MacBook Pro Refresh

Hi everybody,

I need a new Mac very soon, and I am seriously considering the 15" MacBook Pro (the one with 2.53GHz), but just came of the thinking that it has been out for quite a while now..

Now, I know that no one is going to be able to tell me that there will for sure be a new one coming beginning of 2011, but I suppose it is safe to assume there will be updates rolling out Jan/Feb 2011, correct? And it's also safe to assume that the design most likely will not get a major revamp, right? I mean, the last design lasted, what, 6 years?

Would any of you suggest I wait, and see what'll happen in a few months, or should I just get it now, and not wonder what will come out in months from now? If I keep waiting for the newest and best I can wait forever right? Technology is ever developing and how much better can an update really be?

I will be using the MacBook Pro for (light) photo editing in Aperture and that's pretty much it when it comes to processor/graphics heavy stuff.. I just know that my 2007 MacBook is not cutting it. Oh yeah, and it's falling apart and I almost set it on fire the other day....... What I am trying to say is that it's time for an upgrade.

Should I wait or should I get one as soon as possible?

/Sander

 

Buy one when you need it. If you keep waiting for the newest model/revision, you'll be caught in an endless loop of waiting.

If you need one now, buy it. If you don't need one now, wait.

 

There might be some enhancement coming since Apple recently bought LiquidMetal and their patents.

Goldman Sachs reports that Apple will be debuting a new iPad in Spring '11 that sports a thinner and lighter chassis as well as a mini USB and camera.

http://www.appleinsider.com/article...anning_thinner_ipad_with_camera_mini_usb.html

That new chassis could be the product of the LiquidMetal acquisition.

If you don't need one now, you might want to wait until early next year to see if the enhancements slated for the iPad will trickle up into the rest of the product line up.

 

If that ever happens, I doubt it will be early next year.

There may be a update in October, but who knows, maybe in November or December, or even January or February, possibly in March or April...

 

The mid-range Nvidia 400 series has much better specs than the 300 series. Might be worth considering if you can wait.

 

if you go to Macrumors.com then click the buyers guide on the upper right hand side of the page it has all the info when things are likely to be updated what their current lifecycle is ect. its not iron clad but good to look at. its been pretty accurate.

 

Depends on your needs, from the 13" to the 17" they all pack enough power for a long while. Realistically why does it matter if its a quality product? With PCs is always evolving so what you buy will be outdated 6 months down the road.

 

If you can wait for one, I would do so. We might see a speed bump before the years end, but the real reason to wait would be for Sandy Bridge early next year. Intel is releasing the new architecture in Q1 '11 so we could see SB in MBP's as soon as March, if not, hopefully by June. I would also think Apple would upgrade the GPU to the 4xxM series, my guess is the 425M.

As for Liquidmetal's technology in Macs, I think that's still probably at least a year away from now. That is if it ever even comes to fruition because there are no guarantees. Apple posted three job listings for people who've worked with amorphous metals only about a month ago. There's no way they're already done designing and testing a new chassis made from it.

Also, Apple didn't buyout Liquidmetal, they acquired exclusive rights to use their technology in the consumer electronics industry.

 

Technically that's correct. Though, Liquidmetal created a wholly owned subsidiary to which they transfered their intellectual property just for the transaction. So if you buy exclusive rights to a company's intellectual property, you basically bought out the company. They are now working for you and only you.

Anyway, semantics. *shrug*

 

I didn't know that they created a subsidiary for the Apple deal. I did however buy 300 shares of liquidmetal about a month ago. So far, it has proven to be a good investment.

/my thread derailing

 

I'd like to see Apple use the RADEON 6650 in their next rev.

I owned the 330m and 5650 and found the latter to be much better in games, although benchmarks showed them as almost equal.

I'd like to get another MBP, but I will probably just keep the Clevo and get an iPad.

 

I'd like to see a 5870.
:3

 

I'd like to see a GTX 480m, that would roast your legs.

 

Who needs legs anyways?

 

I'd like to see the 13" with an i5 and 500gb HDD for the same $1199 price.

 

Ha.
Haha.
Hahaha.
That'd be the day.
But seriously, that's be awesome and I might actually get one.

 

I'd buy it in a heartbeat with those two additions.You know they could do it, they just won't. The 13" is one sweet notebook, the only one better might be the Sony Vaio Z. I just don't want to by a last generation processor and pay a next gen price. Micro Center has the 13" in store for 999.00. I'll admit that's tempting. I have never owned a Mac but I am looking.

 

actually they cannot do just that...

the 320m chipset cannot run an intel i series CPU, so they'd have to change out the chipset, which would lead to having to put in a GPU as well or only use the intel graphics.

 

I wonder why the 320m can't run any core i CPU's? I think all the other 3xxm chipset's do, right?

 

nvidia has no chipsets at all that can run intel i CPUs... Intel and nvidia are still in lawsuits over that.

All computers with Intel i series are using Intel chipsets.

I'm talking about chipsets, and not GPUs... the 320m in the 13" is part of the chipset, its an IGP.

 

I know it isn't as simple as unplugging the processor and replacing it with an i serious. But my point is that is possible to do something similar to what Asus, Sony et al have done with switchable graphics. I think that the next refresh of the 13" will make use of the new processors, probably when Sandy Bridge comes out.

 

of course they can build a new 13" with all that in it... they have to do a major redesign... since Intel and nvidia aren't likely to settle soon, thats most likely what will happen.

 

I'd like to see an i5-540, 500Gb 7200rpm hdd, 330M graphics or maybe something from ATI. Same price and battery life.

 

In their 13"? Keep dreaming for the GPU.

 

I just picked up a 13" today and I am thoroughly impressed; the 320M is a powerful little GPU!

 

Sony does it, so why not?

 

Sony has a proper cooling system(e.g. large fan intake on bottom, large fan vent on side).

 

Don't forget: thicker system, less battery life and Windows. OK maybe I should have left off the part about Windows.

 

Sony has a thicker system that is lighter, perhaps it's not such a bad trade off?

 

Them be the 3 or so reasons I'm keeping my Macbook

 

It depends on what you think is important. I usually take my iPad with me and leave the MBP at home so both weight and thickness aren't much of an issue. People like to wish for the perfect system that has the specs, looks and price they want but in reality there is no such system. Look at what is available compare your options and pick the one that is closest to what you are wishing for.

 

any idea if they are going to do a refresh with USB 3.0 ports ?

 

Quite true about wishing for the perfect system! I have only recently started looking at Macs. I was actually considering a netbook, but I found them to be too slow. So I started to look at 13" laptops, something that was still light but much more powerful and had good battery life. I was considering the Toshiba Portege 705 as it is under 4lbs and has an i3-370, 500 gb hdd, 4 gb RAM, etc. for 789.00. I decided to take a quick look at the Mac's while I was at BB and the Macbook Pro 13 impressed me. I like the build quality, the screen is much better than the Toshiba and the battery life is also better. It's also over $400 more with an older processor design and smaller hdd, although Micro Center currently has it for 999.00.

The current 13" with the 2.66 processor and 320 gig hdd just isn't worth anywhere near the $300 extra that Apple is charging for it. There's only about a $45 difference on the retail price of those upgrades. I would really like to see what the next Macbook Pro will be bringing to the table.

 

duel core i7's and amd 6xxx series cards even in macpro 13.

 

Its hard to compare the systems based on specs alone as there is more involved. First off the Toshiba has Intel graphics which is OK but not as good as the MBP. As you mentioned the screen is better on the MBP and that is a huge thing in many people's eyes (pardon the pun). The MBP has better battery life and a better touch pad as well. The Toshiba does have the processor, price and weight advantage though. The biggest difference between the systems is the software which brings up the OS X vs Windows debate.

Some people like Windows and others like OS X. I was a "PC" user from back in the DOS days through Vista (with some experimenting with Amiga along the way). While I used to laugh at Apple owners I now understand that a Mac is more than just an Apple symbol on a system with a larger price tag. I prefer the user experience on my Mac more than I ever did with a PC and find myself being more productive using OS X. Some people prefer to look at the specs or are happy with Windows and I can understand that too. In the end the choice is yours alone. Buy what is right for your needs and is in your price range. If its a PC, thats fine and if its a Mac you can always get advice here on the forum to aid in the transition.

If you want more information check out the stickies at the top of the forum and check out Apple's website.

 

I forgot to mention the touchpad on the Mac, it is the best I have ever seen. I think Apple owns the industry on touchscreens and touchpads. I have never used anything but a pc, but I am doing a bit of research on Macs and I am trying to be very open minded about it. It probably sounds crazy, but I want to build a new Windows based desktop and would consider the Macbook Pro for my portable unit. I don't know if this old guy could switch back and forth between them or not!

Edited to add: I think that the sound on the Mac is better than the Toshiba and most other 13" and 14" computers I have looked at. It is louder and clearer.

 

i would wait till christmas because apple usually will have a refresh coming soon.

 

They may or they may not. You can spend your whole life waiting for the next great advance. I will admit that I'm interested to see what Apple is doing with the recent IP purchase from Liquid Metal and the rumors of a touch screen iMac sound interesting.

It can be done but there will be some issues depending on what you do with your system. I recently converted my brother and mother to Mac systems and while there is a learning curve they are doing quite well. OS X does things differently than Windows so you will need to unlearn a few habits and learn a few new ones. OS X doesn't use the start button menu like Windows or the task bar so things are laid out a bit differently. It takes a few days to a week to feel comfortable with the system depending on the user(reminded me of the switch from XP to Vista). I've read some claims of people not being able to adjust but I discount that to being people expecting it to be exactly like Windows. I suggest going to Apple's website as they have very helpful information on why a Mac may be right for you or stop by the Apple store as they will be happy to try and help. Take some of the marketing with a grain of salt like you would with any company.

What exactly do you do with your system anyway?

 

I use my system for a bit of everything, but no gaming. Internet, photo and video editing as a hobby-nothing too serious, multi media, office apps, etc.

 

If it's nothing serious, that's a lot of money to invest.
Be sure that it's something you need and not just something you want.

 

Apple is just adamant about looking slick and so you won't see a proper ventilation system in their notebooks.

The Sony Z is proof that it's possible ... Whether the system is running windows or not is irrelevant.

 

How is the Sony Z proof that the perfect system is possible? At almost $2000 I wouldn't say its exactly affordable and the battery life isn't stellar. As for the system running Windows, it is relevant to some people.

 

I say.. the Viao Z is the best laptop in it's class, if cost wasn't an issue I think I would buy one over a MBP

 

I don't think anyone at NBR buys only as much computer as the "need". certainly not you, judging by your sig. It's just a question of how much what you want is worth to you. I don't know if I've been happier with a laptop purchase as I am with my MacBook Pro, and it's my first Mac. 30 years of hard-core PC work before this, including PC repair and troubleshooting. this Mac is awesome.

 

It really is a question of how much what you want is worth to you. How long have you been using a Mac and do you still use Windows too?

 

I really like the Vaio Z too. I think it's the state of the art. It is costly.

 

I don't "need" those specs now. I'm not a gamer (at least not compared to some of the people here), but I know that in a year or two, some new advance will come out that will make notebooks more powerful. I got what I got because I want to be on par with new tech as long as possible. Honestly, for the price, I couldn't pass it up. $1199 for that power was a steal. I was originally going to get the MBP 13", but I needed the bigger screen. I can't use anything smaller than 15"- it's the computer I use all day every day without an external monitor.

Of course, for some people, it's important to have a light-weight and small system with minimal fuss. The G73 is most certainly not that, but I'm a big boy and I know how to take care of my machines.

 

since i don't need it right now , just going to wait for the new Icores, hopefully apple don't screw us up by putting the damn GT335m in the new MBP13...

 

The Vaio Z is nice but the Mouse Pad will really drive you nuts once you compare it to the one on the Macbook Pro's. Also the new Vaio Z's seem to e a bit buggy and laggy from what i have seen at the Sony shops. Try messing around with Camera applications and stuff and you will see that it either hangs or really lags. I have tried several in several shops and all had SSD's in them of which they all had the same problem. Screen wise and portability wise it is one awesome machine.