Sunday, April 11, 2010

New MacBook Pros 2010 Incoming?



The reader on Reddit.com noticed 4 new Apple Laptop (Macbook Pro 2010) SKUs appear in the Microcenter purchasing system today. The 4 laptops are labeled: "Apple System Good-USA", "Mac System #1 Best-USA", "Mac System #2 Best-USA", "Mac System Better-USA."

The 4 SKUs which show up under a search for "Apple Laptops" are likely to correspond to new Macbook or Macbook Pro models range anywhere from $1,799 to $2,299 which fall neatly in line with Apple's existing pricing of laptops.

The submitter of this news went on to state: "This all just showed up in my system at microcenter, with model numbers and price. The week before the macbook came out in november this came up the same way, with a correct model number and price. Looks like we might get new Macbook Pro 2010 tuesday...".

We take this news to point strongly to the release of at least four new Apple Laptops (Macbook Pro 2010) configurations next week.

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Monday, April 5, 2010

Apple Planning for Graphics Processors in Upcoming MacBook Pro 2010?

The reports from AppleInsider that it has received information that Apple is planning an enhancement to its next-generation of MacBook Pro 2010 that will allow for automatic switching between integrated and discrete GPU (Graphic Processing Unit) based on whichever is the more optimal technology (power consumption vs. performance) at any given time.

Since September 2008, Apple has offered two NVIDIA GPU in its 17" and higher-end 15" MacBook Pro models, one discrete processor and one integrated processor. Users of these machines have been able use the Energy Saver pane in System Preferences to select whether they prefer "better battery life" with the integrated graphics or "higher performance" with the discrete graphics, although switching between the two requires users to log out of their accounts temporarily.


Apple's rumored plans appear to be based on NVIDIA's Optimus technology, which allows for seamless switching between graphics processors based on automatic software settings. NVIDIA reportedly developed the technology in response to a dispute with Intel over NVIDIA's ability to build chipsets for Intel's latest processors, a dispute that has led to NVIDIA exiting the chipset business. NVIDIA's Optimus technology offers computer manufacturers an enticing means to pair NVIDIA's well-regarded discrete graphics processors with integrated processors provided by Intel as part of its chipsets.

Today's report notes that the source is not 100% certain that the change will be made in time to appear in Apple's next-generation MacBook Pro 2010, which is widely expected in the near future. Apple's pressing need for a solution to the situation presented by the Intel-NVIDIA dispute, however, makes it very likely that the technology will be included in the forthcoming models.

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