Can someone answer a few MBP questions for me?

I'm sorry if I seem repetitive or something, but I'm having some serious uncertainty issues with my V2S order. If someone could please answer the following, it would really help.

1. I've heard that Kensington notebook locks don't work well with MBPs, often scratching the finish around the lock slot. Are there any locks that work?

2. Does the MBP's 8600GT have Turbocaching in OSX and Windows? Would Turbocaching help close the gap between the 128MB and 256MB models when additional memory is needed?

3. To people with the 128MB model: how do Battlefield 2 and Oblivion run? Those are the 2 games I'll probably be playing the most.

4. The aluminum construction of the MBP's body lends itself to acting as a giant heatsink. Does it ever get just too hot to use comfortably?

5. How difficult is doing the Boot Camp procedure to install Windows XP on a new MBP? I'd like to avoid Vista if possible, but driver-hunting might be an issue.

Thanks a lot, guys.

 

1) There was a particular model that didn't work well at all. I know that. I have no recommendations for notebook locks though .

2) Turbocache is only available in Windows.

3) I don't have a MacBook Pro, so I'll skip this question.

4) Skip.

5) All the drivers you need to run the MacBook Pro in Windows is included in the Boot Camp download. They will ask you to insert a blank CD/DVD and burn drivers there. So no need to hunt for drivers, its all ready in the download.

 

3) I've only installed CS: Source and it runs fine. There was an article of a guy saying he ran Oblivion with high settings and it was playable, just sometimes laggy in outdoor areas. Personally, I think it will play both BF2 and Oblivion fine but not on high settings (HDR off, no AA, etc.). Both BF2 and Oblivion are memory hungry games, especially at higher resolutions.

4) You would not be able to use the MBP on your lap while gaming, that's for sure. The top area remains pretty cool, but the bottom can get extremely hot when performing tasks like gaming.

 

I was hoping that the Turbocaching would fill in for the lack of actual VRAM in games that are memory-hungry.

I won't be gaming on my lap with any laptop, but is it okay for surfing the web or typing something up?

 

Yes. It will only get really hot when you put it under a large load. As for locks, I don't recommend them because they give a false sense of security. And installing Windows is a breeze, you should not have any issues.

 

I might get that Vantec notebook cooler, so that should help things out. As far as the lock, it'll probably serve more as a deterrent than anything else, though I know a more determined thief won't be turned away. I just want to feel safe leaving it locked for a few minutes in a college library or something. Otherwise it'll never be out of my sight.

 

I think you take a very big risk leaving it out by itself, especially at college. All it takes is some small cable cutters and they are off. It is a sad situation, but unfortunately that is the way it is.

 

i see in your sig that you just ordered that Asus rig - getting that and an MBP? lucky guy ..

 

I'm thinking very seriously about canceling my V2S order and getting a MBP instead, which is why I made this thread. It's staying in my sig until I really cancel it.

 

This may well just be marketing, but I've heard Targus has a new line of locks that use a thicker braided carbon-steel alloy that is "cut-resistant". How true that is remains to be seen, but I'm quite confident that the majority of notebook thefts are by casual opportunists and not professionals. Just seeing the lock will deter most of them.

 

Well, looking at the price you configured and the specs on that V2S I think the MacBook Pro is the better notebook, for price and design and power.

And I agree with cashmonee, security locks just aren't secure enough...even if left for a few minutes.

 

I think Kensington advertises the same thing for their triple-layer DS cable locks It's probably just marketing though - although if it's hard enough to slow the thief down a bit, it might have some use.

You could always get a combination of:
1. Cable lock
2. Cable lock alarm sensor (for if cable is cut)
3. MBP motion alarm w/ iSight support (i.e. closing lid, moving MBP will make the screen flash brightly, loud sirens blast from the speakers, and iSight to take pictures and email them - ialertu, theftsense, etc.).
4. Recovery/locating software - e.g. LoJack, Undercover, to take pictures of the thief remotely and locate them if they're online.
5. Have connections with the mafia and put a hit out on the thief.
6. Have connections with the FBI and put a terrorist watch on the thief.
7. Grab your 00-license, hack into the CIA's satellite system, locate the thief yourself, take back what's rightfully yours, and ensure that the thief will leave your property alone - for good.

 

As far as V2S vs. MBP, the V2S is slightly smaller and lighter, and it has a 7200RPM hard drive, free external hard drive, and included mouse+bag. The MBP has an LED-lit screen, better GPU, and better OS, while also being more accessible (I can pick it up today). I also get a free iPod Nano and printer.

As far as the lock, I'll feel safer having it there. Maybe it actually helps, maybe it doesn't, but I'll psychologically be better off with one.

 

Yeah, those last 3 are not so viable for me right now. I am interested in that motion alarm though...seems worthwhile and would make for a few great pranks.

 

Does anyone else have any input? I'm pretty much set on the MBP now, but I'd still love some opinions, especially on gaming.

 

Well... I'm receiving a 128MB GPU MBP today (carrier says they put it on the truck this morning), and I plan to install Oblivion.

If you can wait 12 or so hours, I can post how that goes.

 

By all means.

 

Oblivion runs fine. Averages 20-60 FPS on the highest settings, AAx8. Its pretty smooth.

I haven't tried different drivers yet, but I think if I did there would be improvement.

3D Mark 06 at 2801 on stock Bootcamp drivers.

Edit: Ran Oblivion on native resolution.

 

That's pretty impressive, I can't get over 4X AA on NWN2, which should be a far less demanding game - and even then 2X makes it run more smoothly.

NWN2 is just a poorly designed game though probably.

 

Wow, that's great! 1440x900 with 8xAA and 20-60fps?

On another note, what is with this ridiculous variation in 3DMark scores? minxshin told me he got 3200 stock, someone else got 3700 stock, and you got 2800 stock. The drivers must make one hell of a difference.

 

I would say with current games you will not see a big difference between 128-256 cards. Most difference you will see probably will be 3-5 fps. Also with current 667 DDR2 memory chips, Turbocache is pretty effective (so I got 128MB MBP and I am happy about it).
MBP gets pretty hot - you will not be able to put it on your lap even doing simple tasks. It gets uncomfortable...
3D Mark 06 - these factors make big difference:
1. Vista x64 is about 10-15% faster calculations (and 3D)
2. The way you configure driver (Performance vs. Default settings).
For example MBP 128MB with Vista x32 I got 3000 3DMark06, with Vista x64 I got 3300 stock, both default performance in the driver. When overclocked I got 3500 (and that driver 165.01 seems to have worse quality than others).

 

An update on that. The FPS I had before was the first time I was playing Oblivion, and those were only at the beginning tutorial area. When I when out into the wide, wide world of Oblivion today at work (yes I'm playing Oblivion at work) it got terribly laggy at 8xAA.

However, I set it down to 4xAA and it runs perfectly on all the highest settings.

 

I'm jealous! Thats cool though.