Apple: Hardware News and Discussion Thread
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From: Not Las Vegas (SF Bay Area)
What's a MacBook Air to do in the case of a software emergency without an internal or external optical drive? Well, Apple's thankfully considered that situation, and has included a Software Reinstall USB drive with both the 11-inch and 13-inch models. As a bonus, it also makes an attractive addition to a keychain or necklace.
Sanest Florida Man
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From: Florida
So about this Mac App Store 70/30 split. I think it's going to cause some popular apps not to be in the store not that that's a problem really but I don't see Adobe or Microsoft giving Apple a 30% cut on the sale of CS5 or Office. Maybe they'll put free trials of their software on the store but giving Apple a few hundred bucks on every sale of CS5 suite I don't think so. The iOS app store deals with apps that are usually $5 or less so it's not that big of a cost for the convenience offered but tens or hundreds of dollars is a different story for the same service.
Sanest Florida Man
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From: Florida
and yeah i'm interested in facetime for mac and I do expect it for windows. I'd like skype or live messenger to pickup the technology though, I don't like having to have separate apps for each service. I'm sure facetime will be part of iChat in 10.7
So about this Mac App Store 70/30 split. I think it's going to cause some popular apps not to be in the store not that that's a problem really but I don't see Adobe or Microsoft giving Apple a 30% cut on the sale of CS5 or Office. Maybe they'll put free trials of their software on the store but giving Apple a few hundred bucks on every sale of CS5 suite I don't think so. The iOS app store deals with apps that are usually $5 or less so it's not that big of a cost for the convenience offered but tens or hundreds of dollars is a different story for the same service.
Sanest Florida Man
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From: Florida
Meh, I got the 2.4ghz core i5 and I'm happy with the speed
here's a good article to read
http://www.anandtech.com/show/3659/a...the-one-to-get
here's a good article to read
If performance matters to you, this is the MacBook Pro you've been waiting for. While I don't believe owners of the previous generation unibody need to upgrade, if you've got an older notebook this is the one to get.
The new model isn't without its drawbacks however. The most obvious of which being price. At $1799, even the cheapest 15-inch MacBook Pro is very expensive. You're paying for the design, build quality and ultimately the right to use OS X. If those things don't matter to you (particularly the OS X item) then you'd be much better off with an ASUS or Dell. The only consolation here is that the 2.4GHz Core i5 is fast enough if you thought the previous generation was quick. While I'm not sure about the 2.53GHz Core i5, the i7 is definitely worth it if you plan on keeping the machine for a while. I originally stated that I didn't believe the i7 to be worth the upgrade. Since then I managed to get my hands on an i7 system and noted its greater-than-expected performance; my conclusion has been updated to reflect that. The 22% increase in total system cost comes with a 11 - 15% increase in performance in most CPU intensive applications thanks to the extra clock speed and cache.
The new model isn't without its drawbacks however. The most obvious of which being price. At $1799, even the cheapest 15-inch MacBook Pro is very expensive. You're paying for the design, build quality and ultimately the right to use OS X. If those things don't matter to you (particularly the OS X item) then you'd be much better off with an ASUS or Dell. The only consolation here is that the 2.4GHz Core i5 is fast enough if you thought the previous generation was quick. While I'm not sure about the 2.53GHz Core i5, the i7 is definitely worth it if you plan on keeping the machine for a while. I originally stated that I didn't believe the i7 to be worth the upgrade. Since then I managed to get my hands on an i7 system and noted its greater-than-expected performance; my conclusion has been updated to reflect that. The 22% increase in total system cost comes with a 11 - 15% increase in performance in most CPU intensive applications thanks to the extra clock speed and cache.
Last edited by #1 STUNNA; Oct 20, 2010 at 02:56 PM.
Sanest Florida Man
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Florida
yes, so would either of the core i5.
Are you gonna get the hi res anti-glare screen? Personally I don't like the glossy screens and really enjoy not having to worry about lighting with this screen.
Are you gonna get the hi res anti-glare screen? Personally I don't like the glossy screens and really enjoy not having to worry about lighting with this screen.
so mad 
Earth-bound misfit
Joined: Mar 2006
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So desperately excited to improve performance.
Sanest Florida Man
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 45,986
Likes: 11,772
From: Florida
Sanest Florida Man
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 45,986
Likes: 11,772
From: Florida
Earth-bound misfit
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 31,704
Likes: 608
I've missed some detail that was still showing in shadows that I thought I'd crushed when I used a screen that was too contrasty.
I understand you bald guys get used to the glare, though.
<---married to a sexy bald guy
I understand you bald guys get used to the glare, though.
<---married to a sexy bald guy
I miss my 03 CL-S :(
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Washington, DC
Well I'm disappointed. My 1st gen MBA is a 1.8GHz C2D with 2GB RAM and a 64GB SSD. The new top of the line MBA has the same CPU, same amount of RAM, and just more storage. Seriously? 2 years go by and no CPU/RAM upgrade? No thanks.
Meh, I got the 2.4ghz core i5 and I'm happy with the speed
here's a good article to read
http://www.anandtech.com/show/3659/a...the-one-to-get
here's a good article to read
http://www.anandtech.com/show/3659/a...the-one-to-get
my i5 15" w/ anti-glare.
nnInn
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http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/20...imped-cpus.ars
I miss my 03 CL-S :(
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,140
Likes: 445
From: Washington, DC
This might help you understand, if not you better hide for bad mouthing an Apple product.
http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/20...imped-cpus.ars
http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/20...imped-cpus.ars
That said, the new MBAs allow up to 4GB of RAM ($100 more) - this wasn't an option on the previous one. That's a plus.
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Bought my Dad a 15.6 Dell Studio last night.
I really love Apple, but it was $800 difference (plus a wi-fi printer) that I couldn't justify for the MBAP.
I pulled two frames and compared side-by-side. From the i5 core and 4GB, 500 SATA HD, backlight keyboard, top-of-line screen... everything was tit-for-tat.
Also Dell provides (for $25) a 50% buy-back program.
All he does is email and surf, so the Dell is probably an overkill.
I want the MBPro to sport a 17in retina screen with a chip unit running over 3ghz. and instant on flash for $1500.
Ain't going to happen.
I really love Apple, but it was $800 difference (plus a wi-fi printer) that I couldn't justify for the MBAP.
I pulled two frames and compared side-by-side. From the i5 core and 4GB, 500 SATA HD, backlight keyboard, top-of-line screen... everything was tit-for-tat.
Also Dell provides (for $25) a 50% buy-back program.
All he does is email and surf, so the Dell is probably an overkill.
I want the MBPro to sport a 17in retina screen with a chip unit running over 3ghz. and instant on flash for $1500.
Ain't going to happen.
Team Owner
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From: Jersey
Cool, the Dell Studio thread is right over here https://acurazine.com/forums/technology-16/official-internet-computer-security-news-discussion-thread-795482/
Banned
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Cool, the Dell Studio thread is right over here https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=795482
Administrator Alumnus
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From: Northwest IN
So what are people's thoughts on these new airs? I don't see the lack of a processor bump as being THAT huge of an issue... The flash controllers will more than compensate for any "lack" of horsepower u[grade. Faster RAM, IIRC too...
Dunno, for a grand or just north, seems like a decent deal. If the current 13" MBPs only had a better screen resolution, I'd be all over that.
Dunno, for a grand or just north, seems like a decent deal. If the current 13" MBPs only had a better screen resolution, I'd be all over that.
Team Owner
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From: Jersey
Hard for me to justify an air over a similarly priced MBP. I do want to check them out at the store though. Maybe the 11" would be good for my 8 year old. She needs a new machine but I'm not sure if I want her on a laptop instead of a desktop. I'm also wondering if an iPad would be good for an 8 year old. I'm concerned about laptop/ipad getting broken.
Administrator Alumnus
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From: Northwest IN
Hard for me to justify an air over a similarly priced MBP. I do want to check them out at the store though. Maybe the 11" would be good for my 8 year old. She needs a new machine but I'm not sure if I want her on a laptop instead of a desktop. I'm also wondering if an iPad would be good for an 8 year old. I'm concerned about laptop/ipad getting broken.
The lightweight MBA is appealing. Having used a MBP with an SSD, it makes me drool. Even if you go with the least expensive MBP and add an SSD, you're more expensive. But that expense does give you "more"; faster processor, more ports, etc. Comes down to needs.
My computing needs have changed quite a bit. If this were ten years ago, I'd go with a MBP all day. But lightweight is where it's at for me these days and I don't need an optical drive 99.5% of the time. Only thing that may bite me with a MBA is the lack of a wired NIC.
The Third Ball
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Los Angeles, Ca
As dumb as it may sound the only way an ipad is going to break is if it gets dropped (sans spilling water in the 30-pin port). Laptop has hinges, etc. I'd go for something portable, regardless.
The lightweight MBA is appealing. Having used a MBP with an SSD, it makes me drool. Even if you go with the least expensive MBP and add an SSD, you're more expensive. But that expense does give you "more"; faster processor, more ports, etc. Comes down to needs.
My computing needs have changed quite a bit. If this were ten years ago, I'd go with a MBP all day. But lightweight is where it's at for me these days and I don't need an optical drive 99.5% of the time. Only thing that may bite me with a MBA is the lack of a wired NIC.
The lightweight MBA is appealing. Having used a MBP with an SSD, it makes me drool. Even if you go with the least expensive MBP and add an SSD, you're more expensive. But that expense does give you "more"; faster processor, more ports, etc. Comes down to needs.
My computing needs have changed quite a bit. If this were ten years ago, I'd go with a MBP all day. But lightweight is where it's at for me these days and I don't need an optical drive 99.5% of the time. Only thing that may bite me with a MBA is the lack of a wired NIC.
The only reason I have a 13" MBP instead of an MBA is because my photography when I travel. Otherwise I would have had an Air a long time ago...BUT that said...everything I might use on a MBA (sans photo processing) can also be accomplished on an iPad.
The line really gets blurred...I honestly see the ipad and the mba as lifestyle machines at the moment. great devices...but luxury devices.
Go Giants
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From: PA
The only reason I have a 13" MBP instead of an MBA is because my photography when I travel. Otherwise I would have had an Air a long time ago...BUT that said...everything I might use on a MBA (sans photo processing) can also be accomplished on an iPad.
The line really gets blurred...I honestly see the ipad and the mba as lifestyle machines at the moment. great devices...but luxury devices.
The line really gets blurred...I honestly see the ipad and the mba as lifestyle machines at the moment. great devices...but luxury devices.
Team Owner
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From: Jersey
Isn't there a lot more apps available for the iPad than the mac? For you guys that have both what do you think is better for kids under 10? There are a lot of nice mac options in the refurb store for around $1000.
well the mac app store has not launched yet. but app store is not the only way to get applications on a mac, unlike Ipad.