17 inch MacBook Pro: a video pro's dream

I've always been a 15-inch type of guy (obvious jokes aside), but pricing the 17" versus the 15", the 17 is actually cheaper with more features.

Same processor and hard drive specs (2.16 and 120gb) cost an extra $100 on the 15, and on the 17 you not only get more screen real estate and higher resolution, you get an extra USB port, FW 800, and a dual layer superdrive. Seems like a better buy, no?

I though it was very odd that Macworld don't consider FW800 and dual layer requirements for the MBP. To me the current MBP 15 is more a MB spec, whereas the 17 is heading towards the Pro status.

I don't really understand the logic of making the 17" the only Pro model in the range. Surely the MB's/iBooks should be the cheaper less feature packed versions pof the MacBook Pro. From the comments above Apple must realise there is a market for a Pro laptop in 12/13" and 15" approx sizes not just 17".

Still I like the look of this machine and it's the first since my 1Ghz Ti that has tempted me to upgrade. Still I'm waiting till at least Q3 when Leopard is shipped..

jerome, somehow I cannot imagine you roaming around with a 30-incher in your backpack.

on firewire 800 as the holy cow: forthcoming expresscard SATA adapters for any macbook pro will serve your needs for lightyears ahead. just imagine dual 10000RPM HDDs, plugged into your laptop, running at limitless speeds - 3,2Gbps versus firewire's, well, 0,8Gbps. now that is a video editor's wet dream.

I see it as the (Java) developer's dream machine. It has lots of power and screen estate is never enough for a developer, especially if you do GUI apps.

im listening, but im not liiiistening

HEY GUYS it wouldn't make any sense for apple to release a 12" MBP eventhought there was a twelve inch powerbook, the ibook line is slated to have a thirteen inch screen if i hear right...so would it make any sense for the proline to a smaller screen?

Oops... I was ranting on comment 20.

I don't know about you, but I'm perfectly happy on a Laptop Screen (And I'm dealing with a "technically" smaller screen.)

I'm happy to edit and produce an HD video/show/movie on just a laptop screen. Even watch it. There's a reason why it's called "mobile editing." It's hard to use a 20+ inch screen while sitting on the back of a truck, in a bus, or in the middle of a park. Yeah, it's not professional, nor can long sessions be done (seriously... editing on a battery pack?), but it's the main purpose some people would buy this for "portable" video production.

I frequent on trips where a final production has to be ready the day after the trip, meaning I have to start editing on the way back or in the middle of nowhere. I'm not one to carry around with me a LCD panel. It's enough torture to carry a laptop, camera, my bags, a pillow, and my tooth-brush.

I need an upgrade on my 17" PowerBook, and this MacBook will be it.

I like the 17" MBP, but for my work I am waiting for a 12" MBP at less than 3/4" high, around 2 lb., no internal CD/DVD, Core Duo, substantial disk, wireless, etc.

Yesterday at NAB I watched a demo of the new Shake in the Apple booth. It was doing some pertty impressive stuff in real-time. At the end of the demo, the presenter pointed out that he was doing all that work on his brand spankin new 17" MBP. "Now you can do your composites on the beach!"