do you think that integrated graphics should be a choice ?

[Macmadant]

i was just reading about the sims 2 open for business and it made me laugh, when i read that it wouldn't run on macbook or mac mini intel (sorry to those who are offended0 nor would it run any other sims 2 game for that matter, i'm not a hard core gamer however i play a lot of 3D games including sims 2+ university, about 3 or 4 times a week and they say that integrated graphics are ok for casual gamers, so my question to you is, do you think you should have the option of a dedicated card when ordering the two macs ? I know what i'm voting for

 

[iMeowbot]

There already is an option for that in the notebook range, called the Macbook Pro.

There is of course the iMac now for a desktop with a so-called dedicated GPU, and the replacement for the power Mac can be expected to have that too.

Yes, there is a big price difference to get the fancier graphics options, but that's how Apple like to sell 'em.

(And no, since every thread about this mentions it, they aren't unaware that they could put different graphics hardware in lower end models if they wanted. The last Mac mini had just that, after all.)

 

[LoveMacMini]

more product sku's = more complications and time to manufacture

that and don't you think would buy a macbook pro based on looks alone

the pricing structure is set due to hardware specs. apple doesn't give you much if any choice beside ram and hard drive upgrades. they're nazi's in that department, but i can understand why.

you ever try and configure a dell or a gateway or a hp? it's usually a 3 page configurator. apple: one bloody page.

while some may love it, i hate it, but it makes apple profits so i can't bitch

we can have a poll but apple isn't going to listen to our results.

 

[moot]

You do have the option. They are called the MacBook Pro and the iMac.

There has to be some sort of differentiating factor between the products otherwise no-one would buy the more expensive ones.

If you want more options, then you must be prepared to pay.

Anyway, there is no room for a dedicated card inside the Mac mini.

 

[Macmadant]

You do have the option. They are called the MacBook Pro and the iMac.

There has to be some sort of differentiating factor between the products otherwise no-one would buy the more expensive ones.

If you want more options, then you must be prepared to pay.

Anyway, there is no room for a dedicated card inside the Mac mini.

Why did the mini used to have a radeon 9200 inside it as standard

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Why did the mini used to have a radeon 9200 inside it as standard

It also used to have one RAM DIMM slot. Now it has two SO-DIMM slots. It used to have a PPC CPU. Now it has an Intel one. etc. etc.

It's called redesign...

 

[cwedl]

I only said yes for other people, personally I don't play games, saying that though, nothing can beat a flight sim once a year!

 

[serpent]

there's plenty of room for dedicaded gfx in the mini. build the wifi in and use the pci-e slot for graphics. hell the profit driven Apple can write a few lines of code and unleash the full 224mb the gma950 was built for. the hardware's there just charge a few bucks more for an uncapped version. If you do a simple hardware test you'll see that intel built the LB to take 4gb's of ram, Hey Apple, Where are the missing slots?

Serpent

you poor MB owners, Apple choking the voltage down so the gma950 will only run at 200mhz

 

[Sun Baked]

Since you think it should be an option, maybe you should tell Apple how to find the space in the Mini and MacBook for the GPU -- and do it for $50.

Basically the Mini and PowerBook G4 were a 3 chip solution (CPU-Integrated Intrepid Chipset-GPU), the Intel version is a 3 chip solution (CPU-North-South) -- adding the GPU is the 4th chip.

 

[bembol]

I don't use it...I rarely play games/graphic work BUT I'm picky and want it...!!! LOL

If I had the money and didn't work on my HomeTheater/Acura RSX...I would've picked up the Mac Book Pro...!!!

 

[steamboat26]

I wish my that minis had the option to not have integrated graphics, but i don't play a lot of games on computers, and if i do, i usually use my PC. It isn't a necessity for me, it would just be more of a cool option to have

 

[eidrunner247]

I don't use it...I rarely play games/graphic work BUT I'm picky and want it...!!! LOL

If I had the money and didn't work on my HomeTheater/Acura RSX...I would've picked up the Mac Book Pro...!!!

Instead of getting a macbook/mini or whatever, there is always the option of buying an older model of the macbook pro or the intel imac. Either through ebay or through this website (if other people are selling). Think of it this way; you can drop 1400 on a macbook, or you can get your dedicated graphics card for a couple hundreds bucks more on ebay (watching for deals/getting lucky), or just wait until the new generation comes out, and then get an older macbook pro/imac generation computer. they certainly won't be outdated.

 

[bloodycape]

you ever try and configure a dell or a gateway or a hp? it's usually a 3 page configurator. apple: one bloody page.

Well to be fair at least one of those pages are related to accessories like a bag, lock or additional software.

 

[bloodycape]

there's plenty of room for dedicaded gfx in the mini. build the wifi in and use the pci-e slot for graphics. hell the profit driven Apple can write a few lines of code and unleash the full 224mb the gma950 was built for. the hardware's there just charge a few bucks more for an uncapped version. If you do a simple hardware test you'll see that intel built the LB to take 4gb's of ram, Hey Apple, Where are the missing slots?

Serpent

you poor MB owners, Apple choking the voltage down so the gma950 will only run at 200mhz

If you think it is the poor MB(and the Mac Mini) owners who have it bad; you see the clock speed Apple gave us MBP owners have on our ATI card compared to the imac. Then if you start comparing those specs(MBP and iMac) to the clock speeds on the same ati chip on a PC you maybe suprised.

 

[Scarlet Fever]

if there was a choice, more problems will occur, they would have to cut down stock, prices would vary dramatically...

If they did a dedicated GPU in the MB, they would also probably put in a ICD 1.66GHz or even a ICS 1.5GHz. Given they choice, i would much rather a 1.83GHz ICD than a 10-20% bump in GPU power. 64MB VRAM doesnt do a lot anyway.

If your gaming, a 13" display, one-click trackpad and integrated keyboard arent going to help you a lot. The only real benefit a MacBook has over an iMac is its portability. If you want real GPU power, bigger HDD, display, etc., you need an iMac/PowerMac - MacPro

another $0.02, now up to $7.96...

 

[jaduffy108]

i was just reading about the sims 2 open for business and it made me laugh, when i read that it wouldn't run on macbook or mac mini intel (sorry to those who are offended0 nor would it run any other sims 2 game for that matter, i'm not a hard core gamer however i play a lot of 3D games including sims 2+ university, about 3 or 4 times a week and they say that integrated graphics are ok for casual gamers, so my question to you is, do you think you should have the option of a dedicated card when ordering the two macs ? I know what i'm voting for

### *I* want more choices...and do not agree with what i perceive to be Apple apologists' zealotry. I also don't think it serves Apple as a company...NOW with Intel processors...competing with Dell, HP, etc. I want a Macbook Pro with a GeForce Go 7900 GTX. Why the *bleep* can't I have it? Since that isn't an option, as i understand it.... I may buy a pc laptop. *I* am tired of paying more money for products that are inferior in terms of hardware. Yes...OS X is awesome. Is it worth $500???...cuz that's what we're *really* paying for it. I think not. And...don't even get me started about Apple's graphics drivers performance compared to Windows. It's a joke. Why my rant?...cuz I love so much about Apple products!....but I'm finally starting to feel stupid for doing so. Apple is becoming a cult where the case of the computer is more important than what's inside it. Just read these forums for proof...where the length of a company's configuration page is stated as a "put down" on a company and its products!!!!! That's what comes to mind when we research a computer purchase???????~! Sad..at least to me, that it appears elegance in design and cutting edge performance are mutually exclusive. Ok...i'm done now

 

[Catfish_Man]

with what i perceive to be Apple apologists' zealotry.

I love how anything people don't like is "apologist zealotry". The sense of entitlement some people have is just astonishing.

 

[solvs]

I expect to see a high end MacBook with a dedicated video card. Don't know about the mini, but I expect it to stay the low end model. Maybe we'll get a new mini tower. I hope so, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[pknz]

I would prefer it if Apple didn't use integrated graphics at all.

 

[LoveMacMini]

Apple doesn't equal choice, period.

 

[gekko513]

I voted yes, but it's a yes with a catch. I would vote no if it means the lowest priced MacBook would have to be priced higher because of lower volume of sales of each model and the higher development and production costs of having a broader range of models.

I believe Apple will add more choice and more models with time when it makes economic sense, but the high R&D costs for the initial move to Intel prevents them from doing that just yet.

 

[FleurDuMal]

No.

The Macbook is a consumer lever laptop. It's not designed for gamers. I would be dead against the lowest priced Macbook rising in price in order to compensate the lower volumes sales of that model so a higher model can do something that the Macbook isn't really supposed to do.

Although it would be nice to play Civ IV...

 

[Josias]

NO! I just think they should make the Black and the hi-end White with X1300's as standard (128 MB) in next rev., and then the low-end white with a 128 MB GMA/965...

 

[homerjward]

it's to differentiate between models. if you could get a dedicated gpu in the macbook, fewer people would buy a macbook pro. same with the imac and mac mini.

i dont buy this **** about consumer vs professional but i suppose that's just me.

and apologies if this sounds overly brusque or anything im really tired and i cant sleep...

edit: i agree with Josias, well sort of, that the black should have dedicated graphics in order to justify its higher price, but i'm not sure about the high-end white.

 

[Macmadant]

I would prefer it if Apple didn't use integrated graphics at all.

With you all the way