Earthling

Lee Dempsey, Senior Illustrator at HowStuffWorks and the most cutting-edge curmudgeon I know:

There really isn't much difference between this batch and the last batch except for the faster processor and it's not exactly a radical new design. They had to get the pro line out quickly because the old Powerbooks were ancient and running on fumes.

Bugs are common with every form factor redesign (look at the iPod) even when it uses existing technology, but the Pro line isn't a form factor redesign. The only major bugs a new Mac processor creates is with the software. The hardware tends to be pretty solid but the recoding necessary for software to perform well is where the delays and problems occur. Those can be fixed with a download.

What will make a big difference is the iBook line.

You might end up with a similar performance level at a cheaper price and with some hardware tweaks not found in the Pro line. As these are also taking longer to be announced they may redesign them with other features as well.

Until all the models are in play you can't really say. The unannounced iBook is the reason I wouldn't buy one.

(Note: Lee added the following disclaimer - "Remember I'm not an expert. I just remember all the times Apple has changed things around since I started using Macs back in 1988.")

Ken Womack, Senior Product Manager at EarthLink:

My PowerBook was the first rev of the last update (different display, battery, SuperDrive) and I've heard of a good number of issues with all of the above -- and personally experienced the battery dying about three weeks after I got it.

Given the changes in the MacBook Pro, I think I'd wait a bit and not buy one of the first off the line. Actually, I'm hoping that the release of the MacBook will give me an opportunity to pick up a 15" PowerBook on clearance...

Josh Kleinpeter, Staff Engineer at EarthLink and self-proclaimed PC user:

• Hardcore Mac Power users are not going to listen to me. I'm a stupid PC user. However, I like to give advice in areas I have guesspertise in. These users probably already know about UB and may have even downloaded new versions of software which has them. They probably also want to finally have a fast laptop. I say if you're in the market for new hardware (and this segment gets everything Apple puts out when it comes out): buy away.  
• For the average non-techie Mac user, I'd say first decide if you really want a new machine. If you do, make sure you have Universal Binaries (UB) for the software you can't live without. Much of the freeware I use on my mini is already UB, I suspect much of the free and share software won't be a big deal. World of Warcraft is UB, which covers all of the (current) games for Mac ;). The biggest issue may be stuff you've already paid for and whether you can get UB for those.  
• (People new to Mac hardware):Stay away. Stay far, far away. In a galaxy. Long ago. Err...something like that. Having to learn how to use a Mac (from presumably a PC) has its own issues... Dealing with platform growing pains at the same time is probably not a good idea. And leave a bad taste in your Mac.

I expect the internals of the laptop to be pretty solid. Intel has been doing this for years, and I'm sure they put Apple on the right track. I like the dual cores processors AMD and Intel are currently releasing. (Damn I wish Apple would have used AMD). Anyway, considering the number of PC makers out there who do a pretty good job on their one-off hardware, I'd be surprised if Apple couldn't pull off a decent motherboard.
 
My biggest concern would probably be with the "fancy" hardware issues the new laptops will have. This will be similar to the old Mac cube cracking issues, early battery problems with iPods, and the scratch and sniff nanos.
 
For example the power connector. Sure, its supposed to keep you from kicking your laptop across the room. But maybe the magnet wears out? Maybe it wipes hard drives or various iPods if put too near? Maybe they should have used velcro? Or maybe the iSight is flaky? Maybe others can hack it and turn it on while leaving the light off? Maybe you're in your underwear?
 
Of course that's all conjecture, but its those types of things that Apple doesn't get quite right the first time.
 
So, after explaining all of that to a would-be MacBookPro buyer, I would focus on Universal Binaries (UB), which is going to likely be the initial pitfall of the new Intel based hardware.

Gregg Hartling, Director of Web Applications at EarthLink:

Advice-wise for others, I agree with Josh K's responses.

For me...

If EarthLink provided a MacBook Pro as a second machine, I'd gladly take a first generation and live on the bleeding edge. I'd make sure I was regularly backing up/synchronizing. I'd have some concern about availability of universal binaries for all the apps I want to use, but not that big a deal.
 
If I were deciding whether to fork over a couple grand for my only home computer, I would wait. Not necessarily because of potential hardware issues. I just think the first version is being rushed out 
and that we'll see a more interesting version in the second rev. And of course give them a chance to work out the kinks.

I still have no idea what I'll do. Do my edges bleed? I'm not sure. I feel a little burned by my iBook purchase a few years ago. It's a great little computer, but because the dual-USB iBook product line I bought had an ugly design flaw, I've gone through four (maybe five) logic boards. That's a part that you should never need to replace, and certainly not more than once a year on average. I had the AppleCare Warranty but it was still incredibly inconvenient and frustrating. They fixed the iBook line shortly after that, but I was (and am) stuck with the lemon model.

Going from an 800 MHz G3 processor to a 1.8 GHz Intel Core Duo and all of the new features is very tempting. And if I'm going to shell out the money now, I might as well buy a machine that's as far away from obsolescence today as possible. These are my thoughts, but they change regularly.

In the end it's just you, your credit card, and your finely-tuned consumer instincts. If I snap out of my purchasing paralysis and make any moves, I'll let you know.