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13" MBP threads faded FAST since the update ...
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Ah, didn't realize you were in Europe. I still highly recommend you take the plunge. Especially considering that you already own accessories and software for it. My wife just went from a three and a half year old 1.7GHz C2D Dell to a new i3-330M Acer and guess what? It made almost 0 difference. They both ran Windows 7 flawlessly and she sees almost no speed difference in day to day use. I bet in OS X the day to day use would be even less pronounced.
In fact I'm talking her into giving up her new Acer for a white Macbook. It may pale when compared spec for spec, but I believe it to be a better computer still.
sure it runs everything........now. i just worry about a year or two or something....when i cant run CS6 or whatever....
See my comparison above. 3+ year old tech and it runs all the current stuff just fine. The only reason we replaced it was because it needed a new battery and she wanted a webcam built in. It cost me a couple hundred after I sold the old one on ebay.
15" won't be the bestseller any time soon. For many, 13" is a great portable size and they come with enough power to power a second screen, should you want to, and are cheap enough to let you buy a desktop as well again if you need to.
Your concerns are unfounded. The reason PowerPC chipped computers cannot run the latest software is because the chip architecture is completely different -- I'm not talking different as in a Pentium IV to Core 2 Duo or i5, different as in unable to run anything written for x86 architecture. Any move Apple would make (it won't) to a different architecture would knock out the current i5 and i7 MBP's as well.
The 13inch might run new software a bit slower in a few years down the line, but the software will still run. The thing I would be more concerned about future wise would be resale value, as I think the i5 and i7 machines will probably hold their value better.
+1. Seriously, the CPU does not make the entire computer. Yes, C2D is older technology, but there have been advances, and the faster processor was introduced less than a year ago. It won't be anything like the PPC to Intel switch, C2D will run anything an iX series processor will, just minus the hyperthreading, which isn't super useful for many current programs. This is exactly like how a P4 will run most anything a C2D will, save strictly 64-bit programs. 64-bit is plenty new enough that there won't be anything that will require an iX CPU.
Aside from that, if there were to be a newer CPU in the 13", it would be the i3, maybe the base i5, both of which the current CPUs would beat in performance and power use. A huge thing that makes me mad is that people are buying 13" notebooks expecting them to do serious powerhouse computing and graphics work. A 13" notebook is designed for portability, not industrial-duty work. If you really need that kind of performance, you shouldn't be buying a mobility laptop to do it. It's like buying an iPad to type essays, it's just not what it's meant for.
of course i know that technically the iX will run anything the C2D can, perhaps i didn't explain well enough above. it is the performance i worried about not the arch change. that it will crawl on osx 10.7 or ilive2011. the C2D is really kinda old. even in the C2D family itself. we will see quad core HT laptops running 8 threads, even in the mbp (2011?) line ... so the non turbo non HT c2d threads will stay behind. but i should stop complaining and make up my mind. Apple does as Apple will.
maybe an iPad instead.....
Funny thing. I was originally intending to purchase both a MBP and an iPad. I wanted the iPad for something that started up quick for easy web browsing on breaks at work and had great battery life. After using my MBP for three days I'm starting to think I can forgo the iPad since the MBP starts up quick (always sleeping), has great battery life, and is far more capable.
Seriously, people need to stop making excuses for the C2D in the 13"! The thing isn't how much faster it is and what not, it's just that it isn't the newest technology out there. And it still costs the same. That creates some sort of
premium that you pay.. I'm not saying the C2D is bad! Don't get me wrong, it's still great. But not AS great as newer tech. That's the point! People have to stop saying "well, the iX is just bla bla bla faster and bla bla bla". Well, it's faster right? Technology is seldom going forward with wookie steps, but rather atom by atom. And every atom counts.
So please stop hating on people for saying that they want the iX in the 13". That's just stupid. If there is newer tech for the same price as the old tech costed when IT was new(or presumably cheaper?), why not go with it?
Last but not least (If you read this far before starting to flame me), I know there probably was some sort of physical limitations or such that put a stop to iX in the 13", for now.
premium that you pay.. I'm not saying the C2D is bad! Don't get me wrong, it's still great. But not AS great as newer tech. That's the point! People have to stop saying "well, the iX is just bla bla bla faster and bla bla bla". Well, it's faster right? Technology is seldom going forward with wookie steps, but rather atom by atom. And every atom counts.
So please stop hating on people for saying that they want the iX in the 13". That's just stupid. If there is newer tech for the same price as the old tech costed when IT was new(or presumably cheaper?), why not go with it?
Last but not least (If you read this far before starting to flame me), I know there probably was some sort of physical limitations or such that put a stop to iX in the 13", for now.
I understand where you are coming from and I am glad that you see that there was a physical limitation that kept us from getting iX CPUs in the 13" model. I understand people that have the 2008/2009 or other model 13" that were holding out for newer tech are still going to wait. The only thing I'm trying to point out is that for those people who don't yet have a mac and are wanting a 13" should go ahead and make the jump and get the current model. Even without the iX CPU it is well worth it and waiting isn't likely to gain them very much.
Yeah that's true. It's still a great and competent laptop. And for the most part, at least for a normal consumer, it's just a model-number on a spec and doesn't make much noticable differance. But still, it's a bug in many eyes. But whacha gonna do?
I still believe it will be solved within the next 6 months or so. I have a hard time believing the 13" will be stuck with a C2D for the rest of whatever time is left in this world.Of course it costs the same. The CPU cost is only a fraction of the cost of an MPB, and the price of a 2.4GHz C2D P8600 probably hasn't dropped much in the past year. For $50 less than the base 2009 13" MPB, you are getting 2GB more of RAM, a larger HD, a newer video chip, and a better CPU, along with other enhanced functionality.
As a matter of interest, in 1K quantities, the C2D 2.4GHz P8600 costs $209, and the 2.4GHz Core i7-520M costs $225. In comparison, the 2.66GHz P8800 13" MPB is overpriced. For $300 more, you get a CPU worth $32 more, and a $50 HD enhancement. The P8800 costs $241 in 1K quantities.
I bought mine the 2nd day it was announced.
People are really picky when it comes to technology, and as stated before, the higher end models are getting much attention due to them using i5/i7s.
I got the 13" base and it runs perfectly fine for what I need to do and that's including things like adobe master collection, final cut studio, garage band.
People are really picky when it comes to technology, and as stated before, the higher end models are getting much attention due to them using i5/i7s.
I got the 13" base and it runs perfectly fine for what I need to do and that's including things like adobe master collection, final cut studio, garage band.
I've had zero issues with my 13" base MBP so I guess that's the deal with everyone, therefore no need to have posts about problems
Perfectly happy and content with my 13" MBP.
It sucks it didn't get the i5 CPU, true. But aside from that, it's very portable, has a gorgeous display, and for what I use it for (mainly internet, office productivity, and light photo editing/organizing), it's perfect.
Different needs for different people, and yes, it is a bummer that it's C2D instead of i5, but I couldn't be happier with my new MBP.
It sucks it didn't get the i5 CPU, true. But aside from that, it's very portable, has a gorgeous display, and for what I use it for (mainly internet, office productivity, and light photo editing/organizing), it's perfect.
Different needs for different people, and yes, it is a bummer that it's C2D instead of i5, but I couldn't be happier with my new MBP.
well i have been running 64bit linux for over half a decade now, so it isn't as if it is *that* new. and why can't a 13" lappy be powerful? is that an excuse because the MBP13 isn't? I prefer power *and* mobility and there is no reason why they can't deliver that (see asus or sony 13").
Of course there are always sacrifices, in design, OS, price, weight, battery, or whatever and everybody needs to make his own choice in what he thinks suits him best .... but to state that 13" is purposely not powerful, that there isn't "room" for an i5, that the couldn't redesign the unibody, that it would make the 13" more expensive, that they couldn't fit discrete graphics ..... those are just lame excuses.
apple decided not to, probably because of profitability reasons, selling the old C2D for a premium proce knowing it is the most sold MBP.
I am leaning towards postponing my choice for yet another 7 months and see what the MBP13 2011 will bring .....
Agree
Agree. There is not an order-of-magnitude difference between the c2d and i-series. Few users will notice the diff. (Heck, I underclock and undervolt my c2d anyway. It runs at 38 degrees C and is entirely silent. Still can't tell it's any slower.)
Agree. There is not an order-of-magnitude difference between the c2d and i-series. Few users will notice the diff. (Heck, I underclock and undervolt my c2d anyway. It runs at 38 degrees C and is entirely silent. Still can't tell it's any slower.)
your wallet will when you try to sell a C2D in three years time. it is like selling a P4 now
13 + SSD + external monitor is a good call to be honest. Of course a 13" (1440x900) would be even better, but that is not provided by the Inc.
[1] More portable when out and about
[2] Bigger screen space and high resolution when at home
[3] Fast disc access *
*(type/paste “sudo fs_usage -f filesys” in a Terminal (and type your password when prompted). Yes, those are all filesystem calls (once you've finished looking press Control + C to stop it, or close the terminal window). So basically a SSD will make a huge difference to overall performance. Faster startups, faster app launches, faster spotlight searches, quicker pulling memory out of Swap space etc.
For most people, the SSD will make a bigger difference than the clock speed (look in activity monitor (without a flash video running!) and see what your idle CPU usage is. I bet in many cases it will be 50+% and in some cases around the 80-90% mark.
[1] More portable when out and about
[2] Bigger screen space and high resolution when at home
[3] Fast disc access *
*(type/paste “sudo fs_usage -f filesys” in a Terminal (and type your password when prompted). Yes, those are all filesystem calls (once you've finished looking press Control + C to stop it, or close the terminal window). So basically a SSD will make a huge difference to overall performance. Faster startups, faster app launches, faster spotlight searches, quicker pulling memory out of Swap space etc.
For most people, the SSD will make a bigger difference than the clock speed (look in activity monitor (without a flash video running!) and see what your idle CPU usage is. I bet in many cases it will be 50+% and in some cases around the 80-90% mark.
another technique
I usually just give my old machines away.
your wallet will when you try to sell a C2D in three years time. it is like selling a P4 now
I usually just give my old machines away.
yeah well in that case $$ isn't much of an issue on the current C2D MBP13 of course ....
your wallet will when you try to sell a C2D in three years time. it is like selling a P4 now
I don't think you realize how well macs hold their value. The specs on a mac matter far less for it's resell value than they do for a pc simply because it's a mac. For instance, there are 15" macbooks running Core Duo's (no 64-bit) and Tiger that are still going for over $1k on eBay. There's a bigger difference between capabilities in the CD and the C2D than there is between the C2D and iX. Your wallet won't take as big a hit as you think.
your wallet will when you try to sell a C2D in three years time. it is like selling a P4 now
I tend to agree with you. I have been trying to sell a 24" Imac C2D, 3.06GHZ and even at $900, I can't get anyone to even call and ask about it. Now maybe the laptops are more in demand but overall, in this current economy, not even macs are holding their value.
I think you were correct with the fact that laptops are more in demand. Macs are still holding their value:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Apple-MacBook-P...ViewItem&pt=Apple_Laptops&hash=item27b14ade99
That's a Core Duo 15" with only 1GB RAM and it sold for $1200 just last week.