14 DAY TRIAL // Today, Apple updated the MacBook Pro line with faster processors, next-generation NVIDIA graphics and longer battery life. The systems are set to be showcased at this year’s NAB show, where Apple expects visitors to check out “their latest hardware and software products.” The new line of MacBook Pro computers is still considerably more expensive than your usual Windows-running laptop, but the specs you’re about to skim through below, as well as Apple’s software, should justify the price.
In short, Apple’s popular 13-inch laptop adds the new NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor for up to 80 percent faster graphics, a built-in 10-hour battery, and a slightly faster processor - 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 3MB shared L2 cache.
The new 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pros feature Intel’s latest 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, according to the Mac maker’s official announcement.
The 15-inch and 17-inch Pros also feature Apple’s highly efficient built-in battery which offers between 8 and 9 hours of wireless productivity, the company says. The complete, base-configuration specs for each system are available below.
The 2.4 GHz, 13-inch MacBook Pro - $1,199
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.
The 2.4 GHz, 15-inch MacBook Pro - $1,799.
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.
The 2.53 GHz, 17-inch MacBook Pro - $2,299
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.
Build-to-order options are available for each of the three systems. For the high-end 17-inch laptop, Apple can equip customers with a 2.66 GHz Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of memory, either a 500GB hard drive, or a 512GB solid state drive (SSD), an antiglare display, and accessories, including the Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter, Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter (for 30-inch DVI display), Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter, the Apple Remote and more.