Apple Releases Penryn-Based MacBook Pros with Multitouch

[HelixOmnimedia]

Well, I'm talking more about spec wise. always update the specs every few months in seems. It sucks buying something that expensive only to know that theres a better version for the same price.

Yeah I'm having the same thought as you.

I've saved up months for a MacBook Pro, and when none came at WWDC I was gutted... and now that the update has been announced today... I can't help feel that I should wait.

Last time I had this feeling was when I just bought my PowerBook G4 and 4 months down the line Apple release the MacBook Pros.

I really don't know what to do

 

[Mr Maui]

Well, I'm talking more about spec wise. always update the specs every few months in seems. It sucks buying something that expensive only to know that theres a better version for the same price.

Understood, but there will ALWAYS be a better, faster version for the same price at some point in the near future. Buy what's available now and enjoy it!!

 

[milo]

Too bad Apple dropped the ball on the HDDs with this one.... what where they thinking with a 300GB 4300 rpm drive....

Do faster 300GB laptop drives even exist?

 

[jasper v]

this is such a small update this is rubbish. its way overpriced now. a Penry 2.5 is as cheap as the older CPU. and the 8600GT is Low end videocard which you can buy for under 120euro the rest of the parts are not much more worth than 1800euro togheter whit a 1080 High res screen and a 200GB 7200RPM... Sorry iam skip this one.

 

[Eidorian]

Do faster 300GB laptop drives even exist?

Well if I can buy this off of NewEgg then I hope Apple can get them.

 

[Mr Maui]

With a student discount, its hardly a deal. Just $100 more and u could get the latest and greatest version.

Not everyone is a student though.

 

[ipo]

******!

Ouch. Have they always charged you for the Apple remote? Because they do now. $19.

ain't fair !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let whine-fest begin.
Glad to see penryn make its debut in the Apple line....however it doesn't look like they made the trackpad bigger, which surprises me really.

which penryns ,dude .. the stupid 3MB cache -model .. WTF , that's actually DOWNgrading !?!?

Great update some say.. great !?!?
There is not much of an upgrade in it , if you ask me .. and this is not whining .. this is anger
There is no magnetic latch ... no .. nothing changed at all .. the same old graphics , the same old hooks , the same old full size dvi .. , the same old resolution .. LESS CACHE WHAAAAAT IS THAT !??! and .. well you don't need to look any more for answers why they compare the new specs to the CORE DUO model .. why don't they compare them to the core 2 duo SR model ??
multitouch trackpad is about the only thing there...

 

[winty03]

Is it better to just to buy the RAM and install it yourself or have Apple do it? Does it affect your warranty or anything like that if you use approved RAM.

If that is the case where is the bets place to get it, what brand?

What I have heard or seen is alot of guys going with Crucial memory and using their memory selector. They have the 4gb memory kit for $110. http://www.crucial.com And no its not going to void your warrenty because memory modules are classified as user replaceable.

 

[Mr Maui]

So is the 2.6GHz also a Penryn? It doesn't say anything about the 6MB cache after it on specs.....is it only the 2.5?

Thanks

Do you believe Apple would put the old 2.6 processor in there and charge you for a BTO upgrade? Of course it is Penryn.

 

[OS X Dude]

So let's look @ what we got here:

up to 2.6GHz processor - nice, but not really a vast improvement over the old 2.4 - no new FSB speeds? I dunno lol

up to 4GB RAM - same as before

- Multi-touch - New

- 8600MGT card - same but with double video memory

- LED screen - same as before

- I think the previous MBP only had 4MB L2 cache, like the MB. Could be wrong there. New one has 6MB

so really, while more is given (cheaper than before) as standard, for those who specced up previous generation machines, there's not a REAL amount of difference, besides multi-touch.

Nice updates, but I think it's nothing to really shout about - just bringing the MBP up to speed.

 

[sighlent]

If Dell can offer a 1680x1050 15.4" screen option, so should Apple. That is one of the larger gripes about all of this with Apple.

 

[3goldens]

Thanks so far for the answers I am greatfull for the advice, I will go for the 7200HD and get the RAM elsewhere.

Now I winder when other sites will be offering the units, I could save like 250 bucks in tax if I bought it through Amazon!

 

[Mr Maui]

So let's look @ what we got here:

up to 2.6GHz processor - nice, but not really a vast improvement over the old 2.4 - no new FSB speeds? I dunno lol

up to 4GB RAM - same as before

- Multi-touch - New

- 8600MGT card - same but with double video memory

- LED screen - same as before

- I think the previous MBP only had 4MB L2 cache, like the MB. Could be wrong there. New one has 6MB

so really, while more is given (cheaper than before) as standard, for those who specced up previous generation machines, there's not a REAL amount of difference, besides multi-touch.

Nice updates, but I think it's nothing to really shout about - just bringing the MBP up to speed.

Oh ... and BTW ... all of these "nothing-to-shout-about" nice updates at the same old price. Seems like a pretty good thing to most sensible people.

Thanks so far for the answers I am greatfull for the advice, I will go for the 7200HD and get the RAM elsewhere.

Now I winder when other sites will be offering the units, I could save like 250 bucks in tax if I bought it through Amazon!

They will all have them soon enough.

 

[digitalbiker]

Blah!

Somehow I can't get thrilled with this update. Frankly, it's like Apple is building a Frankenstein these days. They keep shoving updated parts into the same old exterior design.

It's OK for a speed bump but personally I think the Black MB is a much better buy. The black mb has a more modern and slicker design and really upstages the clunky old mbp. If only the black mb didn't have integrated graphics, had a multi-touch pad, and had an led backlit screen it would be perfect.

I guess I'm waiting for Montevina. I sure hope Apple get's off their @$$ and updates the design of the mbp. I can't believe people still like the design of that dinosaur. It is essentially the same over all design as the 2000 pb. Why doesn't Apple apply some of that innovative thinking to their flagship laptop.

 

[BlizzardBomb]

We're paying $500 for 256mb+ of vram?

Seems like you're paying a lot for a little here.

Going from 256 MB to 512 MB with a mid-range card like that is going to do hardly anything. The extra L2 cache might be noticeable, but it's not like the base model would be unbearably slow thanks to the smaller L2 cache. Smart money is with the base model and 17" here. Mid-range is just even more ridiculous than the previous model.

 

[Appler]

Mixed Feelings

I didn't whine when the wait was upon us. A little bit of patience never killed anyone. But now that the smoke is clear, and after reading some thoughts from the posters on this thread, I have some mixed feelings towards this upgrade. Clearly, the Macbooks got the lion's share today. Anyone in the market for one will be pleased no doubt. Now on to the Pro.
I own the first gen. MBP, and have been wanting to upgrade, especially after hearing that the performance on the CD2 is incrementally better. And I think this will be my buy very soon. BUT, I cannot feel but somewhat displeased at Apple's cockiness, now that it's become a shaker and mover company.

(1) Design: I love MBP's design. I for one, never want a keyboard change. The color is sexy. But that does not mean that an improvement is not imminent. Now that a product like the MBA has been released, thinness has become an issue no doubt. Why not make it a smich thinner? .80 instead of 1.0 perhaps? IT would make a huge difference in appeal. Anyone seen the picture on gizmodo yesterday (with the black keyboard)? And the plastic outlining, IT HAS TO GO. it makes a beautifully looking laptop less beautiful (i wont say ugly). If thinness is not an option, then why not increase the peripherals? One more USB port for those who don't like using a hub (I personally do). What about a HDMI port instead of the becoming-obsolete DVI?

(2) Performance: Now the 4BG RAM has pretty much become the standard in high-end computers. Why keep it as an option? Why not include them all in the purchase? At least in the $2500 version. But of course, more money. Well, anybody upgrading from the Apple store is definitely not right in the head. You can buy a single 2GB RAM from crucial for around 60 bucks. The price difference is huge. The vram in this upgrade is remarkable. At least it equals the competition's offerings. Hard drives? The MB and MBP are now almost identical in space. Why not offer a bigger hard drive? Now laptop hard drives can go up to 500GB. But im not really complaining about that. I for one have 5 external hard drives, and a laptop's internal memory will never suffice.

(3) Display? No attempt at higher resolution yet again. The folks at alienware are offering 1200 (not sure if it's p yet) for a small fee. Yes, i know the technology does not support it yet, but still...some higher resolution screen would have been nice.

(4) Blu ray: It's not just about viewing Blu ray movies, but having the option to burn Blu ray DVDs. And now that the so-called 'war' is over, there is no reason why Apple would hold this option back (except of course to hold it back to another upgrade so that consumers would buy ANOTHER MBP specifically for that option).

(5) The optional Apple remote: Thank God we can use our older remotes on any Apple device. Because this epitomizes Apple's lone quest for profiteering, which I am not holding against them. They're a company and a company's sole existence and purpose is profit for them and the shareholders. But for a high-end laptop to shed inclusions? That is unheard of, especially with a company that boasts mobility and practicality. Apple is becoming a shadow of itself, where it is neglecting the consumer's contentment at the expense of sheer profit. And this is only the beginning. As its profits soar, it's desire and efforts to understand the consumer and deliver products BASED on his/her needs will falter. We will see.

(6) Apple is increasingly relying heavily-and rightly so, but to an extent-on its winning card: The OS. As I look at every other competitor in the laptop industry, Apple does not come remotely close to its rival hardware offerings.
Of course, the OS will always be the deciding factor for us who have used it, and for those who are so pissed off with Windows and want an alternative. But to not consider the hardware it is presenting just because it owns the monopoly over the OS? Come on, yes save your maximum upgrades for later tweaks to the laptop, but do not do it so overtly, and expect us, the consumers to not notice it, and react with disappointments. We are talking about a high-end product here, the most powerful laptop this company can offer.

I will probably buy this upgrade, because I need a faster computer, and because I will never buy a windows-operable computer again. And instead of paying $300 for a new battery and Leopard, I will just go with this upgrade, which for me will definitely show a huge difference in performance, at least that is what i am hoping. I am just afraid of the future; that the consumer will continue to pay premium price for a downward spiraling product. But time will tell.

 

[eg2007]

Advice

I just bought the 2.4 ghz MBP 13 days ago. I have one day to decide if I should take it back and get the 2.5 $2499 upgraded one. Problem is, I have to pay the restocking fee -- $250.

Is it worth it?

 

[kojak]

hello and goodbye everyone!

hi

just feel like sharing with you guys.

I have been reading/checking this site since oct 07 .im a windows user, decided to go for a mac, when i realized I needed a portable. My wife has a macbook wich i totally love, and since i work with music production, I decided to go for a pro. but alas... there began a long and tiresome journey. First the Leopard, then the average-days-of-update thing in november, then Macworld, and then every single tuesday after that.

I must say that it has been quite fun, but emotionally stressful, to want something, have the cash, and seemingly never get it. And you guys on this forum hasnt made it much easier, haha. Tons of you guys have taken the word out of my mouth, when you describe your situation like: "ready to switch, have money, fed up with windows, and TOTALLY MANICALLY OBSESSED with this site/update.."

So I will use my first post here to say goodbye, since I now ordered the (mbp) 2.4, with 7200 rpm HD.

Im totally in love with my wifes macbook, so it annoys me some that the pro didnt get new keyboard and magnetic latch, but a very good spec update, and good reduction in price(in norway), weighed up for that!


so thanks alot to arn and macrumors, and all of you guys (think im gonna miss some of you), because im staying far away from this site for a long time!


Some weeks ago, when the mbp`s never seemed to appear, and my wife was almost worried about my obsession, i gave the Macbook Pro a new name, wich kind of sums up this crazy winter for me:

CRACKBOOK!



kojak

 

[robanga]

Very nice update. My MBP has been one of the best purchases in my long history of mobile computing.

 

[MarkW19]

Just a quick one - what L2 cache did the "old" entry-level 2.2 MBP have?

 

[Mr Maui]

Somehow I can't get thrilled with this update. Frankly, it's like Apple is building a Frankenstein these days. They keep shoving updated parts into the same old exterior design.

It's OK for a speed bump but personally I think the Black MB is a much better buy. The black mb has a more modern and slicker design and really upstages the clunky old mbp. If only the black mb didn't have integrated graphics, had a multi-touch pad, and had an led backlit screen it would be perfect.

I guess I'm waiting for Montevina. I sure hope Apple get's off their @$$ and updates the design of the mbp. I can't believe people still like the design of that dinosaur. It is essentially the same over all design as the 2000 pb. Why doesn't Apple apply some of that innovative thinking to their flagship laptop.

You don't keep redisigning the wheel when it works effectively.

 

[nikhsub1]

So is the 2.6GHz also a Penryn? It doesn't say anything about the 6MB cache after it on specs.....is it only the 2.5?

Thanks

All mobile CPU's are now .45nm which is Penryn. The 2.5 and 2.6 have 6MB L2 and the 2.4 has 3MB L2.

This update is exactly what I thought it would be, to a tee. For those that think the 3 USB is new, my 17" has 3 USB ports and this is last gen. I do believe that we will see a total chassis redesign late summer/early fall when Montevina is released to the various manufacturers. And for those of you that say Apple updates too often are living in a bubble. Apple doesn't set the schedule, INTEL does. When Intel releases new chips or chipsets, if the top companies don't utilize the new tech ASAP they will die. There is no rocket science here, just look at Intel's roadmap and you will see exactly when updates will happen... what JUST happened is considered the 'Santa Rosa Refresh'. 6-8 months from now we see a completely redesigned MBP.

2007-8 Intel Roadmap: http://download.intel.com/products/roadmap/roadmap.pdf

 

[billysea]

What is the main difference between the least powerful MacBook Pro and the 2.4Ghz MacBook? Does that mean they will can both run similar software that require such specs? such as 3D rendering program and games?
Thanks.

 

[PeterC-7]

FUC* that , ain't fair !!!!!!!!!!!!!



which penryns ,dude .. the stupid 3MB cache -model .. WTF , that's actually DOWNgrading !?!?
fuc* that trackpad size too!

Great update some say.. great !?!?
There is not much of an upgrade in it , if you ask me .. and this is not whining .. this is anger
There is no magnetic latch ... no .. nothing changed at all .. the same old graphics , the same old hooks , the same old full size dvi .. , the same old resolution .. LESS CACHE WHAAAAAT IS THAT !??! and .. well you don't need to look any more for answers why they compare the new specs to the CORE DUO model .. why don't they compare them to the core 2 duo SR model ??
multitouch trackpad is about the only thing there...

Penryn T8300: 2.4 Ghz/3 Mb L2 cache
Penryn T9300: 2.5 Ghz/6 Mb L2 cache
Penryn T9500: 2.6 Ghz/6 Mb L2 cache

The bigger boost over Merom comes from OSX 10.5.2 integration with Penryn's Floating-Point Vector engine. Remember Apple is a software company.

 

[bobbleheadbob]

I'll answer your question with three questions

1. Are you unhappy with the MBP you have with all those extra enhancements you bought?

2. If you answered yes to 1., are you so unhappy with it that $1000-ish extra dollars is worth it?

3. Are you going to be struggling with this same question 16 months from now?

If you are in a field of study that needs the MacBook, you should talk to BobbleHeadBob, who has like $1000 burning a hole in his pocket.

On the contrary, I'm very happy with my current MBP. I think it's one of the best purchases I ever made.

I'm intrigued by the bigger his res screen; I think it would be awesome for some of the video and photo editing that I do. I also got to play with the MBA's multi-touch at MWSF this year and liked that alot.

I'm really trying to get my arms around whether going from a 2.16 processor to a 2.6 ghz will make a big difference (for example, with video rendering time). Will I be able to process video footage that used to take 30 min in 5 min? 10 min? Or will it still be closer to 30? Also, would going from 128vram to 512 make a difference in programs like FCS2 and Aperture?

I wish I had the $1000 burning a hole in my pocket; I don't. But it is tax refund season....