Tuesday, April 13th 2010
Apple Updates MacBook Pro Line with Faster Processors, Next-Gen Graphics
Apple today updated the MacBook Pro line with faster processors, powerful next-generation NVIDIA graphics and even longer battery life. The popular 13-inch MacBook Pro features the new NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor for up to 80 percent faster graphics and a groundbreaking 10-hour built-in battery. The new 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro models feature Intel Core i5 and i7 processors and Apple's new automatic graphics switching technology that toggles seamlessly between powerful NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M and energy efficient Intel HD Graphics processors.
"The new MacBook Pro is as advanced on the inside as it is stunning on the outside," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "With faster processors, amazing graphics and up to three more hours of battery life, the new MacBook Pro delivers both performance and efficiency."
All 13-inch MacBook Pro models now include faster Intel Core 2 Duo processors, 4GB RAM, a 10-hour built-in battery and the new NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor. With 48 processing cores, the new NVIDIA GeForce 320M is the fastest integrated graphics processor on the market, ideal for graphics intensive applications or high performance games. The 13-inch MacBook Pro is available in two configurations: one with a 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo and 250GB hard drive priced at $1,199; and one with a 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo and 320GB hard drive priced at $1,499.
The new 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro models are up to 50 percent faster than the previous systems.** Using Intel's state-of-the-art 32 nanometer process, Intel Core i5 and i7 processors integrate the memory controller and Level 3 cache for faster access to system memory. Hyper-Threading technology improves data throughput by creating virtual processing cores, while Turbo Boost optimizes performance between the two processor cores, accelerating the system from 2.66 GHz to 3.06 GHz for intensive dual core tasks, and up to 3.33 GHz for single core tasks.
All 15-inch and 17-inch models include two graphics processors, the new NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M for peak performance and Intel HD Graphics for energy efficient operation. More than twice as fast as the GeForce 320M, the powerful new GeForce GT 330M provides incredibly smooth, crisp on-screen graphics for the most demanding 3D games, creative software and technical applications. Apple's automatic graphics switching determines which graphics processor an application needs and switches instantly between processors to deliver peak performance and long battery life. Tightly integrated hardware and software allow the new 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro to deliver 8 to 9 hours on a single charge.
The new 15-inch MacBook Pro is available in three models: one with a 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M and 320GB hard drive at $1,799; one with a 2.53 GHz Intel Core i5, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M and 500GB hard drive at $1,999; and one with a 2.66 GHz Intel Core i7, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M and 500GB hard drive at $2,199. The new 17-inch MacBook Pro features a 2.53 GHz Intel Core i5, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M and 500GB hard drive for $2,299.
The MacBook Pro glass Multi-Touch trackpad now supports inertial scrolling, an intuitive way to scroll through large photo libraries, lengthy documents and long web sites. All MacBook Pros feature bright, LED-backlit wide-angle displays with a broad color gamut. The 17-inch MacBook Pro includes a high resolution 1920 x 1200 display, and the 15-inch MacBook Pro is now available with an optional high resolution 1680 x 1050 display. Customers can also upgrade their MacBook Pro with new 128GB, 256GB and 512GB solid state drives.
As the industry's greenest notebook lineup, every Mac notebook achieves EPEAT Gold status and meets Energy Star 5.0 requirements, setting a new standard for environmentally friendly notebook design. Each unibody enclosure is made of highly recyclable aluminum and comes standard with energy efficient LED-backlit displays that are mercury-free and made with arsenic-free glass. Mac notebooks contain no brominated flame retardants, are PVC-free and are constructed of recyclable materials.
Apple uses advanced chemistry, intelligent monitoring of the system and battery, and Adaptive Charging technology to create a notebook battery that delivers up to 10 hours of wireless productivity on a single charge and up to 1,000 recharges.**** The built-in battery design results in less waste and depleted batteries can be replaced for $129 or $179, which includes installation and disposal of your old battery in an environmentally responsible manner.
All Macs come with Mac OS X Snow Leopard, the world's most advanced operating system, and iLife, Apple's innovative suite of applications for managing photos, making movies and creating and learning to play music. Snow Leopard builds on a decade of OS X innovation and success with hundreds of refinements, new core technologies and out of the box support for Microsoft Exchange. iLife features iPhoto, to easily organize and manage photos; iMovie with powerful easy-to-use new features such as Precision Editor, video stabilization and advanced drag and drop; and GarageBand which introduces a whole new way to help you learn to play piano and guitar.
Pricing & Availability
The new 13-inch MacBook Pro, 15-inch MacBook Pro, and 17-inch MacBook Pro are now available through the Apple Store, Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.
The 2.4 GHz, 13-inch MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of $1,199 (US), includes
The 2.4 GHz, 15-inch MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of $1,799 (US), includes:
The 2.53 GHz, 17-inch MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of $2,299 (US), includes:
"The new MacBook Pro is as advanced on the inside as it is stunning on the outside," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "With faster processors, amazing graphics and up to three more hours of battery life, the new MacBook Pro delivers both performance and efficiency."
The new 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro models are up to 50 percent faster than the previous systems.** Using Intel's state-of-the-art 32 nanometer process, Intel Core i5 and i7 processors integrate the memory controller and Level 3 cache for faster access to system memory. Hyper-Threading technology improves data throughput by creating virtual processing cores, while Turbo Boost optimizes performance between the two processor cores, accelerating the system from 2.66 GHz to 3.06 GHz for intensive dual core tasks, and up to 3.33 GHz for single core tasks.
All 15-inch and 17-inch models include two graphics processors, the new NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M for peak performance and Intel HD Graphics for energy efficient operation. More than twice as fast as the GeForce 320M, the powerful new GeForce GT 330M provides incredibly smooth, crisp on-screen graphics for the most demanding 3D games, creative software and technical applications. Apple's automatic graphics switching determines which graphics processor an application needs and switches instantly between processors to deliver peak performance and long battery life. Tightly integrated hardware and software allow the new 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro to deliver 8 to 9 hours on a single charge.
The new 15-inch MacBook Pro is available in three models: one with a 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M and 320GB hard drive at $1,799; one with a 2.53 GHz Intel Core i5, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M and 500GB hard drive at $1,999; and one with a 2.66 GHz Intel Core i7, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M and 500GB hard drive at $2,199. The new 17-inch MacBook Pro features a 2.53 GHz Intel Core i5, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M and 500GB hard drive for $2,299.
The MacBook Pro glass Multi-Touch trackpad now supports inertial scrolling, an intuitive way to scroll through large photo libraries, lengthy documents and long web sites. All MacBook Pros feature bright, LED-backlit wide-angle displays with a broad color gamut. The 17-inch MacBook Pro includes a high resolution 1920 x 1200 display, and the 15-inch MacBook Pro is now available with an optional high resolution 1680 x 1050 display. Customers can also upgrade their MacBook Pro with new 128GB, 256GB and 512GB solid state drives.
As the industry's greenest notebook lineup, every Mac notebook achieves EPEAT Gold status and meets Energy Star 5.0 requirements, setting a new standard for environmentally friendly notebook design. Each unibody enclosure is made of highly recyclable aluminum and comes standard with energy efficient LED-backlit displays that are mercury-free and made with arsenic-free glass. Mac notebooks contain no brominated flame retardants, are PVC-free and are constructed of recyclable materials.
Apple uses advanced chemistry, intelligent monitoring of the system and battery, and Adaptive Charging technology to create a notebook battery that delivers up to 10 hours of wireless productivity on a single charge and up to 1,000 recharges.**** The built-in battery design results in less waste and depleted batteries can be replaced for $129 or $179, which includes installation and disposal of your old battery in an environmentally responsible manner.
All Macs come with Mac OS X Snow Leopard, the world's most advanced operating system, and iLife, Apple's innovative suite of applications for managing photos, making movies and creating and learning to play music. Snow Leopard builds on a decade of OS X innovation and success with hundreds of refinements, new core technologies and out of the box support for Microsoft Exchange. iLife features iPhoto, to easily organize and manage photos; iMovie with powerful easy-to-use new features such as Precision Editor, video stabilization and advanced drag and drop; and GarageBand which introduces a whole new way to help you learn to play piano and guitar.
Pricing & Availability
The new 13-inch MacBook Pro, 15-inch MacBook Pro, and 17-inch MacBook Pro are now available through the Apple Store, Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.
The 2.4 GHz, 13-inch MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of $1,199 (US), includes
- 13.3-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1280 x 800 glossy display;
- 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 3MB shared L2 cache;
- 1066 MHz front-side bus;
- 4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, expandable to 8GB;
- NVIDIA GeForce 320M integrated graphics;
- 250GB serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
- a slot-load 8X SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
- Mini DisplayPort (VGA, DVI and HDMI adapters sold separately);
- AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
- Gigabit Ethernet port;
- iSight video camera;
- two USB 2.0 ports;
- one FireWire 800 port (FireWire 400 compatible);
- SD card slot;
- combined headphone/line in (analog/digital);
- glass Multi-Touch trackpad and illuminated keyboard;
- built-in, 63.5WHr lithium polymer battery; and
- 60 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.
- 13.3-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1280 x 800 glossy display;
- 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 3MB shared L2 cache;
- 1066 MHz front-side bus;
- 4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, expandable to 8GB;
- NVIDIA GeForce 320M integrated graphics;
- 320GB serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
- a slot-load 8X SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
- Mini DisplayPort (VGA, DVI and HDMI adapters sold separately);
- AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
- Gigabit Ethernet port;
- iSight video camera;
- two USB 2.0 ports;
- one FireWire 800 port (FireWire 400 compatible);
- SD card slot;
- combined headphone/line in (analog/digital);
- glass Multi-Touch trackpad and illuminated keyboard;
- built-in, 63.5WHr lithium polymer battery; and
- 60 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.
The 2.4 GHz, 15-inch MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of $1,799 (US), includes:
- 15.4-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1440 x 900 glossy display;
- 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5 with 3MB shared L3 cache;
- 4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, expandable to 8GB;
- integrated Intel HD Graphics + NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M discrete graphics with 256MB of VRAM;
- 320GB serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
- a slot-load 8X SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
- Mini DisplayPort (VGA, DVI and HDMI adapters sold separately);
- AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
- Gigabit Ethernet port;
- iSight video camera;
- two USB 2.0 ports;
- one FireWire 800 port;
- SD card slot;
- audio line in (analog/digital);
- audio line out/headphone (analog/digital);
- glass Multi-Touch trackpad and illuminated keyboard;
- built-in, 77.5WHr lithium polymer battery; and
- 85 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.
- 15.4-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1440 x 900 glossy display;
- 2.53 GHz Intel Core i5 with 3MB shared L3 cache;
- 4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, expandable to 8GB;
- integrated Intel HD Graphics + NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M discrete graphics with 256MB of VRAM;
- 500GB serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
- a slot-load 8X SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
- Mini DisplayPort (VGA, DVI and HDMI adapters sold separately);
- AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
- Gigabit Ethernet port;
- iSight video camera;
- two USB 2.0 ports;
- one FireWire 800 port;
- SD card slot;
- audio line in (analog/digital);
- audio line out/headphone (analog/digital);
- glass Multi-Touch trackpad and illuminated keyboard;
- built-in, 77.5WHr lithium polymer battery; and
- 85 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.
- 15.4-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1440 x 900 glossy display;
- 2.66 GHz Intel Core i7 with 4MB shared L3 cache;
- 4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, expandable to 8GB;
- integrated Intel HD Graphics + NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M discrete graphics with 512MB of VRAM;
- 500GB serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
- a slot-load 8X SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
- Mini DisplayPort (VGA, DVI and HDMI adapters sold separately);
- AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
- Gigabit Ethernet port;
- iSight video camera;
- two USB 2.0 ports;
- one FireWire 800 port;
- SD card slot;
- audio line in (analog/digital);
- audio line out/headphone (analog/digital);
- glass Multi-Touch trackpad and illuminated keyboard;
- built-in, 77.5WHr lithium polymer battery; and
- 85 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.
The 2.53 GHz, 17-inch MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of $2,299 (US), includes:
- 17-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1920 x 1200, glossy display;
- 2.53 GHz Intel Core i5 with 3MB shared L3 cache;
- 4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, expandable to 8GB;
- integrated Intel HD Graphics + NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M discrete graphics with 512MB of VRAM;
- 500GB serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
- a slot-load 8X SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
- Mini DisplayPort (VGA, DVI and HDMI adapters sold separately);
- AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
- Gigabit Ethernet port;
- iSight video camera;
- three USB 2.0 ports;
- one FireWire 800 port (FireWire 400 compatible);
- ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot;
- audio line in (analog/digital);
- audio line out/headphone (analog/digital);
- glass Multi-Touch trackpad and illuminated keyboard;
- built-in, 95WHr lithium polymer battery; and
- 85 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.
51 Comments on Apple Updates MacBook Pro Line with Faster Processors, Next-Gen Graphics
Adobe CS5.
It seems to me that 90% of people that buy Macbooks are 'creative' types that have jobs in media-type industries. Now just the other day CS5 was released that exclusively uses Cuda to accelerate real-time rendering etc. Now if Apple had gone with an ATI graphics solution, then a whole bunch of Apple kiddies would be left wondering 'why doesn't Premiere Pro work on my Mac like it used to?'
Unfortunately for Apple, Nvidia is still a good while away from producing Fermi mobile GPUs, so Apple are stuck with this for now.
The only difference is the Mercury Engine which uses the GPU (CUDA). This feature is only found in Premiere. Additionally, it might only work with workstation cards and I've yet to see the image quality of such a GPU-rendered video.
So, I've a hard time imagining people who work with Premiere are buying such an underpowered MacBook. People who do video editing on a semi-professional/professional level are not the target market.
Yes, I know, Apple works hard on its image as home for 'creativisionists'. The 'I want to be part of them' feeling is one of the reasons for the ongoing hype. Dream != reality though.
But bugger me Apple people are dense. I have two creative friends, both designers of graphical stuff. Creative A is looking to get a iMac so she can work from home, while asking my advice about it (not that I know jack all about them).
Creative A: 'So this iMac will be more powerful than Creative B's work Mac?'
Me: 'No idea, what type of Mac do you have Creative B?'
Creative B: 'Umm ... I dunno what it's called. It's a big box that sits under my desk.'
Me: 'Errr ... right, that'd be a Mac Pro then. No, you're new iMac probably wont be as powerful as her work Mac.'
Creative A: [crestfallen] 'But I thought it'd be better because it's newer?'
Me: 'Indeed. Sooo ... who wants beer?'
Big deal, so does my EeePC.
Just becasuse you don't like it, doesn't mean you should make unfounded arguments.
Battery life in vacuum is meaningless. Your eee gets 10 hours of battery life? Yeah, well so does my Nintendo DS.
The Macbook gets many hours of battery life using standard laptop parts. Please show me another laptop that can match its battery life with similarly spec'ed components.
Battery life is important to me. If it isn't to you, maybe you should post in that Eurocom laptop.
But I literally use my laptop for 6+ hours everyday. I would like to have good battery life, so it's important to me. To each his own.Not cost? Any kind of battery that isn't standard is going to cost extra. 2nd battery? Extra. Bigger battery? Extra. And laptop batteries are expensive. Apple or not. The battery is actually one of the heaviest parts of a laptop. I would say it's about 40% of a laptop's weight. In absolute terms, of course it's not much. If you get one of those big SLI laptops, sure, it only weighs 5 kg. You can lift 5 kg no problem. But relative to everything else. It's really heavy. I keep my laptop in my backpack. No separate bag outside of a small, flexible cover.
Edit: I'm out of this thread. You people are so ingrained in what you believe that you are failing to understand my points.
School, work, cafe, ect...
Only in widerness is not.
Using a decent light intensity and turning the wireless on, it won't do much better than the average laptop.
So, it has the same battery life as my EeePC only when it's doing the exact same thing as my EeePC can do, which is doing some very light processing (text editing and such).We're all failing to understand your points because we're not under the effect of a certain Reality Distortion Field.
So please, try to spread the Jobs religion elsewhere.
Dual cpu workstations? Not really, as long as you buy the base configuration.
iMac (which has an IPS based screen)? Not really overpriced either.
Mac Mini? Priced lower than all other mini PCs on the market of the same size and power.
Laptops? Absolutely. They are way overpriced for their specs. The biggest difference between an Apple laptop and a normal one, is the Apple uses an all aluminum enclosure. Price increase doesn't seem justified to me. $100 more, maybe, but not hundreds. Maybe if they used IPS panels it would be worth the price increase.
I have a 20" iMac (Last gen), two iPhones, and an iPad (iMac and iPad are my wife's). Am I an Apple freak? Sorta... but I won't ever give up PC's and modding until OSX can support my hobbies; reviewing, modding and gaming. Until then, PC will always be my main rig.
Now, to the topic, I want a 15" MacBook Pro, pronto. Is it worth the price tag? It is, if you utilize it, best way to answer it. :)