New 13" MacBook Pro worth it?

Yes, the unibody MBP is a noticeable improvement over the polycarbonate MB. As for the 'issues' you're hearing about, keep in mind that this and other discussion forums are analogous to an Emergency Room - there's a lot higher proportion of problems than out in the 'real world'.

Ps. Don't forget that Apple offers educational discounts.

http://canadaedu.apple.com/routing/index.php?lang=eng

On 6/10/09 I purchased the 13.3" 2.53 MBP installed a 500Gb HD myself and am 100% satisfied with my purchase. I have not had one problem (nock on wood) with it.

Buy with confidence that your getting a very high quality computer. Some are calling it the near perfect computer...

I would agree that it's almost there. Here's my wish list in order of importance.

1) Screen that fills the whole top case (13.9" maybe)
1a)Option for other than Glossy screen (Matte)
2) Built-in 3G, 4G firmware upgrade option (for all major carriers)
3) 1 - 1.5 pounds lighter
4) water resistant (don't laugh)
5) Express card slot (although have never used one)

Which 500GB hard drive did you install?

Thanks,

Nick

Western Digital Scorpio Blue WD5000BEVT 500GB 5400 RPM 8MB Cache 2.5" SATA 3.0Gb/sWD

I have had mine for 2 weeks -- no problems at all.

Heat issue: if used for typical tasks (internet, e:mail, Word/Excel, iTunes) there are no heat issues. If I run a processor intensive app (X-Plane or Flight Simulator X) it heats up -- any laptop would.

Optical Drive: I do not find it to be unusually loud (but I have not really paid attention to it either). Take a CD with you to a store and pop it in to try it.

The screen is very bright/vibrant. I was hoping to use it outside on my patio as the screen is so much brighter than my old Powerbook G4. However, the glossy screen & sun turn the screen into a mirror. I may look for some sort of a matte overlay to use outside.

I loaded the Windows 7 Beta / Bootcamp on it this week in order to run Flight Simulator X and some stock trading software. It works great with one exception -- the screen brightness keys don't work. Not a big deal and to be expected with a beta version.

It is a very well-built laptop. Feels much firmer/sturdier than my Powerbook G4.

Randy

I've held off buying a new HD because of all this chat about 1.5/3GB etc. I don't even know what it means! I just don't want to buy something that isn't going to work...

Any help?

Apple released a patch for the 1.5 gb SATA issue. After the patch install on the new MBP line, you'll be fine with installing an SSD or 7200 rpm HDD.

I'm not doubting you at all but there seems to be many people in this forum who have bought new HD's (Western, Seagate etc) only to have serious problems after the firmware update...

I'm confused!

I've had a White Macbook, an Aluminum Macbook (bought 31 days before the new line came out) and the new 13" Macbook Pro.

When I got the White Macbook, it was the best laptop I ever owned. I didn't want to get an aluminum, so I held off until I found someone to purchase the White Macbook for a good price (craigslist is awesome, and macs hold their value)

When I got the Aluminum Macbook, it seriously made me feel the White Macbook was a cheap plastic toy. It has nothing to do with the speed of the machine though. Both are fine machines. However, the aluminum body is very solid and light-weight. The White Macbook didn't last long before I had to return it for minor cracks, and the seams along the case never lined up perfectly (even when new).

I only had the Aluminum Macbook for a month before selling it for the new Aluminum Macbook Pro 13". They are pretty much the same thing, except the battery lasts a couple hours longer with the Pro. I do like the latch on the bottom of the Aluminum Macbook more than the one-piece on the Pro, but after upgrading things on it it's a non-issue.

So I'm for the Aluminum Macbook Pro. It's just a solid machine and feels more sturdy than the White Macbook. Both machines are great, but the Aluminum seems more durable.

With the education discount, try looking at the base 15" model. I settled for that one and I'd do it again. Great machine.

Bryan

Just to keep in mind, maybe you should consider getting Office for Mac 2008. I currently have iWorks 09, but there are certain features that appeal to me about Office for Mac 2008 and I will probably purchase it before school starts.

Being a recent mac switcher, you will not regret it! I hope you are able to purchase it soon!

I have Office 2008 for Mac. Although I really like what Apple has done with iWork 09, Office is still far superior in what it can do, especially Excel. Word and Pages, that's a different story. Pages does some things much better, like doing page layout. However, in 2008, Word is much better at working with images/graphics and it's much easier to manipulate them. I have the student edition and I think I paid $179.00 for it. Office is standard, so if you want complete compatibility with just about everyone, I would get Office.

Numbers gives you some nice ways to present your data, but Excel lets you work with it much easier IMO, plus you can do much, much more. Numbers is more eye candy in terms of making your spreadsheets look "beautiful." I don't know about you, but I don't care what my spreadsheets look like, I just want to be able to use that data in as many ways as possible, and Excel lets you do that.

Bryan

Right... although both iWork 09 and Office 2008 have their advantages and disadvantages, iWork generally tends to head towards the overall graphic quality of product presentations and ease of use, whereas Office is more database-scripting friendly.