Apple unveils refreshed MacBook Pro

 

Gallery

Posted on 24 Feb 2011 at 16:06

After some brief downtime, Apple’s online store went back online this afternoon with three new additions. As expected, the MacBook pro range has been refreshed and is now based around Intel’s latest processors. They are also the first consumer laptops to include connectivity based on Intel’s LightPeak technology.

The 13in version remains the smallest model in the range and will is available with a choice of dual-core i5 or i7 processors. Apple has deemed Intel’s built-in graphics powerful enough for the ultra-portable laptop, so it doesn’t include a second graphics chipset. The base model includes 4GB of memory and a 320GB hard disk, as well as a backlit keyboard, slot-loading DVD-RW and a 1,280x800 resolution glossy display.

Both the 15 and 17in models can be configured with more powerful quad-core i7 processors and also include dedicated graphics processors. After users experienced problems with previous models that used Nvidia graphics, it’s not too surprising to see Apple choosing AMD for its latest product (putting them in line with its desktop offerings). Depending on the chosen processor, either a 256MB 6490M or a 1GB 6750M card is included as standard.

Thunderbolt, Apple’s name for the new connection based on Intel’s LightPeak technology, is potentially twice as fast as USB3, but there aren’t any products currently available that can use it. Whether it will succeed or lose ground to the more established USB interface remains to be seen.

All three new models continue to use the same aluminium unibody design as previous MacBook Pros, but also include refinements like a high definition webcam. FaceTime for Mac, which has been in beta for around a month, was added to the App store for Mac today to coincide with the launch and costs 59p.

All three refreshed models are available now from Apple’s online store, with prices starting at £999.

Author: Tom Morgan