New photo reveals MacBook Pro, new display also possible - Page 3

Could these be all touchscreens?

The image looks like a large iphone/touch display.

Why would the screen be glass? Why would the prices be higher than expected, especially for the macbooks?

Could the $899 item be a touchscreen without a keyboard?

Anyone agree?

You can already do that (sort of, and better). Tap with two fingers and you get the same as "right click."

Where have you been?

Gawd. I f'n despise Laptops. Nothing like a bunch of drones sitting around in a park texting on a f'n laptop.

We have this ridiculous fantasy notions that we have parks of geniuses working in collaboration, amidst serene settings, and changing the world.

All we have consists of 50 average people bitching, flirting, surfing and basically moving their dull lives outside for everyone else to be surrounded by the portable pod people incapable of enjoying Nature.

Perhaps.
You could turn the MBP sideways and insert the left side (with your monitor, power, usb, etc) into the dock while the right side faces towards you with the DVD drive.

I think it's possible. And it fits the idea of a product 'transition'. I'd like it

It's also possible that transition refers to the NVIDIA GPU taking Macs a step forward in the use of onboard GP-GPU for general purpose computing needs... that would be a transition (but can the Mac take advantage before Snow Leopard?)

The model number of the $899 unit does not match that of a display. Displays are M9, computing devices are MB. It has to be a computer of some sort. It could be a tablet or a mini MB or a really stripped down MB.

Did anyone see what engagdet updated with?!


TWO FULL NVIDIA GPUS?!?!?!

Easy to clean and they don't diffuse light (hence the reflections but sharper output).


They're ripping us off again.


I don't think it can be without people getting annoyed at Apple for the iMac. Apple charge more to bundle a display with their computer and then expect you to buy another one to sit next to it for touch.

I reckon people will switch in droves to a Mini if they released one of those.


Yes using CUDA. Apple could bundle the laptops with CUDA optimized apps (possibly some Quicktime encoders) before Leopard and then simply update it in 10.6.


I'm still doubtful. The source may not be aware that the integrated chip and the dedicated chip can now be used at the same time using hybrid SLI. They would probably show up in system prefs independently as opposed to the dedicated chip overriding the integrated one.

If this source knows there's two, you'd think they would post model numbers.

There was some speculation that the new products might have 16:9 displays. The photo clearly shows a 16:10 display.

The reason it looks like crap is the glossy display. I hope Apple are smart enough to continue selling matte displays.

I'm curious to see what that $899 is, I don't think its a display i think its an new line of macbook possibly a netbook (little larger maybe 10 or 11 inch)

Over at Daring Fireball, John Gruber says the cheapest MacBook will be the old white MacBook. Apple will retain it at a cheaper price-point. When the $1299 and $1499 MacBooks won't have any FireWire, that would be a complete rip-off at that price-point. Many older Mac users who want to trade in their Apple notebook and who do have FireWire peripherals won't be able to buy a cheap Mac notebook newer style. Also new-to-Mac persons who have older or recent DV and HDV camcorders won't be able to connect them to their new MacBooks, if FireWire rumors hold true (I'm still hoping to see a combo Ethernet/FireWire port). These people will have to buy an old style white MacBook.

For the first time I felt the need to chime in. Hello all.

If the new Macbook Pro does indeed use 'Geforce Boost' which combines both GPU's to increase performance. Which is one part of Hybrid SLI, the other being Hybrid Power that switches between GPU's for efficient power usage. The only dedicated GPU's that takes advantage of Geforce Boost are the Geforce 9500M G or lower like the 9300M GS and9200M GS as there are no performance benefits from using Geforce Boost with any stronger GPU's like The Geforce 9600M GT.

So if this is true we're not even going to get a mid-range GPU. From all the SLI benchmarks I have seen, albeit with two dedicated GPU's in SLI, there are almost no performance gains unless the 3D application is explicitly designed to use it.

I think it is more likely that the Macbook Pro's wont use Geforce Boost but will Hybrid Power. As the term Hybrid SLI means both or either of those I wouldn't be surprised if it has been thrown around loosely. But if it does we're going to be getting low to low/mid 3D performance.

One thing that I was afraid of when I heard about Hybrid SLI boosting performance by 40% was that Apple would use a lower powered 40% slower dedicated GPU and try and make up for it with the integrated graphics. It is true that if this was the case they'd be using lower end dedicated chips:

http://www.nvidia.com/object/hybridsli_notebook.html

If it was two dedicated chips, you run into the same problems regarding SLI because only specific apps can use the functionality. I don't see Apple doing this. My only guess would be they will use one of the GPUs specifically for CUDA/OpenCL so that it doesn't impact graphics performance.

On the Macbook model, they could have one dedicated + integrated graphics so that it still has a dedicated CUDA/OpenCL processor.

It just doesn't sound like Apple to do something like this though. Usually they keep graphics stuff to a minimum and underclock. Putting two high end chips in there would be great but totally out of the ordinary.

Or a MB without optical drive I don't really believe they are going to sell MB in just two models like the Air with $200 more on the entry level one.

One of the main differentiators between the current Macbook and Macbook Pro is that not only does the Macbook Pro have a discrete GPU but that it has it's own dedicated memory therefore it is not leeching of the main system memory and bus like the Macbook. When using pro apps bandwidth is key. So I still think its less likely that they would limit the PRO like that.

I think having the option to use integrated for GUI and discrete for OpenCL intensive apps is a very good idea Marvin.
Seeing as OpenCL may well have a massive role in the near future it wouldn't surprise me. Infact the effect of OpenCL on Pro apps may negate my above statement completely.

The mac keyboard with the low profile aluminum finish beats the crap out of their prior series. They are a complete breeze to clean and keep from ever getting particle matter inside it. It kicks serious arse.

Maybe this design (if real) will grow on me, but I prefer the current MBP by quite a bit. The overall look of the new MBP just looks too much like a bulkier Air.

It's a real shame that Apple looks like it might force buyers into glossy MBP displays. Following this particular PC trend is not a good idea, IMO.

Also, having no trackpad button forces users to use tap-click and drag-clicking (which I despise). All MBPs already have "no trackpad button functionality," meaning that one can use the trackpad without the button simply by turning on dragging, tapping, and double clicking. Eliminating the button forces users to dispense with something that some of us really like.

Apple isn't leveraging CUDA. Apple will leverage OpenCL and GrandCentral through whatever GPU/CPU combo they incorporate. CUDA being Nvidia based is moving to OpenCL with their own hooks for their needs.

AMD/ATi are moving Streams to OpenCL.

Apple is leveraging OpenCL for their Operating System, period. Applications leveraging the GPU will go through OpenCL, not CUDA nor Streams from AMD/ATi.

Is that a SONY laptop? Don't like it all sorry Ive....


Still happy with my Timeless MBP design

Agreed. It just looks like any other laptop out there now. If those images are real, the MacBook Pro has lost it's 'Macness'. \

first thing i noticed after the glossy screen!

I can't quite tell from the angle but it could have been moved to the top of the track pad or maybe the spacebar doubles as a trackpad button.

for some reason your post made me smile.

As the guy from Nvidia said though, OpenCL uses the CUDA driver stack to interface with Nvidia hardware. OpenCL is simply an abstraction layer for developers so that they don't have to write specific code for ATI and Nvidia chips. Nvidia are sticking with CUDA because it complements rather than competes with OpenCL. At the end of the day, the GPU driver has to execute the code on the actual hardware. Apple's OS just passes the code to the driver. How much of the driver Apple actually writes I'm not sure but it will contain a framework provided by Nvidia and PC drivers are still all CUDA supporting entirely.

It's like C and assembler. C is easier and more portable but assembler is more direct. Nobody would suggest getting rid of assembler in favor of just C but few people use it. It can provide benefits going direct though and when you try to reverse-engineer compiled code, you get back to assembler.


Right now they can't go through OpenCL unless Apple bundles a custom OS for the laptops. Right now they can program the GPU via CUDA (6 month+ head start on mainstream GPU computing). Again as the Nvidia spokesperson said, the code is very similar so it requires minor modification to become OpenCL code.

Apple might not do anything major themselves right now but they could easily provide minor but very noticeable changes to small software components. For example ichat encoding could be done in hardware, programmable Core Image effects, some quicktime components. Nothing major but still a preview of what we can expect.

We may say something different in a few months or half a year down the road, but that laptop in the the picture sure does look like a Vaio or something. I prefer my MBP too

I won't be buying right away if this is the case.


It should be noted that switching from integrated to discrete GP is an aspect of Centrino2,as well. I'm not sure of Intel got it workign correctly since the last time AnandTech tested it, I just don't want people incorrectly thinking this is an "Apple innovation".


This will be great. I hope they have included a switch in preferences to disallow the turning off of the GPU while running on battery.


I can see the 17" being delayed, but why the MBA? Are the SFF (22m^2) Montevina/Penryn not in production yet?



Me too, but Apple has been making their trackpads more-and-more intellligent. Is it possible that it could only accept taps from the lower 5th of the trackpad and ignore all other taps, the way it ignores your palm resting on it, etc.



DVI, HDMI, and DP all allow for the HDCP needed for playing BD-Video, but I think the issue was the processor and MoBo not allowing for a completely secure path. I still don't foresee BRD in any of these Mac notebooks, but is it not possible that an external BRD could still not offer end-to-end HDCP encryption?




DisplayPort makes sense, but the pic I saw looks like a Mini-DVI to me. However, DP is a protocol that can output both HDMI and DVI, so I foresee no technical reason why Apple can't reuse the Mini-DVI port on their machines so that older ACDs can easily connect to their new Macbooks, while simultaneously allowing their older Mac notebooks can connect to their ACDs.

In other words, unlike video port changes of the past, DisplayPort has the unique foresight to be able to be used with seamlessly with DVI so no new connector on the machine itself is actually needed. Now, has Apple made this Mini-DVI-looking port on these new machines capable of outputting the 10.8Gbps that DP can? I guess I'll have to go do some port pin counting...


edit: DisplayPort has 20-pins for the typical connector, while Mini-DVI has 32-pins, so there is a good deal of logic for Apple to reuse the MiniDVI connector to reduce cost and the number of cables that consumers would have to to potentially carry if they are moving their machines between new and old ACDs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DisplayPort
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini-DVI

Could it be the upgraded Mac Mini?

More likely the rumored low end Macbook...but I would think the same config would show up in the updated Mac Mini...

The trackpad will be the button. You do know what a "button" is right? Where I come from buttons depress when you use a normal pressing force. I believe this is my third time stating this in as many pages.

Richer color, blacks appear deeper. That argument looses legs when you realize the iMac has a glass display. Besides, it's about them looking good really, literal bling.

Don't know if some one ask this already,

But anyone know what the resolution of the 15" LED MBP will be?

Thanks

Thats probably the ugliest laptop Apple ever made.....

EWWW @ KEYBOARDDDDD


I hate the MB and MBA keyboard.

I like that line of thinking very much. If we assume that the Macbook entry point is $1299, that's a $200 jump. the current Mini is $599-799 so a $200 jump of the average takes it to $899.

What we would see is the same processor in the Macbook, Nvidia GPUs, Mini Displayport, DVD burner like the $799 Mini.

That'll certainly stop people buying Minis as alternatives to their Apple TVs and force them to buy a 3rd party alternative instead.

It will also mean that people will get a powerful headless Mac at an affordable price.

Of course, it kind of takes away the Mini as a starter pack for PC users into the world of Mac but at the same time, it makes it into a machine where switchers aren't left with a situation where they need more power after switching and don't see anything they like and switch back.

I'm saying right now, I will place my order the day after the event if that $899 model is a souped up Mini. That's only about £550 where I am, which is still relatively cheap compared to PCs anyway. It's been 14 months since an update, bring on the Mini overhaul.

What about windows XP/ Vista Drivers Support for this "Hybrid SLi" VGA? and power commutation?

I think that people using boot camp will have a lot of problem real soon....

Anyone thinking the same, or just me?

And what about the screen resolution for the 15" LED screen? any rumors?

Please let that be the long desired xMac! Not because I want one, but because I want to stop hearing people complain about not having one.

If they are to announce a full touch screen MB or some tablet today that may explain why they'd hold off on updating the 17" model...

i hear ya.

As a photographer too, why would i want a screen that artificially alters the colour saturation and contrast? i want a true, matt, calibrated screen with zero glare.

But then what do Pros know in Apple's quest to appeal to the fashionistas...

Does any of that seem likely in any way, shape or form, to you?

Websites keep telling keep telling me keep telling me that the MBP is going to be some graphical beast, but unless the 9400M can actually SLI with the 9600M GT this is complete BS.

If the 9400M can SLI with the 9600M GT via. GeForce Boost however, then yes, it will be. Especially with games which are now often optimised to be able to take advantage of SLI systems.

Thoughts?

What websites?

My objections still apply if the trackpad is clickable like an iPod wheel. I do not l like to drag with the clicker.