Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

New MacBook Pro's Appearing in Retail Inventory?

Wolf04 said:
I just noticed that you can get the same power from a top-of-the-line Macbook as the lower-end Macbook Pro

Macbook: ($1,649)
# 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
# 2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM - 2x1GB (Upgraded)
# 160GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm

Macbook Pro: ($2,074)
# 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
# 2GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 2x1GB
# 160GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (Upgraded)

So for $400 bucks you get a better video card and a slightly larger screen?
Click to expand...

and FW800 / And expressCard32 slot
 
Wolf04 said:
I just noticed that you can get the same power from a top-of-the-line Macbook as the lower-end Macbook Pro

Macbook: ($1,649)
# 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
# 2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM - 2x1GB (Upgraded)
# 160GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm

Macbook Pro: ($2,074)
# 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
# 2GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 2x1GB
# 160GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (Upgraded)

So for $400 bucks you get a better video card and a slightly larger screen?
Click to expand...

Also a card slot, no?
 
You know, in the long run all this rumormongering does is hurt Apple's bottom line, since there's a neverending cascade of rumors that something's about to be updated, meaning people are constantly waiting a little longer to upgrade or buy, since they're always going to be afraid to buy anytime other than the 48 hours follwing a visit from the Steve.
 
Also, if Apple isn't planning on recoding for the Penryn, then it seems rather stupid to buy a "new" MBP - and I might as well just get the older model.

I could care less about the stupid trackpad gadgetry or the extended battery life.

I'd just like to know if I'm actually buying something "new" or throwing my money away on a negligible speedbump.

Speed isn't the issue for me. It's forward compatibility and a larger screen - as my iBook is getting hard on the eyes these days.
 
TVGenius said:
You know, in the long run all this rumormongering does is hurt Apple's bottom line, since there's a neverending cascade of rumors that something's about to be updated, meaning people are constantly waiting a little longer to upgrade or buy, since they're always going to be afraid to buy anytime other than the 48 hours follwing a visit from the Steve.
Click to expand...

I don't think it's rumor-mongering at this point. Steve Jobs is so busy playing Inspector Gadget that he can't seem to get around to updating Apple's computers.

I'm not paying a premium for an Apple with an outdated processor - screw that.

The hyper-pretentious MacBook FlAir is a clear indication that Steve may be evolving into the world's first "flaming" metrosexual.
 
TVGenius said:
You know, in the long run all this rumormongering does is hurt Apple's bottom line, since there's a neverending cascade of rumors that something's about to be updated, meaning people are constantly waiting a little longer to upgrade or buy, since they're always going to be afraid to buy anytime other than the 48 hours follwing a visit from the Steve.
Click to expand...

Having purchased 3 now all defunct ipods for my kids I could care less about Apple's bottom line.
 
Allanist said:
About those screenshots:
1) It's not necessarily a Macbook Pro
2) It's not necessarily a new model of Macbook Pro
3) It will be obsoleted in two months (4-6-2008) so I'll keep on waiting™

😛
Click to expand...

do u really thing they would update it that soon even after updating in the next few weeks? that is really quikc....fudge....now i'm tempted to wait AGAIN. by the time i get around to buying one, the MBP will probably fit inside an ipod case.😱
 
lowbuzz said:
I don't think it's rumor-mongering at this point. Steve Jobs is so busy playing Inspector Gadget that he can't seem to get around to updating Apple's computers.

I'm not paying a premium for an Apple with an outdated processor - screw that.

The hyper-pretentious MacBook FlAir is a clear indication that Steve may be evolving into the world's first "flaming" metrosexual.
Click to expand...

ROFL!!!
 
djellison said:
CPU update, same price:
I'm OK, and glad I waited - but not particularly happy that Apple took so long.

1680 option on 15" screen:
Happy, very glad I waited - just about makes the MBP's price point swallowable.

Easier HDD replacement (properly user replaceable like the MB)
Very very glad I've waited, well done Apple.
Click to expand...

wtf don't get my hopes up unless u have evidence😱
 
A PRO machine (IMHO) needs to have at least three things over a non-pro system:
1) More horse power
2) Substantialy more video performance (edit photos, video, sound/music) and or resolution.
3) More BTO options like larger option for disks, more memory options, expandability thru a slot or some other option.

I am not sure that the number of ports are so important as they would be at home or work. You can connect to a firewire or USB hub when on a desktop setting for all the expansion you could ever need (minus multiple external monitors). Most people don't want 4 to 10 cables running out of their laptop while in a plane or sitting on the couch. Expansion ports are mainly for desktop settings. A base MB or MBP is fine for the road for most people and have plenty of ports for when on your lap. Even the Air will do fine with one or two USB hubs when used at a desk.

Like I said, just my opinion, horse power of the cpu and video is what really differentiate a pro machine, obviously there will be people that disagree. If you ask 10 people you will get at least 11 different answers.
 
lowbuzz said:
At any rate, once I buy the MBP, it will be 3-4 years before I get another machine - so what's this about some HUGE update in the fall? Are new processors coming out or something?

I'm perfectly happy with dropping a grand on a MacBook and seeing a major revision within a year - but I'd be highly PO'd if I spend so much on a MBP and see that happen.
Click to expand...

Not sure about new processors in late 2008 (Core3/Nehalem), but an updated platform for sure. The current line of MBPs use Intel's Santa Rosa chipset/platform. While the Penryn's are compatible with SR, Intel is slated to release an update to SR later this year, which is supposedly going to offer higher FSB (up to 1066MT/s) and support for 800Mhz DDR2 and DDR3(maybe) RAM.

If you look back at the update history of the MBP, you'll see that the original Core Duo models received a simple CPU upgrade to the Merom based Core 2 Duos in October 2006. It then got updated to Santa Rosa in June 2007, a few months after Intel released that platform. It looks like the same thing is going to happen this year - MBPs will get the updated Penryn CPU in the next few weeks, but once the new Montevina platform comes out later this year, we might see a much more substantial upgrade in the next 6-8 months.

So unless you NEED a new notebook in the coming weeks, I'd personally hold off until later this year. At least then you'll be future proofed for at least another year... Me however, I ended up in the "need" category, so I'm happily typing this away on my 2.4 SR MBP.
 
lowbuzz said:
Well - this will be my first foray into the "Pro" world 🙂

Everyone keeps saying the Penryn processors only offer a small speed boost - but I've read on some übergeek sites that if an application is coded for the Penryn, the speed boost is rather significant. Apple coded specifically for the G4, so why not the same boosts for the Penryn?

I don't keep up-to-date on this Leopard release stuff, as I run Tiger, but maybe Apple is recoding for the Penryn? I also read the update will be rather large, so that also might make sense?

Anyway, one of Apple's many benefits over Windows is that they control both the OS and the machines, so they can take advantage of things like this?

At any rate, once I buy the MBP, it will be 3-4 years before I get another machine - so what's this about some HUGE update in the fall? Are new processors coming out or something?

I'm perfectly happy with dropping a grand on a MacBook and seeing a major revision within a year - but I'd be highly PO'd if I spend so much on a MBP and see that happen.

My current setup suits me fine - my fiancee just wants my current machine, as hers is really old - but I'll just sit on my hands and wait (again) if there's a major new processor on the horizon.

If any of the gurus can tip me off on any of this, I'd appreciate it.
Click to expand...

The recoding you keep referring to is SSE4, which is a set of instructions for handling video encoding. The only place you would see the large 40% speed boost claims are when running video editing programs, and only if those PROGRAMS are rewritten for SSE4. There is no generic coding for Penryn that would improve the entire OS. Other than that, most users would likely see a 10-15% performance boost, which is about the same as any processor upgrade.

6 months from now we will probably see new Montevina chipsets, still running the same Penryn processors. Another 6 months from them you'll see the next generation of Intel processor. Feel free to pick and choose how many 6 month periods you want to wait 🙂
 
Need to upgrade

I have an PB1400 and need to upgrade also. For my needs a MacBook will do nicely, probably a refurbished.
 
Drosha said:
Not new processors in late 2008, but an updated platform. The current line of MBPs use Intel's Santa Rosa chipset/platform. While the Penryn's are compatible with SR, Intel is slated to release an update to SR later this year, which is supposedly going to offer higher FSB (up to 1066MT/s) and support for 800Mhz DDR2 and DDR3(maybe) RAM.

If you look back at the update history of the MBP, you'll see that the original Core Duo models received a simple CPU upgrade to the Merom based Core 2 Duos in October 2006. It then got updated to Santa Rosa in June 2007, a few months after Intel released that platform. It looks like the same thing is going to happen this year - MBPs will get the updated Penryn CPU in the next few weeks, but once the new Montevina platform comes out later this year, we might see a much more substantial upgrade in the next 6-8 months.
Click to expand...

I got this from a website:

The Montevina platform places its lineage on the Intel Santa Rosa platform. The Santa Rosa is the original Centrino. But Montevina will be based on Intel's upcoming 45-nm quad-core Penryn processor. The system is based on the new the Intel Robeson 2.0 architecture. Robeson was designed and built for mobility. The Robeson architecture will enable mobile laptops to use less battery power, and crunch data better and faster with less latency - an important feature in the 802.16 environments.

It makes zero sense to me - the gist of the article seemed to relate that it has something to do with WiFi, along with some moderate speedbump?

I don't get any of it. I was basing my purchasing decision on a processor - and please correct me if that's an idiotic reason.

But it sounds like this Montevina thing will be a faster Penryn - so if Apple recodes to take advantage of Penryn, I should be fine with the next MBP?

My concern is Apple releasing a new OS that "takes advantage" of whatever bloatfest the new processors provide - thereby "taking disadvantage" of what turns out to be my antiquated computer that can't handle the new OS.

Would any of the gurus sort this out for the tech-impaired?
 
So for "future-proofing", is it worth it to lay down the $$$ for Penryn or wait for the update and snag the current gen on refurb, or on sale?

My particular requirements for a new Apple are:

1) Larger screen - thus Pro. I work at home from the couch 🙂

2) Future-proofed for minimum of 4 years for new OS - even if it doesn't run "as fast" or do stupid gadgetry crap. For instance, when the Altivecs could handle the "spinning screen" on user agent switching, whereas the G3s couldn't - I shed no tears. I view that crap as bogus.

3) Value - what model delivers the best bang for the buck?

4) Windows "future proofing". I don't think this is such a big worry cuz Microsoft takes so long between updates, but I need to be able to test in a PC environment.

Thanks much for the help.

DocSmitty said:
The recoding you keep referring to is SSE4, which is a set of instructions for handling video encoding. The only place you would see the large 40% speed boost claims are when running video editing programs, and only if those PROGRAMS are rewritten for SSE4. There is no generic coding for Penryn that would improve the entire OS. Other than that, most users would likely see a 10-15% performance boost, which is about the same as any processor upgrade.

6 months from now we will probably see new Montevina chipsets, still running the same Penryn processors. Another 6 months from them you'll see the next generation of Intel processor. Feel free to pick and choose how many 6 month periods you want to wait 🙂
Click to expand...
 
MBP 17 -> size of an iPhone

i hope they do a MBP that is size and weight of an iPhone.....
oups what did I just say?
 
off the tangent from recent tech centric posts, but is anyone else harboring a secret hope that there will be some kind of super bowl commercial extravaganza announcing a new and improved macbook pro? this would be the sort of dramatic venue and audience size everyone keeps saying an announcement like the mbp update requires.
 
MacRumors said:
This date adds to a laundry list of other possible dates (Feb 5th, Feb 12th, Mar 17th) that have been trickling in on our Page 2. Unfortunately, this new date is likely an estimate, but does reflect expectations of an imminent MacBook Pro release.


While the new MacBook Pros will likely incorporate only modest updates (Penryn and Multi-Touch), with their imminent release, its hard to justify the purchase of the current 8 month old models.


Article Link
Click to expand...


LOL, is MR bot considered a forum 'member' subject to same MR rules/terms of use? Just curious, since I don't want to be accused of a 'personal attacks'- which is not allowed, so it is said (if not in fact a reality).

MBA is a joke, missing FW, no optical built in, no USB drive as a solution for installation of software, and big insult of being charged $1000 for an overly expensive, slower than 2.5in HDD performance SSD, get real.

Flash price tumbles, to spur SSDs, phones
http://www.electronista.com/articles/08/02/01/flash.price.tumble.jan.08/

Even relatively expensive, recently introduced 32 gigabit memory (4GB) chips cost as little as $12.30, the company notes. The drops are linked primarily to continued oversupply despite an increasingly heavy demand for flash-based devices, such as portable media players.
Click to expand...

the costs have dropped enough that storage makers can consider 128GB drives that cost less than 64GB drives did before.
Click to expand...
(want to be Apple keeps the option price @/or about $1k)

It is had to justify purchasing either or and/all Apple lappy' currently, when the Monteviña chipset will be released in May, meaning Apple will likely have a series of updates in just 4 months.

128GB SSD from Samsung should come out by June (1st H08) @ or below the price , that has 2.5x the speed/performance that Apple is gouging for it's meager performing, older then current gen 64GB SSD.

http://www.electronista.com/articles/08/01/07/samsung.128gb.ssd.and.more/
The new model is faster than before and writes new data at 70 megabytes per second while reading back at a quicker 100 megabytes per second, all the while eliminating the lag that plagues spinning disks. It also operates far more efficiently and consumes just 0.5 watts while active, according to Samsung.
Click to expand...

While Penryn/Santa Rosa update will provide very modest increase in bang for the buck, Monteviña and new models of Penryn's should make both the MBA & MBP...& perhaps around the same time, MB upgrades seem like the current models are a very poor value....even if they finally do offer a BR drive option (Lenovo has had this for months). Will any of Apple's laptops finally get the 2nd gen LED bl screens Samsung was said to be soon in production on...probably not (waiting for Monteviña)

http://www.electronista.com/articles/08/01/15/intel.montevina.leak/

A 10w drop in power consumption, would mean a 2.53GHz Monteviña P9500 powered MBP could have either noticeable increase in battery life, yey; or higher performance GPU, something that's been a performance option missing from Apple's lappy offerings, that you could get in PC land.


A new entry, the P series, will reduce the power consumption to just 25W but will still clock at speeds of 2.26GHz (P8400, 3MB of L2 cache), 2.4GHz (P8600), and 2.53GHz (P9500, 6MB cache) with the faster system bus.
Click to expand...

Apple stock will continue to flounder, meaning a good buy possibility now; but come May/June '08, is clearly the time to be considering an Apple lappy purchase- not now.
 
Though multi-touch and Penryn will be nice additions, I don't think any new MacBook's or MacBook Pro's will have that many new features to make older models obsolete (so to speak). I think its gonna be another year before there are 1) major changes or 2) new Apple laptops. Though the MacBook Air is a niche product, I don't think Apple will cannibalize its sales by introducing a product that could sway on-the-fence buyers away from the flAir (as someone put it). But I've been wrong once or twice in my lifetime
 
i have a feeling that if they upgrade to Penryn now...we won't see Montevina till late august or september/october (ie fall 2008). If they do do a update 4 months after penryn, all it will be then is the chipset and not anything else (or thus they'd but it in the penyrn). my .02$

I will be purchasing the penryn when it comes out, plan on keeping it anywhere from 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 years


EDIT: and you sir ^, are ****ing wealthy as ****
 
On these flash drives - I was jonesing hard for new MacBook Pros with flash drives. I thought that would be kick ass - given they might be too expensive now, but upgrading in the future would be possible.

I'm sure I'll win technomoron of the year for this one - but what's the DEAL with these flash drive things?

For instance, why would it not be possible to remove an old hard drive and replace it with a flash drive in the future?

I was really hoping that the rich people would jump all over the new flash drives, force the price down, and I'd be able to get one in the next few months.

Even if you say bought a MacBook Flair, with the flash drive option - would you be able to upgrade when the drives have a higher capacity? Or would the I/O be outdated by then?

I was thinking he'd dispense with the gadgets, then open up a new MacBook Pro, push the "on" button - and Leopard would instantly load - ooohh ahhhh...

I'm very worried that the MBP will be short-changed so that it doesn't compete with the Flair -

And I was really counting on you rich bastages to order tons and tons of flash drives and knock the price down for me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back