[nycdunz]

I have a 1st generation 17" pbook (1Ghz). Its been showing its age. I think its time for me to get a new one. I'm a graphic designer and hobbyist photographer. And Aperture won't install on this machine.

I been waiting and waiting for a totally new redesigned MBP to come out for the past year or so. I don't know if i should just take a chance and go ahead and buy a new mbp now or wait a little longer hoping that there will be a totally redesigned MBP?

Also do you guys think there would be a major noticeable difference in speed/performance from the new MBP and from my old 1st generation powerbook? I am curious as to know whether or not how much of a difference i will see.

I would appreciate all your input and advice...

[mduell]

Do you think any MBP redesign is going to be dramatic/omg-must-have? I don't.

Yes, the current MBPs are a huge step up from your PowerBook for pro/sumer graphics use.

Buy a refurb (~$1500 for 15", ~$2200 for 17") and 4GB RAM from a third party ($70ish).

[jasonscott71]

I agree on both counts--the new MBP (I bought one with the last update Feb 26) is a big, big step up from 1st gen 17" PB. And agreed that the new redesign, whenever it comes, will not be a massive must-have, or necessarily better.

[CharlesS]

There are some things that a redesigned MBP could get that would be significant improvements - for example, eSATA ports, a user-accessible hard drive like in the MacBook, or a magnetic latch like in the MacBook. Of course, there's no guarantee that the redesigned MacBook will actually have any of these things, so it's a judgment call.

[jasonscott71]

Yeah, if I had an eSATA port I'd be in total happy land.

[naphtali]

There's a lot of talk about a refresh coming in about June that will use a new chipset. That's supposed to give us better performance and greater battery life. I'm trying to hold out as long as I can too, though my 17" G4 is crumbling fast

[MacosNerd]

While I agree that improvements in the design could be made, I agree with mduell in that there in all likelihood not be a redesign.

All macintosh enclosures are fairly mature and could be redesigned but have not. The closest to a redesign is the alu iMac it went from white to alu.

Apple, is content to stick with the current design for the MBP and why not, its design is sleek, modern, still works as designed.

If you're holding out for a new case design, you might as well resign yourself not to owing a MBP for a very long time. If you have a need (or a want) for a MBP now, and the case is the only thing holding you back. Just buy the computer and enjoy it now. Push comes to shove you could always sell the MBP if apple surprises everyone with a enw MBP case and then buy one of those new puppies

[tridentinecanon]

Originally Posted by jasonscott71 

Yeah, if I had an eSATA port I'd be in total happy land.

Yes yes yes!

[slpdLoad]

I'm in a similar situation (my 15" 1 Ghz G4 just bit the dust), and I don't think I'll wait it out until June. The main issue is that we're currently at a late revision of the MBPs, so they're tested and well proven, as opposed to the first-rev headaches that can come with a new design.

[BoingoBongo]

The two things I don't like about the MacBook Pro are the keyboard and the latch; both of which I expect to be changed whenever they give it a redesign, so I'm waiting. If those things don't bother you, I don't see any reason not to buy a current one.

[MacosNerd]

What's wrong with the keyboard. its your typical laptop keyboard for the most part.

I owned a MB before the MBP, and I can say I much prefer the MBP keyboard over the chiclet styled MB keyboard. Of course keyboard preference is a personal preference. To each his own

[Zeeb]

The mbp line was updated recently so it wouldn't be a bad move to get one now. However, how resistant are you to marketing? If there is a major upgrade coming in the summer or whenever it will likely be accompanied by lots of advertising touting how superior it is to all predecessors. God himself will not have fashioned a better laptop than the redesigned macbook pro. If you can ignore all that get one now and enjoy!

[quiklee]

if you want it now, get it now . . . don't wait . . . there's no point cuz you'll be anguishing over every lil announcement

[BoingoBongo]

Originally Posted by MacosNerd 

What's wrong with the keyboard. its your typical laptop keyboard for the most part.

I owned a MB before the MBP, and I can say I much prefer the MBP keyboard over the chiclet styled MB keyboard. Of course keyboard preference is a personal preference. To each his own

Yep, it is just a matter of personal preference. It's not that I hate the MBP keyboard, I just prefer the chiclet style keyboard, which it looks like there's a good chance Apple will move into the next MBP redesign.

[bishopazrael]

Look... You're asking if you should wait for a redesign of the macbook pro. This rant isn't personal... it's for every one who's ever come in here asking the same question.

Are you kidding me? You have all that extra discresionary income..enough to buy an Apple laptop. People like you don't deserve the right to purchase a macbook pro. You can't make up your mind? Aren't you free, american and over 21? Why would you come in here with such an asinine question?

Have you looked at a macbook pro lately? Apple is all about simplicity and ease of use, and high quality parts. How much more refined to you think the macbook pro can get? With all the hardware put into the macbook pro... tell me just what do you think should be refined?

Can you tell me? How much more refined, stuffed, redesigned do you think a laptop, any laptop should be?

Screen, dvd slot loader, keyboard & mousepad. How much more refined with today's AFFORDABLE technology do you think the MBP should get? Im so very tired of overpaid whiners coming in here wringing their hands... "oh oh... should I get an mbp or wait for the redesign? oh oh oh... I just can't make up my mind."

I'm halfway dead with a colostomy bag on my left side, unemployed, and even when I do work I only make about 5 figures a year. With all this my main, my ONLY computer is my macbook. No question about what I'd buy.

And here you are probably some overpaid buffoon in some corporate job, nice benefits and you're in here wringing your hands over what laptop to buy?

OMFG!!! Just wait for the Jesus-phone-ipod-laptop already and stop your sniveling.

Yeah... I said it. I'm sorry but it's twice a month we see some new post from someone who can't make up his mind if he should by the new 15 inch jesus laptop or the new and improved 17" father-son-holy ghost model. With the money and life you've got you're telling me you can't make a decision on what laptop to buy? Please god tell me you're not voting. If you cant decide what laptop to buy.. why are you even allowed to drive a car?

[MacosNerd]

Wow dude, bring it down a notch. No need to flame the guy. He was just asking a simple question

[bishopazrael]

Yeah... I'm sorry for the personal tone... but I'm just fed up with people who are CLEARLY smart enough to make enough extra money to buy a macbook pro are in here waffling about "oh what do i do?"

Im sorry but we all think it. You have a job and a life that affords you the ability to buy one... and you're telling me that they're not intelligent enough to figure out what kind of computer they want to buy next?

Please. It's the same kind of people who come in here and ask... "oh... does the macbook pro come with a screen?"

[iamnotmad]

Originally Posted by bishopazrael 

Look... You're asking if you should wait for a redesign of the macbook pro. This rant isn't personal... it's for every one who's ever come in here asking the same question.

Are you kidding me? You have all that extra discresionary income..enough to buy an Apple laptop. People like you don't deserve the right to purchase a macbook pro. You can't make up your mind? Aren't you free, american and over 21? Why would you come in here with such an asinine question?

Have you looked at a macbook pro lately? Apple is all about simplicity and ease of use, and high quality parts. How much more refined to you think the macbook pro can get? With all the hardware put into the macbook pro... tell me just what do you think should be refined?

Can you tell me? How much more refined, stuffed, redesigned do you think a laptop, any laptop should be?

Screen, dvd slot loader, keyboard & mousepad. How much more refined with today's AFFORDABLE technology do you think the MBP should get? Im so very tired of overpaid whiners coming in here wringing their hands... "oh oh... should I get an mbp or wait for the redesign? oh oh oh... I just can't make up my mind."

I'm halfway dead with a colostomy bag on my left side, unemployed, and even when I do work I only make about 5 figures a year. With all this my main, my ONLY computer is my macbook. No question about what I'd buy.

And here you are probably some overpaid buffoon in some corporate job, nice benefits and you're in here wringing your hands over what laptop to buy?

OMFG!!! Just wait for the Jesus-phone-ipod-laptop already and stop your sniveling.

Yeah... I said it. I'm sorry but it's twice a month we see some new post from someone who can't make up his mind if he should by the new 15 inch jesus laptop or the new and improved 17" father-son-holy ghost model. With the money and life you've got you're telling me you can't make a decision on what laptop to buy? Please god tell me you're not voting. If you cant decide what laptop to buy.. why are you even allowed to drive a car?

Wow, no wonder you are "halfway dead".

on topic though I was hoping the MBP got the MB/MBA KB too, it did not. I decided to get a MB black and enjoy it and maybe sell it once an overdue redesign (to get in line with (at least some of) the other two notebooks new physical traits) hits the MBP, then maybe get one.

I really like the MB (black) though!

[sartor]

centrino 2 chip has wimax...

would that come into play? would it be worth waiting for?
it could be a big change..!

[Cold Warrior]

I'm all for playing the waiting game when we can deduce - with decent probability - a new model release. But for those who can't wait and need gear now, they need to get it now.

[CharlesS]

Originally Posted by bishopazrael 

Are you kidding me? You have all that extra discresionary income..enough to buy an Apple laptop. People like you don't deserve the right to purchase a macbook pro. You can't make up your mind? Aren't you free, american and over 21? Why would you come in here with such an asinine question?

Maybe it's because he doesn't have all that extra discretionary income, and whatever computer he buys now is the computer he will be stuck with for a long time? A truly rich person wouldn't be bothered if their machine became obsolete - they'd just buy another one. Maybe this guy can't do that, hmm?

Have you looked at a macbook pro lately? Apple is all about simplicity and ease of use, and high quality parts. How much more refined to you think the macbook pro can get? With all the hardware put into the macbook pro... tell me just what do you think should be refined?

Can you tell me? How much more refined, stuffed, redesigned do you think a laptop, any laptop should be?

A bunch of things have already been pointed out in the thread:

1. eSATA

2. A better keyboard

3. Easier access to the hard drive (don't underestimate this - it's a lifesaver when your hard drive dies after the computer is out of warranty)

4. A magnetic latch like on the MacBook

5. Better heating/cooling

6. A non-NVidia graphics card

And those are just what I can think of right off the top of my head.

[mduell]

Originally Posted by sartor 

centrino 2 chip has wimax...