Core 2 Duo MacBook Pros released

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
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Yowza

I just got my 2ghz Core 2 Duo Windows laptop for work last week and it's absolutely insane, kills everything else I've ever worked on. 2.33ghz + 3gb ram = mmm :)
 

AmigaMan

Diamond Member
Oct 12, 1999
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they also bumped up the standard ram to 2GB in the middle and high end models with an option for 3GB which is nice. Bumped up the standard HD to 120GB with an option to 200GB (only 4200RPM though). Also Apple added FW800 on the 15" models which is nice. It's a nice speed bump, but my current MBP will have to suffice for the time being :(
 

pm63

Junior Member
Oct 8, 2006
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YES! They had better upgrade the standard MacBooks with Core 2 Duos too! I'm glad I waited for them to make something better (of course, they havent yet with the MacBooks). Do you guys think that this means they will be upgrading the MacBooks as well?
 

VooDooAddict

Golden Member
Jun 4, 2004
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I was hoping the video would get a slight boost too. Maybe a 7600GT or better. Oh well not like i was really planning to get one soon anyway.
 

AmigaMan

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Oct 12, 1999
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Originally posted by: pm63
YES! They had better upgrade the standard MacBooks with Core 2 Duos too! I'm glad I waited for them to make something better (of course, they havent yet with the MacBooks). Do you guys think that this means they will be upgrading the MacBooks as well?

They'll definitely update the MacBooks before Christmas. I wouldn't be surprised if it were in a couple weeks.
 

deathwalker

Golden Member
May 22, 2003
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It's pretty hard to digest the fact that you can't buy one of these puppies for less than $2000. In the world of mainstream laptops this is an expensive "starting" point.
 

gramboh

Platinum Member
May 3, 2003
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Macbooks are sweet, don't get me wrong, I've played with a few (Pro and non-pro), but last night my dad ordered a Dell w/ C2D T7400 (2.16GHz), 2GB DDR2-533, 120GB HDD, ATI X1400, 15.4inch WS 1680x1050 glossy, Windows XP Pro, 3 year extended warranty for $1645CDN shipped. I priced out a MBP with a similar config for $2,409 (T7400, 2GB DDR2-667, 120GB, no extended warranty). In my opinion the %46 price premium is too much, plus I didn't want to have to teach him OSX.

I think Apple will keep the Macbook with Core Duo for a while to differentiate the two products not just on size but on power.
 

AmigaMan

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Oct 12, 1999
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Originally posted by: gramboh
Macbooks are sweet, don't get me wrong, I've played with a few (Pro and non-pro), but last night my dad ordered a Dell w/ C2D T7400 (2.16GHz), 2GB DDR2-533, 120GB HDD, ATI X1400, 15.4inch WS 1680x1050 glossy, Windows XP Pro, 3 year extended warranty for $1645CDN shipped. I priced out a MBP with a similar config for $2,409 (T7400, 2GB DDR2-667, 120GB, no extended warranty). In my opinion the %46 price premium is too much, plus I didn't want to have to teach him OSX.

I think Apple will keep the Macbook with Core Duo for a while to differentiate the two products not just on size but on power.

you're getting a lot faster graphics card (x1600 256MB), more included software, and arguably a better OS for the money. While I agree Mac are a bit on the expensive side, I'd much rather pay the difference than have a Dell. Been there, done that (several times in fact), but I won't do it again.
 

Chadder007

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
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Originally posted by: slugg
apple has always been ridiculous in pricing.

Macbook isn't that bad....the Pro is indeed ridiculous. Nearly $1000 difference between the two's prices. :confused:
 

Kadarin

Lifer
Nov 23, 2001
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Originally posted by: manly
Ho hum, I can definitely wait for Santa Rosa and Leopard.

And by the time Santa Rosa comes out, you'll be wanting to wait for the next big thing.
 

5150Joker

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Feb 6, 2002
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I just ordered one of these earlier today. Got the 15" top end model with the 2.33 GHz Core 2 Duo and 2 GB ram. BTW for the guy talking about how his dad ordered a Dell for so much cheaper than the macbook, do you have any experience with Dell machines? I've been using Dell laptops for a long time now and currently own two of them (Dell XPS M1710 and Dell XPS M1210) and while the M1710 is an awesome laptop, the M1210 leaves a lot to be desired. Both have a cheap plastic cover (though they have magnesium casing), the M1210 has a LOUSY AUO screen with some of the worst viewing angles I've ever seen on a laptop. The integrated logitech camera on the M1210 constantly conflicts with software and causes windows to lock up when booting so I end up having to disable it. Furthermore, Dell is known for using cheap parts in their laptops (their mobos are junk) and its very hit and miss when it comes to getting a good LCD (I had to exchange my M1710 3 times before I got a good LG display). So yeah if paying a premium on a macbook pro means I get high quality components then I'm all for it.
 

AmigaMan

Diamond Member
Oct 12, 1999
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Originally posted by: 5150Joker
I just ordered one of these earlier today. Got the 15" top end model with the 2.33 GHz Core 2 Duo and 2 GB ram.

Awesome! Hope you enjoy it. Let us know how it runs games in Windows if you're so inclined.
 

manly

Lifer
Jan 25, 2000
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Too bad you still can't upgrade the VRAM on the base 15" MBP. The upper 15" config is a rip.
 

5150Joker

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Originally posted by: AmigaMan
Originally posted by: 5150Joker
I just ordered one of these earlier today. Got the 15" top end model with the 2.33 GHz Core 2 Duo and 2 GB ram.

Awesome! Hope you enjoy it. Let us know how it runs games in Windows if you're so inclined.


I sure will! A "friend" even has access to Leopard so I might see how that goes with its native bootcamp.
 

pm63

Junior Member
Oct 8, 2006
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Macbook isn't that bad....the Pro is indeed ridiculous. Nearly $1000 difference between the two's prices. :confused:

Thats exactly what I think. For the hardware, the MacBookPros are only a little better, and in MacWorld's performance tests they didn't do NEARLY well enough against the MacBooks to justify such a huge increase in price.

 

Chadder007

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
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Originally posted by: pm63
Macbook isn't that bad....the Pro is indeed ridiculous. Nearly $1000 difference between the two's prices. :confused:

Thats exactly what I think. For the hardware, the MacBookPros are only a little better, and in MacWorld's performance tests they didn't do NEARLY well enough against the MacBooks to justify such a huge increase in price.

Ill just wait for the Macbook to be updated I guess anyway....in a week or two I think?
Has the macbook had more of the quality problems compared to the pro? (Heat, RSS, white shell turning Yellow)
 

5150Joker

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Feb 6, 2002
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So far the people that have received the new MBP are reporting that they don't get hot anymore and infact feel cool to the touch. Best of all the X1600's clocks have been drastically raised to nearly full spec. Can't wait till I get mine!
 

MIDIman

Diamond Member
Jan 14, 2000
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Why don't macs come with any WUXGA panels? Really need the real-estate for coding and graphics work. Any way to upgrade a panel?
 

Kadarin

Lifer
Nov 23, 2001
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Originally posted by: 5150Joker
So far the people that have received the new MBP are reporting that they don't get hot anymore and infact feel cool to the touch. Best of all the X1600's clocks have been drastically raised to nearly full spec. Can't wait till I get mine!

This sounds like very good news. Now I'm debating whether to get one now, or wait for the Santa Rosa platform... (then again, there's always something newer to wait for)
 

manly

Lifer
Jan 25, 2000
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(Sorry if I'm thread hijacking) What do you guys think of refurbished Core Duo MBPs at Apple.com? Unfortunately, these do not have the glossy screen. The edu price of the new "good" model of $1799 seems quite reasonable in comparison.

Refurbished MacBook Pro, 15-inch, 2.16GHz Intel Core Duo
15.4-inch widescreen display (1440x900 resolution)
1GB (single SODIMM) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
100GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive
Slot-load SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 256MB GDDR3 memory
Built-in iSight Camera
Front Row and Apple Remote
Price: $1,599.00
 

AmigaMan

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Oct 12, 1999
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Originally posted by: manly
(Sorry if I'm thread hijacking) What do you guys think of refurbished Core Duo MBPs at Apple.com? Unfortunately, these do not have the glossy screen. The edu price of the new "good" model of $1799 seems quite reasonable in comparison.

Refurbished MacBook Pro, 15-inch, 2.16GHz Intel Core Duo
15.4-inch widescreen display (1440x900 resolution)
1GB (single SODIMM) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
100GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive
Slot-load SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 256MB GDDR3 memory
Built-in iSight Camera
Front Row and Apple Remote
Price: $1,599.00

Hmm...is $200 worth a new CPU, FW800, 20GB extra HD, and other logic board revisions that make it run cooler? IMO, probably, but everyone's finances are different. Although if I were looking at the refurbs, I'd get the 2Ghz one and not the 2.16Ghz since it's $100 cheaper. It's too bad you can't use the educational discount on the refurbs as well.
 

manly

Lifer
Jan 25, 2000
13,086
3,851
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Originally posted by: AmigaMan
Originally posted by: manly
(Sorry if I'm thread hijacking) What do you guys think of refurbished Core Duo MBPs at Apple.com? Unfortunately, these do not have the glossy screen. The edu price of the new "good" model of $1799 seems quite reasonable in comparison.

Refurbished MacBook Pro, 15-inch, 2.16GHz Intel Core Duo
15.4-inch widescreen display (1440x900 resolution)
1GB (single SODIMM) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
100GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive
Slot-load SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 256MB GDDR3 memory
Built-in iSight Camera
Front Row and Apple Remote
Price: $1,599.00

Hmm...is $200 worth a new CPU, FW800, 20GB extra HD, and other logic board revisions that make it run cooler? IMO, probably, but everyone's finances are different. Although if I were looking at the refurbs, I'd get the 2Ghz one and not the 2.16Ghz since it's $100 cheaper. It's too bad you can't use the educational discount on the refurbs as well.
I was going to list the 2 GHz model for $1499 but that's the original March release, and not the summer refresh/speed bump.

I agree the $200 is worth it (too bad you can't get the upgraded VRAM but that's not a big deal). However, although budget isn't really a top concern, I'm more inclined to get a "cheap" MBP now and revisit this topic in a year when the new stuff is out. ;)

Too bad there isn't currently a free iPod promo to push me over the fence.