And Robinhood, the only explanation I can think of for the lack of a numeric keypad (other than the fact that on laptops, the exclusion of the numpad is the norm, rather than the exception) is that to include it would cause the keyboard to have to be offset to the left. Granted, I've never used a laptop with a keyboard configuration like that, but it seems to me that it could make for awkward use.
Personally, I'm fine with just buying a peripheral numpad and connecting it to a USB port, but I know a lot of people would have liked to see the numpad included on the MBP17.
"There was also some initial concern about the pricing, where it seemed like there was not much of a price difference between the 15” and the 17” notebooks, but as it stands right now the two MacBook Pros are within the same ballpark but a few hundred dollars apart."
I'm sorry, but this could not be more wrong. Look at the apple store online.
Pricing for the MacBook Pro:
17": 2.16GHz, 1GB, 100GB 7200RPM, 8x superdrive, FW8/400, USB2.0 = $2,799.00
Now, look at the 15.4" model, upgraded to as close to those specs as you can get it:
15.4" 2.16GHz, 1GB, 100GB 7200RPM, 4x superdrive, FW400 = $2,899.00.
Where did you people learn math? $2899 > $2799. There is a difference: When given the same configuration, the 15.4" MBP, with its smaller screen, lower resolution, slower firewire ports, and inferior superdrive costs $100 MORE than the 17" MBP. Could you explain to me again how you guys think this makes sense?
Inside the 17" MacBook Pro
Inside the 17" MacBook Pro