Alright, can someone explain this to me please?

[abominablerror]

I've been DYING for the update, and I'm really relieved it's here.

I'm also happy that the 'flagship' $1500 model is now a 24" with a 640gb hard drive and a standard of 4gb of RAM with a possibility of 8, so this is the model that I'm mainly looking at.

What I don't understand is all of this graphics card lingo. I thought the NVIDIA cards were supposed to be better. And what is the difference between a shared or designated graphics card?

I am a student, so I mainly use my computer (a Dell Diminsion 3000 with an Intel Pentium 4 Processor 2.80 GHz, and 512 MB of ram. Don't ask me what any of that means, but I know it makes me want to run my head through a wall. It takes forever just to open two tabs on the internet.) for internet, word processing, projects (WMM quality videos and light sound editing), as well as movies/youtube and music. The only game I play (well, I can't anymore b/c my computer is too slow and has a virus so I can't download the patch) is Maplestory, and that's only because I get really bored sometimes, so I'm not much of a gamer at all.

 

[alphaod]

Integrated graphics saves power and it's cheaper. Since this is a desktop, it's probably the cheaper part that Apple is using it. However it is a adequate enough for what you are doing.

 

[panzer06]

I've been DYING for the update, and I'm really relieved it's here.

I'm also happy that the 'flagship' $1500 model is now a 24" with a 640gb hard drive and a standard of 4gb of RAM with a possibility of 8, so this is the model that I'm mainly looking at.

What I don't understand is all of this graphics card lingo. I thought the NVIDIA cards were supposed to be better. And what is the difference between a shared or designated graphics card?

I am a student, so I mainly use my computer (a Dell Diminsion 3000 with an Intel Pentium 4 Processor 2.80 GHz, and 512 MB of ram. Don't ask me what any of that means, but I know it makes me want to run my head through a wall. It takes forever just to open two tabs on the internet.) for internet, word processing, projects (WMM quality videos and light sound editing), as well as movies/youtube and music. The only game I play (well, I can't anymore b/c my computer is too slow and has a virus so I can't download the patch) is Maplestory, and that's only because I get really bored sometimes, so I'm not much of a gamer at all.

The ATI 4850 is much better than the nvidia chips they are offering. It will make more of a difference for games and other apps that stress the GPU. If I could afford it, I'd get the 3.06 version with the ATI 4850 for $2249 but it's just too much for me.

I think I'll get a low-end mini and add my own ram and drive!

Cheers,

 

[abominablerror]

So if I were to compare the old 24" to the new 24", there'd be a decrease in the quality of the graphics card?

 

[panzer06]

So if I were to compare the old 24" to the new 24", there'd be a decrease in the quality of the graphics card?

Yeah the ATI 2600 Pro is much better IMO (unless you get the ATI HD4850 optional GPU).

Cheers,

 

[wawanarchist]

Yeah the ATI 2600 Pro is much better IMO (unless you get the ATI HD4850 optional GPU).

Cheers,

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but maybe the OP could use this info too.. If the old 2.8ghz's graphics were better, how much of a boost is the from the old to new in the way of processor power? If it's not much I might grab a refurb 2.8ghz

 

[NT1440]

Yeah the ATI 2600 Pro is much better IMO (unless you get the ATI HD4850 optional GPU).

Cheers,

Please don't use opinions in regards to someone elses money. If you can post some benchmarks, but IMO just leaves room for question.

OP, you should lean that NOTHING is better because it is brand X or Y, when it comes to these types of things its all about the specs.

By all means, from what you have described as your average use, the NVIDIA 9400 will EASILY fufill your needs.

 

[flopticalcube]

Please don't use opinions in regards to someone elses money. If you can post some benchmarks, but IMO just leaves room for question.

OP, you should lean that NOTHING is better because it is brand X or Y, when it comes to these types of things its all about the specs.

By all means, from what you have described as your average use, the NVIDIA 9400 will EASILY fufill your needs.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html

HD2600XT is generally much faster than 9400M.

but the 9400m will fulfill the OPs needs.

 

[K3mp]

By all means, from what you have described as your average use, the NVIDIA 9400 will EASILY fufill your needs.

I can second that because the only time I switch to the 9600 in my MBP is for CoD4, handbrake, and things like that. I think (but not sure) the 9400 can run CoD4. The only relevance from that is CoD4 is a 3D game so if a card can handle the game most other common tasks should not kill it.

 

[panzer06]

Please don't use opinions in regards to someone elses money. If you can post some benchmarks, but IMO just leaves room for question.

OP, you should lean that NOTHING is better because it is brand X or Y, when it comes to these types of things its all about the specs.

By all means, from what you have described as your average use, the NVIDIA 9400 will EASILY fufill your needs.

There is no question the ATI2600 better than the 9400. I know nothing of the 120/130, though the little benchmark charts on Apple's site don't inspire confidence that these are much better. Everyone has already explained to the OP the 9400 is most likely fine for his/her needs. You have to go to the top two models to even choose the ATI4850.

Cheers,

 

[NT1440]

There is no question the ATI2600 better than the 9400. I know nothing of the 120/130, though the little benchmark charts on Apple's site don't inspire confidence that these are much better. Everyone has already explained to the OP the 9400 is most likely fine for his/her needs. You have to go to the top two models to even choose the ATI4850.

Cheers,

Sry, i probably phrased it wrong. People looking for advice tend to latch onto ANY uncertainty, which you opened up with the IMO.

 

[panzer06]

Sry, i probably phrased it wrong. People looking for advice tend to latch onto ANY uncertainty, which you opened up with the IMO.

No problem. My somewhat negative bias against nvidia may have come through as well. Very annoyed at how we were treated on the SR MBP 8600 debacle.

I'm sure the OP now has all the pertinent information with which to make an informed decision.

Cheers,