Are all MBP's with the 8600's the new back-lit LED ones?

[matt1987]

Several questions:

1. My MBP purchased last year, 2006, in August malfunctioned. I took it in, nothing could be done, they offered me a replacement unit. My original unit, I believe, had about 120 GB, 7200 rpm and the ATI graphics card - the 1600x or whatever was the standard.

So, anyways, they gave me the up-to-date model. I think...that's my question, anyway!

I've heard alot about these post-June 2007 models. Do they ALL come with this back-LED stuff everyone's talking about? Because on the box, it simply says TFT Display Glossy 14.5 just like usual but the videocard is the 8600 and it is a 2.4 GHZ and it is 160GB HD.

So, do I have the back-LED because I noticed the screen does look different.

 

[siurpeeman]

they're all led backlit except the 17" models.

*edit*
do the glossy models state that they're glossy? the matte models don't mention if they're matte.

 

[matt1987]

they're all led backlit except the 17" models.

So, even though the black box it came in says it isn't back-lit, it IS for sure? I mean, if it has the 8600 NVidia and it's a 15 incher, it has the backlit? Because it doesn't specify when I look at the hardware specs from inside the computer or reading on the black box.

Also, is this back-lit thing a huge jump from the August 2006 model I had because I know there's a difference but I'd like someone to specify the leap in technology? It is better, right?

 

[siurpeeman]

the 15" models are all led backlit. i'm sure of this. what i notice from my mbp is surprisingly good battery life, and that's due to the lower power consumption of the led backlit display. it isn't inferior technology. it's green, too.

 

[iToaster]

So, even though the black box it came in says it isn't back-lit, it IS for sure? I mean, if it has the 8600 NVidia and it's a 15 incher, it has the backlit? Because it doesn't specify when I look at the hardware specs from inside the computer or reading on the black box.

Also, is this back-lit thing a huge jump from the August 2006 model I had because I know there's a difference but I'd like someone to specify the leap in technology? It is better, right?

Any LCD screen is backlit, or at least should be, or you wouldn't be able to see much of anything... just to clarify. All current 15" MBPs are LED backlit as opposed to CCFL (that's what it's called, right?). The LED backlit model is a heck of a lot better than the old ones (or 17" which is why I didn't get that). The LED backlighting uses less energy than the old one in addition to being brighter and instantly at full brightness (CCFL has to warm up), and also it contains no mercury.

 

[matt1987]

Yeah, because beleive it or not, my ORIGINAL MBP had 7200rpm and they couldn't replace me with one that had that but they DID give me the current MBP with this back-lit stuff and the new videocard and what-not...

But I lost the 7200rpm. So I'm trying top figure out if me going home with this new MBP, sans the 7200rpm was worth it. Now, I don't do heavy video-editing and mostly do word processing, web browsing, MSN, Itunes, Limewiere and Skype open at once so I figured 5400rpm is good enough but STILL.

The kicker is, they offered me the 17 inch model with 7200rpm, high-resolution screen, NON glossy for free as a replacement...and I said no. Am I crazy? I just like the glossy screens so much, the nice size of the 15 inch and I figured I'd hate looking at a matte screen, high-res or not. So I said, no I'll take home the post-June 2007 15 MBP without 7200rpm. Apparently, the back-lit LED MBP's actually look more impressive than the high-red 17's anyway? At least that's what one review told me.

But I digress...

I am planning on getting a 30 inch cinema display so trading off my nice, lgiht 15 incher with my essential glossy screen for a non glossy 17 incher with a little more rpm I may never use..just seemed silly to me.

So, yeah ....long story short, I just want to make clarify what, beyond, the new back-lit stuff, puts this MBP ahead of the August 2006 model? Is the processor or drive slightly faster? The videocard better?

 

[aaronw1986]

So, even though the black box it came in says it isn't back-lit, it IS for sure? I mean, if it has the 8600 NVidia and it's a 15 incher, it has the backlit? Because it doesn't specify when I look at the hardware specs from inside the computer or reading on the black box.

Also, is this back-lit thing a huge jump from the August 2006 model I had because I know there's a difference but I'd like someone to specify the leap in technology? It is better, right?

All laptops are backlit. The new SR models like you have use LED for backlighting. Yes, you have LED.

 

[matt1987]

Any LCD screen is backlit, or at least should be, or you wouldn't be able to see much of anything... just to clarify. All current 15" MBPs are LED backlit as opposed to CCFL (that's what it's called, right?). The LED backlit model is a heck of a lot better than the old ones (or 17" which is why I didn't get that). The LED backlighting uses less energy than the old one in addition to being brighter and instantly at full brightness (CCFL has to warm up), and also it contains no mercury.

Thanks for the clarification. To the both of you's. Always nice to see patience with a newbie.

I'd appreciate it if you read the post above and gave me any feedback you could, as well. If you got time!

 

[siurpeeman]

But I lost the 7200rpm. So I'm trying top figure out if me going home with this new MBP, sans the 7200rpm was worth it. Now, I don't do heavy video-editing and mostly do word processing, web browsing, MSN, Itunes, Limewiere and Skype open at once so I figured 5400rpm is good enough but STILL.

trust me. i doubt you'll even notice the difference. you made a good decision.

 

[matt1987]

trust me. i doubt you'll even notice the difference. you made a good decision.

Thanks, dude. I felt that way too and the screen does look different and very sharp but in a way I couldn't put my finger on. It's a thing of beauty.

Still, I'm wondering about the rest of the MBP 15. Obviously, I'm at 5400rpm now and that's fine. However, what other differences beyond the back-lit LED display can I appreciate from now owning this post-June 2007 model as opposed to the August 2006 model I used to have? (For instance, I got kind of nervous about losing the ATI Radeon X1600 card to the GeForce but I suppose that's not necessary concern, right?)

 

[matt1987]

the 15" models are all led backlit. i'm sure of this. what i notice from my mbp is surprisingly good battery life, and that's due to the lower power consumption of the led backlit display. it isn't inferior technology. it's green, too.

Yeah, I just wasn't sure because it doesn't say that on the black box it came in. And you think it would, right? And it doesn't say anything about it when I search within the MBP. This normal?

 

[iToaster]

Yeah, I just wasn't sure because it doesn't say that on the black box it came in. And you think it would, right? And it doesn't say anything about it when I search within the MBP. This normal?

Apple isn't too vocal about the LED backlighting surprisingly. You'd think with that technology adopted they might brag a little more... maybe they're just waiting until the 17" gets it to brag... dunno, we'll see.

 

[matt1987]

Apple isn't too vocal about the LED backlighting surprisingly. You'd think with that technology adopted they might brag a little more... maybe they're just waiting until the 17" gets it to brag... dunno, we'll see.

Do you own the 15 inch LED? Just being paranoid here and want to be absolutely certain that there's no way there can be an 8600 NVidia in my machine without the LED magic being in there...

Also, any more comments on my questions about improvements of my 2006 August model to this model would be great. Wish there was a chart out there or something...

 

[siurpeeman]

the improvements to the processor weren't that great, but you are moving from a core duo model macbook pro (which topped out at 2.16 ghz iirc). i moved to my 2.4 ghz machine from a c2d 2.0 macbook, and things definitely feel zippier. concerning the graphics card, you don't do anything that's graphics-intensive, so i wouldn't worry. have fun with your new machine.

 

[matt1987]

Bump for any other assistance.

 

[kolax]

Bump for any other assistance.

What's the point in bumping? What more assistance do you require? It is pretty much a yes or no answer thread and we already know the answer.

 

[matt1987]

- More thoughts/feedback on my transition from my August 2006 to June 2007.

- ACTUAL confirmation that I have the back-lit LED screen and confirmation from someone who ALSO owns it that it doesn't say so on the box.

I'm not trying to be redundant, I'm just being curious. Overly, maybe...but it is a forum, so what's the harm.

 

[fishkorp]

you don't need more confirmation, absolutely every single Santa Rosa 15" MBP (the ones with the nVidia card) are all LED backlit). they don't need to tell you every single detail on the box. it says on the MBP product page that they are LED backlit. it would say optional if it was an option.

 

[masse]

You...definitely....have...an...LED Backlit...display.

The Geforce Card also runs circles around your old x1600.

You're computer is more environmentally friendly, has better battery life, a faster processor, a more evenly backlit display, a much faster video card...

There's nothing else you need to worry about.

What you have is better...And what you have is what you think you have...is what we said you have...is what you do have.

Ok.