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Apple updates MacBook Pro with industry's first LED-backlit displays, faster processors, more
Mac Daily News ^ | 06/05/2007

Posted on 06/05/2007 7:24:37 AM PDT by Swordmaker

Apple today updated its MacBook Pro line of notebooks with the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors, memory up to 4GB, and high-speed graphics in a lightweight, aluminum enclosure that is just one-inch thin. The new MacBook Pro is available in 15-inch models with a new mercury-free, power-efficient LED-backlit display and a 17-inch model with an optional high-resolution display. All models include a built-in iSight video camera for video conferencing on-the-go, Apple's MagSafe Power Adapter that safely disconnects when under strain, and built-in 802.11n wireless networking for up to five times the performance and twice the range of 802.11g.

"With Intel Core 2 Duo performance, more memory and state-of-the-art graphics, this MacBook Pro is a portable powerhouse for creative and professional users," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, in the press release. "Apple's notebooks have always led the industry in innovation with features like built-in 802.11 and the MagSafe Power Adapter, and now the industry's first 15-inch LED-backlit display is another step toward completely eliminating mercury from our displays."

Every MacBook Pro model includes an Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 4MB of shared L2 cache, an 800 MHz frontside bus and 2GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory, running professional applications like Final Cut Pro 6 and Logic Pro 7 more than 50 percent faster than the original MacBook Pro with Core Duo. Delivering more realistic graphics for animation and gaming, every MacBook Pro now includes the state-of-the art NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT and is more than 50 percent faster than the original MacBook Pro with Core Duo.

The MacBook Pro's lightweight, aluminum enclosure is just one-inch thin and is available in three models: 2.2 GHz and 2.4 GHz 15-inch MacBook Pro models, and a 2.4 GHz 17-inch MacBook Pro model. The new 15-inch MacBook Pro models feature a brand-new, power-efficient LED-backlit display and are the first of Apple's notebooks to transition to LED backlighting as part of the company's effort to eliminate the use of mercury in its products. The 17-inch model now offers a new optional 1920-by-1200 high-resolution display, providing over 30 percent more screen real estate than the standard 1680-by-1050 display.

Designed for mobile professionals, the MacBook Pro includes a built-in iSight video camera for video conferencing on-the-go, Apple's MagSafe Power Adapter that magnetically connects the power cord to the MacBook Pro and safely disconnects when under strain, and the latest generation of 802.11n wireless networking for up to five times the performance and twice the range of 802.11g. Every new MacBook Pro also includes built-in 10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed networking, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), a FireWire 800 and a FireWire 400 port, a backlit illuminated keyboard, an ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot for expansion solutions such as 3G wireless networking, and a DVI video output to connect up to a 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display.

The MacBook Pro comes with iLife '06, the next generation of Apple's award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications featuring iPhoto, iMovie HD, iDVD, GarageBand and iWeb. The MacBook Pro also comes with the latest release of the world's most advanced operating system, Mac OS X version 10.4.9 Tiger, including Safari, Mail, iCal, iChat AV, Front Row and Photo Booth.

The new MacBook Pro models are now shipping and will be available through the Apple Store, Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.

The 2.2 GHz, 15-inch MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of US$1,999 , includes:

• 15.4-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1440-by-900 LCD display
• 2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
• 2GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 4GB
• 120GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor
• a slot-load 8x SuperDrive(R) with double-layer support (DVD+/-RDL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW) optical drive
• NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 128MB GDDR3 memory
• DVI-out port for external display (VGA-out adapter included, Composite/S-Video out adapter sold separately)
• built-in Dual Link support for driving Apple 30-inch Cinema HD Display
• built-in iSight video camera
• Gigabit Ethernet port
• built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
• ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot
• two USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 800 port, and one FireWire 400 port
• one audio line in and one headphone out port, each supporting optical digital audio
• Scrolling TrackPad and illuminated keyboard
• the infrared Apple Remote
• 85 Watt Apple MagSafe Power Adapter

The 2.4 GHz, 15-inch MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of $2,499, includes:

• 15.4-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1440-by-900 LCD display
• 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
• 2GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 4GB
• 160GB 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
• NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 256MB GDDR3 memory
• DVI-out port for external display (VGA-out adapter included, Composite/S-Video out adapter sold separately)
• built-in Dual Link support for driving Apple 30-inch Cinema HD Display
• built-in iSight video camera
• Gigabit Ethernet port
• built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
• ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot
• two USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 800 port, and one FireWire 400 port
• one audio line in and one headphone out port, each supporting optical digital audi
• Scrolling TrackPad and illuminated keyboard
• the infrared Apple Remote
• 85 Watt Apple MagSafe Power Adapter

The 2.4 GHz, 17-inch MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of $2,799, includes:

• 17-inch widescreen 1680-by-1050 LCD display
• 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
• 2GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 4GB
• 160GB 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
• NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 256MB GDDR3 memory
• DVI-out port for external display (VGA-out adapter included, Composite/S-Video out adapter sold separately)
• built-in Dual Link support for driving Apple 30-inch Cinema HD Display
• built-in iSight video camera
• Gigabit Ethernet port
• built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
• ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot
• three USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 800 port, and one FireWire 400 port
• one audio line in and one headphone out port, each supporting optical digital audio
• Scrolling TrackPad and illuminated keyboard
• the infrared Apple Remote
• 85 Watt Apple MagSafe Power Adapter

Additional build-to-order options for the MacBook Pro include the ability to upgrade to a 160GB (5400 rpm), 160GB (7200 rpm), 200GB (4200 rpm) or a 250GB (4200 rpm) hard drive, up to 4GB DDR2 SDRAM, Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter, Apple USB Modem, glossy widescreen display, 17-inch 1920-by-1200 high-resolution display and the AppleCare Protection Plan. Additional build-to-order options also include pre-installed copies of iWork '06, Logic Express 7, Final Cut(R) Express HD 3.5 and Aperture 1.5.

See the newly updated Apple MacBook Pro models here.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: books; ibook; mac; newmedia
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To: Swordmaker
Sweet.
I can't wait to put XP, Vista, and SLED on a 15.4 inch model.
41 posted on 06/05/2007 11:51:30 AM PDT by rmlew (It's WW4 and the Left wants to negotiate with Islamists who want to kill us , for their mutual ends)
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To: aculeus

Breathtaking! Thank you.


42 posted on 06/05/2007 12:03:09 PM PDT by Constitution Day
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To: aculeus

Neat pic.


43 posted on 06/05/2007 12:04:18 PM PDT by dighton
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To: George W. Bush
You're just waiting for Leopard, credit card in hand.
The new Macbooks are out, and iPhone debuts June 29.

So when does Leopard come out? Will the new Macbooks include certificates for upgrade to Leopard?


44 posted on 06/05/2007 12:06:21 PM PDT by conservatism_IS_compassion (The idea around which liberalism coheres is that NOTHING actually matters except PR.)
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To: conservatism_IS_compassion
Leopard and probably iLife 2008 are targeted for October. It's better to wait if you can.

Leopard's secret features (beyond the ones already known like Time Machine, ZFS, UNIX 2003™ certification) will be revealed at WWDC 2007 next week. I expect some exciting new announcements then.

I think we're going to see new chinless redesigned iMacs, maybe the end of the 17" iMac and possibly the Mini (displaced by AppleTV perhaps). Everyone is still hoping Apple will finally produce a mini-tower without monitor.
45 posted on 06/05/2007 12:15:39 PM PDT by George W. Bush
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To: George W. Bush
Did you notice that OpenOffice for the Mac appeared today (alpha release)?

Actually, that Slashdot headline is a bit misleading.

OpenOffice has already been released for Mac OS X, but it required X11.

This is announcing an alpha release of an Aqua (i.e., non-X11) version of OpenOffice for Mac OS X.

Still, I look forward to being able to run OpenOffice natively.

46 posted on 06/05/2007 12:18:01 PM PDT by ShorelineMike (Constituo, ergo sum.)
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To: ShorelineMike

Me too.


47 posted on 06/05/2007 12:28:07 PM PDT by George W. Bush
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To: johniegrad

I’m buying one too...


48 posted on 06/05/2007 12:38:31 PM PDT by Bookwoman
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To: George W. Bush

You are right, my I Mac is almost 2 years old. An eternity in the computer world :)


49 posted on 06/05/2007 1:07:00 PM PDT by ears_to_hear
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To: ears_to_hear

Now now my mac is three and a half years old and works fine ;)


50 posted on 06/05/2007 1:08:04 PM PDT by N3WBI3 (Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak....)
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To: ears_to_hear; N3WBI3
My iMac is almost 2 years old. An eternity in the computer world :)

I don't know how you've managed to suffer so nobly.

Have courage. October isn't that far away.
51 posted on 06/05/2007 1:26:03 PM PDT by George W. Bush
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To: Swordmaker
29 years married...that’s the silicon anniversary, isn’t it?
52 posted on 06/05/2007 1:59:57 PM PDT by BlazingArizona
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To: N3WBI3

Ahhh but if you were adopted by a new family that wanted to buy you a new one you would not mind right? :)


53 posted on 06/05/2007 2:03:50 PM PDT by ears_to_hear
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To: George W. Bush; N3WBI3

LOL , I want a laptop. But the new phone might suffice :) Christmas is coming


54 posted on 06/05/2007 2:05:03 PM PDT by ears_to_hear
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To: George W. Bush
better to wait if you can.
Oh, I can wait.

In fact, with no real mission aside from FReeping, I can't really justify an upgrade from Panther for my trusty 800MHz G4 - let alone a shiny new laptop. Broadband is actually a bit extravagant.

Mostly I'm just rooting for the AAPL stock I bought. If AAPL goes to $200 I might feel like splurging, and I think that's realistic in a year or two if Vista falls on its backside and/or the iPhone is at least a modest success. There's room for Apple to succeed wildly in those markets, before even making a really serious dent in anyone else's market share.


55 posted on 06/05/2007 2:10:08 PM PDT by conservatism_IS_compassion (The idea around which liberalism coheres is that NOTHING actually matters except PR.)
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To: ears_to_hear
iPhone, eh? Your kids will hate you after Hip Granny starts showing off her iPhone in front of those grandkids. They'll all be pestering their parents to death to buy them a phone like Grandma's.

Sounds like a chance for some real fun with the kids and grandkids.
56 posted on 06/05/2007 2:13:38 PM PDT by George W. Bush
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To: Swordmaker

Great update for the MacBook Pro line, but I still refuse to shell out until Apple starts using Intel’s Robson flash caching technology.


57 posted on 06/05/2007 3:01:03 PM PDT by Terpfen (It's your fault, not Pelosi's.)
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To: George W. Bush
Leopard and probably iLife 2008 are targeted for October.

I actually think the new version of iLife will debut with the iPhone, because I think Apple is adapting iLife to the iPhone. Yeah, I said it.
58 posted on 06/05/2007 3:04:31 PM PDT by Terpfen (It's your fault, not Pelosi's.)
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To: Terpfen
You might be right. And it would make some sense.

They intro'ed the new MacBooks today, only a week ahead of WWDC. Now Apple has shifted away from announcing updated models at their main trade shows but, even so, you'd think they would have held it a week to create more buzz. Unless they had another big announcement for WWDC.

It's being touted as a developer's conference. It might be that they will intro iLife '07 and it will support many new Leopard features for the developers to integrate in their own Leopard products.

Or maybe they're finally going to offer us the mini-tower machine so many have wanted.

I think iPhone won't make much splash at WWDC except the details on third-party apps. That's not very much excitement. And Jobs is acting squirrelly, like he's got something up his sleeve again.

That Jobs is a real showman, as shameless as P.T. Barnum. Nobody, but nobody, sits around obsessing over what Michael Dell may say next or announce at a trade show.
59 posted on 06/05/2007 3:45:46 PM PDT by George W. Bush
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To: Bookwoman

This is the first Apple product I bought since I was in the Navy in 1983. Whatever I can to avoid Microsoft in the future, I will do.


60 posted on 06/05/2007 4:29:37 PM PDT by johniegrad
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