Mac laptops : New MacBook Pro 13 vs. older MacBook 13?
New MacBook Pro 13 vs. older MacBook 13?
by jennywren1420 - 6/12/09 7:14 AMMy dear old PowerBook Firewire model is showing its age badly—though if I thought it could be fixed for a reasonable amount (and competently), I might put some money into it. I'd have to replace the CD/DVD drive and the battery (and maybe even the soldered-in battery that keeps the time, etc.), and some of the keys on the right side don't respond to the Shift. The rest of it works just fine.
That is just to show you what I am like: I keep my computers for a long, long time. Also, because I have a working G4 desktop, I don't use the laptop a lot.
1. That said, I have been considering getting a new laptop, and when the desktop fails, that (and an external monitor and maybe a keyboard) will be my main computer. I like a lot of what the new MacBook Pro 13-inch offers, but I'm put off by the fact that the battery cannot be replaced. Or can it? That is at the heart of the matter: Is it just that I would not be able to replace it myself, or that I couldn't even get it replaced by clever techs? That is, is the computer done for, once the battery goes dead?
Also, I wondered about the battery in relation to the question of someone like me, who tended to use the computer with the AC adaptor, not detached from a power supply. In such a situation, the length of battery time is irrelevant, but the replaceability of the battery is not. I might even remove the battery at such times.
So, although I really like the return of Firewire, and the SD card is nice, I don't absolutely need those things. Would I do better to get the MacBook 13 (the generation before the Pro13)? Would that ensure that I could keep my computer as long as everything else besides the battery works?
2. Perhaps a silly question but one that I think is relevant. I see that neither MacBook has an internal modem. Does that mean that when my broadband connection goes down (it does that, though very rarely), I cannot use the few hours a month of dialup that my ISP provides for such situations?
Of course, since I don't need a laptop at the present moment, I suppose I could wait until either my desktop breaks down and can't be repaired or Apple comes across with a MacBook model with a removeable battery (if that really is a great plus). For me a laptop would be an occasional convenience, not a necessity. Still, if I should want to get the earlier model (spiffed up with the maximum HD and RAM), I think I must hustle. It may not be available for long.
Any observations would be very welcome. I know that some of this may seem silly to people who are not oriented to keeping equipment for long periods or to those who are more thoroughly informed than I, and for that I beg your indulgence and give you my thanks.
Best,
Jenny
About the battery.
by R. Proffitt
- 6/12/09 9:40 AM
In reply to: New MacBook Pro 13 vs. older MacBook 13? by jennywren1420
1. Apple has a web page about that. Not to duplicate that but look at the longevity of that battery. It is not your typical 18 month battery. We'll see if they hit the 5 year mark but it's a fine thing and I'll let you read the web about replacement costs and yes the question about DIY is answered.
My view? Much ado about nothing. I'll check back in 5 years.
2. Modems are truly dead. The dial up crowd is screaming over the rise in rates. Think about it. Less users = less users to share the costs = HIGHER PRICES = less users = less users to share the costs = HIGHER PRICES (keep repeating.)
For now I just head out to a wifi hot spot.
If you don't need it, skip it. It's only going to get better!
Bob
Thanks, Bob
by jennywren1420 - 6/12/09 2:55 PM In reply to: About the battery. by R. Proffitt
I went to the Apple page but didn't find anything there or in the discussions that dealt exactly with whether a professional Mac place could replace the battery, once it has been depleted. I did phone the Apple number, however, and the woman I spoke to said that she was "pretty sure" that the battery could be replaced (though of course, not by me—which was already clear). I guess it makes sense, since if someone had a broken battery *before* the statute of limitations (so to speak) ran out, that battery would be replaced.
Anyway, it sounds promising. It certainly would be nice to have the other features (Firewire, better screen, possibility of more RAM and bigger hard drive, to name a few) and a lower price—though I'm sure that any merchant wanting to dispose of its early 2009 MacBooks will reduce the price.
I asked about the modem only because my ISP offers a certain number of hours of dialup as an alternative when Wifi or broadband goes down, but that hasn't happened so far. And yes, I could take the laptop out to a place that had Wifi in such a case.
Well, thanks again. I'm still dithering, but I shall decide soonish.
Jenny
Here's the prices.
by R. Proffitt - 6/12/09 4:04 PM
In reply to: Thanks, Bob by jennywren1420
http://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro/service/battery/
Shopping around I see batteries ran about the same price so this price is darn reasonable since you get another 5 year battery and "the right battery."
I've read too much about this and my thoughts are simple. "Much ado about a good thing."
Bob
Thanks for the link, Bob,
by jennywren1420 - 6/12/09 4:32 PM In reply to: Here's the prices. by R. Proffitt
Just the kind of thing I wanted to know.
Best,
Jenny
About the modem
by mrmacfixit - 6/12/09 10:34 AM
In reply to: New MacBook Pro 13 vs. older MacBook 13? by jennywren1420
Apple's laptops, desktops too for that matter, have not had internal modems in them for a very long time.
However, Apple sells a $50 USB modem which works very well.
See it Here
It will be interesting to see what sort of warranty, if any, the 5 year battery has.
P
Much obliged!
by jennywren1420 - 6/12/09 3:05 PM In reply to: About the modem by mrmacfixit
Of course, as we all know, batteries can be the Achilles' heel in many devices. You have just given me something more to have nightmares about. Just kidding, but you truly have raised an arresting question.
Fact is, either MacBook would be likely to have more than enough space, RAM and more than I am likely to use, considering my dear old dinosaur of a G4 desktop (long may it roar) and the length of time I used my old PowerBook G3. But as I said to Bob, there are some very tempting features of the Pro that the earlier MacBook doesn't have, and since I would be using the thing with the AC adapter (once my G4 goes the way of, well, you know), I could well find myself never having to replace the battery because the rest of the computer would fail first. The woman I spoke to at Apple told me that the battery kind of rests—isn't recharging—when the AC adapter is being used, so that could lengthen the life of the battery beyond its normal span.
I hope that this information is useful to others. Thanks to you, as always.
Jenny
Jane
(NT) Very tempting features indeed!
by mrmacfixit - 6/12/09 6:22 PM
In reply to: Much obliged! by jennywren1420
Bandwidth cap
by tipoo_ - 6/15/09 7:56 AM In reply to: New MacBook Pro 13 vs. older MacBook 13? by jennywren1420Hey Jenny, i just wanted to make sure you are aware of this issue before you buy:
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7592_102-0.html?messageID=3061850&tag=forum-w;forums06#3061850
Probably wont matter with current hard drives, but maybe it will limit future upgrades.
Mountain out of a mole hill
by mrmacfixit - 6/15/09 6:37 PM
In reply to: Bandwidth cap by tipoo_
See the original post on this subject.
Apparently, not uncommon
P
Thank you both
by jennywren1420 - 6/16/09 4:35 PM In reply to: Mountain out of a mole hill by mrmacfixit
Thanks to tipoo and Peter for their comments. Fact is, after reading the hot, hot, hot commentary in the thread from the link that tipoo sent me, I am hardly better equipped to make the choice. Anyway, with my antediluvian practices where computers are concerned, these issues seem unrelated to any reality in my computing life. All the specs on either the 2009 MacBook or the MacBook Pro are so far beyond anything I've known to date (even on my desktop, which is a G4 Sawtooth model) that I'm bound to be in awe when I use whichever one I buy. My standards are just too modest to make either anything but a good choice. I just need to decide before all the 13" MBs disappear. If I decide to get a MacBook Pro in the end, I can even wait to see how the dust settles on the SATA issue.
And so, once again, thanks. I have just spent what seems like a lifetime reading posts about this subject. I understand the issue better now than I did when I began (and find myself astounded at what some people know and care about regarding their computers), but it is clear that I would not suffer, whichever computer I buy.
Jenny
I'm glad
by tipoo_ - 6/16/09 5:02 PM In reply to: Thank you both by jennywren1420Well if you dont get in to the technical nitty-gritty your bound to enjoy a product much more than those of us who do, and your correct in thinking the SATA issue wont affect you much (i bet they will firmware patch it in a few months at most anyways), so enjoy your shiney new macbook!
Btw can i have your G4 Sawtooth? lol
No way are you getting my Sawtooth! <grin>
by jennywren1420 - 6/16/09 5:42 PM In reply to: I'm glad by tipoo_I am hoping it will just grind on forever!
Anyway, it was good of you to write back.
Best,
Jenny
*Weeps silently*
by tipoo_ - 6/17/09 11:14 AM In reply to: No way are you getting my Sawtooth! <grin> by jennywren1420Ah well, no G4 for me. Enjoy your new computer anyways though 
(NT) NT Funny! But thanks for the wishes.
by jennywren1420 - 6/17/09 8:42 PM In reply to: *Weeps silently* by tipoo_
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
