Posts Tagged ‘macbook pro’
What’s Inside the Next MacBooks? [MacBook]
Posted by: Gadget Boy in Gadget News, Technology on December 29th, 2009
Intel's announcing superfast and incredibly efficient new notebook processors in a few days. They're the biggest jump in notebook hardware since the Core 2 Duo. But we might not see them in MacBooks for a while.
Here's the story: Starting with the unibody MacBook Pros in Oct. 2008, Apple dumped Intel's own chipset and integrated graphics for Nvidia's GeForce 9400M as a combined GPU/chipset, since it wildly outperforms the Intel's integrated garbage, which had hampered previous MacBooks. Since the 9400M is in basically every Mac now, there's a baseline of graphics performance across every Mac—nothing has crappier graphics than the 9400M. Important, because the OpenCL tech in Snow Leopard leverages your graphics card for extra processing power.
Since Oct. 2008, Intel's introduced its blazing fast Core i7 and i5 processors, which use the Nehalem microarchitecture. The problem is that Nvidia can't make compatible chipsets for it. Intel claims that Nvidia's license to make chipsets for its processors doesn't apply to any current or future processor with an integrated memory controller, which all Nehalem and Westmere—the 32nm die shrink of Nehalem—processors do. Nvidia sued and is pulling out of chipsets entirely, at least at the desktop level. (Intel's also cut them off at the Atom level, making what the Ion 2 will look like something of a mystery as well.)
Which produces a question: What are the next set of MacBook guts going to be? The Arrandale Core i5 mobile processors Intel is expected to announce at CES don't just have integrated memory controllers, they have integrated graphics, built right onto the die, too. If the MacBooks were upgraded to off-the-shelf Arrandale processors, it can't, on the face of it, use an Nvidia chipset or more to the point, Nvidia's superior integrated graphics. Intel's integrated graphics still suck. So there are a couple of possibilities from here, it looks like.
• Possibility 1: Some kind of discrete or separate graphics cards for all MacBook Pros. Pre-unibody MacBook Pros, and even the 12-inch PowerBook G4, had discrete graphics cards only. The problem is that it's more expensive, and that now-famed 6-8 hour battery life would take a hit. It's how the latest iMac got away with using a Core i7 on with an Intel chipset, though.
Or maybe Apple will put discrete graphics cards in every MacBook Pro, but use Intel integrated graphics as a battery-saving fallback. Which is sort of the way all but the low-end MacBook Pros work now, with both integrated and discrete graphics. (Though the Nvidia integrated graphics are good enough to be the default option on current MacBooks.) It would rock the boat the least.
• Possibility 2: Suffer the crappier graphics on lower end models. A problem, given that any machine using Intel integrated graphics would result in worse graphics performance than the current MacBook or MacBook Pros. Which sounds counterproductive, given Apple's obvious bet on graphics cards for processing juice with OpenCL.
• Possibility 3: A customized set of hardware of some kind from Intel, either on the processor or chipset level that would let the next MacBooks match the power consumption and graphics capabilities of current models. It wouldn't be unprecedented: Apple asked for and received essentially custom chips from Intel before, for the MacBook Air. (Though Intel later let everybody else play ball with other chips meant for really skinny laptops.)
• Possibility 4: Apple's gonna wait on something else before upgrading from Core 2 Duos. Will people have to wait longer for blazing new silicon in MacBooks than in PC notebooks? Sometimes they do, yes, but sometimes Apple gets Intel's latest first—Nehalem Xeons in Mac Pros, and the ultramobile chip in the MacBook Air.
Something else to consider is that for the first time in a long time, if Apple wants to push new guts soon, it could switch to ATI graphics (which it's using in the iMac) for notebooks because of delays in Nvidia's Fermi architecture that push their truly new graphics cards out until Spring 2010. ATI's got a solid 4 months where it's got the newest graphics silicon around.
Whatever happens, it's a mystery for now. Which is kind of a fascinating point, actually, given that Macs run on PC guts now, yet it's still trying to do something different on the hardware level.
The Best Alternatives to Every Apple Product [Apple]
Posted by: Gadget Boy in Gadget News, Technology on December 23rd, 2009
Apple makes some of the most specialized mainstream devices around, but the gear is never very cheap and, let's face it, it stinks for any one company to own your wallet. So here are the best alternatives for each iProduct:
(If you'd like to see this post in non-gallery form, just click here.)
Apple iPhone 3GS ($199) -> Motorola Droid ($199)
When the iPhone was released, it was a generation, at least, beyond the entire smartphone market. Now, many manufacturers have worked hard to catch up. And while the iPhone is still my personal favorite, I understand wanting a phone on the Verizon network rather than AT&T. Besides, the Droid hardware is fantastic, and its software, Android 2.0, feels far more like a full-featured OS than the original. Just as we said in our full review, "It's this simple: If you don't buy an iPhone, buy a Droid."
What you gain:
• Physical keyboard
• Fewer dropped calls
• Memory slot expansion
What you lose:
• iTunes integration
• Decent built-in media player
iPod Touch ($199, 8GB) -> Zune HD ($219, 16GB)
I know, I know. Why buy a Zune? If you're heavily invested in iTunes albums, the answer is, no reason. But for those who are willing to break from the Apple music infrastructure, the Zune HD is actually an awesome PMP. The aluminum case is very sharp, with an OLED screen that's richer than any iPod (though slightly worse in the sun). The Zune software, coupled with optional unlimited download subscription packages, is every bit as hip and convenient as Cover Flow and iTunes, provided you run Windows. Oh, also, you don't need to drop $300 to get a decent amount of storage and you get HD TV-Out and a not-so-bad TV interface to boot. So when you're sick of the little screen, you can go as big as you'd like.
What you gain:
• 8GB more storage (base model)
• HD Radio
• Unlimited music subscription with free MP3s
• HD TV-Out and an on-screen TV interface
What you lose:
• iTunes integration
• About a billion apps
iPod Nano ($180, 16GB) -> Flip Ultra HD ($150)
The obvious contender to the iPod Nano used to be the Zune 16. But now? You can't even get that model of Zune. And with a built-in camcorder, be it a bit on the crappy side, the Nano truly is a unique contender in its space. However, I ask you this: Don't you already have an MP3 player? Seriously, it's not possible that you don't. OK then, just buy the Flip Ultra HD, the best bang for your buck pocket camcorder on the market. And use your old iPod because it probably still works fine.
What you gain:
• HD video
What you lose:
• I mean, it's not an iPod, or any kind of media player, obviously
iPod Shuffle ($80, 4GB) -> Sansa Clip+ ($70, 8GB)
The new Shuffle is basically nonexistent, a device that, while remarkable in terms of minimalist design, may be a tad difficult to wield when you just want to play that one song you want to hear. Enter the Sansa Clip+, an chunky but still tiny MP3 player lauded by audiophiles (if such a thing is possible) that supports up to 16GB of MicroSD expansion. Save even more money by buying the 2GB version (just $40) and sticking in a spare MicroSD. And as we said in our review, the Clip+ is "the best low-end mp3 player on the market, without question."
What you gain:
• Sound quality
• MicroSD expansion
• An actual screen
• Voice recorder
• The freedom to choose any headphones
What you lose:
• iTunes
• Trash-talking Voice Over function
Apple TV ($229, 160GB) -> Asus O!Play ($99)
No matter what direction you go, you're pretty much always better off not buying an Apple TV. It's basically a closed box that hates supporting not only external codecs but external drives, too, and you can forget about navigating to files on your own network—even ones stored on your precious Time Capsule. The $99 Asus O!Play is our favorite budget way to play media in any codec under the sun, from files on a Mac or PC formatted drive or streamed from pretty much any NAS drive. As for watching movies on demand, chances are, your cable box already does that. Need more options? The LG BD390 is an excellent Wi-Fi-equipped Blu-ray player with Netflix and Vudu video, and DivX support. And heck, I'd even recommend the $199 Xbox 360 as a Netflix/DivX machine with Windows Media Center Extender capabilities. Basically, you can't go wrong here. Everything is better than Apple TV, unless you have a library full of purchased iTunes music and movies, and if you do, you probably have Apple TV already, so go enjoy it.
What you gain:
• Mega codec support
• Ability to stream your video files from computers and NAS drives
• Cash in your pocket
What you lose:
• The iTunes video ball and chain
MacBook ($999) -> Dell Studio 14z ($750)
As Mark Spoonauer said in our best Windows laptop roundup, "Think of it as the poor man's MacBook-with better specs." No, the Dell Studio 14z doesn't run OS X, but the Core 2 Duo laptop weighs .3lbs lighter than a MacBook while offering 1GB more RAM (base), 70GB more storage, a backlit keyboard and nicer built-in speakers.
What you gain:
• More storage
• More RAM
• Backlit keyboard
• Less weight
What you lose:
• OS X
• Optical drive
• Flash card reader
MacBook Pro ($1200) -> HP Envy ($1700)
I'm not sure anyone should actually choose the 13-inch Envy (full review) over the 13-inch MacBook Pro (full review), but the Envy is the closest knock-off on the market. For the $500 Envy premium, you do shed .8lbs off the MacBook Pro, coming in at just 3.7lbs (which is crazy-light for a laptop of this size). And you'll score an extra GB of RAM along with a more powerful, discrete Radeon HD 4330 graphics. But we're still talking about $500 extra for a computer that, ultimately, doesn't feel as solid as a unibody Mac. Plus, if you really want to run Win 7, that plays just fine on the MBP, too. As for the MBP 15, there's really no ideal alternative. And if you were considering the 15-inch Envy, think again.
What you gain:
• More overall power
• Less weight
• Prettier screen
What you lose:
• OS X
• Optical drive
• Frame rigidity
iMac ($1200, 21.5-inch) -> HP TouchSmart 600 ($1,050, 23-inch)
The latest iMac (full review) is a beautiful machine, no doubt. But there are alternatives to this famed all-in-one. Our favorite is the HP TouchSmart 600 (full review), which is sort of the souped-up Civic to Apple's classic Porsche. Both will do a quarter mile in the same time—with Core 2 Duo processors—but the TouchSmart has the shiny detailing and LED underlighting of a street racer, while sprucing up the package with a decent touch display coupled with special Twitter, Facebook and even recipe box apps designed for the system. Especially as a kitchen computer, the HP TouchSmart is a valid alternative to the iMac.
What you gain:
• Larger, touchscreen
• Glitzy accents with customizable LED underlighting
• Clever apps
• HDMI input for home theater fun
What you lose:
• OS X
• Understated design
MacBook Air ($1500) -> Dell Adamo XPS ($2000)
There's only one laptop on the market that can confidently purge alongside the MacBook Air, and that's the Dell Adamo XPS. While the price premium seems absurd at first, keep in mind that the Adamo XPS, at about half the thickness of the Air, is loaded with a 128GB flash drive and 4GB of RAM stock (while the MacBook Air will run $1800 in a similar SSD configuration and maxed at 2GB of RAM). If you're considering an Air, you want a computer that says "I'm good at spending money." And the Adamo XPS will most certainly fulfill that need.
What you gain:
• 1 USB port
• Ethernet jack
• 2GB of RAM
• A clasp that opens from the heat of your finger
What you lose:
• OS X
• About $500
Mac Mini ($600) -> Acer AspireRevo R6310 ($330)
If I had the choice between a Mac Mini (full review) and the AspireRevo R6310—spending someone else's money—I would still choose the Revo for its HTPC prowess. The Mac Mini has always been a promising system falling just short of its potential in terms of both price and performance. Meanwhile, the absurdly cheap Revo, equipped with Ion tech that's more than happy to handle 1080p video outputted to your TV through HDMI (as opposed to Apple's need for funky wiring and/or hard-to-find specialized adapters), is kind enough to include 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, HDMI, eSATA, VGA, 6 USB ports, card reader, wireless-N and a wireless keyboard and mouse for roughly half the price of a Mini. The only thing the Revo isn't optimal for is browsing Flash pages, that is, until we finally see an update that makes Ions and Flash play well together.
What you gain:
• HDMI out
• 1 USB port
• eSATA port
• Wireless keyboard and mouse
• Like $300
What you lose:
• OS X
• FireWire
Time Capsule (1TB, $299) -> D-Link DIR-685 (Expandable, $215)
The convenience of a Time Capsule, a combination wireless router and NAS, is tough to beat because it's so unique. But I wouldn't call the task impossible. The D-Link DIR-685 (full review) is a wireless-N router with a range that's competitive with Apple's own AirPort Extreme. You choose your storage capacity by sticking in your own 2.5-inch drive. Oh, plus it's a photo frame, BitTorrent downloader, iTunes server, FTP server, network file sharing with user management and even a UPnP streamer to video players. The only thing it isn't? Time Machine compliant. I know, I know. If you're willing to part with the built-in router, however, then another excellent choice is the Iomega Ix2-200 NAS (full review)—and that is Time Machine capable.
What you gain:
• Swappable storage
• Tons of advanced networking features
• BitTorrent downloading
• Media flexibility
• Digital photo frame
What you lose:
• Time Machine support (if this is a problem, check out Iomega's alternative)
Mac Pro ($2,500) -> Hackintosh (far less $$$)
There is one reason you want to buy a Mac Pro, and that's for OS X. So I'm not going to waste time by pretending there's any suitable alternative by someone like Dell or HP. Your best bet is to build a Hackintosh, a custom PC with a bootlegged OS X. Just keep in mind, you won't be able to build this system like any old Windows PC—you'll need to follow a guide with pretested hardware to construct something you can be sure will work. Luckily, such a guide is available, built by our friends from Lifehacker (see it here).
What you gain:
• Literally, thousands of dollars
• Gaudy case mods
What you lose:
• Peace of mind (there's always the slight chance of Hackintosh deactivation)
• Easy component upgrades
Control Your Mac With an iPhone, the Patent [Apple]
Posted by: Gadget Boy in Gadget News, Technology on December 16th, 2009
A newly unearthed Apple patent application describes a process in which an iPhone could control a MacBook or iMac, remotely.
Essentially, the iPhone establishes a connection with the computer, then it can control the OS in a similar manner to a TV remote. Using a virtual d-pad, users navigate through apps, open them remotely and even print. But what’s possibly more promising that buttoning around an OS is that voice commands could be deployed to skip many of these navigational hassles.
Apple’s Remote app, which allows the control of iTunes over a local network, is still one of my favorite apps on the iPhone. If Apple were to evolve that app into what we see in this patent, it’d only become more handy. [Patently Apple via 9to5Mac]
All the Jocks at This University Got Macbook Pros, But Are They Happy? [Image Cache]
Posted by: Gadget Boy in Gadget News, Technology on December 9th, 2009
This is the athletic department of the University of South Florida and every single person in it was given a Macbook Pro by the school. But judging by some expressions in a close-up shot, not everyone's entirely excited about it.
No, really. Click on this second picture for a closer view. I can't be imagining that many annoyed expressions and grimaces, can I?
If nothing, it's an interesting bit of a contrast to these smiling folks:
Happy or not, the students don't keep the laptops permanently, instead they use them like loaners during school semesters. Still a pretty sweet arrangement unless you really prefer a non-Apple product. [USF]
MacBook EFI Firmware Update 1.8 Muffles Noisy Optical Drives [Apple]
Posted by: Gadget Boy in Gadget News on December 8th, 2009
A handful of updates from now available Apple, all fixes: Nearest and dearest to us is EFI firmware update 1.8, which promises to mute the optical drive's munchy sounds on startup in MacBook Pros and should alleviate some of the wonkiness from update 1.7. [Apple]
BassJump Review [Review]
Posted by: Gadget Boy in Gadget News on November 30th, 2009
On your desk, it's about the size and thickness of a triple-decker Wonder bread sandwich. But the BassJump, an aluminum micro subwoofer to match your MacBook Pro, made me salivate more than soft, refined carbs covered in mayo ever did.
The Price
$80
The Verdict
It looks better than it tastes..err...sounds.
I can't deny, my MacBook Pro's tinny speakers have never sounded better than when complemented by the BassJump. Through USB (and some unobtrusive bundled software), the BassJump mixes with your existing laptop speakers to give you a more balanced audio experience.
The tenor range, generally underrepresented by my MBP, is audible with the BassJump. The Beatles, especially, were hugely improved through the richer vocals and guitar riffs provided by the mini sub. Walking to the next room and closing my eyes, I decided my MacBook now sounded like a low-level iPod dock.
Still, the audio isn't especially clear. And despite the BassJump's name, it doesn't really give you bass. It's more like a midrange speaker that's still incapable of bumping R&B.
So while the BassJump certainly looks adorable and legitimately turns MBP music from unpalatable to sort of listenable, its low end capabilities can't match a real dedicated subwoofer. And its overall audio effect, while passable, would be thwarted by most any 2.1 speaker system in its price range. [BassJump]
Charming aesthetic
Quality build
Improves midrange audio but lacks brilliance
Lacks bass
Needs to be either cheaper or better
Every Mac Price-Compared Across Retailers [Dealzmodo]
Posted by: Gadget Boy in Gadget News on November 25th, 2009
AppleInsider has a ridiculously handy chart that compares prices on Mac sales across various retailers. Granted, it's not taking into account Apple's Black Friday deals, but there are hundreds of dollars to be saved if you're interested. [AppleInsider]
Gifts for Apple Cultists Who’ve Grown Beyond Shame [Gift Guide]
Posted by: Gadget Boy in Gadget News on November 25th, 2009
If you're reading this, there's at least a 50 percent chance you or someone you know is a complete Mactard. Here's their wish list (SPOILER: It's all Apple stuff):
BTW, if you hate the gallery format as much as the Grinch hated Christmas, click here.
Magic Mouse: It's a bit too expensive for stocking stuffer territory, but we've called the nipple-less design the best mouse Apple has ever made. And if you can't appreciate touch-sensitive scrolling, you have no soul (or, at least not one that we can see). $70 [Apple]
Buffy Gelaskins: Loving Apple will only half-fill one's necessary geek quotient. Your loved one will do well filling the other half with Buffy, now that Dark Horse comics has teamed up with Gelaskins re-stickable case skins for the iPhone and MacBooks. $15 iPhone, $30 MacBook. [Dark Horse]
iMac (27-inch i7): You simply won't find a more striking desktop on the market, but maybe more importantly, benchmarks on Apple latest top-tier iMac are currently challenging far more expensive Mac Pros. Plus, the line has just seen a refresh, so it's a good time to buy. $2200+ [Apple]
BookArc Stand: No, it's not the gift for everyone. But if you know a guy who just docks his MacBook anyway, the BookArc Stand is a far more elegant solution than sitting a laptop on a desk (especially since the laptop should run cooler given the increased surface area for airflow). [BookArc]
Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree (T-Shirt): Who says the apple doesn't fall far from the tree? This t-shirt, that's who. $18. [Go Ape Shirts]
Apple Table IOU: Apple fanboys love Apple's products. But true Apple fanboys—those who take commitment and fanaticism to the next level—could never be pleased with what Apple currently has on the table. They need the Next Big Thing. We're about 1000% certain that Apple will release a tablet some time in 2010. Promise your loved ones that you'll camp overnight and drop the cash so they get the Apple Tablet first. Of course, they'll still bitch about it, anticipating version 2.0. Price Unknown, Costs Some Dignity
DON'T BUY MacBook Pro: There has simply never been a worse time to buy a new MacBook Pro. With Core i5/i7 tech inevitably waiting to make its way into Apple's premium laptops, your hard-earned cash will almost certainly buy a vastly more powerful, more future-proof machine less than a month after Christmas. The same can probably be said about Mac Pros, too. Oh, and that 27-inch iMac we keep raving about? What a glorious alternative to the aging, 30-inch Apple Cinema Display! [Apple]
Wall of Sound iPod Dock: There are iPod docks, and there are iPod docks. This is most definitely the latter, a handcrafted, 3x4-foot, 225lb, 125W beast. And one day, when Apple inevitably tweaks the iPod port, this behemoth will be useless—feeding into the general regret and dissatisfaction critical to Apple fandom. [Wall of Sound]
Don't forget to recommend your own favorite Apple gear in comments-include pics and pricing if possible.
All Giz Wants is our annual round-up of favorite gift ideas, including amazing attainable objects and a few far-out fantasies. We'll be popping guides catered to different interests several times per day for the next week, so keep checking back.
BassJump Brings MacBooks a Bit of Bump [Speakers]
Posted by: Gadget Boy in Gadget News on November 24th, 2009
BassJump is, quite simply, a dedicated subwoofer to compliment your MacBook—in both aesthetics and sound.
Rather than merely plugging in through USB, the BassJump uses proprietary software to remix all audio coming out of your laptop, essentially treating those tinny integrated speakers as tweeters while the BassJump handles the lows.
I can't believe that this solution works better than simply plugging in a whole new 2.1 speaker system, but I must admit, the Mac Mini styling coaxes my fanboyism to at least give the idea a shot. $80 and available now. [BassJump]
Twelve South’s BassJump subwoofer improves your MacBook experience via USB, not parachute
Posted by: Gadget Boy in Gadget News on November 24th, 2009
Twelve South's BassJump subwoofer improves your MacBook experience via USB, not parachute originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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