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Realistic Macbook and Macbook Pro Upgrade rumor
- Thread starter waywardsage
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Bah! Knew it!shopped on top of an ipod
Ah well, too small for my liking anyways. I like the 13 inch screens we have at the moment. Just need that Black/Silver Alu, upgraded integrated GPU, Santa Rosa, and 2Gb RAM from stock. How does £150 sound, Mr Jobs?
Fine then, £900 it is, but I'm keeping the wife!
I agree, hence my next purchase will be another MacBook Pro.
However, Macs are now based almost entirely on commodity hardware, and as such should reflect the market whilst maintaining what makes them Macs. We don't need SLi, as it adds to heat problems, or dual disk drives, but we could use a single 8700m, surely, whilst maintaining the form factor.
Thanks
I believe my definition of the term P.C was correct. Sorry that I don't share the exact same vocabulary as Steve Jobs. I also don't say "Boom" every time I open an application. Is that wrong?
Your argument was flawed from the start when you essentially said "rather than get a Mac that can run Windows as well as OS X, you could always go out and pay more for a machine that only runs Windows. You forget that the main reason people are looking into buying a Mac is for OS X and the benefits of not running Firewalls/Antivirus/Malware Detection Utilities.
Didn't actually say that, champ. Think this is called a strawman. Keep adding value to the discussion, you're doing great.
Aaaaand ..... back to the jolities.
The rumoured Macbook Nano
Looks pretty cute. Probably fake though.
My God! That is the worst use of Photoshop I have seen. It makes we want to go back to the Digital Photography forum and look at all the newbs ideas of photo editing.... YUCK...! The mods should take that down since it's such an eye sore. Do mock up artists even try anymore?
Yes indeed. Using the 8700m would be a much needed and welcome improvement in the MacBook Pro. I agree that we don't need SLi and Dual HDDs inside body of a 1" thin machine too. I would like to see at least one more port on the sides though, either an eSATA, FW400 or 800. Leave USB to the kids.
Just re-read your initial thread wondering if I was mistaken. Afraid not. As you stated "Apple now sells PCs that happen to run OSX", my point is that Macs and PCs are still entirely different beasts. The main reason for this is the aforementioned OS X. Just because Macs can now run Windows and have very similar internal architecture to that of a PC, they are not the same thing. This is because OS X can not be run (legally anyway) on a PC. So essentially, if people want OS X they have to take what Apple give them.
Also, comparing the specs of relatively recent releases to that of a 6 month old machine adds nothing to the argument either. Apple can't update their machines every time a new PC comes out with better specs. We would see monthly updates and angry customers.
I agree with you that Apple need to update the Macbook Pro. And I agree that using the 8700m would make a nice improvement to the machine.
Did not intend to cause any fuss at all, but please refrain from calling me "champ". Such a patronising tone isn't needed. I was stating my points, as you were stating yours.
As far as adding value to a discussion, that is all relative to ones own opinion.
Juxtaposer
Agreed, but hey it was a find (though I'm sure it was posted on MacRumors before). And it got the discussion back on topic.
Obviously the Macbook/Pro Nano will look nothing like this cute little thing (thank goodness). Especially with the rumor being it will have a 12" screen.
Sorry, not much of a graphics card person so I usually nod my head and smile whenever someone mentions a card model here or there. I honestly don't know the difference between a card with 256MB VRAM now and one with the same amount a year ago other than the age difference.
The way things are moving, if Apple wants to keep shipping portables with high-res screens (particularly 19 x 12 and to a lesser extent 16 x 10), they're going to need to move to 512MB VRAM, as 256MB won't be adequate in the near future - this is already being seen with the newer games in PC land. Unless of course they don't care at all about high-end 3D graphics performance (which mostly means games, of course). But with the new ID engine coming to Mac, among other things, I would of thought they would.
With the 17 inch MacBook Pro, perhaps it could be a little thicker, with increased specification. It's hardly intended as a regular portable, being enormous and all, so I would've thought most users wouldn't notice a few tenths of an inch.
One very neat thing about id's new graphics engine is that it actually ain't that demanding on hardware. Check out this video from a guy running Enemy Territory: Quake Wars on his 15.4'' 2.4GHz MBP. The performance is really amazing for a notebook. The 8600m GT in the 15.4'' machine is ticking it's core clock at 470MHz max. and it's memory clock at 635MHz max. making it one of the fastest 8600m GT's in all the 15.4'' notebooks currently available! That and GDDR3 video-ram instead of GDDR2 make upcoming games like Quake Wars or Unreal Tournament 3 possible/enjoyable on a MBP.
What really impressed me though was the performance of Oblivion, check out that video.
A completely different thing would be to run current games on the native resolution of the Hi-Res 17'' MBP. For that kind of insane resolutions you would need a lot more video-ram than 512MB and I doubt that even 1024MB would be enough if the videocard has only a 128bit memory interface. Heck, not even the Alienware m9750 is able to run Oblivion's outdoor scenes any better than with an average of ~13fps in 1920X1200 pixels and that machine yet sports the best mobile videocards (GeForce Go 7950 GTX SLi), two of them with 1024MB video-ram in total and a memory interface of 256bit each.
Whatever, about gaming the video-ram ain't so important after all. 128MB VRAM on an 8600m GT will be enough for a good while to run games properly. High amounts of video-ram are needed for really high resolutions or lot's of big textures or for streaming textures in Massively Multiplayer Online Games.
The thing what's still keeping me from finally ordering the MBP is that I yet have to be convinced that the machine won't melt away if I play games extensively during many hours without breaks. I use to have these phases where I frankly drink crazy amounts of coffee to stay up all night and get my fix. The last rig I was using for this charred as a whole in summer this year... a machine like a MBP just seems to precious to risk broiling it.
The thing what's still keeping me from finally ordering the MBP is that I yet have to be convinced that the machine won't melt away if I play games extensively during many hours without breaks. I use to have these phases where I frankly drink crazy amounts of coffee to stay up all night and get my fix. The last rig I was using for this charred as a whole in summer this year... a machine like a MBP just seems to precious to risk broiling it.
One of the best posts I have read all day.
But it sound's like you may need to get that next MacPro and use that as your main gaming rig instead of the MBP. You could do so much more with it than with the laptop.... but if you need to carry it with you then I understand.
One very neat thing about id's new graphics engine is that it actually ain't that demanding on hardware. Check out this video from a guy running Enemy Territory: Quake Wars on his 15.4'' 2.4GHz MBP. The performance is really amazing for a notebook. The 8600m GT in the 15.4'' machine is ticking it's core clock at 470MHz max. and it's memory clock at 635MHz max. making it one of the fastest 8600m GT's in all the 15.4'' notebooks currently available! That and GDDR3 video-ram instead of GDDR2 make upcoming games like Quake Wars or Unreal Tournament 3 possible/enjoyable on a MBP.
What really impressed me though was the performance of Oblivion, check out that video.
A completely different thing would be to run current games on the native resolution of the Hi-Res 17'' MBP. For that kind of insane resolutions you would need a lot more video-ram than 512MB and I doubt that even 1024MB would be enough if the videocard has only a 128bit memory interface. Heck, not even the Alienware m9750 is able to run Oblivion's outdoor scenes any better than with an average of ~13fps in 1920X1200 pixels and that machine yet sports the best mobile videocards (GeForce Go 7950 GTX SLi), two of them with 1024MB video-ram in total and a memory interface of 256bit each.
Whatever, about gaming the video-ram ain't so important after all. 128MB VRAM on an 8600m GT will be enough for a good while to run games properly. High amounts of video-ram are needed for really high resolutions or lot's of big textures or for streaming textures in Massively Multiplayer Online Games.
The thing what's still keeping me from finally ordering the MBP is that I yet have to be convinced that the machine won't melt away if I play games extensively during many hours without breaks. I use to have these phases where I frankly drink crazy amounts of coffee to stay up all night and get my fix. The last rig I was using for this charred as a whole in summer this year... a machine like a MBP just seems to precious to risk broiling it.
Agree with some of this, althought Quake Wars doesn't use id Tech 5 (the new engine), but rather a modified version of the Doom 3 engine, which is now a few years old.
What will really make the difference is process technology. I believe the 8600 and 8700 GPUs are still being fabbed at 80nm, which is probably why NV has yet to release a true high-end DX10 mobile part. When they transition to 65nm or 55nm, and then especially when they go below 45nm, performance per watt should improve dramatically. But that will take a few years, by which time who knows what sort of technology we'll have - GPUs on-die with CPUs, massive core counts, maybe real-time raytracing.
I understand. It's just very scary for some-one like me, who has been a Windows user-since I remember. I am very nervous about replacing my laptop with my first mac. I also apologize for being brash and making harsh generalizations.
I'm going to stop talking now because I am getting off topic
Hope to be a valuable member someday 
I'm posting here for the first time =) I'm crossing the river for the first time too to macland, my current laptop's dying (I've had enuff of windoze), just waiting for the new/revised macbooks to be out... I'm in Singapore, and there's a launch at one of the premium resellers at Friday 6pm...
Since we're quite way ahead in the time zones (about the same as the aussies down under) I'll try to drop a tell here if I can... I'll be heading down to the launch tomorrow night (freebies I hear!) but if nothing new comes out, I'm just gonna wait till the november 6th...
If there's anything I'll post a heads up here asap
Unless somebody in Japan drops us a tell first? So far there's no news of a media event or keynote address right?
Since we're quite way ahead in the time zones (about the same as the aussies down under) I'll try to drop a tell here if I can... I'll be heading down to the launch tomorrow night (freebies I hear!) but if nothing new comes out, I'm just gonna wait till the november 6th...
If there's anything I'll post a heads up here asap
Unless somebody in Japan drops us a tell first? So far there's no news of a media event or keynote address right?
if apple actually released this i would expect steven jobs to publicly commit suicide. the photoshoppers didn't even attemptd to throw an isight on that thing.
November 6 for MacBooks and January 15 fro MacBook Pros
It's November 6 for MacBooks and January 15 for MacBook Pros.I'm posting here for the first time =) I'm crossing the river for the first time too to macland, my current laptop's dying (I've had enuff of windoze), just waiting for the new/revised macbooks to be out... I'm in Singapore, and there's a launch at one of the premium resellers at Friday 6pm...
Since we're quite way ahead in the time zones (about the same as the aussies down under) I'll try to drop a tell here if I can... I'll be heading down to the launch tomorrow night (freebies I hear!) but if nothing new comes out, I'm just gonna wait till the november 6th...
If there's anything I'll post a heads up here asap
Unless somebody in Japan drops us a tell first? So far there's no news of a media event or keynote address right?
Do you think the process bump is worth the wait? If they go SR it will mean more ram and a faster FSB?
Next MacBook Is The Biggest Improvement Since The Beginning Last Year
Both are worth waiting for. You seem to forget the SR MB will have way better X3100 IG plus able to address 4GB of RAM. This will be the biggest upgrade to the MacBook since it started last year.
Yep I think so far, that has to be the worst Photoshop mock-up I've seen. But I don't think it was intended to be an authentic 'sneak peek' just a horrific prototype. Still quite a cute little thing though. Reminds me of the old Atari Portfolio. We all remember how well that went. Well the four people that bought one do anyway
Could not agree more. Macbooks will get a Santa Rosa architecture, some cosmetic changes (yes maybe aluminum) and a speed/hard drive bump. The last one is all the consumers that buy macbooks really care about. It's Apple's bread and butter notebook and they want a new one out before the holidays.
The MBPs will come out at MacWorld. Yes, it's overdue for an update. If you want penryn, you'll wait.
It's just simply about marketing over anything else. Macbooks for the christmas season, MBPs for people who aren't buying them as christmas presents anyway. Besides, what better time to announce a new MBP then when surrounded by professionals who are so interested in macs they go to a conference about them.
Know Thy Audience.
Also a lurker here, trolling for rumors. I have also been waiting since before the first macbooks to buy. Mostly for financial reasons, but also because when i DID have the money, I knew an update was right around the corner. Now I'm in the same situation. My Vaio is finally conked and I want to switch. And now I know with leopard out and the holidays coming, the macbook is next...