Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Want To Know About the New Apple MacBook Pro?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the timely-benchmarks dept.

An anonymous reader writes to tell us about an extremely helpful user who is answering questions from all comers about the new MacBook Pro. "A few days ago, a user by the name 'bcavanau' posted on the macrumors.com forums that he had just picked up a new MacBook Pro. Forum members started asking him about features, specifications, and benchmarks. He was happy to oblige, posting responses to everyone's questions. Eventually the forum thread got out of hand, and he set up a website devoted to answering the questions. If you have a question that hasn't already been answered, email him at the address on the site. He is responding daily and sometimes within minutes. This guy is dedicated. Thanks 'bcavanau', you get two thumbs up." The link to the site is cached via the Coral Content Distribution Network.

2 of 310 comments (clear)

  1. It's a shame by drsmithy · · Score: 4, Insightful

    That the MBP doesn't have:

    * An option for a 7200rpm hard disk (except the "aircraft carrier" model
    * A option for a faster video card
    * Higher screen resolution
    * A docking station
    * A 12"-ish variant

    Personally I consider these significant omissions for a machine touted as being a top-of-the-line "Professional" laptop.

    On the flipside, it's *great* to see Apple throwing in 2G RAM standard, except in the bottom-end model.

    On the wishlist, I'd _love_ to see a laptop that can drive two external screens.

    (I'll probably still get work to buy me one, though, then I can get my OS X fix on someone else's tab.)

    1. Re:It's a shame by dal20402 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Don't worry too much about the 7200rpm drive for now. I have one in my first generation MBP, and wouldn't get it if I were buying today.

      The density of the 160GB 5400rpm model, which wasn't available in quantity when the first generation MBP came out, is high enough that performance is really, really close to the 100GB 7200rpm models. My MBP averages about 44MB/s write flat-out... the Seagate 5400.3, according to this, will do over 41. Read speeds are similarly close. If you're really pushing the disk subsystem so hard that you'll notice that difference, do yourself a favor and use the new FW800 port.

      When Seagate finally ships its 160GB 7200.2 results may be different. I'm buying one of those for my existing MBP as soon as they ship.

      I second the request for 1680x1050. (1920x1200 would just be too much on 15.4".) The faster video cards would probably cause heat issues; all the laptops available with them are thicker and heavier.

      For the 12" the MacBook, unlike what we're used to with iBooks, is a legitimate performer unless you need 3D graphics. I'd like an even smaller model, and the option for discrete graphics in the black MB.

      What I really want can't be provided by Apple... a fast 320GB notebook drive. That would change my life.