Apple has been a roll lately! They have been releasing new products on just about every Tuesday since Macworld Expo. Well today is no different and the highly anticipated, highly rumored updates to the MacBook Pro and MacBook made their debut just minutes ago.
The New MacBook Pro
Using the latest intel core 2 duo chips, now comes in speeds up to 2.6GHz. They also feature 2GB of RAM standard and also come with larger hard drives, not to mention the latest NVIDIA graphics cards. As expected Apple also brought over the new "Multi-Touch" trackpad feature first introduced on the MacBook Air. The MacBook Pro prices start at $1,999 for the 15" model and $2,799 for the 17" model.
The New MacBook
Apple’s consumer notebook also got a speed bump as well as 2GB of RAM standard and larger hard drive options. No Multi-Touch trackpad for the MacBook. The MacBook now comes in 2.1GHz and 2.4GHz models and hard drive capacity up to 250GB all starting at $1,099.
What’s my take?
While I certainly welcome a faster MacBook Pro (since I use the MacBook Pro as my main computer), there isn’t anything revolutionary here. I had hoped that Apple would see fit to include Blu-ray movie playback as well as an option for 3G wireless support. Steve seems quite adamant about killing the optical drive before its time. While these new MacBooks still have built-in optical "super" drives, there is nothing new about them. Since Apple doesn’t rent HD movies for download on Macs and PCs (only on Apple TVs), I’m puzzled by the lack of Blu-ray support especially now that the format war has ended. Also before you start commenting on the fact that the displays may not be high def and therefore no need for high def movie playback, I get that. The problem is that I want ONE movie format from here on out. When I rent from Netflix, I now rent Blu-ray if it’s available. This means that if I decide to take that movie with me on the road, I can’t watch it. Also a Blu-ray burner “option” would mean being able to backup 50GB to one disc! I will ultimately upgrade my work notebook, but I’m certainly not in as big of a hurry as I would have been if these would have had the above features.
Preach it Terry !!
: )
The Blu Ray victory is less than a month old. One could even argue it didn’t officially happen until last week. In either case, that’s not nearly enough time for Apple to add those drives into a computer that is released today. These things have to have been in production for a few weeks to get them ready at stores today, or available on-line to order.
I hope they come eventually. You’re right – a 50GB backup disc would be awesome. And while I just bought an Apple TV, I’d love an Apple TV with Blu Ray player in it even more. Maybe Apple TV Take 3 in 2009?
Augie,
Agreed that the Blu-ray victory is very recent. However, Apple has been in the Blu-ray camp since day one. So it wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect Blu-ray drives now and even before the war was over (since they/Steve announced their support for Blu-ray over a year ago).
You’re right! An Apple TV with a built-in slot loading Blu-ray player would rock. However, I think that Apple is trying to by-pass Blu-ray altogether ESPECIALLY in Apple TV.
Also as far as boxes being ready to go for today, I would expect a Blu-ray drive to be announced as a Build to order option anyway (to keep costs down) and even then, Apple didn’t have to have that option available on day one (although they could have seeing that they were behind Blu-ray from the start). Just like in the past when you order certain options that aren’t quite ready, it pushes your order out a few weeks. Time Capsule comes to mind 🙂
While I would love to have a 50GB backup option, it takes forever to burn and verify a double-layer DVD, and that is only ~20% of the data of a Blu-Ray disc. I can see Apple not wanting to include that on a laptop, considering that the only logical time to use that would be to start a disc burn in the evening and let it run overnight. You wouldn’t want that on your lap in case you had to set the laptop aside (potentially causing a failed burn due to the laptop getting jarred while writing).
I think a better option would be to have a Time Capsule that includes a Blu-Ray burner that automatically backs up the hard drive to disc and as a stand-alone archiver that burns from the Time Capsule hard drive (assuming that you can use the TC hard drive as a network drive).
I agree with you Terry on Blu-ray, Apple should be taking the lead here.
The philosophy (mostly correctly) by Jobs/Apple is that the internet IS the computer and why would you need storage devices?
The answer is (a) you don’t always have broadband bandwidth available (e.g., aluminum tube 35,000 miles above the earth….although broadband is coming, although REALLY slowly) and (b) Terry’s take on movie rentals is spot-on. You can certainly rent a movie but most people own movies – and an owned movie should be able to be played on your computing device.
Blu-ray just makes sense for Apple, IMO.
Terry, would you care to comment on the LED display?
The pixel count seems astronomical and I fear I wouldn’t be comfortable using a machine where all the type is really small.
I havent actually seen one and have no knowledge of its capabilities of color versus the LCD.
Does it HAVE to be glossy for a technical reason?
Is it worth the $90 upgrade (option)
Thanks
David,
The LED displays are definitely a step in the right direction. They are brighter, less power hungry and better for the environment.
The pixel count for the 15″ is very easy to read. However, on the 17″ things will be smaller. Your best bet is to head in to an Apple Store and see it with your own eyes. Only you can judge what is too small for you.
No it doesn’t have to be glossy which is why they offer a choice. Glossy displays tend to make the colors more saturated and bright therefore less realistic for people doing print work and trying to match their printer output. However, if all you do is develop images that will be seen on screen, then you’ll probably prefer the glossy version.
Terry,
I live in Colombia, and I have the first version of the Macbook Pro (intel core 1.83 ghz) i have 2GB of ram and a 80GB hard drive, im plannig to decide between upgrade mi hard drive or to buy the new one. Wich option is better considering that I do alot of 3D modeling and graphic design. Both options are available for me. Which one do you recommend me?