Apple Mac "Stuff".....

[graphicguy]

I know we've got some Mac fans in here.

I'm jonesing to replace my 2.5 year old MacBook Pro 17" with perhaps something a little smaller, and with better battery life. While mine will last between 2.5-3 hours. The new ones are supposed to last twice that long. Mine isn't the Core Duo2....just plain old Core DUO with 2 GB memory. It works...actually quite well. 120 GB HD, 2.16 GHz processor, separate ATI graphics accelerator with 256 MB on board (not shared).

gazelle.com doesn't even have one listed. What's this thing worth?

Also, anyone move to one of the new MacBook Pros? If so, thoughts?

I may move to the little one (13" screen). But, that may be too big of a step down. Perhaps 15.4" display would be better. Apple has some refurbs that look intriguing. I can also get my son's educational discount on a new one (for about $100 more than a refurb, even though they both have the same warranty.

[dvenardos]

Does the macbook come with a subwoofer? :biglaugh:

[ChrisJam]

I know we've got some Mac fans in here.

I'm jonesing to replace my 2.5 year old MacBook Pro 17" with perhaps something a little smaller, and with better battery life. While mine will last between 2.5-3 hours. The new ones are supposed to last twice that long. Mine isn't the Core Duo2....just plain old Core DUO with 2 GB memory. It works...actually quite well. 120 GB HD, 2.16 GHz processor, separate ATI graphics accelerator with 256 MB on board (not shared).

gazelle.com doesn't even have one listed. What's this thing worth?

Also, anyone move to one of the new MacBook Pros? If so, thoughts?

I may move to the little one (13" screen). But, that may be too big of a step down. Perhaps 15.4" display would be better. Apple has some refurbs that look intriguing. I can also get my son's educational discount on a new one (for about $100 more than a refurb, even though they both have the same warranty.

I have a MBP from early 2008. I love it. Got the glossy screen. So far I haven't thrown anything at it that it can't handle.

I'd find the 13" too small, I think. The 15" (I'm rounding off) is just right, IMHO.

G'luck and keep us posted.

Chris

P.S. My desktop machine is an older Mac tower--a dual G5 chipper with 2 gigs of RAM. This is my main computer. It'll be...hmm...three years old this coming August, I think, and it's still running strong.

I might replace it with a newer model in a year or so, assuming it doesn't die before then. I have it paired with a 20-inch Apple display, various peripherals, and it handles the house's wireless network great. Some web sites slow it down, so that's why I might upgrade in a year when more sites require more power. For now, I'm fine with it.

[dvenardos]

Macs don't die they are like the energizer bunny.

[graphicguy]

I kind of have my feet in both camps......windows for work, Apple for personal use. It pains me to use the windows machines....with all the security updates, overhead of virus software, how after about 4-5 months of use, things measurably slow down, etc.

I understand that some care must be taken with windows to make sure everything's protected, and up-to-date. But, those are things you rarely have to do with the MBP. Plus, things just WORK correctly with the MBP.

Apple's not without their faults. But, the extra money you spend for a MBP results in a much better built, and operating unit.

If I could get $600-$700 for my current MBP, I'd be willing to put up another $600-$700 for a new (or refurbished) current model.

I contacted gazelle.com to see what they'd give me for it, but haven't heard back from them, yet.

I've got my eyes set on a refurbished 15.4", 4GB RAM, 200GB HD, 2.4 GHz refurb MBP from APPLE at $1,350.

I'll let you know how this shakes out.

BTW....I was in the Apple store last night. One of my big complaints with my current MBP is the battery. It gets HOT! As such, it's swollen. That, in turn has affected the operation of the keyboard.

That's part of the reason I started looking at a current model MBP, with the understanding I'd have to buy a new battery, and a new keyboard. The warranty is long gone on my MBP. I expected a $200-$300 repair bill.

Instead, they said they had problems with the battery in these units. And, that they'd replace the battery and keyboard at no charge. I expected them to say, "no Apple Care, no coverage".

I need to take it in today to get the "fix" done. I'll see if I can parlay that into a discount on a new MBP.

[SnowmaNick]

I'm sorry for the off topic post, but uh......why is this in the subwoofer forum? :no clue:

[graphicguy]

I'm sorry for the off topic post, but uh......why is this in the subwoofer forum? :no clue:

Nick.....that's my fault. I thought I was in the general section when I posted. Apologies.:crap:

[Jason]

I love my 13" aluminum mb. The screen is fine for most stuff, and the extra portability is great.

I have run into some performance issues, but only when running parallels. I only have 2 gb of ram, though. Honestly, the only reason I have it was to see what all the hubbub was about Windows 7 so I don't ever use it.


As far as heat, I noticed that mine was a little warm after hours of use-not real bad though-but I still installed a fan control that ramps up the fan speed to keep the temps cooler.

Here's what iStat says right now:

[graphicguy]

I love my 13" aluminum mb. The screen is fine for most stuff, and the extra portability is great.

I have run into some performance issues, but only when running parallels. I only have 2 gb of ram, though. Honestly, the only reason I have it was to see what all the hubbub was about Windows 7 so I don't ever use it.


As far as heat, I noticed that mine was a little warm after hours of use-not real bad though-but I still installed a fan control that ramps up the fan speed to keep the temps cooler.

Here's what iStat says right now:

Jason....just came from the Apple Store. I've heard differing opinions about working with the Apple Store. Their manager (a fine looking young lady, I might add....and yes, that's a sexist comment) was very understanding and helpful. She's checking into giving me some consideration, based on the swelled battery issue, for a new MB or MBP. Won't know until Monday, when the powers that be are back to work.

In the meantime, she went ahead and replaced the keyboard and top shell (as it was deformed, too due to the battery issue) so I can use my current MBP until she gets an answer. Great customer service.

The new battery seems to be running a little "cooler", but still hot enough after about an hour that it's still a bit uncomfortable sitting in my lap. The manager and her techs feel that something else that must be going wrong, as it's unlikely that two batteries would have the same issue.

I looked at the 13" MBP. Those are quite nice. It costs about $200 more, but I like the extra real estate of the 15" MBP.

If you guys are still interested, I'll let you know the outcome.

[Jason]

If you guys are still interested, I'll let you know the outcome.

please do:yes:

[graphicguy]

please do:yes:

Thanks to whomever moved this to the correct place.:biglaugh:

Jason, I'll keep you posted. I'm officially on vacation until after July 4th, so I might not get to post as much, as I'm trying to ignore emails and doing anything on line. But, I know me. If I'm gone for long, the temptation to "catch up" will be strong.

[ChrisJam]

Thanks to whomever moved this to the correct place.:biglaugh:

Jason, I'll keep you posted. I'm officially on vacation until after July 4th, so I might not get to post as much, as I'm trying to ignore emails and doing anything on line. But, I know me. If I'm gone for long, the temptation to "catch up" will be strong.

I'm not Jason, but I'd like to know what happens, too.

FYI, my MBP's battery gets warm, never hot. I can have it in my lap with no problem.

It's always been possible to wrote malware for a Mac. It's just that no one really did, because Macs were only 3-5% of all personal computers. (I don't include MS Office macro viruses here.) Then Apple got popular again, and then started using Intel chips. I read a couple months ago about the first, big-time OS X virus (or worm or whatever...I forget). Though the odds of getting infected with a Mac are far lower than for Win users, it's worth it getting anti-virus software. I use Norton for Mac. Just my $.02.

Oh, and if you set up an Intel Mac with Win running on part of it, you have to be extra careful, because that side can get every Win piece of malware out there. The Mac side will be safe from it, with one exception, IIRC: there might be something written that would affect the system hardware, itself. I'm not a computer expert, so I'll stop here. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

That price you gave for the refurb 200-gig HD, 4-gig RAM, 15-inch MBP sounds great. Plus, you'll know you won't have a bad pixel (can happen to any computer company using LCD screens), and you'll get a warranty.

That deal would only be better if the pretty Apple manager tops it. G'luck with that.

And to finish on a male-piggish note, I've met seen some real hotties who've worked at Apple stores.

Chris

[KlipschHead281]

Jason....just came from the Apple Store. I've heard differing opinions about working with the Apple Store. Their manager (a fine looking young lady, I might add....and yes, that's a sexist comment) was very understanding and helpful. She's checking into giving me some consideration, based on the swelled battery issue, for a new MB or MBP. Won't know until Monday, when the powers that be are back to work.

In the meantime, she went ahead and replaced the keyboard and top shell (as it was deformed, too due to the battery issue) so I can use my current MBP until she gets an answer. Great customer service.

The new battery seems to be running a little "cooler", but still hot enough after about an hour that it's still a bit uncomfortable sitting in my lap. The manager and her techs feel that something else that must be going wrong, as it's unlikely that two batteries would have the same issue.

I looked at the 13" MBP. Those are quite nice. It costs about $200 more, but I like the extra real estate of the 15" MBP.

If you guys are still interested, I'll let you know the outcome.

I only have a few minutes but can give first hand comments about the new 17". It doesn't get that warm unless running a screen save or sitting on your lap. If using one of those laptop boards it runs very cool.

The 8 hour battery is more like 4 if used by an actual human being, not the way Apple thinks you should by lowering the display to squinting levels. Using OSX 10.5.7 works well on the system however Safari 4.0 sometimes crashes.

If you install Vista via Bootcamp Apple's implementation you'll like it all the way up until it hard locks on you when on batter power.

I called Apple they claim their hardware is perfect, since I don't live in their perfect world I have judge it in mine. Their drivers just aren't ready to handle Vista. Lets not turn this into an I hate Vista thread, I never have any issues on the 45 other machines running this OS, just my Mac.

So, take my comments at face value, I run an IT department and we like the Mac for what little we use it for. If you must run dual OS's on it you will be dissapointed at some point on the new 17".

My MacBook Air runs OSX/Vista flawlessly.

Gotta go, I'll try and answer more specific questions later if you guys have any.

[persisting1]

The bad thing about the new 17" MBP is that the battery is no longer removable.

On the other hand, Apples custom lithium polymer battery is pretty damn cool.

[graphicguy]

The bad thing about the new 17" MBP is that the battery is no longer removable.

On the other hand, Apples custom lithium polymer battery is pretty damn cool.

Yeah.....the Apple personnel actually said that it's pretty easy to swap out the battery. Not as easy at the old models with the thumb sliders. But, remove 4 screws from the back and remove the cover. Battery is right there. Disconnect the old battery. Connect the new one. Replace covers and screws.

Walt Mossberg, the WSJ tech columnist, said he's been testing the new MBP. And, that he runs a constant Itunes test (always hitting the HD, which is pretty constant), and he confirms the new batteries last over twice as long as the old ones. That would put it right around the 7 hours quoted by Apple in normal use.

BTW, the Apple Store said they'd give me $100 off any new MBP for my troubles. Not what I was hoping for. But, I'll still get one of the refurbs, which are more reasonable, and have the same warranty as new.

I'm still waiting to get a quote from gazelle and one other place for what my old MBP is worth.