Waiting for the 2013's Wendy Bridge so I can get a bargain in an obsolete Ivy MBP...
I DO value performance. ...but a processor bump isn't going to make my computer faster in anything but a very few tasks. I don't do 3d, I'm an editor, and a photographer. Data access is always the bottleneck. That being said, I don't want an Air, because I need a CPU that's more powerful than my 4 year old 13" aluminum Macbook.
Aha. I had thought it was a mobile GPU. I stand corrected.Actually the 9400M is also an integrated onboard graphic controller, just older and from another company.
The highest number I can find on Passmark for a GeForce 8600 is the GeForce 8600 GTS clocking in with a G3D Mark score of 520. However, I don't know which model was in the MBP, which reportedly used a variant with DDR3.An OLD middle-range dedicated GPU would be a geforce 8600 (e.g. the dedicated GPU in 2008 MBPs) which back then you could find on "budget" PC gaming computers for about $700-800 which btw beats the crap out of the intel 3000.
That doesn't seem to "beat the crap out of the intel 3000". Am I looking at the right metrics?Intel HD3000 scores 521 on Passmark GPU benchmark
Intel HD4000 should score roughly 815 (~55% better).
In general, discrete/dedicated graphics cards are faster, but are typically larger, use more power, and generate more heat (in addition to the expense).
On systems that have both, some have switching, either automatic or user selectable. For example, one scheme could use dedicated graphics when the machine is plugged in, and integrated otherwise.
Also, sometimes there are features implemented in integrated graphics that may not be otherwise available - for example in Intel's HD3000, there are routines for compressing video.
I'll come back for this.
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Update:
Intel HD3000 scores 521 on Passmark GPU benchmark
Intel HD4000 should score roughly 815 (~55% better).
A GeForce 9400M G (not sure if that's the same performance as yours, but should be similar) scores 303.
So the new integrated graphics should be about 2.5-3 times faster than your 4 year old discrete card.
Actually the 9400M is also an integrated onboard graphic controller, just older and from another company.
An OLD middle-range dedicated GPU would be a geforce 8600 (e.g. the dedicated GPU in 2008 MBPs) which back then you could find on "budget" PC gaming computers for about $700-800 which btw beats the crap out of the intel 3000.
It is confusing but believe it or not GPU power does not improve too fast, a 5years old Geforce 8800 (top of the line back then) could very well beat middle range gpus today.
Dont get me wrong, the HD3000 and HD4000 would be perfect for most people. Low heat, decent performance (yes you can actually play some games on it @ low settings and sometimes even medium settings) etc. But if you paying 1500-2000 for a computer it should really come with some kind of dedicated graphics, probably even medium-high dedicated graphics and not just entry level.
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-HD-Graphics-4000.69168.0.html
http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-9400M-G.11949.0.html
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html
Looks like the new HD4000 will be at least 3x better than your 9400M.
I hope they put the Kepler GTX660M in the 15' and 17'. Kepler and Ivy.
These MacBook Pros are sounding good, but with Mountain Likn comi g later this year, would it be better to ge a wa machine with the new OS preinstalled, or to upgrade on its arrival? Although any new models would be more than capable of handling the new OS, it would be cleaner to wait it out? What are general thoughts on when releases of hardware and software shave happened in the past, is it worth waiting until not are updated? Thanks
re original article
cmon intel
your release date taking ages
I still think you're trolling... but here goes.Honest question (sorry if I sound like I'm trolling; not trying to): how about they get rid of all cords and do everything wirelessly? Have an induction pad and charge your computer, keyboard, mouse & external screen all on one pad.
Oh yeah, that's a very objective and non-biased view. Apple definitely has it so easy, even you could be releasing new MacBooks.Keep things in perspective. To design a new chip Intel has to do tons of work (each Intel CPU nowadays contains billions of transistors). All Apple has to do to release new Mac is to order new PCBoard from Foxconn.
Why? If you want light and thin, get the air.1. Thinner and Lighter body
Where are you going to put it?2. Dedicated GPU for 13"
4GB is fine for the base model. 1600MHz is almost no benefit over 1333MHz but if that's what Ivy Bridge comes with as a default, we'll take it.3. 8GB Ram 1600Hz by default, upgradable to 16GB Ram
Fat chance. 256GB is a $250 drive retail. How much do you think Apple pays for the 320GB or 500GB HD they use now? Probably $30.4. 256 SSD default (even the 2010 MBA has had 128GB by default) with option for upgrades to 516GB or 772GB or option for HDD at 7200rpm
Some people still want ethernet and firewire, especially those who don't want to spend $400 on a single Thunderbolt hard drive.5. Get rid of optical drive, firewire and ethernet. Add USB 3.0 and one more TB
It's fine. Not everyone is using 3D Studio or Call of Duty on their Mac.7. Ivy Bridge (the Intel HD 4000 is again, useless)
When are we looking at seeing a generation of chips with ZERO chance of integrated graphics?
Honest question (sorry if I sound like I'm trolling; not trying to): how about they get rid of all cords and do everything wirelessly? Have an induction pad and charge your computer, keyboard, mouse & external screen all on one pad.
So interface elements would be rendered at the present day resolution but with a larger DPI and the display would scale the elements automatically. That way they retain their current size versus getting smaller (which is what happens currently).
Ivy Bridge is not a large increase in speed. That is disappointing......
Is no one else interested in seeing if Apple could reignite popularity in PowerVR on the desktop?