Apple Doesn’t Announce Upgrades to Macbook, Macbook Pro and MacBook Air
Today at the Apple Tablet event Apple announce the brand new Apple Tablet called the iPad, but they didn’t announce updates to their Macbook notebooks including the Macbook, Macbook Pro and Macbook Air.
Going into the event we had expected Apple to at the least offer a slight refresh to the Macbook lines, the oldest is 233 days old; which in tech years is a long time (akin to dog years) especially since Intel just announced powerful new processors like the Core i3, Core i5 and the Core i7 that are already making their way into other computers like the HP Pavilion series.
We also were holding our breath to see USB 3.0, a hard drive bump and maybe even a matte screen option on the 13″ MPB (but that’s just Josh dreaming). But alas, our dreams fell dreadfully short since none of that was on tap at the event. This event was all about the iPad and how pre-existing Apple entities, like the iTunes store, calendar, and iWork would function with this new device. Everything else was just pushed away.
A little background about Amy and myself may help put our short rant into perspective.
Amy is a longtime Mac user (over 15 years) and our resident Mac expert while Josh is a traditionally PC guy who has been looking at getting a 13″ Macbook Pro and becoming a Mac user for the first time. They both like the Mac and the PC platforms, but have been leaning towards the Mac camp recently.
New to the Macbook, Macbook Pro, and MacBook Air Product Lines:
- Zip
- Zero
- Nada
- The big black hole of nothing to report
Josh: Sure, the Macbook received a UniBody refresh in October 2009, but with most competing notebooks already getting the new Intel Chip processors that most sources say you do want, the lack of an upgrade is troublesome. The non-upgrade means that many informed Mac buyers will listen to the Mac Rumor Buyer’s Guide and, “Don’t Buy – Updates soon”.
Amy: Honestly, I am not that surprised that nothing was announced on a Mac refresh. With all the tablet hype, this kind of news would have fallen by the wayside. There was a post a while back saying that Apple wasnt going to use the new Intel Core line in their devices. The lack of announcement here (and probably for the future) cements that posts conjecture on Apple using something else. Heck, the new iPad uses an Apple A4 processor, whatever/whomever that is.
Josh: Personally, I will hold off and hope that either Apple announces new Macbook Pro’s, with a free iPod, this summer or settle for a Windows PC that combines a Core i3 or i5 processor with a backlit keyboard. That is, assuming any manufacturer brings it to market.
Amy: I love my 13″ old school (sans unibody) white Macbook. It just works. Will I upgrade it if/when they do a refresh of the line? I dont know. I may just keep this until it dies and then go for the next, next generation…wherever that takes me. In the meanwhile, if I want the new Intel Core processor, I’ll drop $300 on a netbook. Then, I can get the best of both worlds!
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I really anticipated on the anouncement of the new pro version today. I do not want to wait much longer, but I will get really pissed when I buy one and find out the new ones will be on sale the next month.
I really wanted an i5 MacBook pro today. Another Apple disappointment.
Today was a special event just for the iPad. They wanted the entire story to be just about their new device with nothing else stealing it's thunder. Makes sense actually.
It doesn't mean they won't update their products anytime soon though. Macworld 2010 is in a couple weeks, I think we'll probably see the i5 MacBook Pro unveiled there.
I'm in the market for a new notebook, and I've never owned a Mac before. But at my local Best Buy, I can't stay away from the MacBook Pro 17. I'm thiiiiiiis close to buying one, but there are other notebooks there, like the new Sony Vaio F, with a Core i7, backlit keyboard, and full numeric pad keyboard. Of course, not as sexy as the MacBook.
Hurry up Apple. Do you want my money or not?
If you want a macbook pro just buy one
They're great and to be honest the majority of y'all will get nowhere near the capacity of these machines. The current line has 8gig memory supported, with 7 hour battery life, what are you waiting for?!…..to tell someone you bought the newest one, which will be superseeded in 6 months anyway?……..seriously, no kidding, they're great……
Everybody is talking about don't wait for the newest one, I agree if the update only raise the frequency of the CPU under the same build structure. However, updating from a Core 2 Duo to Quad Core is quite different, especially with the same or even less thermal design power. I think it's still worth waiting.
If the Core2 Duo 15″ MacBook Pro was more reasonably priced I would pull the trigger on it. But the HP Envi with an i5 is $400 less expensive and it makes it hard to justify paying a premium when it obviously is not a great deal. Steve Jobs is really starting to piss me off.
I am in the market to buy a MacBook Pro now and as hoping they would announce a new one…I dont really know what to do now…wait or just get myself a Windows 7 machine…come on Apple!!!
Apple usually updates its macbook pro line around the beginning of march meaning that is when they usually are available. I don't understand why people are telling others to just go ahead and buy one. They don't usually hike up prices that much from the old line so why spend the same amount of money for a machine that is outdated?
did anyone notice the mac book 13 inch has same specs as mac book pro 13 inch and it cost less but the mac book comes with 500 gig hard drive and the mac book pro only comes with 250 gig ?? i think they need to upgrade the mac book pro sooner enough because they are getting to be a little out of date… if they want to beat the competition they better do something soon…
I wanted them to announce a Macbook Pro, I really want one. Not that huge ipod touch. which they call iPad.
It was supremely disappointing Apple hasn't announced an update for the Macbook Pro lines yet. The iPad looks fascinating, but…while I love my iPhone, Apple's propriety in their software is getting tiresome. I am like Josh and was leaning towards getting a Mac for the first time, but again, Apple has yet to announce an update to the new processor. Apple fanboys are the first to point out the superior build quality of the Macbooks and the proportionate price of a similarly-built PC generally makes the Apple a cheaper choice. But…I mean, come on Apple, everyone else has been offering the latest Intel processor for a couple of months, and you're still running the Core 2 Duos, sans the price decrease. As long as Apple is lagging behind, the price differentiation *does not* justify Apple's premium price.
I completely agree with you- the 13″ MacBook Pro is in bad need of a spec update.
Apple… I am so close to buying a 15inch MBP it's not funny!!! Hurry up and put the new i5 processors in them, and make the 256gb SSD option cheaper!!!! This will be my first mac, and I don want to start 4 years uni with old technology… I need this to last me 4 years, so hurry up and put this in…. Other wise I'll be looking to a toshbia or hp. Serously apple, HURRY!!! I've got 3 weeks before in go back!
I have a mac book pro thats 3 going on 4 yrs old and I absolutely love it except for the fact I have to run Parallels on it so I can run windows on ti so I can run quickbooks on along with my estimating program. I can run it all but its a little slow so I too am too hoping that Macbook Pros with i7 processors in them but need the numeric keypad as well. Might go and get a sony f1190 with a i7 processor, 8GB DDR3-SDRAM-1333 and can add a 256 solid state drive for $200. Love my mac but they are definitely falling behind.
I know that apple will have a macbook with an i5 or i7 coming soon when they finish the new update for snow leopard. hopefully within the next month or two.
I know that apple will have a macbook with an i5 or i7 coming soon when they finish the new update for snow leopard. hopefully within the next month or two.
The last update to the MacBook Pro was in June 2009. According to MacRumors' Buyer's Guide, the average update cycle is 200 days. The current revision is on 251 days, so there should be an update soon.
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