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Apple Unveils MacBook Pro with Core 2 Duo
daveschroeder writes "Apple has just announced the upgraded MacBook Pro (15.4- and 17-inch models) with the Intel Core 2 Duo ("Merom") 64-bit dual core processor. The standard hard drive sizes have been increased, a FireWire 800 port has been added to all models (again, reaffirming that FireWire, and specifically FireWire 800, is not dead, and that Apple responded to customer requests to add it to the 15.4-inch model), and the optical drive is now dual-layer-write-capable on all models."
Does anyone know if the new MacBook Pros will support the apt-get tools in the Fink distribution for OS X? I avoided the last revision because I read that the Core Duo CPU didn't have full hardware support for apt-get package management in the OS X Fink tools. I hope this has changed with the new Core 2 Duo chips. I'd like to apt-get install a MacBook Pro right now!
Have they fixed the batteries swelling up and popping out of the bottom of the machine yet? Kind of puts a damper on the whole "laptop" idea, although Dell pretty much has the market cornered on potentially-lethal computer technology. Lithium fires anyone?
...just catches up with my six month old Acer notebook that cost less money, with the exception of the processor (mine's a Core Duo, although the BIOS has been Core 2 Duo capable for months and I could put one in if I wanted to do so).
Once again proving that Macbooks are thoroughly overpriced and overrated.
New Features:
#1- Mac "Pro" users finally get in the 15" MacBook Pro what they've expected since the 17" drop in April: FW 800 and DL DVD+R...albeit at a slower speed.
#2- Mac "Pro" users finally get what every other major PC manufacturer has been giving their users for at least two (upwards of three) months: the Core 2. Christ Intel has been advertising the damn thing on TV!!!
#3- Mac "Pro" users finally get the privilege of spending nearly $800 more than a similarly configured Dell (and no, FW800 simply isn't a "compelling" feature). In other words, they could almost outfit TWO employees for the cost of ONE. Idiot accountants...always trying to be cheap.
Misses:
#1- No eSATA support. Because Mac "Pro" users are obviously stupid and can't read the specs that show that eSATA RAID enclosures kick the shit out of FW800. And of course no "Pro" users use eSATA, especially in video production (which, of course, we all know, is a field that has no Mac users).
#2- No built-in media card reader support. Jeez, couldn't Apple be nice enough to toss in a $5 ExpressCard/34 4-in-1 adapter in the box? No, that would have compromised their already razor thin 28 point margins...
#3- No "Pro" class support options. Then again, no "Pro" user really appreciates On-Site, 3year support contracts...we're PROS! We'll fix it ourselves with a paperclip and chewing gum!
#4- No competitively priced 15" model. Because the rest of the world selling those $1200 15" models are clueless...you really want a 13" screen. With a slower, generation-old CPU...and no expansion slot of any kind...and ho-hum GPU.
#5- No BTO 7200rpm drive option. Because Pros don't need that kind of performance...they just THINK DIFFERENT.
Scott
"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."
If Apple responded to its customers' requests, how come there are no left and right mouse buttons? It's still the single most annoying feature and you'd think it should be eliminated by now.
Full Tilt
I don't think so. I just hit the site, and an E1505 laptop with all the same vital specs (including better 15" display, though the video card is an X1400 instead of the X1600) comes out to be $1558. Where did you get your price figures from?
Maybe the rest of the world is missing this,
but my Thinkpad never runs beyond 50 degrees celcius while on maximum load.
An MacBook simply generates ridiculous amounts of heat with a ultra-low battery life. I don't know why you guys pay so much for such a badly designed laptop.
Of course, OSX is a fantastic operating system. But is the tradeoff really worth it, especially if it's a computer that is supposed to be a portable that you can place on your *lap*? *smirks*
http://kelvin.quee.org
Someone please tell me why is this important?
Did we post when Dell, HP or Lenovo released Core 2 Duos sometime last month I think?
Yeah I'll get modded down for this, but why does Slashdot hang on every single Apple product launch?
Oh look at the shiny white thing...
Give me a break.
Do you own damn research.