Going to buy a new MBP 17, but questions first

Hi all, looking to buy a custom build new Feb'11 refresh MBP 17 as soon as possible, but have a number of questions.
(As background, Im a freelance IT software developer and professional music producer/DJ/performer - need the laptop to support both activities - Mac OS for music, Windows 7/64 for IT work).
1. Intel support chipset flaw - does anyone know EXACTLY what Apple have done regarding this?
I am guess one of:
1. Waited for replacement from intel - shipping seems too soon.
2. Only use the 3Gbps ports and not using the 6Gbps ports (Net contains suggestions that Apple made a 'logic tweak' to get aorund the issue, which sounds to me like they intended to use the 6Gbps ports and downgraded back to the 3Gbps ports - if so will postpone purchase, but I need to know one way or the other)
2. I am tempted by 256GB SSD rather than a mechanical HD as the laptop is likely to be used near very loud PA systems. Should I go with Apple or just take the cheapest mechanical HD and sort out an SSD myself?
3. Because I also need to have alot of online storage, then I am also tempted by an OptiBay mod to replace the otical drive with an additional SSD in the future (160GB sample library, music files etc).
4. Is Apple care worthwhile and is apple care support impacted by swapping out the HD or optical drive and going with an Optibay etc?
5. I need to also run windows 7/64 via bootcamp as a second and heavily used OS as I still make much of my living from IT work as well as music. Pre-refresh MBPs were not exactly perfect for running windows - power management etc. Does anyone know if this situation has improved post refresh? Is the situation likely to be even worse with thunderbolt / display etc?
Thanks all for any answer anyone might be able to give
A
Message was edited by: Khazul

You can read my initial view of the i7 17" Quad Core here: http://www.markc.me.uk/MarkC/Blog/Entries/2011/2/25Early_2011_MacbookPro.html
The unit supports SATA 3 & SATA 6: http://grab.by/9adG
I have a 240Gb SSD and a 1Tb normal hard drive in place of the SuperDrive. It's a great solution - personally I'd sort an SSD myself rather than buy Apple's.
Swapping out the SuperDrive does void you warranty as far as I know.
I run virtualised Win7 x64 all day every day and it's ace.

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When should I buy a new MBP?

I'm leaving for college in the fall and I would like some help deciding when it makes sense to buy a new computer. I'm planning on buying a new MBP with Retina display, but I'm not sure if it's totally worth updating yet. I currently have a Late (October) 2009 White Macbook (2.26Ghz, 8GB RAM, 250GB HD), that works decently, but isn't wonderful--it's slowing down. I would appreciate some ideas and thoughts on when it makes sense to upgrade: now, before I leave for college; sometime during the fall semester, after I really know my computing needs (my least preferred option); or, this Christmastime? If anyone has some advice, it would be much appreciated.
Cheers!

ccshaw wrote:
Wouldn't it just make sense to put the money for the 7200rpm drive towards one more upgrade on the MBP? I could just cut that up front cost.
You can choose to forgo the hard drive upgrade, however 250GB is quite small, meaning your likely using a great portion of the second 50% of the drive, which the read/wrire performance is substancially reduced.
7,200 RPM doesn't make that much of a battery life dent that one will notice it, but one will notice the speedier response.
S0 by incrreasing the RPM's and the storage size, plus newer drive with better read/write speeds through technology improvments combined with a zero erase + fresh install of 10.6.1 (your original disks) and Software Updated to 10.6.8 (10.7 is slow) should make a dramatic improvement on that model.
However a erase + fresh install of 10.6 on that present 250GB can do the job well too, 10.7 is slow and you likely have other problems the 10.6 install will also cure.
How to erase and install Snow Leopard 10.6
How to revert your Mac to Snow Leopard
I'm not sure where I can get a copy of 10.6.8. Do you know where I could obtain that?
Your computer came with 10.6.1 install disks, hold c or option key down and boot off the disks, use Disk Utility to erase the entire drive (select the drive makers name and size on the left) with Security Option > Zero all data, wait, then when finished quit and install 10.6.1 and Software Update fully to 10.6.8.
If you no longer have the 10.6.1 disks, call Apple for a machine specific replacement disks for your 2009 Late 13" White MacBook.
You can also use the $29 10.6.3 white Snow Leopard retail disks sold here
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A
f it turns out that I do need Windows for class applications, do I install it on a partition by using disk utility and partitioning my HD (also, how big does that partition for windows need to be)?
There are two methods to use Windows on a Mac.
1: Apple's Bootcamp, which takes the bottom free space on your boot drive (250GB isn't much if you have a lot of OSX data) and allows you to direct install Windows 7 (only) there.
2: Virtual machine software, which allows one to run Windows (any flavor and Linux's) in a window in OS X.
You can read about both (pro's and cons) here:
Windows in BootCamp or Virtual Machine?

Right time to buy a new MBP?

I am looking to buy a new MBP, but I was wondering if the time is right? Are they about to release a new model or should I go ahead and buy one now?

Only Apple knows when new models will be introduced and they only will tell on the day of release. If the current crop of models fulfill your needs, purchase one. If not, you are welcome to wait but you will not know for how long.
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Where to buy a new MBP?

looking to buy my first macbook pro (and first apple actually!) and am really excited - but i'd love some advice from more seasoned users.
when i buy the machine, i definitely plan to purchase applecare. there is a local apple dealer that sells MBPs with _another_ service plan that can piggyback on to applecare. before i lay out the details of said plan below, what i'd like to know is basically whether this is necessary and/or worth the $99 this plan costs.
here's what this piggyback plan would give me:
MacTraining
Get free access to our introductory training classes: Intro toMac, Intro to iLife and Intro to iWork.
4thYear Warranty
We will cover the cost of labor (but not parts) for repairs for a fourth year, if you purchase a Mac and AppleCare from us.
FreeLoaner Laptop
Bring your computer in for repair to us and we’ll loan you a MacBook to tide you over.
HomeSetup
We’ll set up your computer, Airport network or Time Capsule at your homeat discounted rates.
MacSetup
We’ll install your software and transfer files onto your new Mac.
PriorityRepair Service
Get automatically moved to the front of the line for in-house repairs.
MacAssessment & Tune Up
Get your computer optimized and cleaned up—inside & out—eachyear.
10%Off Ink & Paper
Save an additional 10 percent off the manufacturer’s suggested price onink jet printer supplies.
10%Off any Used Mac
Get an additional 10 percent off any of our pre-owned Macs.
what looks potentially the most attractive to me is the 4th year warranty and the free loaner laptop in case of repairs (as i have no other backup computer at home, should the new one fail). i also appreciate the mac assessment and tune-up, though i wonder whether that is actually necessary for the maintenance/performance of the machine (?).
so my main question: should i buy my new MBP and applecare at a regular apple store or other retailer (best buy, etc.) - or should i go to this specific apple dealer in order to spring for this piggyback plan as well?
any thoughts and/or advice is most welcome...thanks in advance!!

The plan is only as good as the company backing it. If you've done your due-diligence on the company then I'd say it's a pretty good deal. You can compare how much they would sell the system for vs Apple or Best Buy etc.
If they aren't asking a premium, I'd say go for it.
Regards,
Captfred

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Configuration question(s) and when to buy the new MBP

1)If I was going to get a new mbp today, what i had in mind was to get the 15 inch mbp(2.53 ghz) and upgrade the processor to 2.8 for an extra 300 bucks. Then since I have an external hard drive and space isnt really an issue for me, I was going to downgrade the hardrive on the mbp from 320 gigs ATA at 5400 to the 250 gig ATA at 7200 to save a few bucks. Now this is actually an upgrade in quality/speed..correct? because the speed is now 7200 as compared to 5400? So it will preform better than the orriginal 320 at 5400?
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, I was going to downgrade the hardrive on the mbp from 320 gigs ATA at 5400 to the 250 gig ATA at 7200 to save a few bucks. Now this is actually an upgrade in quality/speed..correct? because the speed is now 7200 as compared to 5400? So it will preform better than the orriginal 320 at 5400?
The 250 will perform faster then the 320 because of the rotational speeds
As far as buying the actual computer I want to try to get it around or just after christmas.
There will always be a faster computer coming out in a few months. If you need/want one in December buy it then. Intel is only going to provide an update (speed bump) to its penryn line next year sometime and will be releasing the Nahelem i7 mobile chipset until Q4 2009 or Q1 2010 which means in all likelihood apple will not be using the next generation chips until 2010. Buy now (or December) because the product line was just updated and the next update is quite a bit down the road
Message was edited by: Michael Flynn

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Going to buy a new MBP 17, but questions first

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