Is there a way of improving my graphics on my early 2011 macbook pro 13"?

Question

Does anyone know a way of improving the graphics capability for OpenGL with the Intel 3000 chips in the early 2011 MBP 13"? I bought it not realising the graphics chips had been downgraded and now as a result struggle to do any CGI work that I rely on my computer to do.

Answer 1

CHRIBAM wrote:
I'm more inclined to go with Ogelthorpe's advice (if I had the cash).
I agree with Ogelthorpe as well, the 15" and the 17" MacBook Pro also have dedicated graphics cards which give more performance than the Intel HD 3000 only graphics, which is really of MacBook type performance for consumer user. (playback of video and that's about it)
Still wondering why Apple went backwards for graphics in the 13", I completely missed the change.
I'm peeved at Apple for the fact that they didn't make a clear distinction of the disadvantages of the 13" with no dedicated graphics card then lumped it in with the 15" and 17" which do.
To Apple it's a matter of performance for price, the 13" scores 11 on Cinebench, the 15/17" score 30 and 45, so the  13" doesn't even come close. But it comes in the same silver case, the same "MacBook Pro" name, when in fact it's not so.
Apple knows people would be attracted to the performance of the MacBook Pro name in a small size factor, the price is also attractive to the younger crowd, the younger crowd are also interested in running 3D games, which need a more powerful video card.
Your not the first who's complained and feels burned, you trusted Apple was selling you a powerful MacBook Pro machine and you've got a consumer machine instead.
The 13" Mac laptop should have gotten it's own category, called it a MacBook instead and it should have come with white or black case. But that would have angered Intel most likely, who are trying to push integrated graphics on their CPU's so they own the whole show eventually.
It's going to take a long time before CPU integrated graphics is ever going to beat dedicated GPU graphics, because 3D game detail is always going to go up until it finally reaches 3D raytracing at 200 fps.
What Apple is doing is trying to get folks hooked on lessor quality/detail games, the ones you see on iPads and iPhones, and away from wanting rich detail which needs a powerful dedicated video card.
So Apple lumps the 13" MacBook in with the MacBook Pro line, try to force the issue, next they will try it with the 15", integrated graphics on the low end model. Then again only dedicated graphics on the 17" model and so forth. Eventually developers won't make as many 3D games for Mac's because most people buy laptops, cuts into their potential sales.
If you really want to run 3D games, you have to go with a Windows 7 desktop where the video card can be swtiched out.
http://www.cbscores.com/index.php?sort=ogl&order=desc