[Dave Hagan]

Does there need to be a MacBook with a 15.4-inch display? Should Apple make one? So I don't need dedicated graphics...or even the enhanced resolution of 1440x900. Should you be forced to spend $700 more just to get a notebook with a larger screen? This is where Apple's product line is too limited!

[harrisjamieh]

Originally Posted by Dave Hagan

Does there need to be a MacBook with a 15.4-inch display?

No.

[TerryJ]

I see this as Apple's product positioning to accommodate a majority of users. This such machine would be essentially a MBP with lower graphics power and a different case material and by raising the screen size and not increasing the resolution would be a move in the wrong direction too. I mean, you can look here in the forums and see plenty of complaints about the current screen resolutions being too low already and to go with a larger, lower res screen would be retrograde.

I am sure that Apple has studied the market quite a bit and they see what the majority of users will positively respond to. This is why the new MBs have monitor spanning enabled as well. If you need more screen space and don't need the higher graphics power, then plug up to a larger display... problem solved.

[Jason]

Originally Posted by Dave Hagan

this is where Apple's product line is too limited!

I don't think that apple's production line is too limited; I think they offer quite a few options for the majority of the consumer market to find something that is appropriate/suitable for their needs.

If you really need the real estate of a 15.4 inch monitor, then you are going to get the MBP, granted I do understand that it unfortunate that you are paying for hardware that you don’t need, however I think that the majority of people that would like a 15.4 inch screen, but don’t need the rest of the hardware specifications, they would settle with the 13.3 inch Macbook.

To be quite honest, from pictures I have seen, the Macbook don’t even look that much smaller compared to the Macbook Pro’s. Mind you, ill be picking up my Macbook Pro tomorrow, and I must say, I can’t wait.

[mduell]

The current enclosure appears to have a large enough bezel to support a 14" screen, but I doubt we'll see 15" MacBooks anytime soon.

[analogika]

Originally Posted by Dave Hagan

Does there need to be a MacBook with a 15.4-inch display? Should Apple make one? So I don't need dedicated graphics...or even the enhanced resolution of 1440x900.

Why would you want a 15" MacBook then?

[Helmling]

Just the bigger screen apparently.

What the OP needs to realize is that Apple has learned the hard way to keep their product line simple, with clearly differentiated offerings. They're small potatoes in terms of volume, so they cannot try to build a machine for everyone.

I love the new enclosure for the MacBook, but part of me craves the power of the MBP's dedicated graphics...I'm torn, but I can't expect Apple to cater just to me.

[SLiMeX]

Originally Posted by Dave Hagan

Does there need to be a MacBook with a 15.4-inch display?

No.

[Rob van dam]

Originally Posted by Dave Hagan

Does there need to be a MacBook with a 15.4-inch display? Should Apple make one? So I don't need dedicated graphics...or even the enhanced resolution of 1440x900. Should you be forced to spend $700 more just to get a notebook with a larger screen? This is where Apple's product line is too limited!

I agree it would be nice to have a bigger screen.Why should apple hold me to a corner and dictate the size of the screen i need.But then again i agree it will most likely never happen.

[pheonixash]

Umm....How are they dictating what screen size you need? They do have a 15.4" screen, but in a higher-end model. If you really need it that badly, you'll have to pay for it.

[Rob van dam]

Originally Posted by pheonixash

Umm....How are they dictating what screen size you need? They do have a 15.4" screen, but in a higher-end model. If you really need it that badly, you'll have to pay for it.

They are becuase most manufactuers offer a 15.4" laptop at the blackbooks pricepoint or for a little bit more.

[HouseSold]

I would buy a 15.4" MacBook in a heartbeat.

Over 40 yr old eyes create the need; for now there's CMD + to enlarge certain screens, but I do a lot of contracts that would benefit from 15.4" screen, especially showing clients (using a Toshiba 15.4" occasionally to bear this out). I don't think it would take away from portability and would allow more case volume for cooling, especially a Core 2 Duo at 2.6 ghz at MacWorld 2007 with 4gb RAM and 7hr battery......did I mention backlit keys?

Also the white lettering on the BlackBook keys are much more readable to me than the white MacBook.

[Mac Man]

If they make a 15.4" Macbook, that means they are going to sell less Macbook Pro's.

They are never going for the 15.4" screen in my opinion.

[uicandrew]

Originally Posted by Dave Hagan

Does there need to be a MacBook with a 15.4-inch display?

no.

[HouseSold]

Originally Posted by uicandrew

no.

The PowerBook 17" we had, did have the screen real estate, but not what I considered true portability. The MacBook Pro, for our needs, is a heavy stove because of its heat and aluminum.

Again, only speaking from our experience and our personal needs.

We have an iMac Duo and two MacBooks and would purchase a 15.4" model MacBook based on a faster, cooler processor and a 15".4 screen in a Black case considering how it will be used.

[Landos Mustache]

Worst idea ever.

[noleafclover803]

a 15 inch macbook would be heavier than the pro because its plastic....

[flukewurm]

honestly.. how much is a blakbook.. $1500... so how much do you think a 15.4" widescreen version cost? JUUUUUUUST about the price of a macbook pro...

hark!! what is this??

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL....7.1.5.1.0.5.0

[masugu]

There will be no 14.5" MacBook. Too many products for a streamlined line up. I bet there may be a change from AL to something else...but the only other NoteBook I can see Apple making is the Ultra Light / Ultra small Mac/ using an Intel Ultra Low-Voltage CPU. Again, think Sony VAIO TX series. This woudl really complete the "Family."

[Mac Man]

The ultra light Apple notebooks, are going to be great, if they don't get hot.

[Simon]

Originally Posted by flukewurm

hark!! what is this??

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL....7.1.5.1.0.5.0

Umm, a dead link perhaps?

[onlykaria]

Originally Posted by Rob van dam

They are becuase most manufactuers offer a 15.4" laptop at the blackbooks pricepoint or for a little bit more.

than why not buy one of their laptops?

i dont kno i think the line up is good, save for a 19in desktop replacement and a 11-8in ultra small.

[Pao|o]

i dont think the Intel graphics can drive the 15.4" display without hickups.

[Simon]

Originally Posted by Pao|o

i dont think the Intel graphics can drive the 15.4" display without hickups.

I don't think so. My MB drives my 23" ACD with no problems. The mini (which has an Intel integrated GPU too) drives resolutions up to 1920x1200. And then there are tons of cheap PC notebooks with integrated graphics that have 15" screens.

[kobi]

I would be all over a 15.4" Macbook. Let's hope there is one on the way.

[msuper69]

Originally Posted by flukewurm

...
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL....7.1.5.1.0.5.0

Apple Store links expire fairly quickly. You must be a noobie.

[masugu]

Originally Posted by Mac Man

The ultra light Apple notebooks, are going to be great, if they don't get hot.

My IBM ThinkPad - for work - is always ice cold. Well, not icy, but nowhere near my BlacBook in heat. The StinkPad has the 1.5GHz Centrino Mobile technology platform. I love it....for work that is. LOVE my blacbook for home / creative stuff.

[HouseSold]

Originally Posted by masugu

My IBM ThinkPad - for work - is always ice cold. Well, not icy, but nowhere near my BlacBook in heat. The StinkPad has the 1.5GHz Centrino Mobile technology platform. I love it....for work that is. LOVE my blacbook for home / creative stuff.

I use a 15.4" Toshiba Satellite ($399 at Best Buy) at work with a Trubrite screen and it never warms up (Celeron M 390 1.7 ghz) although occasionally the fan will cycle quietly.

The versatility is great in that screen size even though the graphics memory (user adjustable up to 256mb) is shared with system RAM (2gb)

I believe the MacBooks have caused prices to start dropping for the PC core duos. Very few PCs seem to use the 2.0 ghz version the Macs have.

I was just told by a rep for a large memory firm to look for the last quarter of this year to be quite interesting with new introductions and memory chip price wars.

Yea......we all need something like this, since gas prices aren't going anywhere.

[greenamp]

A 15.4" MacBook would end up costing only a couple hundred bucks less than the low end MacBook Pro. It would be just stupid.

[Rob van dam]

[QUOTE=onlykaria]than why not buy one of their laptops?

Because they do not run osx.

[Rob van dam]

Originally Posted by onlykaria

than why not buy one of their laptops?

i dont kno i think the line up is good, save for a 19in desktop replacement and a 11-8in ultra small.

Because they do not run osx.

[hadocon]

Originally Posted by Pao|o

i dont think the Intel graphics can drive the 15.4" display without hickups.

You think incorrectly.

[HouseSold]

Originally Posted by hadocon

You think incorrectly.

Precisely.....

The current Intel graphics 950 on the MacBook is also on the core duo and non core duos offered by others. (possibly Acer, Toshiba, HP, Compaq and Gateway, Sony, etc)

ie:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1149205182079

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1149206139854

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1142288702256

This Sony $3,500 'Brick' uses the 945 chipset:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1142301546128

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1149205023333

This model I'm using is the ATI Radeon 200m and has NO display flicker or other problems. The supplied battery is 2 cell as a cost saving measure. A full 6 cell battery option is $149 extra.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Toshi...oductDetail.do

I saw posted elsewhere that, the 965 replacement chip is shipping and is 64 bit; just in time for the Core 2 duos this Autumn..

[HouseSold]

Originally Posted by HouseSold

Precisely.....

The current Intel graphics 950 on the MacBook is also on the core duo and non core duos offered by others. (posslibly Acer, Toshiba, HP, Compaq and Gateway, Sony, etc)

This is skimpy...from Apple's site

Graphics and Video Support
Intel GMA 950 graphics processor with 64MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with main memory.

From my current MacBooks' system profiler:
Intel GMA 950:

Chipset Model: GMA 950
Type: Display
Bus: Built-In
VRAM (Total): 64 MB of shared system memory
Vendor: Intel (0x8086)
Device ID: 0x27a2
Revision ID: 0x0003
Displays:
Color LCD:
Display Type: LCD
Resolution: 1280 x 800
Depth: 32-bit Color
Built-In: Yes
Core Image: Supported
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Quartz Extreme: Supported
Display:
Status: No display connected


The Radeon 200M allows the user to configure more or less RAM for video depending on the users' needs, up to the maximum of 256mb (I believe---don't have that unit in front of me at this moment)

Since most of us seem to be using or configuring 2gb of RAM, it would be nice to have the capability to increase allocation.

[analogika]

So on one hand, we've got people justifying the necessity of a 15.4" MacBook, and on the other, we've got people bringing up much stronger (IMHO) arguments in favor of a 13.3" MacBook Pro.

What do you propose Apple do?

$1099 - MacBook Combo
$1299 - MacBook (slightly faster) Superdrive
$1599 - MacBook 15.4" integrated graphics
$1599 - MacBook Pro 13.3" (dedicated graphics, black)
$1999 - MacBook Pro 15.4"

hm. Seems like overkill to me.

[kobi]

Look at the new "Ultimate" Macbook that came out today. I think they are going to be the base config for the new 15.4" Macbook.

MacDailyNews is reporting that Apple may expand the lineup with the 15.4" Macbook.

While this is unconfirmed, the story is from the same people that were spot on about the Macbook rumors. I'm hoping that this 15.4 Macbook will happen.

From the news story, last line on the last paragraph:

"Sources contacted by Lin also noted that Apple may expand its MacBook family by introducing a 15.4-inch widescreen lineup."

Link to story:

http://macdailynews.com/index.php/we...omments/10064/

[HouseSold]

Originally Posted by kobi

Look at the new "Ultimate" Macbook that came out today. I think they are going to be the base config for the new 15.4" Macbook.

MacDailyNews is reporting that Apple may expand the lineup with the 15.4" Macbook.

While this is unconfirmed, the story is from the same people that were spot on about the Macbook rumors. I'm hoping that this 15.4 Macbook will happen.

From the news story, last line on the last paragraph:

"Sources contacted by Lin also noted that Apple may expand its MacBook family by introducing a 15.4-inch widescreen lineup."

Link to story:

http://macdailynews.com/index.php/we...omments/10064/

Its coming, up in the sky, its a ........................

[greenamp]

All I know is, Apple has sold a sh*t load of 13.3" MacBooks.

[Simon]

Originally Posted by analogika

hm. Seems like overkill to me.

I concur. Although I understand that there are people on a budget that want a 15" notebook and there are others that want a small enclosure with great specs on the inside, I think Apple has found a lineup that suits a large majority of buyers while being cost-efficient and simple.

I'm sure there are people (certainly also on boards like this one) that aren't happy with Apple's decision, but from a business perspective that doesn't prove their decision wrong at all.

[kobi]

With the news of the 15.4 coming, so much for hope of the "ultra" 10 or 11" inch portable coming out.

I never understood the need for a computer that small. The new small Sony vaio is crap BTW.

If you want something that small, get a Treo or Blackberry.

[slugslugslug]

That MacDailyNews article is quoting people from DigiTimes, who have a terrible track record when it comes to Apple rumors. Come back here when Think Secret or AppleInsider is saying the same thing, or MacRumors has it from one of their own sources.

[kobi]

DigiTimes were the ones that Think Secret and Apple Insider were getting there Macbook news/rumors from.

They get most of their news from the source.........China.

I don't think Apple secrets matter much over there. Just over here.

I think that I'll stick with them.

[slugslugslug]

Show me the rumors that DigiTimes called correctly.

[dreamryche]

Whether it happens or not, I think a 15" MB would be a good move. Spec it the same as a MacBook 'Ultimate' but with the bigger screen, and price it at $1700 or so. I'm sure they would sell enough of them.

[buddy1065]

A black macbook 11/12.1 inch 2 GHz dual core would be incredible with 128 MB shared. I would go for it in a heartbeat. Sony is just getting it's core solo TX into the market; not enough for me. I can hold out 'cause I am still lovin my Sony T250 after 1 year. Apple definitely needs more choices in their lineup. The ultralight movement is growing and will continue in spite of folk who can't see the exceptional take anywhere mobility. Manufacturers know this and new ultralight offerings are popping up much more frequently.