Tag: Unibody

Posted on

MacBook Pro Backlit Keyboard Connector

Vondiggity was having an issue with his MacBook Pro, the keyboard no longer lit up. According to the Keyboard System Preference Pane, the backlit keyboard was not present either. After resetting the SMC and NVRAM, the problem persisted. It was a strong possibility that the backlight was disconnected; and I was right. The backlit keyboard connecter can be accidentally disconnected while replacing RAM or Hard Drive.

There is a tiny piece of tape that help keep the ribbon connected to the logic board.

MBP Backlit Keyboard Connector 1

Remove the tape carefully, because you would need it to secure the connection later.

MBP Backlit Keyboard Connector 2

Push the ribbon into the connecting slot on the logic board. Use something that will not deform or damage the ribbon.

MBP Backlit Keyboard Connector 3

Place the tape to help the ribbon in its slot.

MBP Backlit Keyboard Connector 4

Reset the SMC and NVRAM again, OS X will then re-enable the backlit keyboard extension.

MBP Backlit Keyboard

Posted on

MacBook Pro, The Quad-Core Dilemma.

I have been waiting since January 2008 to replace my original MacBook Pro Core Duo. I’ve written about MacBook Pro Early 2008 and MacBook Pro Late 2008 (also this) since then. Around August 2008, I stumbled upon informations on MacBook Pro with Quad-Core processors.

I had high hope that Apple would release Quad-Core MacBook Pro on “The spotlight turns to notebooks” event. The new Aluminum Unibody MacBook Pro is nice, but it is still missing the Quad-Core I really want.

I am using my Original MacBook Pro Core Duo to write this post; it is still a capable machine. I’ve done tons of video editing on this MacBook Pro. With a 7200 RPM hard-drive, this MacBook Pro Core Duo beats newer MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo with 5400 RPM hard-drive.

Yes it is still a great computer.

I was going to buy the new Unibody MacBook Pro on the first day it was available. For some reasons, there have been some kind of divine intervention that prevented me from spending the hard-earned dollars.

I do have the sense that the MacBook Pro would gain Quad-Core as an option around January 2009. It is based on my gut feelings, backed by some informations that I’ve gathered. I’ve been through this road before, and I’m sure that if and when I got the new Unibody MacBook Pro, the Quad-Core option would be added a few months after.

Decisions, decisions.

Posted on

The Upcoming Unibody 17-inch MacBook Pro

Let’s recap what went on Apple’s “The spotlight turns to notebooks” event. Steve Jobs unveiled new 15-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook, dubbed as “Late 2008” model. They are also described as Aluminum and Glass MacBook and MacBook Pro. Some would call em as “the brick” MacBook Pro; well that sounds stupid, but this whole “brick” thing went out of control. Apple never once mention anything about “brick” or implying anything. The new MacBook and MacBook Pro can now have “unibody” designation, as Apple uses the word over and over.

MacBook is significantly updated , but missing one important feature: FireWire Port. The 15-inch MacBook Pro is also missing one FireWire 400 port, while retaining the FireWire 800 port. Both MacBook and 15-inch MacBook Pro gains new glass screen with LED-backlit display, and large multi-touch glass trackpad.

Overall, it is a significant upgrade for the MacBook and a nice incremental upgrade for the MacBook Pro. The inclusions of nVidia chipset is one of the biggest upgrade for the MacBook and MacBook Pro. The nVidia 9400M chipset adds h.264 support on the hardware level.

Now, whatever happened to the 17-inch MacBook Pro? For those who are complaining about the lack of 17-inch MacBook Pro update needs to take a big cup of “shut the hell up.” Apple is working on it, and it will be announced when it is ready for release. Apple engineers have been exploring different avenues in redesigning the MacBook Pro, and more often they stumbled upon some road blocks. The new unibody MacBook and MacBook Pro feature a reduced size logic-board similar to the one in MacBook Air. Apple engineers are working to find the balance between features and form factor in the notebook line. No coubt that Apple would like to include Intel QX9300 processor (or higher model) in the MacBook Pro. It is likely that the upcoming unibody 17-inch MacBook Pro would have this CPU in the BTO options. Even though the current MacBook and MacBook Pro seem to be running cooler compared to the previous models, there will be some thermal challenges with Intel QX9300 in the MacBook Pro form factor.

It is possible to have the Intel QX9300 in the 15-inch MacBook Pro, but it would make more sense to have it in the 17-in model. The 17-inch MacBook Pro would have some extra surface area to dissipate heat compared to the 15-inch model. Eventually Intel QX9300 or its successors would make their way to the 15-inch MacBook Pro, but we would see it on the 17-inch Model first.

Logically, January 2009 would be the next window for Apple to introduce the unibody 17-inch MacBook Pro. We all have to wait until then.

To quote Ice-T, “Shut up, be happy”

——-

Ice-T: The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech…Just Watch What You Say

If you bought it through Amazon link above, and I get some kickbacks.

“If you buy the CD, I can buy a MacBook Pro” to paraphrase the great Robert Schimmel.

Posted on

Still no new MacBook Pro for me.

So, I went to the Apple Store again earlier today. I get to play with the Unibody MacBook and MacBook Pro again. I was ready to get one, and even asked one of the Apple Store employee if they could bring me one. While waiting I was talking to a few people around the new MacBook Pro. For some reasons, I didn’t see the Apple Store employee I talked to earlier for a while. Almost an hour passed, and we all were going on tangents around the MacBook Pro. I decided to call Carrie, just to tell her that she wouldn’t be able to “Mac-block” me this time. Alas, her iPhone was turned off. I kept talking to the people there and for some reasons, we were walking out the store and realized it was closing time already.

Yeah, I “Mac-block” myself this time.

Posted on

Editorial: “Thanks a lot, Carrie. You just Mac-Block me last night.”

First, I’d like to thank Carrie for Mac-Blocking me last night. She just delayed the inevitable.

We headed to Apple Store at The Grove with the intention of me buying a new Unibody MacBook Pro. well, we decided to get something to drink at the Farmer’s Market first.

A few beers later and lots of debate about the debate, including Joe The Plumber, I realized it was already past 10:00 PM. Yep, the Apple Store closed an hour prior to that.

I could only blame you, Carrie. You just prevented me spending my money that night. But that doesn’t mean I can’t spend my money today!