Katie MarsalLast-minute claims would have Apple launching an update to its largest MacBook Pro model as early as Macworld — and potentially with a crucial change to the computer's battery.
While a major revision of Apple's flagship portable has long been expected, the late rumor asserts that the company won't use the same panel-covered battery layout as with the 13-inch MacBook and 15-inch MacBook Pro. Instead, the 17-inch notebook is said to have a "super slim" battery that can't be removed, not unlike the MacBook Air.
Although a likely concern for professionals who may want the option of swapping batteries, the system design would supposedly make up for its fixed nature through a battery that runs for "much longer" than the five hours of the current model, though it's not known whether silver-zinc batteries or other new energy technology would be used to accomplish this feat.
While the report has yet to be fully corroborated, Mac Rumors also says it has heard whispers of a similar plan. AppleInsider's own sources were the first to suggest the 17-inch MacBook Pro would be delayed but did warn that the gap between the release of this and the 15-inch version could span "several months" as Apple works out design kinks.
Regardless, the electronics maker's keynote at Macworld is increasingly expected to be heavy on computer updates and will likely include a new Mac mini.
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74 Comments
Now all of you 17" MacBook Pro whiners can stop whining that there is no 17" MBP rumors. Now you can whine about the lack of a removable battery instead! I say...let the bitching begin! I can see it now..."if its true I will not buy one!"
Now all of you 17" MacBook Pro whiners can stop whining that there is no 17" MBP rumors. Now you can whine about the lack of a removable battery instead!
It will surprise me if it isn't removable. Not that I find it a big deal or anything, I've never in my life had more than one per laptop.
I think I would rather have a longer lasting battery and not be able to remove it. And even though I wouldn't be getting one, due to price, but it would be interesting to see.
I second that. I've had Mac laptops since about 2002, and never needed a second battery, but have needed to charge up the one battery I did have quite often.
On the rare occasions that I've had the battery run out I've been near a power socket, so...
Back on topic, I would love to swap my current MBP 17" 2.6GHz C2D Santa Rosa (Late 2007) model for a new one with the shiny black-edged screen. I used one of the 15-inch beauties the other day at the Apple Store and they're very very nice. Love the new glass trackpad and the unibody enclosure. (Can't justify swapping this one though, not when I'm buying a house!)
It will surprise me if it isn't removable. Not that I find it a big deal or anything, I've never in my life had more than one per laptop.
I usually carry 2 spare batteries, for a total of three, for my travels. While a non-removable battery isn't a big deal, Apple or a 3rd-party would most likely have to make a MagSafe connected external battery pack to make me a customer.
While having a "much longer" battery would be beneficial, I don't see what changes Apple could make that would have required a non-user replaceable battery. When I consider the MBP MoBo size, optical drive and HDD, the 17" MBP has the most available space for a battery, so I don't understand why they would have to make a super thin battery that would presumably slide between the chassis and other components.
Any ideas?