Early 2008 MacBook and MacBook Pro

After a seemingly waiting forever for new MacBook Pro, Apple finally releases the updates to both MacBook and MacBook Pro lines. The MacBook Pro update was expected but not for the MacBook.

As predicted, the new MacBook and MacBook Pro sport Intel’s latest Penryn-based Core 2 Duo with 3MB and 6MB L2 Cache. Based on the conversations I had, Apple is finally making a significant distinction between the MacBook and the MacBook Pro. The MacBook line sports 45nm Penryn-based Core 2 Duo processors with 3MB L2 Cache as opposed to previous generation Intel Core 2 Duo processors with 4MB L2 Cache. We’ll get to that later. The MacBook Pro line also sports 45nm Penryn-based Core 2 Duo processors with 3MB and 6MB L2 Cache. The “lower-end” 15-inch MacBook Pro comes with 3MB L2 Cache on the Processor, while the “top-end” 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro come with 6MB L2 Cache on the processor.

The Penryn-based Intel Core 2 Duo comes with 6MB L2 cache running 1:1 with processor speed. I’d find out if my memory served me correctly that previous generations of Intel Core 2 Duo L2 cache ran at half speed with the processor. UPDATE: According to some people, Merom CPU does have L2 cache that runs at 1:1 speed with the cores.

The new MacBook and MacBook Pro no longer comes with Apple Remote

I will update this.

I am looking forward to test the new MacBook and MacBook Pro.

to be continued here

Aperture Compatibility Checker

Along with Aperture 2, Apple also releases Aperture Compatibility Checker. The apps will check if your system and graphic cards meet the minimum requirements for Aperture 2. Download it here.

Aperture Compatibility Checker

Aperture Checker

Minimum System Requirements

One of the following Mac computers:

  • Mac Pro
  • MacBook Pro
  • MacBook Air
  • MacBook
  • Mac mini with an Intel Core Solo or Duo processor
  • iMac with a 1.8GHz or faster PowerPC G5 or Intel Core Duo processor
  • Power Mac G5 with a 1.6GHz or faster PowerPC G5 processor
  • 15- or 17-inch PowerBook G4 with a 1.25GHz or faster PowerPC G4 processor

Memory requirements

  • 1GB of RAM
  • 2GB of RAM for Mac Pro

One of the following graphics cards:

  • ATI Radeon X600 Pro, X600 XT, X800 XT Mac Edition, X850 XT, X1600, X1900 XT, 9800 XT, 9800 Pro, 9700 Pro, 9600, 9600 XT, 9600 Pro, 9650, HD 2400 XT, HD 2600 PRO, or HD 2600 XT
  • ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 or 9600
  • ATI Mobility Radeon X1600
  • NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra, 6600, 6600 LE, 6800 Ultra DDL, 6800 GT DDL, 7300 GT, 7800 GT, 8600M GT, or 8800 GT
  • NVIDIA Quadro FX 4500 or FX 5600
  • Intel GMA 950 or GMA X3100

Minimum operating system requirements

  • Mac OS X v10.4.11 Tiger
  • Mac OS X v10.5.2 Leopard

DVD drive for installation

5GB of hard drive space for the application and sample projects

Apple Releases Mac OS X 10.5.2 and Then Some

Apple releases Mac OS X 10.5.2 (build 93C1) today, one day early as expected. The combo Update is update is weighing in at 343MB for Mac OS X and 382MB for Mac OS X Server.

Mac OS X 10.5.2 Build 9C31

Side Note: If all the info from the imaginary source *wink-wink* are correct, we shall see new MacBook Pro release on Tuesday February 12th, 2008. My MacBook Pro Core Duo is not as powerful to handle AVCHD movies.

Mac OS X 10.5.2 Combo Update343MBRelease Note
This update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Leopard and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and security of your Mac.

Mac OS X Server 10.5.2 Combo Update382MBRelease Note
This update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Server Leopard and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and security of your server.

Apple also releases:

Security Update 2008-001 (PPC)16.7MB | (Universal)28.8MB
Security Update 2008-001 is recommended for all users and improves the security of Mac OS X. Security Update 2007-009 has been incorporated into this security update.

Leopard Graphics Update 1.048.9MB
Leopard Graphics Update is recommended for all users and improves the stability and compatibility of your Mac.

WebObjects Update 5.4.1 for Mac OS X 10.5153MB
WebObjects 5.4.1 is an update release for the version of WebObjects included in the Mac OS X Leopard tools.

Meatloaf T. Cat and Panasonic HDC-SD5 AVCHD Camcorder

I would like to share a short video clip of Meatloaf T. Cat, taken using Panasonic HDC-SD5 AVCHD Camcorder.

One minute and a half in the life of Meatloaf T. CatVideo info:

  • H.264 at 960×540 resolution.
  • 3890.41 kbps data rate.
  • 29.97 frame-rate.
  • 1 minute and 30 seconds.
  • 41.9MB file size.

Other info:

Check out other AVCHD Camcorder video clips here:
http://37prime.com/blog/?s=avchd

AVCHD Camcorders I have used:

Sony HDR-CX7 AVCHD Video Sample

Sony HDR-CX7

Sony HDR-CX7 was one of three solid state AVCHD Camcorders I considered buying back in 2007. The other two are Sanyo Xacti HD1000 and Panasonic HDC-SD5. After some testing and deliberations, I bought Panasonic SDC-HD5. In addition to that, my friend bought Canon HG10.

I tested Circuit City‘s store display unit sometimes in October 2007. I didn’t even bother setting up the time and date of the camera.

Download the sample here (22.4MB).

Sony HDR-CX7 AVCHD Video Sample

  • H.264 format 960×540 Resolution
  • 3914.68 kbits/s
  • Imported and edited using iMovie ’08 on my 15-inch 2.0GHz MacBook Pro Core Duo
  • Recommeded application to view the video QuickTime 7, MPlayer or VLC

Accessories for HDR-CX7: