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

[jmcguckin]

I assume the hard drive is still easy to upgrade in the MBP? If so, buy an SSD and stick it in your MBP and you'll be even more amazed at the speed.

yeah, I replaced the HDD in my old MBP with no issues (very straightforward process as long as you have the proper screwdrivers), so that'll probably be my next performance upgrade once I've got another $300-400 sitting around. first upgrade, though? a 2x4GB Mushkin RAM upgrade (I've had nothing but success with their products so far, and as of today they're charging just over $82 for an 8GB RAM upgrade kit).

I'm confused...

Are you trying to say instead of encoding one movie at 27x on your old CPU, you're encoding two movies on your new CPU at 29x?

ie. Are you saying the Sandy Bridge CPU is roughly twice as fast at video encoding than the old C2D?

well, I'm actually batch encoding my lossless music library to a lossy format for use with my car's stereo, but I assume it'd be the same case if I was encoding a movie... the process has been running for a little over 2hrs, and the range has dropped to the 25-28x I'm used to, but that's still more than impressive considering this is still a dual-core CPU with only an additional 300MHz of "oomph."

 

[blue22]

stop complaining, overall it's a great update...

I just compared the specs from last years MacBook Pro models to this years and, considering that the price points are more or less the same, you're getting some great value here along with some respectable performance from these new MBP's specs, and actually for slightly cheaper prices compared to what you would get for last year's models, so ultimately I really don't understand what all this bemoaning is about!?

Non- based PC's that are comparable in specs aren't that much less expensive in comparison, maybe by $300 on average, so when it's all said and done either you enjoy using OS X or not. But just because the new MBP's doesn't have all the bell & whistle features that you want and doesn't pour your coffee & flip eggs doesn't make these computers anything to cry about. THEY'RE GREAT MACHINES!!! And if you don't like it, and still want a Mac, then just go get a 2010 model for few hundred bucks less as those computers are pretty damn decent too. Others with their heads screwed on right share a similar sentiment:

I saw that too and I am now sad as my lonely MacBook pro only scores around the 5000 mark.

YES THAT'S RIGHT YOU WINGING TURDS THE NEW MACS ARE DOUBLE THE POWER OF 2010 MAC LAPTOPS AND EVEN BEAT LAST YEARS MAC PROS!!

Now carry on with your complaining.........

I haven't read every comment (heaven help anyone who tries that) but based on the few I've read and the overwhelming negative votes, I conclude that MacRumors readers are, on the whole, a bunch of spoilt brats.

Let's see… People want (1) the fastest, most power-hungry CPUs and GPUs on the planet, AND (2) unsurpassed battery life. If you think like this, you don't need a new laptop. You need a new attitude.

I'd also be really curious to know what most of the whingers actually NEED all these specs for. I live in the real world where I make a real living from my Mac and I'm still doing it on a 2007 model MacBook Pro.

The updates look pretty good from where I'm standing.

As usual, Apple released an update to the MPB with the absolute latest intel has to offer and the same old naysayers come out in droves saying it is a bad update. I am always wondering what these people are expecting???? They are usually comparing the CPU to whatever the top of the line desktop machine has to offer of one of the ridiculous PC laptops that has a blazing desktop processor and an hour of battery life. I wish we had a way to sort out the folks that want a portable computer that they can move from place to place (but never far from an outlet) from those of us that use our machines all over town for many hours a day. For me, there is nothing that can replace battery life. The fact that I can drag my 17" i7 around all day on a single charge is simply amazing.

Continuing to read through this thread is giving me a headache. About the only 'fail' apple has is the low res in the 13"

These machines are FAST..

I really don't know what some of you want... and complaining about price.. go spec a similar pc laptop.

I'm not a fanboy, i'd use any os at the right price.. but man, these are NICE machines...

 

[mlayer]

They goofed

Yeah oops on my part. They goofed regardless.

No biggie. They might've hurried to get the teardown article up and didn't notice that the i7-2630 (2.0 GHz quad core) is right above the i7-2629 on the product list. I tweeted them to clarify and will post if/when I find out.

 

[moosez3]

I just don't like how Apple charges premium prices for Made in China stuff... I don't hate Macs (I own an iMac) I just hate the pricing scheme (even though I can afford them).

I have no problem with China or their manufacturing. I am sorry for you, but this is now a Global Economy, and not everyone wants to see "MADE IN USA" anymore, infact that may deter some people: hence why "Foreign" cars sell so much.

 

[IWantItThatWay]

I have no problem with China or their manufacturing. I am sorry for you, but this is now a Global Economy,.

And how's that working out for the USA again??

This is not a "global economy," it's just let's see how much cheap crap we can make in China so we can increase profits (but still call our products "premium") and make China the world's super power.

 

[mlayer]

I'm in the same boat

Ok, first off, I think it's stupid to post why you won't be buying something on a forum. I just want to express my dismay of the new MacBook release. Just to get it out of my system.

Apparently I'm more concerned with the display resolution than I am with everything else. I was all ready to buy a new MBP 13" if it had a ~1400x900 resolution. Regardless of everything else.

Now, I'm almost disappointed to be saying that I'm going to be buying a MBA 13" C2D in spite of this release. The new MBP 13" has an i7 even! It would have been perfect with the higher resolution. I would have bought it and been extremely happy.

But it looks like I'm going to be buying a MBA 13" knowing that everything about it other than weight and screen resolution is inferior to the new MBP.

I know nobody really cares but I was all psyched to get a new MBP 13" for $1500 today and it turns out I'm going to be getting an $1800 MBA. I was THAT close to getting my perfect computer.

Damn you Apple!

I went into this week thinking I'd be getting a new 13" with a Core i5 and the 1440x900 screen. Apple should've at least had the screen as a BTO option. Now I'm looking at either the 15" for the power and the 1680x1050 screen or the the high-end Air. The Air might get a refresh in the fall but the next gen Ivy Bridge processor won't be ready then, so the current Air may be sticking around for a while. My advice to you is to get a refurb 13" Air and use the savings for AppleCare.

 

[cmaier]

As well as prejudice against Macs stopping them from ever trying them. Which means they never come to the realisation that it's actually worth a couple of hundred dollars extra to have a rigid, thin, light computer with well-rounded specifications, and a wonderful, clean OS without bloatware, and a lot of fully featured extra software.

I will never understand why people who don't intend to buy an Apple product feel the need to come on this forum and tell us all very loudly. It's not like your hate of Apple's products is going to rub off on the rest of us level-headed folk.

Although I admit, I hate anything with a screen size between 4" and 14". Except the MBA's SSD. That's cool.

You have me wrong. I love Macs. I'm just pointing out the reason Apple doesn't have more market share has less to do about price than about familiarity and fear of change.

And I'd have bought a fully loaded 17" MBP with 512GB SSD this morning if not for the fact that I'd be out of town when it arrived, so I'm waiting a week.

 

[RattDawg]

and how's that working out for the usa again?? :d

this is not a "global economy," it's just let's see how much cheap crap we can make in china so we can increase profits (but still call our products "premium") and make china the world's super power.

+1

 

[IrishD]

Well, I am slightly disappointed with this update to the 13" model, but only for one reason.
Before I get into my whining though, Id like to throw out some Pro's to this update;

CPU: Very Nice!
Hard Drive: I appreciate the bump to 320
Battery: Still 60% longer than my current laptop
RAM: Perfect for me

The Con;
Screen Resolution: My laptop is from 2008 and has this, I don't like that I would be stuck at the same resolution when I know they can do better.

Now, this will still be my first Mac purchase so I feel I can get over the screen issue so long as I connect my laptop to my external display when using it in my room, but I am sad that Apple didn't seem to put in the effort to up the resolution.

Also, to anyone wanting to tell me to buy an AIR, I will be crystal clear right now. I do NOT want a Macbook Air. I do not like look or feel of the device, and I do not want, nor NEED a laptop that thin. It also does not offer me the storage space I NEED as I am a file hoarder.

At the end of the day, if I can save up enough money (work holidays, longer days and hold off until around August to buy), I may go for a 15" instead.

Question: What do you guys think is a realistic chance that Apple will update again before next year?

 

[peekay427]

i ordered mine tonight and can't wait for it to arrive.
17" 2.2Ghz with the 5400rpm drive, 8GB of ram and the anti-glare screen.

While I would have loved it if they had Blu-Ray and a dedicated SSD for the OS, overall I'm really excited and can't wait the 4-8 days for it to show up...

HURRY APPLE!! HURRY!

 

[kayvong8]

please help me!!!

Hello,

I purchased a 13inch mbp today, the base model. I am second guessing, feeling like maybe I should have gone for the better 13'... but then I am wondering if a 13 inch air, maxed out 256 ssd 2.13ghz 4gb ddr3 would be better than either of the mbp's.

I am a sales manager for a marketing company. I do use imovie a bit, a little photoshop. I mostly use it for downloading and playing videos ( commercials ) for clients. I am constantly on the go with it.

Will I ever notice the difference between 2.13, 2.3 i5 or 2.6 i7? Would I be better off keeping the base model and just upping the rab to 8gb?

SOME ONE ADVISE ME, I dont know what to do. I want it to appear prestigious when I bring it out in front of clients!


Edit:

I have a 2007 imac and a 2008 imac also... ( if that makes a difference on my portable needs...)

 

[Great Dave]

Originally Posted by sunny1985 View Post
My Dell XPS WIPS the MPB!!!!! and its almost two years old LOL

It really isn't better! You do know that just because it's i7 processor, its totally different to the new ones just announced? You have blu-ray, everything else is worse or equal.

Yes, that's true about the processors.

But, in addition, to the blu-ray he's got, he also has a faster hard drive (7200), plus a way better screen, e.g. better resolution and also has a wider color gamut, and plus he paid less.

** I think the MBP upgrades were good, but I wish the screens were way better, loss of battery life sucks, too, but for the trade off of more power, I am willing to deal with it, but

I still think the lack of blu-ray - sucks. Can we please, please have blu-ray?

And I also agree with all the others that have posted that the pricing is ridiculous.

I understand you have to pay a premium for Apple's name, but this is just too much.

Oh, and I forgot the guy with the dell also has 2 years warranty and also with accidental damage support. - that is a huge advantage, too.

 

[SPEEDwithJJ]

Also ********. The number one thing holding people back from buying a mac is years of indoctrination in a completely different operating system that works just fine for most of them.

With Macs being able to run Windows OS as well as a PC these days, people can still buy a Mac if they want to & run Windows 24/7 on it, just like I do.

 

[applefanboy83]

Hardware refresh with Lion??

Does Apple refresh their hardware when they release a new Major OS?

Am still deciding about getting the refrshed MBP 15", but wanted to check if its worth waiting till Summer to see if the MBP or MBA gets a refresh along with Lion.

 

[neko girl]

With Macs being able to run Windows OS as well as a PC these days, people can still buy a Mac if they want to & run Windows 24/7 on it, just like I do.

Bizzare choice, but it is a choice..

 

[OS 11]

Intel WiDi (Wireless Display) for OS X?

Apple didnt provide any information about a number of valuable technologies like Wireless Display (Intel WiDi) thats built into the new Sandy Bridge processors.

The 15 inch Macbook Pro's 2.0 GHz i7-2630QM, 2.2 GHz i7-2720QM, & 2.3 GHz i7-2820QM Quad Core Processor have the capability of more than what Apple has announced.

The following technologies are offered on the 2.2 GHz and 2.3 GHz processors only but not on the 2.0 GHz processor offered by Apple:

Intel® Quick Sync Video
Intel® Wireless Display
Intel® InTRU™ 3D Technology
Intel® Anti-Theft Technology
Intel® My WiFi Technology
4G WiMAX Wireless Technology.

Intel mentions no support for Apple's OS X. Can anyone with a 13" & 15" 2011 Macbook Pro provide a source, video, screen-shot, or data from Apple that shows their support of WiDi and the other above mentioned technologies?

Id sure like to be able to have 1080P video & 8 channel audio stream wirelessly from a new Macbook Pro to my TV and sound system.

 

[gtiintrepid]

mine shipped. looks like from China, take 4 business days to arrive. canot wait, my first APPLE product

 

[gnasher729]

Pros aren't going to buy the 13" to do serious work.

Depends. In my company, most MacBooks are 13" with a few MBAs in between. Easier to carry, with a large monitor on the desk.

FYI, replacing the apple harddrive will void your warranty.

Total nonsense. Hard drive and memory are user replacable parts on the MacBook Pro, and Apple publishes instructions how to replace them.

 

[dnstth]

Thank you macrumors guys! It was worth waiting 2 months for these specifications! Well done!

 

[Tears Apart]

[...] so ultimately I really don't understand what all this bemoaning is about!?

Unrealistic expectations fueled by months of nerdy daydreaming?

Hello,

I purchased a 13inch mbp today, the base model. I am second guessing, feeling like maybe I should have gone for the better 13'... but then I am wondering if a 13 inch air, maxed out 256 ssd 2.13ghz 4gb ddr3 would be better than either of the mbp's.

I am a sales manager for a marketing company. I do use imovie a bit, a little photoshop. I mostly use it for downloading and playing videos ( commercials ) for clients. I am constantly on the go with it.

Will I ever notice the difference between 2.13, 2.3 i5 or 2.6 i7? Would I be better off keeping the base model and just upping the rab to 8gb?

SOME ONE ADVISE ME, I dont know what to do. I want it to appear prestigious when I bring it out in front of clients!


Edit:

I have a 2007 imac and a 2008 imac also... ( if that makes a difference on my portable needs...)

Hello!

You should go for a MacBook Air. There is nothing more stylish than that right now. The 11'' is a little gem and my personal favourite, but wouldn't look "prestigious" enough for your needs I suppose due to the screen size.

 

[kahkityoong]

shrug, here in australia, the mbp prices are lower than ever. Yay for the crappy american economy!!!

+1

 

[danrees]

Some of you guys update your computers WAY too often. sheesh, I been using my 2007 Macbook since I bought it, and im looking at these specs with my mind blown. Lets do some comparison to bring you all back to reality

my 2007 macbook:
2.0 Ghz C2d
GMA-950 graphics.... yes remember when graphics were integrated?
65mb VRam
2.5Gb Ram (i upgraded this, its the one thing making this system run decently)

2011 Macbook Pro:
2.0 Ghz Quad i7
AMD 6490M
256Mb Vram
4Gb Ram

I compared it to not the top line MBP cause that wouldnt be fair, but the obvious point is my macbook described is my daily computer handling anything i throw at it excluding gaming, But does include running windows XP in a virtual machine. (smoothly i must add)

Yet truth is these new macbook pros would run laps around my macbook, enough said.

Loving this post. I am the same. I am writing this on a 2006 MacBook 1,1 which is still running strong for day to day web usage and other basic tasks.

Core Duo 2.0 Ghz
Upgraded to 2GB RAM
GMA 950 display with a whopping 64MB shared VRAM
Upgraded to 320Gb HD
Still on Leopard as never bothered getting Snow Leopard

Just ordered the lower end 15" MBP. I am expecting great things my friends, great things...

 

[tobia]

Shrug, here in Australia, the MBP prices are lower than ever. Yay for the crappy American economy!!!

+a million

 

[ijbond]

there is still only a glossy 13inch MBP...

Unbelievable; why no antiglare option 13"???

Again no USB3, no UMTS modem, no quad option, no 16gb ssd.

 

[layte]

Would any of the posters who stated that Apple would not adopt USB3 while it required an additional controller chip like to comment on this: http://guide-images.ifixit.net/igi/2wKYmLuITMFWshJA.huge (the dedicated Thunderbolt controller)