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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: George W. Bush
Nobody, but nobody, sits around obsessing over what Michael Dell may say next or announce at a trade show.

Michael Dell's machines don't run as well as Steve Jobs' machines. That's partially due to the OS each company uses, but more due to industrial design. Dell just doesn't really give a damn.
61 posted on 06/05/2007 4:55:15 PM PDT by Terpfen (It's your fault, not Pelosi's.)
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To: George W. Bush
I feel sorry for your kids though. Once you buy it and try it out, they might never get another chance to use it.

LOL - that is exactly what I was thinking. I just got a new black MacBook, I LOVE it!

62 posted on 06/05/2007 5:14:54 PM PDT by CheneyChick
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To: CheneyChick

I still think it’s a little cheesy to charge more for black. Pretty lappies though. And the buyers keep buying them so what do I know?


63 posted on 06/06/2007 7:01:06 AM PDT by George W. Bush
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To: Yossarian
I noticed that RAM prices at OWC for their better quality RAM for Mac Pro just fell. The 4GB kit (2x2GB FB-DIMMs) dropped from $470 to $450.

Wonder how low it'll go. Everyone who needs it should be shopping for memory.
64 posted on 06/06/2007 7:33:13 AM PDT by George W. Bush
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To: George W. Bush
I still think it’s a little cheesy to charge more for black. Pretty lappies though. And the buyers keep buying them so what do I know?

Well, the only difference is that the HD on the black MacBook is larger.... So you are paying about $200 for 40 extra gigs and the "nifty" black color.

CC :-)

65 posted on 06/06/2007 6:21:44 PM PDT by CheneyChick
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To: SunkenCiv

The OLEDs also have better battery life (by about 25%) and allegedly give more even illumination. (I haven’t seen one yet so I can’t comment directly on that one).

I think Steve would have added them whether Greenpeace wanted him to or not.

D


66 posted on 06/07/2007 7:36:14 AM PDT by daviddennis (If you like my stuff, please visit amazing.com, my new social networking site!)
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To: daviddennis

Yes, I agree — that was merely a prediction of the behavior of Greenpeace.


67 posted on 06/07/2007 7:59:26 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Time heals all wounds, particularly when they're not yours. Profile updated May 31, 2007.)
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