Leopard driver install may hint at future MacBook plans

[AppleInsider]

Few if any details have surfaced on Apple's plans for its next update to the 13-inch MacBook family, though the company may have inadvertently dropped a hint of its own as part of Leopard's standard install package.

Users installing Mac OS X Leopard this past weekend observed that the software included a full set of drivers for Intel's GMA X3100 integrated graphics chipset, which is only supported by notebook-based logic-board designs conforming to the chipmaker's relatively new Santa Rosa platform.

While Apple adopted the Santa Rosa platform as part of its most recent MacBook Pro refresh, those machines forgo Intel's integrated graphics chips for more powerful and dedicated offerings from Nvidia. Instead, the Mac maker has thus far reserved use of Intel's integrated graphics chipsets for its consumer-oriented MacBook family due to their lower cost (and weaker performance).

According to Intel, the GMA X3100 aims to boost 3D performance on systems where dedicated graphics would be too costly or space-consuming. In comparison to the GMA 950 graphics used in today's MacBooks (and Mac minis), the new chipset employs more advanced pixel and vertex shaders, hardware transform and lighting acceleration, and better video decoding.



Historically, Apple has not included drivers for unsupported or unreleased hardware with its standard operating system distributions, leading to speculation that MacBooks will see a near term upgrade to the Santa Rosa architecture.

Meanwhile, several Windows-based notebook makers have been using the GMA X3100 in their own offerings since the chipset was first introduced along with Santa Rosa back in May.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[SpamSandwich]

Perhaps it's for AppleTV2 compatibility?

[ThinkExpensive]

Anybody know how powerful this card is? It would be great if anybody could find any chart comparisons with other options...I couldn't find any. Anything is probably an upgrade from the 950 at least...

[digitalclips]

I hope this is so, a new Second Life etc. capable MacBook out soon will be ideal timing for Xmas shopping market and boost AAPL further still.

[mdriftmeyer]

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

Perhaps it's for AppleTV2 compatibility?

That would be nice considering the AppleTV uses Pentium-M technology. If they use Santa Rosa that would be a huge leap.

[JakeTheRock]

Speaking of leopard and macbooks, has anyone had an install problem where it says "you need to change your install settings....." then it asks you to reformat?
one of the guys in my wing is having this problem and asked me for help, but I really don't know why...
His Macbook is formatted correctly already...

[hmurchison]

Originally Posted by ThinkExpensive

Anybody know how powerful this card is? It would be great if anybody could find any chart comparisons with other options...I couldn't find any. Anything is probably an upgrade from the 950 at least...

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-G...00.2176.0.html

Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) X3100 is an integrated (onboard) graphic chip on a Mobile Intel 965GM chipset (for Merom = Core 2 architecture). It is the successor of GMA 950. Most interesting is the integration of a fully programmable pipeline. Due to the integration of DirectX9 features, HDR and Hardware Transform & Lighning (T&L) - predecessor only had Software T&L - should be ready for Windows Vista Premium (support Aero Glass fully). Respective the data, the peformance should be clearly better than GMA 950.

[shanmugam]

SuperDrive on the base model
1GB single Stick RAM
Santa Rosa CPU

and macbook done (with leopard)

[solipsism]

double post

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by shanmugam

SuperDrive on the base model
1GB single Stick RAM
Santa Rosa CPU

and macbook done (with leopard)

Don't forget the 0.1mm thiner design with OLED displays and anodized aluminum in the colors of the iPod Nanos. Maybe FW800 for Time Machine usage and DVI-D.

[shanmugam]

Originally Posted by solipsism

Don't forget the 0.1mm thiner design with OLED displays and anodized aluminum in the colors of the iPod Nanos. Maybe FW800 for Time Machine usage and DVI-D.

new design without any event? i do not think so

if the update is tomorrow tuesday with out any event, it just a spec update (no design updates)

[troberts]

Originally Posted by shanmugam

new design without any event? i do not think so

if the update is tomorrow tuesday with out any event, it just a spec update (no design updates)

The MacBook did not get a special event, it just appeared, so there is no need to give a new case design a special event. This leaves MacWorld wide open for new hardware announcements!

[shanmugam]

Originally Posted by troberts

The MacBook did not get a special event, it just appeared, so there is no need to give a new case design a special event. This leaves MacWorld wide open for new hardware announcements!

OK, awesome products for this holiday!.

[superkaratemonkeydeathcar]

Finally! -A goddamned refresh for the MacBooks (and possibly minis) that will give the damn thing Hardware T&L & dx10. (-like apple could avoid it anyway)
If it isn't crazy now, once ppl find that the MBs can finally do at least -some- graphics without completely Blowing, the demand for them should Ex-Plode.
If they don't kill the Mini, demand for it too will Ex-Plode if they get the x3100 in there.
-Finally!

[jtaylr77]

could it just be for an upcoming ultra portable macbook pro rather than new macbooks?

[I am a human]

Originally Posted by solipsism

Don't forget the 0.1mm thiner design with OLED displays and anodized aluminum in the colors of the iPod Nanos. Maybe FW800 for Time Machine usage and DVI-D.

Based on nothing but my own uneducated hunch, I think the new Macbooks will be the same colours as the iPod classics (silver and black). If they release a Macbook Mini/Nano I think that will have the same colours as the iPod Nanos. Product consistency ahoy!

[GregAlexander]

Originally Posted by mdriftmeyer

That would be nice considering the AppleTV uses Pentium-M technology. If they use Santa Rosa that would be a huge leap.

Moving the AppleTV to the latest CPU with integrated graphics (instead of an old CPU with dedicated graphics card) would cost more, wouldn't it?

Though I see everyone says this is for the MacBook... when the MacMini is equally likely.

[kresh]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Users installing Mac OS X Leopard this past weekend observed that the software included a full set of drivers for Intel's GMA X3100 integrated graphics chipset, which is only supported by notebook-based logic-board designs conforming to the chipmaker's relatively new Santa Rosa platform.

GMA X3100 is not a notebook only chipset. There are tons of desktop-tower motherboards out there with the GMA X3100 video chip.

Just google "gma x3100 motherboard" and you'll even find Intel's own motherboards: http://tinyurl.com/2cyb2d

[KennyWRX]

Originally Posted by jtaylr77

could it just be for an upcoming ultra portable macbook pro rather than new macbooks?

I don't think a notebook with integrated graphics should fall under the "Pro" line.

[blingem]

OLED? Give me a break.
Ultra-portable? Give me a break.
You think they're going to make macbooks have all the colors of a nano? No way. Thats dell's job. If you want a computer that matches your bedspread, buy a dell. If you want your computer to weigh 3lbs and be really small, get a thinkpad.

If you're a pro, the macbook or the mbp arent too big, and the ultra-portable would be underpowered. If you're a college student, you don't have the money for an ultra-portable. MacBooks fit on tray tables and in backpacks.

And the idea of the ultra-portables having multiple colors is hilarious. Who would buys ultra-portables: business men. Who buys pastel-colored electronic devices? Little girls. Business men and little girls are by definition dissimilar. Have fun selling that colorful, overpriced OSx thinkpad. The rest of the market bought a macbook last fall and gave the pink nano to their girlfriends.

[reallynotnick]

Well this would at least make the MB's usable for almost a year instead of being out dated before you opened the box.
It is a pretty nice update, but it's still not going to have game. As far as running the OS, movie editing, photos, and core image though it will make things silky smooth.

[Samnuva]

Originally Posted by JakeTheRock

Speaking of leopard and macbooks, has anyone had an install problem where it says "you need to change your install settings....." then it asks you to reformat?
one of the guys in my wing is having this problem and asked me for help, but I really don't know why...
His Macbook is formatted correctly already...

Yea, I did, but with my MP. It's a problem if you have Boot camp runing on the system, just set OSX to install on the mac OSX partition, and it should work.

[GregAlexander]

Originally Posted by blingem

If you want your computer to weigh 3lbs and be really small, get a thinkpad. <snip> If you're a college student, you don't have the money for an ultra-portable. MacBooks fit on tray tables and in backpacks.

<snip> the idea of the ultra-portables having multiple colors is hilarious. Who would buys ultra-portables: business men. Who buys pastel-colored electronic devices? Little girls. Business men and little girls are by definition dissimilar. Have fun selling that colorful, overpriced OSx thinkpad. The rest of the market bought a macbook last fall and gave the pink nano to their girlfriends.

I agree that the expensive machines should not have multicolours.. and Apple seems to have stuck to that principle too.

However, I wouldn't be surprised if Apple was looking at a Newton-eMate like design.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMate_300
ie iPod Touch functionality in a mini laptop form factor, with a keyboard, and running a simple version of Pages.

However, that has nothing to do with this integrated graphics rumour!

[Lorre]

Originally Posted by blingem

You think they're going to make macbooks have all the colors of a nano? No way. Thats dell's job. If you want a computer that matches your bedspread, buy a dell.

[wizard69]

I know I wouldn't buy a MacBook, with a 950, when the X3100 was out and about. The x3100 should provide an nice little upgrade in performance over the old 950 based MacBook. In some respects the performance boost should damn near be excellent.

On the other hand Intel was real slow with their Windows drivers so we can only hope that this release fully utilizes the x3100. So slow in fact that the open source Linux drivers where in batter shape than the MS Windows drivers.

Now all I need to do is to figure out how to generate a $1000 in over time.

Dave

Originally Posted by superkaratemonkeydeathcar

Finally! -A goddamned refresh for the MacBooks (and possibly minis) that will give the damn thing Hardware T&L & dx10. (-like apple could avoid it anyway)
If it isn't crazy now, once ppl find that the MBs can finally do at least -some- graphics without completely Blowing, the demand for them should Ex-Plode.
If they don't kill the Mini, demand for it too will Ex-Plode if they get the x3100 in there.
-Finally!

[DHagan4755]

As laughable and inconsequential as this may be, might the imminent MacBook release be an upstage to this:
http://www.slashgear.com/dell-latitu...ked-127940.php

[kcmac]

Originally Posted by DHagan4755

As laughable and inconsequential as this may be, might the imminent MacBook release be an upstage to this:
http://www.slashgear.com/dell-latitu...ked-127940.php

I like your way with words. I doubt it.

I am waiting for the next small notebook however. My PB while still very capable is getting a little old in the tooth. I am getting itchy for some new goodies. Especially with Leopard.

[mcarling]

Originally Posted by KennyWRX

I don't think a notebook with integrated graphics should fall under the "Pro" line.

I don't care what Apple call it. I hope the rumored ultra-portable has integrated graphics to keep down the weight, price, and power consumption.

Originally Posted by blingem

If you want your computer to weigh 3lbs and be really small, get a thinkpad.

I hope the rumored ultra-portable does not turn out to be a 3lb luggable. The standard in ultra-portables now is 800 grams -- a bit under 2 lbs. However, if Apple offer a 3lb MacBook with greater than 1024x768 resolution, I'll buy one because it would be an improvement over my 12" PowerBook.

[ronster]

Originally Posted by GregAlexander

Though I see everyone says this is for the MacBook... when the MacMini is equally likely.

Well I hope if this is the "planned" upgrade for the MacBook that it filters to the Mac Mini.

This and FW800 or eSATA would seal it for me buying a new Mac Mini.

[ronster]

X3100 specs off of Wikipedia:

GMA X3100

The GMA X3100 is the mobile version of the GMA X3000 used in the Intel GL960, GM965 chipsets.

Display and render cores can run up to 333 and 500MHz respectively on GM965, 320 and 400MHz respectively on GM960.

Display unit includes 300MHz RAMDAC, 2 25-112MHz LVDS transmitters, 2 DVO encoders, TV encoder.

Memory controller can now address maximum 384MiB memory.

MPEG-2 Hardware Acceleration VLD + iDCT + MC
VC-1 Hardware Acceleration MC (for WMV9 only)

Notes:

* iDCT: inverse Discrete cosine transform
* MC: Motion compensation
* VLD: Variable-Length Decoding, sometimes referred to as slice-level acceleration

[mcarling]

What features does the Nvidia graphics in the MBP have that the X3100 doesn't have?

[vinea]

Originally Posted by mcarling

What features does the Nvidia graphics in the MBP have that the X3100 doesn't have?

drivers that don't suck?

[ronster]

Originally Posted by mcarling

What features does the Nvidia graphics in the MBP have that the X3100 doesn't have?

Comparisons of some of the specs:

Nvidia 8600M GT

Unifed Shaders (stream Processors): 32

Core Clock Speed: 475 MHz

Fill rate: 7.6 Billion Texel / s

Bandwidth Max: 12.8/22.4 GB/s

H.264 (full), MPEG-2(full), VC-1 and WMV9 hardware acceleration


Intel X3100

Unifed Shaders (stream Processors): 8

Core Clock speed: 400 or 500 MHz

Fill rate: 2.133 Billion texel /s

Bandwidth Max: 12.8 GB/s

VC-1, MPEG-2 hardware acceleration only



My guess is Apple chose the nvidia part as their higher end consumer part, while the x3100 will be their mainstream part.

Unsure why Apple chose the ATI HD2400 / 2600 for the iMac...maybe the 8600M wasn't out yet?


Another note: if Apple upgrades their AppleTV, I would think they would use a GPU that supports h.264 hardware accel, as this would speed up Quicktime...

[mcarling]

Thanks ronster.

By comparison, the GeForce FX Go5200 in my current 1.5MHz 12" PowerBook seems to have:

Unified Shaders (stream processors): ?

Core Clock Speed: up to 300 MHz

Fill rate: <1 Billion Texel /s

Bandwidth Max: 9.6 GB/s

So, the X3100 would seem to offer better graphics performance than the GeForce FX Go5200, which is already fine for my needs.

[IQatEdo]

Never mind, another day...

[Joe_the_dragon]

this may also be for a a mid-range desktop.
X3000/3100/3500/X3100/X3500 may use the same driver so we may see a mid-range desktop with on video G33 / G35 and pci-e slots.

[vinea]

Originally Posted by mcarling

Thanks ronster.

By comparison, the GeForce FX Go5200 in my current 1.5MHz 12" PowerBook seems to have:

Unified Shaders (stream processors): ?

Core Clock Speed: up to 300 MHz

Fill rate: <1 Billion Texel /s

Bandwidth Max: 9.6 GB/s

So, the X3100 would seem to offer better graphics performance than the GeForce FX Go5200, which is already fine for my needs.

Except that, to date, the X3100 has underperformed its paper specs due to bad drivers that are noteworthy even for Intel. 15.6.1 was a big performance step backwards from 15.6 for some folks. I believe TnL is still fubar'd. Intel has also said its not supporting OpenGL past 1.5 and require GMA X3500/X3600 for OpenGL 2.0. Although if Apple is doing their own drivers that might differ for OSX but I doubt it.

I'd say that the X3100 has been a significant dissapointment...primarily from a driver perspective that it hasn't reached it's paper potential.

What? Did you think I was kidding?

[gumashow]

So, I was on the phone with a high tier Apple support agent talking about an unrelated issue when we started small talking about Apple, how it's stock is doing so well and after I said "Wait till the results of the holiday quarter come out, there gonna sell a ton of..." he cut me off and said "Especially with the NEW Mac Mini coming out..." Not sure what he knew, but boy was that out of left field. Maybe that's it??? (sorry for the run-on sentence)

[Joe_the_dragon]

Originally Posted by gumashow

So, I was on the phone with a high tier Apple support agent talking about an unrelated issue when we started small talking about Apple, how it's stock is doing so well and after I said "Wait till the results of the holiday quarter come out, there gonna sell a ton of..." he cut me off and said "Especially with the NEW Mac Mini coming out..." Not sure what he knew, but boy was that out of left field. Maybe that's it??? (sorry for the run-on sentence)

A new mini with desktop parts and pci-e slots will sell real good also a lower priced mini will also sell as it is a little over priced as it is.

or he is trying to boost his stock up.

[GregAlexander]

Originally Posted by Joe_the_dragon

A new mini with desktop parts and pci-e slots will sell real good also a lower priced mini will also sell as it is a little over priced as it is.

I'm eager to see what Apple does with the Mini & AppleTV. Cheaper and more pervasive would be nice.

I no longer think we'll see a PC-like box. Apple seems to want to distance itself from that generic look.. it's as if Steve is treating iPods, iPhones, AppleTVs, and iMacs as "Lifestyle Devices".... kinda like "forget what's inside the box, this device is cool". He wants to redefine what we do.... and as he pulls users into Apple's reality, a standard PC box would pull users in the other direction.

- The Mac Mini's interesting... it's tiny... and for some people the thought is "I can get rid of this ugly old box and just have this tiny thing? and it's super fast?!". It still breaks the image of what a computer is.

- The laptops don't have that much flexibility... they don't help or hinder the new reality.
- The MacPros and xserves break my theory... but they're positioned as very high end workstations so perhaps Apple is safe-ish