MacBook Pro Update Due for Launch as Soon as Tomorrow?

[Jason Beck]

C2D is a fine chip, still even. I do design work in CS4 Premium in it and
deal with some pretty large images at time. Works fine even with iTunes
blaring in the background.

Course, SSD drives do show the raw power of the chips nicely. Seriously,
with adequate ram, SSD and a decent graphics card (9400 is still decent for
what I do), it's fast.

I imagine those using FC Pro rendering some large scenes and stuff like that
benefit from all the cpu JUICE they can get, but for CS4, web design,
browsing, business, *light* gaming - Torchlight, Diablo, Emulators, WC3,
etc, and media, the C2D is still snappy.

So I agree with a few of you that the c2d is still okay, I honestly don't think
it is a dog right now, although it is aging.
I also agree that it will take a few years (2?) to show the full potential of
the newer chips coming our way.

Which is why, me personally, I am sticking with my Macbook for maybe
a few months. Might catch the next Macbook refresh.. I really hope they
do the regular MB justice this next time. i5?

Anyone have any speculation as to *what* that next refresh will be,
for the regular Macbook? Maybe I will spring for the Pro. =)
Just my two cents. I do agree though, the waiting game sucks! Apple
is focused on teh iPad.. but the new MBP will roll out soon enough.

I wouldn't buy a new MBP right this second, the refresh should be pretty
soon. Less than a month?

 

[emc007]

If they tell us when it is coming out now a lot more people would decide to wait which means less sales for the current Mbps but by not telling us they risk only the minority that are waiting for updates going out to buy pcs and a lot more (non waiters or carers for that matter) people will buy the current Mbps giving more profit or turnover plus even the (waiters) might just go out and buy a imac or mac-pro which will still profit apple. I am not sure if i am right about any of this so could someone reassure me and tell me if i am or not and their views on the matter. thanks

 

[AttilaTheHun]

If they tell us when it is coming out now a lot more people would decide to wait which means less sales for the current Mbps but by not telling us they risk only the minority that are waiting for updates going out to buy pcs and a lot more (non waiters or carers for that matter) people will buy the current Mbps giving more profit or turnover plus even the (waiters) might just go out and buy a imac or mac-pro which will still profit apple. I am not sure if i am right about any of this so could someone reassure me and tell me if i am or not and their views on the matter. thanks

I am going to wait as long as need core 2 processor I bought 3 years ago so to pay $2499 for it?
they shuld drop the price because people that want the new stuf will give up only true apple lover will stay
I never had an Apple laptop allwayes IBM thinkpad this time I like to try the apple macpro 17" but the top of the line that will come out.

 

[laela]

New ThinkPad Edges Announced!

http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/19/lenovo-thinkpad-edge-14-and-15-shipping-to-small-businesses-cup/

Do you guys think this will encourage Apple to release the new MacBook Pro on Tuesday?? That would be awesome!

 

[coryndiego]

I did it!

I figured it was too good a price to pass up and Im sick of my outdated ppc G5. I love my new MacBook Pro 13" 2.26 for $999.00 and $1094 out the door.
I really wanted to wait and have the latest greatest after missing the new Intel Macs in 2005 but the thought of waiting until summer was out of the question.
It's sooo much faster and it sure is pretty! Next will be the latest greatest desktop to compliment! Now I can finally use Snow Leopard!

I'm sure that Apple will finally release the New MBP this Tuesday (23rd) but the price was right and I have what I need. I'll just read how much you all love them (or hate them).

Happy New MBP Owner!!!

 

[dpastern]

http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/19/lenovo-thinkpad-edge-14-and-15-shipping-to-small-businesses-cup/

Do you guys think this will encourage Apple to release the new MacBook Pro on Tuesday?? That would be awesome!

Nah, it's running Windows, looks plain ugly (imho) and doesn't have the build quality of a MBP imho. IBM laptops are better built than other brands, but they're still not as good as a MBP imho.

I'm hoping Apple will update on Tuesday, and if they do, I'll ring Apple and see if I can return the current MBP and get the newer one, although since I didn't buy it from Apple directly, I might have problems with the reseller.

Dave

 

[nbjustforfun]

Nah, it's running Windows, looks plain ugly (imho) and doesn't have the build quality of a MBP imho. IBM laptops are better built than other brands, but they're still not as good as a MBP imho.

I'm hoping Apple will update on Tuesday, and if they do, I'll ring Apple and see if I can return the current MBP and get the newer one, although since I didn't buy it from Apple directly, I might have problems with the reseller.

Dave

I'm guessing best case release will be end of april with 3g Ipad. The new mbp should have a built in 3g modem. If not then may or June. No way this month or when the wifi ipad comes out.

 

[john123]

in the past Apple has bumped up the price on a new generation for the first few months, and then dropped it down slightly.

This is patently false. That is not and has not been how MBP pricing has worked in eons.

 

[john123]

The 15" model is 1699. I think u r right , the 15" model will have a base of 1999. U think that is the same price?

Dude. Since the beginning of the MBP, it had a dedicated graphics card. It cost $1999. The introduction of an integrated GPU is a recent one, which resulted in a LOWER price point ($1699) for an entry level model not comparable to any previous models.

Bottom line, $1999 has been the "standard" price for a GPU-enabled 15" MBP for years.

 

[dpastern]

I'm guessing best case release will be end of april with 3g Ipad. The new mbp should have a built in 3g modem. If not then may or June. No way this month or when the wifi ipad comes out.

I doubt it very much, since most 3G devices are locked to an ISP. I'm yet to see a PC or laptop with an inbuilt ADSL modem for that matter.

I suspect the new MBP will have i5/i7 chipsets, come with 4GB RAM as standard, 500GB hdds (5400 rpm) with options to upgrade to either 7200 rpm units, or SSD units. It'll include a combo blu ray player/dvd burner + player and CDrom + burner drive and a more powerful video GPU. USB 3.0 may be included, but I doubt it. I'd say the next generation MBPs in a year or so's time will feature USB 3.0, but not the next gen that's around the corner.

That's my thoughts. I don't work for Apple, nor do I have any connections with them, so I could (and probably are), completely wrong!

Dave

 

[oddfactor]

I doubt it very much, since most 3G devices are locked to an ISP. I'm yet to see a PC or laptop with an inbuilt ADSL modem for that matter.

I suspect the new MBP will have i5/i7 chipsets, come with 4GB RAM as standard, 500GB hdds (5400 rpm) with options to upgrade to either 7200 rpm units, or SSD units. It'll include a combo blu ray player/dvd burner + player and CDrom + burner drive and a more powerful video GPU. USB 3.0 may be included, but I doubt it. I'd say the next generation MBPs in a year or so's time will feature USB 3.0, but not the next gen that's around the corner.

That's my thoughts. I don't work for Apple, nor do I have any connections with them, so I could (and probably are), completely wrong!

Dave

I agree with all of that except for the Blu Ray capability. I think there's a better chance we see USB 3.0 than Blu Ray but still doubt USB 3.0 will be on it. They might also support HDMI, and while I think it's still a better chance of this happening than Blu Ray, it might only show up on the 17-inch.

 

[eatmyshade]

oh nuuuu the ipad is on the main page again

 

[laela]

I'll ring Apple and see if I can return the current MBP and get the newer one, although since I didn't buy it from Apple directly, I might have problems with the reseller.

Interesting... has this ever worked before?

 

[kaiserben]

Nvidia is stopping its chipset activity... No more 9400m in next gen.

It's the main reason why we will have a MAJOR A++ update of the mac. We're waiting for something big and not only a CPU update...

Means for me :

- the new MB will be with poor quality Intel chipset...
- the new MBP will be with optimus + dedicated graphic card. I guess Apple can not release MBP (even the 13" and first 15") with only the crappy graphic intel solution...
With innovative cooling system ?
With new resolution screen ?
With new USB3 plug ?
With touch screen ?

Each time we had to wait a while in the past for new gen : https://buyersguide.macrumors.com//#MacBook_Pro

I'll wait this major release (even until september ) to upgrade and offer my actual MB '07 to someone who need it.

 

[eseminario]

www.apple.com is down

I'm trying to access to apple.com and it's offline...
it's 9:24 am now and I'm trying 5 minutes ago...

 

[NMBPPLS]

I'm trying to access to apple.com and it's offline...
it's 9:24 am now and I'm trying 5 minutes ago...

I have no problems with apple.com...

 

[nigameash]

Nvidia is stopping its chipset activity... No more 9400m in next gen.

It's the main reason why we will have a MAJOR A++ update of the mac. We're waiting for something big and not only a CPU update...

Means for me :

- the new MB will be with poor quality Intel chipset...
- the new MBP will be with optimus + dedicated graphic card. I guess Apple can not release MBP (even the 13" and first 15") with only the crappy graphic intel solution...
With innovative cooling system ?
With new resolution screen ?
With new USB3 plug ?
With touch screen ?

Each time we had to wait a while in the past for new gen : https://buyersguide.macrumors.com//#MacBook_Pro

I'll wait this major release (even until september ) to upgrade and offer my actual MB '07 to someone who need it.

Yepp I plan to wait for september to see if its a major release too and if its good enough, I might upgrade too. If the new mba is awesome, i ll sell my mbp for it. I think i ll be happy with a mba for college

 

[john123]

Nvidia is stopping its chipset activity... No more 9400m in next gen.

It's the main reason why we will have a MAJOR A++ update of the mac. We're waiting for something big and not only a CPU update...

My gut says this is right-on, which is why I'm not too bummed about waiting either. The more time passes, the higher the likelihood it's going to be a nice upgrade. A lot of people in this thread seem to have the attitude that Apple's not releasing new models right now to be mean or something stupid like that. If it were just a matter of jamming a Core i5 in those suckers, this probably would have been done by now. They're not out to tantalize and tease us just for kicks, unlike most of my ex-girlfriends.

 

[MightyRussian]

Yep, I finally decided that I will return my mbp which is supposed to come on tuesday.

3.06 ghz core 2 duo
4 gigs of ram
15" glossy

I will wait for the update, which I think will come before the end of April at the latest. The only thing I am worried about is that the price will go up and I might potentially get a lower performance mbp than the one i just got. then again I don't the how Apple works it's prices. Anyone know if that is possible?

I paid roughly $2550 for the laptop which included microsoft office and an education discount of $200

 

[john123]

Also, I am really hoping for a different form factor -- although given the historic longevity of form factors, I give this a very, very low probability. There are some very specific things I don't like about the unibodies versus the previous models (and the reason I'm still on a 2.4Ghz non-unibody, even though money is no object):

1. The sharp edges of the palmrest
2. Weaker hinges (hold it at an angle, where the main part of the computer is vertical and the screen is at a 90 degree angle -- it flops over, both with matte and glossy
3. I'd rather buy from Amazon, and I'd rather have matte, and that's currently not possible
4. Combined trackpad + clickpad -- I just don't like it

I bought one for about 10 days and used it (while mine was in the shop once) and ended up returning it. It was the most disappointed I've ever been in a Mac form factor. I know everyone's different, but for me, the points above were disappointing given how I use my laptops.

 

[john123]

Yep, I finally decided that I will return my mbp which is supposed to come on tuesday.

3.06 ghz core 2 duo
4 gigs of ram
15" glossy

I will wait for the update, which I think will come before the end of April at the latest. The only thing I am worried about is that the price will go up and I might potentially get a lower performance mbp than the one i just got. then again I don't the how Apple works it's prices. Anyone know if that is possible?

I paid roughly $2550 for the laptop which included microsoft office and an education discount of $200

For about the 10th time in this thread, it's pretty much 97% certain that prices won't go up. You'll get more for the same amount of money.

 

[MightyRussian]

For about the 10th time in this thread, it's pretty much 97% certain that prices won't go up. You'll get more for the same amount of money.

k thanks

 

[Jodles]

So, tuesday then?

Actually, now that my MB has completely recovered from a couple dL hot tea, and is actually up and running again, I would rather see make this product worth the wait and take any time necessary, than rush it out. Though I'll probably be anxious every tuesday

 

[magicman007]

LOL!! magicman, he is not being mean in any way..he provided you with several reasons why new MBP's would be worth the wait; however, you do sound as if you would like to be persuaded to purchase the current MBPs. He also provided you with the most common sense response, you are paying the same price for last years technology which is not very smart. This forum is open to all questions; however, from what you wrote I believe you got the answer you did not want to hear. I say take his advice, go and purchase the current MBP because it is still a great machine and sounds like it will fit your needs perfectly. In addition, it seems like you don't have any concern for the price. I say join us in the horrific wait that is playing with our every emotion if you truly are interested in the new MBP or, if not, just purchase the current MBP which will please you much more! INSTANT GRATIFICATION IS ALWAYS GOOD!! Well, in whatever decision you decide, enjoy your MBP!!

Actually, I wanted to be talked OUT of buying the current MBP for reasons OTHER than price. I didn't get the answer I was looking for......."anything CPU intensive" gives me NOTHING to go on. WHAT IS CPU intensive? As I said, I am a noob to Mac and don't know what types of programs truly *need* hyperthreading as opposed to what the C2D can deliver.

However, being that the answers here were really no help other than to tell me I should hold out based on price v. technology, I called Apple. I spoke with the rep for about 30 minutes about my typical usage and expectations, etc. Now, while I understand his purpose is to make a sale. But with that in mind, he made some good points for my situation. That, along with the fact that I need a laptop sooner than JUNE, I decided to buy a refurb 13 inch 2.53 MBP.

He also told me the return policy is and always has been 2 weeks from purchase. He had no idea why anyone would say one month, and had never heard of that while working for Apple (he's been with them for 5 years, or so he said). So should Apple release their updates in the next two weeks, I can upgrade if I so choose. If not, I have the laptop I need, I can get on with what I need to do, and it's tax detectable either way (I have a business).

I AM truly interested in the new MBP or I wouldn't have joined here to ask the questions I did to begin with. This had nothing to do with instant gratification. It had to do with purchasing what would fit my needs while giving me the option to expand its' use. I don't "game", and I don't plan on making a full length feature film on my computers (laptop or otherwise). I also don't crunch huge amounts of numbers for a living, and never will. My whole intent was to have someone tell me, from a usage perspective and not a price perspective, that I would be better off waiting.

 

[magicman007]

Exactly this. Each time he didn't hear the answer he wanted - he just asked again. Really rather annoying.

I'm sorry. I didn't realize that some posters here felt they were no it alls and could get away with smarta*% answers. "Anything CPU intensive" is not a straight answer and you know it bro. It's a cocky reply from someone who doesn't feel their time is worth helping someone who doesn't know as much, but wants to learn. As I said, I'm truly sorry to have wasted your time. Trust me, it won't happen again.