17-inch MacBook Pro
The non-replaceable battery in the new 17-inch MacBook Pro doesn’t bother me a bit. However, as Jason Snell says:
Apple’s been pretty skimpy on licensing the MagSafe power connector to allow people to build external backup batteries. It would be nice if Apple would loosen the restrictions on MagSafe while it’s preventing people from swapping batteries.
I have two concerns about the new MacBook Pro. First, there are reports that the Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter doesn’t work very well. Second, it appears that the hard drive is not easily replaceable. This was my favorite new feature with the 15-inch unibody MacBook Pros. Removable hard drives provide more control over my data (especially if a repair is needed) and more storage options. Apple offers a 320 GB hard drive or a 256 GB SSD drive for $900 extra. I’d rather put in a 500 GB drive or a 256 GB SSD drive for $465, plus have the flexibility to upgrade as storage technology improves.
Update (2009-01-07): According to Macworld, the hard drive is user-replaceable, although not as easily as with the 15-inch. You just have to remove eight screws on the bottom panel, and this does not void the warranty.
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It's not going to be AS easy to replace the hard drive, but I suspect it is still pretty easy.
Chris: It may be easy, but will it void the warranty?
[...] 17-inch MacBook Pro - every once in a while I get the hankering for a 17″ lappy again. [...]
I <3 MacBook.... I have been using windows based laptops for 10 years when I finally took the Mac dive and got a MacBook... best piece of machinery I have ever used. Aesthetically looks amazing, runs everything fast and smooth... and for the apps that don't work in Mac I installed WinXP on it too! But i would get an older version of either the MacBook or the Pro in order to have the flexibility of changing batteries. Just my 2cents worth...
-Vrbo
HI THERE NEW UPDATE APPLE THE COST OF THE 256 GB SSD DRIVE THE 256 GB SSD SOLID STATE FLASH DRIVE WILL NOW ONLY COST YOU $750 A $150 SAVINGS
[...] 17-inch MacBook Pro - every once in a while I get the hankering for a 17″ lappy again. [...]
[...] 17-inch MacBook Pro - every once in a while I get the hankering for a 17″ lappy again. [...]
I've replaced the hard drive on my new 17 inch with no problem. yea a few extra screws but, definitely better than the old voiding the warranty days.
It is probably a Macbook designed for it's primary audience: graphics and audio professionals. I'm skeptical on the battery claims, for obvious past reasons. I also wonder what it means by color depth. This must mean the screen isn't using 6-bit dithering anymore.