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In your opinion,
If you were to sit down and compare the 2.2, 128mb GT8600 2GB ram Santa Rosa, with a 2.33ghz, 2gb ram, and 256 Radeon, which one would win graphics wise? Or overall performance wise for that matter?

Overall performance wise you wouldn't notice too much difference.

Graphics wise, even with less VRAM, the 8600M GT is a significant jump beyond the Radeon X1600 (especially on the Windows side).

-Zadillo
 
From what I can make out, from the defensive comments, and flat out rude replies, it all depends on what computer you have. No one here is giving solid facts as to what the MAJOR differences are GENERALLY and if you have a previous gen MBP, you say the differences aren't that big, and if you have the SR model, you say the differences are massive, and that it's a completely different computer specs wise, than the previous gen. My personal unbiased opinion is that, yes, the Newer MBP's are upgrades from the last gen. Leaving my opinion as to whether the upgrades are sufficient or not out of this, the computers are very close in technical specs. Again, yes, the newer ones are obviously better, but "massivly" better? I think not.

The differences are marginal at best yes, but Apple is now inherently tied into the release dates of Intel's roadmap. How you can ever expect a quadcore processor in a 1" laptop and still deliver over 8 hours of battery life is beyond me, as last time I checked, these babies weren't nuclear. Yes, it would have been nice to have a build to order option for blu-ray drives, but realistically the MacPros will see that before the MBP's will. To be fair Apple has released new technology ahead of other computer vendors i.e. Superdrive, wireless standards, and the use of IEEE1394(Firewire). Will Apple update the MBP's in October? Highly unlikely and I would't hold my breath. You should do the same and take your information from a "reliable" source with a grain of salt.
 
The differences are marginal at best yes, but Apple is now inherently tied into the release dates of Intel's roadmap. How you can ever expect a quadcore processor in a 1" laptop and still deliver over 8 hours of battery life is beyond me, as last time I checked, these babies weren't nuclear. Yes, it would have been nice to have a build to order option for blu-ray drives, but realistically the MacPros will see that before the MBP's will. To be fair Apple has released new technology ahead of other computer vendors i.e. Superdrive, wireless standards, and the use of IEEE1394(Firewire). Will Apple update the MBP's in October? Highly unlikely and I would't hold my breath. You should do the same and take your information from a "reliable" source with a grain of salt.

Indeed. It's not like we can't predict when the next logical times are for MBP upgrades - I mean, as you mention, Intel's roadmap is public knowledge.

Personally it seems like the next logical upgrade would be the updated Penryn processors - and that would be the first time Apple might be able to also use quad core processors in their laptops.

Whether Apple would also do a major revision of the MBP just for Penryn is a matter for debate. I suspect they may wait for the Montevina platform in 2008 to do a major revision of the MBP (then again, who knows; I had thought Santa Rosa would be a good time to do a major revision as well).

Internally though, Apple has done a good job IMO of keeping up with PC manufacturers; as it is, the MBP is one of the best laptops on the market in terms of components combined with a 5.4 pound 1" thick chassis with a 15.4" LED (still the only manufacturer with a model like this you can currently buy).

-Zadillo
 
OK

Does anyone else have any opinion/experience in comparing the 128MB 8600M GT with the 256MB X1600?
 
theres no need to be rude. every1 has an opinion on these threads. you are voicing yours. just be aware that other people are allowed to aswell. mods are always on the prowell to delete people hu are rude.just be wary of that.

to ur question of the x1600 256 vs 8600 128, the 8600 FLOGGS the x1600 by atleast 3 fold.

edit: ok maybe not 3 fold....but u get wat i mean
 
Ok.
Thanks for the reply DoFoT9. I am actually surprised by that. I have done searches for anything comparing the 2, and all I get is comparisons between the 128 vs 128 of each and same for the 256. That is why I asked, I was having trouble finding a chart with the 8600 128mb vs the X1600 256mb. But thanks again for the response
 
Ok.
Thanks for the reply DoFoT9. I am actually surprised by that. I have done searches for anything comparing the 2, and all I get is comparisons between the 128 vs 128 of each and same for the 256. That is why I asked, I was having trouble finding a chart with the 8600 128mb vs the X1600 256mb. But thanks again for the response

the increase from 128 to 256 mb of ram is most of the time an increase of about 10-25%... its never really that high.

im a nice guy replying is what i do best :cool:
 
I don't think we will see an update because the specs you are listing is either too expensive or isn't set to be released by October by the companys that manufacture the parts. I can't really think of anything that apple can release for the MBP except a higher pixel camera LOL.

Typed on the iPhone
 
Wow, I guess that settles it then. It shows the 128 Nvidia to be getting 38-41fps on Quake, and the 265 Radeon to get 30. I am honestly perplexed by this, but I suppose the tests don't lie. Can anyone help explain why the results are the way they are? And why the jump is so little when DOUBLING your vram
 
I don't think we will see an update because the specs you are listing is either too expensive or isn't set to be released by October by the companys that manufacture the parts. I can't really think of anything that apple can release for the MBP except a higher pixel camera LOL.

Typed on the iPhone

Actually the new MBP (SR) does have a higher pixel camera.
 
Wow, I guess that settles it then. It shows the 128 Nvidia to be getting 38-41fps on Quake, and the 265 Radeon to get 30. I am honestly perplexed by this, but I suppose the tests don't lie. Can anyone help explain why the results are the way they are? And why the jump is so little when DOUBLING your vram


Simply because the GPU is much better. Just because one has more VRAM than the other does not mean it is a better GPU. That would be like saying a 2GHz G3 (yes I know there aren't any) is equal to a 2GHz C2D.
 
Wow, I guess that settles it then. It shows the 128 Nvidia to be getting 38-41fps on Quake, and the 265 Radeon to get 30. I am honestly perplexed by this, but I suppose the tests don't lie. Can anyone help explain why the results are the way they are? And why the jump is so little when DOUBLING your vram

Doubling your vram does not equate to doubling framerates. The additional vram would assist in pushing pixels if you were using an external monitor.
 
How about SLI

I can't believe that i am looking at Alienware laptops and starting to drool. Maybe I am just falling for the looks and the cool gaming specs I don't know. But I do know that the few things that get my blood pumping are the:

(1) Dual 2.5 inch Hard Disk Drives and the plethora of configs for them. Raid 0 to get up to 500GB with the Western Digital drives or 400GB @ 7200 rpm. :eek: Freaking WOW man... that is just the best thing ever... As an editor the idea of having a scratch disk running at 7200 rpm with 200GB of space and a system drive at the same size and speed is just a dream come true. I would never need an external drive again.

(2) The SLI graphics from nVidia. I like the idea of having a Gigabyte of graphics memory at my disposal. I am not a hardware nut that can spit random facts about what is current what is this and that. All I do know is that they say a Gig, and my eyes bug out.

(3) The average cute stuff that doesn't really help with productivity but really helps when you just want to play around and have fun. Built-in DVR, a full sized keyboard and number pad (with all of that space they could fit one), and that freakin GIG OF Graphics MEMORY!!

I still love the 17 inch, and when my current book gets too old, slow, broken, warranty runs out, whatever I will get the next real update to the MacBook Pro and I hope that Apple puts more than one drive in the 17" book and maybe some serious gamer graphics. The current book is wonderful, but I was too expecting some more innovation, not just a Santa Claus chip and some usual upgrades. But that is okay for me.... Apple will give us some new hardware for real productivity soon. Not in October, maybe not even in April in next year, but they will give it.
 
Listen SilentHill,

I am not trying to be rude or defensive about anything, but honestly from a techinicians point of view, which I am, the updates which you stated are nowhere near for the next 3-4 months let alone the next 2 years. First off the quad-core processor is almost brand new, and currently they are barley offering one quad-core processor for a desktop, so how do you want them to offer them in a laptop? Before they put the Core 2 Duo processors in the laptops, they had at least 10 desktop processors, so I am sorry but that is definetly not happening. As far the 4Gb ram, that too is highly doubtful. 4Gb of ram is not even standard in a desktop, not even a high end desktop like the Mac Pro, they are all additional upgrades, and truly I believe that everything is first made for a desktop and then made into fit for a laptop. So the 4Gb of ram is also not happening, just research how many laptops today even give you the OPTION of 4Gb, and how much it costs. As far as blu-ray, that is not happening until they have a winner in the format wars. Apple does not want to release a set of laptops that is with the losing format. So as far as the blu-ray that is not happening.

Honestly you are really dreaming, Leopard is going to run on G4 so they wont need major updates to run leopard, at most they may update the screen so that the 15" to become High Def.

Please research your facts before coming on here and talking to many computer experts, and then trash talking to them and claiming that you know more and saying that they are rude and defensive.

And don't come back with a reply saying I know what I heard and its my opinion, and you have no facts backing up. Read this post and research everything I said and you will see that I'm right. If not I wish you the best of luck waiting for 2 years for this computer.

Enjoy, and welcome to MacRumors.com
 
Wow, I guess that settles it then. It shows the 128 Nvidia to be getting 38-41fps on Quake, and the 265 Radeon to get 30. I am honestly perplexed by this, but I suppose the tests don't lie. Can anyone help explain why the results are the way they are? And why the jump is so little when DOUBLING your vram

Addition of pixel pipelines/GPU speeds make the biggest difference.
 
Oh, and I would like to address two other things, if a 2.4 Ghz Core 2 Duo Processor gets maybe at most 4 hours of battery life, and no one has made any improvements in battery technology, how do you expect the same battery to get more battery life on a processor that requires more power? Show me where they have come up with new battery technology, then maybe I will perhaps begin to believe that they might be able to get 8 hours of the Core 2 Duo processor but not the quad-core processor.

Finally, you say "New Macbook pro for Leopard Confirmed?" yet you dont even have any confirmations from any website, any quote, only a "person". Well I too can say that I have confirmation from a "person" that Apple is now closing. It's easy isnt it when you don't need proof. Please research more and be less defensive yourself by calling everyone else defensive and rude.
 
I can't believe that i am looking at Alienware laptops and starting to drool. Maybe I am just falling for the looks and the cool gaming specs I don't know. But I do know that the few things that get my blood pumping are the:

(1) Dual 2.5 inch Hard Disk Drives and the plethora of configs for them. Raid 0 to get up to 500GB with the Western Digital drives or 400GB @ 7200 rpm. :eek: Freaking WOW man... that is just the best thing ever... As an editor the idea of having a scratch disk running at 7200 rpm with 200GB of space and a system drive at the same size and speed is just a dream come true. I would never need an external drive again.

(2) The SLI graphics from nVidia. I like the idea of having a Gigabyte of graphics memory at my disposal. I am not a hardware nut that can spit random facts about what is current what is this and that. All I do know is that they say a Gig, and my eyes bug out.

(3) The average cute stuff that doesn't really help with productivity but really helps when you just want to play around and have fun. Built-in DVR, a full sized keyboard and number pad (with all of that space they could fit one), and that freakin GIG OF Graphics MEMORY!!

I still love the 17 inch, and when my current book gets too old, slow, broken, warranty runs out, whatever I will get the next real update to the MacBook Pro and I hope that Apple puts more than one drive in the 17" book and maybe some serious gamer graphics. The current book is wonderful, but I was too expecting some more innovation, not just a Santa Claus chip and some usual upgrades. But that is okay for me.... Apple will give us some new hardware for real productivity soon. Not in October, maybe not even in April in next year, but they will give it.

You forgot to mention the awesome 5 minute battery life.
 
I am sorry for asking for help. I have called you defensive and rude because you are. Only a few people on this thread have had anything constructive or helpful to say. I must apologize for asking a question. I should have known that asking a question and expecting real answers from nice people, not the dicks most of you have turned out to be would be impossible.

I do NOT think I know more than the pros here. The very basis of this thread was ASKING for information, hence the implied statement that I admit you know more than I do. I have no idea where you got that I think I know more than these people. I probably know more about being a decent human being than 95% of the people on this thread, but for computers, no, I admit that I know the least of any of you most likely
 
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