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I just purchased a new 17" High res, glossy 2.6 200gb 7200rpm hdd to replace my 15 Sr laptop, but then again I don not really care as I change machines every 6 months or less. I love what I have, and if something new comes out that I really want, I will sell this one and get it.
 
I don't think there have been any indications that an LED 17" screen is coming in January, but wait on the chance that it might. If it does I'm going to have to sell my current 17" MBP and get the LED one.

The CFL backlight used in the current 17" is by far the weakest link in the computer. The left side of the screen is always slightly darker than the right, and variations in backlight evenness can cause some pretty good color shifts from top to bottom or left to right (and its not just the narrow viewing angle, although that exacerbates the problem).

If they pull out a 1900x1200 LED screen for the 17" next month it will be freaking amazing. It could potentially be the first laptop screen that would be really usable for color/graphics intensive work (leaving out the 15" LED just because the res is too low).
 
Buy it when you need it. The new ones, if there are new ones in January, will only be incrementally faster and a speed bump you would be unlikely to notice.


Unless.....you're one of those people prone to buyer's remorse, and will feel really bad about yourself if your MacBook isn't the very latest and greatest. I see that a lot here on MacRumors.

Heh well it won't be an incremental speed bump that's for sure however like others have said if u Need buy it if you Want wait till January.
 
A bit of Rubbish

The CFL backlight used in the current 17" is by far the weakest link in the computer. The left side of the screen is always slightly darker than the right, and variations in backlight evenness can cause some pretty good color shifts from top to bottom or left to right (and its not just the narrow viewing angle, although that exacerbates the problem).

If they pull out a 1900x1200 LED screen for the 17" next month it will be freaking amazing. It could potentially be the first laptop screen that would be really usable for color/graphics intensive work (leaving out the 15" LED just because the res is too low).

Not a ton of rubbish, but a decent amount.

I have this LCD 17" inch screen in a new MacBookPro 2.6, 200ghz 7200 rpm, 4 gig RAM unit. I have many new Macs and many red hot displays in my Studio (HP LP3065, ACD 30 and 23, Dell WFP2407, and more.)

The LCD screen produces enormously accurate SWOP color print work. It is among one of my best screens with calibration. You claim about it being non-usable for graphics work is off base, a bit. I will consent that it is not the best screen for video and web-based high color gamut screens -- for that I go to the wide gamut (about 92% NTSC) HP LP3065 or the Dell.

But no, this 17" LCD matches all the Children's Picture Books -- with very color diverse children's graphics -- I print with some of America's top printers. The Glossy wide gamut screens -- some of them LED, do not. They are simply too bright, reflective and out of gamut.

I specific choose this exact screen for consistent press color matching on the road -- it will be the last screen of its kind and CAPABILITY to color match natively with SWOP and I wanted to own it.
 
Hmmm, what's the point of waiting until middle of January? There is no newer hardware available that could be put in the MacBook Pro. Santa Rosa is currently Intel's newest laptop platform and it won't be updated for some time - Montevina, the next one is coming out in mid-2008. Penryn release has been postponed, so we won't see new Core 2 Duo processors either.

LED 17" monitors dont qualify for an actual upgrade, smaller processor speed bumps or the GPU going up to 8700M from 8600M are also not worth mentioning IMHO (it can be done as a silent upgrade in the apple store). I know everyone has been talking about a complete revamp, but in the past this was usually coupled with new uberhardware. It would be kind of strange to see Apple release a new design, but with the same hardware.

All in all - I suggest you buy the laptop now, the platform it is based on is the newest available and it will stick around for some time.
 
Hmmm, what's the point of waiting until middle of January? There is no newer hardware available that could be put in the MacBook Pro. Santa Rosa is currently Intel's newest laptop platform and it won't be updated for some time - Montevina, the next one is coming out in mid-2008. Penryn release has been postponed, so we won't see new Core 2 Duo processors either.

LED 17" monitors dont qualify for an actual upgrade, smaller processor speed bumps or the GPU going up to 8700M from 8600M are also not worth mentioning IMHO (it can be done as a silent upgrade in the apple store). I know everyone has been talking about a complete revamp, but in the past this was usually coupled with new uberhardware. It would be kind of strange to see Apple release a new design, but with the same hardware.

All in all - I suggest you buy the laptop now, the platform it is based on is the newest available and it will stick around for some time.

Amen.
 
Penryn release has been postponed, so we won't see new Core 2 Duo processors either.

Only Penryn Quad seems delayed.

Check this out:

http://newsfeedresearcher.com/data/articles_t49/idt2007.12.06.01.11.17.html

It may be leaked and a rumor and someone may get fired for having the information out in the open, but it's still cool stuff. According to the guys at DailyTech, Intel will release its new 45 nanometer Penryn-based Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Extreme dual core processors on January 6th, 2008. The processors, which will most likely find their way into notebooks, will most likely make their first appearances at the Consumer Electronics Show 2008 as well as Macworld Expo 2008 among the oft-rumored Apple tablet and revamped MacBook Pro laptops and refreshed iMac desktops. [1] "Intel will up the ante again on January 6, 2008 with its new 45nm Penryn-based Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Extreme dual core processors," Brandon Hill blogs for DailyTech. "It's highly plausible that the chips could make their first appearance at CES 2008 (January 7, 2008) with further unveils at MacWorld 2008 in Apple'''s oft-rumored tablet, revamped MacBook Pros or refreshed iMac desktops," Hill reports.[2]

A further chip, the Core 2 Extreme X9000, is clocked at 2.8GHz, has 6MB of L2 cache and will consume up to 44W. DailyTech speculates that the chips could make their first appearance at CES 2008 with further unveils at MacWorld 2008 in Apple's MacBook Pros or iMac desktops.[3]

Competition is often fierce when a new processor debuts, regardless of who manufactures it. This has to do with the abysmally low yields (5-6 percent it's been said) chipmakers experience during the initial phases of manufacturing. According to various rumors circulating around the internet on Wednesday, Apple may for the first time match other PC manufacturers and debut these new Penryn 'Santa Rosa' processors in its existing notebook lineup during January's MacWorld Expo. "It's highly plausible that the chips could make their first appearance at CES 2008 (January 7, 2008) with further unveils at MacWorld 2008 in Apple's oft-rumored tablet, revamped MacBook Pros or refreshed iMac desktops," writes the DailyTech.[4]

Higher performance versions at 2.5GHz and 2.6GHz will each pack 6MB of Level 2 cache and sell for $316 and $530. Each of the aforementioned Core 2 Duo models will sport a thermal design power (TDP) of 35 watts, while a 2.8GHz Core 2 Extreme ($851), also with 6MB of Level 2 cache, will feature a TDP of 44 watts. Apple is likely to adopt one of the Core 2 Duo Penryn chips for its upcoming sub-notebook, while using the remainder of the chip family to boost the specs of its MacBook Pro and iMac desktop line.[5] With the Montevina Centrino refresh expected in the second half of 2008, the new Penryn mobile processors will receive a 25 watt rating instead. Future processors are anticipated to feature six megabytes of onboard L2 cache for the Core 2 Duo processors and 12 megabytes of onboard L2 cache for the Core 2 Extreme models, both firms featuring 1066 MHz front-side buses along with support for DDR3 memory. No specific word has been given as to when these units will find their way into Apple's units.[1] All four chips have a thermal envelope of 35W, which matches current Core 2 Duo processors, allowing notebook makers to slot the new chips in without having to redesign the machines' thermal characteristics. The fifth chip, the Core 2 Extreme X9000, consumes up to 44W when it's running at full, 2.8GHz pelt. It too has 6MB of L2 cache. This release will mark the so-called 'Santa Rosa Refresh' - Intel's next update of the current incarnation of its Centrino notebook platform.[6] According to DailyTech's info, the first raft of 45nm Core 2 Duo Mobile parts will simply be die-shrunk replacements for the current range of processors, carrying the same clock speeds and 35W TDPs (44W for the Extreme range), although the chips will have larger level 2 caches. The line-up will consist of the 'Extreme' 2.8GHz X9000, a 2.6GHz T9500, and a 2.5GHz T9300, all boasting 6MB of L2 cache, while the 2.4GHz T8300 and 2.1GHz T8100 will sport a smaller 3MB cache. Oh, and of course all the chips in the new range should be cheaper than their predecessors.[7] Unlike the earlier architecture, Intel plans to split the processor series into two distinct lines from the outset, the tip says. The entry T8100 and T8300 will run at 2.1GHz and 2.3GHz (up from 1.8GHz and 2GHz in equivalent models) but boost cache up to 3MB versus their originals. The high-end T9300 and T9500 will clock at 2.5GHz and 2.6GHz, also doubling their cache to 6MB. A special Core 2 Extreme chip, the X9000, will consume more power at 44 watts but run at 2.8GHz; like earlier models, this will largely be limited to desktop replacements and slim-profile desktops where battery life is less of a concern.[8]
 
There are two or three posts about the mobile Penryn (MBP) delay in the MacPro/Powermac forum with multiple sources. Go check it out.
 
LED 17" monitors dont qualify for an actual upgrade

I didsagree! Six months ago LED 15" was huge and one of the selling points for me. I believe that even if Apple upped nothing besides the display, that'd be welcomed. It will come eventually (LED 17"), but is it coming soon? We'll have to wait and see. I'm also expecting higher 15" resolutions but that might take a while.
 
changing every 6 months?

geezz

i might pre order your next MBP Penryn if that's the case :D

dude, once you get the Penryn MBP

you can even hold up till probably 2011 and still doing fine

though by that time, there could be a 8 Core MBPs

well who knows

:D
 
The LCD screen produces enormously accurate SWOP color print work. It is among one of my best screens with calibration. You claim about it being non-usable for graphics work is off base, a bit.

I have used and calibrated maybe six MBP 17" screens, and none have been very good for color due mostly to the viewing angle. What's weird is if you look at any of the floor 17" models at any Apple store you can see the left side is dimmer, while not a huge difference, it's there. LED should resolve this and improve the viewing angle too.

Don't get me wrong, after calibration the color is accurate in the sweet spot and I have not seen a better notebook screen (except for the 15" LED :)). If they go LED on the 17" it will be well worth an upgrade for me, if only for the longevity of the screen/backlight.
 
Hmac, you could not be more right about this!

I'm a newbie here on MR, and I read alot more than i post here on MR. So i have been shocked at the vast number of whiny cry babies that are here. "Oh i pulled my magsafe out by the wire now its broke waaa! waaa!" and "don't buy a black macbook because MY trackpad is shiny and the keys get greasy 'snif' 'snif'" and even "my battery shows 99% after 4,000 cycles booo! hooo!

Plus there are still way too many "IF"s related to what exactly Apple is going to come out with at MWSF. I didn't see anything on MR that said a revision to the 17"MBP was coming? Aside from the probable .2-.6 Ghz speed increase and a revision to the case design, any update that Apple gives to the MBP line will inevitably cause hords of current SR MBP owners to sell their "instantly not state-of-the-art" MBPs on ebay/craigslist while they stand in line to buy the Penryn MBP.

At this point I will be surfing Craigslist with a smile as I will be able to pick out a brand new / nearly new SR MBP with everything I want for a few hundred $ less and I will have a machine that is truly not out of date, that does what I need it to do, and is/was the last SR revision because nearly all of the bugs have been ironed out by now. So I won't have to worry about the problems that the new Rev. A Penryn will have!

To the OP. Don't wait. or if you want, wait till mid jan. when a flood of perfectly good SR MBPs hit the market from owners who will never be happy with what they have!

Anyone wanna take a bet at how quickly new Penryn MBP owners will complain about the bugs their new machines will have?!?! I personally want to seee a post or two with the title saying "Wish i kept my trusty SR MBP!" Ha!

motomac

you really open my eyes, i was really confused of whether to wait or just hit t he market with the current bug-less SR MBP

and speaking of which

did the 1st generation of SR MBP have many bugs?

because if it is, im not gonna think twice of buying a SR MBP:apple: tommorow for sure

advice?
 
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