New Apple Laptops

[beesonthewhatnow]

Again, coming at it from an audio pov no firewire and only 2 USB ports is gonna suck more than Dysons finest - audio interface on one socket, controller on another, external drive with all your sample data on..... errrr...... hang on a sec....

And before you say "use a hub" quite a lot of audio interfaces go batshit if you use them via one.

 

[Orang Utan]

Doesn't look that different to my MacBook - Crispy's OP might as well have been written in Klingon though. Firewire? GPU? Display port? I don't even know what he means by glossy screen and 'Big touchpad which clicks down for a button press'? But then I have IT learning difficulties.

 

[Orang Utan]

You may feel that, but for the vast majority of users, a proper mouse is far more efficient than a trackpad. That's why just about everyone uses them on their desktops.

I don't have one and don't miss it - it's not very practical as I actually tend to use my laptop on my actual lap

 

[asbestos]

The old MBP may of had an extra FW 400 port, but it was still sharing the same bus as the 800 port. I can understand people getting pissed of with apple dropping FW from the MacBook, but it's obviously apples way of distinguishing the 'Pro' line. For 'Pro's' that don't want to daisy chain their Cameras/Audio devices through their FW hardrives (remember the old MBP and the new ones only have one FW bus, despite the old 2 v new 1 socket). Then a firewire express card adapter is the way to go. (if you need to have more than 2 firewire devices (or 2 or more FW harddrives) running off the machine at the same time.

And for anyone thinking apple are going to be dropping Firewire soon, I doubt it (see http://firewire3200.com/)

My problem is the glossy screen, although I will need to see one in the flesh to make up my mind.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Is there anyone who likes these new style glossy screens? I don't think I've met anyone that prefers them to the traditional type...

 

[editor]

In the right lighting, glossy screens look fantastic. The trouble is that in the wrong lighting they're fuckign awful.

 

[asbestos]

Is there anyone who likes these new style glossy screens? I don't think I've met anyone that prefers them to the traditional type...

I remember going in to John Lewis years ago and seeing all these peecee laptops with ridiculous glossy screens, I thought 'what the fucks that all about...?'
Then a few years ago I noticed that the 'glossy' look was a bto option from the apple store, and I thought to myself 'who the fuck is going to want that?'

seems i'm getting old...

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

In the right lighting, glossy screens look fantastic. The trouble is that in the wrong lighting they're fuckign awful.

It's like looking into a mirror half the time.

 

[john x]

Again, coming at it from an audio pov no firewire and only 2 USB ports is gonna suck more than Dysons finest

The boy is right.

I use a couple of MOTU Ultralites and FW is the only data connection available.

So Apple want me to spend £1700 on a new Macbook and then another £900 on new audio interfaces?

I don't think so!

And before I moved over from the dark side, I had a top of the range VAIO with a shiny screen, and it looked awful!

john x

 

[asbestos]

The boy is right.

I use a couple of MOTU Ultralites and FW is the only data connection available.

So Apple want me to spend £1700 on a new Macbook and then another £900 on new audio interfaces?

£1700 will get you the top of the range MacBook Pro, which includes a FW800 port (as I mentioned above, the older MBP had an extra FW400 port but they both ran off the same bus anyway).

If you need more than 1 FW port (you can always daisychain with some equipment) Then use the express card slot, you can add FW400 + FW800 and/or USB2 for about £30/£40...

 

[EastEnder]

Where's pk?

This is boring! I want to see some dogged pro-Mac intransigence!

It's just not the same without him...

 

[Vintage Paw]

Crispy - I've seen the refurbs, but what do they do with all the old stock that didn't sell before the roll out of new stuff? Is it likely I might still find a deal at a reseller or even by calling Apple. I want the old black MB.

 

[onemonkey]

i don't think plugging in a mouse is strong enough justification for having an extra usb socket.

the point of the touch pad is that you are trying to do away with the need to ever have an external mouse.. admitting that you've failed is... well.. a failure.

and if really want an external mouse get a wireless one.

 

[tarannau]

You may feel that, but for the vast majority of users, a proper mouse is far more efficient than a trackpad. That's why just about everyone uses them on their desktops.

Look, you're going to have to believe me here. I'm a bloke who bought an expensive wireless mouse for my laptop in preparation, yet have linked it up about twice in a few years. The multittouch on the trackpads is a real boon - indeed I'd actually argue that it's easier/swifter to use than a mouse in some cases - general web browsing, for example, really benefits from the two finger scroll motion that Crispy talked about. It's something I miss when I use a mouse, let alone another laptop without the multitouch.

 

[Pie 1]

indeed I'd actually argue that it's easier/swifter to use than a mouse in some cases - general web browsing, for example, really benefits from the two finger scroll motion that Crispy talked about.

They're good for low level use & the scrolling is great, but I still take a mighty mouse on location - trackpads are useless for fast photoshopping & other image work.

 

[editor]

Look, you're going to have to believe me here. I'm a bloke who bought an expensive wireless mouse for my laptop in preparation, yet have linked it up about twice in a few years.

The Eee has two-fnger scroll too, and it's rather good. But, again, to the vast majority of users, a mouse is far more efficient for prolonged work - especially if it's a Logitech one with autoscroll, back/forward buttons, customisable commands etc.

As Pie1 says, trackpads can be hard work for some tasks. I'd hate to only have a trackpad if I was working in Photoshop or editing code.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

The Eee has two-fnger scroll too, and it's rather good. But, again, to the vast majority of users, a mouse is far more efficient for prolonged work - especially if it's a Logitech one with autoscroll, back/forward buttons, customisable commands etc.

As Pie1 says, trackpads can be hard work for some tasks. I'd hate to only have a trackpad if I was working in Photoshop or editing code.

I imagine using Logic or Pro Tools without a proper mouse would be a pretty painful process as well.

 

[Chz]

Looks like they've also shrunk the batteries. Anandtech.com claims the new MBPs have a 50WHr battery versus the old ones with 60, and the new MB has 45 versus 55. I'm sure there's power savings to make the battery life similar, but why can't they just leave it be and give us increased battery life?

 

[john x]

I imagine using Logic or Pro Tools without a proper mouse would be a pretty painful process as well.

Not really! It's like anything. You get used to using what you have.

john x

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Not really! It's like anything. You get used to using what you have

If I'm doing something in a professional context there's no way I'd use it simply "using what I have", I want it to be operating in as an efficient manner as possible. Anything that slows down my workflow is costing me money...

 

[Vintage Paw]

My local reseller had some of the old top end MBs in stock. I got money off, and a nice sleeve for it.

Yes, I'm using it now.

No problems with the glossy screen so far. Just put the lights on behind me too, and no reflections I can notice. I'm not going to be using it for my photo work anyway, I'll keep the iMac for that, so I can't see it being a problem. I'm not a huge fan of the glossy though. It's weird

The guy in the shop was thoroughly excited about the new stock arriving later today, but was quite candid when he said the only changes really were the graphics card, the superdrive on all models, and the loss of port. Oh, and the design, but that doesn't float my boat anyway. So all-in-all, waste of money for such a small update. I'd have waited for the next bigger (I assume) update next year, but I really needed a laptop now. It was painful paying for it, but I'm glad I've got it now

 

[Crispy]

A friend of mine with a long history of impulsive purchases has ordered a New macbook. I will report on it

 

[tarannau]

I'm sure it'll be a lovely enough machine, but as with all new Apple product generations I'm pretty sure the next model will be considerably better. When are processors with significantly more grunt appearing for example?

(said the man typing on the first MBP, with Core Duo and significantly reduced battery life. I never knew I was only missing out on a 3rd USB port until this thread)

 

[ChrisFilter]

For what it's worth, I like glossy screens.

 

[tarannau]

Not a great fan myself, but the glass screens on the imacs look fairly lovely. It's been rumoured that the ones on the MBP aren't quite as 'obvious' as the others as well, but I'm not sure if that's true.

 

[ChrisFilter]

Not a great fan myself, but the glass screens on the imacs look fairly lovely. It's been rumoured that the ones on the MBP aren't quite as 'obvious' as the others as well, but I'm not sure if that's true.

All the designers here have glossy imacs and they reckon they're as good as traditional screen coating.

 

[Iam]

I think the glossy screens are fine for home use. They get a little irritating (glarey) in an office under strip lights, imo.

I like the new MBs, but I'm still thinking of getting an Air in January (already have a year-old MBP).

 

[skyscraper101]

I had a go on the new Macbooks (and pros) in Micro Anvika yesterday. I liked the single surface trackpad that clicks. Otherwise I wasn't all that impressed. I don't like the mis mash of black and silver. It would have looked much better being all silver, or all black IMO.

I was more impressed actually with the new bluetooth mini keyboards that have been released

 

[Vintage Paw]

Yeah, so it's great having a nice new fresh machine, but it's a pain downloading and installing all your programs

I shall mostly be viewing this thread as a way to talk about my new baby

Just got to think of a name now

 

[Vintage Paw]

I had a go on the new Macbooks (and pros) in Micro Anvika yesterday. I liked the single surface trackpad that clicks. Otherwise I wasn't all that impressed. I don't like the mis mash of black and silver. It would have looked much better being all silver, or all black IMO.

I was more impressed actually with the new bluetooth mini keyboards that have been released

Been using one of the (non-bluetooth) style keyboards for a few months now with my iMac and it's lovely. It's such a smooth typing experience. Glad the old MBs have the same type (although I'm still getting used to having to move my right hand a few more millimetres to the right to hit enter and delete )