Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Hardware, Rumors, Apple, MacBook
Rumor: Nvidia-powered MacBooks on October 14th
Of course these are all rumors, so don't be surprised if 10/14 comes around and there are no changes in Apple's lineup. But the rumors have been adding up -- we've heard for a while that MacBooks were due for a refresh, and we're not the only ones hearing about Nvidia units being included as well. Not to mention that Apple has apparently finally realized that gaming is worth embracing, and the next logical step for a gaming upgrade would be the MBP line.
Don't put money on it, but if you're planning to buy a MacBook and can wait another few weeks, you might want to wait and see. I'm getting close to being in the market for a new laptop, and as a gamer, I'd love to see a MacBook with a little more graphical oomph to it.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
john said 11:17AM on 10-04-2008
When we say "Macbook", are we referring to Pro as well?
I think Macbook is a generic term for all of the above....
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Stephen.4 said 11:19AM on 10-04-2008
If the MacBook's get a good graphic's card, I'm pretty sure the MacBook Pro's will get the same, or better.
jaredtomas said 12:55PM on 10-04-2008
No.
Macbook refers to.. the Macbook (consumer notebook) and Macbook Pro is the pro notebook.
darkdude said 11:21AM on 10-04-2008
I think in this case, "Macbook" is referring to the Macbook and not the Pro.
The Pros already have the NVidia GFX cards.
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Brandon said 11:43AM on 10-04-2008
Please say this is true! I have been waiting to buy a new laptop and don't want to buy a MBP for it to be upgraded 2 months after I buy it!
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GSP said 11:26AM on 10-04-2008
I'd say that it would be reasonable to assume that if we do see NVidia in the MacBook, then we'll also see it in a new Mini (or whatever form the new Mini takes). In any case I am definitely in the market for a new 'book !
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Luke said 11:53AM on 10-04-2008
This is great and all, but I'm hopeful the Mac Pro will get a bump soon, as I'm putting together a monster and would hate to turn around have a new one out one week later.
The whole MacBook and Pro line is due for some updates.
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Jon said 12:06PM on 10-04-2008
I think all of their computer lines need a refresh...
Luigi193 said 12:31PM on 10-04-2008
If the MacBook gets a video card, it will SO make me buy it over the pro...
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Taylor said 11:23PM on 10-04-2008
I bought my BlackBook in '06 and love it... this would only make it better. Chuck Windows on there and you've got a nice portable gaming machine for LANs!
Chris Brunner said 12:34PM on 10-04-2008
But when the MacBook does get a graphics upgrade, will it be able to run FCP properly and edit HD footage? That would be awesome.
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CV said 1:47PM on 10-04-2008
It sounds plausible. I'm already editing HD video on my 2-year-old MacBook with Final Cut Express.
Nick said 12:34PM on 10-04-2008
I would love for this to be true, however I'm a little skepticle, because if they put the same nvidia cards in the MB that are in the MBP, what makes the consumer want to buy the higher priced laptop?
I know that there are other things to consider such as screen size and hardrive size and so on, but this is a big upgrade for thier low-end laptop
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Ashwin said 2:11PM on 10-04-2008
Most likely it will be a lower end card than what is in the MacBook Pro, just like it used to be. The card would offer lower CPU usage for watching HD video, but would not be suitable for playing higher end games like Crysis. If this is true, casual gamers (as in the Sims) would move to the Mac in droves, as most PC laptops in the $1000 price range stick with integrated graphics.
KeynoteKen said 3:40PM on 10-04-2008
Even if the MacBook's got a video card, that's not to say that the MBP's wouldn't get a still more powerful video card. Back before the integrated graphics chipsets became the norm, consumer laptops always had weaker video cards (less powerful, less memory) than the pro line.
Aside from that, there are several other advantages of the pro line, including FW 800, Express Card slot, and others.
If this is true, I think that the video card will only be in a new top end MacBook that will be a replacement for the old but well loved non-expandable (No PC Card slot) 12 inch PowerBook. You'll have a low medium and hi for the MB's and a low and hi for the MBP's.
Simon Arch said 4:13PM on 10-04-2008
I don't care if the MacBooks don't have as good a card as the MBPs. It doesn't matter as long as it's a real GPU and doesn't steal system RAM. They could put a Radeon 9600 in there for all I care. Anything's better than the GMA 950 and 3100 integrated graphics garbage. I don't want to have to spend nearly double the cost of a MacBook on a MBP just for the graphics (and that's the only thing I'd be buying it for - I don't need a larger screen or a CPU that's a couple hundred megahertz faster).
mabhatter said 10:40PM on 10-05-2008
because every other $1300 windows notebook includes at least an 8400 Nvidia chip. My only gripe about the Macbooks has been the Intel graphics that make it an expensive email PC. Even G4 iBooks have better graphics. I think Nvidia finally has enough differentiation.. Macbooks will probably get an 8400 or some low end 9000 series and the Pro will get something better.
James787 said 1:00PM on 10-04-2008
Any upgrades are welcome. Love to see a real dock system for the Pros...
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CV said 1:50PM on 10-04-2008
Don't hold your breath. Apple has never been enthusiastic about notebook docks in terms of simplicity and aesthetics.
puhsitch said 4:11PM on 10-04-2008
They must have been at least *mildly* enthusiastic about the PowerBook Duo... http://lowendmac.com/misc/mr07/0904.html