Wednesday, April 11th 2012

MacBook Pro 2012 Launch Imminent

Over the past few days, several retailers have been reporting shortages of 15-inch MacBook Pro 2011 (including its variants based on higher processor clock speeds), suggesting that Apple is lowering its production to make way for the new 2012 MacBook Pro. Apple is a known early-adopter of technologies, and the advent of low-TDP 22 nm "Ivy Bridge" processors by Intel could catalyze 2012 MacBook Pro.

The new MacBook Pro launch is imminent, according to Apple Insider, and could happen any time this month. We know from older reports that by design, the new MacBook Pro closely resembles Apple's successful MacBook Air. The new MacBook Pro could be driven by Intel's Core i7-3820QM or Core i7-3720QM "Ivy Bridge" quad-core processors, with integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics, and options for discrete graphics.
Source: AppleInsider
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38 Comments on MacBook Pro 2012 Launch Imminent

#1
NC37
There's discrete...and then there's decent discrete. Case that thin I wouldn't expect any better than low end discrete. Low ends will be devoid of the option with 15/17s getting it. So, $2000+ price tag for anything with discrete and the discrete will be laughable at best. Probably downclocked too for heat and battery life. Apple loves to do that.
Posted on Reply
#2
Phobia9651
What's the size of the first one?
Afaik Macbook Pro's were only available in 13", 15" and 17".
So are they introducing an 11" model?
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#3
phanbuey
NC37There's discrete...and then there's decent discrete. Case that thin I wouldn't expect any better than low
end discrete. Low ends will be devoid of the option with 15/17s getting it. So, $2000+ price tag for anything with discrete and the discrete will be laughable at best. Probably downclocked too for heat and battery life. Apple loves to do that.
well find me a pc with those specs and build quality with a lower price... dont forget the retina ips led screen, and i want it under an inch thick so i dont look like a dork carrying it around.
Posted on Reply
#4
repman244
phanbueywell find me a pc with those specs and build quality with a lower price... dont forget the retina ips led screen, and i want it under an inch thick so i dont look like a dork carrying it around.
HP 8560w/8570w, Dell M4600/M6600 etc. And I would rather have more thickness on such machines for way better cooling and allowing for way better discrete GPU's.
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#5
Red_Machine
btarunrApple is a known early-adopter of technologies
Then why did it take them so long to give up on the Core2 Duo and move to the Core i3/i5?
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#6
Fourstaff
Red_MachineThen why did it take them so long to give up on the Core2 Duo and move to the Core i3/i5?
Adopting tech early does not automatically translate to them dumping old tech fast, look at how long it took for Firewire to hit the bucket ...
Posted on Reply
#7
phanbuey
repman244HP 8560w/8570w, Dell M4600/M6600 etc. And I would rather have more thickness on such machines for way better cooling and allowing for way better discrete GPU's.


You go ahead and enjoy that. Where's my IPS retina screen? What is up with that horrible construction quality?


"Mine was replaced two times during the first month of use!
The first one died a week after I bought it. It could not power on."
Posted on Reply
#8
repman244
phanbueyimg.techpowerup.org/120411/53perc copy.jpg

You go ahead and enjoy that. Where's my IPS retina screen? What is up with that horrible construction quality?


"Mine was replaced two times during the first month of use!
The first one died a week after I bought it. It could not power on."
:laugh: Ok first of all you based your reply on those 15 "reviews", guess what? Same happens with the MBP, there will always be dead units.
Second of all you have an option for an IPS 10-bit DreamColour screen which is considered one of the best laptop screens you can buy at the moment.
Third, did you ever use or try one? Because I tryed both the MBP and the 8560w (which I then bought) and all I can say that it's built like a tank (magnesium alloy is stronger than aluminium alloy).
Don't bother writing a reply before doing a little bit of reasearch.
Posted on Reply
#9
phanbuey
repman244:laugh: Ok first of all you based your reply on those 15 "reviews", guess what? Same happens with the MBP, there will always be dead units.
Second of all you have an option for an IPS 10-bit DreamColour screen which is considered one of the best laptop screens you can buy at the moment.
Third, did you ever use or try one? Because I tryed both the MBP and the 8560w (which I then bought) and all I can say that it's built like a tank (magnesium alloy is stronger than aluminium alloy).
Don't bother writing a reply before doing a little bit of reasearch.
Dude relax I just posted the reviews from the HP website. I don't see the Macbook pro getting a 3 star review lol. Maybe you're just upset that you bought it?

here's another:

"Not my choice, my company bought them for the entire office. What a terrible waste of money.
This thing doesn't go anywhere, it will die on my desktop just behind the real workstation.
>3Kg, 2 hours battery life, bad wifi reception, seriously, who need it? I can't figure it out yet."
Posted on Reply
#10
hardcore_gamer
repman244Where's my IPS retina screen?
Last time I checked, no laptop has a real "retina screen". A normal human eye has an angular resolution of about 50 cycles/degree. At 12 inches, a "real retina display" should have a pixel density of more than 470 pixels per inch. So if there is a 1080p real retina screen, it's height will be ~ 2.3 inches .

Why iPhone4S and iPad3 has a retina display ? It's false marketing by Apple.
Posted on Reply
#11
phanbuey
hardcore_gamerLast time I checked, no laptop has a real "retina screen". A normal human eye has an angular resolution of about 50 cycles/degree. At 12 inches, a "real retina display" should have a pixel density of more than 470 pixels per inch. So if there is a 1080p real retina screen, it's height will be ~ 2.3 inches .

Why iPhone4S and iPad3 has a retina display ? It's false marketing by Apple.
Thats a good point, and apple marketing is obnoxious. They are using a different figure:

"A display of approximately 300 ppi at a distance of 12 inches (305 mm) from one's eye, or 57 arcseconds per pixel[42] is the maximum amount of detail that the human retina can perceive."

Thats their backup, still a display of 2880x1800 on a laptop is pretty amazing. I want a PC like this.
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#12
repman244
phanbueyDude relax I just posted the reviews from the HP website. I don't see the Macbook pro getting a 3 star review lol. Maybe you're just upset that you bought it?

here's another:

"Not my choice, my company bought them for the entire office. What a terrible waste of money.
This thing doesn't go anywhere, it will die on my desktop just behind the real workstation.
>3Kg, 2 hours battery life, bad wifi reception, seriously, who need it? I can't figure it out yet."
I am relaxed I actually laughed. And I don't see how can someone glance at a few comments and say that something sucks, I could do a similar search and find complaints about a MBP as well (Example: forum.notebookreview.com/apple-mac-os-x/654610-macbook-pro-wobble.html). The point is that it's overpriced for what it offers or it offers less than the competition for the higher price tag.

And I had no issues at all with my unit, rock stable for daily usage with CAD.
Posted on Reply
#13
phanbuey
repman244I am relaxed I actually laughed. And I don't see how can someone glance at a few comments and say that something sucks, I could do a similar search and find complaints about a MBP as well (Example: forum.notebookreview.com/apple-mac-os-x/654610-macbook-pro-wobble.html). The point is that it's overpriced for what it offers or it offers less than the competition for the higher price tag.

And I had no issues at all with my unit, rock stable for daily usage with CAD.
Right, but your point is flawed since the "competition" you listed are mobile workstations that have a totally different purpose for a completely different customer. Not to mention when you spec them up they are just as $$.

Those mobile workstations don't have any of the features of the MBP, and vice versa. I would not get a MBP for cad ever; you were 100% right to choose what you chose. But you would not get an HP mobile workstation over an MBP for everyday general use, or music production, or web design or any of the other areas where the MBP is strong.

How many DJ booths you've ever seen with an HP Portable Workstation on them?

The competition is: Sony Viao, Razer Blade, and all of the other high end ultra thin laptops which either offer inferior features or are the same price if not more. The pricing is high but you do get what you pay for in terms of design and user experience.
Posted on Reply
#14
repman244
phanbueyRight, but your point is flawed since the "competition" you listed are mobile workstations that have a totally different purpose for a completely different customer. Not to mention when you spec them up they are just as $$.

Those mobile workstations don't have any of the features of the MBP, and vice versa. I would not get a MBP for cad ever; you were 100% right to choose what you chose. But you would not get an HP mobile workstation over an MBP for everyday general use, or music production, or web design or any of the other areas where the MBP is strong.

How many DJ booths you've ever seen with an HP Portable Workstation on them?

The competition is: Sony Viao, Razer Blade, and all of the other high end ultra thin laptops which either offer inferior features or are the same price if not more. The pricing is high but you do get what you pay for in terms of design and user experience.
Hm, now that I think more about it you are absolutely right. I was really certain that there was a MBP with Quadro/FirePro GPU but I guess not. Indeed Mac's are good for music/video production and guess MBP is aimed for more demanding tasks on the go. But is this because of the OS or it's just "the looks", because you could still get something like a HP 8560p (which uses iGPU/normal gaming cards). Of course if the OS plays a big part in this it's a no brainer :toast:
Posted on Reply
#15
Inceptor
phanbueyThats a good point, and apple marketing is obnoxious. They are using a different figure:

"A display of approximately 300 ppi at a distance of 12 inches (305 mm) from one's eye, or 57 arcseconds per pixel[42] is the maximum amount of detail that the human retina can perceive."

Thats their backup, still a display of 2880x1800 on a laptop is pretty amazing. I want a PC like this.
1920x1200 would be more than enough pixel density on a notebook, and that has been possible for about 10 years now.

A 21-24" monitor in the 2560x1440 to 2880x1620 range would be a nice next step in monitors; something in the 200+ ppi range.
Posted on Reply
#16
Easy Rhino
Linux Advocate
i will never understand the logic behind wanting a discrete gpu in a notebook. people, it is a notebook! it is meant for on the go work, not for playing crysis. it needs to be light and thin so you dont wear out your body carrying it around all day. sit on your butt at home at your desktop if you want to do that.

anyway, the new macbook pro is incredible and once again apple has to pave the way for better technology using better screens and better build quality than any other company. one day the boys at sony or HP or samsung may actually put something out that is better.
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#17
Disparia
Let's go Rhino, a manly arm-wrestling match!

I've been carrying ~10lb laptops around since highschool :D
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#18
digibucc
as much as i hate... almost everything else about apple, there is no denying that they make the most attractive and stable machines out there. there are pc manufacturers that come in close, but apple generally does it first and best for a long time to come.

they screw it up with crazy high prices and asinine policies, but their hardware is top notch :)
Posted on Reply
#19
Easy Rhino
Linux Advocate
digibuccas much as i hate... almost everything else about apple, there is no denying that they make the most attractive and stable machines out there. there are pc manufacturers that come in close, but apple generally does it first and best for a long time to come.

they screw it up with crazy high prices and asinine policies, but their hardware is top notch :)
and of course every apple news thread on tpu gets littered with people hating apple when apple has been advancing the mobile industry for several years now.

anyway, i don't think apple's prices are high when you consider how their products lead all other manufacturers. the fact that people are willing to pay the price means it is not too high. truth be told, companies like HP, sony and samsung have to keep their prices low just to attract potential buyers away from apple. if they too could raise their prices and get away with it they would! but dollar for dollar apple is better!
Posted on Reply
#20
WaroDaBeast
Red_MachineThen why did it take them so long to give up on the Core2 Duo and move to the Core i3/i5?
You forgot to mention DVD and Blu-ray drives. They were quite late adopters with the former, and still are with the latter.
Posted on Reply
#21
option350z
So no slim blu-ray drive then? Did Apple do away with that media in this upcoming launch?
And how is their hardware top notch? It's the same with every manufacturer out there..If Samsung wanted to put an IPS panel in a laptop. They would have done it by now...
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#22
Steevo
Macbook air.


Wait, you have to hold it like your phone, and use a cover if you want wifi.


Google "macbook wifi"

"So I don't look like a dork holding it this way and that so it works."



Also, I buy cheaper Toshiba laptops, why?, cause at the end of the day they work and when a user breaks one its alot easier to replace than a $2000 macbook
Posted on Reply
#23
Fourstaff
SteevoMacbook air.

Wait, you have to hold it like your phone, and use a cover if you want wifi.

"So I don't look like a dork holding it this way and that so it works."

Also, I buy cheaper Toshiba laptops, why?, cause at the end of the day they work and when a user breaks one its alot easier to replace than a $2000 macbook
MBA user here, I use a MBA like a normal laptop and I suffer no problems you speak of, so its either my style is fine or the wifi problem is not universal.

Long story short you are paying a premium for a premium product in MBA (believe me, UX31, the supposed best ultrabook doesn't come close to it), and I am a happy user.

Disclosure: the MBA is not mine, but I use it with enough regularity to do a mini review. I will consider getting an ultrabook for my next portable machine if the graphics improve to about 400% of what HD3000 is right now.
Posted on Reply
#24
Steevo
If you have good strong wifi signal as most small offices do its not an issue, but my phone outperforms the one a owner has as far as wifi performance. My laptop is faster, has more RAM, larger disk, bluray (where is your optical media player?) and a APU that I can game on, and it overclocked like a motherfucker.

It also cost less than half as much, and has harman kardon speakers that, dare I say, sound alright, considering its a laptop.

Plus my old laptop was dropped out of my company car numerous times (Explorer), took a cup of coffee and all it needed was a new $19 replaceable keyboard, and took a 10 foot fall that broke the screen $130 ish. It still works, just needed a larger hard drive and it was time for a new one. Still have it for a backup.

Anyone with a MBA care to try?
Posted on Reply
#25
Fourstaff
SteevoIf you have good strong wifi signal as most small offices do its not an issue, but my phone outperforms the one a owner has as far as wifi performance. My laptop is faster, has more RAM, larger disk, bluray (where is your optical media player?) and a APU that I can game on, and it overclocked like a motherfucker.

It also cost less than half as much, and has harman kardon speakers that, dare I say, sound alright, considering its a laptop.

Plus my old laptop was dropped out of my company car numerous times (Explorer), took a cup of coffee and all it needed was a new $19 replaceable keyboard, and took a 10 foot fall that broke the screen $130 ish. It still works, just needed a larger hard drive and it was time for a new one. Still have it for a backup.

Anyone with a MBA care to try?
Wifi signal is good where I usually sit, so I can't comment on how powerful it is. In general tasks the two would be about the same, depending on whether your laptop has SSD or not. I have not used an optical device outside PS3 since 3 years ago, so its a moot point for me. Might be important for you, but not for me. I can game on the MBA too, just that my game choices are pretty limited (but I can still play the games I want to play, so again its moot for me).

Costs half as much, but MBA is lightweight and I would gladly spend quite a lot for that premium (lugging it to and from uni with books daily is a pain, I gave up carrying the K50 to uni but I still occasionally bring the MBA). Prices will fall over time, so the next laptop I get should have a much narrower price premium than MBA.

MBA's speakers are "suitable for use", but I wire the sounds over my earphones anyway so it doesn't really matter to me.

I never drop the MBA, so I can't really comment on how robust it is. I never drop any laptop ever either, or spilt coffee on them, so a robust laptop is not high on my priority.

My only conclusion is that the laptop you are using suits your purpose, and MBA suits mine fine (because most of its issues does not affect me). If there are anyone in my position, I would ask them to consider getting an ultrabook. I will not stoop low enough to diss any product simply because it does not agree with my uses/philosophy in one way or another.
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