Lots of Questions: MacBook Pro Upgrades (graphics/screen)

[Napster]

Hey guys, I bought the very first high end version of the macbook pro about a year and 4 months ago. Now my hard drive purrs occasionally and freaks me out to the point where I bought an external hard drive just in case she blows. 100GB isn't enough, my Wifi is sucking lagging, i could use a graphics upgrade, and a glossy screen. SO.

My questions are as follow:

#1 Is it possible to upgrade to the glossy screen? Or install a new screen? I know there is a thread about it on this forum I was reading earlier.

#2 Can I upgrade my X1600XT to the new 8600GT card? (please say yes)

#3 will installing a new bluray slim drive into my macbook pro display better quality DVD's?

 

[Roguepirate]

I doubt you can upgrade the graphics card on any notebook, they're usually soldered down onto the mobo rather than be a separate card to plug in. Doing it this way would save space internally and also eliminate a possible moving part in that it wont fall out of a socket or shake loose when your notebook goes mobile.

 

[kolax]

#1 Is it possible to upgrade to the glossy screen? Or install a new screen? I know there is a thread about it on this forum I was reading earlier.

Yes it is possible. You will void your warranty however, and isn't the easiest task in the world, but by all means it is possible to upgrade your screen.

#2 Can I upgrade my X1600XT to the new 8600GT card? (please say yes)

No it is not possible. The GPU is non-user replaceable. It might be possible to get the thing out, but it is soldered and attached to the motherboard and if you did manage to get it out your laptop will probably never work again.

#3 will installing a new bluray slim drive into my macbook pro display better quality DVD's?

No. There is some Blu-Ray drives out there that will read DVD's but it won't make them look any better. Blu-Ray drives are designed to read "Hi Definition" content, so if you are wanting to take advantage of HD then you'd need to buy Blu-Ray movies (which are becoming increasingly popular through outlet stores).

 

[fishkorp]

to add on to what Kilamite said: there is currently no software for OS X that can play Blu-Ray movies, and there probably isn't a driver for the drives either. why would you want to spend that much upgrading your current machine. it would make more sense to buy a new one. Blu-Ray drives start at around $500 for desktop versions. if a slim, notebook model exists (i guess whatever Sony uses?) it would probably cost even more for the average user to buy.

you're basically asking for a super expensive frankenstein MBP upgrade. just buy a new laptop if it bothers you that much.

 

[Napster]

1st off, the new ones dont have blu ray, its $800 for a slim drive BTW. I was just wondering, this is all hypothetical.

 

[kolax]

Leopard will support Blu-Ray and HD-DVD drives.

It is early technology - seems like Apple is making the decision to hold off on this one and see who wins the HD disc battle.

Either that or they are waiting for reliable mass produced HD-DVD/Blu-Ray combo players to appear for laptops (I'd say we are at least a year off from that if it ever does happen).