Macbook and new iMac

[jharriso]

So I called the La Encantada store, and they say that the intel based machines should be able to boot into knoppix and the like, indicating to me that unless some protection has been built in to prevent it, one should be able to install windows for a dual boot fairly easily.

They didn't know the battery life there, but other reports I've seen suggest a battery life of anywhere from 5-10 hours, which is absolutely stunning.

I'll be interested to look around in March, see what the state of things is - how stable OSX is on the intel platform, battery life on the Macbooks, and dual boot potential. Hopefully, when the dual boot gets going, there'll be a painless way to access both volumes.

I'd rather get a 12 or a 14 inch intel cored macbook, and the fact that battery life is only a rumor right now is quite worrying.

Or maybe I'll just build myself a laptop instead. >.>

[abudhu]

I would believe that Knoppix and other Live CD's would be able to work on the simple basis that, unlike the Apple Install (which looks for the security chip) Live CD's mount the least amount of items needed to load. Thus, these *NIX Operating system wouldn't even need to worry about the Apple Security Chip, nor would it inhibit them. At least, thats my thinking. After all why actively look for a piece of hardware that would prevent your goal? Unless Apple actively updated their chip in the near future to prevent that I could see how this would work. But then, I would wonder, seeing as Apple is based on UNIX, if all *NIX could just get around it anyways.

You can Dual Boot Windows and Mac now ;). VMWare is quite the useful tool. However, to even get Windows on a VM machine, or natively, there is a few "hackish" steps you must take, which essentially bypass, and trick the Security chip.

As for how stable it is; Remember back a few months ago, Steve Jobs was presenting the newest OS X 10.4 with Widgets and all? He was running the Intel Version of 10.4 when he did it. So, it seemed darn stable then, one can only assume its even more rock solid now. =D

[dparm]

FYI the MacBooks won't be shipping until about St. Valentine's Day.

[eshallcr]

As to OSX's stability, I think I remember hearing on the previous keynote that every version of OSX from the begining has been compatable with the Intel chip (sneaky sneaky sneaky).
I don't think that Apple would release the Macbook Pro with too much less battery life than the 15 inch Powerbook, so I'd guess that it is at least 5 hours, if not 5.5. Also, the Intel chip is said to use less power than the G4's and G5's.
Oh, and a question or three...Would you be best off using XP, XP64, or Vista on the Macbook? Does anyone know weather Linux could work(well)? Will anyone give me a Macbook Pro for my birthday? Will the Cheat Commandos ever triumph over Blue Laser and his evil henchmen? Stay tuned for the next thrilling episode of "Cheat Commandos".

[abudhu]

Evan:
To answer your question about which OS would be best suited in a dual-boot situation; It would depend on the Intel Chip Architecture. If it was 32 bit chip, that would rule out any x64 OS. If it was a 64 bit Chip I would use Windows x64. As Vista is still a while away (Slated for sometime around Q3 2006) I would say that, while a juicy option, it would not be worth it. As Vista pushes out into the market, it will strengthen the 64 bit "Revolution" thus, hopefully, sustaining the life of Windows XP x64 and not offer a viable upgrade, immediately at least for those who already own it. From a personal standpoint I will probably be one of the few to jump onto Vista when it ships. But thats just me. :)

[jharriso]

I'll probably wait for SP1 of Vista, so they can fix the major problems that are apparent in every new OS release from MS. Theoretically, by the time it comes out, WinFS should be up and running.
With SP1, at least, they'll be breaking new stuff.

[lnp]

Back to the original topic, I'll be looking forward to getting a Macbook in a year or so (or if my summer job works out, in the fall). Similar to not running out and getting a brand new OS the day it comes out, I'll be waiting for the hardware bugs to get worked out. Also, does anyone know anything about the quality of the iSight that is built into the computer? I mean...if its that small, does it have all the nice features that the my current iSight has?

[dparm]

It has a smaller lens, so I'm betting the quality just won't be as good.

[jharriso]

http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/11/no-xp-on-intel-macs-but-vista-is-good-to-go/

[Unregistered]

Hello,

Indeed, WinFS filesystem seems to be quite an interesting one. If yuo feel yourself interested in it you can find more info at this source:
http://www.ntfs.com/

[dparm]

17" MacBook Pro was released today:

http://images.apple.com/home/2006/images/macbookproaperturecallouts20060424.jpg

[sfontes]

Aww..I want.

[dcv]

The funniest thing about the 17" Macbook Pro - if you configure a 15" with the 2.16 GHz proc and match the specs, the 17" actually comes out $100 cheaper.

Not to mention it covers a bunch of gripes people had with the 15" - the 17" has a DL burner and firewire 800.

[dparm]

Good call, Dane. But the 17" is a huge computer, and some people don't want to carry around something that size. I must say though, Apple does an excellent job keeping the weight down. The Dell Inspiron 9300 (17" widescreen), weighs like 9lbs.

[qpxh]

I WANT IT! I ALMOST want it like that german kid wants to play unreal tournament. hahaha!! If theres anything i can do you get it...i mean ANYTHING!!...well...with exceptions... :p

[Garret Picchioni]

The MacBook Pros are outstanding laptops, I'm thinking about selling my Compaq X6000 and getting the 17in MacBook Pro. My laptop is a 17in and it's not bad to carry around (size wise) weight on the other hand is a nightmare. Between the laptop and the power supply (which is almost as big as the one in my tower), I think my load is in the 10lb range.

The only thing I'd miss is my laptop has a full numberpad built into it which I love :)

http://picchioni.org/laptop.jpg

[fischerm]

The Apple booth at NAB had these things lying all over the place. Most of the demo software they were running was running off the 17" macbooks to showcase their power. It's pretty impressive watching 6 streams of HD video side by side in final cut, or watching them edit a scene from Kong in Shake... on a freeking laptop!

[dparm]

Apple just needs to work on applying thermal paste in a neater manner..... (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/05/01/apple_macbook_pro_heat_fix/)

[Garret Picchioni]

The only thing that sucks about that is, even though removing thermal paste and throwing some Artic Silver on as a replacement chances are that's going to void your warranty which would suck for the ones that spent the extra $300 on applecare

[Garret Picchioni]

The only thing that sucks about that is, even though removing Apple's thermal paste and correctly throwing some Artic Silver on as a replacement is extremely easy, chances are that's going to void your warranty. *Hint to those to spent the extra $300 on applecare*

*Corrected*