[redhot_nyc]

I have a black MacBook Core Duo 32-bit and considering selling it before Leopard comes out.
I don't really want to extend AppleCare on a laptop with 32-bit hardware which is well on its way to obsolescence.
I've maxed out the RAM (2GB) and would definitely appreciate 4GB.
But I'm not buying another MacBook with the GMA 950 which is a real bottleneck running Aperture. Nor do I want to step back to PowerBook G4 industrial design just to get a graphics card.

I guess I'm waiting for the next MacBooks.

Just how obsolete is Leopard going to make the 32-bit Core Duo?

[analogika]

You also cannot get the current MacBooks to recognize more than 3GB of RAM.

[mduell]

Originally Posted by redhot_nyc 

Just how obsolete is Leopard going to make the 32-bit Core Duo?

64-bit really doesn't matter, aside from allowing >3.5GB RAM (on machines that support it, which excludes your MacBook).

[ryaxnb]

Well, here's some points:

• Your MacBook is not going to be obsolete for a long time
• Leopard is not going to make 32-bit Macs obsolete
• You can use 3GB RAM in your MacBook AFAIK. It will work fine (if you want a upgrade)
• The Next MacBook will have a GMA X3100 GPU most likely; if you're not gaming extensively that GPU promises substantial upgrades from the 950
• The Next MacBook will most likely come out before Jan 2008 is over
• It will have santa rosa, possibly a mini-macbook option, 2.4Ghz speeds and 4GB RAM support as well as a GMA X3100 (Most likely)
• It is likely not going to be a huge improvement over this MacBook

Leopard will not make 32-bit Macs obsolete unless you really need more than 3.5GB RAM. And the new Macbooks will probably support no more than 4 gigabytes anyway.
32-bit provides no substantial performance benefit.
I recommend sitting on it until 2009 when Nehalem comes out. If you can't wait that long, wait until mid-2008.

[vtboyarc]

wait...I got a macbook about a month ago....is that 32 bit?

[mduell]

Originally Posted by ryaxnb 

[*]You can use 3GB RAM in your MacBook AFAIK. It will work fine (if you want a upgrade)

Core Duo Macs are firmware crippled to 2GB.

Originally Posted by ryaxnb 

[*]It will have santa rosa

Doubtful, probably just Crestline-GM.

Originally Posted by vtboyarc 

wait...I got a macbook about a month ago....is that 32 bit?

Certainly is; it may also be 64 bit. Open Apple menu->About this Mac to see if it's Core Duo (32 bit) or Core 2 Duo (32 and 64 bit).

[nickw311]

I am fairly certain that I read somewhere that the MacBook Core Duo will take up to 3gb of ram with the correct sticks BUT it actually benchmarked better with only 2gb. I remember reading that but unfortunately I do not remember the source.

[mduell]

Originally Posted by nickw311 

I am fairly certain that I read somewhere that the MacBook Core Duo will take up to 3gb of ram with the correct sticks BUT it actually benchmarked better with only 2gb. I remember reading that but unfortunately I do not remember the source.

Core 2 Duo MacBook will take 3GB, but Core Duo Macbook will only take 2GB.
You'll probably have better graphics performance with 2GB (dual channel), but better overall performance with 3GB (on machines that support it).

[Christopera]

3gb on a photoshop benchmark ran about 100% faster than 2gb.

[Simon]

Originally Posted by Christopera 

3gb on a photoshop benchmark ran about 100% faster than 2gb.

Obviously. PS needs memory capacity. OTOH PS performance barely scales with GPU performance (which is where you'd notice the matched pairs on a MB due to its integrated graphics). PS needs lots of RAM regardless of dual-channel memory access - IOW if you're a PS user get all the RAM you can, no matter if it's matched or not.

[vtboyarc]

ok I have a core 2 duo at 2.16Ghz.
whats interesting, when I run it in windows, it tells me its 2.2Ghz

[mduell]

2.16Ghz is 2.2Ghz

Rounding

[tycheung]

why the nix on santa rosa? is that just macbook pessimism or is there a good reason for predicting crestline - i.e. less power consumption/heat/etc?


edit: nvm, looks like crestline is one of the santa rosa models...

[Simon]

No, Crestline is the chipset required by the Santa Rosa platform.

Every Santa Rosa computer uses a Crestline chipset. But not every computer with a Crestline chipset is part of the Santa Rosa platform (Macs for example).

[tycheung]

the thing is...will they bump the macbook to that particular mobo/chipset or will they just come out w/ the fancy schmancy ultraslims?

[Simon]

The MB will go Crestline soon. MWSF seems reasonable.

[mavherzog]

Originally Posted by nickw

I am fairly certain that I read somewhere that the MacBook Core Duo will take up to 3gb of ram with the correct sticks BUT it actually benchmarked better with only 2gb. I remember reading that but unfortunately I do not remember the source.

If you use unmatched pairs, you will not get dual channel goodness. But you can get access to 3GB of RAM and dual channel access by using 2x2GB. (and since they are cheaper now, that is a real option if you want)

[tycheung]

hmms....firmware hack possible?

[legacyb4]

I'm going to assume since my Macbook is circa January 2007, it's a plain jane 32-bit C2D since About this Mac indicates nothing otherwise.

Originally Posted by mduell 

Certainly is; it may also be 64 bit. Open Apple menu->About this Mac to see if it's Core Duo (32 bit) or Core 2 Duo (32 and 64 bit).

[Simon]

The C2D is 64 bit capable. There is no such thing as a 32 bit only C2D. Jan 2007 MB is C2D hence 64 bit capable.