Apple :: Graphics User Looking To Switch To Mac
Mar 30, 2009
I am a graphic designer and I a longtime PC user. I am looking to make the switch and since I have a 22" LCD monitor, the macbook is very appealing to me because when at home i can just hook it up to that and also have a very nice portable laptop.
As far as which macbook model to get is where I am having problems I know the entry level aluminum one is the P7350 @2ghz and the high end one is P8600 @ 2.4ghz. Either way I will be most likely upgrading the ram to 4gb but which processor should i go with? I get mixed reviews from apple friends some say I will definitely notice the cpu difference while some say it is only marginal in real world use. MY most intense program will be illustrator/photoshop / multi-tasking.
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Jan 30, 2010
Prior to 2006, there was a distinct difference between Apple and the PC industry. Apple specialized in design, and still does, and the PC industry won over customers by wooing them with the best bargain available—features for the price charged—and almost always at the cost of a pedestrian design. In 2006, in an ambitious bid to gain market share, HP launched a massive and hugely successful marketing campaign known as, “The Computer Is Personal Again,” and redesigned all of its laptops with the extremely popular high-gloss Imprint finish. In less than 2 years, HP unseated Dell as the undisputed leader in PC shipments and maintains that lead today.
3 years later, HP is back again (perhaps) to change the game. Borrowing from design cues from Apple’s Macbook Pro line, HP launched the dm3 in late October and the tm2 earlier this month, with designs that feature a brushed aluminum finish. Is it successful? Read more to find out.
How this laptop was purchased
I had shopped for a while to look for a new computer to replace my aging dv6000t from back in the Windows XP days. My options were the HP Pavilion dm3t and the Sony VAIO CW. I visited a Best Buy to check out some of the laptops, and I can say that I was absolutely repulsed by the build quality of the Dells these days. They suck. Period. What really won me over from the Sony CW was the build quality of the dm3t. The aluminum finish really is outstanding. More on that later................
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Jan 15, 2009
i got a hp dv2000 and sometimes when i start it up and it gets to the user selection screen i cant find my cursor to select my user account. I keep moving my finger on the touch pad but cant find it. I have to hold the power button down it will shut off then i have to pull out the battery start it up and the cursor is now there this has happened like 5 times already what would cause this?
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Mar 18, 2013
So I recently bought a laptop (Dell Inspiron 5520) with AMD Radeon 7670m HD graphics cards. However, the laptop came with another graphics cards too which is I suppose called an integrated graphics card. It's name is Intel HD 4000. So basically I was on a site which told me whether my computer could run a specific game or not. I passed everything like processor speed etc. but the graphics card. It said I use Intel 4000. I checked from some other applications and those also told me that I was using Intel 4000. I want to know whether I use both graphics cards or just Intel 4000 and if that is the case how I can switch manually from Intel to AMD Radeon graphics card.
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Nov 5, 2014
I own this laptop for 2 years and still never had my dedicated videocard working. It didn't even work when I bought it off the store o.O so basically i got quite sick of it and tried to get it all fixed up, so I went through everything I could think of, just everything that "Might" fix the problem.
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I tried all of this in Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10. I've set the videocard options in the bios to both fixed and dynamic. Neither works. All of the drivers have been installed, including the latest AMD Apu driver. (I tried the official one from amd.com and the one from the HP support centre) The graphics settings for both my Intel HD Graphics and my AMD Radeon HD gpu are set to maximum performance. Disabling the HD Graphics 3000 driver so it could only run on the AMD gpu didn't work either. (Actually, everything stopped working in an instance;p) Installing an older driver didn't work either. AC/DC has been plugged in the whole time (This should have effect when settings in bios are set on "Fixed". This was not the case)
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I've tried a few more things but it's getting a little bit too long to read;p
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Mar 15, 2009
Well, I almost bought a base FW390, decided to wait so I could buy a upgraded version, and after using both a FW and MBP at best buy I am in love with the MBP.
Now, its quite a chunk of change and will be awhile before I can buy one but I wanted to hear from unbiased users about the cons of a MBP, i've heard stories on overheating units, bad wifi reception etc, etc.
So let me know MBP users, what do you hate about your notebook?
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May 1, 2009
I've always said MacBook's would be my next notebook because frankly I don't care at all for Windows. But now that it's time for me to upgrade, I'm more cautious to make the jump because I'm still a poor college student. The higher price is obviously a drawback, but I'm always curious how about software (being a programmer and all).
Since Mac's are Unix-based, I know my most used programs will run just as easily as my Linux distro (VIM, LaTeX, gcc/python/etc.) Other than having more open-source packages and an open-source kernel, I can't think of any software-related differences to OSX. Mac's of course have better proprietary (Apple, Adobe) and driver support. Leopard is one sexy and reliable operating system, and getting the iPhone SDK is a plus as well since I just upgraded to the iPhone (and love it btw).
Anyway, I know most of the advantages of getting a Mac over a PC. But not as much about getting a Mac over a PC that dual boots Linux. (BTW, I know OSX and Linux can be dual booted or Virtual Machine'd, but I prefer to just have one primary OS for work/school/fun). I'd get the $1300 13.3" MB if I got a Mac and a 3rd party memory upgrade. A similar spec'd Core 2 Duo PC runs at about half that or a little more. So it's either shell out the money for a Mac or get a PC and install Linux alongside Windows as my primary OS.
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Aug 25, 2009
I just bought my first macbook ever. I got the 13.3" MBP with the 160gb 5400 rpm hard drive.
I upgraded the ram already from 2gb -> 4gb, and I was considering upgrading the hard drive. Size isn't too much of an issue for me because I keep most of my songs/movies/pictures on an external, but I was planning on upgrading it to something faster.
I was looking at the 320gb 7200rpm Scorpio Black, and was wondering if anyone has it installed in their unibody MBPs. I was worried about whether it would cause it to vibrate more/be noticeably louder/generate more heat.
I was also considering the seagate momentus equivalent.
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Oct 2, 2009
has the GPU (9400/9600) on the unibody mac been fixed yet? before, on leopard it requires you to log out; with snow leopard coming out, has that problem been fixed yet?
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May 13, 2010
I want to move my entire system to a Solid State drive.
I have done time machine backups to an external USB HDD.
Can i boot Snow, run disk utility, and restore a time machine backup from the old HDD to a the newly formatted SSD and be cool?
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Jan 11, 2009
I've heard of people getting their friends to switch to Mac, even of whole households and families switching.......but apparently my State Legislature has leapt on the Apple bandwagon en masse
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Jun 11, 2009
On the new MBP's, if you are running dual boot XP, what video core is the MBP using? The 9400 or 9600? Is there a way to swap while in XP?
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Feb 21, 2009
I'm looking for a simple to use program that will allow me to make avatars, signitures, banners, resize png and jpeg images etc... on my mac.
Nothing too feature loaded, as the above isn't really that complicated at all. I'm really only talking about things such as adding a glass effect to an image like a userbar etc...
Basically, i'm looking for a mac equivalent of Paint.NET for windows.
It's important that it's native however. I'm done with the whole messing about thing with Windows. I'm keeping things simple and native with my mac. So for that reason discount the gimp as it requires X11.
I've done some google searching, and all i've come up with is Seahorse, which hasn't been updated for about 2 years and is reported to be quite buggy with Leopard?
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Jul 5, 2009
if Apple will implement a new graphics card anytime soon on their macbooks.Is it worth buying the macbook pro now or should I wait?
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Jun 12, 2009
I'm looking at buying a new laptop, and I'm curious about one issue when comparing a MacBook Pro to any brand of high-end PC: the graphics.
In looking at PCs, each has a graphics card option in customization, namely the ATI Radeon 3870/4870 or the nVidia Geforce GTX 260m/280m. As Mac's don't support PC components, they do not have the same customizable option.
What exactly powers the graphic performance in a MacBook Pro and how does it compare to the aforementioned graphics cards found in high-end PCs?
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Nov 26, 2009
Is there a way to use the stock nVidia laptop driver upgrades on a MacbookPro? The bootcamp drivers are fairly out-of-date.
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Apr 19, 2010
Up until recently, many suspected that Apple was just using Nvidia's Optimus technology for its new 15" and 17" MacBook Pros. However, there are key differences which prove this cannot be the case, and Apple themselves have said their technology is different. Unlike Optimus, which sends data from the discrete graphics to the IGP framebuffer, and hence needs to keep the IGP on in discrete graphics mode, Apple's solution powers down the IGP entirely. This means that Apple must actually be using a hardware multiplexer at the back end, just like in all switchable graphics before Optimus.
As far as I can tell, Apple seem to have pulled a coup d'etat with their multiplexer, though, because their switching is supposedly just as seamless as Optimus. I'm guessing that Apple runs both adapters for a short time before making a transition in order to avoid a noticeable delay or flickering. I'd be interested to see how they got over the issue of blocking programs, though.
In any case, Apple's solution has the clear advantage of lower power consumption when running the discrete graphics. However, this comes at the cost of being entirely reliant on Apple's proprietary technology. In particular, Apple hasn't released switchable graphics drivers for Windows, so you're stuck with discrete graphics only if you have some need for dual-booting with Windows. Additionally, Apple's technology doesn't seem to give you a way to change which applications run on which GPU. This means that even if you have a 3D application that you know will run well enough on Intel's GMA HD, you're still stuck using the discrete GPU.
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Jul 9, 2009
my roommate's macbook's graphics card just broke (according to apple store), so we're trying to get it replaced.
Before doing that, we want to back up her data.
Since upon bootup, the LCD does not display anything for her macbook, we're trying to run in target disk mode.
The apple store printed out instructions for us to do this via firewire cable, but we cannot locate he firewire cable at the moment.
Can this be done by means of ethernet cable?
Alternatively, we're thinking of using the video adapter to view her macbook's screen on an alternate monitor, not sure if this is possible or not due to the bad graphics card.
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Jul 8, 2009
I think it was time for my 8600M GT to die as well... I restarted my 2007 MBP and no display came up on my monitor (connected to MBP). So, I restarted and tried again...no display. I proceeded with unplugging my monitor and restarting to see if anything came up on my MBP display; it remained black. I tried resetting PRAM three times and still, no display came up. I have lost my display before, but not after this many attempts on trying to "revive" it.
I guess I need to take it in to have the graphics card replaced as well as the Superdrive as it is spitting all CDs and DVDs out (mind you, they worked perfectly on another MBP). I have a password at the log-in screen. That shouldn't be a problem for the guys repairing my MBP, will it?
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May 27, 2009
I'm planning on making the switch to a Mac but I don't need a new notebook till Q3 09/Q1 2010. I know the next major hardware refresh is coming soon and I want a Macbook to last through uni but I don't know Apples sales strategies.
My main concern is the integrated graphics that the MB may come with when it is refreshed. What I wanted to ask is if anyone knows the likelihood that Apple will drop NVIDIA and go back to Intel.
Because if that was to be the case, I might as well buy one now (or once SL is released) because i'd rather have a Centrino 2 based MB w/ NVIDIAs iGPU then go back to Intel (harsh, i know... but it's the truth).
Even with all the benefits the Calpella chipset/Westmere CPU would bring i.e. USB 3.0, SATA-III, Bluetooth 3.0, native SSD support, removal of FSB, integrated memory controller, DDR3-1600, improved wireless tech (w/ finalized 802.11n spec), lower power consumption, 32nm Nehalem.
Man I wish Apple would stick with NVIDIA for their next platform. NVIDIA has greater compatibility than anyone else and I know for a fact that the integrated graphics that will come with Arrandale are just a higher clocked 4500MHD so it will still be a lot weaker then even todays Macbook offering (9400m) which is like taking two steps back.
Would be frickin AWESOME if we could get Calpella with a variant of Arrandale without its integrated graphics core. Instead, couple it with a 40/32nm shrink of the current 9400m based on the G300 architecture.............
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Jan 6, 2010
I'm trying to figure out what graphics card could go into the new Macbook Pros if they did a refresh on Jan 26th. The 230m gt? Or possibly unveiling a new card a 330m or 340m? What do you guys think? Do we have any word on the new cards Nvidia is releasing in the short term coming up here? I know the Asus G51J series just had the 360m card put in them, and that makes me think it is possible Nvidia might be dropping a 300 series card into the next MBP line.
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May 16, 2010
I just got this baby in today, as usual it's perfect all around. Installed windows 7 64 bit, the bootcamp drivers installer. Tried Unreal III. Maxed out the graphics and resolution. Performance was acceptable (20-30FPS) however on intense action and levels with water, green liquids, performance was cut in half. Basically I want to install the best possible drivers, but nvidia won't let me because of apple's lock. The correct driver installer does not recognize my 330M. I am totally new to modifying INF's etc. I went through a mac rumors post, but I had to stop when I did not have the 330M'S phrase, I don't know. If someone could explain exactly what to do for this specific laptop it would be great. After installing these new drivers I want to overclock, if I still need a boost. I installed ntune, but was greeted with a BSOD on starting it. I also need to monitor my graphics card tempture, but I could not find where in rivatuner that was displayed, and if I did it was blank? I unistalled it... is thier something more simple like CPUZ for graphics cards?
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Jun 17, 2009
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any chance that apple will put some of the new graphics cards in the macbooks/macbook pros?
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Feb 23, 2009
I was thinking to buy a MBP soon and im wondering if the 9600m GT graphics card is upgradable? I heard it was choppy Playing L4d, Far cry 2.
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Apr 22, 2010
MacBook Pros with NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M silicon making questionable graphics switching decisions
Quote:
Originally Posted by Engadget
"With every choice you make, ask yourself: is this a good choice, or is this a bad choice?" That's the sage advice we were constantly given as tykes -- and it's advice that replays in our feeble brains every day as we write news. Turns out it's also a piece of wisdom Apple's latest round of MacBook Pros would be wise to heed, because currently, they're making some awful decisions about when to turn on that power-sapping NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M discrete chipset. Read on to see what we mean........
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Apr 25, 2010
I need a new laptop, and am torn right now between the Macbook 13" or the Asus UL30VT. I know they are completely different animals. I like the 13.3" size of laptop. One thing I really like about the ULV notebooks is the battery life. I have owned a unibody Macbook 2.4ghz (old model), and the performance was great, but the integrated card lacked a little. The new ones are supposed to be quite an improvement though. Anyways, if you were just to compare the G210m in the Asus vs the new integrated 320m, which will preform better? I know these aren't high performance but I would like to do full HD video with no lag, and maybe some slight gaming.
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May 5, 2010
I just got my new MacBook Pro 15" (with auto graphics switching) and was a bit surprised that the discrete graphics card was always on... so I started investigating what apps might be triggering that! As far as I could tell, I wasn't running anything graphics intensive... so it was a surprise to me what I found out
There are a lot more apps causing this than the ones I listed initially... a more complete and up-to-date list can be found at this thread on MacRumors forums.
It's possible to know what graphics card you're currently using by installing GPUInfoMenu or gfxCardStatus, the latter also allows to force switching from discrete to integrated, or vice-versa.
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Jan 2, 2009
So Photoshop CS 4 is giving me corrupt graphics. It's very random, I've only come across it a couple of times.
Here's the picture: Click! (1Mb png)
Does this mean that my 9600 is faulty, since CS 4 is using my GPU?
(the only reason I linked the picture is because it's 1680x1050 and 1MB, and I didn't want to stretch the page)
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Feb 1, 2010
Issue #1
Specifically 15" Late-2008 models (first of the Unibody range) running on the integrated 9400M graphics mode; where the the top 1/3 of the screen blacks out for a few millisecond ever so randomly with no obvious way of reproducing it. Sometimes the whole screen blanks out instead of the top 1/3 part.
Video samples of those that are lucky enough to capture it on film.
I've performed multiple SMC/PRAM resets, fresh system installations with full updates (10.5.8) and they don't seem to go away.
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Issue #2
Weird graphic glitches on the same machine, best described with the following video and text:
Several observations to reproduce the glitch:
- Happens only on battery mode, regardless of which graphics card (9400M or 9600M GT)
- Happens on a freshly-installed, fully updated, SMC-resetted system with 10.5.8
- Only happens when you scroll very quickly (i.e. using the two-finger scroll on the touchpad) on a long list (refer to next point)
- Drop down list/menu has to be extensively long that requires at least two or three screen's worth of real estate. An example would be the 'Fonts' folder (/Library/Fonts), drop this into the dock as a stack and view it as a list.
- Reported to happen occasionally with the Spotlight search menu.
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Feb 19, 2010
Looks like our hunches about what's inside the next MacBook Pros are panning out: AppleInsider hears that Apple's got new MacBook Pros running that can switch between integrated and discrete graphics automagically, which exactly describes Nvidia's Optimus dual graphics tech.
If you remember, the unibody MacBooks from Oct. 2008 were the first to use Nvidia's GeForce 9400M, a combination chipset/integrated GPU that ridiculously outperformed Intel's own integrated graphics, and the Pro models at the time could switch between power-saving integrated and beefier discrete graphics, though it requires a logout.
Nvidia got cockblocked from making chipsets for Intel's latest-gen chips (read: Core i3, Core i5, Core i7), ruling out using Nvidia's better integrated graphics; Nvidia canned their chipset business entirely. So! Nvidia's Optimus tech works with Intel's crappier integrated graphics that are built onto the same die as the newer Core processors, but even more seamlessly than before—the computer automatically switches between Intel's power-sipping integrated and Nvidia's monster discrete graphics, depending on what you're doing. No logouts required.
In the demo we saw on a Windows machine, the automatic part of the tech has some drawbacks—namely, it's entirely dependent on software to tell your computer which graphics card to run. But Apple's obviously worked pretty closely with Nvidia on graphics before, so it seems logical they're doing so here, too. Though I don't expect we'll know until the new MacBooks finally arrive, whenever that happens (hopefully, soon).
Source:
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