Wednesday October 15, 2008
- Our Thoughts on New MacBook Models - Lionel - 20:17:53
While most of the details about the new MacBook models leaked (with Apple's blessing?) couples of hours before the Keynote, the latest was an interesting moment as it defines a new strategy for notebooks.
The manufacturing process was indeed one of the key point of the event, as it revolutionizes the way notebooks are designed and produced, to have both light and rigid models. Apple really presented it as the basis of its long-term strategy for notebooks. If the process might be initially more expensive, by recycling Alu enclosure the cost will most likely decrease quickly while bringing a greener Apple to Greenpeace.
Unfortunately, when looking at the new MacBook models we have a mixed feeling. Somehow, one could thing that to maintain similar prices while having to invest massively for the new innovative manufacturing lines, Apple dropped some features and functions. If the new MacBook models features DDR3 RAM, known to be more expensive than the current DDR2, and MacBook Pro have a NVidia SLI Hybrid video solution, all other components are a big compromise:
- The new entry-level MacBook Pro sport only 3 MB of cache, the faster Core 2 Duo with 6 MB of cache is now a BTO....
- All video adaptors have to be ordered separately, the most expensive one is priced 99 €!
- The MacBook does not have FireWire anymore. This was not mention during the keynote, most probably because it would have driven some remarks or comments from the audience. Of course, one can argue that this is a defined choice to clearly differentiate the MacBook from its more expensive and fully featured brother the MacBook Pro.
- No more matt display, while most video and photo Pro users prefer such display than the now standard glossy models. However, we will judge based on usage, and we agree that it is important to get LED backlighting on all notebook, for both preserving battery life time and our environment.
One the other side, if you are rich enough, and ready to spend nearly 2900 €, you can get the high-end MacBook Pro sporting a Core 2 Duo clocked at 2.8 GHz and a 128 GB SSD. On the other side, the MacBook has been really improved, appearing as a true brother of the MacBook Pro. If the FireWire port is now missing, it should frankly only be a problem for a small number of users as USB2 is now offering high speed transfer and new HD video camcorder are often now using the USB2 interface instead of the FireWire, while it was the default output port couple of years ago. So the main problem will be with external HD as USB2 remain slower than FireWire 400.
In summary, Apple changed its notebook strategy, most probably to keep capturing new market share, even though so long time Mac users might be disappointed by the lack of some features, they will remain faithful to the community. In addition, one should not forget that its OS first defines a Mac, and with Snow Leopard our Macs should get a second breath. Last but not least, if you prefer the previous MacBook models, then hurry up and go to the refurb store as Apple is emptying its stocks.
[translation by Linathael]
- Localization and translation: Does Apple Sacrifice Quality? - Eric - 16:09:18
As we already reported it over the past months, since Apple centralized its web editing service, we could spot several typo, mistake, non updated webpages on local Apple websites (including different languages). Yesterday following the launch of the new MacBook models, there were couples of rather funny but rude translation mistakes on Apple France website (see previous news), clearly coming from typo or editing performed by a person not speaking French.
One of our Spanish readers, Pere from Barcelona, sent us a screenshot showing how the front page of the Spanish Apple website dedicated to the new MacBook contains entire paragraphs in French!
It seems that this is a more general issue not affecting French Apple website, and that Apple by strange internal policies or for saving on costs of translation or localization of its main website, is outsourcing to unreliable companies/person some works which could affect the entire business image of the company.
- A Subwoofer in New MacBooks - Lionel - 14:49:35
Sorry, for the number of short news, but we are reporting information as soon as we learn or discover them.
The new MacBook and MacBook Pro now feature a subwoofer which should improve audio bass rendering. This is good news, even tough the audio quality level from the integrated speaker will remain the one expected from a notebook. You better plug external speaker via the audio output port.
[translation by Linathael]
- New MacBook 13" Already Disassembled - Lionel - 14:46:01
Our friends from Kodawarisan already grabbed a new MacBook and immediately disassembled it as usual wit hall new apple hardware models:
One can criticize Apple on many points or aspects, but one has to agree that they are now really expert in integrating so much components in so little space. In addition it remains quite easy to disassemble!
Direct link to the dedicated webpage: http://www.kodawarisan.com
[translation by Linathael]
- ZPower Battery: 40% More Power - Lionel - 14:41:54
One of the most important points for the decade is to offer the longest battery life time in the smallest enclosure possible. This is true for notebook, but also for handhelds, all mobile devices, transportations or in your car.
Many companies are working in this field to offer competitive solutions. One of them, ZPower announced to have developed a battery bringing 40% more power than the equivalent Li-Ion enclosure. ZPower should launch this next generation of rechargeable silver-zinc batteries for mobile electronics in 2009. In addition to power such battery are also greener as 95% of the primary elements can be recycled and reused. That battery will also be less dangerous and not carry the explosive potential of Li-Ion.
[translation by Linathael]
- No More Target Mode for New MacBooks - Lionel - 14:41:13
With the lack of FireWire in the new MacBooks, it will now be impossible to use such notebook in Target mode. Indeed, we received confirmation that a similar system can not be obtained via USB2.0. So, only the network disk mode introduced with the MacBook Air would be available.
[translation by Linathael]
- SLI Hybrid in MacBook Pro: Not So Integrated in Mac OS X Yet - Joe Le Boss - 14:40:54
One of the main new features in the MacBook Pro is the NVidia SLI Hybrid technology based on the integrated chipset GeForce 9400M associated to the discrete GeForce 9600M GTS. This function is theoretically a great feature for saving battery life time when the user does not need 3D rendering. On Apple website, there is a dedicated webpage announcing a gain of 1 hour battery life time when using only the integrated graphical chipset instead of the discrete GPU.
However, it is not as magic as one could have understand it from yesterday's keynote according to a TechNote released by Apple. Indeed, to switch from the integrated video more to power mode is not transparent and not managed automatically by the system yet. One will have to select an option in the power saving panel in system preferences... that's NOT all. You will need to log out from your session, then log in again to have the new video mode activated.
For sure, this procedure will most likely evolve and disappear with Mac OS X Snow Leopard, and one can expect that the switch will be summarized to a simple selection in a dropping menu on the Apple tools bar. With Son Leopard, Open CL will be able to manage several GPU simultaneously, so one can even imagine that the system will directly control which integrated or discrete processor is activated or not.
[translation by Linathael]
- Immersion sensors in the new portables - Lionel - 07:51:10
We have just quickly glanced through with the service information (notes from Apple for the after sales service) for the new portables.
Apple has made very big effort to simplify the interventions on these machines, for after sales service and for us, the end user, who will be able to rather easily change the hard drive. In fact, all is simpler except the change of the memory which are now less accessible. It is not only necessary to take out the battery, but also the rest of the lower cover of the machine!
They are only 8 screws to be removed, but this procedure will stop the beginners.
The important thing to note: just like on the iPods and the iPhones, there are now sensors of immersion (two) under the cover close to the keyboard. If you spill a liquid onto the keyboard, they will change color permanently.
[Update] the optical disk is now with SATA format, which is a first for Apple and good news for us. It will become possible to take it out and put a second hard drive instead in this place :)
[translation by crispin]
- Windows 7 will be called... Windows 7 - Lionel - 07:35:00
It is difficult not to speak about this important information. Microsoft finally decided to give a name to its next operating system, known until now, by the name Windows 7. Finally It will also be its official name. It would have been a shame not to benefit from the exposure created around this new product, that is now heavily awaited due to the disappointed of Vista.
[translation by crispin]
- Refurb Store for those disappointed with yesterday's announcements - Lionel - 07:28:39
If you absolutely need a MacBook equipped with Firewire, or a MacBook Pro with a matte screen, the only solution is to go to the Refurb in the next days.
Attention however, keep in mind that the store still proposes white MacBook 2,1 GHz equipped with a Superdrive for 949€. Do not buy a refurb machine that has similar characteristics.
The same applies or almost for the MacBook Pro. Ensure that the machine that you choose has a matte screen. It is either noted in the short description, or in longer.
@Le Refurb Store
[translation by crispin]
