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Besides speed, is there any benefit for the new SR 2.4 MPB 15" compared to the 2.33?
- Thread starter bowlman23
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Other than a small bump in speed, a slightly faster bus speed, which should help and the ability to add 4 gig of ram? Not sure about the video card being a great improvement if recent reviews are any indication. Frame rates actually dropped in a couple of tests running some popular games. Don't think the processor speed bump is anything significant. Oh you can get a faster hard drive but you could do that anyway as an aftermarket deal. So for me the answer would be no. If I did not have a current Intel Macbook Pro I would gladly pick up a SR book. But I have a Intel 2.33 so no big change for me. I think when we finally see a HD or Blu-ray drive I might be swayed. Refurbed 2.33 are always a good deal.
I have been asking myself this question for that past week. Yesterday I was even at the Apple store to buy the new MBP 2.4, mainly for the video card. As someone has stated, the performance isn't very intriguing. I believe that Apple/Nvidia haven't released good drivers for the card yet and that is why we see the slope in performance.
I did mention to the Apple guys about me upgrading from a 2.33 to a 2.4 and they asked if I won the lottery. I guess they were implying that dropping 2k on a laptop just for a little bump in speed isn't really worth it at this point.
I suppose if I saw the numbers climb in video performance I would revisit this idea.
I mean, the Apple Store online has the 15" MBP 2.33GHz refurbed for $2k. The 2.4 is $2500. $500 bucks is a good discount.
I have been asking myself this question for that past week. Yesterday I was even at the Apple store to buy the new MBP 2.4, mainly for the video card. As someone has stated, the performance isn't very intriguing. I believe that Apple/Nvidia haven't released good drivers for the card yet and that is why we see the slope in performance.
I did mention to the Apple guys about me upgrading from a 2.33 to a 2.4 and they asked if I won the lottery. I guess they were implying that dropping 2k on a laptop just for a little bump in speed isn't really worth it at this point.
I suppose if I saw the numbers climb in video performance I would revisit this idea.
How likely is it the the drivers will be update on the new models? Has Apple done that in the past?
The New One Is Way Better Than The Last One
Yes but the old one can't take 4GB of ram because it's not a TRUE 64-bit motherboard like the new one so ultimately you will regret it when you add Leopard. You can buy the new 2.2GHz model for only $1799 academic. The LED screen is also a very big difference. I think buying anything less than the newest model is a bad idea.
it all depends on your money. Like bowlman said, $500 discount getting a refurb is a solid savings.
BUT, if you want the ability to upgrade to 4 GBs of memory in the future than that's a good reason to get the SR. Also, Nvidia/Apple should be releasing drivers in the very near future which should help things.
It's never a BAD idea to buy the newest thing out, but depending on your situation, it could be better to stick with the rev. B MBP rather than get the SR.
Personally, i would get the SR because i want 4 GBs of memory and i want the LED screen.
BUT, if you want the ability to upgrade to 4 GBs of memory in the future than that's a good reason to get the SR. Also, Nvidia/Apple should be releasing drivers in the very near future which should help things.
It's never a BAD idea to buy the newest thing out, but depending on your situation, it could be better to stick with the rev. B MBP rather than get the SR.
Personally, i would get the SR because i want 4 GBs of memory and i want the LED screen.
Graphics performance testing done under OSX should be taken with a grain of salt. It is absolutely the case that the current 8600 drivers for OSX are far from mature, while the x1600 and its drivers have been around for ages. Given time, I'm sure you'll see a significant increase in performance with the 8600.
Alternatively, load up Boot Camp and give the real nVidia drivers a whirl. While new graphics drivers for OSX seem to be released at a glacial pace, the same cannot be said of Windows drivers. They're quite snappy.
Alternatively, load up Boot Camp and give the real nVidia drivers a whirl. While new graphics drivers for OSX seem to be released at a glacial pace, the same cannot be said of Windows drivers. They're quite snappy.
WOW.. if I need 4GIG to run leopard good then why not go over to Vista?? Thats a horrible statement to make FYI..
The LED screens are much brighter than the old type, and you'll probably see better battery life, but this is probably due to a combination of factors rather than just the LED lighting on its own.
The unit is also 0.2lbs lighter at 5.4lbs, but you could say thats trivial. Finally, the 8600M GT is capable of more complex single-pass rendering if that's important to you.
The unit is also 0.2lbs lighter at 5.4lbs, but you could say thats trivial. Finally, the 8600M GT is capable of more complex single-pass rendering if that's important to you.