As someone who adores the design of the iMac with it’s black rim, I was pleased to see the MacBook, MacBook Pro and new LED Cinema Display all get rimmed at the Apple Event yesterday. I’d long hoped that we’d see sleek aluminum and black make their way across to the notebook range.
I’m more than happy with the set-up I have now and have absolutely no need for a notebook, but that doesn’t stop me fawning and drooling all over them. It’s agony being sensible. The new LED Cinema Display is exactly as I had been imagining a design refresh to look like. The iMac design and built-in iSight. However, since it’s no use to any machine other than the MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air then my money is safe, unfortunately!
Anyone out there tempted by the new range, or have you placed your order already? If money was no object and I needed a notebook then I think I’d go for the MacBook Pro 15″. I’ve never been tempted by the MacBook Air and now that it lacks the black rim that the others have it’s starting to look outdated (in my opinion)…just 10 months after it debuted, but I guess that’s technology.
15 Oct 08
9:29 pm
If I had the money at the moment, I would be pouncing all over a 15″ MacBook Pro, as my 2 year old MacBook is feeling quite long in the tooth. And by that, I mean slow. I hate the Intel GMA950 integrated graphics.
The earliest I can really see myself taking the plunge in when Snow Leopard hits this summer. And believe me, I am saving now!
15 Oct 08
10:02 pm
I’m waiting for a new 30″, but i think i’ll probably go for a new MacBook to change my “old” one.
i have my iMac 24″ for my work, but i keep the MacBook for everything like Mail, web and stuff like that, it’s the good way to keep private and pro life separated when your work at home
16 Oct 08
1:58 pm
Great Chris, something to look forward to. I don’t see myself spending large amounts of anything in the foreseeable future so the money I do accumulate will be sitting there just incase Apple decide to refresh the iMac design late in 2009. But, I hope they don’t lose the black rim otherwise the MB/MBP’s are going to look all out again. Let’s hope they don’t refresh the iMac range until 2010 - I’d be happy with that
Ooh nice, Missty. Are you thinking of going for the MacBook soon? My iMac has my *life* on it. My PowerBook just has my personal e-mail pretty much and nothing of terrible importance as it’s literally just the bed/sofa surfing machine.
16 Oct 08
5:22 pm
Well it WAS going to be an Air, but it looks so dated now, and having felt and used the new machines yesterday at the Sheffield Store…
All I can say is WOW! The quality is just stunning, so it’s going to be a new MBP with 4Gb RAM me thinks! Just need to find one now!
16 Oct 08
7:11 pm
So excited for you, Jon! I hope you can get one when you’re in London next week. I’ll be looking out for that very exciteable tweet
*fingers crossed*
16 Oct 08
9:13 pm
I also love the black rimmed design (aka panda eye IMHO). Before the announcement, I thought about the MacBook Air. If the MacBook Air can hold 4gigs of memory, I will more likely to grab the 2nd gen model.
Black rim, check;
Glossy display, check;
glass touchpad, check;
backlit keyboard, check.
I really really want to get my parents a new Mac Book. They deserve a better computer. =P
17 Oct 08
3:51 pm
Hope you get the Mac you want soon, Kenneth.
I wish I could stop thinking about the MacBook range. This always happens after an event so I’m hoping it passes, haha. Who else is walking around their house and wondering what they can sell to help fund [and justify] their [Mac] addiction? Hope it’s not just me
17 Oct 08
4:00 pm
LOL! Well, ALL stores are sold out today - I have rung Manchester, Sheffield, Regent Street, the lot!
Hoping for more stock & Regent Street for Sunday!
17 Oct 08
5:00 pm
Damn, those things are popular already! And where’s this Credit Crunch we’re hearing about? Not in the Mac Fan World that’s for sure
21 Oct 08
7:20 pm
Sam, I love your site, great info all around…but I have to disagree about the new style directions of Apple. As a photographer, the glossy screens are impossible to work on with all that glare. They’re great for casual video,web surfing, but for critical photo work-useless. The good news is that the last gen MBP’s will now be going on sale and a bit cheaper.
I was waiting so long to get a new MBP but now will have to settle for the last gen.
Also can’t really stand the black around the edges thing. Looks too Windoze to me. Thought the last gen MBP was perfect in almost every way…but speed.
Don’t get me started on the Cinema screens…I have so many photographer friends that are jumping ship now trying to scramble to find any remaining Cin displays that aren’t gloss.
A great update to some is a deal breaker for others I guess.
Keep up the great work!
21 Oct 08
7:51 pm
Hi Scott! Thanks for your kind words about the site
Yeah, there does seem to be a lot of people who hate the glossy displays (and the black rims). For the work I do it hasn’t been a problem at all, but I know photographers mostly find the glossy screens impossible to work with. Offering the option of glossy or matte would have been a good move, especially for the Cinema Displays.