Apple releases new MacBook Pros with Intel Core i7, i5 processors - Page 2

So, the difference between the $1799 15" and the $1999 version is 0.13Ghz of cpu speed and a bigger hard drive?

Before you got the addition of the discrete graphics for that step up.

Sweet for me, I would have bought the $1999 version before to get the discrete graphics. So Apple is offering a much better machine at the $1799 price point.

I was hoping for the matte display option on the 13", but I don't know if I would have pulled the trigger on that given that they are still using the core 2 duo...

Time to bust out the wallet and order a 15"...

I currently don't have a mac, just a fairly recent thinkpad. I don't mind the hardware, but can't wait to dump windoze.

I just went to configure a 15" model. You HAVE to get the higher res screen if you want the matte display. So the $50 option is now $150 option. Apple giveth, Apple taketh away... Still a better deal than having to pay $200 to get the discrete graphics and $50 for the matte display.

Well I was really really hoping Apple would have realized their mistake and put the Expresscard slot back in the 15" model. Other than that, I wasn't really expecting more than what we got. Oh, well.

The continued use of Core 2 Duos in the 13" is a bit dissapointed, but overall a pretty good update, bordering on great for the 15 and 17 inch models. I would have also preferred 16:9 displays, but they did just update the form factor.



Digital downloads:
Even bigger bag of hurt.

After waiting months for Apple to finally update their MacBook Pro line to catch up in performance with Dell and HP, they finally release new models. However, while they finally went i5 and i7, they only used the new dual core models. You can't even get a quad core version as a BTO. Considering you've been able to buy a quad core laptop from Dell and HP since 2009, this is a pretty big let down.

I had been waiting for quad core models to assist with all the heavy duty RAW work I do, but looks like Apple intends to keep that as a desktop only option. The dual core i5 and i7 don't represent that much of a leap over the 3.06 GHz dual core processor they replace. Even Apple's own tests, which are notoriously generous, peg the improvement in Aperture 3, a performance hog, at 1.1 times faster. 1.1? That's likely not noticeable in real world use.

Looks like the gap between PC and Mac laptop performance is only going to grow given Apple's decision to keep the laptop line at dual core.

Really surprised the 13 inch didn't get a resolution update. That baseline 15 inch is looking pretty good. Solid updates.

Don't forget " I can get a similar PC for waaaayyyy less $$"

My favorite.

So glad the new MBP is finally here.

Base line 15 + High Res

How do you say, No, in less than 5 characters?

Apple really isn't a professional minded company anymore. Its for lifestyle consumers with money to burn.

No Gorilla Arm, either. Bastards!

No. There is no discrete video RAM any more, due to Intel's i3/i5/i7 chipset architecture. Read the very insightful articles on the new nVidia graphics I think on Ars Technica, but maybe here on AI. nVidia graphics will render the graphics and copy it into the Intel graphics frame buffer, and the Intel graphics will then do nothing more than output that frame buffer content to the video port.

Yeah because something basic like Blu-Ray, which EVERY OTHER MAJOR PC MANUFACTURER OFFERS is unobtainable "pixie dust" when it comes to Apple. If they ever do offer it I'm sure it will be described as "magical"

Weird, I was just configuring my 15" model and noticed there is no option to pre-install Bento.

I have looked at it a few times at the Apple store and thought it was cool. I wonder why it isn't there any more?

Do any of you have it? Do you like/use it? I thought it would be cool for tracking car repairs, big purchases, information about some of my hobbies.

Never mind, it is right there in front of my eyes! Doh! Still curious about other peoples opinions of it...

Jobs mentioned the licensing fees were a "bag of hurt".

I LOVE my Blu-ray player. I keep it plugged into my HDTV. It even upsamples DVDs.

I could see using Blu-ray with my Mac for archival purposes. If I REALLY needed it, I'd buy an external. Unless the internal monitor, in my case a 15", doesn't support it, then what's the point?

I'm buying a 15 inch next week when the paycheck arrives! I will say though I'm quite a bit bummed about the discrete graphics used in the update. Even the 335m can hardly play games on high settings with 30fps at 720p. So I'd imagine the 330m is a bit slower. Maybe medium at 720p. Complaints aside, I'm going to love going into system profiler and seeing that i7 there

Sure. It's still integrated Intel graphics which used to be and still is crap. nVidia 9400M was much better than Intel (good if you had one of the nVidia-only models), but still away off compared to discrete graphics.

But why should you care? If Intel is too slow, the discrete nVidia graphics kicks in, so so will never be slowed down by the Intel graphics.

• No eSATA
• No Express Card slot in the 15"
• No 1080p because 1050 lines sucks
• No BluRay, Intel IGP sucks worse than Nvidia IGP
• No 16:9 ratio
• No touchscreen (on a vertically mounted desktop display)
• 10% more cost for 5% more processing speed

And my personal favourite of the foolish complaints...
• No quad-core option (despite it using an old architecture and have a TDP 10 to 20W higher than the 35W cap used in the MBPs)

:rollseyes:

I love my Blu-ray players too. However, I really wanted a BR drive in the new iMac.

No i7?

No way Apple would have put an i7 in there. A i5 would have been very doubtful.

I thought maybe an i3.

Yeah, I'm not getting people's complaints with the Intel IGP with Nvidia GPU as the powerhouse.

He's full of it. Why is it not a "bag of hurt" for any other manufacturers? The ONLY reason they don't offer it is because they don't want anything to compete with their "HD Lite" digital downloads.

Yep. Solid upgrades. A few quibbles, but no deal-breakers.

The higher res screen on the 15-incher is good. No anti-glare option for the 1440 x 900, bummer.
i was really hoping for quad-core, now that Vectorworks 2010 finally supports multi-core processors.

No ExpressCard/32 slot, that's not very "Pro"... oh well. It's nice for adding extra FireWire ports. I'll just bundle my cards with my current MBP when I put it up on craigslist.

I wish someone made a FireWire multi-memory-card reader. At least I have a FireWire CompactFlash reader.

You mean:

2.53 GHz, 17-inch MacBook Pro $2,299

Adobe Creative Suite 5 Master Collection 2,599 kbps

Overall, these are solid updates in my view. I ordered the 15-inch Intel Core i7 2.66GHz

So the question now is, when the inevitable change to Core-i happens, will they just stick with the Intel IGP despite being less powerful though more power efficient or go with a discrete GPU for switched graphics, even though that would probably up the price a bit?

Bingo. The only reason there's no BR on any Macs to date is because that's the way SJ wants it.

There is always pixie dust, they just don't mention it in the specs.

So because you don't want these things, no one else should have them? And if you do you are a whiner? How intolerant of you.

Then they can get a MacBook (not Pro).

No phone.

I'm assuming you're joking, but the 15" internal is 1440 x 900, or now optionally 1680 x 1050. Neither are Full-HD (1920 x 1080). My MacBook Pro OUTPUTS 1920 x 1080 and beyond. My external monitor 1920 x 1200.

I used to plug my Mac into my TV movies, but simply buying a dedicated Blu-ray player is less hassle and works so much better. Now I can control my TV, Blu-ray player AND my Mac with my iPad!

Plus it's gently washed with unicorn tears!

The new graphics on the 13" MacBook look to be three times faster than the old 9400M.

The "GeForce 320M" appears to be based upon the GT315 desktop product line because it has 48 processing cores, rather than the desktop GT320 product which has 72 processing cores.

More interestingly, it is integrated. What this means is that NVIDIA have created a new, previously unheralded, chipset to replace the 9400M (and no, this isn't Ion 2 under a different name) with three times as much graphics capability. The 9400M could do 54 GFLOPS of computation, this new chipset could do over 150 GFLOPS depending on operating clock.

The "GeForce 330M" does appear to be based upon the desktop GT330 or even the GT340. I suspect it has 96 processing cores and can do around 300 GFLOPS of computation.

The Core 2 Duos in the 13" MacBook are a let down compared to getting Core i3s or lower-end Core i5s.

There has been too long of a delay in updating the MacBook line - 10 months is a long time in the Intel PC world.

complaining is not conversation.

Yeah, you're right. Maybe Jobs' Disney connection has some bearing on it, too.

I've never used the iTunes video streaming or whatever. Netflix Blu-ray for me.

While I don't really care about Blu-ray in my MBP, there really should be a Blu-ray option, like the anti-glare screen, for those who want it and are willing to spend the extra dough.

For Blu-ray? How about $500 for it.

I hear that! I want to stay with a 13", but I don't want to upgrade from a four year old core 2 to a core 2 duo. The core 2 duos are yesterday's technology. \

I do, however, like the MBP's

Sounds tasty!
I should be able to kick some ass in Call of Duty 4 with one of these bastards!

13" 4.5 lbs

I think that last statement is a little too general. There are plenty of folks who want exactly what you described, and Apple makes a number of great machines for them. From the newly released iPad, to the MacBook series, and even the iPhone and iPod touch. All perfect for what you describe (maybe not so much for word processing with the iPhone).

However, I doubt few coffee shop users are looking to drop $2,000 to $2,500 on a laptop as it's serious overkill for their needs. These machines are designed for, and marketed to, professionals. Apple promotes the 17" MBP and upper end 15" to photographers, video editors, musicians. Attend any photography or video event, and you'll see Apple there, laptops in tow, promoting the great combination of Aperture, Final Cut, and a MBP. Theses apps are all about raw processing power, and Apple prices the machines accordingly. As such, it's a disappointment to see them allow Dell, HP, and company move so far ahead of them in performance. We haven't seen this kind of performance gap in the professional laptop space since Apple was using PowerPC chips.

Yeah, to some of you professionals are just whiners, but unlike Blu-ray, 1080p, eSATA, etc. basic performance is a huge part of my ability to do my job efficiently. Time is literally money in the creative field. When you're importing a couple thousand 21 megapixel RAW photos, and running batch changes to them in Aperture, we're talking a significant amount of time spent waiting for the computer. Video guys have it far worse. Desktops are an answer, but they're problematic as more and more of us are doing our work outside of the office on locations, in studios, etc. We need, don't want, a top of the line performing laptop from Apple.

This is my sentiment exactly. I believe there should be a BTO option so those of us who actually want it, have the option of getting. Not necessarily in a MBP, but in a gorgeous 27" iMac. $500 would probably be a little steep. I'm thinking $300-$400 at the most.