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Alleged MacBook Pro pictures reveal Apple's high-speed 'Thunderbolt' port - Page 2

post #41 of 152
2/23/11 at 6:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1reflectsathome View Post

I find it unusual that the weight of the new 13-inch Macbook Pro of 2.04kg (4.5 pounds) is the exact same weight of the current model. I thought there was to be a slight weight reduction with the new models of about 1/2 pound. Anyway I think it's rather unusual that with some serious component changing going on inside, the new model would end up the exact same weight as the old. So does this morsel of proposed truth question the veracity of the overall claim?

Its not unusual when you consider the image looks just like the previous model in thickness and design, that this also contains an optical drive, and that its the entry level 13 notebook.
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post #42 of 152
2/23/11 at 6:24am
Thunderbolt is such an awful name. First, it's too long. Can you hear yourself saying, "I need to plug in my Thunderbolt drive?" or "I wish I had a longer Thunderbolt cable."

Second, there's no such thing as a Thunderbolt. There's a lightning bolt, but not a Thunder bolt.

If they really wanted to use the "lightning" image, they should have just called the new technology "Bolt."

"I need a bolt cable." "Where's my bolt drive." - That sounds a little better.
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post #43 of 152
2/23/11 at 6:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tommyt12 View Post

Thunderbolt is such an awful name. First, it's too long. Can you hear yourself saying, "I need to plug in my Thunderbolt drive?" or "I wish I had a longer Thunderbolt cable."

Second, there's no such thing as a Thunderbolt. There's a lightning bolt, but not a Thunder bolt.

If they really wanted to use the "lightning" image, they should have just called the new technology "Bolt."

"I need a bolt cable." "Where's my bolt drive." - That sounds a little better.


Bluetooth stuck around. So long name isn't a problem. And people hasn't shortened it to "tooth"
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post #44 of 152
2/23/11 at 6:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tommyt12 View Post

Thunderbolt is such an awful name. First, it's too long. Can you hear yourself saying, "I need to plug in my Thunderbolt drive?" or "I wish I had a longer Thunderbolt cable."

Second, there's no such thing as a Thunderbolt. There's a lightning bolt, but not a Thunder bolt.

If they really wanted to use the "lightning" image, they should have just called the new technology "Bolt."

"I need a bolt cable." "Where's my bolt drive." - That sounds a little better.

I think you'll find that Harry Potter has (or had) a Thunderbolt.

It's got Harry Potter's broomstick model for a name and it's got the Harry Potter scar for an icon.

Maybe JK Rowling has bought into Apple shares and is now dictating things.
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post #45 of 152
2/23/11 at 6:37am
ThunderBolt sounds aweful. This is another Mobile Me, who make up all these names?

I really hope Sandy Bridge GPU is good enough, It is good, but not that good to move away from Discreet GPU.
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post #46 of 152
2/23/11 at 6:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tommyt12 View Post

Thunderbolt is such an awful name. First, it's too long. Can you hear yourself saying, "I need to plug in my Thunderbolt drive?" or "I wish I had a longer Thunderbolt cable."

Second, there's no such thing as a Thunderbolt. There's a lightning bolt, but not a Thunder bolt.

If they really wanted to use the "lightning" image, they should have just called the new technology "Bolt."

"I need a bolt cable." "Where's my bolt drive." - That sounds a little better.

MobileMe, .Mac, MacBook, MacBook Pro. MacBook Air, Mac Pro, iMac, IPod, iPad , iWork are all examples of Apple nomenclature that I specifically recall that people thought were too confusing or too dumb to use.

You’ll get to the use the name and a once silly sounding name will soon mentally reference the technology and its usage, not some silly deconstructing of the parts of the name to justify your shortsighted dislike. “Bluetooth is neither blue or contains any teeth” “iPods aren’t pods” “There is nothing Pro about a machine with an integrated GPU.”

PS: thunderbolt |ˈθəndərˌbōlt|
noun poetic/literary
- a flash of lightning with a simultaneous crash of thunder, as in Thunder [& lightning]blot].
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post #47 of 152
2/23/11 at 6:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ksec View Post

ThunderBolt sounds aweful. This is another Mobile Me, who make up all these names?

I really hope Sandy Bridge GPU is good enough, It is good, but not that good to move away from Discreet GPU.

That question should be asked about Intels names. Sandy Bridge? Really?! At least Thunderblot makes sense, regardless of how you personally feel about it.
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post #48 of 152
2/23/11 at 6:45am
Any see the notch in the middle of the USB port that is next to the supposed Thunderbolt port? Is that usual?
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post #49 of 152
2/23/11 at 6:46am
Has no one questioned that the Bluetooth is now classed as 2.3? I've never seen, and can't find this spec for Bluetooth... Potentially some sort of NFC implementation for pairing with iPhones and the like?

I've looked on the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, and Wiki (which is usually updated quickly on the Bluetooth front), but cannot find this classification anywhere?
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post #50 of 152
2/23/11 at 6:46am
no moaning about the superdrive? Meh....I'll probably yank mine. Rather carry a light weight disc drive that I'll use occasionally than a HDD that I'll use constantly.
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post #51 of 152
2/23/11 at 6:48am
If accurate, I don't like the symbol. Far too close to the electrocution warning symbol.



- Jasen.
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post #52 of 152
2/23/11 at 6:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ksec View Post

ThunderBolt sounds aweful. This is another Mobile Me, who make up all these names?

I really hope Sandy Bridge GPU is good enough, It is good, but not that good to move away from Discreet GPU.

No Apple product name is or will ever be as bad as what Steve wanted to name the first iMac...

MacMan. How utterly awful is that?

With that said, I agree that Thunderbolt sounds a bit too whimsical. I hope it is just someone's idea of a joke. I will not be able to say thunderbolt cable without feeling ridiculous.

What's wrong with the FireWire naming scheme?
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post #53 of 152
2/23/11 at 6:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jasenj1 View Post

If accurate, I don't like the symbol. Far too close to the electrocution warning symbol.



- Jasen.

Doesn't Light Peak need to carry a current to power external kit? Maybe the icon is entirely apt because it is carrying current? Possible?
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post #54 of 152
2/23/11 at 6:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jgaf View Post

I have always been a fan of windows, but recently I have decided to go to "the other side " and buy a MacBook Pro. However, I will be buying it with all my savings, and as that is a big financial effort, I really want high value-for-money.
I will be buying the 15".

If there isn't a redesign (or at least liquidmetal), if the thunderbolt port isn't compatible with other types of ports (usb 3.0 and its precedents), if the discrete graphics card isn't upgraded, and if there is no OSX-dedicated SSD, I believe that the upgrade isn't worth it.

Really disappointed, hope this is fake and Apple surprises us with real goodies

Otherwise... I will have to remain windows-attached for the next 4/5 years..

If you think value for money = a completely redesigned shell, then apple products aren't for you. If build quality, stability, resale value and user experience are important and worth making an investment for, then make the jump.

You want light peak to be compatible with USB?! Would you like mini display port to be compatible with FireWire also?

Your logic here makes no sense. Apple products are already a sound investment. If you think that increasing performance while reducing cost isn't 'enough' for you, then there's something wrong with your reasoning.
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post #55 of 152
2/23/11 at 7:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil View Post

Not if they want anyone else to use the port, they won't.

And can you imagine 10Gbps iOS device transfers? Takes away the complaining about no wireless syncing, that's for sure.

Now the question is: When will I be able to buy a ThunderBolt PCIe card for my Mac Pro? Not buying a new computer just for an amazing port.

NOT in the slightest does this alleviate the complaint regarding the lack of official wireless transfers! Many time I just want to transfer a picture or two, maybe three or four songs I bought on my iPad, or a single app...etc.

I still have to pull out a cable and connect the iPad for something SO trivial! The Zine had this feature years ago and it works perfectly. Is Apple refusing to add it because they are afraid of being seen as copying Apple? This makes no sense at all.
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post #56 of 152
2/23/11 at 7:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tommyt12 View Post

Thunderbolt is such an awful name. First, it's too long. Can you hear yourself saying, "I need to plug in my Thunderbolt drive?" or "I wish I had a longer Thunderbolt cable."

USB and Thunderbolt both have 3 syllables, so they're both just as long to say.
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post #57 of 152
2/23/11 at 7:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tommyt12 View Post

Look at the left edge of the profile screen shot. What is that color change that occurs in the middle of the Magsafe port and continues up the screen? It looks far to dark and defined to be a shadow and it is perfectly straight down the middle of the port.

It's either a photoshopped picture, or there might be some LiquidMetal involved?

Looks like to me, a transparent plastic wrap to keep the two sides (monitor & keyboard) clamped down.

You can follow it's outline to the next I/O port as well.

Ten years ago, we had Steve Jobs, Bob Hope and Johnny Cash.  Today we have no Jobs, no Hope and no Cash.

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Ten years ago, we had Steve Jobs, Bob Hope and Johnny Cash.  Today we have no Jobs, no Hope and no Cash.

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post #58 of 152
2/23/11 at 7:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil View Post

I mean real FireWire, not the pansy 4-pin 400 ports you see on PCs, I mean real 6-pin 400 ports; the ports that would have made it a USB-killer.

Are you just being funny? If not, the extra two pins on a Mac are for power supply. They have nothing to do with data rate capabilities. 4-pin FireWire is just as good as 6-pin FireWire in terms of throughput. Nothing really pansy about them.
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post #59 of 152
2/23/11 at 7:05am
If these specs are real, I'll be disappointed with 1280x800 and by the inclusion of an internal optical drive.
Mac user since August 1983.
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Mac user since August 1983.
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post #60 of 152
2/23/11 at 7:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tommyt12 View Post

Thunderbolt is such an awful name. First, it's too long. Can you hear yourself saying, "I need to plug in my Thunderbolt drive?" or "I wish I had a longer Thunderbolt cable."

Second, there's no such thing as a Thunderbolt. There's a lightning bolt, but not a Thunder bolt.

If they really wanted to use the "lightning" image, they should have just called the new technology "Bolt."

"I need a bolt cable." "Where's my bolt drive." - That sounds a little better.

According to Wiki (I know...) Thunderbolt is another name for discharge only. I interpreted this as download, ie from laptop > device and not upload: device > laptop. Or am I being too IT-nerdy here?

I understand you questioning the name, with its 3 syllables being a bit long.
Even if you disagree, he is entitled to his opinion, isn't he? Just as you're entitled to your blinders? (Stelligent)
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Even if you disagree, he is entitled to his opinion, isn't he? Just as you're entitled to your blinders? (Stelligent)
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post #61 of 152
2/23/11 at 7:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pipser View Post

  • Sandy Bridge processors
  • Light Peak Technology.....or Thunderbolt
  • New SSD OS drive
  • Possible Liquid Metal body
  • Thinner and lighter
  • EOL for the white MacBook

Wouldn't Apple hold some sort of media event to introduce all these new changes to the line up? I can't see this many changes being done with just a silent refresh. Don't get me wrong the changes would make for an awesome new laptop but usually with this kind of refresh there is more of a show and tell presentation by Apple.

What do you folks think?

In some ways a silent referesh for the above would be an even more powerful statement, IMO. It's Apple saying, "we don't think all this new technology is a big deal...it's just what we always do." Besides, new processors are not really a big deal. How much more performance does a person surfing the web or responding to email going to see? Even the new concept of using a partial SSD drive, while conceptually exciting, isn't going to make a difference to the average Joe, unless it also provides an "instant on". If it is thinner and lighter, it's not going to be by much unless they remove the optical drive (which I'm personally opposed to) and then it will be like an Air, which we've already seen. And "EOL for the white MacBook" is not a feature. So while this will be a really nice refresh and a fine machine, especially for people in the market for a new computer, my 2+ year old MBP is also still a fine machine.

The problem these days is that it's hard to impress people. If you look at the videos of recent Apple events, except when it's a totally new product line, the audience doesn't react much to anything that Steve demonstrates. It's like watching some new special effects movie - we've all become far too jaded and incremental changes won't impress us.
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post #62 of 152
2/23/11 at 7:07am
Seems it's still too early for USB 3.0. Cougar Point chipset doesn't incorporate it so Apple isn't likely to go out of its way to include it via another chip. Suppose someone could always make a Thunderbolt to USB 3.0 adapter.
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post #63 of 152
2/23/11 at 7:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by lamewing View Post

NOT in the slightest does this alleviate the complaint regarding the lack of official wireless transfers! Many time I just want to transfer a picture or two, maybe three or four songs I bought on my iPad, or a single app...etc.

I still have to pull out a cable and connect the iPad for something SO trivial! The Zine had this feature years ago and it works perfectly. Is Apple refusing to add it because they are afraid of being seen as copying Apple? This makes no sense at all.

I see your point, but there are options (though not as smooth and simple as Id like them to be) available.

The problem with your comment is completely discount the logistics and planning involved with allowing a certain size/type of wireless backup/sync/updates.

You cant, for example, simply have a 64GB iPad sync over 802.11b network (assuming least common denominator because some older WiFi device is on the network). You have to figure out a way to choose what gets synced when and how. The most important stuff is already synced immediately with MobileMe and ActiveSync. Your calendar and contact data.

Wireless will come (Jobs even said so in an email) but you need to think it through and realize that its more complicated than youre making it out to be. Personally, I think well see some of this added to iOS 5.0.
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post #64 of 152
2/23/11 at 7:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcarling View Post

If these specs are real, I'll be disappointed with 1280x800 and by the inclusion of an internal optical drive.

Yep, how can an 11.6" screen be higher resolution than a 13.3" one? How would that line up with the MBA being the "next generation of MacBooks"? I would also expected SSD technology to creep in somewhere.
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post #65 of 152
2/23/11 at 7:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MacHiavelli92 View Post

I think you'll find that Harry Potter has (or had) a Thunderbolt.

It's got Harry Potter's broomstick model for a name and it's got the Harry Potter scar for an icon.

Maybe JK Rowling has bought into Apple shares and is now dictating things.

Actually, Harry Potter had a Firebolt not a Thunderbolt. That would have been a cooler name but since they already have FireWire they probably wouldn't want to confuse people.
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post #66 of 152
2/23/11 at 7:14am
Wonder if Apple is using a version of Cougar Point with SATA 6Gbps. If they are, has it been limited in firmware. Remember they did that a while back? Limited a SATA 3Gbps system to 1.5Gbps and then later released a firmware update to remove the limitation. People might want to fit a 6Gbps SSD. I hope Apple's SSDs for these models have 6Gbps controllers.
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post #67 of 152
2/23/11 at 7:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by primaltheory View Post

Actually, Harry Potter had a Firebolt not a Thunderbolt. That would have been a cooler name but since they already have FireWire they probably wouldn't want to confuse people.

Ahhhhhh thanks for putting me right on the name there. Doh!
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post #68 of 152
2/23/11 at 7:21am
The name and logo are also very similar to HTC's latest phone.
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post #69 of 152
2/23/11 at 7:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by noexpectations View Post

Will LIGHTPEAK allow us to connect 2 external monitors to a Macbook? Wouldn't that be cool?

Mini-DP will allow you to do that since it can be daisy chained. Apple hasn't added a displayport-out to the displays.
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post #70 of 152
2/23/11 at 7:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by AppleInsider View Post

... Thunderbolt connector supporting High-Speed I/O and MiniDisplay-Port devices ...

Isn't anyone else concerned about them putting this into the mini-display port?

Where I work we've had multiple failures of mini-display ports. Even the ones that didn't just stop working one day often become "mushy" after just a few months of use, especially the ones on the MacBook pros.

In my experience the only connector that will basically fall out after too much use *more* than mini-display, is the old mini-DVI ones which are just ridiculous and rarely last as long as the laptop itself. Putting all your video and all your data through one tiny port with a dubious connector doesn't sound good to me. I'd rather see it in the magsafe.
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post #71 of 152
2/23/11 at 7:41am
It will take some time to get used to "Thunderbolt", but I far prefer real names and words to stupid, geeky, non-descriptive acronyms like USB, HDMI, ADSL & whatnot.

And since Intel recently ditched the optical cable in favor of copper in the Light Peak project, it would actually make sense if they didn't call it Light Peak anymore.
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post #72 of 152
2/23/11 at 7:42am
I agree that the stats for the system are a bit odd, but if that is the low end model, I do like the fact that MBPs will all have either i5 or i7 processors. This lets them revamp the MBA to have i3 chips. Let i3 processors with HD3000 GPUs be the entry to laptops in the MBA line, then people can move up to i5 and i7 based MBPs.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Yours Smugly View Post

And since Intel recently ditched the optical cable in favor of copper in the Light Peak project, it would actually make sense if they didn't call it Light Peak anymore.

Intel didn't ditch it, the first iteration of the cable has copper included as an intermediary step. Eventually it will transition to fully optical as copper will run out of bandwidth before the 100 Gb/s top speed is reached.
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post #73 of 152
2/23/11 at 7:44am
Apple must like that Mac users have to pay more for accessories than non-Mac users. "Let's make this new port proprietary so we can collect license fees from hard drive manufacturers." Who will then pass the costs on to the users.

Gawd I hope this rumor about it being a proprietary port is not true. If/when Lightpeak is on Macs, it had better use an industry standard connector. The only thing good about such a unified connector is if they plan on having docking stations (or a monitor) which will breakout the new data connection into standard USB, Firewire, and Ethernet ports. And if USB & Firewire aren't also on the laptop itself, it's a no-sale for me.
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post #74 of 152
2/23/11 at 7:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by hittrj01 View Post

If I'm not mistaken, that's exactly what LightPeak is. It would be fast enough to handle just about every single external connection at the same time with no slowdown. I could be wrong, though, I haven't been keeping up on LightPeak recently.

Actually didn't Intel just announce that the optics were dropped from lightpeak & that they would be able to achieve the same speeds via a copper connection, even eventually up to 100GB/s.

I don't buy any of this for a second, this is all so easily photoshopped & lightpeak spec isn't even finished yet. When Apple released MiniDP there was already a DP spec finalized & they had their port design added to the standard. You can't combine DP which has 1 standard & lightpeak which is a completely different standard. Sorry but if this is true and Apple has released a product utilizing a technology that wasn't even supposed to be finalized until 2012 & only recently changed timeline to be within 2011 for release then it is a stupid move.

What I might believe is that Apple released their own additional overhead to MiniDP to allow it to also be used for dock purposes & multi-monitor. That maybe I would believe since DP is already theoretically capable of 20GB/s but then I'm still hard pressed to believe this report.
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post #75 of 152
2/23/11 at 7:50am
Thunderbolt and Light Peak, very very frightening, me! Galieleo!
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post #76 of 152
2/23/11 at 7:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nkhm View Post

If you think value for money = a completely redesigned shell, then apple products aren't for you. If build quality, stability, resale value and user experience are important and worth making an investment for, then make the jump.

Sure all those things are good, but weren't there some implications when the new Air came out that this was the design direction for all new notebooks? So I would expect a redesigned case this time around.

Life is too short to drink bad coffee.

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Life is too short to drink bad coffee.

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post #77 of 152
2/23/11 at 7:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by myapplelove View Post

Firewire (yeah the real one) has made inroads in most camera applications for pros, so task accomplished for apple, no need to make on every pc as well, why should apple care?). Firewire was established where it should have been, and the stupid, unavoidable, and less advanced usb is used for the rest since it's a standard.

Technology comes and goes. The video pros are using compact flash now, not firewire. The tape is dead.

Life is too short to drink bad coffee.

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post #78 of 152
2/23/11 at 7:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Logisticaldron View Post

Its not unusual when you consider the image looks just like the previous model in thickness and design, that this also contains an optical drive, and that its the entry level 13 notebook.

The fact that it looks exactly like the current 13" model and has the exact same dimensions and weight makes these shots even less believable in my opinion. I simply can't imagine Apple not changing a single thing to the new MBP line that would change it's shape and weight, like a different battery, design cues from the Air (tapered, slimmer design), an edge-to-edge display with a higher resolution, a larger glass trackpad or a different logic board. All of these could remove or add weight, or size, and 2.04 kg is a figure accurate up to 10 grams, which is nothing.

I simply can't imagine that we're going to see an MBP that only has an i5 instead of a C2D, and a new port that is shared with the existing mini DisplayPort, but have all the same components otherwise. Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I find it more plausible that someone (maybe even Apple themselves) deliberately had boxes with these specs made and photographed to already get everyone worked up on a possible lackluster upgrade, only to surprise the whole world with a brand new case design and better specs than on this box. Apple has been known for deliberate and sometimes false or incomplete leaks.
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post #79 of 152
2/23/11 at 7:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tommyt12 View Post

Look at the left edge of the profile screen shot. What is that color change that occurs in the middle of the Magsafe port and continues up the screen? It looks far to dark and defined to be a shadow and it is perfectly straight down the middle of the port.

It's either a photoshopped picture, or there might be some LiquidMetal involved?

I can guarantee you that that weird color change is wrapping plastic, the non-sticky -static-free stuff they put around all new ipods and macbooks, etc.
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post #80 of 152
2/23/11 at 8:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by d-range View Post

The fact that it looks exactly like the current 13" model and has the exact same dimensions and weight makes these shots even less believable in my opinion. I simply can't imagine Apple not changing a single thing to the new MBP line that would change it's shape and weight, like a different battery, design cues from the Air (tapered, slimmer design), an edge-to-edge display with a higher resolution, a larger glass trackpad or a different logic board. All of these could remove or add weight, or size, and 2.04 kg is a figure accurate up to 10 grams, which is nothing.

I simply can't imagine that we're going to see an MBP that only has an i5 instead of a C2D, and a new port that is shared with the existing mini DisplayPort, but have all the same components otherwise. Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I find it more plausible that someone (maybe even Apple themselves) deliberately had boxes with these specs made and photographed to already get everyone worked up on a possible lackluster upgrade, only to surprise the whole world with a brand new case design and better specs than on this box. Apple has been known for deliberate and sometimes false or incomplete leaks.

So you think by keeping a single, low-end model with the previous dimensions and weight means that the entire line will also keep the previous dimensions and weight despite the longstanding precedence of Apple keeping an older style build with some simple internal and simple external changes?
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