Apple Boosts MacBook Pro Speed, Graphics (NewsFactor)

Apple has updated its MacBook Pro line to include faster graphics. While theres not much to wow Mac fans, the new laptops offer speed increases thanks to Intels new chip architecture.

"Its absolutely just what we expected," Ben Bajarin, an analyst at Creative Strategies, told NewsFactor. "Theyre moving to the new Intel processor platform, which is bringing faster speeds and a little better power management. Those are the noteworthy things."

ALMOST 75 PERCENT FASTER

The new MacBook Pro includes an Intel Core 2 Duo processor that can run up to 2.6 GHz with as much as 6 MB of L2 cache. In a nutshell, "you can get more done in less time," Apples Web site says. The new processors are almost 75 percent faster than the MacBook Pros original Intel processors. The new laptops can be expanded to 4GB of 667 MHz DDR2 memory.

That doesnt mean an increase in energy use, however. Bajarin explained that Intels 45-nanometer process puts transistors closer together so they can share resources. Apples site says the transistors are small enough that "you could fit a hundred inside a human cell," which helps keep the MacBook Pro thin.

THE SPECS

With NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics cards that can expand on some configurations to 512MB of video memory, the new laptops have powerful graphics capabilities. They use a solid-state trackpad with Apples Multi-Touch gesture support, which gives users more precise cursor control. The full-size keyboard is backlit with an ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts keyboard and screen brightness.

The 15-inch MacBook Pro is available with a 2.4-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB of on-chip shared L2 cache, or with a 2.5-GHz or a 2.6-GHz processor with 6MB of L2 cache. Storage options are a 200GB or 250GB, 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive (a 200GB 7200-rpm drive is available). This model weighs in at 5.4 pounds and has a 15.4-inch antiglare widescreen LED backlit display with a native resolution of 1440 x 900 pixels.

The 17-inch MacBook Pro is available with either the 2.5-GHz or 2.6-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, both with 6MB of on-chip shared L2 cache. A 250GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive is standard, with a 200GB 7200-rpm drive or a 300GB 4200-rpm drive available. This 6.8-pound model has a 17-inch antiglare widescreen TFT display with a native resolution of 1680 x 1050; an optional 17-inch LED backlit display has a native resolution of 1920 x 1200.

Also included is Apples 8x SuperDrive, which can read and burn pretty much any DVD or CD option. Apples MagSafe power connection is magnetic, so it wont pull the notebook off your desk if you trip over the cord.

The Apple Store gives a price of $1,999 for the 15-inch, 2.4-GHz model; $2,499 for the 15-inch, 2.5-GHz model; and $2,799 for the 17-inch, 2.5-GHz MacBook Pro.