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    Opnions on the MBP 13 2011 edition

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by Karamazovmm, Apr 6, 2011.

  1. Karamazovmm

    Karamazovmm Overthinking? Always!

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    Hey guys! Since I never fiddled much with mbp in the past, I would like to know some opinions of you all on this particular model, here are my uses:

    VMs (at least 2 running in the background)
    SQL
    programming c++, java
    Casual gamer (mostly strategy games and puzzle games)

    So now let me shoot some questions:

    1) will the base mbp 13'' be ok for my usues (I know the power of the HD3000, so waiting for an update on Vidocks)

    2) How is the software base for OSX in regards to what I do?

    Since I will need windows, are there other alternatives to boot camp and VMs?
     
  2. kornchild2002

    kornchild2002 Notebook Deity

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    1. It should be. The new Core i5 Sandy Bridge processor is actually a little more powerful than the highest end dual-core Core i7 offered by Intel last year (and was featured in the $2500 17" MBP). The Intel graphics are a step down from what was offered last year (a little worse than the Nvidia 320m depending on the game/program) but the processor makes up for overall performance.

    2. I can't answer this as I don't run programs that you are interested in. I run AutoCAD 2011, MATLAB, and a few others without issues but they are completely different from what you want to do.

    I think Virtual Machine/Parallels and Bootcamp are the only options for getting Windows up and running on a MBP. Just know that, if you want to properly address 4GB of RAM (or more), you will need to run a 64-bit build of Windows with either option. The base MBP comes with 4GB of RAM so that is why I brought it up.
     
  3. doh123

    doh123 Without ME its just AWESO

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    A virtual machine or running Windows directly (aka a Bootcamp install), is the only way to run Windows.

    You can run some Windows software without Windows though using Wine or other Wine based software... like Wineskin or Crossover.
     
  4. Karamazovmm

    Karamazovmm Overthinking? Always!

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    interesting so any success running visual studio 2010 in wineskin or some other?

    So bootcamp is a need eh?

    oh well, I have to make worth my msdn

    thanks for all the answers!

    and too bad that they dont offer the i5 2520m, since it packs the VT that I need sometimes, and Im not willing to go for a 400 dollars upgrade
     
  5. kitrak

    kitrak Notebook Consultant

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    i am in almost the same situation as OP.
    i did searched some reviews and found that the 2011 runs hotter than the 2010 is this a big issue.
    i am planning to install windows on it, how good is the performance of windows on MBP will i be loosing any performance as i will be running windows on a MAC, or will it be same as running windows on any other machine with similar specs of MBP.

    thanks.
     
  6. Dekabal

    Dekabal Notebook Evangelist

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    Woulds the 2010 model be better for video editing because of the GPU?
     
  7. doh123

    doh123 Without ME its just AWESO

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    software development is not that great to do under Wine... its not what its designed for. If you want to run MS Visual Studio, it runs fine in a virtual machine. Now the programs you make in it can probably run in Wineskin.

    A Virtual Machine is much nicer in many ways, but performance will be slightly lessened, and if you want to game, well you won't have full access to your GPU that way, so bootcamp is the main choice if you really need full GPU or DirectX power.
     
  8. Karamazovmm

    Karamazovmm Overthinking? Always!

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    its what I thought then...

    thanks! when I can rep again you are sure going to get one