AppleInsider: MEROM MACBOOK PRO'S AROUND SEPTEMBER 5th

[AidenShaw]

If you want a 400 MHz computer, good idea...

How about each core running at 400mhz for each application (8 cores sounds like a plan)

8 cores at 400 MHz does not equal 3200 MHz - few apps could use more than a core or two for long periods, so you'd have the speed of a 400 MHz or 800 MHz system.

Much better to have 2 cores at 1.6 GHz to 2.4 GHz, and power management that shuts off unneeded circuits (it can be much smarter than brute force "turn a core on or off").

 

[ezekielrage_99]

So it looks like the 64 bit Apple sales pitch is back into the spotlight.

I'm glad because I thought going from 64bit G5 to 32bit Intel seemed like a step back, and yes I know it isn't it's just the perception.

 

[AidenShaw]

So it looks like the 64 bit Apple sales pitch is back into the spotlight.

And the "sales pitch" is in full hype mode, even though it will be nine months or more before any software will be sold that can turn on 64-bit processing on a MacIntel!

 

[IlluminatedSage]

There has been sporadic reports around the 'net and also on the macrumors forums of macbook pros going on 5-7 day delays at the apple store and out of stock at retail stores.

I smell a tuesday morning product update

lets hope. cause students can smell an undate coming. and they really need to get the new models out before school.

that said. new models coming beggining of sept across the consumer line would be great.

Hope they expand the model line to include a smaller tower. which has more upgradability than the mac mini. ie upgrade the graphics card and more.

also add 160gb laptop hard drive to the macbook pro lines.

I need 2 computers.. so this would rock.

 

[danielwsmithee]

Much better to have 2 cores at 1.6 GHz to 2.4 GHz, and power management that shuts off unneeded circuits (it can be much smarter than brute force "turn a core on or off").

The Core Duo and Core 2 Duo automatically reduce the clock speed when not needed as well. I think the 2 Ghz version cuts all the way back to 1.2 Ghz when not needed.

 

[IlluminatedSage]

I agree, there has always been a huge gap in the iBook and PowerBook performancewise...The PowerBook had a G4 in it LONG before the iBook did, thats what justified the price difference...right now I think Apple is ripping people off on MacBook Pros, because the people that want a dedicated GPU have to dish out at least $500-700 extra, which in my opinion is rediculous, especially for a low range graphics card...I really hope Apple gets their act together and puts a GOOD graphics card in their next line of MBPs.

you are so right. apple is skimping on graphics across the board. take a look at the lousy basic cards they put in the Mac Pro.

Cmon apple, you can do a bit better. you have purchasing power. so cmon help your consumers with great systems with across the board power.

 

[IlluminatedSage]

Agreed.

I just can't stand this emachines any longer. And it is three years old at that. And it was bottom of the line when I got it. Needless to say, this thing runs slower than a depressed turtle. I can only afford the bottom mini, but I don't want core solo, atleast at the price it is now.

well, perhaps you can do nicely with putting in a new cpu into your existing macmini.

i think you could get the performance you are looking for.

 

[omgwut]

I agree, I think that the $500-700 price gap between the choice of a notebook with a solution like integrated graphics that should be utterly abolished and any sort of actual dedicated graphics processor is just a bit too much of a jump to have to make.

But I certainly hope that if and when these new Core2 Duo MacBook Pro's are released, we will see a substantial price drop in the current lineup.. I've got to make my decision and pick a notebook soon before school, and I seriously hope that after this disappointing WWDC our legs aren't just being pulled again.. If Apple is going to release a Core2 Duo-equipped MacBook Pro, there is no excuse not to do it soon.

 

[surroundfan]

So it looks like the 64 bit Apple sales pitch is back into the spotlight.

I'm glad because I thought going from 64bit G5 to 32bit Intel seemed like a step back, and yes I know it isn't it's just the perception.

Let's hope it's Core 2 Duos across the line, with the Mini ditching the out-of-place Core Solo. This means that Apple's marketing will be able to spin the line that it's the only PC maker with "Leopard-ready" dual core, 64-bit processors across the line. This is probably unlikely given Apple's propensity to underwhelm at keynotes, but I can always hope...

(Give me a headless, expandable iMac for US$999 and I'll be happy though.)

 

[legacyb4]

Hmm, while I lust for a Merom-based MacBook, I could definitely lust after a lower-priced, Yonah-based MacBook.

Choices, choices, choices...

Merom soon makes sense--in the Pro models and maybe iMac.

But Apple should certainly keep Yonah machines (Mini and MB) as well.

Yonah (even single-core Yonah) is already overkill power for some low-end users. So why make them pay for a pair of Merom cores?

Instead, let Yonah's price drop, and the bottom-end Mac models' price drop with it.

 

[ezekielrage_99]

And the "sales pitch" is in full hype mode, even though it will be nine months or more before any software will be sold that can turn on 64-bit processing on a MacIntel!

I'm not saying it's a bad thing I just found it funny to have "the first 64 bit desktop computer" hype then "we are switching to Intel" and just like that the 64 bit thing went.

I think once 64 bit computering (software wise) is implemented properly it will be another good Apple thing.

 

[ezekielrage_99]

Let's hope it's Core 2 Duos across the line, with the Mini ditching the out-of-place Core Solo. This means that Apple's marketing will be able to spin the line that it's the only PC maker with "Leopard-ready" dual core, 64-bit processors across the line. This is probably unlikely given Apple's propensity to underwhelm at keynotes, but I can always hope...

(Give me a headless, expandable iMac for US$999 and I'll be happy though.)

Sounds pretty likely with the Keynote... well I hope so

Yeah I do agree with the Solo being a little out of place considering the fact for not much more you can get a much faster computer with a Dual Core Proccessor.

I'm up for Core 2 Duo across the line

I'm holding out for that and a big fat tax return so I can buy either an iMac with a Merom or MacBook with a Merom.

 

[Multimedia]

Adequate Supply Of Core 2 Duo Processors Won't Be Ready Before September

I agree, I think that the $500-700 price gap between the choice of a notebook with a solution like integrated graphics that should be utterly abolished and any sort of actual dedicated graphics processor is just a bit too much of a jump to have to make.

But I certainly hope that if and when these new Core2 Duo MacBook Pro's are released, we will see a substantial price drop in the current lineup.. I've got to make my decision and pick a notebook soon before school, and I seriously hope that after this disappointing WWDC our legs aren't just being pulled again.. If Apple is going to release a Core2 Duo-equipped MacBook Pro, there is no excuse not to do it soon.

There is an excellent excuse - supply. But if they decide to pull a tricke out type of launch then that would be cool too. Demand is likely going to exceed supply well into October. So you will have to be patient and not feel the need to have a computer on your first day of classes. Price drop for current lineup is already happening on the refurb "SAVE" page.

You DO NOT have to buy your computer for Day One of school. Buy a Spiral Notebook for 50¢ and take notes that way.

 

[AidenShaw]

I think once 64 bit computering (software wise) is implemented properly it will be another good Apple thing.

Yes, once Apple properly implements 64-bit then the 64-bit Windows apps will be ported to the Mac....

http://www.maxon.net/pages/products/c4d/64bit/64edition_e.html

Note for Apple users
Even though the G5 processors of the Apple Power Mac series are 64-Bit CPUs, 64-Bit applications are not entirely supported by the OS X operating system. Only command line based programs can take advantage of the 64-Bit memory adressroom. Programs with a graphical user interface (GUI) can only run in 32-Bit mode.

Therefore we can unfortunately not offer a 64-Bit version of CINEMA 4D for Macintosh.​

 

[MacChicken]

...
the 800mhz fsb merom chips that intel will come out with next year will make yonah and merom almost obsolete in comparison and honestly the new merom chips are more marketing hype than performance when comparing them to their current yonah counterparts.
...

Thx for this good post atad6, I have a queston though: Is it only the FSB that will be faster next year? Does this make such a huge difference? Conroe has a 1066mhz FSB IIRC, still Merom is not obsolete in comparsion...

 

[mlrproducts]

I'll tell you one thing for sure - they need to have at least 1 model of the MacBook with a REAL GPU. Comeon apple, you nixed the 12" PB, and the 13" MB kinda replaced it on the high end. I'd give everything to have a real gpu again!

 

[milozauckerman]

I think that the $500-700 price gap between the choice of a notebook with a solution like integrated graphics that should be utterly abolished and any sort of actual dedicated graphics processor is just a bit too much of a jump to have to make.

The $500 MB/MBP gap is worth it to me (IMO), if not entirely justifiable by costs to Apple or overall features - the Express/34 is a big deal (eSATA for $100 or a fast CF card reader), discrete graphics, matte screen (pathetic that this is an upsell, yes) and, of course, 15.4" vs. 13".

Part of the problem is the black premium - the MacBook is a fine deal at $1299 but not so much at $1499, where it gets hard to ignore the extra features (and resale) of the MBP.

Ideally, would they ship me a black MacBook with an Express port, FW800 and discrete graphics? Sure. They could knock it down to $499, too, but I don't see it happening.

(all of this rests on the assumption that I'd buy an Apple laptop without 99% assurance it wasn't going to overheat, whine, moo or otherwise make me talk to an Apple 'genius' again)

 

[reflex]

Will these new processors be worth it to put my MacBook up for sale?

Not really, although that depends mostly on you. Can you stand not having the latest and greatest?

 

[reflex]

A lot of you seem to think that if you need the absolute fastest dual core computer, so does everyone else, which is not true.

I think it's more a case of people wanting a Core 2 Duo 2.33GHz mac with 4GB of ram and a 500GB hd for $499

 

[Kelmon]

Merom soon makes sense--in the Pro models and maybe iMac.

I think we can all safely say that the iMac will see the Conroe processor and not Merom. Given that they were able to cram a hot G5 into an iMac I can't see them having any problems getting a cooler Conroe in there. The only question really is when and at what speeds.

With respect to the Merom MacBook Pro's, my credit card is on standby. Again.

 

[Erasmus]

Updated iMac -> Will get Conroe 2.66 Ghz 20" and 2.33 Ghz 17", also unlickely but possible introduction of iMac Extreme (23", Black, X1900, Core 2 Duo Extreme 2.99 Ghz)

OI!!!
My idea dammit! Intellectual property rights! I'll sue your donkey half way across the known universe! (Just use that one again cos its a good one)

I may settle for you buying me one maxed out. Maybe.

And its the iMac ULTRA. Spelt not E-X-T-R-E-M-E but U-L-T-R-A.
The name's shorter, suggests a faster computer, less clichê, and has more impact value.

Grrr...

It's MY precious.

 

[ezekielrage_99]

I think it's more a case of people wanting a Core 2 Duo 2.33GHz mac with 4GB of ram and a 500GB hd for $499

That sounds fair

 

[mrzippy]

Well I sold my G5 PowerMac a couple of weeks ago in anticipation of Merom iMacs, so I have the money in the bank when they are released!

I know technically Merom chips are not that much faster than the Yonah but the iMac is due an update as it's 8 months old, so I wait.... and hope they get Conroe!

I use the wifes 17" iMac G5 in the meantime.

 

[BlizzardBomb]

Why does Core Solo have to go? It's a great chip, in the same general performance ballpark as a mid-range single G5. And once Intel drops the price on it, it will be an even better deal.

Not every computer shopper needs dual processors. There are low-end buyers out there too (just probably not here on MacRumors ).

Last months price drops just made the Core Solo look worse.

T1300 (Core Solo 1.66 GHz) - $209
T5500 (Core 2 Duo 1.66 GHz) - $209

If Intel keep that up then surely the Duo is a no-brainer.

 

[gnasher729]

The Core Duo and Core 2 Duo automatically reduce the clock speed when not needed as well. I think the 2 Ghz version cuts all the way back to 1.2 Ghz when not needed.

They also cut down the voltage, because you need less voltage when running at 1 GHz, and power consumption is proportional to clock speed times voltage times voltage. I have been told (but I couldn't find any information from Intel) that Core 2 Duo also can switch off parts of each core completely when they are not used to save even more power.