Even as the world argues over how good or bad the iPad is (we have not heard anyone call it “Ugly” yet), Apple has announced some updates to its MacBook Pro line of notebooks. The main changes are inclusion of the new NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor (which allegedly offers much faster graphics than, other onboard graphics solutions) and the upping of battery juice to positively amazing 10 hours in the 13-inch model; and the inclusion of Intel Core i5, and i7 processors, All 15-inch and 17-inch models include two graphics processors, the new NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M and Intel HD Graphics for graphics, and Apple’s new automatic graphics switching technology that lets users switch between the graphics cards and onboard processors on the 15-inch and 17-inch models. Incidentally, even the larger Macbook Pros now can serve up 8-9 hours of battery life, which is quite something in that spec zone.
The 13-inch model also gets a boost in processor speed, although it stays with Intel’s Core 2 Duo processors (battery life concerns seem to be the reason for that). The real change of velocity comes for the 15 and 17 inch models, which, according to the release residing in our inboxes, “are up to 50 percent faster than the previous systems.” Overclockers will be delighted to know that in these two models, the Turbo Boost feature optimizes performance between the two processor cores, accelerating the system from 2.66 GHz to 3.06 GHz for intensive dual core tasks, and up to 3.33 GHz for single core tasks. All of which represents a significant move up the tech spec charts, and that too, without any major change in prices – in fact the prices of some of the notebooks have come down from earlier editions.
To summarise, the 13-inch MacBook Pro is available in two configurations: one with a 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo and 250GB hard drive priced at Rs. 72,900 (MRP); and one with a 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo and 320GB hard drive priced at Rs. 89,900 (MRP). The new 15-inch MacBook Pro is available in three models: one with a 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M and 320GB hard drive at Rs. 1,09,900 (MRP); one with a 2.53 GHz Intel Core i5, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M and 500GB hard drive at Rs. 1,19,000 (MRP); and one with a 2.66 GHz Intel Core i7, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M and 500GB hard drive at Rs. 1,29,900 (MRP). The new 17-inch MacBook Pro features a 2.53 GHz Intel Core i5, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M and 500GB hard drive for Rs. 1,36,900 (MRP). All models come with 4GB RAM.
Our favourite of the lot is the 13-incher which certainly is one of the most powerful compact notebooks we have seen. Ah, if they had only thrown in a graphics card with it, although some pundits say that even without it, it will not do too badly in the gaming and graphics department. We will let youknow when we get our mitts on one!
