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designerguy
2007-06-20, 05:39
I'm getting ready to sell my G4 iBook (with apple care) and buy a Macbook Pro 15" 2.2MHz. Seems like $500 is the going price on ebay.


RE: mac book pro
Is there anything surfacing about defects w/the latest upgrade? Also will I be able to run all the software I have on my iBook? Running Adobe CS, Quark, and other semi old programs.

Also I've never seen anyone w/the Macbook Pro and a glossy screen...is there a reason to get the Glossy?

Thanks!

Dave
2007-06-20, 10:43
How old is old? The MBP won't run any OS 9 apps. Other than that, as far as I know, you're good to go.

PB PM
2007-06-20, 11:22
I'm getting ready to sell my G4 iBook (with apple care) and buy a Macbook Pro 15" 2.2MHz. Seems like $500 is the going price on ebay.


RE: mac book pro
Is there anything surfacing about defects w/the latest upgrade? Also will I be able to run all the software I have on my iBook? Running Adobe CS, Quark, and other semi old programs.

Also I've never seen anyone w/the Macbook Pro and a glossy screen...is there a reason to get the Glossy?

Thanks!
I've heard some issues, such as a yellow tint on the LED displays, Kernel Panics due to a issue with the airport card and extremely poor OpenGL drivers for the Nvidia 8600M GT. That said, some people are having no problems at all.

As for the screen, I'd go to an Apple Store or a reseller and look at the difference, see what you like best. Matte better IMO, but thats just a matter of opinion.

As for your iBook, yes the prices of PPC notebooks have tanked, I got $800 Cdn, for my 14 month old 1.42Ghz (final generation iBook) G4 back in January and mine had 1.5GB RAM.

kscherer
2007-06-20, 12:00
We don't like the glossy screen and don't stock them in our store. In fact, we wish Apple would give an option on the MacBook for the matte display. Big, giant mirrors, they are!

They have one advantage and that is that they look great in a dark room.

As far as defects, I think it's a bit early to tell. OpenGL drivers are a software issue, not hardware defect. Kernel Panics with the airport card are also too early to determine if it is a defect in hardware or a software issue, which will fix itself with the next software/firmware update.

We've sold a few of these things so far and have not seen a single issue, so I am skeptical of anything "defect" related.

Yontsey
2007-06-20, 12:11
I have glossy on my Macbook and I love it. The colors look more rich. If you use it in a place where there's lots of light, you may get some glare but if you're inside, its beautiful. I never get glare inside of my house and I prefer the glossy over matte. I had matte on my PBg4.

rampancy
2007-06-20, 16:16
If you want a good overview of the major MBP revisions, MacRumors has a good summary (http://guides.macrumors.com/MacBook_Pro) of them here.

To keep abreast of currently known issues with the MBP, AppleDefects (http://www.appledefects.com/wiki/index.php?title=MacBook_Pro) has a good site on that too.

I have an Oct. 2006 MBP and I haven't had any serious defects with it so far. The only issue I have is that it doesn't seem to want to go to sleep with all of my USB stuff plugged in, but for me, that's a minor quibble.

What you should also know is that even with lower-tier games, it runs very hot, for me at least; be prepared to budget for a laptop stand which at least allows for air circulation underneath the laptop; I'd recommend one with powered fans.

designerguy
2007-06-20, 17:50
Thanks for the great advice! All my apps are system X.

The older versions of the MacBook pro have dropped in price. Do you think risking the yellow tint screens and other probs are worth it?? Or would you go w/the older version that they just reduced in price now that the newer model is out?

rampancy
2007-06-20, 18:29
Unless the price drops are *really* compelling, I'd say you should go with the older C2D MBPs - but graphics performance is of the highest importance for you then you should look at the latest rev. (since the GeForce 8600 GT M is superior to the X1600).

(Edited for clarity)

designerguy
2007-06-20, 21:53
I checked the apple support log and WOW there's a lot of probs w/the new display. I'm a graphic designer and screen flicker would drive me nuts.

Think I'm going to go w/the 2.16GHz for $1650 or the 2.33GHz for $2149.

Even though batter life seems much better w/the newer models a solid screen is key for my work. What's the average battery life of the 2.16 models?

Thanks!

rampancy
2007-06-21, 00:53
I have the 2.16 Ghz, and I really can't comment on battery life too much, since I use it as a desktop replacement. But from my own informal tests, I get about ~4 hours (Apple's own estimates, IIRC) if I don't do the usual power management voodoo (i.e. turning down brightness to minimum, turning off all wireless access, logging in with startup items disabled, etc.).

trevo
2007-06-21, 10:44
I've heard some issues, such as a yellow tint on the LED displays...

I just got mine, like a couple of hours ago. I noticed a yellowish tint along the bottom, mostly in the bottom left corner.

dmegatool
2007-06-21, 10:52
No yellow tint for me... Woot !

trevo
2007-06-21, 10:58
No yellow tint for me... Woot !
Go Away! :p

OH! I forgot to mention... Has anyone noticed their trackpad button is more 'flimsy' or loose than the older PowerBook models. It rattles where as my PB is solid, maybe from wear?

PB PM
2007-06-21, 11:57
That would be the first I've heard about someone commenting on a poor trackpad.

Even though batter life seems much better w/the newer models a solid screen is key for my work. What's the average battery life of the 2.16 models?
With airport / bluetooth off you'll get around 3 and half to 4 hours, with it on, 2 and half to 3 hours. It depends on what apps you are using more often that not, but that has been my experience over the last 6 months with my 2.16Ghz Core 2 Duo. I do have a larger than stock drive (160GB) so that may effect battery life as well.

rampancy
2007-06-21, 15:03
I just saw this (http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/20/new-macbook-pros-still-overheating-due-to-misapplied-thermal-gre/) off of Digg and Engadget. Looks like the pesky "overdose on thermal grease" issue with older MBP versions is still here with the SR MBP...

Apple Discussions Thread (http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=993286&tstart=0) (Might it be deleted by Apple in the future?)
Flickr Photostream (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ultraneo/sets/72157600394244303/)

Pic of the GPU:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/Ctenucha/561369005_21721e9c5d.jpg

Pic of the Processor:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/Ctenucha/560948838_22d54273f3.jpg

designerguy
2007-06-21, 16:37
dmegatool:

Just curious where did you pick up your new MacBook Pro from? If yours is good I'll order from the same vendor.

ALSO: Do a lot of you buy your MacBooks from the Apple store?? The only reason I buy online is price. But looks like buying from the store will be key since I'll need to return this thing a few times??

Thanks!

julesstoop
2007-06-21, 16:57
Discussion on thermal paste application:
http://forums.applenova.com/showthread.php?t=24390