Apple Releases New MacBook Pros with Santa Rosa

[jdechko]

Video RAM really has no line - it's a bit of a paper scam. The perfomance that you may be attributing to more video ram is actually a function of higher bandwidth. Bottom line, there are very few theoretical applications on a mid-range card (which this most definitely is) that will benefit from the additional video memory - those that actually need it know who they are...

.

My x850XT (256MB) chokes when I have a lot of textures and complex trees, etc. Sure more/faster memory bandwidth would help. And the GPU RAM isn't the only thing that makes a GFX card faster. The intended use has a lot to do with how "good" the card is, too. There are also a lot more people complaining about the GMA950 in the MacBooks, too, but the intended usage of the 950 isn't heavy 3D apps.

I don't think Eidorian is saying that it's a bad card, but a 256MB base 15" with a 512MB high 15"/17" would be even better, especially for 3D/dual monitors (come on, each one could potentially take up half the Memory)--Games, sure I think you're right that more bandwidth/faster memory would make more of a difference than more memory - but with DX10 coming, who knows how big the texture files will be - UT3, here I come .

 

[martinmartin]

Just ordered one

MacBook Pro, 15-inch, 2.4GHz
Part Number: Z0EC
Accessory Kit
2GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 2x1GB
SuperDrive 8x (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
160GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm
MacBook Pro 15-inch Glossy Widescreen Display
Backlit Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English
2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Estimated ship: 4-6 weeks
Delivered within 5 business days after shipping

Will have to wait a while due to the faster hard drive. For everyone's reference, I called my local store - they have the new 15in MBP but NOT with the faster hard drive. If you want the 7200 drive on the 15in, you have to order online.

 

[Jimmdean]

Um, isn't everything drawn on screen put in Video Ram?

Yes, but the regular functions take up quite a bit less than you would imagine. If they didn't, everything would have a framerate just like a game...

 

[PDE]

I realize it's just a change to the internals, but apple should be making a bigger deal about the display.

Their site mentions the LED display very little. It makes me question whether or not i'm even getting the new display or getting the old one.

For example, when you chose the glossy display, the price reduces to 1898. Is that because the glossy display is not an LED display?

I'm sure it is still an LED display, but the lack of them drawing attention to the phrase "LED" is troubling.

The only way i knew for sure the glossy was still LED is because someone else said selecting the modem option also reduces the price.

I think they're not drawing attention to it because the highe end 17" doesn't have it. they can't say that the LED display is so much better than the old technology and then charge more for the old technology in the 17".

 

[hvfsl]

Are most of you guys ordering Glossy or the standard one? Im torn btween which one.

Standard for me. While glossy does look nicer IMO, I really don't like the reflection problems.

 

[Eidorian]

I don't think Eidorian is saying that it's a bad card, but a 256MB base 15" with a 512MB high 15"/17" would be even better, especially for 3D/dual monitors (come on, each one could potentially take up half the Memory)--Games, sure I think you're right that more bandwidth/faster memory would make more of a difference than more memory - but with DX10 coming, who knows how big the texture files will be - UT3, here I come .

The 8600M GT is GREAT for the mobile platform. You're just getting short changed with 128 MB in a 256/512 MB world.

The bottleneck is the video RAM on this chip and it's $500 more to resolve it.

 

[superleccy]

1. FCS
2. Dual monitors
3. Gaming

128 MB is just making it past entry level.

Eidorian. When you say 256Mb is for dual monitors - do you mean dual monitors in addition to the laptop's own display? (ie, three monitors - if this is even possible).

Am torn between a 15" and one external 20" cinema display, or just a 17". If I go for the 15", will I need the 256Mb. I don't do gaming but will probably dabble with adobe CS3 and final cut / logic over the machine's lifetime (although only on a semi-pro basis at most).

Cheers
SL

 

[Clive At Five]

MacBook Pro

We can go into detail on the GMA950 as well. That's for another thread I've beaten to a pulp though.

Will it run StarCraft 2?

-Clive

 

[DaveTheGrey]

This is everything we could ask for...

santa rosa chipset (perhaps robson will be enabled with 10.4.10 or 10.5)
-> perhaps bootcamp with vista will give us a hint like it does with 802.11n
really great direct X10 gpu with h264 chip built in
2GB of ram standard (this is what i call pro)
LED screens for the 15" (we hoped for but we doubt it)
17" with true hd resolution option (surprised us all)
good hd bto options
and last but not least, it's even cheaper

well done apple, great update. now everyone knows why the macbook is so much cheaper. u get what you pay for.

 

[coolpal]

So people have been to their apple stores and gotten their new MPB right?? I came to work an hour early this morning so I could take a long lunch and go get my laptop (and therefore have somethign to play with when I'm off work at 5).

Also, does anyone know - if I go into the store this morning can I get an upgraded harddrive on my machine? Or do they only sell the base models in stores?

Last time I checked, they only sell standard configs at the store.. if you need to customize then U'll have to place the order online (or phone, or do the same from the store..), U can't walk away with a customized mac from store...

Surprisingly, being a 6 month old MBP owner doesn't sting that much today

pal

 

[CrackedButter]

Okay, yes, but it's just numbers fooling with you. The aspect ratio plays an important role in the area of screen. If the 13.3" MB had a 4:3 screen (like the 12"), it would have almost 23% more screen area than the 12". The 13.3" screen has a 16:10 aspect ratio, and thus only has 15% more screen area. Likewise, the remaining components that are size-scaleable are the case and the logic board (one is aluminum and the other is modified cardboard or fiberglass). Period. All other components will have the same weight no matter if it's 12" or 15" or 17" or 20".

Besides, components have gotten lighter since the days of the 12" PB. The new MBPs are 0.2 pounds lighter than previous MBPs. Let's take the current MBs as an example then. If you first replace the components with those from the MBP, theoretically, you would drop the same 0.2 lbs. That would bring the weight from 5.1 lbs to 4.9 lbs. Then replace that thick plastic shell with aluminum and you'll drop even more - perhaps another 0.2 lbs. That leaves us at 4.7 lbs. How heavy was the 12" PB? 4.6 lbs.

I firmly believe that if Apple were to make a 13.3" MBP, it will be within 5% of the weight of the 12" PB (4.8 lbs or less).

Don't let numbers fool with your head.

-Clive

Actually I was more interested in the physical dimensions of the product, not the aspect ratios. I still prefer the 12" to 13". With regard to letting numbers fool with my head I'll ignore yours because...

... Apple already make a 13" laptop (regardless of its Pro status and because a pro version doesn't exist) and its weight .2 kilos (.4 pounds) MORE than the 12" PB. Also please take into account that the screen for any laptop is the heaviest component. Why do you think the new MBP's are lighter? They improved the screen technology.

So my desire for a 12" screen on a MBP is warranted because of its real world attributes it would be a smaller and lighter machine for being a 12" laptop, which is what I wanted from the beginning.

I've also tested the MB and the difference in weight is while slight, enough to put me off. Talking up the plus points of my 12" laptop has encouraged me to get its screen fixed instead of buying or waiting for a new laptop.

Anybody else want to try and justify a 13" laptop to me?

 

[jdechko]

The 8600M GT is GREAT for the mobile platform. You're just getting short changed with 128 MB in a 256/512 MB world.

The bottleneck is the video RAM on this chip and it's $500 more to resolve it.

Yeah, we're saying the same thing.

 

[solice]

Just ordered one through Apple Developer Connection...

15 MBP w/ 4GB RAM, 160GB 5400 RPM...

Can't be bother with 7200 RPM... I will have to wait 3-4 weeks!!! Damn it...

 

[alwaysaangel]

Last time I checked, they only sell standard configs at the store.. if you need to customize then U'll have to place the order online (or phone, or do the same from the store..), U can't walk away with a customized mac from store...

Surprisingly, being a 6 month old MBP owner doesn't sting that much today

pal

Thanks so much!! Thats kind of what I suspected! Guess I'll just go with the standard 120GB and save some money.

 

[Eidorian]

Eidorian. When you say 256Mb is for dual monitors - do you mean dual monitors in addition to the laptop's own display? (ie, three monitors - if this is even possible).

Am torn between a 15" and one external 20" cinema display, or just a 17". If I go for the 15", will I need the 256Mb. I don't do gaming but will probably dabble with adobe CS3 and final cut / logic over the machine's lifetime (although only on a semi-pro basis at most).

Cheers
SL

On-board + external = dual monitors on a lappy

Will it run StarCraft 2?

-Clive

Sure, Blizzard is great with supporting hardware. I just hit a wall with 128 MB on my X1600 playing some games.

Yeah, we're saying the same thing.

Good! I want my BTO option!

 

[zioxide]

WOOT. I was just reading about the back to school promotion.

As required by Connecticut and Rhode Island laws, Apple will provide an instant rebate of $199 (at time of purchase) to residents of Connecticut and Rhode Island who are Apple Education Individuals making qualified purchases under the terms of Apple’s Major in Mac Promotion www.apple.com/promo.

Residents of Connecticut and Rhode Island, and not residents of other states, can receive an instant rebate of $199 in the Major in Mac promotion by either (1) visiting retail Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Campus Stores in Connecticut and Rhode Island or (2) calling 1-800-MY-APPLE to place an order.

Please do not proceed with the online order if you wish to receive the instant rebate.

That means if I go to the Providence Place Apple Store instead of ordering online, I won't have to deal with sending the rebate **** in, it will be instant.

Hmm, but I won't be able to get the iPod laser engraved. :/

 

[Jimmdean]

.

My x850XT (256MB) chokes when I have a lot of textures and complex trees, etc. Sure more/faster memory bandwidth would help. And the GPU RAM isn't the only thing that makes a GFX card faster. The intended use has a lot to do with how "good" the card is, too. There are also a lot more people complaining about the GMA950 in the MacBooks, too, but the intended usage of the 950 isn't heavy 3D apps.

I don't think Eidorian is saying that it's a bad card, but a 256MB base 15" with a 512MB high 15"/17" would be even better, especially for 3D/dual monitors (come on, each one could potentially take up half the Memory)--Games, sure I think you're right that more bandwidth/faster memory would make more of a difference than more memory - but with DX10 coming, who knows how big the texture files will be - UT3, here I come .

Getting all in-depth about the Video RAM sidesteps the reality that this is in-fact a pretty weak card in general. A good step up in speed and capabilites from the x1600 yes, but it could look pretty anemic rather soon (if not already). Now, if bought for its intended purpose as a pro laptop, that won't be a problem. But this is in no fashion a high-end card, no matter how much RAM you put on it... I'm not really a laptop person, but I would want this machine to play something like Starcraft 2 well (non-fps), and I expect it will with either 128 or 256 of ram.

 

[orphanjones]

Does anyone know what kind of proof they ask for when you use the Education Discount in store? I want to use it, but I just lost my ID card...

 

[Clive At Five]

Why do you think the new MBP's are lighter? They improved the screen technology.

Why, then, wouldn't a 13.3" MBP screen be lighter than the MB's if they used the same newer technology?

-Clive

 

[Willis]

no iPod promotion yet with Apple UK

 

[zioxide]

Does anyone know what kind of proof they ask for when you use the Education Discount in store? I want to use it, but I just lost my ID card...

I think you can just go and show them you can log in to your college email address.

 

[72930]

Why, then, wouldn't a 13.3" MBP screen be lighter than the MB's if they used the same newer technology?

-Clive

They don't use LED backlighting...
Also, does the wireless enabler still need to be bought for 802.11n?

 

[CaptainCaveMann]

This is everything we could ask for...

santa rosa chipset (perhaps robson will be enabled with 10.4.10 or 10.5)
-> perhaps bootcamp with vista will give us a hint like it does with 802.11n
really great direct X10 gpu with h264 chip built in
2GB of ram standard (this is what i call pro)
LED screens for the 15" (we hoped for but we doubt it)
17" with true hd resolution option (surprised us all)
good hd bto options
and last but not least, it's even cheaper

well done apple, great update. now everyone knows why the macbook is so much cheaper. u get what you pay for.

Why do people keep doubting that the 15 inch has the LED display. It says clearly on Apples site that they do!

 

[johnee]

to the people that have the LED backlit displays :
well...., we're waiting...!​

 

[CrackedButter]

Why, then, wouldn't a 13.3" MBP screen be lighter than the MB's if they used the same newer technology?

-Clive

Because the weight saved from these updates come from a 15" screen which as stated is .2lbs, the weight saved from the 13" would have to exceed .4lbs to get my interest.

So if we have a 12" with LED technology that would be even better.