Apple releases new MacBook Pros with Intel Core i7, i5 processors - Page 9

What on Earth are you talking about? My "Barrel" shaped plug from my TiBook fried in exactly the same place as my Magsafe connector for my MacBook. It fries where the cable joins the connector, because the cable goes straight out from the port, meaning, if your power source is on the right-hand side, the cable has unnecessary stress as it curves around to point in the opposite direction.

Apple DID fix this with the new plugs, by making the cable point straight back.

One thing I thought of is that by using this longer "barrel" they have created, under some circumstances, more of a lever action which should pop the connector off easier and with less stress to the cable. Previously the cable emerged in parallel with the connector and socket. Now it is at a right angle and has a longer strain relief. I bet the force needed to separate the connector is going to be less from almost all directions except pulling straight back along the length of the barrel.

Man this thread isnt helping me buy a MBP lol. Yeah there are a ton of issues, and yeah i love Win7 and microsoft. But in buying a laptop, and i have the money, going apple MBP is the way. The durabiliy and long life is good enough for me. And i've learned gaming on a laptop is pointless, especially when you own a gaming pc you'll be using anyways (for gaming). So its all about a good processor, RAM, and monitor. Websurfing and a few programs like photoshop (picture/video/music editing and creation) is all thats really in use when you dont game. Just my 2 cents on this.

Maybe because im getting a new laptop now and i havent owned a apple before, this seems like a good time to jump in (core ix, switchable graphics).

I'd say the only thing im a bit worried about is 1) cause the current MBP setup has been around a while, its scary to think they might (next refresh) change everything up like they are with the new iphone. 2) the no button touch-pad...never not had a button before so thats worry-some.

Nothing to worry about. The current MBP uni-body design has only been around for a year and a half. The last Aluminum PowerBook/MBP design was around for 6 years.

Of course, every new model adds things, but Macs have excellent resale value. I buy a new MacBook Pro every 1.5 to 2 years and get a bit over half of what I paid originally. Just take GOOD CARE of it! Keep it pretty: no dents, scratches or stickers!

Every one of my friends, family and colleagues have wondered WHY it took them so long to make the switch. Of course, you can still run Windows if you want. But that desire will dwindle the more time you spend in Mac OS X. SERIOUSLY.

Just do it! You will NOT regret it.

Thanks jeff, thats good to hear. I was planning to dual boot win7 and OS-X but once i officially heard the family pack of Win7 is not made anymore, the idea of $200 for just windows 7 on the MBP is hard to swallow, especially with down the road my new gaming rig (PC) needing a OS.

Edit: By the way, if i was to dual boot, does everyone recommend just using Bootcamp which comes with MBP? I notice some use something else, whats wrong with bootcamp?

Some interesting info i found btw (on http://www.barefeats.com/ )

For gaming:
The MBP Core i7 beats the MBP Core i5 by only 0% to 6% -- mainly because they have the same GPU and we were running at native 1920x1200 resolution at high or ultra quality. If your main use of the MacBook Pro is for gaming, the MacBook Pro Core i7 may not be worth the extra $200 (or 9%) premium over the Core i5.

For programs like Photoshop compressing and etc... :
The MBP Core i7 beats the MBP Core i5 by 7% to 9%. Is the Core i7 worth the extra $200 (comparably equipped) or 9% more? Statistically it is a wash. I say scrounge up the extra $200 and go for the gusto.

We are crazy enough to do it, but sure seems like we are all buying into the i7 for $180 for just 0-9% performance increase over the i5.

(btw these numbers are on 17" i7 vs 17" i5)

If you have a Win7 install disk, or a copy, you're set. Fuck Microsoft.
Before resorting to dual-boot, try VirtualBox. it's free and you can run ANY Intel-based OS (OMFG, even Ubuntu ) in a window under Mac OS X.
http://www.virtualbox.org

Me? My work involves VectorWorks 2D and 3D, plus Photoshop, Acrobat and other graphics type apps, (I play Call of Duty 4, too. ) so I want all the horsepower I can get. A 5%+ speed boost for only $200? Sign me up! I also get 7200 rpm hard drives, Mac OS X runs WAY better with those. Yes, I've personally tested it. Oh yeah, get the 8GB of RAM. The faster HD and maxxed RAM are the best investments.

So, I'm getting a 15" i7, 500GB x 7200 rpm HD, 8GB RAM and the hi-res anti-glare monitor.

If you actually travel with a laptop, get the 15". I know NO ONE who actually carries their MBP who gets a 17". The 17" is to carry between your office and conference room, not to take to Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Germany, Austria, Brooklyn or Guatemala. I carry my MBP almost everywhere (even on my back on my mtn. bike in NYC traffic) and would never get a 17". BTW, I run a dual monitor setup with an external 1920 x 1200 monitor.

Again, just do it!

Hm I hope I get used to the trackpad Mr. H! I'll keep giving it time. Tonton I suppose we will see about the new plug, too. I get what you are saying regarding the direction it goes back to the wall relative to the laptop. Still, I think a beefier port connector would facilitate unplugging it properly. I had no idea about this issue at all until two weeks ago. I will definitely be more careful now!!!

M3rc Nate...go for the Mac. OS X alone is worth it, give it a few weeks and let us know. I bet you'll be very satisfied. No viruses or maintenance. And despite a few things this MBP feels NICE. The front a tad sharp too, kinda wish they machined that a bit. But I like the solid hinge. I got a hardcore Pelican case to put it in and it feels like a tank. It's good to go Pro on Apple stuff it is just so solid. More like my ol' PB G4. I am coming from a cracking MB so this is a good upgrade in my opinion! And I actually love how once you take the bottom cover off you get to see everything. Amazing how much space the SuperDrive takes up, right folks!?

I'm assuming this is the lack of a raised area for the button, which is purely psychological. You can try a piece of tape as a stand in to have some mental variation.


Me too. i think they like how it looks so clean and tight when closed, but that isn't how we use them. Just a little bevel on the front edge is all I'm asking for.


I've decided to get an SSD as my boot drive and use Optibay insert so I can replace my ODD with a very large HDD as my secondary drive.

What do you mean if i have a Win7 install disc im set? What about needing the key? (And are you saying i am set if i use any dual boot program, or just visual box?)
I will have to get that a try first (visual box), as for ubuntu (aka linux), i am interested in what it is and in experimenting with it, BUT i have tried to research it, and i just cant wrap my head around it. There are so many versions and its so scattered...its not as simple as Windows XP- then Vista - then Windows 7 from what i can tell.

I guess thats true for the 5-9% increase being useful if you use those programs. I do plan on (like i said i think) using photoshop and video/music editing programs, so its nice that the 180$ more price of i7 will be more than just being able to say i have i7..il actually be utilizing that 5-9% performance.
Yeah i am 100% sure on getting 7200rpm drive (500 gig). I am 99% sure on 8 gigs, only hesitation on the fact that in 2 years a upgrade from 4-to-8 (8 being 3rd party) will be MUCH cheaper. But i might just bite the bullet and get the 8 gigs at purchase.

Yeah i wont be traveling at all with my MBP. If i take it anywhere it would be to a friends house, so just a short car ride. Easy cheesy. I plan for 17" for sure. But will be solidifying that decision once my relative brings over his 17" for me to hold and check out.

Plan is for (education discount): MBP 17", Intel i7, 500 gig (7200rpm), hi res glossy, 4 or 8 gigs

EDIT: Btw im guessing its smart to install 64bit Windows 7 so it sees the full 8 gigs of ram (assuming i decide to get 8 gigs) right?

I don't know about Windows keys. But Mac OS X has Boot Camp (dual boot) built-in, you just have to run it and install Windows with it. VirtualBox lets you install Windows (any version) and run it while you're in Mac OS X without rebooting. It works well.

Personally, stick with Mac OS X and run Windows ONLY as a last resort. There are plenty of applications that can read/write Windows file formats. I've never felt a need (or desire) to run Windows for any reason, even file compatibility.

[QUOTE=M3rc Nate;1620068I guess thats true for the 5-9% increase being useful if you use those programs. I do plan on (like i said i think) using photoshop and video/music editing programs, so its nice that the 180$ more price of i7 will be more than just being able to say i have i7..i l actually be utilizing that 5-9% performance.
Yeah i am 100% sure on getting 7200rpm drive (500 gig). I am 99% sure on 8 gigs, only hesitation on the fact that in 2 years a upgrade from 4-to-8 (8 being 3rd party) will be MUCH cheaper. But i might just bite the bullet and get the 8 gigs at purchase.

Plan is for (education discount): MBP 17", Intel i7, 500 gig (7200rpm), hi res glossy, 4 or 8 gigs[/QUOTE]

Photoshop and music/video editing certainly need as much horsepower as you can toss at them.

Apple's RAM prices aren't bad these day, plus you can get it covered under AppleCare (YES, buy it for a laptop!) and you don't have to try and sell, give away or toss the RAM you replace when doing your own RAM upgrade. (I have a drawer full of old RAM that I though I MIGHT need someday. Hah!)

For more info see this post.

Thanks, yeah i'll have to look into further which is the best virtualization program to use along with using bootcamp. But i probably wont buy windows 7 for my MBP for a while.

Saw this, sucks considering i was hoping my first jump into MBP's would be a non lethal one to the lap, but oh well.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/26/c...sius-your-lap/

Admittedly I don't know very much about computers and yet I want to buy a macbook pro.

I'm considering the two 13 inch models, but I was wondering if someone could explain how much of a difference it is between a 250GB serial ATA hard drive and a 320GB drive.

Is the difference worth the extra 200 bones?

much appreciated

When I purchase notebooks these days, I just purchased the new 13" MPB like you are looking at, I just get the cheapest one with max'd ram. In this case, I decided to go with the basic ram configuration because I have not needed more than 2 GB on 13" in a long time. It is a travel companion and not a workstation. So manage your expectations on what you are going to use it for and then decided.

I just bought the 15 i7 and it's all set up now. I got the 8 gigs of ram since Apple -finally- got realistic about their ram prices, and this model is a total winner.