Buy a MBP... now or later?

[scootermaster]

Originally posted by: binister
I am in the same boat. I jumped on the new MBPs simply because it is tried and true.

If there is a complete redesign in the works I don't want to be buying 1st gen. especially when I use my laptop for work.

You hate to say I told you so, and it is only a rumor, but...well, turns out they listened.

 

[Kmax82]

Originally posted by: scootermaster

Originally posted by: binister
I am in the same boat. I jumped on the new MBPs simply because it is tried and true.

If there is a complete redesign in the works I don't want to be buying 1st gen. especially when I use my laptop for work.

You hate to say I told you so, and it is only a rumor, but...well, turns out they listened.

It's gotta come eventually. What I'm really anxious to see, though, is if it's anywhere near as popular as the aluminum design has been. I would think they still have a few tricks up their sleeve.

 

[scootermaster]

Originally posted by: Kmax82

Originally posted by: scootermaster

Originally posted by: binister
I am in the same boat. I jumped on the new MBPs simply because it is tried and true.

If there is a complete redesign in the works I don't want to be buying 1st gen. especially when I use my laptop for work.

You hate to say I told you so, and it is only a rumor, but...well, turns out they listened.

It's gotta come eventually. What I'm really anxious to see, though, is if it's anywhere near as popular as the aluminum design has been. I would think they still have a few tricks up their sleeve.

Personally, I'm excited. I've got a last-gen G4, and this is the PERFECT upgrade path for me. I was actually leaning toward a Santa Rosa machine, or even a Penryn one, but I'm now certainly going to wait.

 

[LiquidIce1337]

I am still using my 12" powerbook G4 that I get so many comments about how "cute" and "small" it is. It's gets me by in DJing but I think after my last gig crashing 4 times it's due for an upgrade. I believe I have the dreaded Orange Ribbon Cable Problem, time to open this thing up! If that doesn't work I am jumping on the MB when I have the cash

 

[FP]

Originally posted by: scootermaster

Originally posted by: binister
I am in the same boat. I jumped on the new MBPs simply because it is tried and true.

If there is a complete redesign in the works I don't want to be buying 1st gen. especially when I use my laptop for work.

You hate to say I told you so, and it is only a rumor, but...well, turns out they listened.

I had read that as well but I am still glad I bought the current gen. Dealing with 1st gen products is never fun.

 

[Kmax82]

Call me crazy, but I kind of like buying first gen products. It might be a bit of a premium, but I have this compulsion to always try out the newest stuff, even if it means headaches while you deal with growing pains.

 

[Wuzup101]

I really do hope that they make the case a bit more durable. That has been my only gripe with the AL books. The left side of my palm rest has plenty of marks from where the aluminum "paint" has worn away. The Left fan grill has a small dent in it (and I have no clue how it got there). I've dropped my powerbook once... when I was putting it into my backpack (while I was seated). I dropped it from a distance of about 1', it hit my leg, and then the bottom right corner hit the floor. It slightly pushed up the upper assembly, and dented the front of the slot loading DVD drive (obviously the case not the drive itself). I was quite stunned that the aluminum dented so significantly... especially because my calf was the first thing it hit... it didn't land with it's full weight on the ground... oh and it was in a 1/4" thick neoprene sleeve... In the end... it was my fault... and the machine still works great (except the track pad just died right after my warranty ended). For a 3.5 year old machine, it's still plenty snappy! I had to deal with apple's warranty service twice, and they proved to be truly professional on BOTH occasions.... turn around was lightning fast (even when I needed my LCD replaced).

While I think that the MBP has a lot going for it, I'm probably the only one who isn't clammoring for a smaller machine. I think the current size/shape is pretty damn solid. I really don't think I would notice the difference between 5.5 and 4lbs in my bag. I would really rather see other features. I would LOVE to see 1) A modular bay (a la Thinkpad T series) that one could use for a second HDD or second battery by removing the standard optical drive. I know it sounds trivial, but this is a feature I love about the thinkpad. There are plenty of times when I could really use a secondary battery, and I don't use the optical drive all that much to begin with. And to be honest, I'd rather travel with a bunch of ripped movies on a 250gb secondary drive than travel with the optical drive and a bunch of DVDs + cases. 2) User upgradable HDD. This is the one MAJOR thing that I think apple has missed over the years. How hard is it to make the HDD user upgradable? If you do it for ram, you can do it for a HDD...

Apple laptops have so many things going for them, especially now that you can dual boot windows for those people who absolutely need it for an app or two. The keyboard is one of the best in the industry (along with the thinkpad), and the form factor is VERY solid. Still there are things like a user upgradable HDD that are missing (and yes I know you can upgrade it by ripping the case apart - I've done it... it's fairly easy... but still... make it externally upgradable). Lets not beat around the bush here... this isn't an economy machine... (the same reason that I'm pissed off that I have to use a dock for DVI output if I buy a current T series thinkpad...)

 

[aplefka]

Regarding your student discount, I know that I've always gotten mine right away on new Apple products, so that shouldn't be an issue. I would just wait it out man. No use in ordering then waiting for 2 months without a product in hand. Might as well just order in 2 months and get the newest product.