So… it turns out the MBP with the nvidia 8600M GT has serious driver issues that cause horrid performance in 3d apps like WoW and basically any 3d intensive application. Worse, the memory usage skyrockets until the system locks up solid. The only recovery is to power it off and on again.
This sucks.. I have a $2800 paperweight that’s useless for any 3d apps – Apple’s selling a web surfing, email checking “pro” level laptop.
UPDATE: Back it went. Saved me all that money anyhoo! 
