Since I didn't get my review up this past weekend, thought I'd go ahead and post a hint. Here's the benchmarking data I got after loading F.E.A.R. (Note - 2.4GHz 15" MacBook Pro, 256MB 8600 GT, 2GB RAM, running BootCamp 1.3 with Windows XP Home.):










This was run at 1440x900, graphics and performance set at "High" (as determined by the performance diagnostics test).

I'm quite happy with these results.

Wow, the results are a lot better than I thought it would be, thanks for posting them.

Nice Benchies. What res does it test at?

You set it for whatever res you want ... this was at native res of 1440x900.

Obviously, better framerates if you step down resolution a bit (and it still looks good) - but it runs fine.

I also experimenting with upping anti-aliasing to 4x. It brought the average framerates down by about 10.

Very Nice.

Makes the 8600GT a very powerful midrange card.

Did you post 3dMark scores for your new MBP?

3764 for 3DMark06 - running XP Home

wondering what the x1600 does?

i am trying to decide if the MB will meet my work needs opposed to the MBP and I came across this post. Anybody mind telling me what this is saying. is it saying with Boot Camp (which is a program that allows an Apple owner to run PC programs) handled this game very well? just a guess.

also, a Moderator here said the MB can come with up to 3GB of RAM but I can only find max at 2gb.

if I do decide on the MB opposed to the MBP or Dell/think Pad, (and I play no games on the notebook) could the MB handle what it deal with plus Boot Camp or Parallels, Vista (can you still purchase a good version of XP and get a disk i hand) and a fitness and Nutrition software? I am not sure how big those programs are but do you experts think since I do not need a nice graphics card the MBP with 2.16 C2D and 2 of RAM, 120 HD would be god enough now and to add things in the future? or am I stuck with MPB just to get the extra Processor speed, RAM etc?

A Think Pad would help me avoid this INNER STRUGGLE I have going on but I do not like Microsoft stuff especially Vista. Why do I want to get Vista? Well, I do not want to but I think I better. XP for small Business (oh, I forgot I need Office too) is at a standstill. the human power they do use to make it better, fix problems, conflicts, etc is gradually getting less and less of a priority. I am concerned I will spend money on a new CD/ DVD of XP for small business and the research/work that is done to keep up with all that they use to do is going to Vista. Might sound odd but I think that is the case.

Sorry to butt in but if anybody has some time I would appreciate any info in these areas.

Much Thanks,
KJT

The x1600 with Core 2 Duo seems to score in the range of 1600-2000 for 3DMark06, so the 8600 GT is a significant improvement.



@ Kooler: The MacBook will probably be fine for your needs, since you don't need the dedicated graphics card. A MacBook will run XP or Vista fine with BootCamp or Parallels.

I prefer NeoOffice to MS Office 2004 on the MacBook.

The Thinkpad may be your better choice if you don't want or need the features Mac OS X brings to the table. If, however, you want to try something new, the MacBook is a fun computer - and will also let you run your specialized nutrition Windows software.

I picked up a copy of XP Home on ebay for a reasonable price. Assume you can find Vista there as well.

thanks shazza. seems the 8600 is a wonderul upgrade.

as for the whole MS office vs neoOffice on a mac thing... i dont use neoOffice, but i prefer it on the MAC. office for mac seems a little off to me. Something about how it looks/works.

Neo is great, and its FREE!

i have no idea if I am breaking rules by pushing myself in here. let me know if I am busted. hehe

I want XP--oh baby do I waaannttt XP! But I have this fear that Microsofts resources are all going to Vista and over time, and it has already started, less and less atention will be given to XP, especially for small business and Pro, that the set up I spent a small fortune on will be messed up because XP will become farther and farther behind. (in regards to security, compatability with other programs or whatever that comes along in other operating systems. I mean Microsoft I heard has 95% of its programmers and other computer experts working all hours to stay on top of all the Vista issues.

Is this abnormal thinking? Is it not like maybe a year after XP came out, how it must have been for people who were still fighting XP and getting Windows 98.

Anyway, thanks for your help.

KJT

It's standard in the industry for companies to ditch previous versions of software once a new one comes out.

Like it or not Vista is the future of Windows. Just like OS X was the future for Macs back when it was released in 01. OS 9 was still the standard for about a year or two and then Apple made their computers so they wouldn't be able to boot into OS 9 anymore and you could only use OS X.

I agree. I work for a software company and after a certian point you don't spend time on the older software. You update it if there is a need, but that does not happen that often. The newer software is your future and the older software will eventually be phased out. Microsoft even did this with XP to a point. Now you have to have SP2 in order to get the latest security downloads. They will eventually stop support for XP (Like they did for NT) and everyone will have to upgrade to Vista.

Shazza or anyone else,

Would it be possible to play supreme commander, company of heroes, quake 4, etc. pretty decent on the new Santa Rosa platform MBPro's? I've been looking at Mac again since I had an old iMac and iBook. I always liked how they just worked. I would like to have the option of playing a game on my laptop if I could.