If you've been following this blog, you know I'm partial to the Apple MacBook Pro. If I knew it could run Vista, I'd put the MacBook Pro at the top of my list of computer's to get. Unfortunately, it doesn't; at least not yet. So for now I'm delegated to being a window shopper.
I'm also keenly monitoring the issues people are having with their MacBook Pros. There are some connection problems and most importantly to me, heat issues.
When I checked out the MacBook Pro at the local Apple store I noticed that the demo unit was running pretty hot. After several years of using a Tablet PC--which by the way are becoming some terrific notebook heat-managers from my experience--I can't imagine stepping back to what might be a hotplate. I hope Apple can fix this problem, without just simply stepping down the processor's speed.
Placement of heat sources, the direction of the ventilation, and so on are critical design issues--especially in devices that are moved around a lot.
These are particularly big issues with Tablets because you might be using them when you hold them in your hands, or on your lap, or on a crowded desktop or when sitting in bed. Each of these brings its own heat-management requirements.
For instance, for me, if the heat is being primarily pushed below the device I'm going to notice it a lot if the notebook is anywhere except on my desk. Likewise, if the heat is only pushed out let's say to the back of the unit, I often detect the computer easily heating up if have the unit opened up on a small or crowded desk or up against a wall. I'm also not too keen on devices that have hotspots on the top of the unit--especially where my hands lie. Hotspots on the bottom, may or may not bother me depending on how I hold the unit in my hand or on my lap.
It sounds like the MacBook Pro has some more issues to be worked out. I hope they are. And in the meantime I hope someone is trying to get Vista to run on one. I'd love to own one.
Posted by Loren at April 3, 2006 09:00 AMYou can put vista on it (at least for now you can put xp on it with boot camp) so i assume when vista comes out you'll be able to put it on as well.
Posted by: Paul on April 18, 2006 06:43 AMThings sure change fast. Since the time I posted this about the MacBook Pro, the Boot Camp beta was released and I now own an Intel-based iMac that dual boots with the Tablet PC OS.
A MacBook Pro would have been a terrific notebook, however, it didn't work out this time. Who knows, maybe by the time I'm ready to replace my notebook/Tablet PC Apple will have a Tablet PC that I can dual boot into Vista. For now, I'm very happy with the iMac.
Posted by: Loren on April 18, 2006 07:26 AM