So, it's released, and basic model costs 2,000$. You can read here what it has inside. I think the interesting fact about this new apple product is that it's powered with Intel's processor. I wonder, how hard would it be to replace apple's software with custom version of linux or windows? Anyway, I would say it's a smart move, using intel. Apple claims it's now 4x times faster than regular apple's G processors...
What do you think? Is it worth?

2000$ OMG!!! Now, I really don't know much about the cost of regular computers in the US, but isn't 2000$ a bit on the higher side? What is the range of a regular desktop (say Intel) assembled from parts? 1000-1500$?

But abhiram, MacBooks aren't your regular desktop computers; they're laptops. And if that wasn't enough, Apple's product normally tend to be on the higher side. Add to that, a weird assortment of what I believe to be fantastic hardware equipments, especially in the MA091LL model.

The design is very slick and elegant. The standard set of software you can choose from with the MacBook Pro is vintage Apple.

Although I personally wouldn't feel comfortable using a Mac for so long, since I find it doesn't provide me with enough low-level accessibility - which is a plus, I think, since they're made to be super-user-friendly - I still have to admit a Mac remains a classic in the computer arena.

The integration of an Intel Duo processor is a bold move. I'm not an anti-Intel fanatic, but I don't enjoy the sound of that. Plus, 4 times faster than a G-processor? I find that a bit too hard to digest. I thought the G5's weren't that slow, I actually enjoyed a seamlessness to its work.

Anyway, I suppose we might know more about all this in the next Expo. Too bad I'm too pressed in time these days to follow news from the source. So thanks for the post, finaldesign. :-)

With enough low-level access? All you need is the O'reilly "MacOS X for Unix Geeks" book that shows how gain access to the core functions. Having used BSD systems for four years before switching to OSX....I can do anything that I could with FreeBSD, OpenBSD or Linux for that matter. The exception being Aqua, but I've never needed too.

Plus I still don't understand this whole BS about "oh they are using Intel". The level of intergration will just help to improve the Apple "It should just work" philosophy. If they can customize hardware/software configs to a set spec, you should see a Mactel outperform any other OS with x86 chip-set combo.

The G5 is arguably a more powerful chip BUT there are two major draw backs. One is business, the other is technical. The G5 processor, technically, is a flop for a laptop. Laptops are now outselling desktops and I think that trend is going to continue. The G-5's take too much power and produce too much heat for use in a laptop. Also IBM/Freecell have had many production and design problems in the last few years missing several promises. Bottom line Freecell couldn't deliver what they said they could when they said they would. Finally, IBM basically said they were shifting away from being a hardware company and becoming a consulting business. So what Apple wanted and what IBM wanted to do were shifting away from a business perpective.

Now, if you want to produce a computer and don't want to risk production problems or headaches who do you turn too? AMD? No, AMD is facing the same production and fabercation woes that Freecell suffered. Furthermore, AMD is basically at capacity. They are selling everything they can produce. One of the big factors why they don't have more than a 15% market share is that they cannot produce more chips, so even if 25% of the market wanted AMD chips, AMD current CANNOT devliver. By default that leaves you with INTEL.

Furthermore, INTEL is shifting away from the "make the fastest chip possible" and why AMD is current the favourite with gamers. Intel, on the otherhand, is going towards producing more effienct chips. Those that gain more performance using less power and producing less heat, which are the factors that dominate laptop performance. Personally, I would hedge bets on Intel over AMD. I honestly believe the days of a PC gaming machine are numbered and that people aren't going to need or really use 64-bit technology in their laptops. 64-bit chips typically perform worse at "business" applications like word processing and spreadsheet calculations.

Also, Apple is heavy in the graphics market and most rendering technologies in the last couple years have been tweaked for x86 performance. Just something to note....

Now with all that being said, I would not buy a new Macbook Pro. Not until this time in 2007. It is a first generation Apple product. You don't buy first generation Apple products....ever!

I like the new designs, but not the specs. I always opted for IBM based chips because they run better . I love the RISC than the CISC.

There ARE couple of things missing on the MacBook Pro. Such features left out are: BIOS, modem, and floppy.

xboxrulz

Ummm....excuse me....but the computer you are referring to does indeed have a BIOS. Not a PC BIOS of course. Just because it uses an Intel chip, does NOT mean it's a PC. Remember, the BIOS is the BASIC INPUT/OUTPUT SYSTEM. What would a modern computer be without that basic function? Now, because it uses Open Firmware, it's not exactly a BIOS you are used to. There's a different key combination to get into it, and it works more like a command line than a menu. There's a lot more I could say....and I'm not trying to get on you about this, but I think maybe you could do a bit more research before posting bogus information.

maybe I'm wrong on the BIOS, but why would they release a laptop without a modem? There's still hotels around the world still using dial-up.

xboxrulz

Maybe because it's being phased out, going the way of the 1.44M floppy disk? Broadband internet has gotten ridiculously cheap. You can get broadband cable connections for less than the price of dial-up AOL these days. Apple does tend to phase out aging technologies before anyone else.

*sighs* I don't like Mac anyway - well, not for their computer systems, I mean. I still don't quite understand how they can charge over twice the amount that PC users can pay for a comparable PC-based notebook computer.

I keep expecting Apple to go right out of business, but they hang in there. Weird. Very weird.

I rather think Microsoft is going out of business, but due to their vendor locking, they'll never. What a pity! *sighs*

I have cheered for Apple since when I was 6

xboxrulz