A simple analysis of MBP and notebooks in general

[drift1492]

Size, Speed, Heat ... Pick 2.

I was thinking about where portable computers are headed in the future and remembered discussions I have had with fellow mountain bikers. (Where the 3 options are strength, weight, price). It seems to me that this same line of thinking applies to portable computers as well.

You can have a fast and small (form factor) notebook, but it will run hot or have excessive fan noise.

You can have a fast and cool notebook, but it will be large.

You can have a small and cool notebook, but it will need a slower chip that generates less heat.

I think the problem Apple may be having now is that they are attempting to push the limit on the size (reducing the thickness to 1 inch) as well as pushing the limit on speed.

Up until now, the powerbook/macbook pro aluminum casing could barely handle the heat generated by G4s. Apple was walking a fine line (Even my 12 inch PB gets quite hot.) But now Apple has upgraded to the intel chips, decreased the size of the computer, and kept the same form factor. Apple has pushed the limits a little too far.

The problem now is that consumers are not going to accept an increase in size, or a decrease in speed to fix the heat problem. In all actuality, consumers will expect Apple's future computers to get thinner and faster.

So until either technology allows apple to deliver what they have attempted to with the MBP or Apple changes the form factor, consumers will have to deal with the heat.

Size, Speed, Heat ... Pick 2.

By choosing the MBP you are picking the first 2.

P.S. - If you cant stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. (Sorry, I had to throw this in here. )

 

[celebrian23]

I'll take my hot and thin mbp over a cool but large notebook anyday. It's on my bare skin right now and it's fine. Thhere's a sacrifice whatever way you turn it.

 

[SheriffParker]

The problem now is that consumers are not going to accept an increase in size, or a decrease in speed to fix the heat problem. In all actuality, consumers will expect Apple's future computers to get thinner and faster.

Meroms will be faster, cheaper, and cooler that the core duos (they actually run cooler). Maybe apple's MBP casing will work better with the new chips.

 

[bbrosemer]

I think what you will see in Leapoard is a much better management of the multi-cores and a better lowering of the clock of the processor when not do intensive work.

 

[milozauckerman]

I'd pick fast and cool. I've got absolutely no problem carrying around a few more pounds, or a form factor that's thicker if it ran cool. Anyone who feels the burn of three or four pounds might oughta worry about something aside from their computer.

Unfortunately, this being the world o' Jobs, I don't have a choice in the matter so long as I wish to use OS X.

 

[wonga1127]

Meroms will be faster, cheaper, and cooler that the core duos (they actually run cooler). Maybe apple's MBP casing will work better with the new chips.

I agree. Yonah was a stopgap, maybe the MBP's are too, being that they were really designed for the Meroms.

 

[Apple Corps]

Meroms will be faster, cheaper, and cooler that the core duos (they actually run cooler). Maybe apple's MBP casing will work better with the new chips.

Merom will be as hot or hotter than Yonah. They consume fewer watts for the same performance but Apple will not stay static on the performance level. So we will see higher performance with as much or more heat as the current Yonahs.

 

[Apple Corps]

I agree. Yonah was a stopgap, maybe the MBP's are too, being that they were really designed for the Meroms.

In what way is it a stopgap??? Intel had new / fast duo core chips and Apple designed a new range of notebooks to use them.