The new Macbook Pros are out!

[Peter Chang]

OCZ Vertex 3 are based on the SandForce chipset. They totally suck for moving large compressed files like H.264, R3D and AVC. You can figure that you will get half the published transfer rates with large compressed files. ...Just sayin'

It's the first SSD to use the new SandForce SF-2500 chipset. They suck quite a bit less than the previous gen:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4159/ocz-vertex-3-pro-preview-the-first-sf2500-ssd

Run off a SATA3 6Gbps interface, the Vertex 3 crushes everything else out there... until the Intel G3's arrive.

 

[Matt Johnston]

8GB ram bahh.

Cheapo Sagers have slots for 16gb, and Nvidia cards, and are less than $1,500 (with maxed ram and 1920x1080 display)

http://www.sagernotebook.com/index.php?page=product_info&model_name=NP8130

I'm having a tough time. I have OSX at home and use Premiere. Need a laptop. Was waiting for Macbook refresh and now it is here, but seems kinda weak compared to the PC mobile options. Thunderbolt is nice, but it's only 1 piece that needed fixing IMHO. I prefer to use OSX but it looks like the home system is going to have to go Windows 7 to match a new PC notebook. (Adobe doesn't let you install one CS5 license across platforms)

 

[Cid J Salcido Uyarra]

8GB ram bahh.

Cheapo Sagers have slots for 16gb, and Nvidia cards, and are less than $1,500 (with maxed ram and 1920x1080 display)

http://www.sagernotebook.com/index.php?page=product_info&model_name=NP8130

I'm having a tough time. I have OSX at home and use Premiere. Need a laptop. Was waiting for Macbook refresh and now it is here, but seems kinda weak compared to the PC mobile options. Thunderbolt is nice, but it's only 1 piece that needed fixing IMHO. I prefer to use OSX but it looks like the home system is going to have to go Windows 7 to match a new PC notebook. (Adobe doesn't let you install one CS5 license across platforms)

Wow this is sick! Perfect for portable RED Media Management. It is very ugly haha

 

[Andrae Palmer]

8GB ram bahh.

Cheapo Sagers have slots for 16gb, and Nvidia cards, and are less than $1,500 (with maxed ram and 1920x1080 display)

http://www.sagernotebook.com/index.php?page=product_info&model_name=NP8130

I'm having a tough time. I have OSX at home and use Premiere. Need a laptop. Was waiting for Macbook refresh and now it is here, but seems kinda weak compared to the PC mobile options. Thunderbolt is nice, but it's only 1 piece that needed fixing IMHO. I prefer to use OSX but it looks like the home system is going to have to go Windows 7 to match a new PC notebook. (Adobe doesn't let you install one CS5 license across platforms)

2 hour battery life?

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

@ Peter, I'll have to check out the new Vertex 3 then. I guess I just saw SandForce and looked the other way. I've been holding my breath for the new Intel/Hitachi units, they're going to rock! I've had very, very good luck with the Apple SSDs as well. Some of the best out there and price is competitive too. I've bought the 512GB Apple SSD for a few Mac and PC configurations - it smokes the previous generation SandForce SSD offerings, like the OWC Mercury, Vertex 2, and it's priced a bit better too. Unlike the Corsair and OCZ Vertex2, I haven't burned up an Apple 256GB or 512GB SSD yet.

8GB ram bahh.

Then put 16GB in it... Unfortunately Apple most likely isn't offering more than 8GB right now because there just are no 8GB or larger SO-DIMMs that are worth a crap in terms of performance. Sorry, but there isn't. The timings are so bad on the 8GB modules, I personally wouldn't want them unless I absolutely positively had to have 16GB. And not only are all the 8GB modules slow and crappy, they're 6X the price of the 4GB modules. Bummer. Apple really should have incorporated 4 DIMM sockets into the 17", not sure why they didn't. Especially with the CPUs they're using. I definitely agree with you there.

The PC notebook makers almost always find a way to include more options. That's really the primary advantage. But not all are worth-while purchases. Unfortunately the cheap-o Sager systems suck really hard in real-world benchmarks. I have not specifically used the NP8130 you linked, but I've worked several of their other current models. I've found that with many PC notebooks out there. People can say what they want about Apple being restrictive, but my Macbook Pro systems run circles around most of my PC notebooks with the same, and sometimes better, specs. And I'm comparing when running Windows. Apple may skimp on ports and options, but they know how to tune their hardware.

For PC notebook performance, I get the best real-world numbers with Dell Mobile Precision or XPS systems and a few of the HP models. My HP 8740W with 17" DreamColor isn't bad at all, but I wish it had an nVidia GPU -- not available when I bought it. Still a nice system, but built like crap -- flimsy plasticy, bulky crap. The screen is worth the other compromises though and it has eSATA. It's a champ for DIT tasks, but doesn't see as much use as the MBP or won't until we get STORM on Windows.

I'm kinda tempted to replace my personal 17" MBP with a new 15", since I'd like to upgrade and also down-size. But at the same time, my 17" i7 DIT system is just under 5 months old and performs great. I'm thinking I might just wait for the next update to the MBP to see if they add some more options.

Sit tight about 2 to 4 months and there will be Dell and HP offerings with Thunderbolt. Actually, I think Sony will be the next to offer it from a few things I've heard today. I think I'm going to sit on what I have for just a bit. Might sell my older 17", but probably won't replace it just yet. Between it and the i7 DIT notebook, I'm not busy enough to keep both working anyway.

 

[Brent J. Craig]

...(Adobe doesn't let you install one CS5 license across platforms)

Off Topic but THAT is the reason people pirate software. You paid good money for a license to use CS5 and Adobe won't let you because they don't like your hardware? When will these ancient business models die?

Since you never actually OWN software and only pay for the privilege of USING it, you should be able to use it wherever and however you need to. It's a lot like the record companies expecting us to re-buy all of our music on cassette, CD, iTunes, iTunes enhanced, ringtones, streaming audio, etc.

 

[Brent J. Craig]

Then put 16GB in it...

Memory limitations are typically a function of the motherboard and chipset. You might be able to cram 2X *8GB chips into it but I bet they won't work very well or at all.

I agree that 8GB is pretty shortsighted on Apple's part.

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Should work just fine, the chipset supports 32GB.... Then again, does the Apple EFI support it?

 

[Mathieu Ghekiere]

http://www.macrumors.com/2011/02/25/new-macbook-pro-benchmarks-show-massive-improvement/

 

[Stephen Gentle]

http://www.macrumors.com/2011/02/25/new-macbook-pro-benchmarks-show-massive-improvement/

I think it's definitely time to retire the mid-2006 Macbook I have!

 

[paulherrin]

...am i the only one not that excited?

 

[Stephen Gentle]

I noticed something strange... On the US and UK sites, the Thunderbolt section on the performance page says

And don’t worry about a single drive or peripheral tying up the Thunderbolt port: you can daisy-chain up to six devices, including your display.

but on the Australian site,

And don’t worry about a single drive or peripheral tying up the Thunderbolt port: You can daisy-chain up to six devices, including up to two high-resolution displays.3

with the footnote

The 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pro support two displays; the 13-inch MacBook Pro supports one display

What's the deal? Is it a mistake that was corrected on the other sites, or is the Australian site correct? This would be awesome if it's right!

...am i the only one not that excited?

Yes.

 

[AL ZACHARIAS]

Do you think 2x8gb ram would work? That 15" macbook would be quite a workstation...

 

[Stephen Gentle]

Do you think 2x8gb ram would work? That 15" macbook would be quite a workstation...

Well, the tech specs say 8GB maximum... I'd probably wait a little while and see if anyone else tries it first.

 

[Pietro Impagliazzo]

Somewhat of a low blow to those who are currently using the software. Yep, I may just pass this generation because of the ATI GPUs. Overall, it's not that big of a hit. These new models have much faster quad-core CPUs. Adobe's Mercury Engine is still predominantly CPU-based for decompression and playback. The GPU only comes into play for color manipulation, scaling and transformations, and any of the FX that are marked as GPU-accelerated. No GPU acceleration in AE anyway. So overall, these systems should still provide a boost to those running Adobe CS5. I wouldn't stress it that much. Apple Stores will have the new models on display in the coming days, go take one for a test drive and see for yourself.

However, much of the blame falls back to Adobe though... They opted to use proprietary CUDA acceleration, locking themselves into nVidia GPUs rather than choosing OpenCL, which works on nVidia, ATI, PowerVR and others. OpenCL is arguably not as elegant as CUDA at this point, but it is equally capable in most regards.

Can't you just open the damn thing and stick a bloody nvidia card?

Closed systems are just LAME.

:furious3:

...am i the only one not that excited?

It's an i7 with a mediocre ATI gpu... The fuzz is pure classical apple fanboyage.

:rolleyes5:

 

[Michael Olsen]

Can't you just open the damn thing and stick a bloody nvidia card?

Closed systems are just LAME.

:furious3:

Tertiary question:

Does anyone know of a laptop manufacturer that doesn't use an onboard graphics chip so that it can be upgraded in such a way? I've never had the pleasure.

What's the deal? Is it a mistake that was corrected on the other sites, or is the Australian site correct? This would be awesome if it's right!

I'm guessing this has more to do with the graphics ability to run a certain number of HD displays at once. The 15", with a less powerful chip, wouldn't be as able to run 5760x1080 as would a 17".

2 hour battery life?

Not with that hardware and that battery. From what I've read, you can get about 2 hours with the "powersaver" setting, and more if you underclock etc. Not really what you are looking for if you are really doing any heavy lifting.

 

[Pietro Impagliazzo]

I'm not sure GPU upgrades are easy on any notebook, but I think that coupled with Apple not supporting much of the actual GPUs results in the buyer being stuck with that ATI card.

My main problem with Apple is pricing, the 15-inch 2.0 ghz costs $2k basically, while you can have a Sony Vaio with better HDD, Nvidia GPU, larger screen with more resolution, e-Sata, for $1k less.

But well... I don't need a Mac or a FCP workflow. Needs may vary.

 

[Michael Olsen]

My main problem with Apple is pricing, the 15-inch 2.0 ghz costs $2k basically, while you can have a Sony Vaio with better HDD, Nvidia GPU, larger screen with more resolution, e-Sata, for $1k less.

Very understandable, and definitely a hurdle. I had the same issue and bought a top-spec Dell XPS after owning a Macbook for a while. It was a really great computer when it was working and the specs were vastly superior, but between the hardware malfunctions and their wonderful customer support, I decided not to go that route again. I am seriously considering building a workstation myself, though. I've always had a good experience with that. I'll be interested to see how Thunderbolt gets integrated into motherboards, and how Intel will be treating USB in the near future.

I like to think that my laptops should be light, capable, and used mostly for light data/processing. Anything more and I just feel that the longevity/upgradability and pure processing ability of a tower - even a microtower for portable purposes - becomes very attractive. I would love to see Apple make something like a "Mac" - half the physical size of a Mac Pro, with a proper processor, a non-onboard graphics solution, and a couple of spare PCI-E slots. Not as capable as a Mac Pro, but not crippled by the physical, heat, or power constraints of a laptop or all-in-one. Another penny in the well, I suppose.

 

[ericyoung]

Its nice to see some fast I/O connectivity, I know it probably sounds petty but Thunderbolt just sounds stupid. At least its not the Magic Thunderbolt™

I know - why not just call it Light Peak which is cooler sounding, and exactly the same?

 

[ericyoung]

...However, much of the blame falls back to Adobe though... They opted to use proprietary CUDA acceleration, locking themselves into nVidia GPUs rather than choosing OpenCL, which works on nVidia, ATI, PowerVR and others. OpenCL is arguably not as elegant as CUDA at this point, but it is equally capable in most regards.

Adobe explained their reasoning for going with CUDA over OpenCL, at the time of development, on another past Reduser thread. There were sound technical reasons, but they expected to support OpenCL at some point, but when that will be is anyone's guess.