Considering a new Macbook Pro, but...

[DavidNZ]

Am considering wading (back) into the Mac environment, just for the fun of it. Will be keeping my X40, however.

After spending a few hours tonight doing some research on whether to get either the new MBP Core 2 Duo, I've come across what may some nasty quality control issues that Apple is facing with the MBPs:

1. Many report really bad wifi performance on the new (D-link?) Airport cards, to the point where Windows laptops see plenty of APs but the MBPs see none. Some think it is due to the metal case, while others suggest it's a driver problem.

2. Screen complaints. Seems some are having problems with the 15" MPBs having dark or excessively light patches on their screens:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread. ... ost3022342
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jsp ... &tstart=30

Others are even suggesting that the matte finishes look grainy:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jsp ... 4&tstart=0

I'm starting to have second thoughts. Sure, my X40 hasn't been perfect (have had two hard drives, both of which have loud clicks; PC-Doctor 5's installer walked all over my system, but it's still useable until I do a fresh install; the trackpoint has left a mark on the screen) but it's 2.5 years old, the keyboard is still top notch, the screen is great, and I get great wifi.

I dunno. Maybe I shouldn't bother with a 'toy' Mac...

[NS]

David,

you should get a T60p.

regards,

[underclocker]

Start here -> http://www.appledefects.com/

I tried MacBook and Mac Mini Solo toys recently, did not think they were much fun. And, with 512MB RAM default, they are barely usable for anything more than surfing the Web.

Design is OK, Mac OS has some nice features.

[DIGITALgimpus]

All computers have issues. I saw a pic of a thinkpad that caught fire at an airport (talk about hazard if that had been on a plane). We all saw it.

Apple users are well known for complaining, as most are passionate users who obsess. Just look at this forum for some of the more humorous complaints over time. Most are nitpick.

And yes, you need more than 512MB RAM. IMHO Mac OS X requires 1GB these days. Same with XP, below that both are unusable.

Interestingly after 1.5GB XP shows no real performance gain, while OS X continues to take advantage of memory. But that's likely due to it's UNIX heritage, where optimizing for the environment is very important.

[RUSH2112]

No experience with the Pro, but I did own a MacBook for about 2 months before selling it because of how terrible it was.

OSX needs 1.5-2GB IMHO.
XP will happily run average tasks on 256mb, 512 definately. You done even need a gig unless you are a power user or gamer.

The thinkpads' hardware is better and (as much as I dislike windows) xp is better than osx.

IMHO, if you can, get a T60p that is officially Linux supported and pop SLED10, Ubuntu, Gentoo, or whatever Linux distro floats your boat on there.