MacBook Pro Updates Imminent (Really), Part Numbers Appear

[zoemacuser]

I must be missing something. I only see 3%-8% off.

And, besides, as has already been pointed out, MacMall continuously has sales on Macs, and they generally end on Tuesdays.

I imagine they do that for a reason.

 

[ajsnow6234]

So when ever it comes out it'll be available online right away but how long is it usually till its available in stores?

READ any of the other 19 pages has this question asked several times....and answered

 

[bigdelistyle]

I don't know many real "professionals" who need professional-grade computers who would use the MacBook Pro. Especially in certain varieties like a 13"/15" without dedicated GPU, a Pro without even an ExpressCard slot, and a display without a great high resolution option... there are more reasons, but there's a good start.

Do you think the computing needs of statisticians, geneticists, and bioinformaticians puts them into your realm of "professionals"?

No one with legitimate high-end computing demands runs stuff on a personal computer. But why not easily and accessibly access your cluster on a sweet mbp?

 

[oddfactor]

Ouch, what a provocative comment. Thanks for calling me "no one". Are you basing this statement on evidence or is it pure speculation? About 20-30% of my colleagues use Air's. I know many people including myself and family who never use an optical drive outside home, where an external drive might as well be connected. Without the need for a mobile optical drive, there's no need for a Macbook Pro (apart from the slightly better specs).

But really, if you can provide me with data showing that nobody wants the Air, i.e. that less than, say, 5-10% of Apple laptops sold are Airs, that would be greatly appreciated...

I know just two people who have an Air; one who isn't happy with it but it's a first-gen. I agree with your point on an optical drive, though. But I would never get an air because of lack of power. What I would like would be for the MBPs to drop the optical drive and add a second drive or a second battery pack.

 

[iMacmatician]

That would be awesome if the lack of integrated superdrive allowed for less weight, more ram or HDD/SSD space, better graphics and better heat flow. I would gladly carry an external superdive or use my DVD drive on my desktop. Also for those who want Blu-Ray they could buy an external BR drive and couldn't complain that apple sucks because they don't have blu ray

IMO no internal superdrive+cheaper price and better performance=Happy ME! lol

I completely agree… it would also provide more room for a larger battery.

I assure you I know many true "professionals" who don't need professional-grade computers. However, Apple is branding the MB as a "pro" as in professional-grade when it certainly has no business having
"pro" stamped on it when it doesn't have a dedicated graphics card, express card slot for expandability, nor even capable resolution options. Maybe the 17" MBP could merit such a title, but certainly the 13" Pro branding is a complete JOKE. The Mac Pro is a real "pro" computer, while certainly most Mac notebooks aren't.

"Pro" doesn't mean "professional," it means "highest-end in that line."

The Mac Pro is "pro." Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro are "pro." The MacBook Pro isn't.

Remember the story about the little boy who cried wolf? I no longer believe any of these rumors about mbps next Tuesday. Not this month... not in May... maybe in June. It's all about the iPad. The 3G iPad has yet to ship and Apple isn't going to release new hardware that interferes with the focus on that.

Why does nobody predict July?

 

[Frosties]

Logging in after ignoring "Waiting for Arrandale" for the last few months and managing to convince myself that it was impossible for Apple to release the new MBPs until April.

I stand by my prediction in Feb (CBA to find the thread) that the 13" will be delayed because of packaging issues. To summarize:

1. Can't have an integrated GOOD GPU in the 13" due to intel/nvidia legal issue
2. Can't package an extra GPU due to space
3. iX chips have lame GFX abilities.

Apple are perfectionists, they'd rather drop the price of a C2D than create the wrong expectations around an underperforming i5/7 13" Macbook "Pro".

Don't expect a 13" any time soon - that's my opinion.

EDIT: I expect them to max out the C2D on the 13"... see later comment.

Sony z have i7, dual graphics and more so no it's not that hard to do a 13" pro model.

 

[Detektiv-Pinky]

Cool, a year old forum discussion from before the chipset was even released...that's viable research. Seriously, people need to stop spreading unfounded crap.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Graphics-Media-Accelerator-HD.23065.0.html

I fail to see how your article provides a different picture:

• In some games, the GMA HD is even as fast as a GeForce 9400M
• Furthermore, the OpenGL performance is still not very good
• ...allow the user to play older and less demanding games in low settings
• 3DMark2006 - 1656 points on average

The GeForce 9400 is clearly the better alternative.

 

[Detektiv-Pinky]

Sony z have i7, dual graphics and more so no it's not that hard to do a 13" pro model.

Yes, it is not that hard, but Apple clearly likes to differentiate their price-points.
The 13" MBP is clearly an 'entry-level' model.

 

[zoemacuser]

READ any of the other 19 pages has this question asked several times....and answered

Funny, I just did a search on "available" in this thread and came up with his question and your answer. Nothing more.

A link to the post where it was answered would be helpful, and save reading through 400+ posts.

 

[Jof]

Sony z have i7, dual graphics and more so no it's not that hard to do a 13" pro model.

We disagree on the nature/extent of the challenge they are faced. My opinion is based on the particulars of the MBP, not the Sony Z:
1) Space in the unibody
2) Cost of changing the unibody design and production line
3) Heat - apple care a great deal about heat
4) Presence of large touch pad, super drive etc.
5) Component re-used/commonality

They will almost certainly solve it but I don't think they've had long enough yet.

 

[emon878]

Funny, I just did a search on "available" in this thread and came up with his question and your answer. Nothing more.

A link to the post where it was answered would be helpful, and save reading through 400+ posts.

Ya exactly I didn't read all 19 pages, but I read some and I found out it will usually be available in the online store right away. But I didn't see anything about when they would be available in retail stores.

 

[zoemacuser]

Ya exactly I didn't read all 19 pages, but I read some and I found out it will usually be available in the online store right away. But I didn't see anything about when they would be available in retail stores.

Thanks.

If memory serves, when they announce something that is available "today" it is already in the store rooms at the retail locations as well. When they announce that something is coming, it shows up when it shows up, but is available in stores the same day it hits the online store.

Part of me hopes this is big enough to warrant an announcement on Tuesday with later availability. Of course then this thread, and others like it, will take the server down due to size.

 

[mikeo007]

I fail to see how your article provides a different picture:

• In some games, the GMA HD is even as fast as a GeForce 9400M
• Furthermore, the OpenGL performance is still not very good
• ...allow the user to play older and less demanding games in low settings
• 3DMark2006 - 1656 points on average

The GeForce 9400 is clearly the better alternative.

You seriously want to argue this all day don't you? You said: "Arrandale chip now comes with integrated graphics that is way less powerfull than the current Nvidia 9400". I stated that this was wrong.

You consider a chip that beats the 9400 in some tests (3dmark01, 03 & 05, + a handful of games) "way less powerful"?

All I said was that it was marginally better, which it is. If you're looking for an argument, argue about something else. I'm just looking out for people who could be getting the wrong information from untrue posts.

 

[murdercitydevil]

Totally wrong, the intel igp included with arrandale is marginally better than the 9400m. Do you research.

+1 you beat me to it

 

[ma2ha3]

let me guess.

usb3
blue ray dvd/r combo
better graphics card
better screen
better keyboard
better battery

 

[AnotherLabRat]

As someone who's worked in manufacturing and materials management for Nintendo, I can tell you one thing. Just because a part number shows up doesn't really mean we'll be seeing new inventory any time soon.

I used to scour Nintendo's inventory databases for hints of new systems (consoles and handheld) and games all the time. It wasn't entirely uncommon to see new SKU's/Part numbers 3+ months before an actual launch date. Vendors usually got those 1 month after they were originated.

Of course this is just how Nintendo did things, but I would venture to say their business model probably echoes many other major electronics players in the form of logistics, manufacturing, and launching new products.

I won't be holding my breath for an update based on new SKU's appearing. Of course that won't stop me from crossing my fingers since I'm in desperate need of a new MBP.

 

[314631]

I'm quite happy with the 2.8Ghz C2D in my 17" MacBook Pro. For me, it's the slow hard drive and lack of memory that are the performance bottlenecks I would like to address. The processor is just fine until you get some horrible Flash ad locking up your system. But I doubt these new processors will help much with that either.

 

[zoemacuser]

As someone who's worked in manufacturing and materials management for Nintendo, I can tell you one thing. Just because a part number shows up doesn't really mean we'll be seeing new inventory any time soon.

I used to scour Nintendo's inventory databases for hints of new systems (consoles and handheld) and games all the time. It wasn't entirely uncommon to see new SKU's/Part numbers 3+ months before an actual launch date. Vendors usually got those 1 month after they were originated.

Of course this is just how Nintendo did things, but I would venture to say their business model probably echoes many other major electronics players in the form of logistics, manufacturing, and launching new products.

I won't be holding my breath for an update based on new SKU's appearing. Of course that won't stop me from crossing my fingers since I'm in desperate need of a new MBP.

I think (emphasis on think) that MacRumors is basing their hunch on past experience with SKUs and Apple. At least I hope so, otherwise I'll take away their license to use the word "Really" in post titles.

 

[born4sky]

Mine on eBay

 

[emon878]

Thanks.

If memory serves, when they announce something that is available "today" it is already in the store rooms at the retail locations as well. When they announce that something is coming, it shows up when it shows up, but is available in stores the same day it hits the online store.

Part of me hopes this is big enough to warrant an announcement on Tuesday with later availability. Of course then this thread, and others like it, will take the server down due to size.

Thanks for the info, hopefully it'll come out this week in Canada too.

 

[iPhysicist]

Yes, it is not that hard, but Apple clearly likes to differentiate their price-points.
The 13" MBP is clearly an 'entry-level' model.

Mitnichten. Und wenn dann hätte jede Größe ihr Einsteigermodel(, oder hab ich deinen Sarkasmus nicht verstanden. Nein ich vermute, du meinst das ernst).

Neither of the MBPs are entry level. If there was an entry level MBP every size would have one. Actually with increasing space and better cooling possibilities it becomes easier to build in hotter procs. Is it really that easy to build a 13" PC or Mac that does not becomes red glowing when both Cores and the IGP are running 100%? Its not. And it is even harder to bump the proc speed in the 13" as long they use 25W procs in there. The E procs use 6MB of L2 Cache which heatens up the whole thing even more.

 

[jerryfanyang]

I completely agree… it would also provide more room for a larger battery.

"Pro" doesn't mean "professional," it means "highest-end in that line."

The Mac Pro is "pro." Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro are "pro." The MacBook Pro isn't.

Why does nobody predict July?

My '07 MBP's internal superdrive is half-dead (read-only now) so I have been carrying an external drive and have no problem at all. But... replacing the superdrive with another HD, and more memory slots? That sounds like a HP Envy running OSX to me

 

[paddler40]

Does anyone know why the 17 inch would be $200 cheaper then the current model?

 

[PandaOnslaught]

I don't see why everyone is getting so bent out of shape over this image of only 4 laptops.... there are several models and price points in the current macbook pro line up that aren't there, so what, do you think they would really only update 4 MBP price points and leave the others alone?, please for the love of God stop whining about it, because its quite annoying to want to look at others opinions about it, but when all you get is complaints its shrill

 

[PandaOnslaught]

Does anyone know why the 17 inch would be $200 cheaper then the current model?

maybe they are releasing 2 17" models this year