New Intel Macs are first with a new chip but not a new design

#21 Alex: USB is now bootable, I think, on the latest Power... Er, MacBook Pros. (God damnit, I *hate* that name. It almost makes me want to switch back to windows and say Apple sucks.)

The advantage of FireWire is that it is FASTER than USB 2. 480Mbps my ass.

Apple better not remove FireWire 400 from it's computers, or you'll see massive revolts. I, personally, will not buy one without at least FireWire 400. I have so many devices (DVD Burner, External HDs) that are FireWire only.

It worries me. Also, No modem? Come on Apple! You're really screwing people with this. It better have a modem. You all think there's wireless everywhere or something? BULLSHIT! There is NOT! Trust me!

Apple: Put DVD DL drives, Modems, FW 800, and PC Card slots back in your MacBooks. Also: HORRIBLE name. HORRIBLE, I TELL YOU!

/me pissed off Apple customer

I think that it is a good thing - refine an already good design rather than start over from scratch.

Saire (post 6) has a very good point: Usually mechanical issues are a problem with a new design, not electrical. On some level, every failure is a mechanical failure anyway.

at least they added another latch to the lid. mine won't stay closed and i think it's a commonish problem.

Dave: I'm not sure, firewire has one HUGE advantage over USB 2.0 for me: it's bootable. If you ever have problems with your internal hard drive, a bootable external drive is ESSENTIAL. I may be wrong, but I just can't see Apple getting rid of that feature.

My entire family almost is going around saying, ' MacBook? Sounds like something deepfried you would get at a certain fast-food resturant. You know. Something that would come with fries and a large coke?' Are we the only ones who think that?

Jason -

The MacBook Pro loses the internal modem (horrible Apple! this is a laptop!), the Firewire goes to 400 from 800, the computer no longer supports composite or S-video out only DVI, and you have no PCMIA slot only a new Express Slot with no cards yet available.

Those are all regressions. Also Firewire is dead, that is why the G4's had the 800 and this only the 400. You won't ever see the 800 again in a laptop from Apple and the 400 will disappear as soon as video cameras start more commonly using USB 2.0

I think there is another reason for the "no new design" thing - It is to send out a subtle "nothing has changed here" message.

The new Intel Macs look like Macs, they boot like Macs, they run Mac software.
If you didn't know, you would not be able to tell at all. Long time Mac users will not be scared away.

In a year or so - when the dust has settled, we will see new designs then.

Oli is correct.

Also, the G3 saw an update to the classic 'with handles' Powermac in preparation for the G4. The code name for that machine was appropriate: "Yikes".

This is an obvious precedent to what we saw yesterday. Shoehorn the new processor into an existing machine to get it to market, then update the look later.

Did anyone notice or wonder why the new MacBook Pro (how 'bout ProBook?) comes with a "SuperDrive (DVDRW/CD-RW)," and not a Dual-Layer "8x SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVDRW/CD-RW)," as on the PowerBook 15"?

Cost-cutting? It is very hard, by the way, to even find the SuperDive info for the MacBook Pro. Kind of a lame regression, no?

maybe they didnt have time... and they will come up with new designs at the second part of the year.