Thinking of Purchasing the $2399 MBP

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

So it's about that time. I am seriously considering buying the new Macbook Pro that came out, the midrange model. Couple questions...

1) How do I get HDMI out?
2) Should I buy a Firewire 800 to Firewire 400 adapter?
3) Should I buy a powered USB hub or an unpowered USB hub?
4) Should I wait for Nehalem (currently slated for Q3/Q4 2009)?
5) Should I buy a matte screen cover so it doesn't reflect as much?
6) Does it support 8GBs of RAM?

Should I buy it now??????

 

[EngenZerO]

idk i purchased one and i love it.

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: ChAoTiCpInOy
So it's about that time. I am seriously considering buying the new Macbook Pro that came out, the midrange model. Couple questions...

1) How do I get HDMI out?
2) Should I buy a Firewire 800 to Firewire 400 adapter?
3) Should I buy a powered USB hub or an unpowered USB hub?
4) Should I wait for Nehalem (currently slated for Q3/Q4 2009)?
5) Should I buy a matte screen cover so it doesn't reflect as much?
6) Does it support 8GBs of RAM?

Should I buy it now??????

1: DisplayPort-DVi+DVI-HDMI adapter should work. But you might want to do some research into that.
2: I don't know, do you have any Firewire 400 devices?
3: What are you hooking up to the hub?
4: A lot of that is on you really.
5: Maybe wait and see how you feel about the glossy
6: Apple Offcially, No. nVidia Officially, Yes.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Would I need to buy the Dual Link DVI or just the regular ($29) DVI adapter?

I have a miniDV camcorder and an external drive.

Printer, Wireless Mouse (VX Revolution), iPod, maybe a keyboard, USB headset

Is Nehalem really worth the wait?

 

[Kmax82]

I won't lie Nehalem does look amazing, and if you have a semi decent system that you can accomplish what you need to on it. I would, personally, wait.

The Dual Link DVI is only if you need to drive a 30"+ monitor @ greater than 1920x resolution, I believe. Not completely certain on that, but I'm fairly certain those are the stipulations.

Lastly, with all those peripherals you would probably need a powered USB hub. There are quite a few that can function as both powered/non powered, if you need a more portable solution. I have a small little Belkin adapter that I can plug into the wall when I need to use external drives, etc...

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

What about a 22" monitor or a 60" HDTV or a 40" HDTV? Would a DVI to VGA be a better choice?

 

[Kmax82]

They have a straight DisplayPort -> VGA for those situations, but that's another $30 adapter you have to buy.

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: ChAoTiCpInOy
What about a 22" monitor or a 60" HDTV or a 40" HDTV? Would a DVI to VGA be a better choice?

Ok, the only resolution I know of that requires a Dual Link is 2560*1600, which is only found on 30" LCD computer monitors.

HDTVs currently, at best, have a res of 1920*1200, which can be handled by either VGA or DVI.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

So I should be fine with a miniDisplay port to VGA and then maybe VGA-DVI then DVI-HDMI?

 

[MrTransistorm]

Originally posted by: ChAoTiCpInOy
So I should be fine with a miniDisplay port to VGA and then maybe VGA-DVI then DVI-HDMI?

That won't work. VGA is analog-only, and HDMI is digital-only.

Keep the path all-digital if you can. Mini-DP -> DVI -> HDMI should work, but you'll have to search to see if anyone has actually gotten it to work.

I imagine that eventually someone will make a Mini-DP to HDMI cable. Supposedly Display Port handles audio too, but I don't know if Apple included the necessary pins in the mini connector.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

So I went ahead and bought the MBP. Got $200 off the price because of State Employee discount. Got the miniDisplayport to VGA connection. That should be good for now.

 

[dmw16]

Well I guess it largely moot now, but I thin you made a good choice. I saw the new MBP tonight for the first time at the Apple store and it seemed pretty sweet.

I would go with the powered USB hub. The unpowered ones are pretty useless.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

I am going to see if I can swap them in and out and see if I could just do the 2 USBs for now. But i think I'll probably have to get that anyways. That and the Firewire 800 to 400 adapter. It's SOOOOOOOOO COOLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!