Do you have a link for that tid bit of news. I've been googling it and so far I'm not getting any hits.
A buddy of mine is buying a C2D computer (non apple) and I want to apprise of this info, so that he can make an informed decision.
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2011 Mac Book Pro 13" - predictions?
- Thread starter belltree
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Do you have a link for that tid bit of news. I've been googling it and so far I'm not getting any hits.
A buddy of mine is buying a C2D computer (non apple) and I want to apprise of this info, so that he can make an informed decision.
Intel has EOLed some Core 2s but not all AFAIK. I've seen many people saying that C2D will be EOLed in 2010 but never seen any evidence of that, most of them will still be produced
http://digitimes.com/news/a20100706PD213.html
AMD processors?
There was a story, going around a couple of months ago, that Apple were having discussions with AMD. This could have been regarding using AMD CPUs/ATI GPUs for 13" MBPs and perhaps next gen Mac minis (which I believe use the same CPU/GPU setup as MBPs).
If Apple don't want to use Intel Core ix with integrated GPU and can't or don't want to add a discrete GPU to the 13" then they don't really have much choice if Intel stops production of C2D later this year. It means either use AMD or wait until Intel launch Sandy Bridge.
There was a story, going around a couple of months ago, that Apple were having discussions with AMD. This could have been regarding using AMD CPUs/ATI GPUs for 13" MBPs and perhaps next gen Mac minis (which I believe use the same CPU/GPU setup as MBPs).
If Apple don't want to use Intel Core ix with integrated GPU and can't or don't want to add a discrete GPU to the 13" then they don't really have much choice if Intel stops production of C2D later this year. It means either use AMD or wait until Intel launch Sandy Bridge.
Its true c2d will be discontinued later this year,but apple is also using c2d in recently launched mac mini.Hence they surely might be having c2d supplies up till mid 2011 or they might just stock up before they r discontinued.If sandy bridge is launched later this year,then i think a new range of macbooks should appear sometime in march-april.If they make us wait till sept-october 2011 then surely macbook / macbook pro will have a design uplift along with a good gpu,cpu.
The current unibody design is in market since 2008 hence i feel its time they make some changes to it,atleast.May be they can have curvy edges like white macbook.But that should come out in 2011...macbook pro 13' still seems trapped to me.it offers almost same performance as macbook white still costs 20%.I think its time they distinguish between these two.
And if apple is listening,plz get a black color to ur $999 macbook...
The current unibody design is in market since 2008 hence i feel its time they make some changes to it,atleast.May be they can have curvy edges like white macbook.But that should come out in 2011...macbook pro 13' still seems trapped to me.it offers almost same performance as macbook white still costs 20%.I think its time they distinguish between these two.
And if apple is listening,plz get a black color to ur $999 macbook...
My guess for the 13":
CPU: Core i5
GPU: NVidia 320M or Intel HD integrated graphics
RAM: 4GB default, cheaper 8GB upgrade
HDD: 250GB default
Connectivity: USB 2.0
Chassis: same
Battery: same, maybe slightly decreased (because of the i5)
CPU: Core i5
GPU: NVidia 320M or Intel HD integrated graphics
RAM: 4GB default, cheaper 8GB upgrade
HDD: 250GB default
Connectivity: USB 2.0
Chassis: same
Battery: same, maybe slightly decreased (because of the i5)
Yeah, I'm looking at this 2011 update to replace my ageing Core Duo Macbook.
Unfortunately, Apple have not really been very aggressive with their notebook updates - other manufacturers still haven't caught up in design terms, so they seem pretty content to continue on their current path and concentrate on the iOS side of things.
i5 seems about right, but I'm ready to lower expectations and hope to be surprised. The only thing I really want is a high resolution screen (1440x900), or even 1600x900 with 16:9 - perhaps the retina display might lead Apple to push for resolution independence sooner rather than later.
Unfortunately, Apple have not really been very aggressive with their notebook updates - other manufacturers still haven't caught up in design terms, so they seem pretty content to continue on their current path and concentrate on the iOS side of things.
i5 seems about right, but I'm ready to lower expectations and hope to be surprised. The only thing I really want is a high resolution screen (1440x900), or even 1600x900 with 16:9 - perhaps the retina display might lead Apple to push for resolution independence sooner rather than later.
Early 2011 MBP (I don't expect Late 2010)
CPU: Rebranded C2D (No Sandy Bridge for MBP13)
GPU: Updated 320M
Storage: Natural Progression
Connectivity: 4 Light Peak slots with the removal of USB, FW, and mDP. Light Peak is backwards compatible with all.
Chassis: Possibly. The MBP is due for one beginning Early 2011.
Battery: Natural Progression
Intel has stated that it will not support USB3 until 2011. It has also stated that USB3 will probably fail in terms of mainstream hold. Intel is 100% behind Light Peak. Judging by the Apple motherboard Intel was testing Light Peak on, Apple is too.
Intel has mentioned that Light Peak will begin manufacturing late 2010 and begin sales in early 2011. This is perfect for the MBP refresh to pioneer the technology. It should be obvious that 2011 is the year of Light Peak.
CPU: Rebranded C2D (No Sandy Bridge for MBP13)
GPU: Updated 320M
Storage: Natural Progression
Connectivity: 4 Light Peak slots with the removal of USB, FW, and mDP. Light Peak is backwards compatible with all.
Chassis: Possibly. The MBP is due for one beginning Early 2011.
Battery: Natural Progression
Intel has stated that it will not support USB3 until 2011. It has also stated that USB3 will probably fail in terms of mainstream hold. Intel is 100% behind Light Peak. Judging by the Apple motherboard Intel was testing Light Peak on, Apple is too.
Intel has mentioned that Light Peak will begin manufacturing late 2010 and begin sales in early 2011. This is perfect for the MBP refresh to pioneer the technology. It should be obvious that 2011 is the year of Light Peak.
LightPeak won't be available for mainstream before late 2011 at the earliest. It won't be cheap, Intel knows how to make money. Besides, you need an adapter to connect USB or FW and in the beginning, there won't be more than one slot (just like USB 3.0).
Mobile C2Ds will be EOLed in Q1 2011 so we will see Sandy Bridge in 13", and why wouldn't we?
Apple has pioneered many technologies and Light Peak will most likely be another one of them. Light Peak was first demonstrated on an Apple motherboard.
Intel has stated that devices would begin shipment before 2011.
In regards to C2D, Intel will not EOL mobile C2Ds. They will be rebranded into the Core brand. Many manufacturers need mobile C2Ds for nVidia or ATi integrated GPUs. Intel's GPU doesn't compare to the others.
For Apple to use Sandy Bridge, that would mean we would be stuck with Intel's GPU for the MBP13. That is not a possibility, as Steve mentioned that he went with killer graphics and battery life instead of an increase of CPU (discrete is not an option).
It will still be expensive. I doubt 13" MBP will get it before Mac Pro, that would be ridiculous
http://www.cpu-world.com/news_2010/2010060901_Intel_to_discontinue_Core_2_Mobile_processors.html
Q1 2011, no more C2D. Other manufacturers don't use integrated graphics, they can stick discrete chips in their products and have done that since January 2010.
Sandy Bridge's IGP will be a huge step from Westmere's IGP, it will definitely fight against 320M
I'm no expert on these things but on the next major MBP refresh I'm guessing:
CPU: Rebranded c2d (low end 13mbp) / Sandy Bridge (high end 13mbp)
GPU: NVidia 320M (low end) / Unsure (high end)
RAM: 4GB with cheaper RAM upgrades
HDD: 250GB-320GB.
Connectivity: USB 2.0
Chassis: same
Battery: Slight change
CPU: Rebranded c2d (low end 13mbp) / Sandy Bridge (high end 13mbp)
GPU: NVidia 320M (low end) / Unsure (high end)
RAM: 4GB with cheaper RAM upgrades
HDD: 250GB-320GB.
Connectivity: USB 2.0
Chassis: same
Battery: Slight change
I don't think so...
I think that when the 13" gets a refresh, it is not going to be a complete upgrade from the current model (something that many posts seem to suggest). What I mean by this is that I don't think Apple will upgrade to Sandy Bridge for the 13" model for a long time. A more reasonable scenario (in my mind) would be an upgrade from C2D to i3 on the lower end, and i5 on the high end. As far as graphics go I am not sure what will happen. If Nvidia ends up being excluded from the next refresh, we probably will see a touched up version of the previous graphics card. Probably not as good as the current Nvidia 330 but maybe a bit better than the current Nvidia in the 13" model. I just don't see apple making this a HUGE update for the 13". Although it is part of the "Pro" series, the upgrades being suggested would put the refreshed 13" almost up on par with a $2,000 base line 15" Macbook Pro. I just don't see the quality increasing by that much and the price staying the same. What I do see are light refreshed in all areas, but nothing drastic
My Breakdown:
CPU - Core i3 default/i5 Upgrade
GPU - 320m or non-Nvidia equivalent. They just upgraded graphics last refresh and I don't see it happening again so soon...
Connectivity - No change
Ram - 4 GB (No upgrade)
HDD - 250 default (upgradable to 320)
Battery - Little to no improvement
Chassis - No change
Display - HD option (no matte)
This seems like the probable refresh to me, but Apple does frequently surprise
I think that when the 13" gets a refresh, it is not going to be a complete upgrade from the current model (something that many posts seem to suggest). What I mean by this is that I don't think Apple will upgrade to Sandy Bridge for the 13" model for a long time. A more reasonable scenario (in my mind) would be an upgrade from C2D to i3 on the lower end, and i5 on the high end. As far as graphics go I am not sure what will happen. If Nvidia ends up being excluded from the next refresh, we probably will see a touched up version of the previous graphics card. Probably not as good as the current Nvidia 330 but maybe a bit better than the current Nvidia in the 13" model. I just don't see apple making this a HUGE update for the 13". Although it is part of the "Pro" series, the upgrades being suggested would put the refreshed 13" almost up on par with a $2,000 base line 15" Macbook Pro. I just don't see the quality increasing by that much and the price staying the same. What I do see are light refreshed in all areas, but nothing drastic
My Breakdown:
CPU - Core i3 default/i5 Upgrade
GPU - 320m or non-Nvidia equivalent. They just upgraded graphics last refresh and I don't see it happening again so soon...
Connectivity - No change
Ram - 4 GB (No upgrade)
HDD - 250 default (upgradable to 320)
Battery - Little to no improvement
Chassis - No change
Display - HD option (no matte)
This seems like the probable refresh to me, but Apple does frequently surprise
everyone keeps saying the optical drive is out well some people still use it i use it everyday with my computers so i actually still need it with the computer
I'm sure that you're a part of hte minority.
Most people today don't need optical drives anymore.
An external USB optical drive is the best solution.
I think that one external optical drive for every computer in home is the best solution. Most people don't use them anymore. So, in the rare situation when you really need it, just grab that external drive and use it.
The current optical drive is just too big and occupies a lot of space inside MacBook 13" chassi.
Just imagine that space being used by something more useful, like a dedicated GPU, another cooler, another battery module, bigger logic board or whatever.
When the Macbook Air was first released, it sort of served as a Guinea Pig for the Macbook line. It was the first unibody Macbook if I'm not mistaken. I think the same thing is going to happen this time too. Jobs said he thinks this is the future of Macbooks. I wouldn't be surprised to see a whole bunch of Flash storage in the Macbook Pros. The OS itself is being updated to be more like the iOS devices, and now the Air is phsyically more like these devices. Next time the Macbook Pros get updated, they're going to take a bunch of characteristics from the Air so it can use instant on and things like that.
Agreed!!
No way. People will quickly enjoy all the additional benefits. Imagine Flash 128GB for all your apps etc, + 1Tb HDD, and discrete graphics!
lol have u looked inside the macbook pro 13 actually the biggest thing that takes up the most space is the battery its about 2 times the size of the optical if not bigger a lot of people i know like the idea of the optical in the computer so they dont have lug around the optical to hook it up to computer by the usb or firewire ports and most people dont have their dvd's digitized yet so they bring there dvd's with them on vacation and such plus most of the movei companies frown on people not using there digital version but those files are huge so i do my own so they are somewhat smaller
They will probably make the 13" MBP line thinner and lighter by integrating the SSD (like the new MBA) and externalizing the SuperDrive (who watches DVDs anyways?). To be honest I would rather have a expresscard slot in leiu of the DVD drive. This will open a ton of room. Then decisions will have to be made as to go Intel integrated (Sandybridge) or discrete (ATI or NVIDIA). They may even make the discrete a BTO option like they do for the bigger MBP. I hope USB 3.0 makes it but I'm not holding my breath.
With these changes the 13" MBP will be a sub 4 lbs machine. I will upgrade my 2009 MBP if and when this happens. Since I've bought my PS3 I have no need to game on my computers, plus I have a MP. Weight is a main issue as lugging around 5 lbs is no fun.
I was pretty close to getting the new MBP but no backlit keyboard is a dealbreaker (I work in dark environments).
I still believe that there is a role for touch screens on notebook computers. It is a matter of time but Apple will bring it. I doubt it will ever make it to the iMac line.
I would like to see the MBP get a bit of a physcial makeover like the MacBook Air I'd still like to have a removable HD and OD, but there must be some place where they can physically make it better
I'd still like to have a removable HD and OD, but there must be some place where they can physically make it better