Question about "new" Macbool (not like the other questions/rumours)

As some of you may know ( ) I am getting a Macbook, but want to wait untill Leopard is released and standard on all Macs.

Now here is my question, I am hearing all these rumors about the new Macbooks being aluminum. This is a problem for me . I personally do not like the look of the MBP, and do not want my new Macbook to be Aluminum, so would it be wise to buy the Macbook now and install Leopard? Or will there be a price drop/hardware upgrade like Santa Rosa? Because I don't want an aluminum frame! Blech!

 

You can wait to see what happens, then if they make them aluminum, you can buy an old one at a discount.

 

Yes, I suggest you wait and see then. You can see what Apple does to the MacBook (if anything; remember, there is no confirmation that the MacBook is being updated in October), and if you like it, well, obviously you get it. If you don't like it, you can buy the old MacBook, and the prices will most likely be slashed then by resellers to get rid of the old stock, so that's another plus.

 

Yeah, but I am wondering if they ARE changed to aluminum, AND Santa Rosa is put into them, I don't know if the looks are worth sacrificing over the performance. Is Santa Rosa much better than the current Intel 2 Core Duo chip???

 

I have the opposite problem... I am planning to update my MBP as soon as Leopard is released... what do you guys think are the chances that there will be a major redesign of the 15.4" MBP in the near future?

ie. the rumours seem to be talking about either a redesigned macbook or an ultraportable MBP... does that employ the 'regular' MBP would be left alone for a while??

 

The processor probably won't provide a significant increase in performance, but if they update the integrated graphics chip (or put in dedicated graphics), it would boost performance for video applications considerably.

 

Simply explained Santa Rosa is the chipset. This features the new integrated graphics (which is about 30% better than the already-crappy GMA950), and the faster FSB, battery life enhancements, among other things. I'm pretty sure Santa Rosa is built on a 90nm process. Santa Rosa is in the MBP, but not the MB.

Merom is the Core 2 Duo, currently built on 65nm. Merom is in the MB and MBP currently. Penryn is the Core 2 Duo set to be built on 45nm (I heard power consumption should drop from 35W to 29W for the higher end... so about 15%). Penryn is due out this fall.

Next fall, Montevina chipset will be released, which is Santa Rosa, with some enhancements, and built on 65nm (which would reduce power consumption of the chipset, which consumes a fair bit).

Also, Nehalem is supposed to be released sometime after next fall, which is supposed to bring a lot more performance at the same power consumption as Penryn. Or conversely, in theory, more power efficient (and less heat) at the same speed.


Basically, leapfrog enhancements.

 

None of the improvements are truly significant in the sense that you will feel that your computing experience has been dramatically improved. In numbers the improvements look big, but in real life its not that significant; especially since most applications aren't even 64-bit or written for multi-cores yet.

With Santa Rosa, the Front Side Bus is increased to 800 MHz, there is less power consumption and it adds the X3100 integrated graphics, which is much better than the MacBook's current GMA 950.

 

Do those graphics contribute to watching films?

 

only porno films

 

hells yeah.

 

no hu hu braddah. go gef um when the ting comes out.

 

i too was in the same predicamentation. I was about to purchase a macbook, but am waiting for the spotted creature himself. the aluminum macbooks probably wont be released at the same time as leopard, but it may be worth waiting for if it comes out in a few months.

 

This is all wrong.

Santa Rosa is built on current 65nm technology. These chips use 35w of power.

Montevina replace Santa Rosa and feature 45nm chips which will use 25w of power, but higher end chips will use more. It is coming in the 2nd quarter of 2008.

Nehalem will replace the current Core 2 Duo's and feature a whole bunch of enhancements, and will use 45nm processors. It is coming in the 3rd Quarter of 2008.

 

So would it be wise to wait for Santa Rosa? Or will it not matter for what I will be using my macbook for (studying watching movies and maybe even WOW)

 

I think EVERYONE should wait for the next MacBook refresh. The GMA 950 is sorely outdated and the GMA X3100 would be worth the wait alone. Then again, you could be waiting and waiting... we don't know for sure.

 

I guess you wouldnt give the same advice to someone thinking about buying a MBP?

I am thinking to get one as soon as Leopard comes out...

 

Are you talking to me ?

Yeah, not the same. I think the MBP is one of the best notebooks available - That's why I bought one! Probably a biased opinion.

 

Who the **** else would I be talking to!?

Last time I bought a MBP they refreshed it 2 weeks later, so I am hoping it doesn't happen again !

 

Well, the next predicted update of the MBP will be around January, for Penryn. Possible redesign by then (seriously, Apple, the MBP design is fantastic, but its getting old!). Mark your calendar for it, and remember not to buy a new MBP for Christmas .

 

Thanks. Do you really think they will redesign so soon? Am not so worried about Penryn but wouldn't want to miss out on a 'facelift'

 

Well, I don't think Apple can keep with its design much longer before people start to riot .

Considering the current design is from the aluminum Powerbook G4 days, and there's been three Intel models since, I think its about time for a MBP redesign. Plus with the iMac redesign in August (which also did not have a redesign for years), it seems Apple has finally settled down and gotten used to Intel chips, and are slowly refreshing their lineup now.