Waiting for Haswell MBP Mega Thread

[Zodiac.mj]

Still not getting what your saying.
Are you saying that they wrote that there will only be iris pro chips in the new rMBP (Iris pro cpus are NOT exclusive to apple)
Or are you saying that there will be a dGPU option or even a "Unreleased/Unannonced" beefed up iris pro from intel that is exclusive for apple?

Apple has new deal with Intel to deliver special versions of high-performance Iris Pro for rMBP. That's what the article is all about. You won't be able to get this version of Haswell chips from any other manufacturer.

Standard Iris Pro will be probably in the base version of rMBP since the special high-performance will come in limited quantity, but that's just my opinion.

 

[Nive]

The part everyone can see is this:



So it sounds like there might be a sort of Iris Pro+ custom-made for Apple. Now that would be interesting.

That would justify leaving out a dGPU, if it's up to par that is.

 

[koyoot]

Look. Intel and Apple always worked on Drivers for OSX, they are far better than on Windows. Mavericks will bring a lot more power to graphics, so in fact at the end, Iris Pro will be far more powerful on OSX than on Windows.

In the end. Iris Pro CAN be a lot faster than GT650M, even on Games.

Im just curious whats that modyfication of the GPU that will be in Iris Pro for Apple .

 

[APPLE-FANATIC]

So it's almost clear now, we will get Haswell GT3e without discrete graphics this time, as SemiAccurate wrote 3 months ago.

http://semiaccurate.com/2013/07/25/apple-gets-a-special-haswell-for-the-macbook-pro/

If you we're considering 2.4 GT3e (like me) to be a little bit low on CPU clock and GPU itself behind current 650GT, worry no more, we will get something special.

I just can't wait!

Maybe this is the reason for the delay and why Sept is the next target date to keep on our radars. Fingers crossed. Hopefully we will see more benchmarks and/or SKUs in the next month or so

 

[PaulSpr]

Apple has new deal with Intel to deliver special versions of high-performance Iris Pro for rMBP. That's what the article is all about. You won't be able to get this version of Haswell chips from any other manufacturer.

Standard Iris Pro will be probably in the base version of rMBP since the special high-performance will come in limited quantity, but that's just my opinion.

I wonder what that special part would be, and why only Apple would get it. Since Haswell's TDP is 47W and Ivy Bridge's TDP is 45W + 45W from the 650M there is headroom for more heat. Maybe it has something to do with that?

Maybe a desktop class processor? Like the Core i7-4770R: 65W TDP, Quad-core, 3.2Ghz (3.9Ghz turbo), Iris Pro, 6MB cache? I have no idea if that is even possible. More info here: http://www.anandtech.com/show/7001/intels-haswell-quadcore-desktop-processor-skus. It's the only CPU without a price indication. Interesting.

 

[Quu]

I wonder what that special part would be, and why only Apple would get it. Since Haswell's TDP is 47W and Ivy Bridge's TDP is 45W + 45W from the 650M there is headroom for more heat. Maybe it has something to do with that?

Maybe a desktop class processor? Like the Core i7-4770R: 65W TDP, Quad-core, 3.2Ghz (3.9Ghz turbo), Iris Pro, 6MB cache? I have no idea if that is even possible. More info here: http://www.anandtech.com/show/7001/intels-haswell-quadcore-desktop-processor-skus. It's the only CPU without a price indication. Interesting.

Remember when they first introduced the MacBook Air (The very first one) and they had Intel CEO come on stage and he explained to the audience that the Core 2 Duo processor featured inside the MacBook Air was specially designed for Apple based on their requirements to have the same CPU Die but on a smaller package (The PCB beneath the CPU Die).

Apple were the first to receive that chip (obviously) and it only later became available in other Intel customer products after a few months.

A similar thing could occur here with Intel making an especially high TDP processor for Apple and then after a period of time other OEM's will get access to it also.

It's a possibility. Definitely a far out one.

 

[PaulSpr]

Remember when they first introduced the MacBook Air (The very first one) and they had Intel CEO come on stage and he explained to the audience that the Core 2 Duo processor featured inside the MacBook Air was specially designed for Apple based on their requirements to have the same CPU Die but on a smaller package (The PCB beneath the CPU Die).

Apple were the first to receive that chip (obviously) and it only later became available in other Intel customer products after a few months.

A similar thing could occur here with Intel making an especially high TDP processor for Apple and then after a period of time other OEM's will get access to it also.

It's a possibility. Definitely a far out one.

Just checked, desktop and laptop CPU sockets are completely different. But a higher clocked CPU and a higher clocked GPU (max for an Iris Pro is 1300Mhz) could be cool. But I'd rather have more RAM for the GPU. Can't think of a reason why only Apple would get such a chip though.

We'll probably be disappointed if this turns out to be nothing. But hey, speculation is always fun, unless you're an analyst...

 

[Zodiac.mj]

Check Anandtech review of Iris Pro - under load (both GPU and CPU) it can soak up to 87W, so there is no headroom. It will be hot anyway

As with i7 in Airs, those Iris Pro+ as you call it will be probably just better bins that can hold higher frequencies without additional power leakage, so this would translate to better performance within similar TDP range.

For pros this will be excellent machine. For gamers not so much.

 

[sarakn]

I'm starting to think that October will be the actual release date. Even though the article mentions a large % of shipments, it's probably referring to shipments of the current model, not new model.

I don't think it makes sense to release the new model so soon after BTS. If it's 2 weeks out, then people have 14 days to return and re-purchase. Why leave yourself open to that many returns? I bet the average purchaser has no idea that there's a new system coming up, but that won't matter. When they purchase it and find out a new model is out, they'll head back to the store for a replacement.

This leaves out the possibility of September availability. I think it's going to be released in October - I guess I'll have to wait until then.

 

[nb8475]

I'm starting to think that October will be the actual release date. Even though the article mentions a large % of shipments, it's probably referring to shipments of the current model, not new model.

I don't think it makes sense to release the new model so soon after BTS. If it's 2 weeks out, then people have 14 days to return and re-purchase. Why leave yourself open to that many returns? I bet the average purchaser has no idea that there's a new system coming up, but that won't matter. When they purchase it and find out a new model is out, they'll head back to the store for a replacement.

This leaves out the possibility of September availability. I think it's going to be released in October - I guess I'll have to wait until then.

That's what I was saying, everyone would return their macs..

 

[polymersayb]

Remember when they first introduced the MacBook Air (The very first one) and they had Intel CEO come on stage and he explained to the audience that the Core 2 Duo processor featured inside the MacBook Air was specially designed for Apple based on their requirements to have the same CPU Die but on a smaller package (The PCB beneath the CPU Die).

Apple were the first to receive that chip (obviously) and it only later became available in other Intel customer products after a few months.

A similar thing could occur here with Intel making an especially high TDP processor for Apple and then after a period of time other OEM's will get access to it also.

It's a possibility. Definitely a far out one.

And they would love to hold back the release so that they can show off their special chip at an event. With Mac Pro and Mavericks.

Maybe we'll even get TB2 if they hold it long enough. And a retina Cinema Display? Now I'm starting to go crazy...

----------

I'm starting to think that October will be the actual release date. Even though the article mentions a large % of shipments, it's probably referring to shipments of the current model, not new model.

I don't think it makes sense to release the new model so soon after BTS. If it's 2 weeks out, then people have 14 days to return and re-purchase. Why leave yourself open to that many returns? I bet the average purchaser has no idea that there's a new system coming up, but that won't matter. When they purchase it and find out a new model is out, they'll head back to the store for a replacement.

This leaves out the possibility of September availability. I think it's going to be released in October - I guess I'll have to wait until then.

Makes sense.

And bonus, the current rMBPs are "2013" models, so consumers might even think they have the latest version. (And technically they do.) I wonder if Apple planned that out... it probably takes a while to get a custom chip from Intel.

 

[redsoxaa]

Back to school ends on the 6th, so even if the waited 14 days to eliminate returns, that still leaves the 21-30th open for launch.

 

[zOlid]

Apple has new deal with Intel to deliver special versions of high-performance Iris Pro for rMBP. That's what the article is all about. You won't be able to get this version of Haswell chips from any other manufacturer.

Standard Iris Pro will be probably in the base version of rMBP since the special high-performance will come in limited quantity, but that's just my opinion.

If this is true. And there is any truth to it.
Other rumor sites will write about it also.
I still don't believe that it is.
But it sure would be sweet if it was.

But tbh of all the rumors that are floating around. This dont even make my top 3 list, of stuff that have some chance to come in the new rMBP
Id much rather see:
IGZO.
Redesign.
4K display.

But hey. Anything more then just Haswell, SSD and WiFi is a nice bonus

 

[PDFierro]

I'm starting to think that October will be the actual release date. Even though the article mentions a large % of shipments, it's probably referring to shipments of the current model, not new model.

I don't think it makes sense to release the new model so soon after BTS. If it's 2 weeks out, then people have 14 days to return and re-purchase. Why leave yourself open to that many returns? I bet the average purchaser has no idea that there's a new system coming up, but that won't matter. When they purchase it and find out a new model is out, they'll head back to the store for a replacement.

This leaves out the possibility of September availability. I think it's going to be released in October - I guess I'll have to wait until then.

Not necessarily. Apple will do what they want. If they want to release it in September after BTS, then they will. So I wouldn't rule it out. A September release makes more sense anyhow.

 

[bill-p]

Look. Intel and Apple always worked on Drivers for OSX, they are far better than on Windows. Mavericks will bring a lot more power to graphics, so in fact at the end, Iris Pro will be far more powerful on OSX than on Windows.

In the end. Iris Pro CAN be a lot faster than GT650M, even on Games.

Im just curious whats that modyfication of the GPU that will be in Iris Pro for Apple .

Sorry to burst your bubbles, but... in terms of Intel and drivers?

Windows > Linux > OSX

Intel SUCKS with drivers.

And yeah, that's still true for Mavericks.
http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=osx_109_mavericksgl&num=1

And here's Windows 8 beating Ubuntu
http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=intel_haswell_win8&num=1

Really really sorry, but... it's a fact. You're dreaming if you're expecting anything good to come out of this.

650M will still be faster than Iris Pro by a good margin unless Apple intentionally cripples 650M in Mavericks, or Intel somehow works miracles.

 

[tmiw]

Sorry to burst your bubbles, but... in terms of Intel and drivers?

Windows > Linux > OSX

Intel SUCKS with drivers.

And yeah, that's still true for Mavericks.
http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=osx_109_mavericksgl&num=1

And here's Windows 8 beating Ubuntu
http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=intel_haswell_win8&num=1

Really really sorry, but... it's a fact. You're dreaming if you're expecting anything good to come out of this.

650M will still be faster than Iris Pro by a good margin unless Apple intentionally cripples 650M in Mavericks, or Intel somehow works miracles.

Once again, Apple controls the OS, so bad Intel drivers are on them to fix. We should be asking why good video drivers aren't a priority for Apple.

 

[bill-p]

Once again, Apple controls the OS, so bad Intel drivers are on them to fix. We should be asking why good video drivers aren't a priority for Apple.

Apple controls the OS but it's up to Intel and other manufacturers to provide high performance and stable drivers implementations to Apple.

It's not like Apple writes their own drivers now.

Prime example? Mavericks DP4 runs GeForce 310.40, which is the same version that Linux 64-bit received in March 2013.

And I am very sure (100%) that good video drivers are pretty high priority to Apple, especially since Mavericks moving forward will make more use of the GPU.

But it's just a fact that Intel can't write any drivers worth a damn. More to the point, there was a time when they didn't even bother writing or sourcing proper drivers at all. And instead relied on some Chinese third-party software firm to write "acceptable" drivers. Look up the Intel Atom Z5xx and Atom Z6xx line of processors...

 

[mneblett]

A quick follow-up: Last evening I picked up the current 15" rMBP (16GB, 512GB). I'm quite pleased.

When the Haswell rMBP finally arrives, I'll take a look and see whether its benefits (i.e., whatever "new" stuff ends up appearing in the MBP) and additional cost is worth the trouble of selling this early 2013 rMBP.

Given my experience with the new machine just last evening, however, I expect that the Haswell version will have to have some "must-have" new stuff to get me to jump on board.

 

[ChildishGambino]

Look. Intel and Apple always worked on Drivers for OSX, they are far better than on Windows. Mavericks will bring a lot more power to graphics, so in fact at the end, Iris Pro will be far more powerful on OSX than on Windows.

In the end. Iris Pro CAN be a lot faster than GT650M, even on Games.

Im just curious whats that modyfication of the GPU that will be in Iris Pro for Apple .

Am I in a parallel universe? What is this Intel driver wizardry that you speak of?

 

[tehBrad]

did anyone see the front page news?

if the mac mini is slipping in shipment times, it could be possible that the rmbp would be updated at the same time

 

[PDFierro]

did anyone see the front page news?

if the mac mini is slipping in shipment times, it could be possible that the rmbp would be updated at the same time

I saw that. But I doubt it'd be any earlier than September.

 

[applepie555]

If you can wait...should you? I can wait until mid September but no later..I've decided to put off buying..to wait for WWDC and the Conference call, and it was pointless. There are good deals now so I could get one with more storage space and ram at a lower price than when the haswell one, plus I can get it tax free online....The dGPU is tempting me to buy the current one..but I'm curious what the special intel thing is all about....

 

[john123]

Do you have any information on the other changes that were made? I'm very curious as to what exactly was changed.

I just spent a few minutes searching for the service guide I'd seen that referred to the differences--relevant in repairs. I saw it a week ago but didn't find it in Googling. Maybe someone else will recall.

 

[tmiw]

Apple controls the OS but it's up to Intel and other manufacturers to provide high performance and stable drivers implementations to Apple.

It's not like Apple writes their own drivers now.

Prime example? Mavericks DP4 runs GeForce 310.40, which is the same version that Linux 64-bit received in March 2013.

And I am very sure (100%) that good video drivers are pretty high priority to Apple, especially since Mavericks moving forward will make more use of the GPU.

But it's just a fact that Intel can't write any drivers worth a damn. More to the point, there was a time when they didn't even bother writing or sourcing proper drivers at all. And instead relied on some Chinese third-party software firm to write "acceptable" drivers. Look up the Intel Atom Z5xx and Atom Z6xx line of processors...

Even then, Apple could have easily told Intel that their OSX driver wasn't acceptable and insisted on fixes. We don't know if they did or not or whether they shipped anyway due to time constraints. We'll have to see what Haswell/Mavericks brings to see if that's gotten any better.

 

[zerrisk]

Been browsing all the numerous pages on this thread so I can buy my first mac, but I think wait time is over for me. Is a $1599 price tag a good deal for the refurbished 15" rMBP? (8G RAM // 256 SSD)