Apple PB GPU

[tdewey]

/rant
The release of the new Dell laptop w/ the NVIDIA Go 6800 Ultra GPU has me more disappointed than ever that Apple released their new PBs with the ATI MR 9700 and not the MR 9800.

Apple, if you're listening, I don't care about the G5, just please move up the PB line to the MR 9800 or better yet X800/Go 6800 chips (though the Ultra is just a bit too hot). I can't justify upgrading until I see a really significant performance difference.

/endrant

 

[robbieduncan]

In what way is this a current event (think news story)? Should this not be in the Hardware forum?

 

[edesignuk]

In what way is this a current event (think news story)? Should this not be in the Hardware forum?

Moved

 

[varmit]

/rant
The release of the new Dell laptop w/ the NVIDIA Go 6800 Ultra GPU has me more disappointed than ever that Apple released their new PBs with the ATI MR 9700 and not the MR 9800.

Apple, if you're listening, I don't care about the G5, just please move up the PB line to the MR 9800 or better yet X800/Go 6800 chips (though the Ultra is just a bit too hot). I can't justify upgrading until I see a really significant performance difference.

/endrant

Yeah, and how thick is this Dell laptop, and how much noise does it make. Yeah, and how many people are going to buy this laptop and actually use all the power that GPU has, um, maybe 2 or 3 people. And how much power is is going to suck out of the battery.

 

[madmaxmedia]

Yeah, and how thick is this Dell laptop, and how much noise does it make. Yeah, and how many people are going to buy this laptop and actually use all the power that GPU has, um, maybe 2 or 3 people. And how much power is is going to suck out of the battery.

It's presented as a gaming machine (at least according to the PC Mag article I read), so I think people will use it as such.

But it is quite a beefy unit-

15.4-inch Wide-Aspect WUXGA display:
Height: 2.0 inch (50.8 mm)
Width: 14.1 inch (359 mm)
Depth: 10.8 inch (274 mm)
Weight: Starting at approximately 9.06 lbs. (4.11 kg) - Weight shown is with 15.4" display, CDRW/DVD drive and 12-cell battery.

To compare it to a PowerBook in any way, shape, or form is not really appropriate- they are in different classes. It's practically 2 PowerBooks stacked on top of each other...

Which does bring up the idea of Apple introducing a 3rd line of notebooks. The PB line is premium but also thin and light. There is room for another Apple line with a different form factor/ performance balance.

To be honest, I think it is more of a niche category. But the 'desktop replacement' form factor does seem solidly established in Windows notebooks.

 

[ethernet76]

You have to realize apple doesn't do what other PC companies do. I have a AMD 64 desktop chip inside of a laptop.

Apple could probably do the same with the G5, but they don't just slap parts inside a plastic case and call it laptop.

I respect that Dell has gaming laptops, but no serious gamer will buy them. LCDs have lag and blur which make them not ideal for gaming. Secondly, gamers would have to be stupid to invest over 2000 dollars for a laptop when that money could build a top of the line desktop that will kill any laptop.

I understand your frustration with the current crappiness of the powerbook line. But to put out a product like you describe would be anti-apple and would probably be prohibitively expensive at this time.

 

[slipper]

Guys hes not saying Powerbooks should have the 6800 ultra, hes ranting about why the high end Powerbooks which cost close to $3000 comes with an outdated videocard.

 

[Converted2Truth]

I just got my powerbook yesterday, and i am pretty satisfied with gaming performance. it's not the ultimate gaming machine, but it does play everything well. Powerbooks will never be 30minute battery life 2 inch thick 12 pound laptops with bloated OS pieces of ****. Get used to it, or get a dell.

 

[varmit]

Guys hes not saying Powerbooks should have the 6800 ultra, hes ranting about why the high end Powerbooks which cost close to $3000 comes with an outdated videocard.

Maybe you didn't catch on, but we ranted right back that it was pointless to have it in the Dell to begin with, since most gamers will take the money for that laptop and get a desktop that would be faster, and upgradable. Which is why the PowerMac has the ability for the highest of high end graphics cards. So the point of putting it in a PB, it just doesn't exist other than the original poster just wants to rant about it.

 

[Mechcozmo]

Moved

You've gotta stop smiling so much when you use your mod-ly powers....