Can't believe my MacBook Pro isn't powerful enough to play iTunes 1080p videos

[skitzogreg]

3+ year old computer, what do you expect.

Irrelevant. A 6 year old game console can play 1080p video. It likely has to do with hardware compatibility, not capability.

 

[racer1441]

Irrelevant. A 6 year old game console can play 1080p video. It likely has to do with hardware compatibility, not capability.

Nit irrelevant. Compare apples to apples, not to trucks.

 

[dmccloud]

So I saw this and immediately thought no way my new rmbp would fall in to this category but sure enough I got the base model and the 2.3 GHz doesn't cut it. Its not a huge lost, not big enough to make me regret not getting the higher end model. On the go the iPad will suffice with movies even the iPhone isn't to bad if need to be extra portable, and at home thats why i got a tv duh, I can't see the mac ever being my primary device for video content.

You read the requirements wrong, then:

2.4 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo or faster processor
At least 2 GB of RAM
A display that supports HDCP with a screen resolution of 1280 x 800 or higher.

Even though the clock speed of the base model rMBP is only 2.3 GHz, the Core i7 is a significantly faster processor than the 2.4 GHz C2D. I know I've been able to run 1080p video with no issues on my rMBP.

 

[spork183]

This is still something that confuses me! Why is a 1.8Ghz Core i5 faster than an P4 3.4GHz?

Take the 1985 corvette with a big v8 engine. Runs like a dog compared to a new Mustang v6, which has more power, gets better mileage, has a better ride, etc.. It comes down to technology and architecture. As materials and manufacturing get better, the speed/quality improve. Maybe not the best analogy, but...

 

[InfinitiG]

I can view 1080p trailers with no problems on my late 2008 macbook with 9400m

I never had any problem downloading/watching 1080p movies using VLC

 

[Interstella5555]

Nit irrelevant. Compare apples to apples, not to trucks.

Really? I'm a console gamer through and through, but the PS3/Xbox aren't some super machines, and, as PC gamers love to say, can't match graphics on most PC games running at full settings.