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0 pointsfreehunter14y ago0 comments

Well for a pro laptop... my pro laptop (Thinkpad) is hooked into a docking station right now. My external monitor, some USB drives, and ethernet are plugged into the dock. When I undock, I'm going mobile so I don't need an external monitor, USB hard drives, and I can work on wifi. In my ~3000 person office, this is by far the norm. Access to some systems are locked down on an IP address basis, assuming you'll be plugged into the wall that gives a static address.

So the point is, it might be called the MacBook Pro, but is it really geared towards professional users? Not even AV professionals anymore, with no Firewire and no disc drive.

Finally, if it really is a problem, buy the Thunderbolt to GigE adaptor.

You shouldn't have to buy accessories on a $2200 laptop which come standard on even a $200 netbook.

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8 comments · 2 top-level

taligent14y ago· 5 in thread

You just need to understand that you have become an edge case. The 1%.

People just aren't using Firewire, Optical Drives and Ethernet like they use to. And compromising the entire computer just to satisfy a minority isn't good business. And absolutely isn't Apple's style.

Most things are more expensive when you aren't buying the mainstream option. In your case having to buy the Superdrive, Firewire and GigE adapters.

freehunterOP14y ago

You just need to understand that you have become an edge case.

It's called the Macbook Pro. Firewire is huge in cameras still. Optical drives are still big in AV work. Ethernet is still important in corporate networks. By default, professionals are not mainstream. This is a 100% consumer laptop. Calling it "Pro" is just disingenuous when there's not a single professional aspect about it.

cpr14y ago

Thunderbolt is the high-speed channel on this thing.

Plug it into a matching Cinema Display and you've got Firewire, GigE, etc., all via Thunderbolt.

Apple, once again, is betting on a new standard, which seems to be working.

(The HDMI port is a nice touch, since most modern projectors and large-screen devices support it.)

ioquatix14y ago

No they aren't¹.

(1) 95% of statistics are made up.

I'm sure Apple, who actually sell the machines, and collect statistics, know what their users are after.

freehunterOP14y ago

And they can sell whatever machine they want to sell. The point of this entire thread is the name.

I'm not sure what you're referring to about statistics, as I never offered any statistics. I'd love to take a survey of audio and visual professionals and see how many of them have devices that either stream over Firewire (much more consistent bandwidth than USB2) or burn to disc (slightly less common). Brand new devices might use SD or Thunderbolt, but AV equipment is expensive and not always replaced every time Apple comes up with a new standard.

ceejayoz14y ago

"Pro" doesn't indicate what type of professional.

The Photoshop pros, photographer pros, etc. I know don't want to open up their laptops, but they're still pros.

ctdonath14y ago· 1 in thread

$200 netbooks don't come with those standard features, $2200 laptop features, AND cram it all into a 0.71" thick case.

freehunterOP14y ago

Every netbook comes with ethernet. Generally not with a disc drive, not because the thickness is a concern but because a disc drive is bigger than a 7" computer.

Thickness is the culprit here for both ethernet and ROM, and this drive to thin machines makes no sense on a laptop marketed for professional users.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 comments

8 comments · 2 top-level

taligent14y ago· 5 in thread

You just need to understand that you have become an edge case. The 1%.

Most things are more expensive when you aren't buying the mainstream option. In your case having to buy the Superdrive, Firewire and GigE adapters.

freehunterOP14y ago

You just need to understand that you have become an edge case.

cpr14y ago

Thunderbolt is the high-speed channel on this thing.

Plug it into a matching Cinema Display and you've got Firewire, GigE, etc., all via Thunderbolt.

Apple, once again, is betting on a new standard, which seems to be working.

(The HDMI port is a nice touch, since most modern projectors and large-screen devices support it.)

ioquatix14y ago

No they aren't¹.

(1) 95% of statistics are made up.

I'm sure Apple, who actually sell the machines, and collect statistics, know what their users are after.

freehunterOP14y ago

And they can sell whatever machine they want to sell. The point of this entire thread is the name.

ceejayoz14y ago

"Pro" doesn't indicate what type of professional.

The Photoshop pros, photographer pros, etc. I know don't want to open up their laptops, but they're still pros.

ctdonath14y ago· 1 in thread

$200 netbooks don't come with those standard features, $2200 laptop features, AND cram it all into a 0.71" thick case.

freehunterOP14y ago

Every netbook comes with ethernet. Generally not with a disc drive, not because the thickness is a concern but because a disc drive is bigger than a 7" computer.

Thickness is the culprit here for both ethernet and ROM, and this drive to thin machines makes no sense on a laptop marketed for professional users.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse