Tech Blog

[#1]

As we all predicted, Apple refreshed the MacBook Pro link with updated processors, graphics cards, and Thunderbolt port (which is the same size and such as the current mini DisplayPort). The big questions are: Who should think about upgrading and which model to choose.

We knew this refresh has been coming. Over the past week there have been delays in shipping MacBook Pros from the online Apple Store, big pallets of machines dropped at physical Apple Stores, and even pictures leaked of the new boxes and specs. So today we finally have the news: Apple officially updated the entire MacBook Pro line. Of course the entire tech world is a buzz with the info. Here are just a few of the "okay it's official" posts that I liked:

• Tidbits
• Cult of Mac
• MacStories

OS X Daily had the best, consolidated description of all the new changes:

MacBook Pro 13″ 2011 – $1249

• 2.3GHz Dual Core i5 CPU
• 320GB 5400 rpm hard drive
• 4GB RAM at 1333MHz
• Intel HD 3000 GPU
• 1280×800 screen resolution

MacBook Pro 13″ 2011 – $1549

• 2.7GHz Dual Core i5 CPU
• 500GB 5400 rpm hard drive
• 4GB RAM at 1333MHz
• Intel HD 3000 GPU
• 1280×800 screen resolution

MacBook Pro 15″ 2011 – $1849

• 2.0GHz Quad Core i7 CPU
• 500GB 5400 rpm hard drive
• 4GB RAM at 1333MHz
• Intel HD 3000 GPU & AMD Radeon HD 6490M with 256MB VRAM
• 1440×900 screen resolution

MacBook Pro 15″ 2011 – $2249

• 2.2GHz Quad Core i7 CPU
• 750GB 5400 rpm hard drive
• 4GB RAM at 1333MHz
• Intel HD 3000 GPU & AMD Radeon HD 6750M with 1GB VRAM
• 1440×900 screen resolution

MacBook Pro 17″ 2011 – $2499

• 2.2GHz Quad Core i7 CPU
• 750GB 5400 rpm hard drive
• 4GB RAM at 1333MHz
• Intel HD 3000 GPU & AMD Radeon HD 6750M with 1GB VRAM
• 1920×1200 screen resolution

Okay fine, so what do you make of this? I found it very interesting that Darrell Etherington of GigaOm was rather lukewarm on the updates. The processor updates are pretty impressive for older machines (Sandybridge processors are supposed to have more oomph and be more miserly on power) and the new Thunderbolt interface has the potential to be very cool (we just need things to use with it). The rumors of having machines with 8 or 16 GB SSD drives as a OS X boot volume didn't come to pass (pity, that could have been cool), but maybe that will come in the fall or something.

Now for the upgrade path...

Folks like me who have the 2008 and older machines (especially me who has started to do a lot more video work that I ever have before) will really appreciate the speed boost. If you got a MacBook recently and are worrying about the lack of Thunderbolt, I think you're going to be fine for the next year because, face it, it will take time for devices to work with it to come out.

Specifically for me, I think it's really exciting for what this will mean for the iMac line. Rumours are that there will be a refresh of the iMac line this summer, which is about when I am thinking of making the switch back to a desktop machine. Man that could be really sweet.

Update: Here is all the info on getting these blazing fast machines at Future Shop

[#2]

When will Futureshop stores have the new macbook pros in stock?

[#3]

Some stores might already have it in stock. Most sock was allocated to stores and should of been in today...

[#4]

Does Future Shop offer the same custom orders that Apple Stores would normally do? For example, more RAM, going with Solid State Drive rather than 5400/7200 rpm drive...

[#5]

Yes, future shop can do custom orders, for mac and macbooks. Make sure you go see the apple rep in the store that is close to you... and then they can do a custom order. It will take 7-14 business days, because it does come from China. Its up to the store to charge a deposit or not. Come prepared.... Know what specs you want, and know what the price is... The price online and the price instore will not change... Make sure that you do the configuration on apple.ca not apple.com

Make sure when you order it, that it is something you want, because you dont want to change your mind on the order because the store will be stuck with it, and they will not beable to return it to apple

Thanks! 

[#6]

i've heard that only (competitor) has apple reps, and that futureshop only has them during "back to school" sales... is this true? if not, where would the closest location with an apple rep be to Markham?

[#7]

will stores be able to sell them (if they have stock) even though the web shows pre-order and the release date of next Friday?

[#8]

@blairs1 the stores should be able to sell them if they have it in stock. I know the Saskatchewan stores have it in store as of today. There might be limited quanities that the stores have .... I know that the Saskatoon store was only getting in 30 of the 13.3 mbp's. and then limited qty's of the rest. 

Daniel

[#9]

@cudder Let me find out from my apple rep where you can find one in the trading area. The apple reps are provided by Apple in the "best" location. The apple rep in the local trading area might take care of a couple stores. I know in my local area we are the only store which has an apple rep. (competitor) doesn't have a apple rep. Where our rep takes care of training for them, but her station point is located in FS. 

[#10]

@cudder... Could you drive to Woodbridge?? If you can there is a rep whom travels between a couple of stores in the area. What kind of specs are you looking for, because I can forward them off to the rep in the store so then he is aware of what you are needing.... But rememeber be 100% sure you want the mac with those specs because it is a custom laptop.