Best processor on the MBP?

After my beloved MBP met a sudden and catastrophic death, will have to acquire a new one, so now I'm in the planning stage. Most of the important details are already in place: antiglare widespread screen, high speed 7200 RPM HDD, etc. However, I'd like to consult with the experts here on to which CPU to choose.
Back when I got my now dead Feb'08 MBP, there were three options: 2.4, 2.5 and 2.6 GHz. In those days the optimal was 2.5: the extra speed wasn't worth the money BUT the 2.5 had twice the cache as the 2.4 and that did make a significant difference far beyond the mere extra 0.1 GHz.
So, my question for you experts is, does the 2.5 GHz Core i7 offer a similar advantage over the 2.4 GHz version or not?

Interesting. So, for about 10% more cash, I get 4.2% more speed and 30% more L3 cache. Since the heaviest task I do is virtualization for running some flavor of Redmond's Best via either VirtualBox or Fusion, wonder if the hypervisor exploits the cache adequately. As for the guest system, probably only Win7 may benefit from the extra cache.
Ah, decisions, decisions, decisions...

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Choosing the best processor for the tasks

I am looking into purchasing a new mac pro to use as a server and am trying to select the best processor for task.
I will have at least 20 clients. This will mostly be used as a file server. The team would like to be working on the server with Photoshop and AfterEffects files. What processor is best for this requirement?
3.5GHz 6-core with 12MB of L3 cache [Subtract $3,000.00]
3.0GHz 8-core with 25MB of L3 cache [Subtract $1,500.00]
2.7GHz 12-core with 30MB of L3 cache
What other kind of infrustructure should I invest in?
Please note I will be opting for 64GB of RAM.

The Mac Pro is really a very expensive server. You are probably better suited with a Mac mini Server.
The Pro has two video cards you will never use. The Pro has 5, 7, or 11 cores you will never use unless you are making this an AfterEffects render node. The Pro has very little internal storage and no option for redundant internal storage. The Pro is very expensive and is designed and marketed as a workstation (a powerful one at that). The Pro is a unit that should be used by a user, not operating 24 hours a day and doing nothing for 16 of those hours.
That being the case, a Mac mini with 16 GB of RAM is more than enough for a 20 person department. Invest in a quality ethernet switch and good wiring.
R-
Apple Consultants Network
Apple Professional Services
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Best ExpressCard for the MBP

I think it's time for me to get a wireless card. I don't care about which service provider it's on, I just want the best performance. I travel all over the country for work so coverage is important. I'd rather have the ExpressCard but will use the USB dongle if it's better. TIA.

dawiyo,
Notice that I didn't even mention Cingular. Nothing against them, and they have a fine network, but I think Verizon's is better and more comprehensive over the largest area possible.
I mentioned that I used Verizon at one time. This was during a lengthy tour of the US and (just a bit of) Canada with an opera company from the UK, and we covered the entire US. Really. With Verizon, the only "dead spots" I encountered, where no data connection of any kind could be made, was in Northern Maine (on the way to New Brunswick), then going from the Dakotas through Wyoming, and then North to Montana. In both cases, connections could be made once in a town or city (crossing the border into Canada in the first case, Gillette WY, Billings, etc. in the second), but absolutely nothing in the "wastelands" in between.
In one case during the tour, we were in a mountainous region of far-western Virginia. The entire cast, crew and orchestra was completely cut off as far as mobile phone service for several hours; no contact with the outside world, regardless of carrier. Once back on the road, cellular service continued to be unavailable for quite some time. However, I was able to use my connection card to get a "barely alive" data connection. Even other Verizon users could not make a voice call (not enough signal/bandwidth), yet I was able to text chat in iChat perfectly well with my wife. Because of the Verizon card, I was the only person on the tour that could maintain communication wit the outside world. No voice, and certainly no video (BTW, video conferencing in iChat while on a moving bus is just TOO cool!!!), but communication nonetheless.
So, I would say that Verizon's coverage is pretty good; about the best available. I live in Florida, though. I travel a great deal in Florida, and Sprint has most excellent coverage in all of my travel "corridors." I have tested my connection using my phone, and I can maintain a high-speed connection all the way from point A to point B, almost all of the time. The same wouldn't happen with Verizon. Verizon provides coverage over a wider area, but not necessarily high-speed. Are you following me?
So, it's really going to come down to how you travel, and where. If you are going to be mainly in heavily populated areas where you know Sprint has good PCS coverage, you might be better off with Sprint. Also, a need for higher bandwidth service might give the plus to Sprint. If you are going to be in outlying areas, or traveling through them with a need for connection, Verizon might be the way to go. Note that these areas might not provide the higher speeds, and the best you might get is slooow browsing, and email (downloads of any significance would be out).
Have you used cellular connection devices before? Do you know what to expect (and what not to expect) from them?
Scott

HT1661 My mid-2009 MacBook Pro has just died via a painful (for me) hard drive failure. I backed up a good percentage of files recently but not enough to keep me happy. I need to access the dead drive on the MBP via a 2008 iMac. Best options?

My mid-2009 MacBook Pro has just died via a painful (for me) hard drive failure. I backed up a good percentage of files recently but not enough to keep me happy. I need to access the dead drive on the MBP via a 2008 iMac. Best options?
I have ordered a 800 firewire to 800 firewire cable and am hoping to use the target mode option to copy files from the MBP.
Is this possible?
Hope so!
Any advice and or help would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks,
Neil

Thanks Ogelthorpe.
Just bought an enclosure to try that also.
Hoping the MBP isn't really dead but just feigning death
Fingers crossed.

What is the best way to connect MBP 13" - (non retina) to HDMI TV input

What is the best way to connect MBP 13" late 2012 - (non retina) to HDMI TV input
...To get Video and Audio? With one cable ...
I'm seeing that the "rocketfish" adapter is not handling the job (from these forums).
I enjoy watching youtube videos, hulu, etc on the big screen through my laptop. The other Windows laptops I'ved had from Sony, HP, Dell, all had HDMI and was easy peasy.
I don't have the patience to buy and return 10 different types of adaters (nor would Best Buy appreciate that)
Thank you!

Look for something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Premium-DisplayPort-Thunderbolt/dp/B004CADY9 I/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1356715728&sr=8-6&keywords=cable+displayport+to+hdmi
Ciao.

Some Pro's Opinions on the Best iPod for exercise and while using the MBP.

Is it true that because of the moving parts that the classic should not be used for any type of exercise? When they first came out, I never thought about this or never got this from anybody else so I used my Classic for year without any trouble. I do not do aerobic exercise since the ear buds would not stay in my ear canal, but it seemed to work great. this was a long time ago, I think around 2001, but it got stolen so that ended that for me.
I am now in the market for another one, getting some better Westone 3 ear plugs, but I am not sure what iPod to get. I am not into breaking iPods, now that I have this information that was not a problem many years ago, but I would like some feedback if anybody cares to share their experience. I would need a case and wondering if anybody has used a case that works well for exercise as far as sweat clipping it somewhere, etc.
finally, has anybody come across the articles they have on here somewhere that applecare uses when we all cal in with a problem, they are the same articles that applecare (I heard this, but makes sense) uses as a starting point in trouble shooting problems. Anybody know how to get in to that archive?
As far as the ear plugs, I know a headset would be better to use with the MBP, but since I am spending a fortune for the Westone 3 ear plugs, I am trying to see if they will sound good on the MBP.
God Bless.

iPods with hard drives such as the Classic (the older iPod you describe was not a Classic by the way. It's counterintuitive but the Classic is the most recent series of hard drive based iPods) will be more prone to failure if subjected to jarring. "More prone" doesn't mean that the will fail you ever exercise with them. My first gen iPod (the 5gig brick) was used for running when I owned it and is still being used for running by the friend I gave it to.
I also used my 3rd gen Nano, 2nd gen shuffle and all three generations of Touches for exercise, including running. The are all flash based so less susceptible to problems from jarring or bouncing. The Nano and the 2nd and 3rd gen touch can be used with the Nike+ Sport kit which is nice if you walk or run. The Touch also has applications that can be useful when exercising. For example, I use an interval timer. The 2nd gen Shuffle is my iPod of choice when racing as it's easier to hide if they want to give me a hard time about it and because it's so light. Before the Touch supported the Nike+ Sport Kit, I used the Nano a lot.
My best advice, especially if you're not running, is to buy whichever iPod suits most of your needs. If the Classic suits you because of it's greater capacity, for example, go for it.
Best of luck.

Best option for a word processor for the G3 dual usb running Panther

More and more I am coming to rely on my G3 for word processing tasks - particularly research notes and a personal journal.
So far I've tried the simple text editor (quick but poor text on-screen), OpenOffice (being xwindow it's slow to load and slow to update screen) and AppleWorks (good display but no spell checker) -each have problems for me.
What is the best word processor for the G3 running Panther (or Classic/9 for that matter). I need: Quick to load/run, readable text, automatic word wrap, spell checking and a reasonable path to exchange files with my desktop Linux system.

AppleWorks does have a spellchecker; it just is not automatic (check-as-you-type).
In AppleWorks, go to Edit menu > Writing Tools > Check Document Spelling.
I've never used anything (in a major way) except AppleWorks.
A couple of options which you haven't mentioned are Pages in _iWork '06_ (or earlier; the current version has left behind G3 processors) and _Microsoft Office for Mac_.
I'm unsure of how well any of these will integrate with Linux. Open Office may be your best bet there. (I'm just guessing. It seems like common sense to me that Open Office would work with an open OS like Linux.)
Another application which is creating a buzz and sounds like it could work for you is _Google Docs_. There would certainly be no problem with Linux integration there. It looks like it would be easy sharing all the way around and you shouldn't find any incompatibilities as long as you have a decently up-to-date browser.
I'm not sure anyone has developed the "perfect" word processor, but there are some good ones out there. Good luck on your quest.

I am looking to make the switch from pc to mac and have been eyeing the MBP 13". I would like to know whether it is fine to add RAM and SSD myself? any compatibility or warranty problems? what brand/type of RAM and SSD is the best fit? thank you.

i am looking to make the switch from pc to mac and have been eyeing the MBP 13". I would like to know whether it is fine to add RAM and SSD myself? any compatibility or warranty problems? what brand/type of RAM and SSD is the best fit? thank you.

Chamar wrote:
I'm possibly wrong here but I suspect opening a brand new MBP to add parts yourself will void the warranty. It is probably in the small print. I certainly would not risk it for an expensive Apple product.
Some (Windows) laptops have easy access to memory and disk slots that do not necessitate taking the complete back cover off. However, Apple does not make life easy for you.
However, if you are going for a 'used' machine it is probably worth a try.
Not possibly, definitely wrong, Ram and Hard Drive are considered user replaceable and will not void the warranty if changed.

I have a macbook, and i want to replace a processor and convert in macbook pro isthat possible , and wich processor is the best for my computer

have a macbook, and i want to replace a processor and convert in macbook pro isthat possible , and wich processor is the best for my computer

If you don't see any messages, not have anti-malware running or the Firewall on, try installing the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo
It's ok to do this even though you are already running v10.6.8 (according to your profile).
Restart your Mac after the combo in installed, try the App Store.
Also... if you have an app called Little Snitch installed, that can prevent a connection to the App Store.

Is there a huge difference between the two different processors on the 13"

I'm trying to work out if is worth spending the extra $190 (AUS) on the 2.53 processor or if there really isn't much difference between it & the 2.26 processor?
My exceptional use might be using imovie & flicking between that & iphoto & itunes and possibly having firefox & mail & MS word running at the same time. But that would be exceptional use.
Normal use might be mail, firefox, iphoto or Adobe photoshop elements (System 9) and word running all at once.

It is a fair old jump from an eMac to a current MBP, sd and you will certainly appreciate the speed and RAM boost (though , of course, the decrease in RAM prices has meant that programmers are less circumspect about wasting the stuff than they were in the days when you eMac was made!)
Apple's prices on RAM and HD upgrades are much more realistic than they used to be, although you can still save a little if you buy the base configuration, upgrade yourself, and then sell the old drive and RAM. Both are regarded as "user upgradable" on the MBP. On the other hand, getting the official upgrade saves a lot of hassle, and prevents any possibility of warranty issues if you stuff something up in the process!
My own MBP13 is the "base model", with RAM increased to 4Gig. With 4 Gig on board it is a little faster than my older 20007 15" "santaRosa" MBP for most things. With 2 gig on board it was a little slower in the sort of areas you are interested in. It definitely needs the 4 Gig, I reckon. (Both are much, much, faster than my iMac G5).
Yes, your strategy makes pretty good sense to me. The processor speed difference is about 10% at best. In any situation where HD access etc is involved it is likely to be less. Compared to the eMac you are looking at increases of several hundred percent on most tasks. With more RAM, a bigger HD, and a current copy of Elements you'll still be a few dollars in front.
Cheers
Rod

My iPad doesn't seem to charge when plugged in to my MacBook Pro if the MBP goes to sleep. My iPhone continues to charge even if the MBP is closed. Is that normal?

My iPad (3rd Gen) seems to stop charging if it is plugged into my MBP if either the iPad is closed or if the MBP goes to sleep. My iPhone charges whether the MBP is awake or asleep or even if the MBP is closed. There is a screen display that shows the iPhone is charging. The iPad only has the tiny icon at the top of the screen that show it is charging. However, the battery's % charged does not increase if the lid is closed when I am charging the iPad if the lid is closed on the iPad or if the iPad off after pressing the on off button. Is this normal?

The quickest way (and really the only way) to charge your iPad is with the included 10W USB Power Adapter. iPad will also charge, although more slowly, when attached to a computer with a high-power USB port (many recent Mac computers) or with an iPhone Power Adapter (5W). When attached to a computer via a standard USB port (most PCs or older Mac computers) iPad will charge very slowly (but iPad indicates not charging). Make sure your computer is on while charging iPad via USB. If iPad is connected to a computer that’s turned off or is in sleep or standby mode, the iPad battery will continue to drain.
Apple recommends that once a month you let the iPad fully discharge & then recharge to 100%.
At this link http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/galaxy-tab-android-tablet,3014-11.html , tests show that the iPad 2 battery (25 watt-hours) will charge to 90% in 3 hours 1 minute. It will charge to 100% in 4 hours 2 minutes. The new iPad has a larger capacity battery (42 watt-hours), so using the 10W charger will obviously take longer. If you are using your iPad while charging, it will take even longer. It's best to turn your new iPad OFF and charge over night. Also look at The iPad's charging challenge explained http://www.macworld.com/article/1150356/ipadcharging.html
Also, if you have a 3rd generation iPad, look at
Apple: iPad Battery Nothing to Get Charged Up About
http://allthingsd.com/20120327/apple-ipad-battery-nothing-to-get-charged-up-abou t/
Apple Explains New iPad's Continued Charging Beyond 100% Battery Level
http://www.macrumors.com/2012/03/27/apple-explains-new-ipads-continued-charging- beyond-100-battery-level/
New iPad Takes Much Longer to Charge Than iPad 2
http://www.iphonehacks.com/2012/03/new-ipad-takes-much-longer-to-charge-than-ipa d-2.html
 Cheers, Tom

Should I upgrade to the i7 processor on the 2012 11" Macbook Air?

I'm planning to get a new Macbook friday or so, and I'm curious to whether or not I should upgrade to the i7 processor in the 2012 11" Macbook Air. I do a lot of photoshopping and occasionally playing Sims 3, but aside from that it's just usual typing and social networking type stuff. Is upgrading to the i7 worth it and will I notice a difference? Or should I just go for upgrading the RAM to 8GB instead of the 4GB it comes with? I also am for sure getting the 256GB upgrade, as well as a case and external disc drive. Whatever the lowest pricing possible would be preferable to get what works best for me.
Thanks!

Difference between i5 1.7 and i7 2.0 definitely won't give you extra year or two... In fact in everyday work it remains unnoticed.
Unless while encoding video for 5 minutes, some 15 seconds is going to make a difference to you - I am not sure it's worth the money (only you can decide that..).
RAM. RAM. RAM is where you really should spend money. Also SSD, depends on your needs, you may run out of space quite quickly. These are elements that will give you additional year or two, and you can't* upgrade them in the future.
*) SSD technicaly can be upgraded, but it's much more difficult and requires you to purchase 3rd party SSD modules, and is considered non-upgradable by Apple.

Tech Specs of the audio input jack? (which is better, an iMic, or the MBP?)

Well because the iMic has such a cheap sounding/terrible audio output....
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2132385&tstart=0
....I am trying to figure out which would be better for the audio INPUT?
I am surprised to see that both the iMic and the combined jack on the 13" MacBook Pro seem to record in stereo, but technical wise, which is better? I DO know that the iMic is better for non-amped mics, that the iMic will pre-amp the signal where as the MBP will only accept line-in signals. So other then that, which is better?
Thanks,
Scott

Well, I sent back the iCrap...I mean iMic. I had to take a loss of $10 but oh well. (stupid apple return policy.)
Anyways, my solution was to buy a similar adapter off ebay for only $7. This USB interface is not a brand name one, it is one of those "china knock-off's" but it works. The Audio output it a lot louder but still slightly distorts like the iMic. However, the audio input works just fine. So my solution is to use BOTH the external USB interface, and the jack on the MBP at the same time. That will give me the best of both worlds. AND, it only cost $7 and came in 3 days, vs the adapter I bought from apple that coast over $35 and took a MONTH to ship.

Best bang of the buck upgrades to MacBook Pro?

I'm in the market for a MBPro 15" with the anti-glare screen. I am weighing two other options: 1) the 2.4 Ghz v. 2.2 Ghz processor; 2) the 7200 rpm drive.
My usage is pretty typical office work (excel sheets, sometimes on the large / complex side, statistical analysis, wordprocessing, powerpoint, etc.), plus occasional video streaming to a cinema display monitor. I want processes such as time machine backups to be quick, and I don't like waiting on software or files to load.
Is the faster processor worth the money (as in, noticeable)? How about the faster RPM drive? Do either significantly increase heat? I have a couple year old 13" MBPro and like the fact that it runs cool, in contrast to my old 15" which was like a small space heater.
Thanks for any advice.

The only decisions you have make at this stage is determining what to order for the new MBP that you cannot change later on. You have chosen the antiglare screen but still seem to be undecided regarding the CPU. Though my rule of thumb is to buyt the fastest processor I can afford (gives a little edge in keeping up with technology), the final decision is yours.
Do not order RAM or HDDs from Apple. These are user installed items where you save significant money via third party vendors.
If you keep the Time Machine HDD connected all the time, the update speed is irrelevant since it does the processing in the backgroud automatically. If you do it only occasionally, the update speed is a function of the HDD and the connection you have USB, Firewire or eSata, not the MBP.
Though have largely restated what Ralph and indigo831 have already said and perhaps added a bit, but note that we are all fundamentally in the same camp.
Good luck.
Ciao.

Advice on an upgrade or not to the MBP

Hi Everyone,
About 3 months ago I made a switch from the PC to the Mac. Best thing I ever did.
I currently have a 2.0 Macbook, 100 gig HD, and the superdrive.
One thing I miss about the switch is the ability to play games. THe macbook does not have the juice. Wehn I was a PC guy I loved Half Life. I had an ati all in wonder 2006 eddition video card.
I decided that it would be a good time to upgrade to a Macbook pro. I found a great deal at macmall for $1,800 for the base macbook pro core 2 duo. I figure for my macbook which is one month old (due to a replacement issue) It is custom with 100 gig HD and 1 gig ram. I can probably get about $1,300 on ebay. I also have the apple care on it.
So I figured about $500 get me the upgrade to the pro with the core 2 duo and better graphics and all the other benefits, so I can play some games etc.
Well.... I just realized that the MBP only has a 128 kb video card which is a dissapointment. So I need some advice on what to do...
1) Keep what I have until after new years... run a risk of it depreciating more, then see what is out there and if apple upgrades the card.
2) Pay more money and go for the MBP with the 256K video. Will cost about $500 maybe a little less
3) go to the apple web site and buy a refurb MBP CORE 1 DUO with the 256 video card for about the same price as a new core 2 duo base model.
4) Buy an xbox 360 for games and keep the macbook
5) See if I can get my old P IV PC working again
I can't think of any other options
Any advice would be really great!!!

I sold my MB and upgraded to a new C2D MBP and couldn't be happier. The graphics are a world of difference, and no excessive fan noise anymore. I just have the 128M graphics card, so I'm not sure how much better the 256M card would be.
-Bmer
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Best processor on the MBP?

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