Why I am *NOT* upgrading to the MacBook Pro now...

...of course, there are the obvious financial issues, but besides that I thought folks might be interested to hear why I have decided not to upgrade to the newly-released MacBook Pro.

• The first revision of new Mac hardware always contains unforeseen design flaws. LowEndMac.Com recently ran a survey of its readers and found that almost 50% of first-generation Macs have to go back for a "significant repair" whereas later revisions are more in the 10% level. A complete change of architecture is likely to be an especially strong magnet for issues.
• 15 inch laptops are not the ideal form factor. While it certainly tries to balance between the monstrous desktop replacement of the 17+ inch laptops and the tiny 12 inchers, 15 is simply not right for the way I use a laptop. My 12 inch Powerbook is my favorite Mac of all time - taking over from the Pismo Powerbook which is still serving a friend well. It is small enough to NEVER be a problem to take along, but powerful enough that it handles every task I throw at it.
• The color scheme is too similar to PowerPC Macs. I hate to say it, but sometimes looks do matter. The new Intel Powerbooks, sorry MacBooks Pro, should have a distinct new look to set them apart. I would recommend a black finish to match the new Video iPods and iPod Nanos.
• Not enough software (yet). Universal binaries are great and will ensure that iTunes can use the full power of the Intel Core Duo. But frankly, it does not need it. Until video encoders and the like are fully converted, G4 and G5 more than meets my needs.
• I am ambivalent about the internal iSight. I hate to say it, but the idea of the integrated iSight on the new iMac and MacBook Pro have me a little nervous. How long until someone figures out how to hack into a networked Mac, and watch what is going on thru the iSight? Now, it is not much of a worry for me. I'm boring. But what about female Mac buyers? It still seems like an invitation to voyeurs.

Them's me thoughts. I hope perhaps these can serve as an antidote to other geek's gadget-lust, and restrict the first round of MacBook Pro buyers to those who can actually benefit from the changes.