Comments on: Disappointing new MacBook Pros http://damieng.com/blog/2008/10/14/disappointing-new-macbook-pros?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=disappointing-new-macbook-pros A .NET developer in silicon valley Fri, 18 May 2012 15:31:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Damon Stephenson http://damieng.com/blog/2008/10/14/disappointing-new-macbook-pros#comment-10977 Damon Stephenson Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:18:07 +0000 http://damieng.com/?p=1070#comment-10977 17" MBP's now shipping, Also addresses every con you posted ;) Do you ever change your battery often though… I don't so it'd be nice to have in the 13/15" models too for me ;) 17″ MBP’s now shipping, Also addresses every con you posted ;)
Do you ever change your battery often though… I don’t so it’d be nice to have in the 13/15″ models too for me ;)

]]> By: Mark http://damieng.com/blog/2008/10/14/disappointing-new-macbook-pros#comment-10553 Mark Tue, 09 Dec 2008 21:15:28 +0000 http://damieng.com/?p=1070#comment-10553 I bought mine a little while ago and I wouldn't necessarily say that I'm disappointed with my purchase. I might consider myself a little less enthralled than I had expected to be. I find the performance to be quite good, but the overall feature set (especially the expectation that some current features would be upgraded) is somewhat lacking. Overall 7/10. I bought mine a little while ago and I wouldn’t necessarily say that I’m disappointed with my purchase. I might consider myself a little less enthralled than I had expected to be. I find the performance to be quite good, but the overall feature set (especially the expectation that some current features would be upgraded) is somewhat lacking. Overall 7/10.

]]> By: Paul Guba http://damieng.com/blog/2008/10/14/disappointing-new-macbook-pros#comment-10156 Paul Guba Mon, 10 Nov 2008 03:33:58 +0000 http://damieng.com/?p=1070#comment-10156 Not sure why they went completely glossy as the matte always outsold glossy screens. What high end monitor is that glossy? If you had a good monitor how you going to connect it? Know anyone that uses a mini connector? Have an adapter? Less ports then the older macbook pros but this is better right. No more firewire 400 but this is an upgrade? ESata? Guess I wait for next round. Not sure why they went completely glossy as the matte always outsold glossy screens. What high end monitor is that glossy? If you had a good monitor how you going to connect it? Know anyone that uses a mini connector? Have an adapter? Less ports then the older macbook pros but this is better right. No more firewire 400 but this is an upgrade? ESata? Guess I wait for next round.

]]> By: Steve http://damieng.com/blog/2008/10/14/disappointing-new-macbook-pros#comment-9689 Steve Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:01:47 +0000 http://damieng.com/?p=1070#comment-9689 I had a glossy laptop for years before switching to a MBP and at first I hated going back to a non-glossy screen. I've got used to it now. Yes, glare can be an issue with the glossies but the colour reproduction is much more consistent. Matte screens, no matter how good, always alter the colour of the light depending on the angle you're looking at it, and it's almost impossible to get a uniform perceived colour across the entire screen, something that is easy with a glossy. So it depends on your perception of 'pro' user - if colour acuracy is important you're probably better with a glossy and just figuring out how to align it so you don't get glare. Personally if I had a window behind me I used to use my own body to block the light. But, it's easier with natural / simple lighting setups (like I have - working from home has benefits), if you're in a huge office with a ton of flourescent strip lights, it's certainly a lot harder. I had a glossy laptop for years before switching to a MBP and at first I hated going back to a non-glossy screen. I’ve got used to it now.

Yes, glare can be an issue with the glossies but the colour reproduction is much more consistent. Matte screens, no matter how good, always alter the colour of the light depending on the angle you’re looking at it, and it’s almost impossible to get a uniform perceived colour across the entire screen, something that is easy with a glossy. So it depends on your perception of ‘pro’ user – if colour acuracy is important you’re probably better with a glossy and just figuring out how to align it so you don’t get glare. Personally if I had a window behind me I used to use my own body to block the light. But, it’s easier with natural / simple lighting setups (like I have – working from home has benefits), if you’re in a huge office with a ton of flourescent strip lights, it’s certainly a lot harder.

]]> By: Niels R. http://damieng.com/blog/2008/10/14/disappointing-new-macbook-pros#comment-9688 Niels R. Wed, 15 Oct 2008 06:49:52 +0000 http://damieng.com/?p=1070#comment-9688 At first: I'm not Apple user at all (until recently I even disliked Apple), but because I'm considering buying a Mac Pro next year I was following the live blog of Engadget yesterday. As far as I understand they will not change the glaas screen and they will refresh the Macbook Pro ". Taken from http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/14/live-from-apples-spotlight-turns-to-notebooks-event/ - 10:57AM Q: What's up with the 17-inch? A: Tim: It's being refreshed today as well. - 11:01AM Q: Concern about the glossy screens. Are you going to offer another option? A: Steve: We're going all glass -- we won't offer another version. Phil: You offset the reflection by the brightness, and consumers love it. One of the great things about a notebook is you can turn it however you want! I'm using a Dell Inspiron 9400 with the TrueCrystal/TrueLife/TrueWhatever glassy screen and I actually don't have much problems with reflection. But as I said before: I don't know Apple's products so well, so there might be a difference between these type of screens. The 4 GB RAM limit is indeed a drawback! At this time of fancy-pansy OS'es, multi-tasking and virtualization (need Fusion for VS.NET :p), such a limit is not right. Cheers, Niels R. PS: Love your Envy R font! At first: I’m not Apple user at all (until recently I even disliked Apple), but because I’m considering buying a Mac Pro next year I was following the live blog of Engadget yesterday.

As far as I understand they will not change the glaas screen and they will refresh the Macbook Pro “. Taken from http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/14/live-from-apples-spotlight-turns-to-notebooks-event/

- 10:57AM Q: What’s up with the 17-inch?
A: Tim: It’s being refreshed today as well.

- 11:01AM Q: Concern about the glossy screens. Are you going to offer another option?
A: Steve: We’re going all glass — we won’t offer another version. Phil: You offset the reflection by the brightness, and consumers love it. One of the great things about a notebook is you can turn it however you want!

I’m using a Dell Inspiron 9400 with the TrueCrystal/TrueLife/TrueWhatever glassy screen and I actually don’t have much problems with reflection.
But as I said before: I don’t know Apple’s products so well, so there might be a difference between these type of screens.

The 4 GB RAM limit is indeed a drawback! At this time of fancy-pansy OS’es, multi-tasking and virtualization (need Fusion for VS.NET :p), such a limit is not right.

Cheers,
Niels R.

PS: Love your Envy R font!

]]> By: Damien Guard http://damieng.com/blog/2008/10/14/disappointing-new-macbook-pros#comment-9687 Damien Guard Wed, 15 Oct 2008 05:39:10 +0000 http://damieng.com/?p=1070#comment-9687 I've just watched the making-of video and while the enclosure is impressive I can't imagine how people can watch it without thinking "my god that screen is like a mirror" as it is constantly reflecting shine all the way through. [)amien I’ve just watched the making-of video and while the enclosure is impressive I can’t imagine how people can watch it without thinking “my god that screen is like a mirror” as it is constantly reflecting shine all the way through.

[)amien

]]> By: Damien Guard http://damieng.com/blog/2008/10/14/disappointing-new-macbook-pros#comment-9686 Damien Guard Wed, 15 Oct 2008 02:51:08 +0000 http://damieng.com/?p=1070#comment-9686 @Chris yes, I think the real issue here is that the new machines don't feel "Pro" in the same way the Mac Pro does and the glossy screen is just a massive no-no for serious users who don't want glare and distractions when working on art and video. Maybe Apple think the Pro crowd aren't worth the effort now and that the money is to be made in high-end consumers despite their greater price sensitivity. Let's hope when the 17" gets the new enclosure they certify 4GB modules for 8GB and provide a high-definition matt display. [)amien @Chris yes, I think the real issue here is that the new machines don’t feel “Pro” in the same way the Mac Pro does and the glossy screen is just a massive no-no for serious users who don’t want glare and distractions when working on art and video.

Maybe Apple think the Pro crowd aren’t worth the effort now and that the money is to be made in high-end consumers despite their greater price sensitivity.

Let’s hope when the 17″ gets the new enclosure they certify 4GB modules for 8GB and provide a high-definition matt display.

[)amien

]]> By: Rik Hemsley http://damieng.com/blog/2008/10/14/disappointing-new-macbook-pros#comment-9683 Rik Hemsley Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:52:45 +0000 http://damieng.com/?p=1070#comment-9683 Ignore me, I didn't realise it was the 14th. Working too hard is my excuse. Ignore me, I didn’t realise it was the 14th. Working too hard is my excuse.

]]> By: Chris Hardy http://damieng.com/blog/2008/10/14/disappointing-new-macbook-pros#comment-9682 Chris Hardy Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:47:05 +0000 http://damieng.com/?p=1070#comment-9682 Damien, I think these four things # No 17" model # 4GB RAM limit # Glossy screen only # 1440x900 resolution really have stopped me from getting a Macbook Pro. As great as they do look, the 15" would be too small and the resolution isn't very god. I'm hoping that they will come out with something a little bit more special for the 17" release - before Christmas would be good but I somehow doubt that. ChrisNTR Damien,

I think these four things

# No 17″ model
# 4GB RAM limit
# Glossy screen only
# 1440×900 resolution

really have stopped me from getting a Macbook Pro. As great as they do look, the 15″ would be too small and the resolution isn’t very god.

I’m hoping that they will come out with something a little bit more special for the 17″ release – before Christmas would be good but I somehow doubt that.

ChrisNTR

]]> By: Rik Hemsley http://damieng.com/blog/2008/10/14/disappointing-new-macbook-pros#comment-9681 Rik Hemsley Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:35:51 +0000 http://damieng.com/?p=1070#comment-9681 Are these specs available at some reliable source? Are these specs available at some reliable source?

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