View Full Version : MacBook Pro.
Fenguin
01-10-2006, 2:07 PM
Damn this thing looks amazing.
http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/
http://images.apple.com/home/2006/images/intelmacbookpro20060110.jpg
You’ve dreamed about it long enough. Now it has a name: MacBook Pro. Powered by a dual-core Intel engine. Up to four times the speed of the PowerBook G4. Eight times the graphics bandwidth. With built-in iSight for instant video conferencing on the move. And Front Row with Apple Remote to dazzle everyone in the room. Wait no more. MacBook Pro starts at just $1999.
Edit: Fricking A, this thing _is_ fricking amazing. 67% brighter display, 256 MB video card, SATA hard drive, dual core Intel Yonah... ahh!
Strangely enough it doesn't have Firewire 800 though. o.O
I think the most impressive aspect is the fact that with an Intel chipset, it would have the ability to dual boot into a Windows OS. At least this is what I've heard.
pixels
01-10-2006, 2:29 PM
woo. another thing by apple that i want but is way too fucking expensive. good work :D
unrelated: apple needs to go amd.
PowerBook still sounds a lot better than "MacBook Pro".
Modred
01-10-2006, 4:42 PM
unrelated: apple needs to go amd.
Aren't AMD chips just Intel clones? (at least in the core technology, I know they're tweaked to be better at different tasks) So wouldn't it be feasible to install OS X for Intel on a custom box using an AMD chip?
And I want one.
pixels
01-10-2006, 5:19 PM
Aren't AMD chips just Intel clones? (at least in the core technology, I know they're tweaked to be better at different tasks)
maybe a long time ago, but not anymore. why do you think amd's are able to run better at lower clock speeds?
Aren't AMD chips just Intel clones? (at least in the core technology, I know they're tweaked to be better at different tasks) So wouldn't it be feasible to install OS X for Intel on a custom box using an AMD chip?
And I want one.
Wow, what time do you live in?
AMD has been taking over Intel in sales for awhile now, and they still have the best processors on the market right now.
(barring like, I dunno, prototype intels)
I'd rather just get a PC Notebook >_>
-Neo
The Athlon 64/K8 line is vastly superior to the Pentium 4/EE/D line. Intel still kills AMD in the embedded and laptop markets, though.
They're using several technologies, which I'm sure will become more evident when these are available to be purchased, to restrict OS X to the specific chipsets they're shipping with the 'books.
I think it'll wind up being a combination of different software/hardware techniques, obviously someone will take the time to work around it, but for the most part the idea of OS X on any x86 machine isn't really a reality.
The neat idea here is the ability to buy an Apple computer and dual-boot with XP or Vista to run anything that OS X doesn't yet support.
pixels
01-10-2006, 6:28 PM
The neat idea here is the ability to buy an Apple computer and dual-boot with XP or Vista to run anything that OS X doesn't yet support.
Which I would absolutely fucking LOVE to do. Alas to buy one with the specs I want would take massive amounts of cash I do not have. Some day.
Slightly off topic, but I found it amusing. I was reading the page on Universal binaries and Rosetta, which will run PPC code on x86 for software which isn't natively ported to x86 yet. In typical Apple fashion, the software is described as the best thing since sliced bread, but an interesting note on the side (in small text of course):
If you already own Final Cut Studio 1.0, Aperture, or Logic Pro 7.1, these applications are not supported to run on Intel-based Macs with Rosetta, but a Universal version will be available for $49. Logic Express will be $29.
So basically, Rosetta, which took a whole page of hype, fails to run Apple's own software. Don't despair, you can pay $49 on top of the $499 you paid for Aperture last month and run it on your Intel Mac! Apple salesmanship at its finest.
Oh pish. They're heavily-processor dependent application that have been coded to be solely reliant on PowerPC architecture.
It's not their own fault that they had to program processor-specific code to increase the speed/efficiency of the programs. Especially since all of those are extremely intensive applications that for the most part, solely professionals are using.
I see your point, but raise you two over-worked software engineers.
Those applications are no more "reliant on the PowerPC architecture" than other applications. Adobe Photoshop CS2 will run on Rosetta. In general for older applications released before the announced transition, like the Final Cut series, this is acceptable, but considering Aperture came out in November (months after the announced transition), requiring users to pay more money just to be able to use their recently purchased application on new hardware is ridiculous.
Wick3d
01-10-2006, 8:56 PM
You can run windows on the intel-macs
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10794396/from/RS.3/
I'm curious how the new Macs are booting. It would seem that the BIOS would be the natural thing on an x86 computer, but I'm sure Apple was adament that you don't see the machine POSTing because a console font dumping diagnostics info to the screen wouldn't be very Apple-like. More importantly, I'm curious if existing boot loaders like GRUB and LILO work as-is on Intel Macs.
Whiteknight
01-11-2006, 2:10 AM
$3000 dollars... :(
That would be the sound of my heart breaking...
They're using several technologies, which I'm sure will become more evident when these are available to be purchased, to restrict OS X to the specific chipsets they're shipping with the 'books.
I think it'll wind up being a combination of different software/hardware techniques, obviously someone will take the time to work around it, but for the most part the idea of OS X on any x86 machine isn't really a reality.
The neat idea here is the ability to buy an Apple computer and dual-boot with XP or Vista to run anything that OS X doesn't yet support.
...even further.
hammocksleeper
01-11-2006, 2:34 PM
Those applications are no more "reliant on the PowerPC architecture" than other applications. Adobe Photoshop CS2 will run on Rosetta. In general for older applications released before the announced transition, like the Final Cut series, this is acceptable, but considering Aperture came out in November (months after the announced transition), requiring users to pay more money just to be able to use their recently purchased application on new hardware is ridiculous.
Timp you're also assuming that these folks are gonna run out and buy a new Intel Mac right away. Maybe Apple fanatics are different, but I don't go out and drop $3000 every time a faster computer comes out.
Modred
01-11-2006, 3:03 PM
If I get an Intel powered Mac, it would most likely be the revamped 20" iMac instead of the $2000+ MacBook. I mean, that's a great laptop, and it's more powerful than my desktop (and the standard, new iMac, too), but I don't need that much power in a laptop...yet.
Timp you're also assuming that these folks are gonna run out and buy a new Intel Mac right away. Maybe Apple fanatics are different, but I don't go out and drop $3000 every time a faster computer comes out.
You must not be familiar with Mac users. ;)
the MacBook uses EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface) instead of a basic BIOS. 32-bit Windows does -- currently -- not support it while 64-bit ones do. The Intel chip used is 32-bit, so no luck for Windows yet -- without tweaks. I'm sure some clever hackers do it with current software.
I didn't hear about them using EFI until recently. It sounds like they need to get GRUB working with EFI and then Windows and Linux should run.
Here's some interesting tidbits I just read.
- Slower, single layer, DVD burner.
The reason cited is that an ultra-slimline designed optical drive is required for the MacBook 1" thinkness form factor.
- S-Video port is gone, but a $19 adapter will give you S-Video again
- No Modem, No FW 800
- Brighter Screen but 60 less pixels vertically
- No official battery rating yet, but expectations are comparable battery life to previous PowerBooks
- The PowerBook 15" PowerPC is only available while supplies last, so has indeed been replaced by the MacBook Pro
- 12" and 17" PowerPC PowerBooks remain on sale.
New intel macs do not include the following features:
- Boot from external Firewire drive
- Boot into Target Disk Mode
- Use Startup Manager ("opt" startup)
- Support full desktop support across dual monitors (not just mirroring)
Oh and Tim, Apple just released to their developers more Rosetta information, with a key one being that any applications (aka Aperture, Final Cut Studio) that have been programmed to take advantage of G5-specific functions will not be supported, as I said earlier regarding processor-specific programming.
Oh and Tim, Apple just released to their developers more Rosetta information, with a key one being that any applications (aka Aperture, Final Cut Studio) that have been programmed to take advantage of G5-specific functions will not be supported, as I said earlier regarding processor-specific programming.
But all of those applications (Aperture included) run on G4s, too. I'm not as concerned about the lack of compatibility, I'm concerned that they're charging to fix something that's their fault.
I think they must include some sort of specific optimizations that just aren't conducive to binary translation.
regardless, they'll be updated.
Update: No longer a fee for Aperture users.
"A Universal version of Aperture, which will run natively on both PowerPC- and Intel-based Mac computers, will be available before the end of March 2006. New and existing owners of Aperture will be able to crossgrade to the Universal version at no additional charge via Software Update."
pixels
01-27-2006, 7:02 PM
Also, it seems dual boot isnt so easy after all (http://www.informationweek.com/software/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=177104026&dailytech)
Heheh. I would have to say that a dual booting g5 is very appealing. (infact i think i have said it before ;P)
xodkrm
01-27-2006, 8:29 PM
Apple sucks.
They over price crappy computers with crappy OS's.
The only way they 'll sell if they somehow put in dual 7800 gtx's, dual 4800's, 2gigs of DDR2 RAM.
Maybe.
yeah, okay.
first off, they don't suck -- you do.
and yeah, i think that about covers it. ;)
kongurous
01-27-2006, 8:43 PM
Apple sucks.
They over price crappy computers with crappy OS's.
The only way they 'll sell if they somehow put in dual 7800 gtx's, dual 4800's, 2gigs of DDR2 RAM.
Maybe.
Overprice computers? I can agree with that... sorta.
Crappy OS? Do your homework. Macs have a more stable OS than Windows.
Your specs are unreasonable, hellishly expensive, which works against of your point about Mac pricing, and quite impossible, if memory serves. You, sir, are a fucking moron.
WeekendLazyness
01-27-2006, 8:45 PM
Up to four times the speed of the PowerBook G4.
Is it just me or do you find similar phrases on any Apple launch? I remeber the G5 launch, and how they claimed it was ten times as fast as a comparable PC. What they failed to mention is that these ratings are usually based on one Photoshop filter test, known to run faster on a PowerPC processor, and only run during a certain time of the month, during a certain day, and only when it's nighttime. What I'm getting at is that these claims are based on silly little things that don't take into account more than one test.
And Front Row with Apple Remote to dazzle everyone in the room.I think they're a couple years too late. Windows Media Center has had all the functionality of front row, plus TV tuner support.
Fricking A, this thing _is_ fricking amazing. 67% brighter display, 256 MB video card, SATA hard drive, dual core Intel Yonah... ahh!256MB video card? High end Dell notebooks have had those for a couple months. SATA hard drive? Ditto. Dual core Yonah? Dell notebooks now ship with those standard, too. Oh, and Dell notebooks come with a Firewire port, too. The Dells are also cheaper.
Why are you so hyped about Mac products Fenguin? Have you ever even owned one?
hammocksleeper
01-27-2006, 10:09 PM
i mean, dont get fucking wet panties about a dell, but thats what i was gonna say, pcs have had those features since a while ago
CODEZERO
01-27-2006, 10:16 PM
you also forgot that this is probably the only laptop with the ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 on it :) for now anyways
Update: No longer a fee for Aperture users.
Good news. I retract all previous Apple resentment in this thread.
The NT kernel is actually one of the most modern kernels. Windows gets a bad rep from the 9x series and the occasional crappy drivers, but the NT kernel is very well designed by a team of top notch engineers from Microsoft and former-DEC with lots of previous OS design experience on multiple architectures.
I find your "with 2GB of DDR2 RAM" comment amusing because Power Mac G5s can hold more RAM than you'd find in any similiarly priced PC - 16GB of DDR2 RAM. Your dual video card point is irrelevant because people generally don't buy Macs for gaming.
xodkrm
01-27-2006, 10:56 PM
Overprice computers? I can agree with that... sorta.
Crappy OS? Do your homework. Macs have a more stable OS than Windows.
Your specs are unreasonable, hellishly expensive, which works against of your point about Mac pricing, and quite impossible, if memory serves. You, sir, are a fucking moron.
Stable?
Ha.Ha.Ha.
Tell me when that happens.
use modern macintosh computers, much?
kongurous
01-28-2006, 12:38 AM
Stable?
Ha.Ha.Ha.
Tell me when that happens.
Like I said, do your homework. A modern mac OS > windows in stability, you brainwashed little twit.
In most cases, your computer is as stable as you make it. Windows XP has flat out crashed less than five times in the last two and a half years for me. Similarly, I have no stability issues with OS X. Just saying that OS X is more stable than Windows holds little merit on its own. That being said, Windows XP machines are more often made unstable by their careless users.
I generally agree, though I must say that OS X is more stable in the regard that the lack of viruses and the like affecting it.
Due to less people using it of course, but still.
GrassDragon
01-28-2006, 8:01 AM
I'm no techie, but I know when an app on my PowerBook crashes, the OS brings up a friendly dialogue box and say "you want me to reopen that?" When an app crashes on my XP box shit hits the fan.
Fenguin
01-28-2006, 11:33 AM
256MB video card? High end Dell notebooks have had those for a couple months. SATA hard drive? Ditto. Dual core Yonah? Dell notebooks now ship with those standard, too. Oh, and Dell notebooks come with a Firewire port, too. The Dells are also cheaper.
Why are you so hyped about Mac products Fenguin? Have you ever even owned one?
Screw you. Dell notebooks are fricking humongous and ugly as sin; I'd never want to be seen with one of them, let alone use them. The "high-end" Dell notebooks that you speak of are all like 12 pounds and have 30 minutes of battery life at max, which is completely retarded in terms of practical purposes.
Yes, I know of the Latitude X1, i700, and similar ultraportable Dell notebooks but those don't really count as they definitely don't offer the hardware features an Apple notebook does. Moreover, Dell stole the design of the X1 from Samsung anyways so whatever.
WeekendLazyness
01-28-2006, 2:28 PM
Screw you. Dell notebooks are fricking humongous and ugly as sin; I'd never want to be seen with one of them, let alone use them. The "high-end" Dell notebooks that you speak of are all like 12 pounds and have 30 minutes of battery life at max, which is completely retarded in terms of practical purposes.You're right; It's a better idea to buy what looks better, not something that's functional. Also, my Dell has a two hour plus battery life, and if I so choose, I could get a 9 cell battery for four hours.
Yes, I know of the Latitude X1, i700, and similar ultraportable Dell notebooks but those don't really count as they definitely don't offer the hardware features an Apple notebook does. Moreover, Dell stole the design of the X1 from Samsung anyways so whatever.You're right: Apple is the only innovative company. x86 Intel processors for example... ingenious!
Also, you didn't answer my questions:
Why are you so hyped about Mac products Fenguin? Have you ever even owned one?
Do you have to own a product to think it's cool?
WL, you would never buy something if you didn't think it was cool first.
hush.
GrassDragon
01-28-2006, 8:39 PM
Proof that people buy things because they're cool: Alienware remains in business.
WeekendLazyness
01-28-2006, 9:44 PM
WL, you would never buy something if you didn't think it was cool first.
hush.I bought a cheap desk chair at Target one day because it was practical, not cool. I bought a printer becasue I needed one, not because it was cool. I bought a new set of headphones because my old ones were worn out, not because I thought new headphones were cool. I also research my purchases before I buy them, to make sure I'm not getting something crappy, no matter how cool it may be.
I buy underwear because they make me happy.
Everyone makes purchases they need, WL, don't try and act like you've never bought anything because it was cool or a new technology you really wanted to play with.
Honestly, try removing stick from rear end, it'd be nice for once.
WeekendLazyness
01-28-2006, 10:55 PM
I buy underwear because they make me happy.
Everyone makes purchases they need, WL, don't try and act like you've never bought anything because it was cool or a new technology you really wanted to play with.
Honestly, try removing stick from rear end, it'd be nice for once.I generally don't make superfluous purchases. I'm sorry I'm not a consumer whore.
Let's not turn this into a flamefest, please.
No one in the history of the world has not bought something they thought they needed, then found they didn't.
Don't turn this into a swarm of liars, if you please. ;)
Fenguin
01-29-2006, 3:27 PM
You're right; It's a better idea to buy what looks better, not something that's functional. Also, my Dell has a two hour plus battery life, and if I so choose, I could get a 9 cell battery for four hours.
You're neglecting the fact that the Apple notebook is as functional as a high-end Dell and also looks better. One could even argue that it is more functional, as due to its longer battery life and less weight, you can carry it around more easily.
As for battery life, two hours really isn't that much; have fun lugging your power cord around so you can use your computer for more than two hours. (As a reference point, my VAIO gets around six hours on average.)
Why are you so hyped about Mac products Fenguin? Have you ever even owned one?
Why? What's your point? I've used them enough to know the difference.
hammocksleeper
01-29-2006, 4:11 PM
feng did you forget that this thread was closed? he cant answer you :P
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