MacBook Pros vs. PC Competitors, Mobile Core 'i' Demystified, Graphics Switching Glitches, and More
So we can post our three news roundups (Mac News Review, The 'Book
Review, and The iNews Review) earlier, we first do a quick proofread and
link check, leaving out images. We add images later when time permits.
dk
General Apple and Mac desktops is covered in The Mac News Review. iPad, iPod, iPhone, and
Apple TV news is covered in The iOS News
Review. All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
News & Opinion
Reviews
Tech Trends
Products & Services
News & Opinion
Comparing the New MacBook Pros to the PC
Competition
Notebooks.com's Kevin Purcell says that with Apple releasing new 15"
and 17" MacBook Pros, it raises the question of how they compare to
their PC counterparts, noting that whether you are a PC or a Mac, you
may be surprised.
Using price as the cutoff, Purcell went to Toshiba, Sony, Dell, and
HP to compare what one could get for the same price as Apple's new base
configuration MacBook Pros, asking what kind of 15" or 17" notebooks he
could get from the competition if handed either $2,300 or $1,800 for a
notebook.
While he gave the edge to the PC competitors in most of the
comparos, Purcell says he was surprised at how comparable the Apple
systems' base configurations were to the high-end notebooks from the
major PC vendors, having expected the Windows PCs to blow the MacBooks
away, but finding some bake-offs very close.
And, of course, this was a pure hardware comparison, without
reference to the relative virtues of OS X versus Windows 7 or the fact
that with the Mac you can have both.
Link:
Comparing the New Apple MacBook Pros to the PC Competition
i5, i7 Demystified: New MacBook Pros are Not
Quad-Core
The Mac Observer's John Martellaro says:
"Unlike the quad-core Intel i5 and i7 desktop processors found in
the Apple iMac, the mobile i5s
and i7s in the new 15 and 17-inch MacBook Pros are two core processors.
Both include Intel's Hyper-Threading technology, so both can run four
virtual threads."
Link:
i5, i7 Demystified: Apple's New MacBook Pros are Not
Quad-Core
Nvidia GeForce GT 330M GPU Used In 15" and 17"
MacBook Pros
PR: The Nvidia GeForce GT 330M GPU hits the sweet spot for
mobile users who demand great performance and an awesome multimedia
experience.
GeForce GT 330M GPUs deliver up to 30 times better performance,
accelerated GPU features in Window 7, and built-in Nvidia PhysX
technology enabling hyper-realistic gameplay.
C330.jpg
The powerful GeForce GT 330M GPU brings more realistic game
environments and virtual worlds playing at high resolutions and fluid
frame rates up to 30 times better than integrated graphics. Built-in
Nvidia PhysX!" technology enables hyper-realistic gameplay, bringing
dynamic forces of nature and massively destructible environments to
some of the most anticipated games such as Terminator Salvation and
Darkest of Days.
Outstanding Performance for Demanding Tasks
Take advantage of Nvidia CUDA!" technology with accelerated
applications and experience new multimedia capabilities. Automatically
clean up video from your camcorder with vReveal from MotionDSP and
easily edit HD movies with GPU-based applications like PowerDirector 7
by CyberLink.
GPU Engine Specs:
- CUDA Cores: 48
- Gigaflops: 182
- Processor Clock (MHz): Up to 1265 MHz
Memory Specs:
- Memory Clock (MHz):
- Up to 1066 (DDR3)
- Up to 800 (GDDR3)
- Memory Interface Width 128-bit
Feature Support:
- Nvidia PureVideo Technology HD
- Nvidia PhysX!"-ready
- Nvidia CUDA!" Technology
- OpenCL
HybridPower!" Technology
- Microsoft DirectX
- Compute, 10.1
- OpenGL 2.1
- Bus Support PCIe 2.0
- Certified for Windows 7
- PowerMizer Power Management 8.0
Display Support:
- Maximum Digital Resolution: 2560x1600
- Maximum VGA Resolution: 2048x1536
- Standard Display Connectors: HDMI
- Dual Link: DVI
- Single Link:
- DVI
- VGA
- DisplayPort
- Multi Monitor
Link: GeForce
GT 330M
i5 and i7 MacBook Pros Making Questionable Graphics
Switching Decisions
Engadget's Chris Ziegler reports that Apple's latest round of
MacBook Pros appear to making some awful decisions about when to turn
on that "power-sapping" Nvidia GeForce GT 330M discrete chipset.
Ziegler observes that while the Intel integrated graphics processor
used with the new Core i5 and i7 CPUs sips power, it's less capable
than the Nvidia GeForce 9400M graphics processor used in previous the
MacBook Pro generation, so there's a greater demand for the discrete
graphics processor in graphically intense situations. However, the new
automatic switching protocols are manifesting some shortcomings, and
Ziegler says that Apple needs to bring back an ironclad disable option
for the discrete graphics - like it had with the older unibody
models.
Link:
MacBook Pros with Nvidia GeForce GT 330M Silicon Making Questionable
Graphics Switching Decisions
MacBook Pro Highlights the iPad's Failings
The Inquirer's Lawrence Latif says that the latest MacBook Pro
launch highlights how underwhelming the iPad really is.
Latif registers mild disappointment that the 13" MacBook Pro got
passed over for a Core "i" CPU upgrade and has to make do with slightly
faster Core 2 Duo chips, speculating that Apple was unable to engineer
adequate cooling into the smaller chassis. Your editor is skeptical of
that, as the Core "i" chips reportedly run cooler in the larger MacBook
Pros than the preceding Core 2 Duos did, and best-guesses that the
primary reason was to hold the $1,199 price point on the base 13-incher
- and also to widen the specification distinction between the high-end
$1,499 13" model and the entry-level 15-incher.
However, Latif's central focus is how lame the iPad is compared to
what you get with even the baseline MacBook Pro, contending "it's
shocking" that anyone would opt to spend say $700 for a a 64 GB WiFi
iPad, and that the comparison gets even more staggering when you
consider the consumer oriented $999 MacBook, especially
refurbished units with the same warranty as its new models for even
less money, noting that the notebook models all run real Mac OS X
- or Windows or Linux via Boot Camp or virtualization -are connectable,
expandable, and printable, while the iPad struggles along with the
iPhone OS, minimal connectivity, no printing or mouse support, and the
underpowered A4 CPU instead of a Core 2 Duo or Core "i" chip, to say
nothing of the laptops' more powerful graphics support, all of which
"beats the living daylights out the graphics core in the A4 chip when
it matters."
I couldn't agree more.
Not only that, but both the iPad and the 13" MacBook Pro have the
same claimed battery life, around 10 hours. Latif concludes that
Apple's MacBook Pro range are quality machines that are honestly
priced, accentuating that that Apple's new tablet "toy" really is being
sold at an "unbelievable price".
Other editor's note: Comparing the iPad to a notebook is as foolish
as comparing a notebook to a desktop or an iPhone to an iPad. The
machines are similar in some ways but different in nature. Just as you
can't readily touch type on an iPad, you can't run iPhone OS apps or
directly manipulate objects on the screen on a MacBook. While some may
replace their notebooks with iPads, it is not intended as a notebook,
iPhone, or iPod touch replacement: It is a unique product with its own
market, its own advantages, and its own disadvantages. dk
Link:
Apple's MacBook Pro Highlights the iPad's Failings
iPad vs. Laptop: Time To Leave the Laptop
Behind?
iPhoneCTO's Bill French says it's been 10 days since his iPad arrived and 11 days since he used his
laptop.
To see if iPad was up to the task of displacing his laptop, French
purposely left the office every day for a few hours to see if he could
continue to work productively with only his iPad and a Bluetooth
keyboard from time-to-time.
Issues discussed include:
- Remote Desktop Networking
- Word Processing
- Pages vs. Office Document Formats
- Sharing Documents
- Skype and Multitasking
- Keyboard
- Presentations [Still far from perfect]
- Unexpected [But Noticeable] Productivity Gains
In the end, French says he can't unreservedly recommend a
cold-turkey, wholesale transition strategy like the one he's tried, but
he remains hopeful.
Link: iPad v
Laptop: Is It Time To Leave the Laptop Behind?
This Column Was Not Written on an iPad
PC Magazine's John C. Dvorak says he's spent a lot of time debating
the usefulness of the iPad with a number of people, and he keeps
hearing the same thing over and over from them: "it's replaced my
laptop" - a common theme, but it's something Dvorak says he doesn't
understand. [Editor's note: Me neither. cm]
Dvorak says he's begun to realize that the ubiquitous laptop has
become something of a universal - but often expendable - device for a
number of people, although the concept of replacing a laptop with an
iPad remains "an eye-roller" for him.
Dvorak also says that he has no idea how some users have adopted the
laptop as a desktop replacement, which many have long since done, but
observes that he can't imagine an iPad being adequate to replace a
laptop in those instances.
What the iPad does replace, he contends, is the casual browsing some
people do while watching TV or serving as a casual gaming device - like
a Nintendo DS for adults, concluding that the operative question is:
"how big is the market for a sofa-based Web browser or giant music
player?" and concludes that "I cannot see writing columns on the
device. No way."
Link: This Column Was
Not Written on an iPad
Reviews
Primate Labs Posts MacBook Pro Benchmarks
Primate Labs says:
"When Apple released the updated MacBook Pro lineup on Tuesday the
lineup included a Core i7 MacBook Pro. Now people are asking how does
this new lineup perform compared to the previous lineup? I've gathered
some Geekbench results to find out."
Overall Performance
- 17" 2010: Core i7 @ 2.67 GHz: 5423
- 17" 2010: Core i5 @ 2.53 GHz: 4974
- 15" 2010: Core i7 @ 2.67 GHz: 5422
- 15" 2010: Core i5 @ 2.53 GHz: 4994
- 15" 2010: Core i5 @ 2.40 GHz: 4806
- 13" 2010: Core 2 Duo @ 2.66 GHz: 3739
- 13" 2010: Core 2 Duo @ 2.40 GHz: 3390
- 15/17" 2009: Core 2 Duo @ 3.06 GHz: 4214
- 15/17" 2009: Core 2 Duo @ 2.80 GHz: 3904
- 15/17" 2009: Core 2 Duo @ 2.66 GHz: 3719
- 15" 2009: Core 2 Duo @ 2.53 GHz: 3570
- 13" 2009: Core 2 Duo @ 2.53 GHz: 3561
- 13" 2009: Core 2 Duo @ 2.26 GHz: 3137
"In summary, the new 2010 Core 'i' machines seem to be about 20
percent faster than the June 2009 Core 2 Duo models, with the slowest
Core i5 faster than the fastest Core 2 Duo processor despite running at
a lower frequency (2.40 GHz vs. 3.06 GHz). There is a less substantial
improvement for the speed-bumped Core 2 Duo 13" 2010 models."
Their sensible recommendation: Go with a i5 processor and spend the
money saved (compared to the cost of an i7) on upgrading the RAM to
8 GB.
Note that Geekbench only benchmarks the CPU and memory systems. It
does not benchmark hard drives or graphics processors.
Link: MacBook
Pro Benchmarks (April 2010)
MacBook Pro Core i7: Built 'Incredibly Well'
Engadget's Paul Miller has posted a thorough and thoughtful review
of the new Core i7 MacBook Pro.
A few selected snippets:
- ....the laptop has remained virtually unchanged externally for
almost two years . . . still the class leader in looks, with
an understated aluminum and glass design that isn't close to going out
of style.
- ....too-close-together and too-few-in-number USB ports...
- [The heat] situation has been much improved in the new version, at
least in average use . . . there's hardly any fan noise
ever....
- ...the "inertial scrolling" Apple has added to the touchpad
. . . is very much like the motion on the iPhone
. . . or the motion available with some free-spinning scroll
wheel mice
- ...Apple has really outdone itself in restricting your GPU
flexibility. There are only two options for automatic graphics
switching: on and off.
- ....Apple's battery life is really industry leading when it comes
to a Core i5 or Core i7 machine with discrete graphics....
- ...the base model 15-incher is now $1,799 (instead of $1,699) due
to the loss of an integrated-only option....
- ...Apple has carved an amazingly large niche out for itself by
building incredibly expensive laptops incredibly well, and this
generation is no exception....
Link: MacBook
Pro Core i7 Review
15" Core i5 MacBook Pro: The One to Get?
AnandTech's Anand Lal Shimpi says:
"For nearly a year now I've been telling everyone who wanted a new
MacBook Pro to wait for Arrandale. It would've been a solid plan had
Apple not dramatically increased battery life at the end of last year.
If you've managed to stay the course and skip 2009's tempting battery
life upgrade, it's time for the day of reckoning - Apple's Arrandale
MacBook Pros are finally here."
Link:
Apple's 15-inch Core i5 MacBook Pro: The One to Get?
iFixit 15" MacBook Pro Core i5 Teardown
PR: The new MacBook Pro doesn't look any different than its
predecessor, but Apple has made quite a few subtle tweaks within their
latest professional laptop. We dove inside to find out exactly what a
year's worth of tweaks and improvements looks like.
1NAqnCQJxMrFmJSE.huge_.jpg
Highlights:
- As usual, there's a sticker warning against removing the battery.
Por qué, Apple? The printed manual that came with the
machine shows you how to replace RAM and hard drive. The battery is
just three screws and a connector away from being able to be
replaced.
- For some odd reason, Apple has stopped using five-point Torx screws
found on other MBP 15" Unibodies in favor of Tri-Wing screws. Perhaps
the sound of a thousand technicians crying out in unison made them
change their mind?
- The battery is now rated at 77.5 Wh. That's just a tad bit bigger
(6%) than the 73 Wh battery we found in last year's 15" model, but not
enough to explain the 2 hour battery life (22%) improvement Apple is
claiming for this machine. Apple has dramatically reduced this
machine's power consumption, and we expect it to run quite a bit cooler
than the previous model.
- Apple moved the WiFi/Bluetooth board. This redesign no longer
requires that the wireless connections be integrated into the camera
cable, greatly decreasing the size of the connector.
- Since the WiFi/Bluetooth board is now mounted inside the all-metal
case, Apple added an antenna that is mounted on the frame for the
optical drive opening. Pretty clever! Time will tell what impact this
move has on wireless performance.
- Apple changed the design of this speaker assembly slightly, moving
from a single plastic enclosure to separate plastic enclosures for the
speaker & subwoofer that are connected by the speaker leads.
- Apple announced that they are not using Nvidia's Optimus technology
as had been widely rumored. Instead, the OS switches to the Nvidia
GeForce GT 330M graphics as needed for higher demand applications like
Chess, and uses the integrated Intel Core i5 graphics for Solitaire.
(Ars Technica has a great overview of this new technology:
http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2010/04/inside-apples-automatic-gpu-switching.ars)
- 25xCtYODow1ZZwT3.huge_.jpg
- Apple is using Intel's HM55 Express Chipset. Apple has clearly
tweaked Intel's chipset to enable the seamless switching between the
Intel and Nvidia graphics. Interestingly enough, the chipset hub
(BD82HM55) is not connected to the heat sink. Enough heat is convected
from the surface of the silicon to remove the small amount of heat
generated. Another advantage of this Intel chipset over Optimus is that
the integrated graphics are powered down when the discrete GPU is
active.
- Apple has decided that pushing battery performance is more
important to consumers than pure speed, and we are seeing that
philosophy integrated throughout their product line.
35aYyJTJ3cZBNbV.huge_.jpg
Is there anything else that you want to know about this
mildly-revised MacBook Pro? Let us know.
Cheers,
Kyle Wiens
iFixit
Link:
15" MacBook Pro Core i5 Teardown
Tech Trends
Google's Chrome OS Means a Less Personal
Computer
Technology Review's Simson L. Garfinkel says Google's nascent Chrome
operating system will be fast and safe. But in return, you'll be asked
for your personal data, noting that the "Chrome" naming scheme reflects
Google's ambition to create an operating system that is all but
indistinguishable from the browser.
"Gone will be the normal files, directories, and applications.
Instead, Chrome OS will put Google's cloud computing infrastructure -
services and applications delivered over the Internet from its vast
array of servers - at the heart of practically everything you do.
Within a few years, Chrome OS could become the planet's simplest,
fastest, and safest environment for personal computing. But there's a
catch: it will also make Google the gatekeeper of your personal
information. It could let Google delve further into your data to make
its online advertising business more profitable than ever."
Garfinkel further notes that Chrome OS will be a Web browser running
on top of a hardware-controlling Linux kernel, taking up less than a
gigabyte of your computer's hard drive and able to boot in seconds,
making it ideal for netbook computers that have modest memory and
processing power.
Several computer makers, including Samsung and Acer, have announced
plans for Chrome-powered netbooks, and Google itself may yet deliver a
Chrome OS- powered netbook computer that's built to the company's own
hardware specifications, like the Nexus One cell phone.
Link: Google's Chrome OS - A
Less Personal Computer
Products & Services
Henge Docks Docking Stations for Apple Notebook
Computers
PR: Henge Docks has created the first truly comprehensive
docking station solution for Apple's line of notebook computers. This
means you can quickly, easily and cleanly incorporate your MacBook
computer into a desktop setup or your home theater system, so you get
the best features of a laptop, desktop and media center PC all from one
computer. Henge Docks patent-pending design doesn't require any
hardware, software or settings changes to your computer. In fact, every
current MacBook is compatible with our system, right from the
factory.
Henge.jpg
Each Henge Dock model is designed for a specific type of MacBook
computer. Click your style of MacBook above to select the Henge Dock
that is right for you. Included with each dock are a full compliment of
custom USB, Ethernet, Audio cables and in some models FireWire cables,
designed to work with the Henge Dock system.
Henge2.jpg
The Henge Dock MacBook docking system reuses a customer's existing
Apple supplied MagSafe power source and Mini-DisplayPort to DVI
adapter. If you choose to purchase a spare MagSafe Power Adapter or
Apple Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter adapter we recommend you buy only
original Apple accessories to guarantee compatibility.
Henge3.jpg
Setting up a Henge Docks unit is straightforward, allowing you to
select only the cables you need making docking and undocking the
computer as easy as possible. For more information visit the Support
Page, watch the Henge Docks Demo Video, or download the User Guide.
- Clean up your desktop. Henge Docks puts all of your connections in
one place, freeing up desk space.
- A better home theater. Browse the web, listen to music and watch
movies all from the comfort of your couch.
- Pick only the connections you need. Henge Docks' flexible setup is
perfect for every peripheral and hardware combination.
Henge4.jpg
Each Henge Dock model is designed for a specific type of MacBook
computer. Select your MacBook model below to choose the Henge Dock that
is right for you.
Henge5.jpg
Included with each dock are a full compliment of custom USB,
Ethernet, Audio cables and in some models FireWire cables, designed to
work with the Henge Dock system. Our MacBook docking system reuses a
customer's existing Apple supplied MagSafe power source and
Mini-DisplayPort to DVI adapter.
All 13" Aluminum MacBook and MacBook Pro Docking Stations are
currently in stock.
From $59.95
Link: Henge
Docks
AT&T Announces Availability of New
LaptopConnect Device
PR: AT&T has announced that the newest device in the
AT&T LaptopConnect device portfolio, the Sierra Wireless AirCard
890, will be available to business customers beginning May 5. The
unique 2-in-1 form factor supports both PC Card and ExpressCard slots
while providing customers with durable and flexible options to stay
connected on the nation's fastest 3G network. The AirCard 890 will be
compatible with AT&T's High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2
technology.
ac890.jpg
Whether traveling across town or in the more than 195 countries
where AT&T offers data service, the AirCard 890 is a great solution
for business customers who need to access email, the Internet and
business applications from their laptop while on the go. Customers can
also enjoy convenient access to AT&T's more than 20,000 US WiFi
hotspots (with qualified DataConnect plan and WiFi enabled laptop).
"The Sierra Wireless AirCard 890 offers our first 2-in-1 form
factor, with both PC Card and ExpressCard slot compatibility," said
Michael Woodward, vice president, Mobile Phone Portfolio, AT&T
Mobility and Consumer Markets. "In addition to enhancing our portfolio
of HSPA 7.2 devices, the AirCard 890 provides a flexible and convenient
solution for business customers to access email and business
applications while on the go."
Additionally, the device offers built-in GPS functionality, enabling
location based services, making it easier than ever for customers to
get to their desired destination, or providing benefits to companies
with a mobile workforce. Through AT&T's mobile applications such as
TeleNav Track LITE™ and Xora GPS Locator from AT&T,
enterprise customers can add tracking and location awareness of
employees, a benefit for companies looking to improving efficiency,
such as response time by easily locating the closest worker to a
service call.
"For more than 12 years, mobile professionals have relied on Sierra
Wireless AirCard products for fast, convenient access to online
information and applications," said Mike O'Brien, vice president, North
American Carrier and Distribution Sales for Sierra Wireless (TSX: SW -
SWIR). "The Sierra Wireless AirCard 890 2-in-1 device offers a low
profile, durable design that allows it to be safely stored in the
laptop for a quick connection between flights or in the back of a taxi.
Features like GPS, VPN support, and automatic reconnection capability
make it an invaluable tool for busy professionals. We are pleased to
extend our longstanding collaboration with AT&T and to provide the
AirCard 890 exclusively to AT&T customers."
The AirCard 890 ships with AT&T's Global Network Client (AGNC),
which provides business customers integrated and highly secure
connectivity with AT&T VPN Services. AGNC offers a single
connection client that makes standardization easier and enables access
to corporate networks, including mobile data networks, WiFi and
broadband.
Beginning May 5, Sierra Wireless AirCard 890 will be available
online and through AT&T business channels nationwide for $49.99
after mail-in rebate and a new two-year DataConnect contract of at
least $35 a month (pay $149.99 and after mail-in rebate receive $100
AT&T Promotion Card. Two-year agreement and DataConnect plan
required).
Link:
AT&T Wireless
Bargain 'Books
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