MacBook Pro 17" released (available next week) The 17" model is basically the same as the 15" model with the following changes... It has a FW800 port (yay!), an 8x DL SuperDrive (yay!) and of course a bigger screen. 2799 USD is the base price for the 2.16 Core Duo model, which is the only option as for the processor. And this is actually my main gripe with Apple and the adoption of intel's Core processors. They should be perfectly capable to offer me a 17" with the lowest-cost processor available! But it looks like they'll just continue like that - which means that a smaller screen MacBook (the rumoured 13.3" widescreen model) will have a low-end processor only, which is a pity, because portability should not necessarily mean lower performance. Not with what intel actually offers as processor-options.
While this might come across as whining, it's not my personal gripe. I'll be happy with a 13" widescreen model with so-so performance. But if Apple truly wants every switcher possible - even those who'll just use Windows XP on their MacBooks - Apple should lure them into the Apple (Boot) Camp more actively in my not-so-humble opinion. And for all those whose main issues are "big screen" and "play videos" and "price", the now-released 17" is absolutely no match for the flood of 17" notebooks already out there. They all play videos fine and they all have good screens (although I'd bet that Apple's currently are better...), but they're often simply cheaper. I'm not merely saying "Apple should be cheaper", mind you! I actually find Apple's notebook prices quite okay for what they deliver. But Apple is low on the options part. Build-to-order? Not really. You can have it all or nothing instead - for 2799 USD. - posted by Patrick Armbruster @ 15:44 [article link]