The MacBook Pro family was recently updated to bring more power and battery to these mobile workstations.
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.
*Testing conducted by Apple in March 2010 using preproduction 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo-based 13-inch MacBook Pro units with NVIDIA GeForce 320M and production 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo-based 13-inch MacBook Pro units with NVIDIA GeForce 9400M.
More Cores means more power
The biggest change is moving of the 15″ and 17″ models from using Intel’s Core 2 Duo processors to the Core i5 and Core i7 processors which gives almost 50% performance increase. The 15″ model will have three options – 2.4GHz, 2.53GHz, both Core i5 and 2.66GHz Core i7, while the 17″ model will have either the 2.53GHz Core i5 processor or 2.66GHz Core i7 processor. Apple also gives 4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM RAM standard, up to a maximum of 8GB.
Discrete and integrated
Both 15″ and 17″ models will also sport two graphics processors – the new NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M for peak performance and Intel HD Graphics for energy efficient operation. The choice of processor to use is done automatically by the system, depending on the application the user is running. But reports show that it might not be selecting the right chip all the time and if you are running Windows on the Mac, you are stuck with using the NVIDIA GeForce processor.
These new updates, together with Apple’s own battery keeps it run time up to 8-9 hours with a single charge. Apple also brought inertia scrolling from the iPhone OS to the trackpad, making it easy to scroll through documents quickly. For those who are annoyed with the glossy reflective screens, there is an option to choose an anti-glare screen, but that is an option that comes together with HD resolution for an additional S$224.70.
Beyond that, the new MacBook Pro looks almost the same as the older models introduced last June, even the insides look similar.
Not forgetting the small brother
Apple also pushed the specs of the 13″ model with faster Core 2 Duo processors, NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor and also equipped this model with the non-replaceable batteries that offers up to 10 hours.
How much?
The base price of the new MacBook Pro 15 starts from S$2,688 for the 2.4GHz, S$2,888 for the 2.53GHz and S$3,188 for the 2.66GHz model while the 17″ model starts from S$3,398. The 13″ model starts from S$1,788 for the 2.4GHz and S$2,188 for the 2.66GHz model.
Just for fun, one can configure the top of the line 15″ to cost up to S$5,988 and S$6,350 for the 17″.
Should you buy?
If budget is no issue, go ahead and get the latest and bestest you can afford as most of the time, the MacBook Pro are built like tanks and will serve you well when you bring it around (of course there are lemons but those are rarity).
But if the piggy is on a diet, then the 15″ are good values if you are looking for a mobile machine that will give you enough legs to do work from simple web surfing to editing your next Oscar-winning movie. I’d only suggest the 17″ if you have a strong back, or a car to carry the monster around. Lastly, if you are a student, the 13″ MacBook Pro will be good to last you from pre-school through college…
If you are undecided about whether the MacBook Pro is too much for your needs, think about it this way: these machines have more than enough processing power to handle most of the currently available applications with ease. Fast forward two to three years, they will still be sufficient to handle future applications that will have greater processing requirements – giving you much return for the hefty investment you’ll make when you purchase it.
Share with us your experience with the new MacBook Pro.
The new MacBook Pro models are available for purchase from the Apple Store and estimated to be shipped within 24 hours of ordering.
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