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masugu · Apr 18, 2010, 02:11 AM

OK....add me to the list of disappointed folks who saw the Core 2 Duo remain in the 13: Model. That model is prefect in terms of size / portability etc.

My BlackBook still runs fine...although it is a tad poky on MS office Apps...

Opinions re: whether I should stay with the BlackBook / wait for Core i7, 5 or 3... to make it downstream - or get the new one???

Thanks.

macaddict0001 · Apr 18, 2010, 02:33 AM

I'm slightly surprised that it's pokey on Ms office stuff, haven't used it recently but I would think that the most demanding thing would be PPT and even then it shouldn't need much. Hopefully you've upgraded the ram, from 512MB-2GB, that will make a huge difference. The only things that really let it down are the 2GB ram cap(but not much, 2GB is still more than enough ram for most people) and the Integrated graphics that don't support hardware T&L. I would keep it and use it for a while yet.

masugu · Apr 18, 2010, 02:53 AM

Thanks for your thoughts...

Office apps are a tad slow to launch. Yes. I do have the Max 2 gigs of ram installed.

Yes...I am inclined to keep it a bit longer. I mainly use iPhoto / surf the web and use word / excel.I do use photoshop CS3 and that too works ok.

No desire for aperture or game playing, so yeah.

Wow. One of the first times in my Mac Life I see my self holding off - and not biting my tongue!

Simon · Apr 18, 2010, 03:25 AM

Bottom line: can you wait another 6-10 months?

The next 13" MBP will likely come with i5 and maybe even USB3. But the new 13" MBP would indeed solve your issues: it's much faster and you can run it with more RAM.

Alternative option: get a fast SSD now and install it into your MB. Disk performance is a large part of overall perceived performance. The SSD could hold you over until the next 13" is released. Then get a new 13" MBP and swap the SSD over to it.

masugu · Apr 18, 2010, 03:47 AM

Thanks Simon...

I think I can wait 6 mos - barring any unfortunate incidents. Knock Wood!

The C2D version seems a tad short-sighted to me...I really can do all that I want...but would welcome a sleek aluminum model. Will have to watch those watch scratches on the wrist rests though!!

OreoCookie · Apr 18, 2010, 04:17 AM

I would also suggest you wait a few more months if you can. Knowing Apple, you'll probably wait closer to 10 months than 6, though

QuadG5Man · Apr 18, 2010, 05:52 PM

RE: slow office apps launching

You might want to try and clear out space on your hard drive too. If your hard drive of over 75% full it will slow down app launch times...

imitchellg5 · Apr 18, 2010, 06:04 PM

Office isn't exactly a speed demon on anything, especially if you're using 2004 with Rosetta.

I'm not sure where people are pulling 10 months out of, since it's pretty much always a year or more for a truly major spec bump like i5 would be.

Spheric Harlot · Apr 18, 2010, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by imitchellg5

Office isn't exactly a speed demon on anything, especially if you're using 2004 with Rosetta.

I'm not sure where people are pulling 10 months out of, since it's pretty much always a year or more for a truly major spec bump like i5 would be.

Eight to ten months, 208 days average.
Mac Buyer's Guide: Know When to Buy Your Mac, iPod or iPhone

masugu · Apr 18, 2010, 09:43 PM

Thanks...Wow...if I wait until 2011, I will be on a 5 year old Mac notebook. THAT would be a first!!!

Simon · Apr 19, 2010, 10:30 AM

The 15" MBP has been updated every eight months since its inception. The only exception being this latest update which took ten months.

The 13" MB was always updated every 6 months. Then the 13" MBP was updated after 10 months.

BobWoodshed · Apr 20, 2010, 01:04 PM

I also own a 2.0ghz black C2D Macbook and you actually haven't maxed out the RAM. I've been running 3GB for about two years now and it has made quite a bit of difference (yeah yeah you don't get matched pairs). I'm on the upgrade fence just like you, but I'm thinking of holding out a bit longer as well.

Spheric Harlot · Apr 20, 2010, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by BobWoodshed

I also own a 2.0ghz black C2D Macbook and you actually haven't maxed out the RAM. I've been running 3GB for about two years now and it has made quite a bit of difference (yeah yeah you don't get matched pairs). I'm on the upgrade fence just like you, but I'm thinking of holding out a bit longer as well.

The original MacBook (May 2006) had a Core Duo, not a Core 2 Duo, and a 2GB RAM ceiling.

The Core 2 Duos released in November 2006 eat 3 GB.

BobWoodshed · Apr 20, 2010, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot

The original MacBook (May 2006) had a Core Duo, not a Core 2 Duo, and a 2GB RAM ceiling.

The Core 2 Duos released in November 2006 eat 3 GB.

Whoops, that's my bad for getting releases mixed up.

In that case I would think just the abilities to run 64-bit applications and quadruple your RAM would be well worth it if you need the speed bump.

ph0ust · Apr 20, 2010, 04:14 PM

this thread is sad. apple dropped the ball on this update. all the other mbps are great, but i don't want a laptop bigger than the 13". that is the only reasonable size that balances screen with portability (especially if you fly a lot). i have the same blackbook and it is a bit wonky, but i just don't want to update it to the new 13" mbp. i doubt they care or that it will hurt them, but it seems there are more than a few people who only want a 13" laptop and will not buy the new one.

SpaceMonkey · Apr 20, 2010, 04:15 PM

Ars has an interesting article on the 13" update:

Why the 13" MacBook Pro didn't get a Core i5 upgrade

Simon · 02:19 AM

Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey

Ars has an interesting article on the 13" update:

Why the 13" MacBook Pro didn't get a Core i5 upgrade

All the people complaining about this update should read the Ars article.

Bottom line: Had Apple gone Core i5 on the 13" MBP you would be stuck with Arrandale IGP which means worse graphics performance on various tasks compared to the much older 9400M. Going with the new 320M instead of Intel's crappy IGP was a no-brainer.

Big Mac · Apr 21, 2010, 05:16 AM

Is Intel still dragging its feet on the necessary licensing to Nvidia so that it can develop for the Core i series? Or is Nvidia still working on the design?

Apple can't leave the MacBook stuck with the Core 2 indefinitely. Maybe this is why the AMD rumors are circulating.

Simon · Apr 21, 2010, 05:51 AM

I don't think Intel is "dragging its feet" with licensing. The DON'T WANT to license plain and simple. They know Arrandale IGP sucks compared to Nvidia's integrated graphics. By not licensing they're cutting off a huge potential revenue stream for Nvidia and rerouting it to their own pockets.

I'm not at all surprised we're hearing these AMD rumors with Core iX locking out Nvidia graphics.

imitchellg5 · Apr 21, 2010, 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by ph0ust

this thread is sad. apple dropped the ball on this update. all the other mbps are great, but i don't want a laptop bigger than the 13". that is the only reasonable size that balances screen with portability (especially if you fly a lot). i have the same blackbook and it is a bit wonky, but i just don't want to update it to the new 13" mbp. i doubt they care or that it will hurt them, but it seems there are more than a few people who only want a 13" laptop and will not buy the new one.

Apple didn't drop the ball at all. Remember, the 13" MBP only recently had the Pro moniker attached to it, gained astronomical battery life, a SD card slot, Firewire, etc. Just because it's not as much of an impressive update as the 15" doesn't mean it's not a good update.

The Godfather · Apr 21, 2010, 09:14 PM

The next i5, Sandy Bridge, will have the graphics integrated in the CPU, moved from the northbridge.
Intel Sandy Bridge: Details of the next gen | bit-tech.net
Perhaps that will reduce wattage, as those terabytes don't need to travel a couple of inches.

I'd say, wait until Christmas. C2D will definitely be extinct by then, and Apple will offer something with i3, i5 or Athlon (if they really want to make you mad). At that point, buy whatever they have for sale in the refurb section.