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post #1 of 21
1/1/07 at 5:25pm
Thread Starter 
Hey guys... I am planning to buy a MBP but still haven't decided between the 3 available options (2.16 , 2.33 or 2.33 17")
I tend to lean more to the 2.33 processors as the 2.16 model comes with a below average video card as well as 1gig of ram.
I read that the MBP has some over heating issues and some funny sound due to some manufacturer failure which the Moco was obviously awared of. Does this problem still exist if i am planning on making a purchase now?
Any advise of what i should be aware of before making the buy ?
I also read that the 17" is very much the better one (than the 2.33 15.4") as it is more reliable (all apple are anyways but this one got the better marks) and it out performed it's brother 15.4".

Please share some experience with me before i make the purchase...

Last but not least.. how does the ATI X1600 card perform if used for some multimedia purpose and time to time gaming ? or do you recommend having it replaced with a different compatible card ?

Thank again...
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post #2 of 21
1/1/07 at 11:16pm
First off, the processor. I recommend the 2.33 if you have the cash because the cost difference is pretty reasonable. I don't own a MBP, but I know a lot about them and most of the issues with the orginal MBP have been fixed. The video card is the best in class for a notebook of that size, but it is not the best on the market. It will run any game you throw at it (especially in MAC OS) just fine. The original crop of MBP had underclocked x1600, the current models have normall clocked cards. Lastly you cannot replace a laptop video card. Hope this helped.
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post #3 of 21
1/2/07 at 6:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmanjohns
First off, the processor. I recommend the 2.33 if you have the cash because the cost difference is pretty reasonable. I don't own a MBP, but I know a lot about them and most of the issues with the orginal MBP have been fixed. The video card is the best in class for a notebook of that size, but it is not the best on the market. It will run any game you throw at it (especially in MAC OS) just fine. The original crop of MBP had underclocked x1600, the current models have normall clocked cards. Lastly you cannot replace a laptop video card. Hope this helped.

well i also dont own a mac, but if you really want to get in touch with the mac owners i suggest asking your question in the mac section as many of the mac owners hang out there and not in general.

as for the ability to replace a video card, in the mac you absolutely will not be able to swap out for a better card in the future, though for an increasing number of machines it is technically possibly (the cards are removable). even then there are still hurdles in terms of bios support, cooling, form factor/size, and of course supply that all hinder the upgrader. so in some ways a "replaceable" or "upgradeable" graphics card should not necessarily be the deciding factor in your purchase. the only companies that have offered upgrades or really given any availibility to the average user in terms of upgrades as we speak are dell (the 9300/xpsm170 and the 9400/xpsm1710) and sager with some of its models.

as for the MBP, my experience comes from about 6 of my friends who own them. some own the 17inch others the 15.4 and personally having tried them all i would go with the 17inch. none of my friends have had issues that were common with the first releases. i just prefer the size of the 17inch machine myself.
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post #4 of 21
1/2/07 at 6:57am
Re: video card...

There's some hope that, with the introduction of MXM on the 24 inch iMac, that Apple will switch to MXM throughout their product line which will allow easy replacement of video cards.
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post #5 of 21
1/2/07 at 11:19pm
Yeah I realized after I posted that there are a few upgradeable models, but, on the whole laptops are not upgradeable. Even the ones you can upgrade can only support a very limited selection of cards because of thermal envelope issues (how much heat the card throws out vs how much the computer can handle).
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post #6 of 21
1/2/07 at 11:42pm
my question is when will apple switch to nvidia? don't get me wrong, i am not hating on ATI (err....AMD. see my sig ..my lappy has both), but it seems that Apple really dislikes AMD for some reason, so wouldn't it only make sense for them to change their video card supplier. then again if apple drops ati as a supplier, as an AMD stockholder that would make me feel really sad.
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post #7 of 21
1/3/07 at 3:07pm
Thread Starter 
I ordered today my MacBook Pro 17" + OfficeMac should be here next week or week after.. HELL OF A MONEY THOUGH... But am happy, hope i won't get disappointed..
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post #8 of 21
1/3/07 at 11:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zeeroder
I ordered today my MacBook Pro 17" + OfficeMac should be here next week or week after.. HELL OF A MONEY THOUGH... But am happy, hope i won't get disappointed..


Double congrats, Zeeroder. You got a beauty there!
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post #9 of 21
1/3/07 at 11:15pm
congrats man it will be great im sure
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post #10 of 21
1/4/07 at 6:58am
Thread Starter 
Thank you guys..
The hard part will be (as a new Apple User) is to try to figure out how the system fundtion, which application is which, how to open, close, install uninstall softwares etc..... I can say that after many years of computer usage NOW I AM A BEGINNER AGAIN.
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post #11 of 21
1/4/07 at 7:19pm
Tell that to the people at the Millenia Apple store who didn't hire me.
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post #12 of 21
1/4/07 at 9:00pm
Thread Starter 
Kakaze... it's saying beetlejuice 3x and he'll be there :-)
Thanks for the tip Rob..
Kakaze, any advise to a new apple user ?
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post #13 of 21
1/4/07 at 9:12pm
Not really. Just play around and get used to things.

It's much like Windows in most operations but there are things that are quite diffent.
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post #14 of 21
1/4/07 at 9:49pm
Thread Starter 
What's different Kakaze ? would be nice to know in advance b4 screwing up the software.

Quote:
Originally Posted by bmwrob
Be sure to PM abf after your machine arrives and let him know how much you are enjoying your new Mac.

Why's that Rob ?
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post #15 of 21
1/5/07 at 2:24am
Oh my I hope ABF neve rsees my desktop theme Enjoy your MBP zee.
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post #16 of 21
1/5/07 at 4:20am
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post #17 of 21
1/5/07 at 4:27am
suppose he shouldnt see the one on my dell xps m1710 then either... but whatever...

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post #18 of 21
1/5/07 at 6:22am
expose is great- i use topdesk for windows when not on osx, although it is not as needed on windows than osx.

like kakaze said, windows minimize to the dock, not the application itself, so the dock can get pretty messy. and the only fast way to get to a window since there is no taskbar is to use expose if you don't want to alt-tab through everything or minimize everything on top.

installation of programs is a little different- you mount the installer on your desktop first. some installers direct the install files to your applications folder, others you have to drag there yourself. uninstalls are the easiest though- just drag the application to the trash if there is no uninstaller.
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post #19 of 21
1/5/07 at 9:27am
Thread Starter 
Thanks Kakaze.
Another question. I read the the new OS Leopard is released very soon, as a new buyer owner would i be entitles to update from TIGER to LEOPARD free of charge or will i have to buy it seperatly ? Do you think the difference is so much improved that it is recommended to update ?
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post #20 of 21
1/5/07 at 12:36pm
as far as I know you will have to buy the upgrade, if im not mistaken its gonna be something around $130-$150 (dont quote me on that)

I would one update if you can, I mean it wont hurt I guess, then again im guessing you could hold on to tiger for a while and then upgrade.

http://www.apple.com/macosx/leopard/
(for more info)

also, isnt leopard supposed to have a new black theme?
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