Apple Releases Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro

[Sterculus]

Just ordered myself a new laptop!

MacBook Pro, 15-inch, 2.16GHz
Part Number: Z0DP
Accessory Kit
Backlit Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English
SuperDrive 6x (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
MacBook Pro 15-inch Glossy Widescreen Display
120GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Accessory Kit
1GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 1x1GB
Estimated ship: 2-4 business days

I'm hoping for the lower end of the estimated ship time

I'm so excited

 

[psycoswimmer]

If you are near a or some Apple retail store then may want to think about looking for a demo unit or refresh unit that meets your needs and pricepoint.

Well I'll need x-mas money (I'm still only in high school and without a job) and then birthday money to buy the iMac. So I'll probably buy after MacWorld in January. I'll scream if Leopard comes out less than a month from them, but Leopard might not be out until late spring, and I can't stand my computer anymore. Yesterday I was e-mailing someone and my computer froze for half and hour. crtl-alt-delete didn't work, as that froze too , and I couldn't push the button/pull the plug as I was in the middle of e-mailing a picture.

 

[digitalbiker]

wait is the 15in now have dual layer support also? If so where can we get the d/l and put it in our mbp?

Yes. This was actually a very good update. More ram, 64 bit support, FW 800, Faster, Cooler, Merom CPU, DL 6x DVD burner.

 

[dahelix]

Depending on who you talk to you will probably get different answers. It all comes down to how many and what options you add to it.

What you may want to do it call your nearest Apple Retail Store and ask them to put one on hold for you. (Granted you want a stock model)

What odd is that sometimes the retail versions of the Macs are just slightly different from their online counterparts.

??? what do u mean? how are the retail versions different than the online versions?

 

[dkoralek]

While that is a benefit, the original poster is correct. Time Machine requires an external or second drive.

It isn't all that revolutionary. If you read the fine print, it basically does an initial full backup of your system, then each day, at midnight or (some designated time), it auotmatically makes differential backups of files that you have changed that day but you must be connected to a second or external drive. Later when you activate Time Machine you can use the unique interface to either restore the whole system or individuals files to any point in time for which you have time machine archives.

So yes, your do need another physical drive besides the main system drive.

Umm, I never said that it didn't require a second physical drive. But that time machine's main purpose wasn't simply to act as a backup for your hard drive in case of a disk failure. It is much more than that, and that its true value is the interface so that you can seamlessly recover individual files at any given time point. You have done nothing to contradict that.

Cheers.

 

[davetan9]

I'd like to have 3GB ram in mine so would I be able to go to my local apple store and buy one or do they only stock the normal MBP's without any upgrades?

 

[mac4evan]

Good info, thanks! I just don't want them to sell out of it altogether. The deal for the MBP and also the 99 dollar nano are both very tempting and I may pull the trigger on them sometime next week. Seems like they are better deals than at the store. I can't add a student discount on that can I? How about for applecare? Thanks again!

Student discount on the demo units or refresh items??? Well, I am not COMPLETELY positive but if I were a betting man I'd say no, Apple isn't that generous to say the least. AppleCare... I'd be shocked if you couldn't.

I don't have that much experience dealing with the "Hidden Table Items" as I call them.

What 99 dollar nano???

 

[adiosk8]

what is everyones ship times? I ordered mine at 10 am this morning and my estimated arrival date is nov 2. anyone else's sooner then that?

 

[CanadianGrit]

It is correct that Santa Rosa is a Centrino upgrade. Napa was, as well. However, Centrino isn't a processor, it is a _platform_ which includes a processor, chipset, wifi, and onboard graphics. It is not designed for high end laptops, but meant for a lower cost all in one platform, which is why the higher speed and better performing processors of a particular type (say the core 2 duo) aren't usually included in a centrino labeled machine (Apple hasn't gone this route yet, and it isn't clear that they will; if they do, it would only be in the macbook and not the macbook pro). Now, Crestline, which is the mobile 965 chipset (and the chipset that is part of the santa rosa platform) for use with merom core 2 duos, will likely be included in future upgrades to the macbook pro and macbook lines. They will also support the new socket for future merom chips. So, you are correct that santa rosa is the successor to the centrino line (which is currently labeled centrino duo for the core processors) and will be called "centrino pro" when it is out. But this is completely independent of being able to use a merom core 2 duo processor or not.

Cheers.

Then back to my original point. We will not see Santa Rosa in the macbook pro. The Macbook might see it, seeing that Apple has chosen integrated graphics this is not an impossible senario.

Personally I was hoping Centrino was used in the macbook (sadly it was not) because Centrino means longer battery life (it’s 3:30+ on a pc, so will be much higher on a mac) and less heat. For power and gaming I would simply take out my iMac or my pcs.

The way I see it is this, the Macbook Pro is designed to be a desktop replacement, while the Macbook is designed to be a portable machine. So the Pro should get a powerful processor while the macbook should get a portable processor. a

 

[dahelix]

I'd like to have 3GB ram in mine so would I be able to go to my local apple store and buy one or do they only stock the normal MBP's without any upgrades?

what do you need 3gb of ram for...isn't 2 enough?

 

[CanadianGrit]

It is correct that Santa Rosa is a Centrino upgrade. Napa was, as well. However, Centrino isn't a processor, it is a _platform_ which includes a processor, chipset, wifi, and onboard graphics. It is not designed for high end laptops, but meant for a lower cost all in one platform, which is why the higher speed and better performing processors of a particular type (say the core 2 duo) aren't usually included in a centrino labeled machine (Apple hasn't gone this route yet, and it isn't clear that they will; if they do, it would only be in the macbook and not the macbook pro). Now, Crestline, which is the mobile 965 chipset (and the chipset that is part of the santa rosa platform) for use with merom core 2 duos, will likely be included in future upgrades to the macbook pro and macbook lines. They will also support the new socket for future merom chips. So, you are correct that santa rosa is the successor to the centrino line (which is currently labeled centrino duo for the core processors) and will be called "centrino pro" when it is out. But this is completely independent of being able to use a merom core 2 duo processor or not.

Cheers.

Then back to my original point. We will not see Santa Rosa in the macbook pro. The Macbook might see it, seeing that Apple has chosen integrated graphics this is not an impossible senario.

Personally I was hoping Centrino was used in the macbook (sadly it was not) because Centrino means longer battery life (it’s 3:30+ on a pc, so will be much higher on a mac) and less heat. For power and gaming I would simply take out my iMac or my pcs.

The way I see it is this, the Macbook Pro is designed to be a desktop replacement, while the Macbook is designed to be a portable machine. So the Pro should get a powerful processor while the macbook should get a portable processor. Apple might agree with me, that might be the reason we have not seen a Core 2 Duo Macbook. But it could be in line with their philosophy, first an upgrade to the Pro then the upgrade for everyone else. We will just have to wait and see.

 

[ChickenSwartz]

Core 2 Duo....Try 2 for Me-o

Well, I gave up last Saturday and bought a MBP. Got it home, really liked it, my first Mac. Day 2 I woke up and saw some pretty gross looking lines on my screen, got worried, had breakfast and they were gone. Couple days later the lines were back, they went away. Yesterday I noticed that when I told the MBP to Sleep the screen would not turn off completely and you could still see what was on the screen although no changes, no mouse movements, etc. Well, today I decided to see a "Genius," I'll admit somewhat motivated by today's announcement. Turns out this "Genius" was very helpful. Only a small remnant of the lines to speak of, as the "Genius" said, "well, everything works here." But he could see how the screen wouldn't turn off correctly. He said he had never seen anything like it, anyway he labeled it DOA and I got a full refund. Ordered the C2D when I got home.

This is my first experience with the Genius Bar, I was impressed, and more or less happy given the circumstances.

We will see how MBP #2 works out in no more than 9 business days.

 

[dkoralek]

I hope they made this feature standard across the board in this rev......well across the 256 cards in general.

I doubt that. I don't believe the space constraints inside the 15" MBP allow for enough ventilation (the things are, from reports, hot enough as it is), but the 17" MBP did, hence the reason that the 17" can throttle the GPU and the 15" can not.

cheers.

 

[donlphi]

I belive I overheard one of the genius at my store saying to a customer that the MBPs (merom of course) were meant to run at temperatures up to 130 degrees Fahrenheit!!!!

With apple's design standards, heat may always be an issue for some people. In some ways it always has been.

...this is why we no longer call them "LAP TOPS"...

Need to grab my oven mits...

 

[bloodycape]

Yes.

Not to mean or anything but look at the tech specs page on their website. That will give you all the gory details about it.

well I saw it there but it is always good to double check.


Anyone know where I can purchase a the new mbp dual layer drive? And is the 17in dual layer drive the same or has that been updated to be faster?

Now if there was only a way to get fw800 on my C.D MBP.

 

[mac4evan]

I'd like to have 3GB ram in mine so would I be able to go to my local apple store and buy one or do they only stock the normal MBP's without any upgrades?

We only stock the stock config models because otherwise we would have our entire storage area with only MBPs and their various configurations.

You understand right?

I am not sure about when we will have the new MBPs but obviously the ram is the same so that should be there. HDD is a different story... we do have some hard drive upgrades in house that our Geniuses can intall for you (not to sell) but I don't know when we will get these new ones in either. Definitely longer time to wait for the better HDDs than the new MBPs themselves.

 

[ironjaw]

ordered! 3-7 working days. would be great to get it by the end of the week

i got the middle line for £1444 with student discount

Do you know what they ask for at HE online store. I've just finished university in June in the UK and have still access to my login so wondering if i could get a deal via the HE Store. The only problem is I've got last academic year's card?

Do the HE store ask for any id?

 

[saik]

7200RPM drives, nowhere to be found

I completely understand everyones frustration with this move because since I do lot's of FCP video stuff as a hobby, I of course have a 7200rpm drive (both internal & external) and could not live without it. I am dredding people coming in over the next few weeks bitching to me as to why Apple does not give that option. Although at least when you go to buy in the store you get whats on that card for the most part. I think they did it because of cost-saving measures. Less options then the cheaper the product (somewhat )

If people ask I'll just tell them Apple did market research as they do with all their products and found that to be the best solution blah blah blah (which may be true) - Case in point: MacBook = Only Glossy

Again, I still understand the frustration though because many people feel the 17inch is too big (although not me )

Could the decision not have been due to heat issues? I understand that the 7200RPM drives get significantly hotter than their 5400RPM counterparts.

Most of the upgrade was pretty much predictable, but the hard drive "upgrade" really threw me. Awesome, Apple released a 200GB drive that's slower than my 3 year old Toshiba drive!
__________________
Asus Z63a 2.0GHz, 1GB RAM, 80GB (desperately needs an upgrade)
http://dotrandom.com/2006-10-24/new-macbook-pros-finally/

 

[wildmac]

Then back to my original point. We will not see Santa Rosa in the macbook pro. The Macbook might see it, seeing that Apple has chosen integrated graphics this is not an impossible senario.

Personally I was hoping Centrino was used in the macbook (sadly it was not) because Centrino means longer battery life (it’s 3:30+ on a pc, so will be much higher on a mac) and less heat. For power and gaming I would simply take out my iMac or my pcs.

The way I see it is this, the Macbook Pro is designed to be a desktop replacement, while the Macbook is designed to be a portable machine. So the Pro should get a powerful processor while the macbook should get a portable processor. Apple might agree with me, that might be the reason we have not seen a Core 2 Duo Macbook. But it could be in line with their philosophy, first an upgrade to the Pro then the upgrade for everyone else. We will just have to wait and see.

And to all those Saint Santa Rosa worshippers... Would you rather have a RevB system NOW with hopefully all the bugs worked out, or a brand-new chipset with a pot of new bugs in 6 MONTHS?... If you can wait 6 months, you probably don't need a new computer anyway...

 

[jholzner]

For those saying the Glossy screen is standard on the 17" on the online configerur, they must have fixed it because the default now is the regular matte screen.

BTW: I Just say this graph on Gizmodo.

As far as the graph goes...how many of those companies were actually shipping those in any large quantity? I just read yesterday that most if not all c2d portables were showing ship times of early November. Apple went with the higher mhz c2d and some manufactureres went with lower numbers and shipped a few earlier. They pretty much announced them and that was about it.

 

[Squonk]

...this is why we no longer call them "LAP TOPS"...

Need to grab my oven mits...

And asbestos underwear...

 

[sixth]

I ordered mine this morning as soon as the site came up...

ship date - oct 30
arrival date- nov 6

i did regular shipping, but i did regualr shipping on my ipod and that came from japan and i got it in two days, so i dunno, i am hoping that i get it in two and not that long...dont want to upgrade shipping, heck i just paid 135 bux of taxes..for the darn thing..

 

[mac4evan]

??? what do u mean? how are the retail versions different than the online versions?

Well just slightly... really just little things.

In the back we have a sheet that says what model has this serial # so we can find the computers faster and there are always a couple more than online.

Really it's just that they add this or that in it (glossy or matte) (wireless keyboard Mouse or not)

You can really forget my statement altogether!

 

[dkoralek]

Then back to my original point. We will not see Santa Rosa in the macbook pro. The Macbook might see it, seeing that Apple has chosen integrated graphics this is not an impossible senario.

Personally I was hoping Centrino was used in the macbook (sadly it was not) because Centrino means longer battery life (it’s 3:30+ on a pc, so will be much higher on a mac) and less heat. For power and gaming I would simply take out my iMac or my pcs.

The way I see it is this, the Macbook Pro is designed to be a desktop replacement, while the Macbook is designed to be a portable machine. So the Pro should get a powerful processor while the macbook should get a portable processor. Apple might agree with me, that might be the reason we have not seen a Core 2 Duo Macbook. But it could be in line with their philosophy, first an upgrade to the Pro then the upgrade for everyone else. We will just have to wait and see.

The MB, as it stands now, uses most of the centrino platform. I doubt that they would be able to squeeze much more battery life out of it, other than using a slower processor. I think you are confusing the core 2 duo line a bit. All Merom processors are designed for portable use. They are essentially the core2 duo mobile processor. Conroe is the mainstream desktop version (others will follow). The difference is what rated merom Apple desides to use (right now they use all the high end ones). My guess is that a MB refresh will use similar speed Merom's to the core duos currently used (which should increase battery performance and keep it cooler). Apple hasn't shown much interest in labeling the current MB centrino, so i'm not sure that they ever will (and they didn't go with Viiv for the mini, although DRM issues probably helped decide that one). So, I agree, slower processors in the new MBs when they are announced, but if I were betting man, I would say they won't call them centrino duo now or centrino pro when the santa rosa platform is available.


Cheers.

 

[Squonk]

Well yes, but the original poster was acting like running TM on current notebooks wouldn't even be possible.

Right-O!

The long and winding thread...