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Apple Launches MacBook Pros with Thunderbolt, Quad Core CPUs, AMD GPUs

Here's my new machine. Can't wait!

2.2GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7
8GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x4GB
256GB Solid State Drive
8x Double-Layer SuperDrive
MBP 15"HR Antiglare WS Display

Ships: 1 - 3 business days
Delivers: Feb 28 - Mar 4 by 2-3 day shipping
😀😀😀😀
 
gnasher729 said:
GHz have become more complicated. 😀

All the new Intel chips change their clock speed depending on how many cores you are using. That's because the heat production is the main problem that keeps the clock speed down; so if only one core is working, you can run faster.

Both processors can run a single core at 3.4 GHz for a short time.
Both processors can run two cores at 2.7 GHz for infinite time.
The quad core processor can run four cores at 2.0 GHz for infinite time.

So the dual core is advertised as "2.7 GHz" and the quad core as "2.0 GHz" even when they actually run at the same speed....
Click to expand...

This makes upgrading to the low-end 15" MBP virtually pointless unless you use a program that can utilize all four cores.


Shivetya said:
Lets examine that $2199 price of the quad core 15 inch laptop.

In reality it probably is closer to 2499. Is the non glare screen option going to be free? Who in the hell is going to put up with 1400x900? So at least $100 more for the upgrade. Toss on three years of Apple Care and this thing gets far past stupid in pricing.
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I agree. These are way overpriced. The low-end 15" lacks appeal for the CPU (see comment above) and for the GPU (256MB really?). The only other 15" option is too rich for my taste, especially since I would order the anti-glare option.
 
Twylo said:
This is a FINE update. Maybe I'm more like your typical Mac user than a lot of the posters here, I dunno
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The problem is the hype we've had in the last few days. High expectations lead to disappointment. This release was way overhyped with tons of changes that never saw the light of day.

I was seriously expecting all the whining today. There were some nice surprises (the GPU in the 15"/17"), some not so nice non-surprise (13" going back to Intel graphics) and some very disappointing surprise apparent downgrades (battery life ? 13" not getting the same resolution as the Air ?)

However, it does seem like Thunderbolt lacks "thunder". No one seems to really care about it. That's a definite LOL.
 
Monergist said:
Here's my new machine. Can't wait!

2.2GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7
8GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x4GB
256GB Solid State Drive
8x Double-Layer SuperDrive
MBP 15"HR Antiglare WS Display

Ships: 1 - 3 business days
Delivers: Feb 28 - Mar 4 by 2-3 day shipping
😀😀😀😀
Click to expand...

Wow, I'm seriously jealous of you right now.
 
old macbook pros?

Will they be selling the remaining older versions of the macbook pros at a discount>?
 
shervieux said:
Maybe I missed something.... But the 13-inch has SSD as a BTO in a 512gb size. It is uber-expensive, but does this mean, if you choose the SSD - we will get even more of a performance boost for some things?
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You will get a performance boost using a SSD over a mechanical drive, yes. But a larger and more expensive SSD does not mean it will perform any better than a 128GB drive for example.

The prices for solid state storage is fixed so that everyone is paying grossly over the odds, it's why 512GB SSD's are priced at an almost criminally high level. Yet people still pay it...
 
Hastings101 said:
Yes, because anything with an Apple on it, despite most likely being manufactured in a very similar way to the competitor's item and containing the same parts, is somehow still better 😕

The only thing better about the Apple is that it has OS X on it, though you can technically put that on a dell 🙂
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Have you ever taken apart an Apple laptop vs some of the others? They are not constructed in the same manner at all. I took apart my sisters HP laptop and it was basically constructed in 3 layers separated by plastic. No wonder it at overheating issues. One wire ran from a chip on the underside of the motherboard, through a hole in the case to the upper side of the motherboard. What a mess.

Power supplies, motherboards/logicboards, hard drive performance and quality, quality of display, casing materials, trackpad differences, etc don't show up on a spec sheet and PC manufacturers often cheap out on them unless we are talking some of their premium models where the prices are similar to a mac...
 
battery life = new test that apple uses... so quite complaining. Its the same as before... just more accurate.
 
Called my local Best Buy and they have the new ones in stock. Leaving in 30 minutes to go and exchange my Core2 MBP that I just purchased on Saturday for the new model.

Apple store here in Charlotte, NC has the new models in store for sale now
 
Most Bang for my buck

I will be buying a new MBP today and wanted your guy's help.

I have a strict budget of between 1600-2600, and need the applecare protection plan. What configuration would give me the best bang for my buck in these new macbooks?

I have no clue how importatn 8g RAM VS 4g RAM is, nor the significance of faster HDD or SDD...
 
commander.data said:
I guess it's hard to be perfect. For the longest time everyone was wondering why Apple doesn't use quad core CPUs and high(er) end GPUs in their notebooks at least for the larger 15"/17" models and when they finally do it, they are kind of behind the times again because SSD hard drives and high-resolution screens are the latest thing. Admittedly, partially due to their own promotion. Still a pretty decent update since the CPU and GPU in the high-end 15" will be enough for me to purchase.

I really wish though that Apple donated the Firewire connector spec for Intel to use for Thunderbolt. Firewire "space" is already dedicated for high-speed I/O so that you aren't taking up the display out port which is kind of strange.
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You can daisy chain off that one Thunderbolt port.

http://www.intel.com/technology/io/thunderbolt/index.htm

Also look at the industry support section, looks like some big name companies are thrilled about the tech. So devices shouldn't be to far out, i give it 2 weeks and you will start seeing Hubs, and External HDD's utilizing it.

Not to mention with the bandwidth the tech has, most companies who development multiple technologies, like displays/drives/camera. Are probably going to switch to thunderbolt for the long run as it replaces both firewire, and USB. Easier for them to set port standards across there different departments. This is all theory, but I HOPE it is how it plays out with INTEL pushing it. Hell, I could even see cable modems coming out with the tech, and thunderbolt replacing Ethernet eventually at the endpoint connections.
 
finchna said:
funny all this talk of thunderbolt, high performance graphics, hd graphics, and still no bluray.
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yeah, i am with you, i have a 4+ year old MBP and i won't upgrade with this new model.

Apple aint even going to support BD at this point. so i am probably going to get an alienware or Vaio laptop.
 
Puqq said:
Lion is likely to be launched in summer, so a 4-6 month product cycle seems way too short.
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It's virtually the same chassis that launched in 2008, with various incremental internal updates. I'd bet my left bollock that they'll be a major hardware refresh when Lion launches. Autumn at the very latest.
 

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roc5127 said:
I will be buying a new MBP today and wanted your guy's help.

I have a strict budget of between 1600-2600, and need the applecare protection plan. What configuration would give me the best bang for my buck in these new macbooks?

I have no clue how importatn 8g RAM VS 4g RAM is, nor the significance of faster HDD or SDD...
Click to expand...

You can always buy AppleCare later (as long as it's <1 year since you bought the laptop)

Just ordered my 17" w/ CPU upgrade and 8GB RAM/750GB 7200rpm HDD from Newegg to add. Excitement++
 
I don't see an update with Lion coming ... there is nothing to update (new hardware coming out or so).

Next update will 2012 with new design and maybe no optical drive option (offers additional harddrive to your standard 128GB SSD), instant on, and small hardware updates.
Screen resolution will be updated on lower models maybe, but i see resolution is on maximum for screen size (otherwise you can't read it anymore, its not an ipad or iphone).
Als intels processor refresh ivy bridge (22nm) will come 2012.

Thunderbolt is apple only ... you will have 100 of adapters to connect everything to your mac. Thats very nice to have, but you need all those adapters and that is ****.

Graphic performance is ... decent as always, but it is still a notebook.
 
So what should I do. Just sold my MBP 13 2.26 Mid-2009 with 4GB RAM and a 7200 RPM 500GB (had a 64GB OCZ in it for my use) I`m thinking about the new low end model and just add 8GB RAM and 80GB G2 Intel SSD. What do you guys think ?
 
Azathoth said:
Except that I had money ready for a lower weight, hi-res, matte MBP13. The MBA13 is underpowered, glossy and has no Ethernet w/o dongle.

So no money for you, Apple...
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You gave me a scare. But the 13" MBP does have an Ethernet port (RJ45
connector). I see nothing indicating you need a dongle for Ethernet.

http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/specs-13inch.html

I am disappointed by the 13" MBP because reading these forums had raised
my expectations. I wanted a 1440x900 matte screen, weight of only 4.1
pounds, and 12 hours battery life. While I'm still worried that the battery life
drop to 7 hours from 10 hours may be real (vs just a testing/measuring
difference), I'll probably still buy the new low-end 13" MBP for myself... and
give the one I bought last year to a friend.
 
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