I expect Macworld will be the debut of the 17" unibody MacBook Pro and the introduction of the Nehalem platform in the Mac Pro and XServe. New software will round out the show.
i would agree with this.....
i can only hope matte displays return as a option. my salesman at my friendly neighborhood apple store said his sales numbers were about 95% matte 5% glossy and none of the sales guys could believe apple dropped the matte display.
i have the same question because i thought the new nvidia chips replaced northbridge already, or have i got that completely wrong
It's not exactly the same.
- the nvidia chipset in the MB/MBP is a single chip that integrates the "classic" northbridge and southbridge. The northbridge "used" to have the memory controller, PCIe lanes and the integrated gpu in some case. The southbridge integrates most of the traditional I/Os: USB, SATA and some PCIe lanes too...
- in Nehalem, Intel integrates most parts of the northbridge into the cpu (memory controller, and on some models, the gpu). The southbridge (or I/O hub under Nehalem) is almost unchanged.
So the nvidia chipset = north+south bridges on one chip and
nehalem = cpu (cores + northbridge) + i/o hub (southbridge).
Here's a image illustrating this. it's big, I'm sorry, but I don't have time to try and find a smaller one.
o that makes sense now, so frontside speed bus will disappear completely after northbridge is integrated into nehmalm
so is this worth waiting for cause i need to get a new laptop to replace my aging mac mini but i dont want to jump too early
The thing with computers is that for the foreseeable future, there will always be something better just around the corner. My usual advice is to wait as long as you can and not to buy a model that's long in the tooth.
If you're really starting to struggle with your current machine and want a laptop, now is a good time to purchase because Apple have only just updated their MacBooks so at least whatever you buy won't be superseded anytime soon.
is Nehalem going to offer significant improvement?
It'll probably be the first quad-core processor Apple uses in machines like the MBP and iMac. Significant... yes, but it really depends on what you use it for.
If you need a new laptop, now is a good time to buy.
It'll probably be the first quad-core processor Apple uses in machines like the MBP and iMac. Significant... yes, but it really depends on what you use it for.
If you need a new laptop, now is a good time to buy.
ok i sort now understand the advantages of nehalam but could someone please layout in simple terms the new updates and what advantages they offer (eg better battery life, fast clockspeed, shrunk die, graphics bump etc) please cause im sort of lost on what comes next the "tic" or "toc" nehalem or core i7
ok i sort now understand the advantages of nehalam but could someone please layout in simple terms the new updates and what advantages they offer (eg better battery life, fast clockspeed, shrunk die, graphics bump etc) please cause im sort of lost on what comes next the "tic" or "toc" nehalem or core i7
ok i sort now understand the advantages of nehalam but could someone please layout in simple terms the new updates and what advantages they offer (eg better battery life, fast clockspeed, shrunk die, graphics bump etc) please cause im sort of lost on what comes next the "tic" or "toc" nehalem or core i7
Core i7 is the first Nehalem processor- the high-end desktop CPU that Intel is releasing before the end of this year. All of the different versions of Nehalem to follow- mid- and low- range desktop versions, versions with integrated graphics, mobile versions- will have different names (presumably the server version will still be called Xeon).
It's hard to talk about advantages because, apart from the i7 processors coming soon (which probably won't be used in any Macs), we don't know how they will do on things like battery life. For their first year, Nehalem processors will be manufactured on the same 45-nanometer process as the current Core 2 Duo, so clock speeds will go up, but not very much. In late 2009, they will get a die shrink.
I think Intel is waiting for that 32nm die shrink to introduce mobile Nehalems, because from what I've read, the desktop i7 processors run pretty hot. They run hot for a reason- they integrate a lot of the chipset functions into the CPU- but that means laptops will be using older Core 2 CPUs for a while yet.
ok now that core i7 has been realized for desktops, can we make a better guess at what the mobile nehmalem will bring..... and if it will offer and major advantages or even disadvantages... and when this is likely to be used ....
The P8700 (2.53 GHz, 25W, 3MB L2 cache) seems the most likely candidate to replace the 2.4 GHz processor in the high-end MacBook and low-end MacBook Pro.
Here are my predictions...
13" MacBook
low-end:
Core 2 Duo P7350 @ 2.00 GHz w 3MB cache (current)
Core 2 Duo P8400 @ 2.26 GHz w 3MB cache (predicted)
high-end:
Core 2 Duo P8600 @ 2.40 GHz w 3MB cache (current)
Core 2 Duo P8700 @ 2.53 GHz w 3MB cache (predicted)
There is also a Core 2 Duo P8800 at 2.66 GHz that could be used on the high-end 13" MacBook (and low-end 15" MacBook Pro) that will be available sometime in the second quarter but the others will be available sooner.
15" MacBook Pro
low-end:
Core 2 Duo P8600 @ 2.40 GHz w 3MB cache (current)
Core 2 Duo P8700 @ 2.53 GHz w 3MB cache (predicted)
high-end:
Core 2 Duo T9400 @ 2.53 GHz w 6MB cache (current)
Core 2 Duo T9550 @ 2.66 GHz w 6MB cache (predicted)
configure-to-order:
Core 2 Duo T9600 @ 2.80 GHz w 6MB cache (current)
Core 2 Duo T9800 @ 2.93 GHz w 6MB cache (predicted)
17" MacBook Pro
This one is hard to predict as it was not updated last month along with the other MacBook models.
Core 2 Duo T9550 @ 2.66 GHz w 6MB cache (predicted) low-end
Core 2 Duo T9600 @ 2.80 GHz w 6MB cache (predicted) high-end
Core 2 Duo T9800 @ 2.93 GHz w 6MB cache (predicted) configure-to-order
There is also the Core 2 Duo T9900 at 3.06 GHz that could be used on the configure-to-order MacBook Pros but it won't be available until sometime around June (just in time for WWDC) and I don't think they are going to wait that long to update the 17" model. Maybe a revision?
Introduction of the Unibody 17" MacBook Pro at Macworld or possibly later in January. Updates to the 13" MacBook and 15" MacBook Pro in February. Update to the configure-to-order options (3.06 GHz T9900 and 256GB SSD) on the 17" MacBook Pro in June.
ok i sort now understand the advantages of nehalam but could someone please layout in simple terms the new updates and what advantages they offer (eg better battery life, fast clockspeed, shrunk die, graphics bump etc) please cause im sort of lost on what comes next the "tic" or "toc" nehalem or core i7
Core i7 will be about 5% to 15% faster per clock than a Core 2 Duo. Ie, a 2.8 GHz Core i7 is about equivalent to a 3.2 GHz Core 2 Duo. They ship at 2.66 to 3.2 GHz. They also support 2-way SMT and can appear as 8 virtual cores. If they appear in Macs, it'll only be in Mac Pros in the near future. Maybe the iMac is Apple does a bit of redesign to account for 130 W TDP. A 2.53 GHz mobile quad-core iMac might be possible too, but the performance tradeoff with a 3.06 dual-core isn't that great except for some specific usages.
We probably won't see Core i7 in laptops until Q1 2010, and you'll see equivalent battery life as Apple simply targets 4-5 hours and uses a battery that can support that.
Apple is actually kind of stuck since their laptops are stuck at 25/35 W TDP and the iMac appears limited to 55 W TDP. They need to design for 45 W TDP laptops and 90 W TDP iMac to see some great perf/$ increases.
Do you think this is why the 17" MacBook Pro didn't get the unibody update yet?
The 17" MBP has a history of being behind the 15" MBP. Since it isn't nearly as popular as the 15" MBP making it 2nd burner is good business. But their may be other complications with this new milling process.
Certainly makes business sense to not update all MBPs in one go - in case there are problems with the new design you have at least some working models you can sell.
But that is not how Steve Jobs justified the lack of a 17" unibody MBP.
I'd have to re-watch the video to get the exact words, but he said 'there were design issues'.
Yet who knows what really happened... Apple never tells anything. We might find out in 10 or so years. If ever.
Who knows about the MBP 17 inch. solopsism's reply is just as good as any. It could be a resource issue. It could be testing/qualification issue, it could be a vendor issue, it could be the way they planned it.
I actually wouldn't mind having one. The early 2008 MBP 15 I have is actually fairly portable. Much more portable than the HP I had or even my old 1.3" thick gen 1 iBook.
Comments
I expect Macworld will be the debut of the 17" unibody MacBook Pro and the introduction of the Nehalem platform in the Mac Pro and XServe. New software will round out the show.
i would agree with this.....
i can only hope matte displays return as a option. my salesman at my friendly neighborhood apple store said his sales numbers were about 95% matte 5% glossy and none of the sales guys could believe apple dropped the matte display.
Or is it like the usual - Oh, new Macbooks released. Next update next year, wait for that. Then when that update comes..
So what, is it really worth waiting for the Nehalem platform to roll out so the better chips are implemented?
Or is it like the usual - Oh, new Macbooks released. Next update next year, wait for that. Then when that update comes..
i have the same question because i thought the new nvidia chips replaced northbridge already, or have i got that completely wrong
i have the same question because i thought the new nvidia chips replaced northbridge already, or have i got that completely wrong
It's not exactly the same.
- the nvidia chipset in the MB/MBP is a single chip that integrates the "classic" northbridge and southbridge. The northbridge "used" to have the memory controller, PCIe lanes and the integrated gpu in some case. The southbridge integrates most of the traditional I/Os: USB, SATA and some PCIe lanes too...
- in Nehalem, Intel integrates most parts of the northbridge into the cpu (memory controller, and on some models, the gpu). The southbridge (or I/O hub under Nehalem) is almost unchanged.
So the nvidia chipset = north+south bridges on one chip and
nehalem = cpu (cores + northbridge) + i/o hub (southbridge).
Here's a image illustrating this. it's big, I'm sorry, but I don't have time to try and find a smaller one.
so is this worth waiting for cause i need to get a new laptop to replace my aging mac mini but i dont want to jump too early
o that makes sense now, so frontside speed bus will disappear completely after northbridge is integrated into nehmalm
so is this worth waiting for cause i need to get a new laptop to replace my aging mac mini but i dont want to jump too early
The thing with computers is that for the foreseeable future, there will always be something better just around the corner. My usual advice is to wait as long as you can and not to buy a model that's long in the tooth.
If you're really starting to struggle with your current machine and want a laptop, now is a good time to purchase because Apple have only just updated their MacBooks so at least whatever you buy won't be superseded anytime soon.
o that makes sense now, so frontside speed bus will disappear completely after northbridge is integrated into nehmalm
so is this worth waiting for cause i need to get a new laptop to replace my aging mac mini but i dont want to jump too early
You would have a while to wait. Mobile Nehalem processors won't appear until Q3 or maybe even Q4 2009.
If you need a new laptop, buy a new laptop. It won't be any slower in a year than it is now.
is Nehalem going to offer significant improvement?
It'll probably be the first quad-core processor Apple uses in machines like the MBP and iMac. Significant... yes, but it really depends on what you use it for.
If you need a new laptop, now is a good time to buy.
It'll probably be the first quad-core processor Apple uses in machines like the MBP and iMac. Significant... yes, but it really depends on what you use it for.
If you need a new laptop, now is a good time to buy.
ok i sort now understand the advantages of nehalam but could someone please layout in simple terms the new updates and what advantages they offer (eg better battery life, fast clockspeed, shrunk die, graphics bump etc) please
ok i sort now understand the advantages of nehalam but could someone please layout in simple terms the new updates and what advantages they offer (eg better battery life, fast clockspeed, shrunk die, graphics bump etc) please
http://www.intel.com/technology/arch..._micro+nehalem
Nehalem is the core i7 architecture--it's marketing.
http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archi...htm?iid=SEARCH
ok i sort now understand the advantages of nehalam but could someone please layout in simple terms the new updates and what advantages they offer (eg better battery life, fast clockspeed, shrunk die, graphics bump etc) please
Core i7 is the first Nehalem processor- the high-end desktop CPU that Intel is releasing before the end of this year. All of the different versions of Nehalem to follow- mid- and low- range desktop versions, versions with integrated graphics, mobile versions- will have different names (presumably the server version will still be called Xeon).
It's hard to talk about advantages because, apart from the i7 processors coming soon (which probably won't be used in any Macs), we don't know how they will do on things like battery life. For their first year, Nehalem processors will be manufactured on the same 45-nanometer process as the current Core 2 Duo, so clock speeds will go up, but not very much. In late 2009, they will get a die shrink.
I think Intel is waiting for that 32nm die shrink to introduce mobile Nehalems, because from what I've read, the desktop i7 processors run pretty hot. They run hot for a reason- they integrate a lot of the chipset functions into the CPU- but that means laptops will be using older Core 2 CPUs for a while yet.
Here are my predictions...
13" MacBook
low-end:
Core 2 Duo P7350 @ 2.00 GHz w 3MB cache (current)
Core 2 Duo P8400 @ 2.26 GHz w 3MB cache (predicted)
high-end:
Core 2 Duo P8600 @ 2.40 GHz w 3MB cache (current)
Core 2 Duo P8700 @ 2.53 GHz w 3MB cache (predicted)
There is also a Core 2 Duo P8800 at 2.66 GHz that could be used on the high-end 13" MacBook (and low-end 15" MacBook Pro) that will be available sometime in the second quarter but the others will be available sooner.
15" MacBook Pro
low-end:
Core 2 Duo P8600 @ 2.40 GHz w 3MB cache (current)
Core 2 Duo P8700 @ 2.53 GHz w 3MB cache (predicted)
high-end:
Core 2 Duo T9400 @ 2.53 GHz w 6MB cache (current)
Core 2 Duo T9550 @ 2.66 GHz w 6MB cache (predicted)
configure-to-order:
Core 2 Duo T9600 @ 2.80 GHz w 6MB cache (current)
Core 2 Duo T9800 @ 2.93 GHz w 6MB cache (predicted)
17" MacBook Pro
This one is hard to predict as it was not updated last month along with the other MacBook models.
Core 2 Duo T9550 @ 2.66 GHz w 6MB cache (predicted) low-end
Core 2 Duo T9600 @ 2.80 GHz w 6MB cache (predicted) high-end
Core 2 Duo T9800 @ 2.93 GHz w 6MB cache (predicted) configure-to-order
There is also the Core 2 Duo T9900 at 3.06 GHz that could be used on the configure-to-order MacBook Pros but it won't be available until sometime around June (just in time for WWDC) and I don't think they are going to wait that long to update the 17" model. Maybe a revision?
Introduction of the Unibody 17" MacBook Pro at Macworld or possibly later in January. Updates to the 13" MacBook and 15" MacBook Pro in February. Update to the configure-to-order options (3.06 GHz T9900 and 256GB SSD) on the 17" MacBook Pro in June.
ok i sort now understand the advantages of nehalam but could someone please layout in simple terms the new updates and what advantages they offer (eg better battery life, fast clockspeed, shrunk die, graphics bump etc) please
Core i7 will be about 5% to 15% faster per clock than a Core 2 Duo. Ie, a 2.8 GHz Core i7 is about equivalent to a 3.2 GHz Core 2 Duo. They ship at 2.66 to 3.2 GHz. They also support 2-way SMT and can appear as 8 virtual cores. If they appear in Macs, it'll only be in Mac Pros in the near future. Maybe the iMac is Apple does a bit of redesign to account for 130 W TDP. A 2.53 GHz mobile quad-core iMac might be possible too, but the performance tradeoff with a 3.06 dual-core isn't that great except for some specific usages.
We probably won't see Core i7 in laptops until Q1 2010, and you'll see equivalent battery life as Apple simply targets 4-5 hours and uses a battery that can support that.
Apple is actually kind of stuck since their laptops are stuck at 25/35 W TDP and the iMac appears limited to 55 W TDP. They need to design for 45 W TDP laptops and 90 W TDP iMac to see some great perf/$ increases.
[Apple] need to design for 45 W TDP laptops and 90 W TDP iMac to see some great perf/$ increases.
Do you think this is why the 17" MacBook Pro didn't get the unibody update yet?
They tried to house a 45W TDP chip and that failed - so it went back to the drawing board.
But perhaps that's just wishful thinking.
At least I hope the new 17" model, when it finally shows up, has not the same specs as the high-end 15" model plus a bigger screen...
Do you think this is why the 17" MacBook Pro didn't get the unibody update yet?
The 17" MBP has a history of being behind the 15" MBP. Since it isn't nearly as popular as the 15" MBP making it 2nd burner is good business. But their may be other complications with this new milling process.
But that is not how Steve Jobs justified the lack of a 17" unibody MBP.
I'd have to re-watch the video to get the exact words, but he said 'there were design issues'.
Yet who knows what really happened... Apple never tells anything. We might find out in 10 or so years. If ever.
I actually wouldn't mind having one. The early 2008 MBP 15 I have is actually fairly portable. Much more portable than the HP I had or even my old 1.3" thick gen 1 iBook.