Apple updates Macbook Pro lineup

[Ethan3.14159]

Macbook Pro

Awesome update. All have at least 4GB of RAM and 8 hour battery life. Plus new Nvidia GPU's. Now the 15" models have optional 1680 x 1050 resolution.

I'm going to sell my 13" Macbook Pro quick, and grab one of the new 15" models.

 

[Drenlin]

Well would you look at that...they can now compete with a $1k Asus.

It's about time they updated the 15" screens, IMO...1440x900 on an IPS is pretty awful. 1680x1050 is much more respectable.

edit: What the heck? On the 2.4GHz model it costs more to upgrade to the 7200RPM 500GB hard drive than it does to get the glossy screen upgrade. I'd like to see what kind of discount they're getting on those screens!

 

[Ethan3.14159]

Well would you look at that...they can now compete with a $1k Asus.

Ridiculous statement is ridiculous.

Which $1,000 Asus has 9 hour battery life with an i5 or i7 CPU, dedicated video card, multitouch, and aluminum unibody? We wouldn't want that cheap, plastic rubbish being compared to that now would we?

 

[Drenlin]

Ridiculous statement is ridiculous.

In terms of hardware. I'm not going to get into OS/X vs Win7...

edit: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+...lack/9741729.p?id=1218165344675&skuId=9741729
I was a bit off on the price, but I'd say that's pretty competitive. GPU/CPU/RAM all rape it, the screen is pretty decent, the drives are on par, and the chassis is magnesium.

On another note, it seems like the GPU upgrade is actually useful. I figured they'd just add the DX10.1 version, but no, they actually went with a more powerful card. Granted, the 330m isn't THAT powerful, but it's better than the 9600...

 

[diduknowthat]

Ridiculous statement is ridiculous.

Which $1,000 Asus has 9 hour battery life with an i5 or i7 CPU, dedicated video card, multitouch, and aluminum unibody? We wouldn't want that cheap, plastic rubbish being compared to that now would we?

Only the 15"+ macbook pros have core i's, the 13" one is still on core 2 duo. But I agree, macbook pros are a lot better looking. My next laptop is probably going to be a macbook pro.

 

[iGeekOFComedy]

Someone find me a windows computer with a 9 hour battery if 15 / 17 or 10 hours if it's 13". Come on! Thats a awesome upgrade

 

[Geoff]

In terms of hardware. I'm not going to get into OS/X vs Win7...

edit: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+...lack/9741729.p?id=1218165344675&skuId=9741729
I was a bit off on the price, but I'd say that's pretty competitive. GPU/CPU/RAM all rape it, the screen is pretty decent, the drives are on par, and the chassis is magnesium.

On another note, it seems like the GPU upgrade is actually useful. I figured they'd just add the DX10.1 version, but no, they actually went with a more powerful card. Granted, the 330m isn't THAT powerful, but it's better than the 9600...

For an extra $600 I would much rather have the Mac. It has superior battery life, over 3x as long, much better display, and a sleeker and more durable chassis.

 

[speedyink]

If I was gonna spend that kind of money on a laptop i'd want this one

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834127064

 

[tlarkin]

Ridiculous statement is ridiculous.

Which $1,000 Asus has 9 hour battery life with an i5 or i7 CPU, dedicated video card, multitouch, and aluminum unibody? We wouldn't want that cheap, plastic rubbish being compared to that now would we?

No, no, using facts to debate a Macs value is not allowed. Remember it is all about 3dMark scores! Duh

 

[iGeekOFComedy]

If I was gonna spend that kind of money on a laptop i'd want this one

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834127064

Ok so you want a widescreen laptop, what about if you ever photoshop or video edit in your adobe suite or the whole craptastic vegas thing. oh i forgot you don't need a timeline /sarcasm

 

[tlarkin]

In terms of hardware. I'm not going to get into OS/X vs Win7...

edit: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+...lack/9741729.p?id=1218165344675&skuId=9741729
I was a bit off on the price, but I'd say that's pretty competitive. GPU/CPU/RAM all rape it, the screen is pretty decent, the drives are on par, and the chassis is magnesium.

On another note, it seems like the GPU upgrade is actually useful. I figured they'd just add the DX10.1 version, but no, they actually went with a more powerful card. Granted, the 330m isn't THAT powerful, but it's better than the 9600...

I don't know why I even bother....but going off of the specs listed on best buy's site, these are the features this laptops is missing

IPS Screen
no A radio support for wireless
No multi touch track pad
No SMS (sudden motion sensor)
no back lit keyboard
no ambient light sensor
no firewire
no firewire 800
2.5 hour battery life
over 2 inches thick, where the MBP is just under 1" thick
no aluminum unibody
It lists the weight as 7.5 lbs on that Asus

So yeah dude, they are totally comparable.....

 

[bomberboysk]

Ridiculous statement is ridiculous.

Which $1,000 Asus has 9 hour battery life with an i5 or i7 CPU, dedicated video card, multitouch, and aluminum unibody? We wouldn't want that cheap, plastic rubbish being compared to that now would we?

Which $1000 apple has all that? The $1000 macbook is made of plastic, and the $1200 mbp has a core 2 duo. However, i'd still get a 15" mbp in a heartbeat if i had the money, great notebooks and hold their value better than most other notebooks.

 

[Geoff]

If I was gonna spend that kind of money on a laptop i'd want this one

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834127064

I fail to see how that is better, the specs look similar but still has a worse battery and display. Not to mention it just looks bad, I mean come on, why does everyone insist in plastering stickers all over their laptops?

I don't know why I even bother....but going off of the specs listed on best buy's site, these are the features this laptops is missing

IPS Screen
no A radio support for wireless
No multi touch track pad
No SMS (sudden motion sensor)
no back lit keyboard
no ambient light sensor
no firewire
no firewire 800
2.5 hour battery life
over 2 inches thick, where the MBP is just under 1" thick
no aluminum unibody
It lists the weight as 7.5 lbs on that Asus

So yeah dude, they are totally comparable.....

I completely agree with you, every time someone talk about a Mac someone comes back with "This Asus works just as well for $500 less", yet they fail to see what makes the Mac more expensive. Apple products always have several subtle things that make them great.

Which $1000 apple has all that? The $1000 macbook is made of plastic, and the $1200 mbp has a core 2 duo. However, i'd still get a 15" mbp in a heartbeat if i had the money, great notebooks and hold their value better than most other notebooks.

Same here. I have a 13" MB from work, but I still want one of these new MBP's.

 

[tlarkin]

That sony looks an awful lot like a Macbook, lol

 

[speedyink]

I fail to see how that is better, the specs look similar but still has a worse battery and display. Not to mention it just looks bad, I mean come on, why does everyone insist in plastering stickers all over their laptops?

Same performance in a smaller package and SSD hard drive were what interested me. Plus I don't think it looks bad at all, stickers do come off you know.

That sony looks an awful lot like a Macbook, lol

Yeah it kinda does, it's mostly the chiclet keyboard though i think.

 

[Geoff]

Same performance in a smaller package and SSD hard drive were what interested me. Plus I don't think it looks bad at all, stickers do come off you know.

I'd rather have a larger hard drive then a smaller SSD, personal opinion though.

 

[ian]

Well would you look at that...they can now compete with a $1k Asus.

It's about time they updated the 15" screens, IMO...1440x900 on an IPS is pretty awful. 1680x1050 is much more respectable.

edit: What the heck? On the 2.4GHz model it costs more to upgrade to the 7200RPM 500GB hard drive than it does to get the glossy screen upgrade. I'd like to see what kind of discount they're getting on those screens!

Forget the stats and numbers, it is only when you use the products that you get to see why some (NOT ALL) Apple products are so much better and worth the extra dollars.
As a windows mobile user for a long time, the apple iphone 3GS completely blows away those windows mobiles in my personal opinion. Yes, you can buy better spec, bigger screen, better camera, faster processor, better resolution windows mobile phones, but no way I would switch back to a windows mobile phone now. Everything just works so well on the iphone.
At the moment I am waiting to see what the IPAD will be like, and also hopefully a new Mac Air will be released soon. I would like to see them before I make any decision on my next laptop.
If I did get a Macbook Pro, it would probably be the base model 13".

 

[bomberboysk]

Same performance in a smaller package and SSD hard drive were what interested me. Plus I don't think it looks bad at all, stickers do come off you know.



Yeah it kinda does, it's mostly the chiclet keyboard though i think.

Its just an SSD, as it stands for solid state drive

 

[speedyink]

I'd rather have a larger hard drive then a smaller SSD, personal opinion though.

Well, SSD = More durable and much faster. I'd rather have that, should I need more space a 2.5" external or a 32 gb thumb drive would suffice. While the durability issue doesn't really apply to the macbook, the speed boost would definitely be nice.

Its just an SSD, as it stands for solid state drive

Lmao, you got me! Can't believe I made that mistake, lol.

 

[Geoff]

Well, SSD = More durable and much faster. I'd rather have that, should I need more space a 2.5" external or a 32 gb thumb drive would suffice. While the durability issue doesn't really apply to the macbook, the speed boost would definitely be nice.

The hard drive itself is, but it still doesn't mean you can drop the laptop. I know that SSD's are better the mechanical hard drives, but right now the price per GB is still too high, I would rather be able to fit everything I want on a 7200RPM hard drive then need to use external hard drives and thumb drives.