Tag: Quad Core

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MacBook Pro, The Quad-Core Dilemma.

I have been waiting since January 2008 to replace my original MacBook Pro Core Duo. I’ve written about MacBook Pro Early 2008 and MacBook Pro Late 2008 (also this) since then. Around August 2008, I stumbled upon informations on MacBook Pro with Quad-Core processors.

I had high hope that Apple would release Quad-Core MacBook Pro on “The spotlight turns to notebooks” event. The new Aluminum Unibody MacBook Pro is nice, but it is still missing the Quad-Core I really want.

I am using my Original MacBook Pro Core Duo to write this post; it is still a capable machine. I’ve done tons of video editing on this MacBook Pro. With a 7200 RPM hard-drive, this MacBook Pro Core Duo beats newer MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo with 5400 RPM hard-drive.

Yes it is still a great computer.

I was going to buy the new Unibody MacBook Pro on the first day it was available. For some reasons, there have been some kind of divine intervention that prevented me from spending the hard-earned dollars.

I do have the sense that the MacBook Pro would gain Quad-Core as an option around January 2009. It is based on my gut feelings, backed by some informations that I’ve gathered. I’ve been through this road before, and I’m sure that if and when I got the new Unibody MacBook Pro, the Quad-Core option would be added a few months after.

Decisions, decisions.

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The Upcoming Unibody 17-inch MacBook Pro

Let’s recap what went on Apple’s “The spotlight turns to notebooks” event. Steve Jobs unveiled new 15-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook, dubbed as “Late 2008” model. They are also described as Aluminum and Glass MacBook and MacBook Pro. Some would call em as “the brick” MacBook Pro; well that sounds stupid, but this whole “brick” thing went out of control. Apple never once mention anything about “brick” or implying anything. The new MacBook and MacBook Pro can now have “unibody” designation, as Apple uses the word over and over.

MacBook is significantly updated , but missing one important feature: FireWire Port. The 15-inch MacBook Pro is also missing one FireWire 400 port, while retaining the FireWire 800 port. Both MacBook and 15-inch MacBook Pro gains new glass screen with LED-backlit display, and large multi-touch glass trackpad.

Overall, it is a significant upgrade for the MacBook and a nice incremental upgrade for the MacBook Pro. The inclusions of nVidia chipset is one of the biggest upgrade for the MacBook and MacBook Pro. The nVidia 9400M chipset adds h.264 support on the hardware level.

Now, whatever happened to the 17-inch MacBook Pro? For those who are complaining about the lack of 17-inch MacBook Pro update needs to take a big cup of “shut the hell up.” Apple is working on it, and it will be announced when it is ready for release. Apple engineers have been exploring different avenues in redesigning the MacBook Pro, and more often they stumbled upon some road blocks. The new unibody MacBook and MacBook Pro feature a reduced size logic-board similar to the one in MacBook Air. Apple engineers are working to find the balance between features and form factor in the notebook line. No coubt that Apple would like to include Intel QX9300 processor (or higher model) in the MacBook Pro. It is likely that the upcoming unibody 17-inch MacBook Pro would have this CPU in the BTO options. Even though the current MacBook and MacBook Pro seem to be running cooler compared to the previous models, there will be some thermal challenges with Intel QX9300 in the MacBook Pro form factor.

It is possible to have the Intel QX9300 in the 15-inch MacBook Pro, but it would make more sense to have it in the 17-in model. The 17-inch MacBook Pro would have some extra surface area to dissipate heat compared to the 15-inch model. Eventually Intel QX9300 or its successors would make their way to the 15-inch MacBook Pro, but we would see it on the 17-inch Model first.

Logically, January 2009 would be the next window for Apple to introduce the unibody 17-inch MacBook Pro. We all have to wait until then.

To quote Ice-T, “Shut up, be happy”

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Ice-T: The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech…Just Watch What You Say

If you bought it through Amazon link above, and I get some kickbacks.

“If you buy the CD, I can buy a MacBook Pro” to paraphrase the great Robert Schimmel.

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Wishing for MacBook Pro Quad Core (2008)

Back in January 2008, a cryptic message from an imaginary source who was allegedly working for Apple hinting at redesigned MacBook Pro. Although no time table was revealed, the information pointed out that the next iteration of MacBook Pro would benefit from the not yet released technology from Intel sometimes in 2008.

Then. I was hoping that the new MacBook Pro would sport the new technology and new design. The current MacBook Pro design borrows a lot from the 17-inch PowerBook G4. As a matter of fact. All current Apple’s MacBook ad MacBook Pro has the somewhat “dated” look.

Rumors about the new MacBook Pro design hit the series of tubes a few week prior. Intel’s announcement on their quad-core mobile processors fueled the speculations even more.

In addition to that, during Apple’s earning conference call a new mystery product was mentioned. A product that competitors can match. A product that would be sold at a lower profit margin. Apple already has the product and it is ready for launch in several weeks if they chose to do so.

I for one hope that the Apple would release the newly redesigned MacBook Pro with quad-core processor at a lower price point.

In addition to that, Apple has been working on a new Mac model to fill in the gap in their product line. Somewhere in between the iMac and the Mac Pro.

Another completely unfounded rumor us that Apple is looking into partnerships with one or more major PC manufacturers for a Mac related product. Please take this one with a truck-load of salt. For now, it is a part of Apple branding strategy.

Sifting through the rumors, I am still waiting for the newly redesigned MacBook Pro to replace the original MacBook Pro Core Duo.