Graphics upgrade possible?

I am looking at the new Macbooks and debating between the 15inch with the "AMD Radeon HD 6490M graphics processor with 256MB of GDDR5 memory on 2.0GHz configuration; or AMD Radeon HD 6750M graphics processor with 1GB of GDDR5 memory on 2.2GHz configuration"

My question is can I get the first one and then in a year upgrade? Are these upgradable components? I am very experienced with PCs but don't know anything about Macs.

Thanks

The one thing in the portables that we would like to be able to upgrade are the Graphics Cards and cant, So in short no unfortunately

Cheers

All you can upgrade are the ram & hard drive.

- Nick

Crap. I really want a Macbook Pro but with a lack of upgrades it almost feels like I have to go top of the line. To spend the money on top of the line then have them come out with something in a few months sucks. Any advice? I am looking at the new 15 inch Pros

tylerj said:

Crap. I really want a Macbook Pro but with a lack of upgrades it almost feels like I have to go top of the line. To spend the money on top of the line then have them come out with something in a few months sucks. Any advice? I am looking at the new 15 inch Pros

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That's pretty much the nature of computer purchases to begin with - but in this case - I don't think we'll see a step function performance increase like we did from the 2010 to 2011 models anytime soon. It will just be incremental improvements. The 2011 15 inch is an easy safe buy.

BrianLachoreVPI said:

That's pretty much the nature of computer purchases to begin with - but in this case - I don't think we'll see a step function performance increase like we did from the 2010 to 2011 models anytime soon. It will just be incremental improvements. The 2011 15 inch is an easy safe buy.

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Yep, you're really stuck with any portable form factor. To be honest though, my old macbook pro was still functioning fine after three years, and it's still in use as a backup.

I have zero regrets with the 2011 mbp with the 1gb of video ram. None.

BrianLachoreVPI said:

That's pretty much the nature of computer purchases to begin with - but in this case - I don't think we'll see a step function performance increase like we did from the 2010 to 2011 models anytime soon. It will just be incremental improvements. The 2011 15 inch is an easy safe buy.

Click to expand...

I have to agree with this sentiment. My late model '06 top of the line MBP was still in the game all the way through the 2010 models. Not until the 2011 release of the 2nd gen iSeries chips from Intel have I seen my MBP appear as a dog compared to any of the last 4 years worth of releases.

I really don't see, and have not seen a word anywhere, on anything Intel may have in the pipeline to up the ante significantly. I suspect now is a good time to buy a top of the line MBP and be fairly confident of having a machine that will keep pace with the incremental increases we're likely to see for at least 2-3 years, if not another 4.

tylerj said:

Crap. I really want a Macbook Pro but with a lack of upgrades it almost feels like I have to go top of the line.

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If you were considering a Windows based laptop/notebook...I don't think you would have a lot of upgrade choices either. Lack of upgrades is sort of the nature of most modern notebook computers.

- Nick

I guess my question is what you intend to do with it. If you're a hardcore gamer, look elsewhere (and I'd actually point you to a nice, custom desktop PC). If you just intend to play the occasional game or 3D accelerated productivity package, I think either GPU will do just fine and remain useful for at least the average 3 year lifespan of a notebook.