I just bought one (15"/2.16GHz standard configuration) and it's still in the box. I think I might return it after reading about the headaches and heartaches. My PowerBook G4 is old and cranky and needs to be replaced, but at least I get wireless, my battery doesn't "swell", and the power adapter has yet failed to burn my fingerprints off.
So, I may be asking in the wrong place (because this is a forum that attracts people with complaints), but I'm wondering - is there a real alternative for Mac notebook users right now? Do the many problems I've read about exist in pretty much all the MBPs out there? Or has anyone heard of a small population of users who are happy and carefree?
I don't know how much longer I can sit and look at this unopened box - but I don't want to have shelled out $2400 for a really bad experience.
Aside from the batery problem that I'm having probably due to the early build up, this has been a great machine. The universal programing has been sensational.
Get it out of the box and run with it.
or if you really want to complain, go buy a pc laptop and be prepared for hours of being on the phone to the service center.
I'm happy, but not entirely carefree, as I am kind of obsessive about keeping it in as perfect a condition as possible..But that's my problem. Awesome laptop!
but I have to ask... your wireless connection really doesn't mysteriously drop out? Do you use wireless more than 2o feet from the hub? and your machine doesn't freeze or "go to sleep" all the time and require re-booting?
Forgive me if I sound freaked out, but it just never occurred to me that I could get really screwed by Apple until I read posts here re. the mbp.
Oh by all means open and set up and enjoy your new MBP!!!
I had some issues with airport dropping connection (which has been resolved), but I can say you will NOT find a better computer anywhere than the MBP.
A previous poster was right that these forums tend to be populated by people who are having problems. Please don't make the mistake of thinking this represents the totality of experiences of people who buy these.
The Macbook Pro is an AWESOME piece of technology and you will love it. I come from a PC-oriented environment and I can't keep my hands off this thing. In fact, I'll be replacing my PC with the new iMac as soon as the new version of OS X comes out.
I am thrilled with mine, 2.16, 2Gb RAM, 100/7200rpm drive. Of course it gets quite warm to the touch but it won't fry eggs. I also tried stressing the dual processor and, shre enough, the fan came on when it got cranking but it normally never does that in daily use.
Great news! Sounds like there are some happy mbp users, and it's lightening my mood, I can assure you.
I, too, will be "stressing" the dual processor, with lots of analyses that will probably take days (but not as many days as on the G4). How long have you had your mbp?
For about 60% I am happy, with my second one. First had to go back to reseller, for many reasons. Adobe CS2 Suite of apps function better than I expected; they are very slow on old PWB. For Ms Office, MBP will not take X version, and I just barely received and installed 2004; not enough time to use it.
We need to wait till those companies release native versions.
However, with the latest versions of OS 10.4.7, Safari is painfully slow; I try Firefox and Camino, with speed no better. I really do not find mail any different that in PWB. I am very intermitently successfull with iWeb; I have clients waiting to see images. It's been days, and I still get message that .mac servers busy. Apple support telephone give me no information of any significant value. They seem to be "answer" people: saying go to a store and compare! Very disappointing.
I have connected to internet via three different methods of connection during business days, all with wireless routers & strong signals: cable in two places and DSL in another. I am trying to create time Wednesday to drive the 75 miles to Apple store, to sit my MBP next to their's with same connection to test. I close other apps, when in browsers with no better results. Sometimes posts here go nowhere, and then post is never made!
Sorry to be negative, on the Apple native apps. George
I"ve had my mbp for a few months and I absoutly love it. I'm runing windows and tiger and i haven't experieced a single problem with my machine. And when i was in doubt I always turned to this fourm for help and someone was always there for me. So I say open up the box and enjoy, and if you do have any problems i hightly reccomend getting the apple care!!
Debra, I have had no wireless problems (Airport and Express). Whole house coverage. No freezes except on the Windows side. I did have a click problem that was fixed quickly at the Apple store in Pentagon City Mall on a trip last week to Washington. If you do have a problem I recommend the Genius Bar. I went online Monday morning and had a 1420 appointment.
Well I'd return it...but not because the MBP is a terrible machine. It's NOT. I LOVE mine. It's a great improvement over my PB G4 and I thought that machine was near perfect.
But I'd return it because the Core 2 Duo MBPs will be out in the next few weeks. It will be a nice speedbump for probably no extra money. You don't want to be the person who buys a $2400 laptop only to find out you could have done better if you held out for a couple more weeks. (At least I wouldn't).
FWIW my machine did have the inverter buzz but Apple fixed it and now it's quiet as any laptop I've ever used. The top left corner gets hot...but so does my PB G4.
Do yourself a favour - stop reading this (and other) discussion groups for awhile.
Open your new laptop, start using it - and enjoy. If there are problems (and there most probably wont be), dont' come here. Go back to the store etc. where you bought if from and follow the process.
The problem with discussion groups like this is that they highlight the problems. Most of the thousands and thousands of MBPs out there are working beautifully (such as mine).