Re: WWDC Live Discussion Thread
Craig, I understand. I'm a Pro Tools 8 user myself (M-Audio Firewire 410) so I really do "get" you.
So I agree, those in our situations, yes the Firewire is make or break in a lot of respects.
But to my thinking, and putting aside the firewire issue, for "the masses" the distinction between the Macbook and Pro line has always been more than just enclosure. The Pro line has always had better video, often employing a separate GPU whereas the MB had the integrated video. And this I think is still true with the newly christened 13" MBP vs. 15"/17" MBP--although I just checked and the lowest 15" MBP now shares VRAM, a disappointing step down for that line IMO as separate GPU/VRAM has always been a strength for the MBP, but clearly a cost cutting move to lower the MSRP.
Another differentiating point between the MB/MBP was the 7200rpm HD CTO option, which I think still exists.
These are the reasons why I was saying this move by Apple is mostly a "rebrand" as opposed to bringing up the aluminum 13' Macbook to the 15/17" Macbook Pro standard. If anything, it looks like they may be dumbing down the 15" to bring that down to the old Macbook level to justify the rebrand across the board along with the "price cut".
For those of us who still want the old Macbook Pro standard of separate GPU/VRAM, it's still $1999.
