Apple Shifting to Intel Graphics for Future MacBooks and 13-Inch MacBook Pros?

[Erasmus]

Apple could make a mini-tower, but it's more profitable to make an all-in-one that you have to send to the toxic waste dump if the monitor fails or if you want to upgrade CPU, disks or graphics.

Apple could make a quad core, dual spindle portable workstation, but the overlord values "thin" over "useful".

Apple could put eSATA, USB 3.0 and BD drives in their systems, but they don't.

Build a hackintosh then. Seriously. I have no problem with hackintoshes, and think people that do have problems with their ethics standards. And if you don't want Apple hardware, and don't want OSX, buy a HP Envy. I don't see a problem with that either. They look awesome.

Basically, there's no point whinging about new Apple hardware, because there are plenty of other hardware manufacturers out there that can cater for your needs.

I want a Mac because I want a well built computer with high performance and excellent battery life, while still being thin, light and attractive, as well as providing an excellent, long term user experience. ie. I'd rather an all-round 8/10 than something that's 10/10 in one area, and 6/10 everywhere else. Other people want higher power, or lower cost, or more upgrade options. They need to come to the realisation that they don't necessarily need a Mac, buy something that actually fits their needs, and they should quit their whining.

 

[NT1440]

I'd hate to be trying to sell Macs now.

Yet quarter after quarter Apple is moving more of them then ever before....

 

[Eidorian]

Yet quarter after quarter Apple is moving more of them then ever before....

I'm not desperate enough to buy a Mac right now.

 

[NT1440]

I'm not desperate enough to buy a Mac right now.

Good for you?

 

[Eidorian]

Good for you?

I'd like to know more about Apple's blue water Mac purchasers to be honest. I have to play tech support for enough of them around here. (where I live) Remember, it just works.

They'd be better off with internet enabled toasters. Then again they might burn themselves.

 

[NT1440]

I'd like to know more about Apple's blue water Mac purchasers to be honest. I have to play tech support for enough of them around here. Remember, it just works.

They'd be better off with internet enabled toasters. Then again they might burn themselves.

Wow.

People who are bad with technology are just bad with technology. Why does it bother you what kind of computer they choose to buy?

 

[iEdd]

Why does it bother you what kind of computer they choose to buy?

A better question is: what happened to the old Eidorian?

He was much better before a Macintosh came alive and raped/murdered his family. (Or at least, that's what must've happened to cause so much hatred.)

 

[Eidorian]

People who are bad with technology are just bad with technology.

I've run across plenty of enfeebled users that thought buying a Mac was their solution. Luckily they're just far enough outside of my peer group that I don't need to worry too much about them.

I just hope they spend the remainder of their time productively. Then again it makes me wonder what they do. I should get to know them better. Oh wait...

I'd just like to know what Apple's blue water Mac purchasers are like and looking for. That is outside of the more money than god group.

 

[qawes]

I feel like the 13'' MBP is one of the best computers ever made. Don't ruin that Apple.

 

[SactoGuy18]

I'm not surprised Apple is doing this.

By using the Intel HD Graphics 200 subsystem, Apple might be able to make the MacBook and low-end MacBook Pro run a LOT cooler, which means less issues with overheating and definitely longer battery life. Besides, unless you want to run a lot of higher-end graphics, many nVidia and ATI GPU's are overkill for the vast majority of computer users out there.

 

[radomu]

Hi, I'm new here by the way.

I have question on this so-called "update".
I'm planning to upgrade my macbook pro to the latest one, probably the fastest 15 inch model (because I'd love to play some games on bootcamp).
I understand that it has a very powerful 512MB Nvidia graphics card.

Should I buy now quickly before they update, or should I wait?

Is it possible that the future high end macbook pro's might have a weaker graphic card than the one they have for the high end ones right now?


I'd be really bummed if I bought it now and a faster, similar priced model came out. But I'd also be bummed if the upgrade is similar priced, but a weaker model.

 

[Cougarcat]

Hi, I'm new here by the way.

I have question on this so-called "update".
I'm planning to upgrade my macbook pro to the latest one, probably the fastest 15 inch model (because I'd love to play some games on bootcamp).
I understand that it has a very powerful 512MB Nvidia graphics card.

Should I buy now quickly before they update, or should I wait?

Is it possible that the future high end macbook pro's might have a weaker graphic card than the one they have for the high end ones right now?

No, the 15" wouldn't get the intel graphics. The new dedicated cards will be faster.

 

[meatballs]

Great news, this means more Hackintosh options

 

[radomu]

No, the 15" wouldn't get the intel graphics. The new dedicated cards will be faster.

Are you sure? Because I haven't read any articles that actually confirmed that...

So maybe I should wait if they're gonna be faster for the updated models... Thanks.

Great news, this means more Hackintosh options

how?

EDIT: never mind, I looked up what hackintosh was...

 

[AidenShaw]

Are you sure? Because I haven't read any articles that actually confirmed that...

It's impossible to know for sure until the models are announced and start shipping.

There is a strong tradition, however, that the top laptops use discrete GPUs and the lower end uses integrated GPUs.

So maybe I should wait if they're gonna be faster for the updated models... Thanks.

If you need it now, buy it now. If you can wait, then wait. There's always something faster coming along.

how?

I assume he meant that there will be lots of different models from other companies using the same Intel integrated GPU that Apple will be using. That would make Hackintosh'ing easier, since the Apple graphics driver will be compatible with the HP or Dell or Lenovo or Asus or... laptop GPU.

 

[radomu]

It's impossible to know for sure until the models are announced and start shipping.

There is a strong tradition, however, that the top laptops use discrete GPUs and the lower end uses integrated GPUs.




If you need it now, buy it now. If you can wait, then wait. There's always something faster coming along.




I assume he meant that there will be lots of different models from other companies using the same Intel integrated GPU that Apple will be using. That would make Hackintosh'ing easier, since the Apple graphics driver will be compatible with the HP or Dell or Lenovo or Asus or... laptop GPU.

I know, I find it incredibly unbelievable that Apple would release a slower computer as an update.

Is there any way possible to replace the video card when I want to upgrade it in the futre for the current models of macbook pro's?

 

[AidenShaw]

"thin" is the issue

Is there any way possible to replace the video card when I want to upgrade it in the futre for the current models of macbook pro's?

The GPU is soldered to the motherboard, there is no "card" - so no.

There is a specification for MXM compact graphics cards, but it would be difficult to fit that into a thin MacBook.

Here is an article showing the insides of the 15" - http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2010-Teardown/2212/2 .

 

[Hisdem]

Is there any way possible to replace the video card when I want to upgrade it in the futre for the current models of macbook pro's?

No.

 

[radomu]

The GPU is soldered to the motherboard, there is no "card" - so no.

There is a specification for MXM compact graphics cards, but it would be difficult to fit that into a thin MacBook.

Here is an article showing the insides of the 15" - http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2010-Teardown/2212/2 .

Thanks.

Waddya gonna do, but I love Macs too much to switch to a Windows
I've been using them since when I was a little kid when my father has a Mac, I can't suddenly change now.

 

[Erasmus]

Are you sure? Because I haven't read any articles that actually confirmed that...

So maybe I should wait if they're gonna be faster for the updated models... Thanks.

If you don't really need it now, you should definitely wait. Worst likely scenario is they keep the present NVIDIA 330M. More likely they switch to a different GPU that will be a little bit faster, and uses a little less power.

And if everything falls through and you don't like the new range, you can pick up today's model at a lower price.

EDIT: It's quite likely that we'll get a graphics card that is much more powerful. Using official data, the 330M does 182 GFlops. A likely AMD GPU, the 6500M series, does between 500 and 650 GFlops, with similar (unfinalised) power draw. My favourite GPU, the 5830, does 800 GFlops, also using a similar amount of power.

 

[gkarris]

I just got one of those Netbook specials at the Microsoft Store - AMD x64 Dual Core and ATI graphics for $199 - and that will be as almost as good as Apple's next Macbook with Intel Graphics at $999...

You're funny. Or a troll. Or an idiot. Not sure which.

Well, that would depend on who you ask...

FYI for those who don't know:

Microsoft is starting to open their own stores, and actually doing a good job (of course by copying Apple).

They had an in-store special - a Gateway Netbook with 11.6" screen, 2 Gigs RAM, 250 Gig HD, ATI x64 Dual Core, ATI Graphics, and Windows 7 Premium for $199 (instead of $399). MS Store rebuilds the machine with the latest Windows 7 so there's no bloatware on it.

When the machine booted, it asked to config your username and network (just like OS X - hehe... ). A great deal and it runs great (since it really has notebook specs).

POINT? Well, next year, when Apple's basic machines have Intel graphics and are running $999 for a notebook or $699 for a desktop, Windows machines will have more advanced graphics for a fraction of the price.

This is a trend that has happend before, and looks like will continue with the latest news...

Too bad, using nVidia at least added some value to all that extra money you were paying for.

Comparing my 11.6" Netbook to the 11.6" MacBook Air - I'd say not worth the extra $800 (speeds seem about on-par) - a screen that small, I'm finding out, wouldn't want to do anything serious on anyways.

 

[macintoshtoffy]

I'm not desperate enough to buy a Mac right now.

I've asked once and I'll ask again - why are you here if you're not even a Mac user? sounds like someone screaming to be the centre of attention rather than an end user taking part in a discussion about the future of a product line up that actually affects them. You run a PC with Windows 7 - good on you, so how does it impact on you if Apple chooses to go in one direction or another? it would be like me commenting on a Windows forum about Windows yet I run a Mac with Mac OS X.

 

[radomu]

If you don't really need it now, you should definitely wait. Worst likely scenario is they keep the present NVIDIA 330M. More likely they switch to a different GPU that will be a little bit faster, and uses a little less power.

And if everything falls through and you don't like the new range, you can pick up today's model at a lower price.

EDIT: It's quite likely that we'll get a graphics card that is much more powerful. Using official data, the 330M does 182 GFlops. A likely AMD GPU, the 6500M series, does between 500 and 650 GFlops, with similar (unfinalised) power draw. My favourite GPU, the 5830, does 800 GFlops, also using a similar amount of power.

thanks

I'll wait and see what happens.

 

[DavidC1]

Apple have to move to the new CPU generation, which might mean a small decrease in GPU performance,

Nuh uh.

http://cnettv.cnet.com/intel-sandy-bridge-comes-macbooks/9742-1_53-50097246.html?tag=cnetRiver

"Early benchmarks have shown performance that will be just as fast or faster than current dedicated solutions for Nvidia..."

Well the 320M isn't really dedicated but point is made.

 

[MrVargas]

Comparing my 11.6" Netbook to the 11.6" MacBook Air - I'd say not worth the extra $800 (speeds seem about on-par) - a screen that small, I'm finding out, wouldn't want to do anything serious on anyways.

As someone posting on a Apple forum, it seems like you don't understand what makes apple's products special. The macbook will likely have a screen that looks much more vibrant and has better viewing angles. The keyboard will have a more satisfying feel when you type. The batter will last longer, the touchpad won't frustrate you, the macbook will go in and out of sleep flawlessly, etc. That is all without even talking about the OS which is what some people say makes all of the difference.

Furthermore, wait a year and see how fast your netbook feels.