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Macbook Pro updates are here! (Core i5/i7 on 15.4" and up)

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You know, one thing to pay attention to is the base model MBP 15"

It used to be 1699. Now it's $1799. But remember it used to use a 9400GT vs 9600GT of the other 15" powerhouses. So it's almost like a 13" MBP really but with a faster CPU. Now they slap a 330M GT into all of the 15" and 17" MBPs. So a quick google shows the 330M GT replaces the 9600M GT and is slightly faster. This means the base MBP got a nice speed bump. At least it's on a level playing field now.

Glad they brought 1680x1050. ABOUT TIME! That's my biggest gripe about my MBP. Oh well. I'm only at 2 years old for my MBP and I need a desktop replacement more than anything else, so I'll stick with my nice MBP for now.
 
I poopoo Apple in the iPad threads, and I would never buy an Apple with my money, but you have to acknowledge they build the best notebooks, that machined unibody video is awesome.
 
senseamp said:
I poopoo Apple in the iPad threads, and I would never buy an Apple with my money, but you have to acknowledge they build the best notebooks, that machined unibody video is awesome.
Click to expand...

Older IBMs (and some Lenovos) and Apples are some of the best built laptops out there, and in my opinion the Apples are a little better, especially the unibodies, just feel solid like a slab.
 
narreth said:
the 10 hour battery life is pretty amazing though....
Click to expand...

Yea, but I get a good solid 5 hours out of my "7 hour" battery life, and I'm never really away from an outlet for more than that anyway.

I'll wait for a couple more revisions before I decide to upgrade.

At the same time, I'll never buy the 15" or 17" models as I'm not looking for a desktop replacement, I'm looking for something really portable. That said, even if I were looking at the 15"+ models, they're really too expensive for what they offer, IMO.

For that reason, I'll stick with the 13 inchers.
 
finally!!!! ive been waiting for this update for a longggg time!!! ive said it countless times in so many posts about what ive been wanting in the new mbps, and FINALLY, apple delivers what i want...minus the expresscard slot. 😛 my mbp is already on ebay, and i will be getting the 15" mbp with core i7, 1680x1050 matte, and a 500GB 7200rpm hd.

also, the intel gpu/geforce 330 switching isnt optimus apparently? appleinsider has a statement from nvidia saying that the switching is entirely from apple, not nvidia.

all i have to say is:

specs_matte_15_large20090828.png

HELL YEAH FOR THE HIGH RES MATTE DISPLAY!!!!! lol 😛
 
Can someone tell me why there was so much hype around the MBP getting the i5/i7? What is so desirable about that chip?
 
zylander said:
Can someone tell me why there was so much hype around the MBP getting the i5/i7? What is so desirable about that chip?
Click to expand...

It's faster clock for clock, and has turbo boost. Also the northbridge is integrated, which should mean the cooling works better (no more hot palm rests), hopefully...
 
Well I could have swore apples website claimed to have optimus technology, however they have changed the website.
 
Ichigo said:
http://ark.intel.com/ProductCollection.aspx?familyId=43402

Intel appears to have 3 documented 25W i7 processors. 2 have launched. You're right that they have no 25w i3 and i5, which is strange.

The GPU reason is legitimate, I'll give you that. They needed to stick a dedicated GPU in there or risk actually decreasing performance.

But if that's your entire explanation for there not being any "medium voltage" mobile CPU's, that's obviously inaccurate.

This is a poor update in the sense that it doesn't really return MBP's to a competitive standing.



Arrandale is still better in all respects than Penryn, so I'm not sure what your point is. a 2.4Ghz Core 2 Duo isn't bad at all under a $1000 price-point. And of course you won't be playing Crysis on a laptop if that laptop is a 13" MBP. There are, however, many ~$1000 laptops that can play Crysis. You're overpaying more than ever for inferior hardware. In the past I was more or less ambivalent since I've received pretty great service for my late '07 MBP but it's getting ridiculous. Now it's over twice the cost for a generally inferior laptop.

10 hour battery life does stand out as impressive though. If they can actually get 8 hours real world from standard word processing/internet browsing/etc. then that's worth something.
Click to expand...
I never bothered to seriously look at the i7 line, so that's a good catch. I guess Intel really wants to get people on MV/LV processors, although the clockspeeds are a bit more separated than what we've seen with the C2D lineup. Does anyone know how far ahead (if at all) Arrandale is when it's 400-500MHz behind a C2D?

And if Apple says the 13" MBP can do 10 hours, I'd bet it can. Their last few laptops and the iPad have all done a very good job of delivering their advertised battery life.
 
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Meh, I am glad I didn't wait for the refresh, quite disappointing for 13" line. I bought A Sony Vaio 14" with i5 2.4Ghz, 4GB RAM DDR3, 500GB HD, blu-ray, and nVidia GT330M 512MB for $900 back in January and I love it. I lose the longer battery and MacOS but next time I guess.
 
TheWart said:
Apparently Apple just created their own solution, and one that sounds more flexible than Optimus at that...

http://gizmodo.com/5516517/the-secret-behind-apples-new-macbook-graphics
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hmm looks good, but not sure its completely accurate about optimus. I think that is an older technology they are talking about.

Yes gizmodo talks about nvidia switchable graphics. Optimus is new and requires no input.

From the white paper "Switchable graphics relies upon special drivers from each vendor." Optimus does not.

Or maybe it does, not sure really lol. It does have profiles but im not sure if they are needed to use the video card as the article suggested.
 
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KeypoX said:
hmm looks good, but not sure its completely accurate about optimus. I think that is an older technology they are talking about.

Yes gizmodo talks about nvidia switchable graphics. Optimus is new and requires no input.

From the white paper "Switchable graphics relies upon special drivers from each vendor." Optimus does not.

Or maybe it does, not sure really lol. It does have profiles but im not sure if they are needed to use the video card as the article suggested.
Click to expand...

The write up that Jarred Walton did here on Anandtech about Optimus technology gave me the impression that it was exactly what is in the new MacBook Pros. The one place where the two agreed (from my recollection of the first article) was where it said that Optimus was Windows only. Regardless of whether it is a lot better than Optimus (like Gizmodo says), or on par (like Anandtech says), at the end of the day, it is a cool technology that gives better battery life in new notebook.

Also, at the end of the day, 8-9 hours rated life in a 'full-power' (not using CULV processors) 15" laptop without opti-bay batteries, or detachable blade cells, or big bulky extended life batteries that jut out of the system in weird ways, is pretty great and I can't wait until more PC makers copy it.
 
I'd entertain upgrading my unibody MB 13" if they had a high res/low glare option on the new ones. 1280x800 does kind of suck. If I could get 1440x900 or 1680x1050 on this, I'd do it. I realize that's a bit too high res on a 13" screen for some, but for others, it's just fine.
 
sjwaste said:
I'd entertain upgrading my unibody MB 13" if they had a high res/low glare option on the new ones. 1280x800 does kind of suck. If I could get 1440x900 or 1680x1050 on this, I'd do it. I realize that's a bit too high res on a 13" screen for some, but for others, it's just fine.
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1440x900 isn't too high to ask for on a 13". I'm glad they brought 1680x1050 onto the 15" models which is overdue... now for the 13"....
 
Does anyone know when these are coming to best buy?

I bought my MacBook Pro 15" 12 days ago because my old computer died and I needed something for my school work. I can return my laptop to Best Buy for any reason within 14 days. I fully intend on returning and getting the updated MacBook Pro for the same basic price.

Thanks
-Kevin
 
Gamingphreek said:
Does anyone know when these are coming to best buy?

I bought my MacBook Pro 15" 12 days ago because my old computer died and I needed something for my school work. I can return my laptop to Best Buy for any reason within 14 days. I fully intend on returning and getting the updated MacBook Pro for the same basic price.

Thanks
-Kevin
Click to expand...

If you can just return it.. do that and go to the Apple Store and grab one. I'm sure Best Buy will have it soon, but if they don't by the time you need to return it.. I would go ahead and at least get your money back. Then you can have one from Apple overnighted, or what not, if you'd need one quickly.
 
Kmax82 said:
If you can just return it.. do that and go to the Apple Store and grab one. I'm sure Best Buy will have it soon, but if they don't by the time you need to return it.. I would go ahead and at least get your money back. Then you can have one from Apple overnighted, or what not, if you'd need one quickly.
Click to expand...

Well the problem with buying it from Apple is Best Buy has 18 month No Interest when you use the Rewards Zone card.

I suppose I can return it and hope that Best Buy gets it really really soon haha.

I'll let everyone know as soon as Best Buy tells me when they are getting the new MacBook Pro's in just for reference then.

-Kevin
 
Gamingphreek said:
Well the problem with buying it from Apple is Best Buy has 18 month No Interest when you use the Rewards Zone card.

I suppose I can return it and hope that Best Buy gets it really really soon haha.

I'll let everyone know as soon as Best Buy tells me when they are getting the new MacBook Pro's in just for reference then.

-Kevin
Click to expand...

Well, Apple has Barclay Credit Cards that offer 12 months financing, so you could give that a shot if you wanted.
 
PlasmaBomb said:
It's faster clock for clock, and has turbo boost. Also the northbridge is integrated, which should mean the cooling works better (no more hot palm rests), hopefully...
Click to expand...

Uh, unless they changed something for the laptop (they didn't), the memory controller is now integrated, but the Northbridge (Or now known as an IOH) is still separate and burns up like a crisp on desktop X58 boards.
 
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