MBA doesnt make much sense anymore... It never really did. It is a lot flatter and lighter but you lose so many ports that it is really not worth it.

 

It's the new "Toyota" esque Macbooks.

Apple switches to a new unibody aluminum chasis for all Macbook manufacturing.

Switches to a new integrated chipset vendor for both GPU and chipset, pretty sure Nvidia is under-cutting the cost a lot to lure Apple over to Nvidia.

The lack of high end features such as Blu-ray, eSata, HDMI, nor increased battery life by folds.

 

Yeah, anyone who was thinking about the MBA and ISN'T now thinking about the MB is someone who really is only going for the MBA name and style...

For me going with a MB would be the best choice if I were to buy an Apple...

 

In the business of manufacturing computers, it's called streamlining the process. Think about it, all the computers use the same keyboard, the same aluminum chassis, the same glass, the same everything... except the mainboard and the screen of course.

#1 reason - it's definately cheaper to manufacture and R&D.

 

1.5 lbs worth it to many people

 

Yeah, I'm afraid I agree with you there.

 

Exercise, lose a pound and a half, then buy a Macbook. Then you'll have the same weight to lug around, a higher performance computer and a healthier heart.

 

So then make the name the same too. Or change the name completely.

As it stands now, there's a new 15" Macbook Pro that looks marginally different from an old 17" Macbook Pro. And you've also got an old, white 13.3" Macbook and a new 13.3" Macbook that looks completely different.

 

I can understand this, however, why did they leave out the backlit keyboard on the $1299 macbook? That's Apple for ya

 

I think the real winner today is the MB. The new MB is very appealing now. It shares so much with the Pro (especially the higher end model), only with a 13" screen which is great for portability/travel. The price is reasonable too.

I think anyone wanting a Pro or a MBA should really be thinking twice about his/her requirements.

 

Are you sure they did? I just configured a new base-model MB and it shows Backlit KB as standard.

 

2.0GHz MacBook

Built-in full-size keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys (inverted “T” arrangement)
2.4GHz MacBook

Built-in full-size illuminated keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys (inverted “T” arrangement)

From Apple's website.

 

That's strange. On the applestore Canada the 2.0GHz base model has a backlit KB. Maybe that's why our MSRP is $100 more than the US.

 

We could all lose a little weight and be healthier, but even then, ppl will pay to carry less and have something that takes up less space. Can you imagine walking around with a full cd player and the old brick cell phones these days? Miniaturization is worth the cost for people who value portability or when space and weight is limited. I.E a student (ok a rich one) who carries around 3 textbooks all day and would kill to save 1.5 lbs.

 

I just called Apple and they stated that the low end Macbook for $1299 does come with the backlit keyboard.

 

agreed. people all across the retailing lineup are paying mreo to carry around less and the difference between 3lb and 4.5 lbs is significant.
I just don't understand why they could put in a fast drive (as they are now available).
For the MBA there wasn't any re-design or engineering...or else they would have done something about that batter.

 

Apple effectively erased most of the appeal of the MBP. The MBP has always been expensive, but $700 for 2 more inches, a firewire port, and a 9600M (basically a 8600M)? It's a joke now. I was totally in the market for a MBP, hoping today would bring speed bumps and some innovation to the MBP to make it worth $1999. Not anymore.

Maybe it's just me, but it looks like Apple is quietly eliminating the "Pro" notebook; at least for the next 6 months.

 

I was looking forward to the release, but I am disappointed that HDMI is offered on neither the MB or MBP.

 

thats not true
not all users are male

 

I just read about the news on the updates on the macbook lineup and me being in the market of buying a new laptop right now, I thought the MBA refresh would appeal to me but not too much anymore with a couple of ports still missing for the sake of being lightweight.

 

After watching the video, I'm most inclined to get the $1600 Macbook. It has the lighted keyboard and larger hard drive. It's missing the firewire 800. Ok, so I have to sit through a slightly longer migration. How many times do I have to do that? Once? Ok. Sold.

BTW, I would expect an OS X update very shortly that supports migration via usb not just firewire (if it isn't already there and I didn't notice).

 

Um... what does that have to do with losing weight?

 

i am just saying that female might need a really light laptop
and the MBA might fit them better

 

A lot of people I see complaining about prices are comparing them to other company's. Like saying, That they can get a Dell for $500 cheaper with better specs. But it's ALWAYS been that way nothing has changed I don't get why people are expecting Dell prices on Apple products, that will never happen.

 

Just talked to a sales rep....they confirm that no-backlit for 1,299$ MB.....I agree that the new MB is a winner for today's release....significantly improved GPU + new aluminum case for a little bit more money than the previous line up.

 

As someone who flies to work every week and who has traveled with a MacBook Pro, Macbook, and Macbook Air at various times I have to agree with jtanwanteng

The most important is weight, then volume, then form factor, but not just for the laptop - you have to include everything you travel with.

When I switched from a MacBook to a MacBook Air, it did not save me 2 pounds - it saved me over 10 pounds and a bag to carry separately through airports. I used to travel with a rollaboard and a good sized computer bag. Going to the MBA allowed me to go with a smaller, lighter rollaboard that included a laptop pocket, and a smaller laptop bag I am able to keep in the rollaboard, and the smaller lighter accessories for the MBA again saved some size and weight. When on site I still have a separate bag for work each day thats a lot smaller and lighter than my MB or MBP bags were.

So every little bit counts. That said, I could not use my current MBA (or the new one) as an "only" computer, but as a travel computer that compliments my iMac at home its great. If I could only have one computer for travel it would be the new Macbook loaded up. The MBP is a little big for frequent travel unless you absolutely need its extra power.

 

Oh come on Seshan the MBP costs $150 more even with student discount (which they killed a bit). If it costs the same as the previous models fine...but they increased it and you'd think notebooks would be getting cheaper these days.

 

Apple financial projections indicate increased costs and reduced margins this quarter. So while it appears they've passed on part of this cost increase, they are also absorbing some if it in margins. You can dispute if the new case or design or video chips or other components are worth it to you but Apple is absorbing part of the extra cost.

 

makes me glad I didnt wait for this and bought a thinkpad t500, like $1000 cheaper for the same thing.

 

This is my speculation.
In the economic times now, apple wanted to lower costs as much as possible (still trying to figure out how they do that carving a shell out of a solid brick of aluminum) and increase profits as much as possible (prices went up), so they axed firewire, chose nvidia instead of intel (with nvidia's recent troubles, they probably gave apple a better bid than intel to help boost their economic forecasts), and basically chose the same production method for all three models.
I really think apple made some poor choices in the macbook refresh, namely axing firewire and increasing the price. I just wonder how much longer the white macbook will be around, or if they will upgrade that to montevina once their stock of santa rosa chips have run out. What does anyone think of that? By apple's wording, it would appear they plan to keep a white macbook around.

 

Actually it's only $50 more. It use to be $2099.

 

Hm... I understand more where you're going with that now, but even so I think you need to be a little more open to women's abilities.

Women or not, I think haggling over 1 lb isn't a big deal...

 

re: TITANIC LAUNCH

I feel that eSATA is rapidly become a standard feature theses days. I will NOT buy a laptop without it. Using their "own" Firewire part as a differentiating factor/feature between "models" is antediluvian, with the MB not having it standard is a mistake.

lol Back to the fitness debate lolo - thats debatable in other ways ...personally, with the cheaper MB, I would eat MORE buffets with the money that I saved, and therefore be bigger (and have more energy to burn). Also a very large user would wield even a 5.5 lb leviathan behemoth with the greatest of ease. Sort of like the XL Totoro lol

Seriously: Im disappointed. I dont care if its carved out of gold (well, maybe THAT), the shortage of high speed Firewire or eSATA ports AS STANDARD in ALL models feels like a mistake to me. One would think that APPLE would be staunch in endorsing Firewire.

ps: I need tactile feedback on a keyboard - Im very touchy-feely as are many Apple users. After all, we are the right-brained creatives, right? Photographers/Designers/Videomakers - feelers and intuitives who decide based on feel and perceived right-feel! I will go touch a NEW keyboard asap, and give it a fair "go"!

Someone once said that with Apple, STYLE seems to be primary. I agree - its a nice fashion accessory to be a poser in Starbucks.

We waited so long for THIS announcement. What a fizzle! Here is the new Apple theme song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBGmc3bmgaY (Losing A Whole Year).

 

This sorta reminds me of when the Wii was revealed. Everyone was fussed over no HDD, no HD support, the gimmick remote, and the name? it'll just be a fad.

Not trying to compare anything here, it's just that this reminds me of it ^^;;

 

I think the Mac lineup is quite good now. Apple's upped the MacBook class a bit (surprising considering the American economy is in a downturn and I would actually expect Apple to lower its Mac prices), gave the MBP all the necessary updates and finally unified the Mac lineup in terms of design.

Its about as much as anyone could expect beyond surprise shock announcements like the iPhone, and I doubt anything would be a shock announcement unless Apple introduced a tablet Mac, but I believe their resources are focused on further developing the iPhone and possible iPhone Nanos at this point.

 

What kind of weird insinuation was that? I am a female and I carry around my Macbook perfectly fine.

iPhone Nano! iPhone Nano! iPhone Nano!


And secondly, addressing this thread, I somewhat agree that now the lineup is a little mixed up.

 

Well in terms of Apple's product lineup not making sense, I don't think it's meant to right now. The product line is still in flux which is why they are still keeping the old MacBook design in parallel as a bargain model, and why the 17" MBP is still on the old design and only had it's specs bumped. This is kind of like how back in the days, the 12" PowerBook and 17" PowerBook were introduced in a new aluminum design while the 15" Titanium PowerBook was kept on in the old design for like 9 months, before the entire product line so simultaneously refreshed and brought in line.

Macworld in January will probably see a 17" MBP in the new design.
A full 15" refresh is unlikely so soon but there may be a small price adjustment or more likely small feature adjustments, probably just bigger HDDs. The MBA may well see a consolidating redesign at that time too along with a low-end MB on the new design. If Macworld 2009 is mainly a Snow Leopard event, which is likely these hardware things probably won't happen until March or into Q2. I don't think there's that big a rush other than the 17" MBP.

 

The Wii is stilll a fad. No good games for real gamers. Only gimmicky party-type games for casual gamers. Casual gamers do not buy as many games as real, hardcore gamers.

Game companies like Nintendo make money off of people buying game software, not game hardware.

 

Yeah, bought a Wii this summer... It's got some great party games, but no killer titles.

Best game for it so far is Resident Evil 4. Which is amazing on the Wii. And one of the best games ever made... but I hardly ever play it anymore. That Nintendo basically had nothing to show for the Wii at E3 this year.

 

If a "fad" can make them one of the top companies then so be it. Regardless of some people's opinion on the Wii and its game library it (the console) still sold a heck of a lot. I can see the same thing here (trying to stay on topic).

Rumors of price drop > high expectation > Mac revealed > angry of facts > eventually Macs will sell decent anyways

Rinse and repeat.

 

Yawn at tired Wii smack. "Real gamers" = lol. Nintendo dominated by ignoring whiny nerds, fake hardcore gamers *****ed about it, and everyone else had fun.

 

Stereotype much?? It is this outlook that makes many people dislike Apple because of their want for people to think like this...

Personally I understand their niche in the market and that they cater towards this type of people, but still... no need to stereotype yourself!!!

 

Yeah, pretty much... But besides the party games, which are fun... what is there to play solo?

Excluding Rock Band, Wii capitalizes on party games. But for single player experiences, you really need something else. Thats just my opinion though.

 

Okay I'd feel like hijacking this thread if I continue with the Wii discussion w but they have a few game that's pretty decent. Metroid Prime, Zelda, SSBB, SMG, Okami, and a few (like 2) decent FPS. Good stuff is coming out soon for it though like MH3, Conduit, CoD5 looks pretty nice even if it's WW2 again :x anyway it's just all up to personal preference.

 

Wii is probably one of the worst purchases I've made this year, the lack of real games is a joke, the only times I ever use it is when my dad challenges me to Wii Tennis.

 

I don't think that he was insinuating anything. I think that he pretty much blatantly said that women were weak and therefore needed a lighter laptop.

 

You and me both. Since when is machining a cost-effective method of producing a fabricated metal item for high volume production?

 

Zelda was already on the cube and not much of a difference.

Yeah, Prime wasn't bad. I never tried SSBB, it's a game I love, but still a party game. Their predecessors weren't much fun solo, and I doubt that one would be any different. Okami does look good, but one I never tried.

There are no good FPS games on the Wii. Period. CoD5? Seriously... it looks TERRIBLE. Fantastic on the PC... but on the Wii? It looks as bad as the other CoD game on the Wii.

MH3? We'll see... Don't know much about Conduit yet.

Overall, it just can't compare to the compelling single player games on PC, 360 or PS3 (Heavy Rain FTW!).