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New MacBook Pro Part Numbers Suggest Updated Models Coming Soon

oiuh151 said:
Of course there is the very likely chance of a redesign next year to go along with Ivy Bridge.

But again, if all we're strictly talking about is Ivy Bridge (in relation to the 15" and 17" MBP's) then the only improvements you will see is battery life and a ~17% clock for clock performance increase over Sandy Bridge.
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A redesign sure would be nice, too 🙂 If this update is a redesign as well as a processor bump, I'm going for a 15.

If the 13s finally get upgraded resolution, I'll wait for Ivy Bridge and buy a 13.
 
I'm guessing these are just minor speed bumps to keep them current until the Ivy Bridge models are ready. The February 2011 models are a bit long in the tooth now (particularly the base 13", which isn't much faster than the top MacBook Air, even with the optional SSD). Didn't Intel just release some new LV Sandy Bridge chips with higher speeds?
 
wallysb01 said:
I'm not sure this will be possible. All the 4 core processors run higher TDPs than the duals (I guess that's a duh). And the 13" may simply not have the ability to cool those 4 cores.

This brings up the problem with tapered designed MacBook Pros. Right now the Airs are limited to <20 TDP processors. The 13" Pros get up to 35 TBPs, and the 15/17 get up to 45 TDP. Unless Ivy Bridge can get significantly more performance using less power, I just don't see how the MBP can get thinner and MORE powerful.

Maybe we can hope for thinner MBPs with similar power, or the same thickness and much more power. But I for one don't want to see it get thinner and be limited to lower performance Ivy Bridge CPUs, plus lose the Optical. The thickness now is just not a problem, nor is the weight. I just don't see the need, especially if you're leaving processing power on the table (not to mention the possible inability to upgrade RAM or swap hard drives).
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https://www.macrumors.com/2011/09/1...-to-allow-for-smaller-quad-core-macbook-pros/

Also it would taper down to the front, the logic board is located in the upper half of the machine, thickness shouldn't be much of a problem. Especially with the added space from the likely removal of the optical drive to move more of the logic board even higher up in the machine.

Oh and MacBook Air's have always used <20W processors. Making the Pro thinner does not mean making it MacBook Air thin.
 
WestonHarvey1 said:
1. Most people don't need or want one
2. They're cheap

So sell them separately. Don't jack up the price for everyone else.
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1.) Do we have any official stats on how many people use them or not? Most people I know (professionally, and personally) use the drives on occasion. for things like software installs, sharing data, importing digital movies that come on disks, etc.. etc.. etc.. The day will come when no drive is necessary, but we are still in a transitional time. Disks are cheap, and quick they don't use up bandwidth so they still very much have uses for many people. You may not use them at all any more, and that's great but many people do still.

2.) I'm not saying the price would or should go up, if they are so cheap to buy and Apple didn't lower the price on the computer by not including them then the drives should just be included (externally) since at that point Apple is no longer paying the cost of the internal drive. So unless you know that Apple will drop the price by not including the drive, then I'd say it's fair to think that the external drive should be included.
 
This update would be silly and useless, I don't think it is going to be 'pushed'.

We're waiting for Ivy Bridge, not speed bumps.
 
arkmannj said:
1.) Do we have any official stats on how many people use them or not? Most people I know (professionally, and personally) use the drives on occasion. for things like software installs, sharing data, importing digital movies that come on disks, etc.. etc.. etc.. The day will come when no drive is necessary, but we are still in a transitional time. Disks are cheap, and quick they don't use up bandwidth so they still very much have uses for many people. You may not use them at all any more, and that's great but many people do still.

2.) I'm not saying the price would or should go up, if they are so cheap to buy and Apple didn't lower the price on the computer by not including them then the drives should just be included (externally) since at that point Apple is no longer paying the cost of the internal drive. So unless you know that Apple will drop the price by not including the drive, then I'd say it's fair to think that the external drive should be included.
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Apple just needs a CTO option for the optical. You can either pick an optical drive, or pick a second HDD bay. That'd please everybody. External drives are too cumbersome to be used daily. For once a month, they're acceptable, but daily, terrible.
 
I’m already itching for a new MBP, but I won’t be able to justify buying for another year or so. The question for me is what GPUs will be in them. My GeForce 330M (256 VRAM) is not up for Splinter Cell Convictions.

Dear Tim, please show gamers some love. Thanks in advance.
 
WestonHarvey1 said:
The iMac is a perfect example of why this is the right direction. When the iMac was launched, it jettisoned the floppy drive, which was considered unconscionable at the time. Nobody misses it now.

Optical media is next. Do you honestly think it has a long life span ahead?
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I agree that optical media is on the way out, but until bandwidth caps are done away with (or greatly increased) speeds are improved (especially in the USA) made cheaper and companies that ship software in boxes start providing it on USB, and perhaps movies come on USB, people move archives they already have to Hard drives, etc. Then Optical will still be around. Optical is still the preferred way for many vendors to send us updates, for publishing companies (like RR Donnelly) to distribute materials to us, etc.

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Wattser93 said:
Apple just needs a CTO option for the optical. You can either pick an optical drive, or pick a second HDD bay. That'd please everybody. External drives are too cumbersome to be used daily. For once a month, they're acceptable, but daily, terrible.
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Sounds perfect for me... I just want it so that if your paying the same price you get the same value in one way or another. (HDD.Optical what ever is best for you is great) this is a great way of illustrating what I was doing a poor job of saying. thanks.
 
Herbs24 said:
No not bulky and heavy. Not as thin as macbook airs are now but still thin and without the tapered design. I want them to be as light as they can get but not feel like I could snap it if I wanted to.
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My 2011 MBA13 feels more solid than my 2010 MBP15. And the tapered design is much more comfortable and ergonomic, though this is offset by the poor keyboard on the MBA - insufficient travel.
 
mcmlxix said:
I’m already itching for a new MBP, but I won’t be able to justify buying for another year or so. The question for me is what GPUs will be in them. My GeForce 330M (256 VRAM) is not up for Splinter Cell Convictions.

Dear Tim, please show gamers some love. Thanks in advance.
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Better GPU helps everyone...not just gamers 🙂 but yes it would be gerat to see some gamer love in the GPU, and in OpenGL.
 
mr.steevo said:
It's going to suck to not have Steve announce them.
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The last couple of refreshes have just been done on the website anyway with no keynote.

Apple doesn't care about macs anymore. The last time they talked about macs was with the Macbook Air redesign a year ago.
 
I have my money saved up for a redesign, not a simple speed bump. I will keep my old mid-2007 MBP until the new ones come out. Like some have said, I think it would be useless to get a simple speed bump if they do come out with new ones with Ivy Bridge in about 4 months.
 
It feels nice to see an update on the progress of any forthcoming Macbook Pros amidst all the (albeit well deserved) iPhone hype. I know a redesign is unlikely until Ivy Bridge ships but heres hoping that it will be. I want my entrance to portable Apple computing to start with a bang lol
 
I have the 13 inch,2008 Al unibody mac book before it became pro. And the Nvidia graphics processor in it is awesome. I swear I will not upgrade to the 13 inch MBP with that crappy intel 3000 HD. HELL NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And I am not going to break the bank getting the 15 inch MBP for the better graphics chip. No!
I hope Apple puts out a good 13 MBP with a decent graphics chip. If not, I'm holding on to my current Macbook Al from 2008.
 
When they do axe the optical next year I am hoping they use the space for better cooling and better graphics. Period!

Let me ask people who read this post a question. Thumbs it down all you want (like it makes a difference) LOL

Do you honestly think your MBP is really thick? Have you used it and thought that on your own before any mention of this thinner version came around?
So yeah two questions but kind of the same one anyway. I personally never even think about my 13' MBP being too heavy or too fat. I wouldnt mind if it was .2 thicker and had better graphics and better cooling that I mentioned above.

You realize that no matter what Ivy bridge does, if you shove a lot of power into an ultrathin unit it will get really hot and possibly throttle. They have a MBA for that anyway. Just have a 15' Air and leave the pros with more a** to them.

PS: I thumbs downed myself to get that out of the way and started.

*Points at forum owners* Get rid of that, it's plain silly.
 
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