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Penryn MacBook Pros: Performance Comparable, Battery Life Greater
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Old vs New
I had the previous model for a week before returning it because the case was warped - front left to back right - and on a flat surface it would rock far enough to put my typing off.
In that time I'd done some trial rips of DVDs and it seems to me that subjectively the new generation is streets ahead in terms of heat and noise generation. Unfortunately it wasn't a 1-1 comparison because on the old one I couldn't get Handbrake to convert from a mac the ripper copied DVD but the current one definitely seems to sprint through the conversion without breaking into a sweat.
Converting Transformers, it averaged 230fps on the first pass and IIRC 170fps on the second which is close to the figures quoted by a buddy with the previous generation Mac Pro.
So although I'd have been more than happy to stick with the previous generation if the case hadn't been warped, I'm sort of glad it was.
I had the previous model for a week before returning it because the case was warped - front left to back right - and on a flat surface it would rock far enough to put my typing off.
In that time I'd done some trial rips of DVDs and it seems to me that subjectively the new generation is streets ahead in terms of heat and noise generation. Unfortunately it wasn't a 1-1 comparison because on the old one I couldn't get Handbrake to convert from a mac the ripper copied DVD but the current one definitely seems to sprint through the conversion without breaking into a sweat.
Converting Transformers, it averaged 230fps on the first pass and IIRC 170fps on the second which is close to the figures quoted by a buddy with the previous generation Mac Pro.
So although I'd have been more than happy to stick with the previous generation if the case hadn't been warped, I'm sort of glad it was.
once programmers start using sse 4 the penryn MBP's will be worth the wait.
i'm assuming that sse 4 is a step up like altivec (G3 to G4). Is that correct?
i'm assuming that sse 4 is a step up like altivec (G3 to G4). Is that correct?
No the real upgrade is the Penryn MBP runs much cooler.
Plus the Baseline model is equivalent to the mid range from previous model but $400-500 cheaper.
Yep, for first time Mac users (myself included), it was a great time. The real update will be in 2-3 yrs when SSD's are common place anyway.
Not correct. As the "4" implies, it's the fourth generation of SSE. The Merom-chips have SSE3 - SSE4 adds some new instructions.
All of the Intel Macs have the AltiVec-like SSE instructions, the Penryns have an improved version.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streaming_SIMD_Extensions
The entry level MPB seems a winner after reading this.
After market 4gb + 320gb and that's it.
I don't see any advantage going the 2.5 route.
After market 4gb + 320gb and that's it.
I don't see any advantage going the 2.5 route.
2009 = Mac's 25th anniversary
WWDC 2009 is more likely, I think. By then Intel will have released the Calpella platform which will include the Clarksfield and Auburndale variants of the Nehalem CPU. Mac OS 10.6 should also be ready by WWDC 2009. WiMax is also 4G technology. By 2009, there are likely to be more hotspots available for this than in 2008.
Also, by then the iPhone and AirPort could also be bumped to 4G/WiMax to provide the next generation of something like this.
What a great opportunity to commemorate the Mac's 25th anniversary by bumping the OS to the next level, and completely refreshing the Mac line (by eliminating the front side bus, which Calpella makes possible).
WWDC 2009 is more likely, I think. By then Intel will have released the Calpella platform which will include the Clarksfield and Auburndale variants of the Nehalem CPU. Mac OS 10.6 should also be ready by WWDC 2009. WiMax is also 4G technology. By 2009, there are likely to be more hotspots available for this than in 2008.
Also, by then the iPhone and AirPort could also be bumped to 4G/WiMax to provide the next generation of something like this.
What a great opportunity to commemorate the Mac's 25th anniversary by bumping the OS to the next level, and completely refreshing the Mac line (by eliminating the front side bus, which Calpella makes possible).
WWDC should be interesting
If you can hold off spending your tax refund check until WWDC or longer, you will be better off. My G3 turns 10 years in January 2009 and waiting couple more months will not be a problem
If you can hold off spending your tax refund check until WWDC or longer, you will be better off. My G3 turns 10 years in January 2009 and waiting couple more months will not be a problem
I had mine on last night w/ the adaptor for about 3 hours and then let it run w/o the adaptor until it died. It was in my lap for most of that time and never noticed the heat from the bottom. I stuck my hand under there to see if was producing heat and it was barely noticeable. Big difference from the old ones.
+ i freaking ran for hours! I ended up having to turn on every application i had and loop a quicktime movie for it to conk out. When the battery said it had 5 hours left i was surprised, But when an hour had gone by and it still said it had 4:45 hours left.. yikes
I love my new MBP so far.
I waited for this release to upgrade my aging PB G4 1.5 and while not floored with the update, I am glad I waited
I bought the low end model, where with the previous lineup I would have bought the high end, saving me $500 or 20%.
I also got the new trackpad, newer processor, better battery life, less heat and a bigger HD in addition to the savings.
I bought the low end model, where with the previous lineup I would have bought the high end, saving me $500 or 20%.
I also got the new trackpad, newer processor, better battery life, less heat and a bigger HD in addition to the savings.
Guys, hardware is well ahead of software.
I do not believe that the software is there to exercise the ss4 instructions and the code has not been optimized to take advantage of the cache.
A few months from now you may start seeing some significant different numbers for both OSX and applications.
By the way, I do not expect any great changes in June/July, I expect a bigger change in Feb/March next year including modifications to the case and the placement of components. Reduced power needs and reduced size of components will result in new dimmensions in logic board and different cooling needs. However I do not expect significant changes in overall size and weight of the laptops, after all these are PRO systems that need to run fast and be reliable.
This month change and the one in June/July IMO are precursors only.
I do not believe that the software is there to exercise the ss4 instructions and the code has not been optimized to take advantage of the cache.
A few months from now you may start seeing some significant different numbers for both OSX and applications.
By the way, I do not expect any great changes in June/July, I expect a bigger change in Feb/March next year including modifications to the case and the placement of components. Reduced power needs and reduced size of components will result in new dimmensions in logic board and different cooling needs. However I do not expect significant changes in overall size and weight of the laptops, after all these are PRO systems that need to run fast and be reliable.
This month change and the one in June/July IMO are precursors only.
The big deal will be with developers who use the enhanced SSE4 instruction set...
"Penryn processors can perform full-width shuffles in a single cycle. This significantly improves performance for SSE2, SSE3 and SSE4 instructions that have shuffle-like operations such as pack, unpack and wider packed shifts. This feature will increase performance for content creation, imaging, video and high-performance computing." - Intel Press Release
"Penryn-based processors provide fast divider performance, roughly doubling the divider speed over previous generations for computations used in nearly all applications through the inclusion of a new, faster divide technique called Radix 16. The ability to divide instructions and commands faster increases a computer's performance." - Intel Press Release
"Penryn processors include up to a 50 percent larger L2 cache with a higher degree of associativity to further improve the hit rate and maximize its utilization. Dual-core Penryn processors will feature up to a 6MB L2 cache and quad-core processors up to a 12MB L2 cache.
Cache is a memory reservoir where frequently accessed data can be stored for more rapid access. Larger and faster cache sizes speed a computer's performance and response time." - Intel Press Release
This groundwork laid in the new MBP will mean 20% or more better raw performance out of apps that incorporate these new capabilities.
Intel has made these code changes very simple for developers to implement. You will see patches for major apps within the month.
"Penryn processors can perform full-width shuffles in a single cycle. This significantly improves performance for SSE2, SSE3 and SSE4 instructions that have shuffle-like operations such as pack, unpack and wider packed shifts. This feature will increase performance for content creation, imaging, video and high-performance computing." - Intel Press Release
"Penryn-based processors provide fast divider performance, roughly doubling the divider speed over previous generations for computations used in nearly all applications through the inclusion of a new, faster divide technique called Radix 16. The ability to divide instructions and commands faster increases a computer's performance." - Intel Press Release
"Penryn processors include up to a 50 percent larger L2 cache with a higher degree of associativity to further improve the hit rate and maximize its utilization. Dual-core Penryn processors will feature up to a 6MB L2 cache and quad-core processors up to a 12MB L2 cache.
Cache is a memory reservoir where frequently accessed data can be stored for more rapid access. Larger and faster cache sizes speed a computer's performance and response time." - Intel Press Release
This groundwork laid in the new MBP will mean 20% or more better raw performance out of apps that incorporate these new capabilities.
Intel has made these code changes very simple for developers to implement. You will see patches for major apps within the month.
I get more than 4 hours on my new MBP
I think with my usage, I get more than 4 hours on my new Penryn MBP.
I wanted to calibrate the battery last night. So I started a DVDrip on Handbrake while I had about 80% battery left. I was getting an average of 67-70 fps(CPU at full throttle/Superdirve as well) and the process continued for 2 hrs 30 min when the MBP went to sleep(0% battery). All Along the screen brightness and keyboard illumination were set to Max ! And yes I had set the Energy Saver preferences to No screen dimming on sleeping. Bluetooth and Wi-fi on as well. In short, trying to drain the battery fast doing something useful
So to conclude, I started with 80% battery and with all power wasters running it lasted 2 hr 30 min. In normal usage cases, "Normal" setting on Energy preferences, it does last just about 5 hrs.
So I would argue I am getting more than 4 hours currently but I would also admit its a brand new machine. Let's see how it fairs in the long run !
I think with my usage, I get more than 4 hours on my new Penryn MBP.
I wanted to calibrate the battery last night. So I started a DVDrip on Handbrake while I had about 80% battery left. I was getting an average of 67-70 fps(CPU at full throttle/Superdirve as well
) and the process continued for 2 hrs 30 min when the MBP went to sleep(0% battery). All Along the screen brightness and keyboard illumination were set to Max ! And yes I had set the Energy Saver preferences to No screen dimming on sleeping. Bluetooth and Wi-fi on as well. In short, trying to drain the battery fast doing something useful So to conclude, I started with 80% battery and with all power wasters running it lasted 2 hr 30 min. In normal usage cases, "Normal" setting on Energy preferences, it does last just about 5 hrs.
So I would argue I am getting more than 4 hours currently but I would also admit its a brand new machine. Let's see how it fairs in the long run !
The goofiest thing about Mac right now is Universal Binary... I shaved 4gig off my MBP's HD just by eliminating the bloat of non Intel PPC code.
Not only the space saving but the apps launch almost instantaneously now. Even 80% of the Apple apps still have PPC code in them.
It's been a couple of years guys time to let the PPC days go and upgrade!
Not only the space saving but the apps launch almost instantaneously now. Even 80% of the Apple apps still have PPC code in them.
It's been a couple of years guys time to let the PPC days go and upgrade!
Thank you. I'm tired of these articles comparing the low end models and then saying this "bump" wasn't a big deal. Let's see the mid and high end MBP comparisons. The baseline model might not show much difference, but compare the previous mid-line MBP to a current mid-line MBP and you'll see a different story.
And was it worth the wait?
Well, we have a bigger/better/faster computer that runs much cooler. And to think, SSE4 isn't even really being taking advantage of yet, so one day the comparison gap is going to become even greater.
Bingo. So yes, it was very worth it.
I'm just browsing everyone's reactions. I just got my new MBP this morning. It has been 4 years since my first PowerBook G4. Very happy I waited an extra month to get multi-touch pad. I paid no extra to get it, or the slight Penryn upgrade. Always great to get more battery life and less heat. I like the all alum look, but it would have been nice if this looked updated from my G4. Overall, I'm thrilled!
That and hardware needs to get more refined. I am tired of hearing about huge 2.5" HDDs that are 5400 rpm. I think it's about time for the 250 and 320GB HDDs to reach 7200 rpm. I want my processors to run cooler and still be the same speed. I want my Bluetooth to be FASTER, and I want more TOUCH.
As for Penryn... those with Santa Rosa (especially the ones that whined like us Penryn waiters, won't see the advantages and will bark at the improvements, but anyone with eyes can see that even the GFX card, Multi-Touch, the chips themselves with the improved cache, and hi rez 17" screen were worth it.
And like the guy above, many users have been using older books.... the ones that came out before SR or even the change to Intel chips.
Im no expert on graphics cards, but im hearing a lot of people put the ones in the current macbook pro down a lot, i see it has the onboard memory i was looking for, but i guess its missing some shaders or clock frequency does not meet everyones standards.
My main problem is that i have enough money for either a MBP or AlienWare, i cant buy both but i want beauty/elegance, works out of the box, OSX Leopard, iLife, iWork etc etc, what i dont want is windows, when you know Alienware is only for games you know where i am going with this, i want to play games on my mac, sure there is consoles out there but not every game is available on consoles and some games on consoles are hard to play like C&C Tiberium Wars, RTS games are best on computers, not consoles. This is where my conundrum comes from, i want MBP but want to play decent games with high settings (should expect high settings for the price it costs for a MBP) and smooth FPS. With only enough for one machine or the other i only wish Apple would take gaming more seriously and stop jerking off gamer customers.
My main problem is that i have enough money for either a MBP or AlienWare, i cant buy both but i want beauty/elegance, works out of the box, OSX Leopard, iLife, iWork etc etc, what i dont want is windows, when you know Alienware is only for games you know where i am going with this, i want to play games on my mac, sure there is consoles out there but not every game is available on consoles and some games on consoles are hard to play like C&C Tiberium Wars, RTS games are best on computers, not consoles. This is where my conundrum comes from, i want MBP but want to play decent games with high settings (should expect high settings for the price it costs for a MBP) and smooth FPS. With only enough for one machine or the other i only wish Apple would take gaming more seriously and stop jerking off gamer customers.