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Scottsdale

Suspended
Sep 19, 2008
4,473
283
U.S.A.
I would, IF-

The 13" MBP gets an update to AMD CPU or Sandy Bridge CPU with discrete AMD GPU, eliminates the optical drive, adds an HD IPS display, uses both a boot blade SSD for OS X and apps and a second HDD for files, has a backlit keyboard, is as thin as or thinner than the MBA, and weighs the same or less than the MBA.

Basically, I just want an "updated" MBA to 2011-type specs... contrary to most, I would prefer AMD CPUs if going Core i-series means only using Intel graphics. Or I would happily stick with C2D for years to come... I don't believe in anything Intel is doing on the graphics front, and I believe Apple needs to use discrete AMD GPUs in all Mac notebooks.

However, the MBP needs to lose the optical drive and at least pick up an optional bay where discrete graphics, secondary drives, or an optical drive could be used.

I really hope the rumored Summer MBA update includes a backlit keyboard, a discrete GPU, and USB 3.0 ports. That is the update I am waiting for...

I know some will say the discrete GPU isn't possible, but with AMD's GPUs the power draw is as little as 7W. I really think that's doable. In addition, I don't actually care if Intel improves, until their GPUs can match discrete GPUs, I prefer they keep them off the CPU.
 

jinxednuance

macrumors regular
Feb 6, 2011
146
0
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPod; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_1_3 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7E18 Safari/528.16)

Yup
 

Onimusha370

macrumors 65816
Aug 25, 2010
1,041
1,512
i think i love my air to much to sell it that quickly.
the only point when i'll consider selling my air in the next year is if they update the MBA with sandy bridge, backlit keyboard, and squeeze an extra hour or 2 out of the battery (which sandy bridge would accomplish thanks to integrated graphics etc).
i'm very happy with the ultimate 13 inch.
 

Acorn

macrumors 68030
Jan 2, 2009
2,643
352
macrumors
i am at a standstill if id upgrade. i love my 11 inch air for almost everything. honestly there is nothing stressful i do on the computer except compile. even then the wait isnt long.

it depends on the gpu i guess. which sadly we already know is intel. intel graphics sucks. they always lie and over hype every time they talk about their graphics. Ive used intel graphics on and off for over 15 years and they NEVER live to expectations. investing in intel graphics is like pissing in the wind.
 

Hellhammer

Moderator emeritus
Dec 10, 2008
22,164
582
Finland
I know some will say the discrete GPU isn't possible, but with AMD's GPUs the power draw is as little as 7W. I really think that's doable. In addition, I don't actually care if Intel improves, until their GPUs can match discrete GPUs, I prefer they keep them off the CPU.

The power draw shouldn't be that big of an issue but discrete GPU would require three major chips in the logic board (CPU, GPU, PCH) compared to two chips found in current MBA (CPU, 320M). That would most likely require a bigger logic board and MBA isn't exactly a spacious machine.

ATI 5430M isn't too fast either. It quite a bit slower than the Intel HD 3000 (yes, that is the desktop version but still, it beats the 5430M so easily). Discrete GPU should be noticeably faster than the Intel IGP in order to be worth it. Adding 5% faster discrete GPU would be pointless.
 

Psilocybin

macrumors 6502a
Jan 16, 2011
592
0
Ontario, Canada
The power draw shouldn't be that big of an issue but discrete GPU would require three major chips in the logic board (CPU, GPU, PCH) compared to two chips found in current MBA (CPU, 320M). That would most likely require a bigger logic board and MBA isn't exactly a spacious machine.

ATI 5430M isn't too fast either. It quite a bit slower than the Intel HD 3000 (yes, that is the desktop version but still, it beats the 5430M so easily). Discrete GPU should be noticeably faster than the Intel IGP in order to be worth it. Adding 5% faster discrete GPU would be pointless.

well said
 

Hands Sandon

macrumors 6502
Aug 3, 2008
349
0
I got the 11.6 1.4/2/128 today and have played around on it for a few hours and am blown away by how nice the screen is, the weight (or lack of it :D ) and the utterly silent usage so far. For me, waiting for the new MBP's is now irrelevant.
 

teerexx52

macrumors 68020
May 1, 2005
2,072
173
Florida West Coast
I got the 11.6 1.4/2/128 today and have played around on it for a few hours and am blown away by how nice the screen is, the weight (or lack of it :D ) and the utterly silent usage so far. For me, waiting for the new MBP's is now irrelevant.

I agree but with Apple you never know what they are going to throw at us next to make us part with our money
 

Scottsdale

Suspended
Sep 19, 2008
4,473
283
U.S.A.
The power draw shouldn't be that big of an issue but discrete GPU would require three major chips in the logic board (CPU, GPU, PCH) compared to two chips found in current MBA (CPU, 320M). That would most likely require a bigger logic board and MBA isn't exactly a spacious machine.

ATI 5430M isn't too fast either. It quite a bit slower than the Intel HD 3000 (yes, that is the desktop version but still, it beats the 5430M so easily). Discrete GPU should be noticeably faster than the Intel IGP in order to be worth it. Adding 5% faster discrete GPU would be pointless.

You're missing a gigantic piece of the puzzle though. The Intel ULV Core i7 CPUs could use all potential power for CPU. Basically running turbo mode all the time. This is why a discrete GPU makes sense. In addition, I am going to greatly dispute your numbers on ATI vs Intel graphics. Forget what you read about Windows drivers, as OS X proves 40% less efficient in OpenGL and other key performance measures. Until the graphics chip companies help write drivers and improve the systems, Apple has accepted it's own poor graphics performance. On Windows, I am happy with Intel's graphics, but that is a gigantic difference from what OS X provides.
 

Hellhammer

Moderator emeritus
Dec 10, 2008
22,164
582
Finland
You're missing a gigantic piece of the puzzle though. The Intel ULV Core i7 CPUs could use all potential power for CPU. Basically running turbo mode all the time.

Only when more power is needed though. When not doing anything CPU heavy, it will underclock itself to use less energy and thus provide better battery life.

In addition, I am going to greatly dispute your numbers on ATI vs Intel graphics. Forget what you read about Windows drivers, as OS X proves 40% less efficient in OpenGL and other key performance measures.

That applies to both, ATI and Intel then, so what's the point? 40% slower Intel IGP is still faster than 40% slower 5430M.
 

Hands Sandon

macrumors 6502
Aug 3, 2008
349
0
I agree but with Apple you never know what they are going to throw at us next to make us part with our money

....ooops...found the screen too small after staying up late using it. Returned it and got the base 13.3" instead. I hate returning things and rarely ever do, but the 13" screen makes all the difference, in fact it now feels like a real computer, (as an unexpected bonus it has the faster ssd, which the 11.6" didn't have).
 

57004

Cancelled
Aug 18, 2005
1,022
341
I just sold my MBP 13" (mid-2009) today, I was going to buy a MacBook Air. However I might wait and see what's going to happen with the new MBP now, since it's rumored to be a lot lighter. And by the sound of it it's imminent now.

It'll have to be close enough to the weight of the Air though for me to consider it. Since I got the Mac Mini my MBP got hardly any use at all and it's too heavy to bring it along when I'm not 100% sure I'll need it. The air would fix that (especially the 11").

The only thing I can imagine Apple could come up with in the new MBP that would really interest me would be a matte screen option on the 13". I never liked Apple's gloss craze and I never will (hence my Mac Mini instead of an iMac)

So no, most likely I will get the Air, but at this stage it depends what they come up with.
 

AMDGAMER

macrumors 6502
Jan 4, 2011
270
0
The AIR is great...but I have to admit I'm curious to see what the 17" MBPRO refresh looks like. I could very well end up selling my current macbook PRO for 500-600 bucks and going with the 17".
 

2IS

macrumors 68030
Jan 9, 2011
2,938
433
Not me. I got the MBA for it's combination of portability, and speed. I don't want to sacrafice something I need (portability) for something I don't (more power)

If I was going to sacrafice portability for power, I'd make sure the power was enough to do some pretty good gaming and for that I'd buy a PC.
 

nowstime

macrumors regular
Jul 2, 2008
164
0
Had the MBA ultimate for awhile but sold it due to its fan noise. It's a great light computer for light jobs, IMO. The boot time is super quick and apps load super fast but multiple jobs caused great fan noise. If you can manage the fan speed to a decent level, it's a great machine. Just not my cup of tea.
 

rubberwheels

macrumors member
Jan 25, 2010
64
0
Well, I just purchased the 11.6 and I loved it for the portability. It can handle everything I do with it now. I wouldn't see a reason to buy it. I would be pissed if the new MBP is as light as my Macbook Air 11.6. I sold my Mid-2009 MBP for this air because of mobility and small form factor.
 

Maven1975

macrumors 65816
Aug 24, 2008
1,014
275
Well, I just purchased the 11.6 and I loved it for the portability. It can handle everything I do with it now. I wouldn't see a reason to buy it. I would be pissed if the new MBP is as light as my Macbook Air 11.6. I sold my Mid-2009 MBP for this air because of mobility and small form factor.

It will be larger. It will still have the crappy glass screen. It will have a larger power supply. It will take more than 3 hours to fully charge. It will never be a sleek as the 11".

The 11" is the best air to own currently IMO. The 13" Air is too close to the 13 MBP. But you will still have to deal with the above issues when going 13"

What the 13" Semi-Pro needs is a Discrete GPU. Otherwise, the Air spanks it overall.
 
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