Wallach said:
That said, if you don't think you're going to use the extra speed, you may also want to consider the normal MB instead of the 2010 MBP 13" since those were still using C2D. If you aren't that concerned about the speed I don't think there's a whole lot of advantages to that particular 13" MBP other than having 4GB stock (which you can easily get in a normal MB or Air or something).
Both the normal MacBook and Air would be tempting. From what I understand though, the regular Macbook's screen is much worse, plus (unless they fixed this recently) the plastic body scratches like crazy. From what I understand, the Pros aren't exactly scratch-proof themselves, but the general consensus I get is that the aluminum ages a lot better than the plastic does.
I'd love an Air, but no backlit keyboard is a dealbreaker for me. Shame too, because I'd gladly take a base model 11-inch with a RAM upgrade. (This of course means 15 days after I buy something, we'll see a spec bump with i3 processors, 4GB of RAM standard, backlit keyboards, and free ponies.)
Oh, here's a question: I keep hearing that the new combo Thunderbolt/Mini Displayport port will let users "daisy chain" devices...does this mean the port is capable of running two external displays with a simple adapter? My current understanding is that getting more than one external monitor running on a MBP involves expensive little boxes...a simpler solution would be very, very much in my interest, and would instantly push me to the 2011 model. I'm guessing no, though, or even worse: Yes, but since the 13 lacks discrete graphics now it can't.
I'm salty about not being able to order a matte screen, too, but I guess I have aftermarket options for that at least. The 13 is definitely the abused little brother of MBP's.
Meus Renaissance said:
How do they replace broken screens then? They surely have to remove it?
Laptop screens are definitely replaceable (by a trained technician at least). It's not simple though, and that's just to swap out a broken part for the same one. Putting an entirely different part is another story...while you can change the RAM or hard drive to anything compatible, other parts on laptops are (usually) very specific to that laptop itself. Swapping anything beyond the user-replaceable stuff usually involves soldering wires and putting things into very tight, exact spaces designed for very specific parts. It's not quite as simple as "buy a higher-res screen, plug it in, boom" like a desktop is.
bionic77 said:
(I feel like back in the day there was a laptop where you could swap out graphics cards)
Rare, but they exist. I know someone who had this ridiculously large laptop, we're talking like 24" I think. You could actually open it up and slot in a different graphics card, much like a desktop. Calling that thing a laptop was a stretch though...weighed half a ton and the battery probably lasted twenty minutes. Crazy expensive too...to this day, I still don't know why that kid didn't spend the money on an actual portable laptop + a high-end desktop. I think he dropped at least $2400 or so on it.
