Let the wait for the i5 13" MacBook Pros continue...

[deconstruct60]

What I don't understand is how other companies (eg. Sony Vaio Z series) manage to fit i7 processors within the same size body and people here claim apple can't -could someone explain please as I'm new to all this mac stuff!

Is the size of the case the same? If so is the battery life time the same?
For the Sony Z it gets about 4-5 hours less time. Chop 4 hours worth of battery from inside a MBP 13" and you'd have more space.

It is primarily a space and thermal problem. Likely need additional fan (which consumes space of which there is none). There was no place to put the additional discrete graphics chip and the required VRAM. If there was a huge empty spot inside that it would have been more practical to do.

Sony is also using a custom SSD "assembly" that saves on space (similar to Apple chucking the battery casing, Sony chucks the drive shell) It is not a standard part. That gets some incremental space back also.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/05/sony-vaio-z-with-quad-ssd-stripped-down-and-explained-by-its-pro/

follow the link there to the site with pictures. Looks like the DVD ROM drive may be custom too since not enclosed. They may have eeked some space out of using carbon fiber and not aluminum also. Sony is using a fan with heatpipe wrapped around assembly. Again a custom Sony thing most likely.

What is weird in those pictures is there is no sign of the battery. Curious where they stuffed it.






The sony also costs about $600-700 more. The other constraint is cost. If had to add more parts ( discrete GPU and VRAM) it will cost more. Apple wants price separation from 15" offering. Would not help to have 13" creep up on 15" pricing.

 

[deconstruct60]

How long is Core 2 Duo sticking around anyway?

At least a long as it takes the next generation follow on to the current Core-i series to come out and get into full mainstream production ( 'Sandy Bridge' is tagged for late this calendar year ). So at least till the similar time when the these Core-i mobile versions came out Dec/Jan time frame.

Intel just stops trying to sales pitch the "previous gen" but they pragmatically can't stop selling until two generations back. What folks keep getting tripped up on is that there are usually two waves of the mobile version get release. The Quad "mobile" (which really monster desktop replacement laptops) and then later the lower TDP duos ( for the you really might carry this around alot laptops).

Frankly Intel reportedly can't get these Core-i out for everyone in numbers more than can be consumed. Don't see how the next gen is going to come out any quicker.


Besides the fraking IGP die in these Arrandale chips are made on a .45nm process .... same as the C2Duos. They can't possibly be close to shutting down that line. In other words what is being overlooked is that Core2Duo went through an evolution over time. They got shrunk and updated. The stuff that was updated last year isn't going to disappear this year.

If lots more vendors start buying Nvidia 320m and keep rolling out C2D solutions... it will get extended slightly. If cutting off C2D means AMD will start getting alot more design wins, Intel will keep it turned on longer than they may want to.

Anyone who thinks the 13" is on a short stay (just a matter of several months) with the C2D is fooling themselves.

 

[RonnyC]

Is the size of the case the same? If so is the battery life time the same?
For the Sony Z it gets about 4-5 hours less time. Chop 4 hours worth of battery from inside a MBP 13" and you'd have more space.

It is primarily a space and thermal problem. Likely need additional fan (which consumes space of which there is none). There was no place to put the additional discrete graphics chip and the required VRAM. If there was a huge empty spot inside that it would have been more practical to do.

Sony is also using a custom SSD "assembly" that saves on space (similar to Apple chucking the battery casing, Sony chucks the drive shell) It is not a standard part. That gets some incremental space back also.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/05/sony-vaio-z-with-quad-ssd-stripped-down-and-explained-by-its-pro/

follow the link there to the site with pictures. Looks like the DVD ROM drive may be custom too since not enclosed. They may have eeked some space out of using carbon fiber and not aluminum also. Sony is using a fan with heatpipe wrapped around assembly. Again a custom Sony thing most likely.

What is weird in those pictures is there is no sign of the battery. Curious where they stuffed it.






The sony also costs about $600-700 more. The other constraint is cost. If had to add more parts ( discrete GPU and VRAM) it will cost more. Apple wants price separation from 15" offering. Would not help to have 13" creep up on 15" pricing.

My point really is that there doesn't have to be a price difference between the 13" and the 15" - the 13" macbook is the consumer option whereas the MBP should be just that - a PRO machine capable of handling more than the current model can. I'm sure there are people (I've seen many on these forums) who would pay 15" prices for a 13" that had similar specs. For those who don't need the power and who dont want to pay the big bucks, the 13" macbook is a fine substitute.

In my opinion, power users are missing out because its fashionable to have the aluminium case so plenty of people who don't need the pro specs have started to buy the 13" MBP. Make the macbook aluminium and they will buy this instead as its cheaper, then let the 13" MBP become a PRO machine again

 

[rumorholic]

It is really sad because I would love a 13". Going to opt for the 17" though, for the express card, i7, 1920x1200 resolution, independent audio in/out, all of which CAN fit in a 13", plus some, as Sony has made everyone well aware.

They refuse to put things like esata, or usb 3.. yet drop the express card slot.. the only thing that provides a means of expansion.

I would easily pay 17" prices to get what the 17" has inside a 13". But as it is, buying a 13" is just shooting myself in the leg. It really is all because of their marketing ploy. Pretty retarded

I agree.

 

[DontMacTheGyver]

My point really is that there doesn't have to be a price difference between the 13" and the 15" - the 13" macbook is the consumer option whereas the MBP should be just that - a PRO machine capable of handling more than the current model can. I'm sure there are people (I've seen many on these forums) who would pay 15" prices for a 13" that had similar specs. For those who don't need the power and who dont want to pay the big bucks, the 13" macbook is a fine substitute.

In my opinion, power users are missing out because its fashionable to have the aluminium case so plenty of people who don't need the pro specs have started to buy the 13" MBP. Make the macbook aluminium and they will buy this instead as its cheaper, then let the 13" MBP become a PRO machine again

Well said!