Apple's generation of gaming laptops?

Hey,

Im looking into getting a macbook, as i already have experience with them(only at school though). Im concerned about the graphics though since i like to play games. Does anyone know if the next series of mackbooks or whatever they are going to be called, are going to have deticated video memory, instead of the integrated? I want a macbook very bad, but i can wait a bit longer if they are going to be releasing something with some better graphics performance

 

It's doubtful, I am willing to bet only the Macbook Pro series will see a dedicated GPU and the Macbooks will retain an integrated solution.

 

I doubt apple will be making a gaming notebook though you can game on a macbook pro using Windows.

 

As others have said I think the general feeling is that the MacBook will remain on a IGP in order to reduce cost and conserve heat. Since I'm pretty sure the Core 2 Duo is both more expensive and warmer than the G4s used in the iBooks so that kind of limits things a bit if Apple wants to keep the MacBook targeted at low price ranges. The feeling is that the next MacBook refresh with the Santa Rosa platform will use the Intel GMA X3000. The reviews of the desktop version aren't particularly charming since Intel still hasn't released drivers that activate all it's hardware capabilities yet. In theory it should be pretty good since it has hardware T&L, PS, and VS and is at least fully DX9 compatible. The version on Santa Rosa has been mentioned to even be a DX10 capable refresh. It's still hard to tell. If you are waiting though you should expect to wait about 3 months, since the Santa Rosa platform isn't set to launch until Q2 and I doubt Apple will release anything before then and be forced to refresh again after it's released.

I should also point out there have been rumors of a 15.4" MacBook variant. I guess kind of like the 14.1" iBook option. With the added space and possibly higher price, the 15.4" model might have a low end mobile GPU. But that is assuming they are actually releasing one and Apple wants to split up their supply chain. (Although I suppose Apple could use the same low-end dedicated GPU to fit in the thermal profile of their rumored 12" MacBook Pro). Anyways, a larger 15.4" MacBook form factor might not suit your preferences anyways.

 

The 12" MBP is probably going to emulate the XPS M1210...Apple will likely use the same 7400 Go, or they may stick to ATI and use an X1300.