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What are the actual hardware changes to the new Macbook Pro?

B

bpetruzzo

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 22, 2005
102
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I have the 15" unibody which I'm happy with. Of course, I'm envious of the refresh. But what I'm wondering are the real hardware limitations of the current notebook. Namely RAM. With Snow Leopard supporting a theoretically huge amount of RAM, is my hardware limited to the 4GB, or will Snow Leopard let me upgrade to 8GB? Or will I have to upgrade to the new body?

I mean, the screen is great and the battery life is awfully tempting, but practically speaking, upgradability is a lot more important. So the RAM is kind of the deal breaker. Do I need to upgrade or can I just wait for Snow Leopard to come out and run and update my software?
 
here is arn's live update. should tell you everything you need to know.
 

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No, I don't need to yet. I have 4GB. I'm more concerned about a year or two from now when I won't be able to get nearly as much for my current computer. I'd rather a $500 - $600 upgrade now that sets me for 4 or 5 years than waiting a year and needing more RAM but not being able to upgrade without dropping another $2300.
 
It's not official yet or there is no news on it but seeing how the 13" "MacBook Pro" can support 8GB, I don't see how Apple won't allow the original unibody buyers to have support of 8GB.
 
My question is actually less about the new Notebooks and more about my current one. I have the original 15" unibody. Does the new Macbook and the Old Macbook share the same logic board? I really just want to know if my current hardware will support more RAM once I upgrade to Snow Leopard, or do I need the new Macbook?

If I need the new one, I'll just upgrade ASAP because my current computer is depreciating by the second.
 
I'm interested too, but so angry that we are limited to 4gb or 6gb, whatever it is. I would be happy if this could support 8.
 
bpetruzzo said:
My question is actually less about the new Notebooks and more about my current one. I have the original 15" unibody. Does the new Macbook and the Old Macbook share the same logic board? I really just want to know if my current hardware will support more RAM once I upgrade to Snow Leopard, or do I need the new Macbook?

If I need the new one, I'll just upgrade ASAP because my current computer is depreciating by the second.
Click to expand...

i think that was the problem the original uni MB and MBP's didnt support 8GB and when the 17" came and the speed bump for the 15" they started using the logic board that supported 8GB.
 
it has an updated logicboard!
the slots on the left side are completely scattered compared to previous one.
 
ViciousShadow21 said:
which laptop are you labeling as "it"?!
Click to expand...

15"er ! (WWDC)
it has different port and connection layout that mine late 08 :)
audio jacks, usb/miniDV and SD is between audio and usb, whereas Expresscard was the last on the 08 (and early 09)
 
ViciousShadow21 said:
oh well i was talking about bpetruzzo's post. he has the original uni.
Click to expand...

yeah so do I. and as far as ive read, 2.53 models dont support 8gigs of ram...
while the new ones officially do.
i dont mind , cause i have the desktop for heavy duty machinery. :)

they have rearrange the logicboard, but that has nothing to do with ram limit, 2.66 model supports it.
 
Why Oh Why Oh Why did they half the 2.53Ghz to just 3mb Cache?

WHY?!

I was about to buy one, then I read the specs and it's halved - I mean seriously.

They never just update things without any cons do they?
 
Ploki said:
yeah so do I. and as far as ive read, 2.53 models dont support 8gigs of ram...
while the new ones officially do.
i dont mind , cause i have the desktop for heavy duty machinery. :)

they have rearrange the logicboard, but that has nothing to do with ram limit, 2.66 model supports it.
Click to expand...

ok i got a little confused there sorry. what i was saying is the originals (oct 08 uni's) didnt have a logic board that's firmware supported 8GB. but when the 17" came along with the 15" 2.66 and 2.93 their logic boards supported it. and now the new new uMBP's support it as well of course. i dont think it has anything to do with the layout tho.
 
Ok, so does that mean I just need to update firmware and I'll be able to support 8GB of RAM, or do I have to upgrade?
 
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