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#1 2006-05-16 1:50 pm

macTT
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Registered: 2002-07-19
Posts: 171
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Top couple of things missing from a MB Pro?

Hey, all.

I'm considering a new macbook pro. I'm not desperate to buy, but am nearing the point of purchase. I've been holding out a bit in an attempt to avoid any first-gen regrets and have done a fair share of reading about the noises & heat that have at least been partially fixed.

I am, however, a bit off on the biggest complaints for the current 15" MB Pro. Weak graphics card? Etc.

My question -- what would be your top 2-3 changes to the current model (and potentially, is there any chance of it coming in the next rev?)

TIA.

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#2 2006-05-16 1:59 pm

MacBoy4139
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From: Big Hair Anonymous
Registered: 2000-10-31
Posts: 10911

Re: Top couple of things missing from a MB Pro?

1.  Merom/Intel Core Duo 2 chip.  Yonah (Core Duo) is just a baby step.  The next chip will ROCK
2.  FW800
3.  Hard Drive size (this is not just a MacBook Pro thing, but an overall laptop thing)
4.  DL SuperDrive.  I'm not upgrading unless I get a bunch of new stuff.  Sorry.

I expect all of those short comings to be addressed in the next rev.

That being said, I love my 17" PB, but it will eventually need to be replaced.  Until all of those things are addressed, I'm holding out.


Dive in the Pool!

I'm still trying to figure out if you're a girl posing as Macboy4139, or a boy posing as a girl, and a bit confused sexually. <shrug> laughinol

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#3 2006-05-16 2:58 pm

car121_007
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From: London, Ontario, Canada
Registered: 2002-04-14
Posts: 369

Re: Top couple of things missing from a MB Pro?

Hard drive size is bad, I've got the 80GB but the 120GB wouldn't really do me either.

The chip is faster but now that the MacBook has the same processor, bus and RAM as my MBP I'm a bit upset. I want the Merom now.

FW800 would be cool but not a deal breaker, how about eSATA?

ExpressCard/54 instead of 34 would be nice too.

DL Superdrive is meh, bring on the Blu-Ray.

As their lineup stands now, I wouldn't buy any other notebook then a MbP because of the dedicated graphics card. Intel GMA950 may be fine for all you business and porn only users, but some people play games, drive large screens, work in Cinema4D or actually push their machine hard enough that I really don't want to have to worry about the delay as my machine swaps RAM and VRAM back and forth, dual channel or not.


MacBook Pro 15.4" 1.83Ghz CoreDuo w/ 2GB RAM + B&W 1Ghz 750GX, 1GB RAM, 60GB Seagate 7200rpm, 32MB Radeon ME + AMDXP 1800, 512MB, Rad9550 oc'd to 9600 256MB

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#4 2006-05-16 2:58 pm

Chickenhawk
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From: Being Snarky
Registered: 2005-06-01
Posts: 5821

Re: Top couple of things missing from a MB Pro?

macTT wrote:

I am, however, a bit off on the biggest complaints for the current 15" MB Pro. Weak graphics card? Etc.

The ATI x1600 is definately not a weak card. Underclocked maybe, but you can fix that.
For me, I would go for what macboy4139 said .


The recent medical controversy over whether vaccinations cause autism reveals a habit of human cognition—thinking anecdotally comes naturally, whereas thinking scientifically does not. -- Michael Shermer

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#5 2006-05-17 11:10 pm

pcguy
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Registered: 1999-11-18
Posts: 5234

Re: Top couple of things missing from a MB Pro?

extend battery
sd/cf slot
dl drive
remote that is store inside the laptop(aka hp)


Do not settle for the world in shades of grey

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#6 2006-05-18 7:49 am

Type_R_Crazy
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Registered: 2001-12-24
Posts: 186
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Re: Top couple of things missing from a MB Pro?

MacBoy4139 wrote:

1.  Merom/Intel Core Duo 2 chip.  Yonah (Core Duo) is just a baby step.  The next chip will ROCK
2.  FW800
3.  Hard Drive size (this is not just a MacBook Pro thing, but an overall laptop thing)
4.  DL SuperDrive.  I'm not upgrading unless I get a bunch of new stuff.  Sorry.

I expect all of those short comings to be addressed in the next rev.

That being said, I love my 17" PB, but it will eventually need to be replaced.  Until all of those things are addressed, I'm holding out.

Do you think Merom will come to the MacBooks anytime soon or stay exclusive to the MBPs for a while....?

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#7 2006-05-18 9:36 am

robco
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Registered: 2004-12-04
Posts: 7942
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Re: Top couple of things missing from a MB Pro?

Merom likely won't ship for at least another six months.  It will be a lengthy wait. The X1600 is a mid-range GPU and about the fastest you'll find in a thin and light.  The machines with the 7900 Go chips tend to be huge, heavy desktop replacements.  If Apple were to use those, kiss the 5.6lbs weight goodbye.

The GPU should work for Aperture and Motion.  If you want a gaming powerhouse, then a Windows machine is probably a better choice.  And even then, a desktop one.


It is an odd thing, but every one who disappears is said to be seen at San Francisco. It must be a delightful city, and possess all the attractions of the next world.
- Oscar Wilde

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#8 2006-05-18 11:34 am

robco
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From: Sodom
Registered: 2004-12-04
Posts: 7942
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Re: Top couple of things missing from a MB Pro?

Oh, and cupholders.  The MBP is missing cupholders.


It is an odd thing, but every one who disappears is said to be seen at San Francisco. It must be a delightful city, and possess all the attractions of the next world.
- Oscar Wilde

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#9 2006-05-18 2:14 pm

MacBoy4139
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From: Big Hair Anonymous
Registered: 2000-10-31
Posts: 10911

Re: Top couple of things missing from a MB Pro?

robco wrote:

Merom likely won't ship for at least another six months.  It will be a lengthy wait. The X1600 is a mid-range GPU and about the fastest you'll find in a thin and light.  The machines with the 7900 Go chips tend to be huge, heavy desktop replacements.  If Apple were to use those, kiss the 5.6lbs weight goodbye.

The GPU should work for Aperture and Motion.  If you want a gaming powerhouse, then a Windows machine is probably a better choice.  And even then, a desktop one.

Merom is due in July or August at the latest.


Dive in the Pool!

I'm still trying to figure out if you're a girl posing as Macboy4139, or a boy posing as a girl, and a bit confused sexually. <shrug> laughinol

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#10 2006-05-18 2:15 pm

MacBoy4139
BHA
From: Big Hair Anonymous
Registered: 2000-10-31
Posts: 10911

Re: Top couple of things missing from a MB Pro?

Type_R_Crazy wrote:

MacBoy4139 wrote:

1.  Merom/Intel Core Duo 2 chip.  Yonah (Core Duo) is just a baby step.  The next chip will ROCK
2.  FW800
3.  Hard Drive size (this is not just a MacBook Pro thing, but an overall laptop thing)
4.  DL SuperDrive.  I'm not upgrading unless I get a bunch of new stuff.  Sorry.

I expect all of those short comings to be addressed in the next rev.

That being said, I love my 17" PB, but it will eventually need to be replaced.  Until all of those things are addressed, I'm holding out.

Do you think Merom will come to the MacBooks anytime soon or stay exclusive to the MBPs for a while....?

It's hard to tell really.  It all depends on if Intel continues making the chip or not.  I haven't heard or read anything about it.


Dive in the Pool!

I'm still trying to figure out if you're a girl posing as Macboy4139, or a boy posing as a girl, and a bit confused sexually. <shrug> laughinol

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#11 2006-08-07 7:29 am

macTT
Member
Registered: 2002-07-19
Posts: 171
Website

Re: Top couple of things missing from a MB Pro?

Thought I would just bump this 'ol chain back up in anticipation of today...i'm jones'n for a mbp...

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#12 2006-08-07 10:25 am

test
Member
From: Collingwood, Ont., CANADA
Registered: 2002-12-13
Posts: 5300

Re: Top couple of things missing from a MB Pro?

robco wrote:

Oh, and cupholders.  The MBP is missing cupholders.

Yeah, what's up with that? Stupid fahrfagnugen crap.


Patience is a virtue of the weak for it makes them stand still long enough for the strong to crush them with ease.

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#13 2006-10-24 9:28 am

macTT
Member
Registered: 2002-07-19
Posts: 171
Website

Re: Top couple of things missing from a MB Pro?

sweet -- everything sans cupholder. Maybe that and the express card 54.

Methinks it's time to purchase.

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