MacBook Pro Upgrade At Photokina?

[ThunderLounge]

Wow, since when? Apple frequently make announcements along the lines of "shipping next month". They done it with PowerMacs, they done it with PowerBooks. Even the current MacBook Pros were announced on January 10th 2006 as "shipping next month". Furthemore, in reality, most MBPs ordered in early January didn't ship for over a month and a half later.

Even now, Apple's iTV is not expected to be available until half a year after the announcement.

In short, Apple are NOT the kind of company who only announce items that are ready to ship. They are the kind of company that currently, and in the past, announces upcoming items that will be available soon, but are not ready to ship.

There's exceptions to every rule, but for updated lines they still like the "come and get it" approach.

When the intel MBP's were announced, it was not only a line change, but how long had it been since the flagship laptop had any real buzz about it? We're not talking a processor bump from 1, to 1.25, to 1.33 either. Serious buzz. There hadn't been any for a while. Everyone had originally been waiting on the ever looming "G5 PB" that never showed up. So yes, they needed to build the hype a bit for those. Like I said, there's exceptions to every rule. The Tuesday rule, the announcement rule, the whatever.

And what does the iTV box have to do with their computer upgrades? That's what we're talking about here, isn't it? The iTV is more of a "gadget", like an iPod. And that's a different ball game there too.

 

[ThunderLounge]

i just want a damn MBP i have been waiting for core 2 duo mbp for months, theres no point in giving in now thou, other wise it would of been pointless waiting all this time

come on wednesday update!

You mean you've known about the chips for months. They're just now becoming available in any type of quantity for notebooks, regardless of manufacturer. Which, most aren't shipping yet.

 

[Mr.Gadget]

if it is a hardware issue holding up the release, then a new generation optical drive is a distinct posibility. The fab plants are churning them out as quickly as possible, but suplies are very limited, almost non existent especially for the notebook market.

Sony have gone some on sale (not suprising due to their involvement) as have Asus (again not suprising as they make their own)

Yeah... And wasn't Apple the first to put a DVD burner into a laptop? (not sure, but that kinda sticks in my noggin). Would be nice to have them announce one of the high capacity drives in a notebook. Course, not sure how that would help or hurt the price tag!

 

[richard4339]

There's step-by-step instructions that comes in your Mac's manual that directs you how to install RAM. The HD replacement, i'd recommend you bring it in to an Apple Store for installation

I just wanted to make sure I wouldn't void my warranty if I try to replace everything!

 

[Multimedia]

I'm With ThunderLounge • Bravo

How is this "forever" between updates? I don't get it. The damn chips haven't been available but a couple weeks, and supplies of the top of their line limited still. Why does Apple "suck ass"? Because you bought off on a rumor, and got into all the hype of something that might happen? Wah. Let's shed a tear.

Others have "announced" they have them [C2D], and what they plan to do with them, but are they shipping them? No, in most cases. In another couple of weeks the answer will be different, as the new ones start to ship. Just because you can configure it on their site doesn't mean anything. When does it ship?

Apple has always had their game face set when they make announcements. They say, "Now shipping."

Meaning, go buy it and here it comes. Not, go buy it and it'll be a few weeks. It might take a day or two for the local Apple store to have them in, or they might be there already.

The point is, this isn't the longest wait in the world, and the world isn't about to end over a few days, weeks, or even three months of difference. Try YEARS, then come and complain.

In the real world, they need a steady enough supply of chips to meet the demand, and to have a product that works. Just because you've known about the chip, what it "does", etc., as public knowledge for 6 months, doesn't mean Apple is 6 months behind the curve. Just because other manufacturer's have told you what they plan to do with their stock of chips doesn't make apple behind the curve. If they had been shipping units for 8 - 12 weeks, and Apple still had nothing, then you can say behind the curve. Or maybe when the rest of the world is shipping processors that are twice as fast, then you can say behind the curve.

Off by a couple of days, or even a couple of weeks? Give me a break. How many times has someone b****ed about something Apple "might be doing", just for the end result to blow up in their face while Apple shows their true innovation? Thread 500, anyone?

Like it or not, Apple's are a targeted product still. While they are reaching out to embrace the entire market more openly, they're still getting there. So if you're mad a Apple because they haven't told you what they "plan" to do, have they ever really operated like that? "Yeah, we're going to take this PowerMac in about 8 weeks and drop in these..." Nope, not really. Now for the OS, that's a different ball game all together. We're talking the machine, not the software.

Wow. Was that all bottled up or what?

That was pure brilliance. Exactly what I've been thinking all along. Thanks for that excellent piece of work ThunderLounge.

 

[mrdice87]

How is this "forever" between updates? I don't get it. The damn chips haven't been available but a couple weeks, and supplies of the top of their line limited still. Why does Apple "suck ass"? Because you bought off on a rumor, and got into all the hype of something that might happen? Wah. Let's shed a tear.

Others have "announced" they have them [C2D], and what they plan to do with them, but are they shipping them? No, in most cases. In another couple of weeks the answer will be different, as the new ones start to ship. Just because you can configure it on their site doesn't mean anything. When does it ship?

Apple has always had their game face set when they make announcements. They say, "Now shipping."

Meaning, go buy it and here it comes. Not, go buy it and it'll be a few weeks. It might take a day or two for the local Apple store to have them in, or they might be there already.


The point is, this isn't the longest wait in the world, and the world isn't about to end over a few days, weeks, or even three months of difference. Try YEARS, then come and complain.

In the real world, they need a steady enough supply of chips to meet the demand, and to have a product that works. Just because you've known about the chip, what it "does", etc., as public knowledge for 6 months, doesn't mean Apple is 6 months behind the curve. Just because other manufacturer's have told you what they plan to do with their stock of chips doesn't make apple behind the curve. If they had been shipping units for 8 - 12 weeks, and Apple still had nothing, then you can say behind the curve. Or maybe when the rest of the world is shipping processors that are twice as fast, then you can say behind the curve.

Off by a couple of days, or even a couple of weeks? Give me a break. How many times has someone b****ed about something Apple "might be doing", just for the end result to blow up in their face while Apple shows their true innovation? Thread 500, anyone?

Like it or not, Apple's are a targeted product still. While they are reaching out to embrace the entire market more openly, they're still getting there. So if you're mad a Apple because they haven't told you what they "plan" to do, have they ever really operated like that? "Yeah, we're going to take this PowerMac in about 8 weeks and drop in these..." Nope, not really. Now for the OS, that's a different ball game all together. We're talking the machine, not the software.



Wow. Was that all bottled up or what?

Dell notebooks, even the low end ones, have been shipping with C2D for several weeks...

If you look at the site now, it will say there is a shipping delay, but that is due to build time, not low chip supply. That delay is moved back every day for new orders, but previously placed orders still ship on their quoted date.

now if only they weren't so ugly


P.S. Didn't I hear that Apple was supposed to be one of the first companies to include merom in its notebooks?

 

[Multimedia]

Can I Run OS X On A Dell Computer?

Dell notebooks, even the low end ones, have been shipping with C2D for several weeks...

If you look at the site now, it will say there is a shipping delay, but that is due to build time, not low chip supply. That delay is moved back every day for new orders, but previously placed orders still ship on their quoted date.

now if only they weren't so ugly

P.S. Didn't I hear that Apple was supposed to be one of the first companies to include merom in its notebooks?

I think there's a rumor going around that you can't run OS X on a Dell computer. I'm not sure if this rumor has yet been verified though.

 

[NewSc2]

You mean you've known about the chips for months. They're just now becoming available in any type of quantity for notebooks, regardless of manufacturer. Which, most aren't shipping yet.

They're not just now becoming available. They've been "available" since mid-July, and now every manufacturer has been churning out quantities for weeks already (Dell, Lenovo, Toshiba).

Believe me, Apple's had these chips since at least June (if not much earlier), and we all have no idea why Apple's taking so long to replace these chips that simply require a drop-in replacement over Yonah.

Hopefully they're planning some sort of other updates as well, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[bob_hearn]

Apple has always had their game face set when they make announcements. They say, "Now shipping."

Meaning, go buy it and here it comes. Not, go buy it and it'll be a few weeks. It might take a day or two for the local Apple store to have them in, or they might be there already.

You are kidding, right?

 

[Multimedia]

No Way Has Apple Had Merom Processors For Manufacturing Since June

They're not just now becoming available. They've been "available" since mid-July, and now every manufacturer has been churning out quantities for weeks already (Dell, Lenovo, Toshiba).

Believe me, Apple's had these chips since at least June (if not much earlier), and we all have no idea why Apple's taking so long to replace these chips that simply require a drop-in replacement over Yonah.

Hopefully they're planning some sort of other updates as well, but I'm not holding my breath.

You don't know what you're writing about. I do NOT believe you and neither should anyone else here. There are many good reasons why C2D MBP isn't shipping yet. I am sure it will ship as soon as it's ready and not a day sooner.

 

[Reach]

I think there's a rumor going around that you can't run OS X on a Dell computer. I'm not sure if this rumor has yet been verified though.

So if old G3's was the only computer available that could run OSX, would you buy that..? I'm not sure if you get the point, but no matter how much I love OSX, hardware is at least half of the equation for me. Hardware is what makes things like Aperture possible, and when I buy a computer for 3 years or so, every mhz counts when the end of it's lifespan comes. OSX won't get me to buy ****, it just makes me biased in buying hardware. Not saying current MBP's are **** now, but you get my point I hope.

 

[HecubusPro]

I just called the Century City Apple Store here in Los Angeles and asked if they had any 17" MBP's in stock. He checked and said he had 3 in stock. I asked if that was normal and he said, "No. We're running out." I asked him if they were getting another shipment soon and he told me they just received a shipment and got "a lot of stuff."

Take that as you will, because at this point I have no idea what it means.

 

[tteerts]

How is this "forever" between updates? I don't get it. The damn chips haven't been available but a couple weeks, and supplies of the top of their line limited still.

I think you misunderstood. I was not referring to it being "forever" for the C2D's to arrive - rather between G4 or G5 updates. I am merely a casual observer here.. not particularly in the market for a new laptop (certainly not rabid for one), but simply curious. I was merely trying to make the point that I think that the Intel cycle will be much different that the IBM/Moto cycle. I have my fingers crossed that this is a good thing, which I think it will be.

 

[rtharper]

Take that as you will, because at this point I have no idea what it means.

I'm guessing nothing, at this point. I don't trust anyone or anything. I'm incredibly forlorn/annoyed about this whole process. Photokina was really the last time I was willing to wait. I have $600 in Apple Gift Cards,though, so I can't in good conscience purchase another product.

I may give in, but the possibility of other updates other updates that come with the Merom keep me waiting. New GPU? That'd be neat. Accessible Hard Drive, possibly DL SuperDrive...

I'd kick myself in the face (I'm flexible enough to...) if I saw all those come out within a month after I bought. I just need to keep backing up my data for when my Latitude D800 finally kicks the bucket.

 

[nodabs]

I just called the Century City Apple Store here in Los Angeles and asked if they had any 17" MBP's in stock. He checked and said he had 3 in stock. I asked if that was normal and he said, "No. We're running out." I asked him if they were getting another shipment soon and he told me they just received a shipment and got "a lot of stuff."

Take that as you will, because at this point I have no idea what it means.

Interesting... i've just become so dejected with the whole waiting thing. I've decided to stop watching the rumor sites so intensely because it's killing me. On that note, i'm going to call my local Apple store... haha

 

[Compatiblepoker]

I think it will come. It's about time though. Been waiting and waiting and....

 

[AlphaAnt]

They're not just now becoming available. They've been "available" since mid-July, and now every manufacturer has been churning out quantities for weeks already (Dell, Lenovo, Toshiba).

Believe me, Apple's had these chips since at least June (if not much earlier), and we all have no idea why Apple's taking so long to replace these chips that simply require a drop-in replacement over Yonah.

Hopefully they're planning some sort of other updates as well, but I'm not holding my breath.

Nice job there, quoting an article about the Core 2 desktop processor and not about Merom.

Meroms were announced by Intel at the end of July. They were not released, however, until August 27th. The next day, dozens of laptop companies released their Merom laptops, most of which had shipping dates 2-4 weeks later. Apple is not (yet, at least) far behind.

For most of those companies, it was as simple as dropping a chip into an already existing model and chucking it out on the market. Apple is in need of a major update to a number of other things with their model, so they (hopefully) are fixing those and releasing a quality product. If you want a C2D MBP go buy a CD and a separate Merom chip and find someone to solder the C2D on in the CD's place. I, for one, am waiting around in hopes of having a working computer.

 

[DavidCar]

... There are many good reasons why C2D MBP isn't shipping yet. ...

This is my list of possible reasons I've heard, valid or invalid and in no particular order:

1- There are not enough Merom chips to go around at Apple, so they are all being diverted to the iMac.

2- There are lots of Yonah MacBooks/Pro in the pipeline that Apple intends to sell before introducing the Merom MacBooks/Pro.

3- Apple wants to fix the problems that surfaced in the Yonah MacBooks/Pro so they do not appear in the Merom models.

4- Apple wants to add new features to the Merom MacBooks/Pro before introducing them.

5- Apple never planned an immediate upgrade for the MacBooks/Pro to Merom, choosing instead to wait for the Santa Rosa platform, not anticipating the clamor heard in some quarters for a more timely upgrade to new chips.

 

[tyroja00]

Swappable HD

I have been following this post from day one. Several have mentioned the hope that the new MBP C2D will also have an easy-access HD. Can someone tell me if the reason for that is because a) the current MBP HD is altogether inaccessible, and/or b) it voids the warranty to change it yourself?

I currently have a 15" MBP 2.16 but am looking to replace it and my ancient desktop at the office (G4 Sawtooth with upgraded 1.4 ghz processor) with a single 17" (more ports). I'm hoping the 17" with a new display will do the job of both...if it doesn't get too annoying taking it back and forth everyday. But I would want to replace the HD with a high capacity Seagate or similar and don't know if it is an undoable thing, should the new MBPs not include an easy-access HD.

The reason I want a swappable HD is so that I can have a full HD for MacOSX and since a lot of medical software that I use doesn't allow MacOSX, I could also have a full HD for Windows. When at work I could just pop in the windows HD and at home the Mac HD.

Now as for Mac not having the C2D out yet, I think that it is one of four likely reasons.

1) There is a design flaw (not too likely since it is just a drop in and the chip doesn't pump out that more heat) or Apple is finishing up a fresh design (hopefully).
2) There is a financial tactic, i.e. need to clear old stock, not best release time for market impact, etc.
3) They don't have the chips to make. Although this seems plausible since Apple is relatively a small player (compared to Dell or IBM/Lenovo) for Intel (5th in laptop market share and less than 5% of computer users). Of course, Intel is going to give the majority of chips to their oldest, largest customers (especially with the growing AMD). But, I don't see why they couldn't have shifted some chips from Mini (doesn't that use Merom? If so, then that destroys Mac-diehard arguments that Apple just got chips). Couldn't be too hard to just divert chips to spread market demand.
4) They have it out and are readying to release it and we are just not being patient.

Speaking of patients...

 

[tteerts]

The reason I want a swappable HD is so that I can have a full HD for MacOSX and since a lot of medical software that I use doesn't allow MacOSX, I could also have a full HD for Windows. When at work I could just pop in the windows HD and at home the Mac HD.

Now as for Mac not having the C2D out yet, I think that it is one of four likely reasons.

1) There is a design flaw (not too likely since it is just a drop in and the chip doesn't pump out that more heat) or Apple is finishing up a fresh design (hopefully).
2) There is a financial tactic, i.e. need to clear old stock, not best release time for market impact, etc.
3) They don't have the chips to make. Although this seems plausible since Apple is relatively a small player (compared to Dell or IBM/Lenovo) for Intel (5th in laptop market share and less than 5% of computer users). Of course, Intel is going to give the majority of chips to their oldest, largest customers (especially with the growing AMD). But, I don't see why they couldn't have shifted some chips from Mini (doesn't that use Merom? If so, then that destroys Mac-diehard arguments that Apple just got chips). Couldn't be too hard to just divert chips to spread market demand.
4) They have it out and are readying to release it and we are just not being patient.

Speaking of patients...

Mini does not yet have Merom...

 

[tyroja00]

Meant iMac, not mini

Mini does not yet have Merom...

Sorry, I meant iMac...doesn't that have Merom and that was on the 6th of Sept. So, hasn't Apple has had them for a while?

 

[Khameleeon]

So when's the NEXT Apple Event that we can all look forward to and then be disappointed at?

 

[imMAColata]

I told her to wait it out until 9.25 at the earliest then buy it.

She has been waiting with me ever since I found out about merom in June. She broke after it wasn't announced this Tuesday.

She's going to feel regret I fear when it's announced in 10 days.

Or she is going to feel regret that she let you talk into waiting 3 months.

 

[absurdio]

Sorry, I meant iMac...doesn't that have Merom and that was on the 6th of Sept. So, hasn't Apple has had them for a while?

Yeah, but it's still possible that Apple just hasn't got enough Merom chips to feed the potential demand for Merom iMacs AND Merom MBPs. That might explain the delay, i suppose.

Still, then i just wonder why Apple would opt to stick Meroms in their iMacs before their MBPs.

 

[ChickenSwartz]

Yeah, but it's still possible that Apple just hasn't got enough Merom chips to feed the potential demand for Merom iMacs AND Merom MBPs. That might explain the delay, i suppose.

Still, then i just wonder why Apple would opt to stick Meroms in their iMacs before their MBPs.

Especially when there is a perfectly good desktop version of Core2Duo that Apple is not using.

EDIT: Putting Merom in the iMac and in the MBP and in the MB might equal the kind of orders that Lenovo and Sony and Gateway are putting in, this should keep the chips rolling out.