Apple using "Engineering Samples" in MacBook Pro?

kiwi-in-dc

Hmmm, interesting. I installed Windows XP using the patches that are available from onmac.net, and thought I'd run the Intel Processor Identification Utility to see what it could tell me about the Core Duo processor.



Here's what it says:

Quote:

The tested Intel(R) processor appears to be an engineering sample, not a production processor. The utility is designed to support production Intel processors only. Sample processors are not warranted by Intel, and are not intended for resale.



If this information differs from what was expected, please contact the PC system manufacturer or microprocessor place of purchase.

Interesting... Mine is a very early MBP - ordered the day after they were announced. Do others see this?

backtomac

Quote:

Originally posted by kiwi-in-dc

Hmmm, interesting. I installed Windows XP using the patches that are available from onmac.net, and thought I'd run the Intel Processor Identification Utility to see what it could tell me about the Core Duo processor.



Here's what it says:





Interesting... Mine is a very early MBP - ordered the day after they were announced. Do others see this?

And some users are complaining about whining noises and heat issues with their machines. Hmm.... Probably means nothing.

thereubster

Hey as a fellow Kiwi I encourage you, nay, ORDER you to install windows using Boot camp then see if it is multiplier unlocked (ES chips usually are) then overclock the hell out of it!! (Brave) people are getting 2.6 ghz out of their yonahs at default voltage. Good Luck!!

kickaha

Make sure that IPIU actually *KNOWS* about the Core Duo before jumping to conclusions.



A frequent default 'error' case for an unknown chip is for it simply to say "Okay, I know it's an Intel, but I have no freaking *clue* what the specific chip is... most likely it's a pre-release, and I'll be told about it in due time so... I'll flip up a message that it's a prototype."

kiwi-in-dc

Quote:

Originally posted by Kickaha

Make sure that IPIU actually *KNOWS* about the Core Duo before jumping to conclusions.

It knows it's a Core Duo - the latest version of IPIU identifies it correctly - along with the fact that it supports VT.

thereubster

so how's the overclocking going? Is it multiplier unlocked?

hiro

So what's the chance the IPIU is written to properly report while running XP on hacked firmware in an Apple box? Just about zero I'd say. This means nothing.



Engineering samples come off the line in dozens to hundreds, not thousands. Not the kinds of quantities that get shipped to major vendors for production boxen. And the warranty issues alone are enough for a vendor like Apple to only use them in prototypes or engineering mules.