Forums | MacLife

So I gave in and purchased a refurb MBP from the Apple Store. They were reduced when the C2D models came out. It has all of the specs I required EXEPT for size, which has been difficult to get used to.

MacBook Pro
2Ghz Core Duo
1GB Ram
100GB 7200RPM Hard Drive
15.4" Matte Widescreen
256MB VRam

For you 12" PB owners there are some things you should know about the MBP's if you are considering the jump. The screen does not tilt back far enough back, so you are not able to "perch" it in positions that you may have been used to. It's basically designed to be used on a flat surface. The speakers (at-least in mine) are not nearly as good as the 12" which had 3-speakers including a midrange. The computer is only 1" thick and it DOES feel much thinner than the 12" so when you are carrying it around it does not feel much different even though it is much longer.  It does not feel much heavier, so that's good news! The backlit keyboard is a nice touch. You will probably run the screen at 1/4 brightness because this sucker is BRIGHT! The matte finnish on the screen makes it look more "grainy" than earlier powerbooks/ibooks so I would recommend you look into a glossy finnish. The graphics performance is top notch, playing games is fluid! Speaking of graphics, the screen is so big compared to the 12" you will have to get used to moving your head to see the whole thing. The screen's reduced viewing angle (compared to desktop displays) means each corner looks a little different. The trackpad and keyboard are  similar, though the trackpad is flush with the surface, making it nicer to use. The trackpad button works MUCH better than 15" PowerBook G4 (aluminum) buttons because Apple seems to have added 1 or more micro buttons so no matter where you push it it works. It seems that every time I used a 15" PB AL I would push the button in a spot where it would not be recognized. OH yeah, WINDOWS you can install windows XP (as I did) and run those PC only titles.

ONE MAJOR FACTOR!
This things is a crowd pleaser, I love showing it off! Clients and friends love seeing it! I really like having "the best model" so I can feel confident when I meet with my clients, It's kind of like having a Hummer... except for the overcompensating thing...

On a side note, this computer did come with a few of the known MBP issues including, just to prove they do (still) exist:

Distorted Sound from right speaker - Apple has replaced my Speakers, Motherboard and Sound card and it's still distorted (2-mail in repairs already!)
Whine noise from the processor? - Seems to have gone away with the replaced Motherboard
HEAT - when I first got it and after the first repair, when sitting on a table during normal use the case both top and bottom were reading about 115 deg F. After the motherboard was replaced it seems to be much cooler, more like the 12" was during formal use.

If you think you can deal with the size and other mentioned issues, it is a good computer. If you can wait until early 07' I think we may see some new computers/upgraded models roll in. Really if they offer a graphics card in the MacBooks, I think they will make alot of friends.

I don't understand what people want. If they want a small mac then the regular Macbook is a solid choice. I don't understand the need for anything smaller but still wanting pro features like a dedicated video card, etc.

macrule413 wrote:

Avari wrote:

I don't understand what people want. If they want a small mac then the regular Macbook is a solid choice. I don't understand the need for anything smaller but still wanting pro features like a dedicated video card, etc.

Have you ever owned a 12" PowerBook G4?

No smurf! I have 1GHz 12" and the last time I checked it had a dedicated video card.

It's not like the 12" models didn't sell extremely well.

Avari wrote:

I haven't owned either but i've seen and used both. Here are the differences in weight and size between the last 12 inch iBook and the current line of macbook.

PowerBook G4 (12-inch 1.5GHz) - Technical Specifications

    *  Height: 1.18 inches (3.0 cm)
    * Width: 10.9 inches (27.7 cm)
    * Depth: 8.6 inches (21.9 cm)
    * Weight: 4.6 pounds (2.1 kg)

MacBook - Technical Specifications

    * Height: 1.08 inches (2.75 cm)
    * Width: 12.78 inches (32.5 cm)
    * Depth: 8.92 inches (22.7 cm)
    * Weight: 5.2 pounds (2.36 kg)

The MacBook is bigger then the last 12" powerbook by....

    * Height: 0.10 inches
    * Width: 1.88 inches
    * Depth: 0.32 inches
    * Weight: 0.6 pounds


Keep in mind the FX5200 has to be one of the worst video cards in terms of playing games or any graphic rendering. The GMA 950 in the MacBook is 10X better even sharing system memory. With processor power there isn't even a comparison from a G4 to a Core chip. The only thing your really getting size wise is 1.88 inches more in the width which affords a lot higher resolution wide screen display. The height and depth are trivial, is the width and half a pound really that earth shattering?

I don't think, anyone thinks that the 12" PowerBook is equal or more powerfull than a new MacBook or MacBook Pro, that's why we want to upgrade to one of these! The problem we have is that we want the pro features in a small case just like our 12" PowerBook had some of the 15" powerBook G4 features. (yes even the same Aluminum case counts as a feature) People who keep comparing the 12" PB G4 features to the new laptops are grasping for facts to help their argument. The fact is us 12" PowerBook G4 owners could openly brag that we had the smallest apple laptop and it was a PRO model. I guess we just want to feel special! For me tech wise if there was a Black MacBook with a DEDICATED graphics card I would have  purchased it but I instead went to a 15" MBP. I don't just upgrade to have the "latest" when I upgrade I do it to gain performance and features that were not available on my old model PERIOD.

macrule413 wrote:

I don't think, anyone thinks that the 12" PowerBook is equal or more powerfull than a new MacBook or MacBook Pro, that's why we want to upgrade to one of these! The problem we have is that we want the pro features in a small case just like our 12" PowerBook had some of the 15" powerBook G4 features.

Yep, and the size is perfect.

Czachorski wrote:

tDot wrote:

Vaio VGNTX850PB

Sheesh - who is naming these things!?!  I can't want to run out and get my Sony....Vaoi....V....G...N....T...X...Eight....fif.....te.....p......b.  That's 12 fricken syllables. 

MacBook.  Now that's a name!

The PowerBook was a much better name though. It conveyed "POWER" and was cooler sounding, manly. I know, this has been covered at nauseam but I can't help myself.

macrule413 wrote:

Avari wrote:

I haven't owned either but i've seen and used both. Here are the differences in weight and size between the last 12 inch iBook and the current line of macbook.

PowerBook G4 (12-inch 1.5GHz) - Technical Specifications

    *  Height: 1.18 inches (3.0 cm)
    * Width: 10.9 inches (27.7 cm)
    * Depth: 8.6 inches (21.9 cm)
    * Weight: 4.6 pounds (2.1 kg)

MacBook - Technical Specifications

    * Height: 1.08 inches (2.75 cm)
    * Width: 12.78 inches (32.5 cm)
    * Depth: 8.92 inches (22.7 cm)
    * Weight: 5.2 pounds (2.36 kg)

The MacBook is bigger then the last 12" powerbook by....

    * Height: 0.10 inches
    * Width: 1.88 inches
    * Depth: 0.32 inches
    * Weight: 0.6 pounds


Keep in mind the FX5200 has to be one of the worst video cards in terms of playing games or any graphic rendering. The GMA 950 in the MacBook is 10X better even sharing system memory. With processor power there isn't even a comparison from a G4 to a Core chip. The only thing your really getting size wise is 1.88 inches more in the width which affords a lot higher resolution wide screen display. The height and depth are trivial, is the width and half a pound really that earth shattering?

I don't think, anyone thinks that the 12" PowerBook is equal or more powerfull than a new MacBook or MacBook Pro, that's why we want to upgrade to one of these! The problem we have is that we want the pro features in a small case just like our 12" PowerBook had some of the 15" powerBook G4 features. (yes even the same Aluminum case counts as a feature) People who keep comparing the 12" PB G4 features to the new laptops are grasping for facts to help their argument. The fact is us 12" PowerBook G4 owners could openly brag that we had the smallest apple laptop and it was a PRO model. I guess we just want to feel special! For me tech wise if there was a Black MacBook with a DEDICATED graphics card I would have  purchased it but I instead went to a 15" MBP. I don't just upgrade to have the "latest" when I upgrade I do it to gain performance and features that were not available on my old model PERIOD.

What do you need a dedicated video card for? What "Pro" features are you looking for exactly?

macrule413 wrote:

It's true, the MacBook is a very good computer for the average home and office user but those like me who require the features of a 15" MacBook Pro in the space of a 12" PowerBook G4 we feel left out! Even though we are a smaller percentage of the population there is no doubt that we are out here. So everyone out there who is wating for apple to release a full featured Sub-Notebook why not post your minimum specs here and see which points we all seem to agree on!

I REQUIRE the following:

At-least: 100GB Hard Drive
512mb-1GB of minimum ram
SuperDrive
Intel Core Duo or Core 2 Duo running at 1.83Ghz or higher
Full Blown PCI-Express or similar Graphics card (i.e.. same graphics cards from the MacBook Pros) with atleast 256MB Ram
Size MUST be similar to a 12" PowerBook i.e. 12-13" display (widescreen or not)
MATTE SCREEN with the option for Glossy
Metal or Black plastic case
Good speakers
VGA/DVI/SVideo/Composite Out

I would appreciate
Optical Audio out/in
Express Card Slot
Backlit Keyboard

I don't need (may even make case smaller?):
Remote or infrared
iSight built in

This guy sounds like buzz light year.
Network connectivity is not mentioned. Apple wont be integrating VGA,SVideo, and definitely not Craposite Out. What 'high end' users uses composite video. No laptop has "good speakers," all the MBPros, and MBs have optical in and out. And what on earth would you do with 512mb-1gb or RAM. Shouldn't that say 1-3GB of RAM; Especial considering the graphics requirement you stated. Of course i don't even see the point in that kinda of graphics unless you're connecting to an external display, considering the size of the screen.

Really it's the crazy graphics requirement considering the size of the device you want. The RAM you are asking, and the HD size all say to me that you aren't doing graphics, gaming, video, or anything that would require that kinda of data thru put. I mean you would really want more HD and if it's graphics. And you would want more RAM if it were games. And you would want the most of both for video. And the absence of the iSight, and/or the IR wouldn't make a big enough difference to really effect the form factor.

He's got to be kidding.

Too small for newer parts?
Wouldn't be a suitable price?

I agree though, MacBooks need an option to make a video card upgrade.  And not just ati ATI stuff, nVidia cards too.

I don't get the need for a dedicated GPU. What exactly would you want it for in a sub notebook. People looking to play games or do any graphics work that requires a full blown GPU are not buying sub notebooks. If the profit really was there for apple, it would be an option. What in the future will you need a dedicated video card application wise that your not using now?