Early: Where'd she go? Simon: I can't keep track of her when she's not incorporeally possessing a space ship. Don't look at me.

'Objects In Space'


Buffistechnology 3: "Press Some Buttons, See What Happens."

Got a question about technology? Ask it here. Discussion of hardware, software, TiVos, multi-region DVDs, Windows, Macs, LINUX, hand-helds, iPods, anything tech related. Better than any helpdesk!


omnis_audis - Oct 14, 2008 12:05:09 pm PDT #7866 of 25501
omnis, pursue. That's an order from a shy woman who can use M-16. - Shir

Shir, if you are that un-tech, I'd say look again at MacOS. Much easier to use. And the new (announced today) MacBook is made from a single block of Aluminum, so it should be pretty sturdy. Price is about$1,000. Not sure if that is in your range.


Gris - Oct 14, 2008 12:35:50 pm PDT #7867 of 25501
Hey. New board.

Yeah, I'm not too impressed by this update. Awesome look, but no matter how much more sturdy / awesome it is, it doesn't change the fact that they're only a teensy bit lighter, a teensy bit faster, and still not cheap. Throw in the loss of the Firewire, and it's a pretty sad release.

I'd probably buy a refurbed white MacBook if I needed a new computer right this second. Unless I fell in love with the fancy glass trackpad or something.


tommyrot - Oct 14, 2008 12:37:59 pm PDT #7868 of 25501
Sir, it's not an offence to let your cat eat your bacon. Okay? And we don't arrest cats, I'm very sorry.

no matter how much more sturdy / awesome it is, it doesn't change the fact that they're only a teensy bit lighter, a teensy bit faster, and still not cheap.

My boss is saying they're gonna move to a new generation of processor next year. Like, 8-core or something. So until then I guess there's not much they can do for speed.


Barb - Oct 14, 2008 12:43:55 pm PDT #7869 of 25501
“Not dead yet!”

I hear a lot more people saying they want smaller, not larger, laptops, so I get not keeping them in stock all over the place.

Yeah, I loved my 17" but it was such a heavy bastard, that it made traveling with it a PITA, which is why I ended up going to the 15".

I'm going to keep using this one and wait and see if they do anything more drastic with them next year.


Vortex - Oct 14, 2008 12:47:38 pm PDT #7870 of 25501
"Cry havoc and let slip the boobs of war!" -- Miracleman

I hear a lot more people saying they want smaller, not larger, laptops, so I get not keeping them in stock all over the place.

I wasn't paying attention when I bought my new laptop. I love it, but it's not very portable. The 17" screen doesn't fit in my briefcase or other laptop bag, so it's kind of a pain. It's great for an at home computer, though. I have a work laptop that I travel with, so it's not that big of a deal.


NoiseDesign - Oct 14, 2008 1:37:18 pm PDT #7871 of 25501
Our wings are not tired

I totally get that the 17" isn't for everyone. I agree that it's a bit of a pain to haul around, but for someone like me who does audio and video work on it, it's a godsend. Having full 1080p on the laptop display is amazing, and actually being able to see a huge chunk of my mix in ProTools is also the way to go. I'll just keep my fingers crossed that eventually the fat bastard MacBook get the updated treatment too.


Barb - Oct 14, 2008 1:39:22 pm PDT #7872 of 25501
“Not dead yet!”

ND, if for some reason you ever need a backup 17" Pro, let me know and I will be happy to send you my old one.


NoiseDesign - Oct 14, 2008 1:41:07 pm PDT #7873 of 25501
Our wings are not tired

Thanks. This one is only about 15 months old, but I tend to replace every 18 months or so. It's my second 17" and I've adored them.


Barb - Oct 14, 2008 1:44:21 pm PDT #7874 of 25501
“Not dead yet!”

Oh, I hear ya. I LOVED mine. I was able to get two and if absolutely necessary, three pages of manuscript on the screen, which rocked when doing revisions, but like I said, the hauling around was a pain. If they ever make one that's a bit lighter, I may just go back to it. Also, as Vortex said, it's a pain to find bags that will accommodate them comfortably.


Tom Scola - Oct 14, 2008 2:09:18 pm PDT #7875 of 25501
Remember that the frontier of the Rebellion is everywhere. And even the smallest act of insurrection pushes our lines forward.

I'm looking at all three breeds of MacBooks, and I honestly have no idea which one to get. I've never used a laptop before, and I have no idea how I would use it. Do I want something to carry around with me? Do I want a desktop replacement?

It doesn't help that the high-end MacBook, the low-end Pro and the Air are all at approximately the same price point.