Page 11 • Buying a Macbook Pro? • Non-Gaming • Apple, Mac, and iPod • Eurogamer.net

azurelas_2 23 May 2012 23:55:28 2,157 posts
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Thinner design; The current MBP is almost perfect as is, even if it's surprisingly heavy.
Retina display; 1980*1080 is fine for a 15" laptop, I really don't see the point (unless you're into photography)
I already have a spare Crucial M4 256GB SSD
I find the Radeon HD 6750M to be more than decent for any usage; and if you're into gaming, a desktop PC is the way to go (That said, I like playing Portal 2 on the go)

spindizzy 24 May 2012 00:29:33 7,755 posts
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I've had my current MBP for 3 or so years and I think I've used my optical drive a couple of times max. Worse, when I bought it I knew the optical drive was a useless waste of space (for me) ... give me the option to ditch it for a better battery in a new model and I will be a happy nerd.

Phattso 24 May 2012 04:17:48 27,426 posts
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PhoenixFlames wrote:
What about thinner design, retina display, SSD and a dedicated graphics card?

I'm currently rocking the 2011 MacBook Pro 15", and is a great size, upgraded with an SSD, and the GPU is fit for purpose. I have the higher res version of the 2011 display (1680x1024 offhand I think), not the standard res one.

The graphics card is OK for some gaming. I've played a lot of Starcraft 2 and more recently some Diablo 3, and via Bootcamp I've been doing Skyrim and Deus Ex et al. But it does chug and sometimes has to go to a lower (and thus non-native) resolution, even with 1GB of dedicated video RAM.

The thickness is actually perfect as well - it feels substantial without being unwieldy.

If the new ones can keep the sturdy, bulletproof, feel to the chassis and add a substantial step up in the GPU department then I think I'd seriously think about selling mine on and upgrading.

buggrit 24 May 2012 05:58:11 5,178 posts
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I use my optical drive all the bloody time, don't mind it being there at all! A heftier graphics card would be nice next time around, but Mac GPUs are usually weaker than they need be so I'm kind of used to it :s

@Phattso - I have basically the same machine as you with the standard-res screen. Diablo 3 runs OK on yours, aye? That's good then

Phattso 24 May 2012 06:30:15 27,426 posts
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Yeah, I can run Diablo 3 at 20-25fps with high detail at native res or a rock solid 30fps with slightly higher detail by knocking down the resolution a notch (probably to a res closer to yours) and retaining the aspect ratio (16:10 in this case, I think).

It's not ideal, but it's still purdy. The rock solid 30fps is worth the drop in resolution. I had to do the same with Deus Ex: Human Revolution.

Starcraft II runs in native res with most effects cranked up if memory serves.

The Witcher II is pretty much unplayable. No surprise there.

Deleted user 24 May 2012 06:46:01

I've got the 2009 mbp with the two gfx cards and it feels like im getting 10 fps with low res and everything set to off/low.

Phattso 24 May 2012 07:21:58 27,426 posts
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Well yeah, two years and a full CPU architecture apart, plus the usual gains that GPU tech makes in that time. I have no doubt that the 2013 model will make my 2011 MBP look very long in the tooth...

...assuming I don't trade up to this year's model! \o/

azurelas_2 25 May 2012 02:25:02 2,157 posts
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Hi,

Is it in any way possible to place an order for a refurbished MBP on, for example the French Apple store, and have it delivered to Belgium? Google hasn't been able to help me find a definitive answer (shipping costs or import fees are of no concern; since I live in the Schengen zone).

Thanks in advance.

dominalien 25 May 2012 05:53:24 10,703 posts
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At least the Spanish store won't let you select a different country for shipping than Spain, so I'd say no.

Edit: you could just call them and ask.

Edited by dominalien at 06:15:55 25-05-2012

SirScratchalot 25 May 2012 06:35:34 7,921 posts
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I had no problems with Witcher 2 in medium detail 720p equivalent.
25-35 fps. The game looks crazy good even on low though.
I've got the first MBP gen with an i7 and Geforce 330m, and so far I've been able to play everything I want to my own satisfaction.

So why do I still want to buy whatever pops out of the apple store next? Do I just hate money? I'd be a bit skeptical about buying without an optical drive though, at least unless USB boot dosen't become easier using EFI macs.

spindizzy 25 May 2012 06:55:02 7,755 posts
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What's hard about boot from USB? Doesn't pressing Option at start work for you? I've used this feature many many times...

PhoenixFlames 25 May 2012 06:58:45 9,263 posts
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If they do go with no optical drive I'll have to buy an external one for occasional use. I'd have no other way of loading CDs into iTunes otherwise.

I probably won't go for the Apple one either after the reviews I've read.

Edited by PhoenixFlames at 06:59:50 25-05-2012

KayJay 25 May 2012 07:01:10 5,350 posts
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Eh! I have one for my Air.
Mine seems to just work. What are the issues with them?

nickthegun 25 May 2012 08:35:00 87,711 posts
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That's the only thing it works with. Try plugging it into an iMac.

dominalien 25 May 2012 08:40:02 10,703 posts
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Yeah, cheeky fuckers. I wanted one for general use as they're rather slick, but found out they only worked with the Airs and, later, the minis. Of course, if new MBPs are discless, it'll work with them as well. Or at least a new model will.

Deleted user 25 May 2012 08:49:25

Is there no firmware you can flash it with?

Phattso 25 May 2012 08:54:22 27,426 posts
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SirScratchalot wrote:
I had no problems with Witcher 2 in medium detail 720p equivalent.
25-35 fps. The game looks crazy good even on low though.
I've got the first MBP gen with an i7 and Geforce 330m, and so far I've been able to play everything I want to my own satisfaction

I found Witcher 2 took an age to load, and didn't have a consistent framerate without knocking a lot of detail off. For the combat I just couldn't live with a variable framerate - it put me off my rhythm.

That said, I only played it in the week of release and I know it has been patched to buggery and back since then. But the initial experience soured it enough to not be bothered returning - another �30 down the drain. I suspect I'll end up playing it on the 360.

/self harms

dominalien 25 May 2012 09:15:39 10,703 posts
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CrispyXUK wrote:
Is there no firmware you can flash it with?

There wasn't when I last checked (early last year, possibly). There was a mod, though, where someone replaced the controller board. Wasn't bothered enough to go that far.

PhoenixFlames 25 May 2012 10:14:07 9,263 posts
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KayJay wrote:
Eh! I have one for my Air.
Mine seems to just work. What are the issues with them?

Just stuff like not reading discs after a few months and being slow to rip songs to iTunes. Also no eject button.

mrpon 25 May 2012 10:15:13 37,367 posts
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Thought Automatic For The People would've been the first CD you ripped?

PhoenixFlames 29 May 2012 19:44:04 9,263 posts
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Supply Chain Gearing Up for New MacBook Pro Release

*First world problem alert*

I really timed selling my iMac badly. I need this sooner rather than later, no least because I use it for working at home.

How soon after Apple announcing something does it go on sale usually?

PhoenixFlames 29 May 2012 19:58:54 9,263 posts
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Wish I hadn't seen these mock-ups - now I can wait x 10 :-)

Deleted user 29 May 2012 20:03:29

Look bloody nice. Shame I got no money!

FanBoysSuck 31 May 2012 14:54:03 1,668 posts
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The mock ups are pretty but I very much doubt they'll be air thin. The point of a pro is that it has a bit of muscle behind it, something you won't fit in that chassis. The mock ups on 9to5mac are a bit more realistic.

They need to hurry up and release the damn thing!

Fab4 31 May 2012 15:12:51 8,924 posts
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I wonder if they'll have a retina display...that would be nice.

Deleted user 31 May 2012 15:20:20

Most likely, higher res screen would be the only reason I'd upgrade.

FanBoysSuck 31 May 2012 16:54:23 1,668 posts
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Just under two weeks until the official annoucement, apparently.

I'm just slightly concerned that I'm finding myself getting slightly excited about a laptop release. Hmmm might just be the anticipation of not having to share a computer with the mrs when the TV's on :confused:

PhoenixFlames 5 Jun 2012 19:10:04 9,263 posts
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I really hope these leaked specs are indeed fake.

I really don't believe Apple would put a 5400rpm HDD in a laptop anymore for instance.

FanBoysSuck 5 Jun 2012 19:51:14 1,668 posts
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Oh dear

dominalien 5 Jun 2012 20:54:10 10,703 posts
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PhoenixFlames wrote:
I really hope these leaked specs are indeed fake.

I really don't believe Apple would put a 5400rpm HDD in a laptop anymore for instance.

Of course they would.

Buying a Macbook Pro? • Page 11