2011 Macbook Pro 13", OK for Corona?

General (non-technical) Off-Topic
#1

Currently I have a Mac Mini but I am considering getting a Macbook Pro but not sure if the GPU in the new 13" model would be good enough.

The new one has an Intel HD Graphics 3000 whereas last year’s had an NVIDIA GeForce 320M which I believe is the same as what is in my Mini currently.

Does anyone have one of the new ones or know anything about the card in it?

  • Edit -

Actually, I believe it may be a NVIDIA GeForce 9400M in my Mini however I’m not at it so can’t check. [import]uid: 5833 topic_id: 7777 reply_id: 307777[/import]

#2

It would run it fine, it runs fine on my MBP from mid 2009. (Lowest end 15" from that time.)

That said, 13" is a bit annoying for day to day stuff when used to a normal sized monitor - so depending on your budget a 15" is probably preferable, assuming it wont be a Corona-only machine.

Peach aka MVP :stuck_out_tongue: [import]uid: 10144 topic_id: 7777 reply_id: 27932[/import]

#3

The thing I’m worried about is that Intel aren’t known for fantastic drivers as far as OpenGL is concerned. What I’m going to do is go into a store and see if they will let me try out Corona on one with the sample apps to make sure it all works before I drop any cash.

I was thinking about the 15" ones but this will mainly just be used for when I’m away from my main machine in the evenings or when I go away on weekends. Otherwise I will just use my main machine, which has dual 23" so yea going from that to a single 13" for normal use would be essentially impossible for me :slight_smile: [import]uid: 5833 topic_id: 7777 reply_id: 27938[/import]

#4

YOU’RE not known for YOUR fantastic drivers!

Seriously though, testing might be a good idea - I’m sure it will be fine but better to be safe than sorry.

Also, a 13" will take up less space in your very, very confined work area :stuck_out_tongue:

PEACH [import]uid: 10144 topic_id: 7777 reply_id: 28055[/import]

#5

As usual peach, you’ve been very helpful [sic] :slight_smile:

I should be testing it on friday, in theory, so will report back with the results.

GRAHAM

[import]uid: 5833 topic_id: 7777 reply_id: 28081[/import]

#6

I’ve been using my 2010 MacBook Pro 15", not the top model either, just the basic one and its been fantastic. Haven’t had any development tools run poorly at all (I use the full Adobe suite and Corona etc). The GPU is pretty powerful considering its a laptop chip and I can even play a range of games on it just fine (eg Torchlight, Halflife2, Trine, Starcraft 2). I’d say a 2011 MacBook pro should be at least as good as this one. You shouldn’t have any issues with dev work in any case, only if you’re a hardcore gamer you’d probably want a non-laptop solution. [import]uid: 9428 topic_id: 7777 reply_id: 28353[/import]

#7

And as usual, you’ve been very gentlemanly [sic] and not at all like a gimp in my cupboard [sic] :slight_smile:

Seriously though, good luck with the testing, I expect an email later - let me know if you’ve got a pretty new laptop ^-^;

PEACH

PS - Way to misuse font formats, jerk-face! xx [import]uid: 10144 topic_id: 7777 reply_id: 28361[/import]

#8

@Lilarcor - Thanks for the info! I feel pretty confident that it would be fine however just want to be sure, should be at the store by the afternoon and hopefully one of the always annoyingly friendly staff will be able to help me. And I have my main Windows machine for any gaming, not that I can ever find the time :slight_smile:

@peach - Will do! And “use” without the “mis” is just boring, it’d be like going crazy with power but without the actual power. [import]uid: 5833 topic_id: 7777 reply_id: 28375[/import]

#9

What are you talking about? You go crazy with power without the actual power ALL the time. You list it as your ONLY hobby on Facebook. You wrote your thesis on it, dammit!

PS - Regarding Facebook, I’m hating their new “Hit enter” thing to post comments. I am well aware you can get a new line with shift+enter, but many are not - and that = walls of text, my friend. [import]uid: 10144 topic_id: 7777 reply_id: 28376[/import]

#10

Review regarding the 13 model:

http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/apple-macbook-pro-13-inch-2011.aspx?page=3

"…Results improved in World of Warcraft, with the MacBook Pro achieving a fair 74 fps at 1280 x 800 while in autodetect mode. The system squeezed out 28 fps with all the game’s effects set to maximum. Both scores are somewhat below the category averages (99.3 fps and 31.5 fps, respectively) but will still provide a good gaming experience.

With its discrete graphics, the previous MacBook Pro 13-inch notched a higher 124 fps and 50 fps, respectively, although to be fair, WOW has become more graphically demanding with its latest update. The 13-inch MacBook Air, which also has Nvidia 320M graphics, averaged 17 fps at its native resolution and max settings."

I would be fairly confident that even the lowest end 13 model with the slightly lower clocked CPU could handle anything the Corona simulator would throw at it since it’s built on OpenGL, and only working in 2D.

Something to think about though… You mentioned thinking about one of the 15 models. If you ever think this machine may be used for more than just the occasional use like you have in mind currently, the 15 models are considerably more versatile.

MBP also have *insane* resell value. Last week I helped work out a craigslist deal for a friend that sold a 2010 model for $50 less than the price he turned around and paid for the new quad core/TB model. I can’t explain why this is true, but I guess some folks just don’t care about the spec sheet as much.

Now more than ever the MBP line is a great buy due to the possibilities of thunderbolt once it take off, and with a quad i7 these new models are the first of the line that I could see someone working at the pro level with no real need to upgrade for a very long time. With a dock and an additional USB-VGA/DVI box, they could even serve as a desktop with dual monitors when not working on the go. A good investment in your craft for sure.

I don’t work for Apple, and i’m not trying to spend your money for you, just something to think about. Good luck with your purchase, I’m jealous! [import]uid: 10401 topic_id: 7777 reply_id: 28391[/import]

#11

No probs Graham.

I originally got my 15" MBP specifically to start doing Corona work (I’d never used a Mac before) and I’ve found that I hardly use my hulking quadcore PC anymore (its got an nvidia 295GTX in it too as I am also a gamer, but not so much these days due to lack of time).

The other thing I’ve noticed using the 15" MBP is that I’ve never really felt like it was too small to use for extended periods. Sure you don’t have dual monitors and all that but its really quite a comfortable machine to use.

The only annoying thing I’ve found is no PGUP/PGDN/HOME/END keys (yes I know you can press ‘fn’ and arrows but its not the same!)

Oh, I also dual boot into Windows as well on the Macbook so its got all bases covered there… [import]uid: 9428 topic_id: 7777 reply_id: 28447[/import]

#12

Well, thanks for all the advice everyone. I decided to go ahead and buy it. Corona runs fantastically on it (as does everything else, however I haven’t tried any games yet).

I went for the 13" one as I couldn’t really justify an extra £500 just for the extra 2 inches, sure it would have a better processor and graphics card but after testing in the store it was clear that they wouldn’t be needed and now I can talk myself into getting an iPad 2 with that spare cash :slight_smile:

Also, is a macbook bought in the UK meant to have a US keyboard i.e. the @ above the 2 rather than the " ?

I also can’t find the hash symbol, fairly vital for coding. [import]uid: 5833 topic_id: 7777 reply_id: 28644[/import]

#13

We have “US keyboards” here in Australia - well actually, I was using an Israeli keyboard for a long time there… but normally it’s US XD

The hash symbol, supposing your keyboard is the same as my MBP, should be on the 3 key.

I can’t imagine " being above the 2 ^-^;

But yes, shift+3 = # [import]uid: 10144 topic_id: 7777 reply_id: 28711[/import]

#14

… your UK keyboards look ridiculous to me!

http://techsalsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/uk_keyboard_layout.png

Most confusing XD

I am posting again as you will notice there is no £ symbol and I imagine you would use it a bit; if you need to do it on a Mac it’s alt/option+3

Later BAFTA :stuck_out_tongue:
Peach [import]uid: 10144 topic_id: 7777 reply_id: 28712[/import]

#15

Above the 2 is where the " belongs :slight_smile: And thank you for finding the # for me. Why that isn’t listed properly on a key is beyond me, surely a lot of web developers use Macs and need it for hex colours?

[import]uid: 5833 topic_id: 7777 reply_id: 28740[/import]

#16

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PRESS SHIFT, YOU RIDICULOUS MAN.

People also use " all the time and $ and ! and also, as developers, ( and ) - you don’t hear me whining.

:stuck_out_tongue: [import]uid: 10144 topic_id: 7777 reply_id: 28769[/import]

#17

Yea but I mean it isn’t visually on the keyboard. [import]uid: 5833 topic_id: 7777 reply_id: 28775[/import]

#18

Wait - it isn’t visually on the keyboard? As in there isn’t a # symbol printed above the 3?

… Now I’m confused ^-^;

Also tired.

G’night! [import]uid: 10144 topic_id: 7777 reply_id: 28789[/import]

#19

Precisely, above my 3 I have a £ symbol which is reached via Shift-3 however Alt-3 gets the # symbol. [import]uid: 5833 topic_id: 7777 reply_id: 28803[/import]

#20

… OK well then I agree the keyboard design IS flawed.

See, I don’t even get what you have - it isn’t a UK keyboard as you’ve stated and it isn’t US/AU either as we have # over the 3, visually on the keyboard, reached with shift+3.

I assumed from out earlier discussions you simply had a standard US design or the like.

Really weird to not have “#” visually there :S [import]uid: 10144 topic_id: 7777 reply_id: 28883[/import]