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MacBook Pro 15” vs. MacBook 13”

A new MacBook Pro 15” versus the first unibody MacBook - how big is the difference? Since I have both, I’ll try to answer this.

Both computers are the lowest end version. This means a 2GHz/2GB/160GB MacBook and a 2.53GHz/4GB/250GB MacBook Pro. I won’t be running any benchmarks, but a general speed boost is definatly noticable with the Pro. Boot and application load times are a bit better (even after I put Snow Leopard on the MacBook, which I’ve yet to do on the Pro). And heavier usage, such as virtualization, really benefits of the 4 gigabytes of memory.

With its 1440 by 900 screen, the Pro can fit 27% more information than the older MacBook. This actually makes a huge difference, taking my mobile computing experience from slightly cramped to just right. Since both computers fit in the same bag (barely), the larger size doesn’t make any difference for me. As far as quality goes, the screens are about the same—at least to my eyes.

One thing unique to the Pro is its backlit keyboard, which is very cool and semi-useful. The backlight is controlled by an ambient light sensor—you never have to think about activating it. The same light sensor can, optionally, control the brightness level of the screen. This is a feature I think you have to get used to, it sometimes feels too sudden.

The best thing about the Pro is its massive battery life, about 6.5 hours of “browsing time”. It’s really quite amazing to be able to use a powerful machine for that long. The older MacBook is OK, but not more, with its 4 hours.

Both computers have excellent build quality! Though, the Pro actually seems somewhat less solid than the older MacBook, possibly due to Apple’s efforts to keep the weight down. However, this probably wouldn’t be noticeable unless you go from one to the other.

To conclude, I’ll just leave you with the following: I might just have become a 15” guy. ❧

Thank You, Posterous

If you’re a frequent reader of my tumblelog (which, let’s face it, you’re not) you’ll have noticed that I in fact don’t post that much. I’ll spare you the reasons for this, and instead focus on the future. In doing so, I’d like to extend a thank you to Posterous.

This super simple blogging tool is the reason why I’ve today redesigned (slightly) my tumblelog, and decided to actually produce some content in the future. Why? Posterous have shown me how easy it is to produce something value. Some key points on Posterous:

• You can’t change the theme of you blog. This takes a lot of pressure away, letting you focus on content.
• Your main interface to your blog is email. This puts you into email mode, which leads to posts that are short, instant and to the point.

User interfaces tend to use simplicity as a means to reduce mental load. Posterous uses simplicity on a whole other level, and changes the entire mindset of its users. They make it easy to post - and to be inspired.

I haven’t yet decided the frequency with which I’m going to post. But I’ll try a couple of times a week, and take it from there.

The Web Has No Versions, Only People

2.0. So many blog posts have struggled to define exactly what this version number means. Content aggregation and ubiquitous access to information? Focus on social objects and social networking? Transparency and openness? Long-tail mentality and niche markets? Open source software and standards?

Whatever.

While the human urge to categorize and group information is strong, there are no versions of the Web. There are however continuous improvements, each one building on the last. And I think we can see one overarching trend that has shaped, and will continue to shape, the Web and we who use it: Democratization.

You see this trend in how people communicate - blogs and later microblogs have given everyone a platform to publish and interact. The barrier to entry continues to be lowered, and your ability to reach a large audience, as well as the specific group of people that you care a lot about, continues to increase.

What needs to happen, and therefore will, are two things (at least):

1. Bringing the Web to more people, more places and more contexts. The mobile Web will play a huge part in this, giving affordable Internet access to many, and giving more Internet access to those who already have it.

2. Using the power of the crowd. Companies and services have already begun to tap into our collective wisdom. As it stands, most of these initiatives are crude, unintuitive and frankly, not that relevant to most people. The signs are here however - the fact that some have left RSS-readers behind in favor of Twitter is just one. With time, social recommendations will be perfected and become the norm. The Semantic Web will power social classification and create social navigation.

So, Web 3.0? Whatever. But the future of the Web is spelled “people.”

This entry was originally posted as a comment on ReadWriteWeb.