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Apple Finishing Up Work on an Ultra-Thin 15" Notebook

orthorim said:
I agree that currently, everyone who needs a dedicated GPU is going to get the MBP. Obviously.

But I am willing to bet the vast majority of current MBP customers doesn't need the GPU. You don't need it unless you are a gfx professional, or a gamer. If you are a gamer, chances are you have a gaming PC laptop as there's way more games and way more hardware options.

Lots of stuff in OS X is hardware accelerated with OpenGL - but for that, the integrated graphics are plenty fast, even if they suck as much as the Intel ones.
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Think about what you just said. For the first sentence, I agree. That's obvious. If they need a laptop with a discrete GPU, they'll get the MBP.

For the second, you're right; a large percent do not need the discrete. Now your logic or reasons WHY that might be the case is flawed. If I'm a gamer, chances are I have a gaming PC? Really? Now you're just trying to pad your argument.

I don't know how speed relates to anything in this sense. On a basic point its about memory. It's integrated and doesn't provide near enough power for any "real" gaming at all. People get decent quality/framerates on medium settings but with the newer games coming out (Skyrim, BattleField 3, even MW2) you need something better.

You really expect someone to already have a gaming rig then get a MBP? Let's be serious here.

What you're saying doesn't make sense.

orthorim said:
So for all these people that don't need a GPU, Apple currently doesn't offer a machine larger than 13". It makes sense to have a 15" option. I know Apple likes to keep their lines clean but I am hoping they will offer both a MBA 15 and a MBP 15 to please everyone.

I'll opt for the Air, most likely. The GPU is no help for my work, and it wastes battery and produces heat. It's turned off on my current MBP, and I would turn it off were I to get a new MBP too (I don't trust automated switching, particularly when I really don't have a need for the GPU at all).

PS: Is the GPU really that useful for Photoshop? Does it actually take advantage of a faster GPU vs the integrated graphics? I don't know as I only use PS occasionally and not for anything requiring any CPU horsepower.
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This is true. However, it seems that you're missing the point of it ALREADY being here. It isn't like there are only MBPs 13-17 that do NOT have the GPU, they already do (15/17). Having a 15 inch Air.... seee it doesn't make sense.

You have 2 notebooks. Air for the average, Pro for the person who does intensive work. That's great. Now they can add the 15 inch air and beef it up but KEEP the current Pro line (and they really are going to beef up the next Pro line, all of the models) and that would make the most sense, for me anyway.

11/13/15 Air for the average and a more expensive Pro at 13/15/17 inches. Or they might even get rid of the 13 Pro... but I dont' see that happening.

There are a lot of possibilities but your aforementioned argument doesn't really make sense.

If they release a new, larger Air, I'm really, really betting it would have a discrete graphics chip, the same as the one in the 15 pro baseline. Of course, the 15 air could look different; think the MBP body but thinner. Like a very skinny rectangle; a lot of people tend to think of a teardrop design and that just doesn't look right with a 15 inch laptop, I don't think it would anyway.

They could thin it down, give it a dual core with a higher clock speed, no dvd drive, and a 256 meg discrete graphics card.

PS: But for the PS, yes it does make a difference. Depending on the level of sophistication for your work, it will make a difference. For the person who's just applying saturation, contrast, blur, or other basic levels over a picture, you might not need it. However for those doing much more intensive work in Photoshop or whatever, they have better results.

The iPhone 4 has a gpu in it and you can plainly see how polished and clean everything looks. It has a better SDK than Android's and the polish, shine, power, and speed of the entire iOS and its applications shows. That's all due to the help of the GPU.
 
Don't Buy Now, Wait & Save Big Bucks

With Rumors swirling around the A5 chip as an overheating nightmare, it seems like that might be the one to pass on.

http://goo.gl/zOySj


Followed by reports that Apple will be merging iOS & OS X with a custom A6 Chip sometime in late 2012/2013, it's a great time to enjoy the Macs / iPhones we have. The thought of taking a full year off from major purchases will allow many to pump up their balance of disposable income for iToys of the future.

http://goo.gl/BKphi


Especially considering the rumored ultra light and thin 15" MBA, for large screen lovers like myself that would be a perfect partner to a new iPhone 6. It's a very exciting thought to be prepared to buy both a new Mac and a new iPhone concurrently.

Particularly since they are tailored around just One Chip, One OS and iCloud. The perfect combination.
 
vitzr said:
With Rumors swirling around the A5 chip as an overheating nightmare, it seems like that might be the one to pass on.

http://goo.gl/zOySj


Followed by reports that Apple will be merging iOS & OS X with a custom A6 Chip sometime in late 2012/2013, it's a great time to enjoy the Macs / iPhones we have. The thought of taking a full year off from major purchases will allow many to pump up their balance of disposable income for iToys of the future.

http://goo.gl/BKphi


Especially considering the rumored ultra light and thin 15" MBA, for large screen lovers like myself that would be a perfect partner to a new iPhone 6. It's a very exciting thought to be prepared to buy both a new Mac and a new iPhone concurrently.

Particularly since they are tailored around just One Chip, One OS and iCloud. The perfect combination.
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The analysis of Wall Street ranks very low on the rumors credibility scale.
 
rexster said:
Nvidia recently introduced project maximus, a new graphic gpu technology. It seems that no one has noticed the macbook in the demonstration presentation looks like a macbook air with a macbook pro face. Please share your views on this...
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget....h-20111079.jpg

I got this pic from an article by engadget on nvidia's new gnu technology..

http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/08/n...am-virtual-gr/
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Doesn't mean anything. Some marketing weenie picked some machines to shove onto a slide.
 
MattInOz said:
The analysis of Wall Street ranks very low on the rumors credibility scale.
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Yeah, but it (sadly) also doesn't mean it's not Steve's/Apple's wet dream.
Reduce the models and increase component re-use across the lineup = cost savings = higher profit margins = more $ for Apple.

Apple has become very good at getting yearly $ from users between yearly OS paches, err, sort of updates (at least reasonably priced with SL and Lion), MobileMe, the i* set of apps, iTunes purchases including from people who said they'd never buy from it, etc.

An 'ideal world' for some OS/app companies would be if instead of owning software, we paid yearly or monthly rental fees. If storage is pushed to 'iCloud' and Apps are effectively 'on demand,' we might not be more than a generation or two away from 'rental apps,' and certainly with more yearly ongoing re-occurring revenue to Apple. Apps = $ on App store. Music = $ on iTunes. Movies - ok, their pricing still blows, but if bandwidth caps curtail Netflix over time, it's not too likely Amazon or cable companies will drop movie rental fees either. Need storage? It's on demand - for a fee.

For a casual user, it's also convenient. Converge enough between iOS and OSX, whether via real convergence or a runtime emulator like Rosetta previously, and you're running the same apps across all devices...

It's nice from a convenience standpoint, but OSX is 'dumbed down' enough for many as it is, many rightfully don't want (or may legally not be able to keep for work) their data or IP in 'the cloud,' nor do they want more ongoing recurring fees.

I'm hoping the 'consolidations' at least as the only option are more than a few generations away, or it's going to wind up moving away from OSX/Apple.
 
rexster said:
Nvidia recently introduced project maximus, a new graphic gpu technology. It seems that no one has noticed the macbook in the demonstration presentation looks like a macbook air with a macbook pro face. Please share your views on this...
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget....h-20111079.jpg

I got this pic from an article by engadget on nvidia's new gnu technology..

http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/08/n...am-virtual-gr/
Click to expand...

Pic is a 404 and link goes to Engadget :/ I'll look for it when I make my daily rounds on the site though.
 
mdntcallr said:
a macbook pro isn't a computer that ought to miss an optical drive. Apple is on an artificial crusade to get rid of optical drives because it will push more people to buy programs and software via itunes and the app store.

this isn't gentle nudging and giving consumers decisions, it is literally telling consumers what to do.

makes me think about windows 8 and what the more consumer friendly windows market and hardware looks like.
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I completely agree! We need to have choices as a Apple customers....
 
jamezr said:
I completely agree! We need to have choices as a Apple customers....
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Lol we do; 3 desktops and 2 laptops. A total of 5 machines. It's the fact that the machines are so iconic that you pay more attention to them and expect more.

If you head over to the Lenovo site, they have somewhat the same setup. 3 or so different kinds of laptops with varying specs/screen sizes, just like Apple. Only difference is that you love Apple laptops more than Lenovo ones.

Also the fact that Apple, being the genius that it is, releases a new laptop every year. That creates hype, buzz, news, anticipation and, above all, sales.

More companies should start doing this.
 
Wondering where the price will start and stop, seems to be heading for similar pricing that the 15" MBP is at now?

Will be interesting what CPU's they offer, battery life, Ram and SSD sizes that will be offered.
 
jamezr said:
I completely agree! We need to have choices as a Apple customers....
Click to expand...

Apple views choices as turning over control to the user. Something that Apple loathes.

Apple is nothing if not controlling.

A locked down Apple eco system works very well for some, for others not so much. :)
 
Personally, I love the idea of removing the optical drive from the MBP, and using an external optical drive for cd burning. I think this would give the laptop a more sturdy feel to it, and free up a LOT of internal space for hardware such as an even bigger battery, graphic cards or memory, etc...

Also, it is one less thing to break in the computer. If the external drive breaks you are only out 60 bucks, whereas it is a pain to replace/repair a MBP's optical drive.

Does anyone know if a late-2011 15inch MBP can use the external optical drives made by apple?
I baby my MBP, but one fateful day, I leave my MBP on my desk at home for all but five minutes, and I come back to see my little angel (4yearold) shoving slices of cheese in the drive. I know this sounds funny, but it isn't- my MBP was running hot and melted the cheese which has ruined the drive. Also, the my computer smells like grilled cheese whenever it starts getting hot. Everyone at the office gets really hungry when they smell it.
 
To all the people who think hanging a bunch of external devices off your MBA is an acceptable solution, may I remind you of something?

applevsdell.jpg


Funny how what used to be scoffed at is suddenly embraced, just because The Steve says so.
 
rest said:
Personally, I love the idea of removing the optical drive from the MBP, and using an external optical drive for cd burning. I think this would give the laptop a more sturdy feel to it, and free up a LOT of internal space for hardware such as an even bigger battery, graphic cards or memory, etc...
Click to expand...

And again, Apple would never give you better graphics cards on a laptop in lieu of an optical drive because they would rather just make it thinner. Same with a better battery. I know you people like thinking these wonderful "oh man, with the optical drive gone, I can...!" fantasies, but I hate to break it to you; without the optical drive, the MacBook Pro will be much like the new Mac mini, vacantly lacking a drive where you could easily fit one in even still (even on the model with the AMD Radeon graphics). Still though, it's a nice pipe dream. While we're at it, let's wish for bipartisanship and maybe a better economy! I'm sure Steve will deliver.

rest said:
Also, it is one less thing to break in the computer. If the external drive breaks you are only out 60 bucks, whereas it is a pain to replace/repair a MBP's optical drive.
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The optical drive is the easiest component to replace on the current generation MacBook Pros, next to the battery, the hard drive, and the RAM. It's about three screws and thirty minutes of your time; less if you don't bother to test the damn thing. Aftermarket replacement drives are also only $60. Nice try, though.

rest said:
Does anyone know if a late-2011 15inch MBP can use the external optical drives made by apple?
I baby my MBP, but one fateful day, I leave my MBP on my desk at home for all but five minutes, and I come back to see my little angel (4yearold) shoving slices of cheese in the drive. I know this sounds funny, but it isn't- my MBP was running hot and melted the cheese which has ruined the drive. Also, the my computer smells like grilled cheese whenever it starts getting hot. Everyone at the office gets really hungry when they smell it.
Click to expand...

Again, these machines are fairly easy to service. Pop off the bottom cover, inspect the damage. At worst, just replace the optical drive. As I said before, it's pretty easy to do.

3NV7 said:
To all the people who think hanging a bunch of external devices off your MBA is an acceptable solution, may I remind you of something?

Image

Funny how what used to be scoffed at is suddenly embraced, just because The Steve says so.
Click to expand...

+1
 
Last edited:
3NV7 said:
To all the people who think hanging a bunch of external devices off your MBA is an acceptable solution, may I remind you of something?

Image

Funny how what used to be scoffed at is suddenly embraced, just because The Steve says so.
Click to expand...
Very true, all it takes is for Steve to say it, and suddenly an about face is done and all the Apple Worshipers follow him dutifully.
 
thirteen1031 said:
That's because he does it right ;) Funny how Apple seems to keep doing that.
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How quickly some people forget Antennagate and some other world class blunders.

Overall, yes he does have his followers and is in my opinion the best sales person ever. He can sell absolutely anything is vast quantities. Convincing is what Mr. Turtleneck does best.
 
vitzr said:
How quickly some people forget Antennagate and some other world class blunders.

Overall, yes he does have his followers and is in my opinion the best sales person ever. He can sell absolutely anything is vast quantities. Convincing is what Mr. Turtleneck does best.
Click to expand...

Was the Antennagate really that big of an issue though? I never had an iPhone but was the quality really that diminished form holding it a certain way? And do the current 4s still have this problem?

But in relation to selling, they sell the idea rather than the product. They don't talk about specs, they talk about what you can do. I saw a video on TED about this (I should find it, hold on)


Simon Sinek: How great leaders inspire action - YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp0HIF3SfI4

There you go :D

But yea, watch that.
 
this would be nice.. with a firewire port at least and an available option for the antiglare screen. eventually it will happen i just hope when they do it they have stand alone graphics/memory etc etc like the macbook pro that it will soon replace.
 
bdodds1985 said:
this would be nice.. with a firewire port at least and an available option for the antiglare screen. eventually it will happen i just hope when they do it they have stand alone graphics/memory etc etc like the macbook pro that it will soon replace.
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Right now I think the problem is going to be the heat; with the integrated chip, my machine's CPU will reach temps 0f 95 C when I'm pushing it. Putting a dedicated chip in there would really heat things up.

Plus they like making that extra 600 bucks -_-
 
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