Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple Releases Updated MacBook Pros With Core i5 and i7 Processors

Why there is no quad-core

If you check the specs on the processors, the i7-720M and i7-820M (the two quad-core mobile versions excluding the extreme line) do not support Intel HD Graphics. This, regardless of heat issues and battery life, would exclude them from the MBP as it would negate the automatic graphics switching feature.

http://www.intel.com/products/processor/corei7/mobile/specifications.htm

And upon further research, it appears the extreme edition (i7-920XM) does not support Intel HD Graphics either.

http://www.intel.com/products/processor/corei7ee/mobile/specifications.htm

So it looks like the blame is on Intel for now.
 
shervieux said:
Amen. Apple, like any other computer company builds mainstream computers they think the consumer wants that will run all or most of the software for the platform (OS) of the companies' choice. If you want a special machine, then go to TigerDirect, NewEgg, or some other place and buy the parts and buld the machine yourself. I used to build (and repair) custom machines for myself and others. It was overkill what people wanted in a machine for what they used them for. I got out of the business when people started getting rediulous in specs and I could not buy the parts locally anymore (CompUsa went out of business). Most part stores closed up shop, since we live in a throw-away society that wants off-the-shelf products for cheap.

#1 - you get what you pay for.
#2 - no company is going to do a total BTO, if they do - you will pay a fortune
#3 - even with BTO options, if you speak to a knowledgable tech - some will tell you what you want is overkill, or they just don't suggest it.

#4 - also we are seeing a shift in computing; more mobile, very few people are tied to a desk 24 X 7. the cloud is coming (which I am not 100% in agreement with - security issues for personal information); but with that in mind, the power will be placed on the webservers at a data center rather than a PC running a browser. And with these tablet computers (ipad for one) the apps are almost if not as powerful as desktop apps (in terms of features and user needs); but are much less CPU and memory hungry. PLus the size of the application (on your drive) is much smaller.

We do not need real powerful machines unless you are doing video editing, running a webserver, development, or runing a database (like filemaker, MS SQL Server, etc). What we really need is for software companies and developers to get their act together, optimize and de-bloat the codeset. I was looking at a Python script written by a co-worker. What he did in 3 lines of code, took me 7 lines on an older version of Python.

the programming languages are being optimized and the tools are out there, we just need the developers and the software companies to rework their software to run more efficiently.
Click to expand...

I am not sure where you observed this. If anything, there is more telecommute nowadays.
 
Small White Car said:
Yeah. I really find the Macbook updates to be gradual enough that a 4 or even 5 year timeframe for replacing one is just about right.
...With Macbooks it's just a little faster here a bit quicker there...nice, but nothing worth worrying over too much.
I bought a laptop last year about 3 months before the update. Once the new ones came I looked at them and said "well, that'd have been nice, but it's no big deal." Seriously, it really didn't matter to me.
Click to expand...

Good points.

The MacBook (and iMac and Mac Mini) updates have been generally nice but not monumental these last few years.

On the one hand, as a tech geek, I wish Apple would push more of the hot new technology into their Macs. And some of it does get in there.
On the other hand, it is sad (to me) that the PC notebook vendors do seem to be getting higher-end hardware out there.
On the other hand (third-hand?), since I don't do high-end photoshopping or video munging, the hardware seems quite capable (if pricey) for my own uses.

I bought a Mac Mini end of last year (Oct 2009 model) to replace my iMac G5 which gave up the ghost a while before that. It's quite a decent performer. And now that I upgraded it with a 7200rpm HD, it's definitely a good performer. All within my (sadly) smaller hardware budget ;)
 
I thought Apple is supposed to be leading innovation? Seems with the mac line they've basically just been blending in with everybody minus the trackpad and battery life. OSX still trumps anything tho.
 
Is it just me or did they raise the price of the first 15 inch MacBook Pro? I thought it used to be $1599 when they dropped the prices in June 2009. Correct me if I'm wrong. Plus I think they added a new $2,199.00 model.
 
Ed State said:
Not true. I use my 13" for CS4 (and soon CS5), Logic Pro / MainStage, and in a pinch Aperture ("pinch" only from the display not being the best).

And, there are tens, maybe hundreds like me out there !!! :eek:
Click to expand...

+1

I use mine for Aperture, Logic, and Photoshop.
 
Since some of you are blind and either think the 13" has an i5 or the 17" doesn't have an i7, look below:
Intel® Core™ i5-520M Processor (3M Cache, 2.40 GHz)
Intel® Core™ i7-620M Processor (4M Cache, 2.66 GHz)

bdmvti.png
 
firsttimemac said:
Exactly my point.
What no one seems to answer is how can apple expect to sell any top end mbp like this. Its just not gonna happen.
Ds that mean we will see another refresh soon?
Click to expand...

The value in the Mac models is usually (though not always) in their base to mid models within each product range.

A rule of thumb within the tech industry is that if the performance difference from one model to the next up is 10% or less, it will most likely be unnoticeable to the user.

So a MBP 15" increase of CPU from 2.4GHz to 2.53GHz is only 5.4% and will not likely be noticeable in day to day use, for example.

Thus, I think the high-end models are purchased by either folks whose usage demands the best-that-money-can-buy (within the Mac lineup) or who folks who just happen to have lots of cash to spend.

Given that Apple took near to a year to come out with what amounts to speed and spec bump increases, I would say not likely to get any other MacBook Pro model changes any time soon.
The MacRumor Buyer guide <https://buyersguide.macrumors.com//#MacBook_Pro> shows the average time frame to be 200 days.
 
jcque said:
Update of shi*** :(:(

I am still waiting to WWDC
Click to expand...

Unbelievable. They updated the MacBook Pro and people are whining and asking for another update in June?!!?!

How about the Mac Pro, which wasn't updated and now has not been refreshed for over 400 days? Some of you MacBook Pro fanboys need to get off your high horse.
 
I was looking to replace my unibody 15" MacBook Pro with a new 13" because I wanted something smaller and lighter and I thought, "Well it won't have better graphics but at least it will have a much better processor!"

I was hoping for i5. Well, clearly that wasn't the case.

My 15" MacBook Pro already has a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo, 4GB of memory, and dual graphics. It doesn't have an SD card reader, but I do have an express card slot.

Little incentive to upgrade now really.
 
dreven79 said:
Finally !!!!! :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

I'm happy , slight bump in battery life , updated processors ...

gonna get my 15" finally , feel for those who were waiting for the 13" though...

Aussie prices down $200 :D
Click to expand...


price down AUD 200 for the 15'' MBP , is this for real ??
 
mike200015 said:
Do you guys think there will be any updates on these MBPs at WWDC? I don't remember if Apple has ever updated the notebooks so soon after a previous update.
Click to expand...

Not likely.

Referencing the excellent MacRumor Buyer guide <https://buyersguide.macrumors.com//#MacBook_Pro> shows the average time frame to be 200 days between MacBook Pro updates. And 300 days for today's models.

So that would put an expected MBP model future update to be around the end of the year or early next.
 
had to pull the trigger.
15" i7 hiRes with a 7200 drive....talk about over priced, but I paid it anyway.
Piss Poor update at best IMO
 
chewietobbacca said:
That's funny, because we've seen studies out there that have put ASUS at higher reliability than even Apple

Anywho, the 13" is dissappointing, but the other updates were in line with expectations
Click to expand...

For what it's worth, a laptop can be reliable while still being subpar from a quality perspective (depending on your definition of quality). Asus generally has good reliability, in the sense that a laptop from them isn't as likely as some others to fail, have parts crap out, etc. But a lot of Asus laptops still have issues with things like subpar screens, flimsy keyboards, flexing case materials, etc.

-Zadillo
 
dsprimal said:
when is the "back to school discount"? and how much do u usually get back on the back to school discount? is it worth the wait?
Click to expand...

They usually run their Back-to-school program from June through early September.
And typically announce or advertise it in May.
And usually update the iPods that come as the bundled bonus, right after the end of the promo (and I mean sometimes within days of the end of the promo).

The value of the bundle depends on which model of iPod you select, so could be anywhere from 5 to 10% or so. The way it usually works is that you buy a Mac through the education store, saving usually about 5% on the Mac, then you can select an iPod on the same order invoice, and get its price rebated back to you. Note it has to be placed on the same order.

So the overall savings on the total order is from 5% to 10% off from standard Apple store prices, again depending on what model Mac and what model iPod and what all you put on the order.
Of course, if you don't want or need an iPod, then the Back-to-school promo is not that significant, since you get the same education channel pricing on the Mac itself all year round. (and if you don't need the ipod but do want to buy during the promo - drop me a line! ;) )
 
MrCrowbar said:
Do you really need the few more Megahertz that badly? How about these 10 HOURS battery life, twice the graphics memory (twice the RAM on the base bodel)?

The things I like about my 2009 13" MBP (the current model up until yesterday) is the backit keyboard, the never-sticky and large trackpad, the LED lit screen, loudspeaker volume, long battery life and the looks and feel of it. I rarely max out the CPU (except when browsing some bad website with flash or in Logic Studio) and like how small and light the thing is and the fact that I don't need to panic if I forgot the power adapter at home so much.
Click to expand...

I can sort of Understand your frustation, well in a way, i do feel like having at least i3 on the 13'' rather than core2duo, despite the fact of the price cut!!
 
Ed State said:
Darn darn darn darn... :(

My Mother-In law saw my late-08 13" MBP last month and said "i want one of those!"

So... heh heh... I knew the updates were coming out, so I convinced her to buy my old one for 1k, so I could upgrade to a nice, new, upgraded 13" with AT LEAST an i5.

But my evil master plan has been foiled!

:mad:
Click to expand...


Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive...so pony up some more green and go for the 15....maybe MIL will be REAL jealous! :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back