Apple Releases Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro

[Josias]

The 200 GB HD is only 4200 RPM, that is just crazy. They could have at least found a 120 GB 7200 RPM.

What do you mean by "found" a 120 GB 7.200 rpm? They don't exist.

7.200 rpm. tops out at 100 GB.
5.400 rpm. tops out at 160 GB.
4.200 rpm. tops out at 200 GB.

BTW, the 200 GB 4.200 rpm. has same performance as a 60 GB 5.400 rpm., stock in MacBooks, and more than 3 times the diskspace.

 

[daneoni]

I'm planning on buying the base MBP model with the 128mb video card. Will that work fine with my 20in widescreen monitor? Or, do I need to get the 256mb video card version instead?

128 would be fine, my PB (128) drives my 20" Dell no problem but if you will be playing games/3D work as suggested above, its better to get the 256.

 

[Squonk]

I'm not sure what your point is. MacBook will be getting C2D in a few weeks at most. It will stay at the same speeds as it is now - giving the 2GHz model Double the L2 shared cache. I don't perceive the MacBook as cheap nor consumer only. Its easy access HD bay and smaller footprint make it an excellent professional mobile Mac as well as the MBPs. You can get a 15" 2.16GHz C2D MBP for $1799 ed. So there isn't a lot of price difference.

Yeah - I didn't proof read my original post - got busy doing work here at work. Go figure...

My point is - putting C2D in the MB's, makes the differential between MB and MBP small, in my opinion. Not that there is anything wrong with it, I guess. But, who needs a C2D processing power with crippled video performance and drive options? Gamers, music/video professionals need to move up to MBP.

Why is everyone clamoring for C2D in the MB? I understand wanting the latest and greatest technology, but the rest of the MB subsystems are subpar. Will a C2D in a MB really make that much of a difference with integrated video and slower hard drives? (yes, the hard drive can be so easily replaced, which is awesome and I'm sure this will come in a future MBP case revision).

 

[azeteg]

True, i will be driving my Dell display so its best to get the most VRAM available now.

How much RAM does OSX use up when you drive a 2560x1600 display at 32bit? The screen buffer is pretty small, but how much does an average session really eat up VRAM-wise, considering a bunch of GPU composited windows?

I ordered the 2.16 MBP myself - I couldn't justify the insane price bump for 128mb extra vram

 

[darwin022]

damn... if any of the 3 apple stores in my area got them in in the next day or two, I'd go buy one.

As it is, I have to wait for a replacement keyboard for my 2.16GHz 17" macbook pro. Who knows when I'll be able to get one (not through apple, don't want to send it in).

Might as well pick up a new core2duo and craigslist my 'old' 17" macbook pro.

For one, I'm happy with the upgraded specs. The only 2 issues I have:

a) the base config isn't with a single 2GB stick (oh well though)
b) the 160GB drive is only 5400rpm and the 200GB is even slower. I already have a hard time keeping up with my 120GB 5400rpm in my current mbp compared to my workstations and server.

 

[JackSYi]

It could be different in your area, but i worked for Comp for about a year and half and they took that plan away while i was working it could be wrong. But another thing that sucks i wouldnt be surprised if comp went out of business in the next year or so. Thats jusy my .02 i know a few district managers

They have it. I work for them now.

 

[JackSYi]

I would like to point one thing out. Appleinsider is still the most reliable source of Mac related rumors.

 

[JDOG_]

Why is everyone clamoring for C2D in the MB? I understand wanting the latest and greatest technology, but the rest of the MB subsystems are subpar.

Why would you not want current processor technology in a $1,100 laptop? Just because it's not "Pro" doesn't mean it needs to be outdated. That might have flown in the PPC era, but you're not going to get people to switch with old Intel chips.

 

[dkoralek]

do all states have sales tax on computer orders, or just mine? I live in PA, and its an extra $150...

you could drive to Delaware and buy at the Christiana Mall Apple Store. No sales tax. But, technically you should pay sales tax in the state you reside in when you fill out your state income tax return. Apple will charge this sales tax on the online store corresponding to the state the computer is delivered to, I believe (and not necesarilly the state that your billing address is).

Cheers.

 

[pleaderwilliams]

I hope this will work out well for me. I bought a 15" 2.16GHz Core Duo MBP about a week ago, but it arrived with a broken screen. Apple have agreed to replace it, and UPS should be picking it up sometime this week.

I should get/be able to demand the new 2.33Ghz C2D as a replacement right, as it costs exactly the same as the model I bought?

 

[JackSYi]

I hope this will work out well for me. I bought a 15" 2.16GHz Core Duo MBP about a week ago, but it arrived with a broken screen. Apple have agreed to replace it, and UPS should be picking it up sometime this week.

I should get/be able to demand the new 2.33Ghz C2D as a replacement right, as it costs exactly the same as the model I bought?

I would demand the newer models. However, as a tip, try to be as polite as possible, anything can be done unless you push them over the edge.

 

[roguetrader05]

Does anyone know if there the Apple Store in San Fran or Cuppertino has the new MacBook Pro on display? I want to see if they are finally supporting A2DP.. I'm in the bay area this week, so I might stop in to see it..

 

[DTphonehome]

Why would you not want current processor technology in a $1,100 laptop? Just because it's not "Pro" doesn't mean it needs to be outdated. That might have flown in the PPC era, but you're not going to get people to switch with old Intel chips.

What's "old" or not "current" about the Core Duo? It's still manufactured by Intel, and it's much cheaper for OEMs than the C2D. Makes perfect sense to have it in the MB.

 

[raymondso]

i want a MB with C2D
apple, come on.....update it tomorrow or latest next week

 

[daneoni]

Ah what the heck. Just clicked the place order button for a

MacBook Pro, 15-inch, 2.33GHz
Part Number: Z0DQ
2GB 667 DDR2 - 2x1GB SO-DIMMs 065-6619
SuperDrive 6x (DVD+R DL/DVD RW/CD-RW) 065-6625
MacBook Pro 15-inch Glossy Widescreen Display 065-6632
Backlit Keyboard (English) & Mac OS (English) 065-6627
Country kit 065-6628
120GB Serial ATA drive (5400rpm) 065-6623

...essentially stock. Lucky my Mac Pro got delayed otherwise it would have been a hassle to swap it for this.

I'll swap out the HDD for a 7200 RPM later on. I just hope i don't regret getting the Glossy screen. I like it on my brothers MB but there's just something about Matte screens. Oh well if i need matte that much i'll just connect my Dell display.

Now who's interested in a Last rev PB G4 maxed out??..anyone? no? yes?...its a classic and has no line issue with its display.

 

[mac4evan]

Speed Bump?

Although the MHz difference is not that much remember that it is now Core 2 Duo... not just Core Duo.

So it means now the MBP is 64 Bit. It also doubles the L2 cache and has much faster and more efficient SSEx integer units plus lower power consumption.

Plus I feel that these machines are really worth their price. Not saying they are cheap but a good price.

Will be very easy for ME to sell these new MBPs at the Apple Retail now.

 

[Rotary8]

doh!

hey guys, new here. Just purchased a 17" MBP off ebay for a really good price on saturday. Thought the price was too good to be true (2150) and it's en route to my house via fedex as we speak.

here's a reason why I'm not kicking myself. I'm a graphic artist who work specifically on adobe software and until cs3 comes out (2nd quarter of 2007), we'll never benefit from the intel chips. C2D might improve emulation a bit but would still be a bit quicker than native adobe running on 1.8ghz power pc's.

I currently work on a power mac dual xeon at my job and i run quark and all adobe programs and all that stuff and did not notice any significant difference from my old mac (1.8ghz g5) My AMD 64 laptop runs photoshop quicker than this machine!

Once more universal binary programs come out for intel duo cores, I'm sure the change would be dramatic.

nice meetin you all,

 

[Thomas2006]

Slightly off-topic: does anyone have an opinion on getting software (in this case logic express) preinstalled? Is there any benefit or would it be better to just buy the app seperately?

I would purchase the app separately. When I bought my iBook it came with Panther and some other free applications, but there is no easy way to install just the ones I want without using Pacifist. Even if the app is on its own disk it might still be "tied" to the installation disk or even the Mac model it is pre-installed on like the pre-installed OS is, whereas a "stand-alone" copy can be installed on any Mac that supports it.

 

[jan08]

You mean from all those mysterious newbie accounts that we'll never see again?

No - we'll stop here asking mind numbingly obvious questions about stuff when our shiny new MBPs arrive

 

[mac4evan]

Glossy...

"I just hope i don't regret getting the Glossy screen."

You will regret getting Glossy. I work in the Columbia, MD Apple Store and can tell you that the glare is really really REALLY bad.

 

[Rocketman]

No where on the sites does it mention 64-bit capabilities, unless i'm missing it. Can 64-bit be safely assumed?

Yes. The CHIP and motherboard is 64 bit. The software is partially 64 bit and X.5 will be 64 bit. The applications you buy MAY be 64 bit. You can run either 32 or 64 bit applications seamlessly.

The practical benefit NOW is more than 2GB of memory capacity. IF you install 3GB you get 3GB. If you install 4 GB you only get 3.4GB due to memory controller limits, which will change with "Santa Rosa" in 6-07 ish.

Rocketman

 

[DTphonehome]

hey guys, new here. Just purchased a 17" MBP off ebay for a really good price on saturday. Thought the price was too good to be true (2150) and it's en route to my house via fedex as we speak.

here's a reason why I'm not kicking myself. I'm a graphic artist who work specifically on adobe software and until cs3 comes out (2nd quarter of 2007), we'll never benefit from the intel chips. C2D might improve emulation a bit but would still be a bit quicker than native adobe running on 1.8ghz power pc's.

I currently work on a power mac dual xeon at my job and i run quark and all adobe programs and all that stuff and did not notice any significant difference from my old mac (1.8ghz g5) My AMD 64 laptop runs photoshop quicker than this machine!

Once more universal binary programs come out for intel duo cores, I'm sure the change would be dramatic.

nice meetin you all,

If you got it from a reputable seller, you might be able to refuse delivery and get a refund.

 

[Wolfpup]

Regarding the extra video RAM on the higher end models, IMO it's not remotly worth the price. The Radeon x1600 is a low end part, and slapping an extra 128MB on there dosen't magically improve it's performance. You're much more limited by the GPU's lack of power than a lack of video RAM.

It would be great to see a Radeon x1300/1400/1600 in the Macbooks, and a Geforce 7600GT or 7900GS in the Pros, but oh well.

So anyway, I wouldn't worry about that-just save money and go for the cheaper model IMO.

 

[Squonk]

Why would you not want current processor technology in a $1,100 laptop? Just because it's not "Pro" doesn't mean it needs to be outdated. That might have flown in the PPC era, but you're not going to get people to switch with old Intel chips.

What's "old" or not "current" about the Core Duo? It's still manufactured by Intel, and it's much cheaper for OEMs than the C2D. Makes perfect sense to have it in the MB.

And I say that a CoreDuo should be just fine in a MB AND pass this less expensive CPU cost on to the customers by dropping the MB price. I guess, make a BTO option for a C2D if someone wants it. Or make the BlackBook C2D to make the upsale price more than just a hard drive and black color.

 

[Kingsly]

Apple owes me a new MBP w/ $200 worth of HDD bumps (200GB) but I'm not sure I feel comfortable in a 4,200 RPM drive. Unfortunately, I cant afford the $300 difference to upgrade to the 2.33 version PLUS a 160GB HDD (if they would even let me).

Woe to me.
What shall I do?