Apple has announced an update to its laptop range. With faster processors and graphics, the new Macbook Pros are a welcome update to the professional range of Apple’s laptops. Some of the new laptops get around to incorporating Intel’s latest Core i5 and i7 chips. The new models also have a boost to battery life. However, the 13-inch model, the smallest MacBook Pro of the bunch, will not have an upgrade to Core-line chips.
The 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pro feature the fastest dual-core processors available, which boost performance up to 50 percent.
Based on Intel’s latest 32-nanometer process technology, these are the fastest dual-core processors available and they set an all-new benchmark for Mac notebooks.
Turbo Boost.
Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processors also feature Turbo Boost. If you’re using processor-intensive applications like Aperture 3 or Final Cut Pro that would benefit from an extra performance kick, Turbo Boost dynamically increases the speed of one or both cores, taking a 2.66GHz MacBook Pro all the way up to 3.33GHz.
Hyper-Threading.
Built-in Hyper-Threading allows two threads to run simultaneously on each core, so Mac OS X recognises four virtual cores instead of just two. When you’re running multiple applications at once, the Core i5 and Core i7 processors spread tasks more evenly across a greater number of cores — so you can get more done, faster.
Integrated memory controller.
Unlike systems that connect memory to the processor through a separate controller, the new MacBook Pro uses an integrated memory controller to connect memory directly to the processor. In a sense, this cuts out the middleman. With faster access to memory, each core gets right to work on your data, rather than waiting for it to arrive. Together with up to 4MB of shared L3 cache, the integrated memory controller ensures MacBook Pro can keep up with you.
Next-generation graphics.
Inside the 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pro models is the new NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M discrete graphics processor — the fastest graphics ever in a Mac notebook. With 48 processing cores and up to 512MB of dedicated video memory, this graphics processor delivers even more horsepower than the previous generation. And you don’t have to sacrifice efficiency for speed: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M is up to 30 percent more energy efficient than its predecessor. For even greater power savings, MacBook Pro also includes integrated Intel HD Graphics.
Outstanding Performance
On-demand performance and off-the-charts efficiency.
The 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pro models come standard with automatic graphics switching. It’s a breakthrough technology from Apple that switches graphics processors on the fly to give you performance when you need it (when you’re playing the latest 3D game, for example) and better battery efficiency when you don’t (such as when you’re reading email). MacBook Pro transfers the workload between the powerful discrete NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M graphics processor and integrated Intel HD Graphics so seamlessly, you won’t even notice. Whether you’re using applications like Aperture, Motion or Final Cut Pro, or whether you’re just surfing the web, your MacBook Pro always knows which processor to use. You don’t have to log out, shut down or change your preferences. Automatic graphics switching does it all for you
In summary:
15-inch Technical Specifications
Processor and memory:
* 2.4GHz or 2.53GHz Intel Core i5 processor with 3MB shared L3 cache; or 2.66GHz Intel Core i7 processor with 4MB shared L3 cache
* 4GB (two 2GB SO-DIMMs) of 1066MHz DDR3 memory; two SO-DIMM slots support up to 8GB
Storage:
* 320GB or 500GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive; optional 500GB 7200-rpm hard drive, or 128GB, 256GB or 512GB solid-state drive6
* 8x slot-loading SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
* Maximum write: 8x DVD-R, DVD+R; 4x DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer), DVD-RW, DVD+RW; 24x CD-R; 10x CD-RW
* Maximum read: 8x DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-ROM; 6x DVD-ROM (double layer DVD-9), DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer), DVD-RW, DVD+RW; 24x CD
Graphics and video support:
* NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M graphics processor with 256MB of GDDR3 memory on 2.4GHz and 2.53GHz configurations; or 512MB of GDDR3 memory on 2.66GHz configuration
* Intel HD Graphics with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory5
* Automatic graphics switching
* Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colours
* iSightiSight camera
* Mini DisplayPort
Connections and expansion:
* MagSafe power port
* Gigabit Ethernet port
* One FireWire 800 port (up to 800 Mbps)
* Mini DisplayPort
* Two USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps)
* SD card slot
* Audio line in
* Audio line out
* Kensington lock slot
Communications:
* AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi wireless networking2 (based on IEEE 802.11n specification); IEEE 802.11a/b/g compatible
* Bluetooth Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) wireless technology
* 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45 connector)
Price:
£1,499.00 for 2.4GHz Intel Core i5, 4GB Memory, 320GB HD, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M with 256MB
£1,649.00 for 2.53GHz Intel Core i5, 4GB Memory, 500GB HD, NVIDIA GT 330M with 256MB
£1,799.00 for 2.66GHz Intel Core i7, 4GB Memory, 599GB HD, NVIDIA GT 330M with 512MB
There is also two 13-inch models at £999.00 (2.4GHz) and £1,249.00 (2.66GHz) and a 17-inch version at £1,899.00 (2.53GHz Intel Core i5).
More details at www.apple.com/uk
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These are really good computers for geeks or gamers.