Macbook Vs Macbook Pro?

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planet10

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Re: Macbook Vs Macbook Pro?
« Reply #20 on: 4 Feb 2010, 08:37 pm »
If you don't need immediately, usually best to wait for second generation of any new Apple product.

If you don't need immediately, usually best to wait for second generation of ANY new product.

dave

chgolatin2

Re: Macbook Vs Macbook Pro?
« Reply #21 on: 11 Feb 2010, 11:50 pm »
Where is this internal music server??? :scratch:


  Another benifit of the new Mac is the internal music server. A sleeper in that dept. Wait until you try it compared to your CDP or DAC. Very very good.


charles

planet10

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Re: Macbook Vs Macbook Pro?
« Reply #22 on: 12 Feb 2010, 01:12 am »
iTunes. Preferences. Share your music.

dave

baldrick

Re: Macbook Vs Macbook Pro?
« Reply #23 on: 12 Feb 2010, 02:26 am »
However, when test driving a Macbook Pro, I had to wonder why my wrists had to rest on top of a rather uncomfortable sharp edge of aluminum.
While the sharp edge looks nice on an iMac, on the Macbook I guess I found one case where form was chosen over function.  Apple, please put a radius on those edges!

Your typing technique is incorrect.  Your wrists should not rest against any sharp edge - they should be airborne.


srb

Re: Macbook Vs Macbook Pro?
« Reply #24 on: 12 Feb 2010, 02:33 am »
Your typing technique is incorrect.  Your wrists should not rest against any sharp edge - they should be airborne.

It's correct for me.  It's comfortable, I experience no pain and can type 60wpm.  Sharp edges are for looks, not for function.  I don't want to feel sharp edges whether I'm typing or moving it to another spot on the table.
 
Steve

planet10

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Re: Macbook Vs Macbook Pro?
« Reply #25 on: 12 Feb 2010, 02:48 am »
I've had a few client's (wife too) complain about that, get one of these covers, http://www.speckproducts.com/

Besides protecting the laptop, and giving it a cool colour it creates an edge that is easier on those that hang their wrists over the edge.

dave

werd

Re: Macbook Vs Macbook Pro?
« Reply #26 on: 3 May 2010, 11:26 pm »
Hello folks

Just wandering how long the batteries last between charges on the Mac pros. They claim up to 10hrs on some models. Is this true or does it bag out in 2 or 3 hrs?

Bemopti123

Re: Macbook Vs Macbook Pro?
« Reply #27 on: 3 May 2010, 11:38 pm »
I've had a few client's (wife too) complain about that, get one of these covers, http://www.speckproducts.com/

Besides protecting the laptop, and giving it a cool colour it creates an edge that is easier on those that hang their wrists over the edge.

dave

The Speck covers are overrated.  I got one with my MacBook Pro 2009 May edition.  It is supposed to protect and yet, it does nothing about the dust particle and the like that gets in between the covers and the laptop aluminum shell.  At one point, one of these particles made a mark that is impossible to get rid off.  One thing it protects against are scratches. 

Bemopti123

Re: Macbook Vs Macbook Pro?
« Reply #28 on: 3 May 2010, 11:41 pm »
Hello folks

Just wandering how long the batteries last between charges on the Mac pros. They claim up to 10hrs on some models. Is this true or does it bag out in 2 or 3 hrs?


Mine is a 15" 2.66 with separate graphics card.  It does not last 10 hours how they claim.  Perhaps it pushes easily into the 3-4 territory.  It depends what sort of app you are using, as well as the intensity of the LED panel you are partial to.  When I do streaming via Netflix, it lasts less.  Also, when I use it as the main source for tunes via Itunes "home share" where the laptop has to stream out signal, it lasts less.  Never 10 hours. 

The smaller 13" ones, perhaps but at non realistic real world conditions. 

werd

Re: Macbook Vs Macbook Pro?
« Reply #29 on: 3 May 2010, 11:46 pm »

Mine is a 15" 2.66 with separate graphics card.  It does not last 10 hours how they claim.  Perhaps it pushes easily into the 3-4 territory.  It depends what sort of app you are using, as well as the intensity of the LED panel you are partial to.  When I do streaming via Netflix, it lasts less.  Also, when I use it as the main source for tunes via Itunes "home share" where the laptop has to stream out signal, it lasts less.  Never 10 hours. 

The smaller 13" ones, perhaps but at non realistic real world conditions.

ThanKs for that


D

Will2

Re: Macbook Vs Macbook Pro?
« Reply #30 on: 4 May 2010, 12:04 am »
Hello folks

Just wandering how long the batteries last between charges on the Mac pros. They claim up to 10hrs on some models. Is this true or does it bag out in 2 or 3 hrs?

I'm sitting on my MacBook now (not a MacBook Pro - but I assume those are better),  Advertised life was 7hrs and I regularly get 6hrs.  Just make sure you manage the battery properly - let it run down very low before recharging and recharge all the way.  Not sure if it makes a difference but my battery life is pretty good after a while.

Cheers
Will

werd

Re: Macbook Vs Macbook Pro?
« Reply #31 on: 4 May 2010, 12:15 am »
I'm sitting on my MacBook now (not a MacBook Pro - but I assume those are better),  Advertised life was 7hrs and I regularly get 6hrs.  Just make sure you manage the battery properly - let it run down very low before recharging and recharge all the way.  Not sure if it makes a difference but my battery life is pretty good after a while.

Cheers
Will

considering a mac pro. and the battery intrigues me, as pc laptop batteries calve relatively quickly.
For battery applications i would jsut be streaming into an outboard dac via usb.

skunark

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Re: Macbook Vs Macbook Pro?
« Reply #32 on: 4 May 2010, 01:59 am »
I'm not a mac guy, but a macbook pro gives you quite a bit of power especially when compared to a netbook.  I'd say that in terms of specs, it's only about $250-300 more than a comparably equipped PC laptop, and you do get some perks in no particular order:

1) aluminum unibody, if you care about flex etc.
2) insanely high resale value
3) option of running macos AND windows 7 with essentially no compatibility problems
4) nice multitouch glass track pad with multitouch that actually works, and works very well
5) a certain amount of prestige
6) excellent battery life because of the non-removable integrated battery, comparable to most extended battery life netbooks, but you get the power of a modest desktop replacement laptop.

I find points 4 and 6 most attractive to me but am holding out because of the new on the fly graphics switching that will be hitting the market soon plus core i5/i7 on the fly clock speed adjustments.  These two improvements will make PC laptops much more competitive, although I expect Apple to catch up in a year or two.

Don't forget to add the optical input/output for audio.  This is kinda huge for those interested in hi-rez music that don't want to spend the big bucks on a FW/USB DACs. 
FireWire 800 is also huge IMO especially if you have several drives and it's about twice as fast as USB drives (not a huge deal for streaming music or video, though).

More software focus differences includes:
* one source for drivers.. no more going to ATI/nVidia to get your graphics driver updates, Apple provides those along with other updates as well.   This even includes printers.
* Time Machine is probably one of the best back up solutions out there that comes "stock" on an OS.
* There are family prices for upgrading the OS, iLife and iWork.
* For the Linux fans, about anything you can run on Linux can also run on Mac natively.
* mail, iCal and address books that come with the OS are actually usable and there's support for gmail and other online solutions.

Bemopti123

Re: Macbook Vs Macbook Pro?
« Reply #33 on: 4 May 2010, 02:06 am »
BTW, even though I am an Apple supporter, do not buy into their "Unibody" theory.  They have been advertising it as something that will make the laptop flex something of history.  Not true, the side that has all the connector sockets, for power, for the mini display port, the USB is inherently weak due to the way the speaker section is connected to the power port.  In my case, I realized that there was a physical deformation after 1 month of purchase.  I showed it to some people at TekServe in NYC and a tec told me that it was something that they saw commonly, with "pulled" power plugs, which happen to be magnetic.

I did not bother to complain about it because it is a slight imperfection that does not affect the function of the laptop, but it is something to consider. 

BTW, the Apple MacBook Pro and the former, Powerbook lines are very long lived.  I am still using my really, dented, beat up 12" G4 laptop circa 2005.  It has slowed down considerably but it is a tank...with dent and everything else. 

skunark

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Re: Macbook Vs Macbook Pro?
« Reply #34 on: 4 May 2010, 02:27 am »
BTW, even though I am an Apple supporter, do not buy into their "Unibody" theory.  They have been advertising it as something that will make the laptop flex something of history.  Not true, the side that has all the connector sockets, for power, for the mini display port, the USB is inherently weak due to the way the speaker section is connected to the power port.  In my case, I realized that there was a physical deformation after 1 month of purchase.  I showed it to some people at TekServe in NYC and a tec told me that it was something that they saw commonly, with "pulled" power plugs, which happen to be magnetic.

I did not bother to complain about it because it is a slight imperfection that does not affect the function of the laptop, but it is something to consider. 

BTW, the Apple MacBook Pro and the former, Powerbook lines are very long lived.  I am still using my really, dented, beat up 12" G4 laptop circa 2005.  It has slowed down considerably but it is a tank...with dent and everything else.

Can you post the image of the power connector?    I've never seen it deform on mine but I have seen the connector on the 17" and it appears more solid.   For me as long as the MBP port is fine I can handle the cord deforming if I'm in a hurry...
« Last Edit: 4 May 2010, 04:00 am by skunark »

Bemopti123

Re: Macbook Vs Macbook Pro?
« Reply #35 on: 4 May 2010, 04:46 am »
I will post it tomorrow, for the world to see. :thumb:

Bemopti123

Re: Macbook Vs Macbook Pro?
« Reply #36 on: 4 May 2010, 11:57 pm »
Can you post the image of the power connector?    I've never seen it deform on mine but I have seen the connector on the 17" and it appears more solid.   For me as long as the MBP port is fine I can handle the cord deforming if I'm in a hurry...

As promised....





For a larger image, go to my gallery.


srb

Re: Macbook Vs Macbook Pro?
« Reply #37 on: 5 May 2010, 12:14 am »
As promised....




Was it actually the magnetic power plug that caused the deformation?  The port that seems to be tweaked is the RJ-45 LAN port to the right of it, which is a locking connector that won't release if the network cable is pulled.
 
Still, one wouldn't expect that from a case milled from a solid block of aluminum, but I guess the resulting thickness of material is thin enough that it might as well have been stamped from a sheet of aluminum.
 
Steve

Bemopti123

Re: Macbook Vs Macbook Pro?
« Reply #38 on: 5 May 2010, 02:06 am »
Steve:

The weirdest thing is that I have NEVER used a LAN cable, thus the deformation is either an original defect I did not realize existed until months later OR, that section of the Unibody is effectively weak, how you well said due to the thickness. 

The magnetic power cord as being the culprit was something that was told to me by a rep at TekServe here in NYC, when she showed it to a tech behind the counter. 

It matters not, you do not even want to see my PB G4 12"...it is a laptop off from MadMax and it troops on.  Dents, scratches, falls and all.  Incredible. 

Hopefully my Unibody will outlast it.   :thumb:

skunark

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Re: Macbook Vs Macbook Pro?
« Reply #39 on: 5 May 2010, 02:23 am »
As promised....





For a larger image, go to my gallery.

Thanks for sharing the photo.  That is pretty wild.  My first thought was perhaps you dropped it, but there's no signs in that picture that was the case.   I will say out of the two mac laptops I own (one unibody) I've never seen that.   If by any chance you live in a town that has an Apple Store I would probably encourage you to take it in and ask them to make sure there's not an issue around that area.  I would still expect it to be caused by cable force but perhaps it's actually a thermal issue.