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Santa Rosa-Based MacBook Pro 'Very Soon'... Next Week?

The Macintosh *DOES* have games guys. The selection isn't as good, but don't discount it! There are several companies making/porting games to the Mac, which does make it a viable gaming platform, if you want it to be. (I've always been confused why Apple doesn't push games a bit more, since theoretically Macs are so much more console like and friendly compared to Windows PCs. Always seemed like a natural fit to me.)

Anyway, the two big things I want are still:
  1. New design with a user replaceable hard drive (I mean easily, without voiding the warranty-that should be standard on ALL computers).
  2. A solid, mid-range GPU. The x1600 was low-end when it launched, let alone now. Throw an 8600 in there, and for once they can be more or less on par with Windows laptops. At least throw one in the 17" model, preferably an 8600GT!

If they don't make those two changes, then I don't really care about the new laptops. I mean a 3% faster clock speed and 20% faster FSB are great, but I would have bought a Macbook Pro regardless if they just fixed the GPU and especially hard drive issues.

Since ATi is part of AMD now, I hope that means Apple will FINALLY start using Nvidia hardware more aggressively. ATi's mobile hardware has always been especially pathetic.

EDIT: Also, I really think they need a cheaper 15.4" model. Starting at $2000 for that when you can get a Windows 17" notebook for $800 is crazy. MANY people have no desire to use a 13" screen.
 
scottlinux said:
Yes, esp since the ATI-AMD merger. I think Apple would now lean on Nvidia graphics. The apple TV currently has a better video chip than the Macbook. Heck the iBooks had better video.
That's the only reason I have no purchased a macbook.
Click to expand...

Actually not really true. The MacBook in some aspects has a better gfx chip. This was talked about endlessly when it first came out so you can look it up, but the chip is just as good, if not better than the one on the iBook.

Also when the MBP first came out the X1600 was not the best, there was the X1700, then the X1800, and then few months later the X1900. It would have been nice if the MBP C2D got upgrade to at least the X1800.
 
Tuesday Next Week!!!

Coinciding nicely with AMD finally lifting the NDAs they have on their new graphics cards!

It seems likely we'll see either a Mobility HD2600 or Go8600 in the new MBP. The Mobility X1600 would just simply be pitiful in comparison.

I want 512MB of VRAM goodness, on a GPU that can use every last bit to its full potential, in a Macbook Pro that can single handedly freeze the Earth with its coolness!
 
Erasmus said:
Tuesday Next Week!!!

Coinciding nicely with AMD finally lifting the NDAs they have on their new graphics cards!

It seems likely we'll see either a Mobility HD2600 or Go8600 in the new MBP. The Mobility X1600 would just simply be pitiful in comparison.

I want 512MB of VRAM goodness, on a GPU that can use every last bit to its full potential, in a Macbook Pro that can single handedly freeze the Earth with its coolness!
Click to expand...

512MB wouldn't really help anything on a mid range GPU...not that I'd complain, if an 8600 is the best that can be put in there for now :)

I'm soooo hoping they redo the case so the drive is accessable and throw an 8600 in there. I've saved up enough for a 17" model if I want it...
 
:( I wish they would just hurry up and announce new stuff. My macbook is growing old on me and its time for a new gadget! All this waiting is starting to bore me. Im actually looking at Sony VAIOS...but then again Windows vista:eek: Stevie...make my day announce something make me pre order...otherwise my 2000 euros are on their way to some other company.
 
Wolfpup said:
512MB wouldn't really help anything on a mid range GPU...not that I'd complain, if an 8600 is the best that can be put in there for now :)

I'm soooo hoping they redo the case so the drive is accessable and throw an 8600 in there. I've saved up enough for a 17" model if I want it...
Click to expand...
More texture space. I'm seeing 256 MB being the recommended requirement for above Medium texture settings in games. You might not be able to push raw resolution like the higher end cards but it'll still look nice.
 
Erasmus said:
Tuesday Next Week!!!

Coinciding nicely with AMD finally lifting the NDAs they have on their new graphics cards!

It seems likely we'll see either a Mobility HD2600 or Go8600 in the new MBP. The Mobility X1600 would just simply be pitiful in comparison.

I want 512MB of VRAM goodness, on a GPU that can use every last bit to its full potential, in a Macbook Pro that can single handedly freeze the Earth with its coolness!
Click to expand...

I use to be an nVidia person when it came to GFX cards but once I tired a Radeon I was surprised how well it was. I would personally like to see the X2300 series in it with 256 of fast ram(for the GFX of course) or 512 or regular ram.
 
bloodycape said:
I use to be an nVidia person when it came to GFX cards but once I tired a Radeon I was surprised how well it was. I would personally like to see the X2300 series in it with 256 of fast ram(for the GFX of course) or 512 or regular ram.
Click to expand...

And again I have to say...sticking a ton of RAM on a low end GPU isn't going to do any good. ATi's *NEVER* lead in the mobile GPUs. They caught up once, but never have before or since.
 
Wolfpup said:
And again I have to say...sticking a ton of RAM on a low end GPU isn't going to do any good. ATi's *NEVER* lead in the mobile GPUs. They caught up once, but never have before or since.
Click to expand...


Does that mean i wasted £50 upgrading to 256mb on my iMac? Oops.
 
iBunny said:
4GB of Ram is a Must for BTO MBPs. 2GB is no longer good enough if I plan to keep this computer approx 3 years.

Also, Same with a Beefy Videocard. Nothing over the top, but if this thing is going to last me. It should be something current. Even if its a mid range card.
Click to expand...

I'm in your side, dude. I always say: "put as much RAM as possible in there". My Gen1 Macbook just doesn't cut it with 512MB. With 2GB, it's bearable.
Right now, 2GB SO-DIMMS are a little expensive, but the price should be down enough in 2 years to be affordable.

I'd love to have 4 RAM-Slots instead of 2. Imagine some kind of riser card that you pull out near the battery that holds 4 SO-DIMMS. That should not be that big in size.
...........
-[===].
-[===].
-[===].
-[===].
...........

[===] represents one SO-DIMM, on the left are the connections for the riser card.
 
The gizmodo article never says that macbook pros will be released.

Just some sort of macbook model. Get it right!

I think Mac Minis and MacBooks will come out because mac minis have gone the longest without revisions and new 13" macbooks need to be out for the college shopping season.

Apple has released only two product revisions in the last 6 months (colored shuffles and new Mac Pro processor), and two new products/new product generations :)apple:TV and airport extreme). It's about time, but it's a shame that's all that will be released before WWDC.

Oh well, WWDC will have new MBP updates and July/August will get the rest of the hardware. No new iPods until September though :(.

-=|Mgkwho
 
I tend to agree with this. Fry's was selling MacBooks with $75 instant discount earlier this week. Fry usually never offers significant (i.e. more than $5) discounts on Apple systems, so this may have been an effort to clear inventory before new models show up.

Mgkwho said:
The gizmodo article never says that macbook pros will be released.

Just some sort of macbook model. Get it right!

I think Mac Minis and MacBooks will come out because mac minis have gone the longest without revisions and new 13" macbooks need to be out for the college shopping season.

Apple has released only two product revisions in the last 6 months (colored shuffles and new Mac Pro processor), and two new products/new product generations :)apple:TV and airport extreme). It's about time, but it's a shame that's all that will be released before WWDC.

Oh well, WWDC will have new MBP updates and July/August will get the rest of the hardware. No new iPods until September though :(.

-=|Mgkwho
Click to expand...
 
So far the Macbook Pro has always gotten an update before the Macbook. Which makes sense, in that it wouldn't be real great to have the cheaper model have some higher end hardware than the more expensive model. If it was like before though, they were just a month apart.
 
Wolfpup said:
So far the Macbook Pro has always gotten an update before the Macbook. Which makes sense, in that it wouldn't be real great to have the cheaper model have some higher end hardware than the more expensive model. If it was like before though, they were just a month apart.
Click to expand...

Appleinsider seems to think that the LED backlit 13.3" panels are for the ultraportable version of the MBP (and that the MB won't get updated substnatially for a while). Personally, the possibility of the 13.3" ultraportable is enticing. I don't need a desktop replacement (running a Mac Pro now), but would be happy to dump the iBook for one of those puppies. :)

cheers.
 
MBP will come first

Wolfpup said:
So far the Macbook Pro has always gotten an update before the Macbook. Which makes sense, in that it wouldn't be real great to have the cheaper model have some higher end hardware than the more expensive model. If it was like before though, they were just a month apart.
Click to expand...

Exactly. If a new MacBook Amateur suddenly arrived with better FSB/battery life/etc, Apple would kiss all MBP sales goodbye until it catches up. Won't happen.
 
bloodycape said:
Also when the MBP first came out the X1600 was not the best, there was the X1700, then the X1800, and then few months later the X1900. It would have been nice if the MBP C2D got upgrade to at least the X1800.
Click to expand...

Actually, X1800 was out in the same timeframe as X1600. X1900 came next, and X1700 only arrived at the end of 2006. The second digit is not a simple version increment. It indicates where the GPU fits in the product lineup. In general, 3 & 4 are cheap, 6 & 7 are value/efficiency, 8 & 9 are SUVs.

Remember, Apple's design focus for laptops is performance per watt. A year ago, Mobility X1600 dominated that benchmark, and it was exactly the right pick for MBP. There would never be an X1800 in MBP, it would require a thicker case, bigger battery, louder fans.

Hopefully we'll see either Mobility X2600 or Go 8600 in the new MBP. And I'm betting on June 11, at WWDC.
 
Mgkwho said:
The gizmodo article never says that macbook pros will be released.

Just some sort of macbook model. Get it right!

I think Mac Minis and MacBooks will come out because mac minis have gone the longest without revisions and new 13" macbooks need to be out for the college shopping season.
Click to expand...

Sense of entitlement much?

Check the previous year's "Back to college" promos, newly released machines are explicitly excluded from the free iPod deal.

Apple doesn't give a fark about college students, they are just dumb frat boys with money to lap up on Apple's old iStock.
 
What about the prices, will they be the same as now?
With all these nice things coming out, I will wait until june to get my first MBP.

I am feeling so lucky for finding this forum!

Cheers!
 
dartzorichalcos said:
So are you saying that the Mobility X2600 has better performance per watt and runs cooler than X1800?
Click to expand...

For the past several generations, ATI has explicitly marketed *600 and/or *700 Mobility as "Performance Thin", whereas *800 and *900 are "Mobile Enthusiast". So if the X2600 isn't more miserly than X1800, their marketing team has some hard work ahead of them.
 
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