Apple unveils upgraded MacBook Pro laptops

(Credit: Apple)

Apple announced Tuesday that it has updated its high-end MacBook Pro laptops with faster processors, better graphics, and more memory.

The laptops are still available in three models: two 15.4-inch versions that retail for $1,999 and $2,499 and a larger 17-inch edition that costs $2,799. But with Tuesday's update, the lower-end 15-inch model is now equipped with 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processors (previously, it had a 2.16GHz chip); the higher-end 15-incher and the 17-incher now come with 2.4GHz processors, up from 2.33GHz. These new processors are indeed Intel's latest Centrino (or "Santa Rosa") chips, which were introduced in early May.

All three MacBook Pros additionally now can be upgraded from 2GB to 4GB of RAM at an extra cost, and have faster NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics cards designed for media-intensive animation and gaming.

The 15-inch models also have an energy efficiency boost, with LED-backlit displays; Apple has touted these not only as power-saving but also mercury-free.

The announcement follows another Apple laptop upgrade in May, when the company released new versions of its lower-priced MacBook machines. Those laptops received processor and memory upgrades in addition to a hard drive space boost (which was not part of Tuesday's MacBook Pro boost), but did not come with "Santa Rosa" processors or LED-backlit screens as had been rumored.

The last major update to the MacBook Pro laptops was in October, when they were first manufactured with Intel Core 2 Duo processors.

It's shaping up to be a hot summer for Apple. The company is expected to make more product announcements--though no one's really sure what they will be--at its Worldwide Developers Conference next week. And then the iPhone, will hit stores on June 29.

[matelovescomics]

AWWWWWWW man!!!

I was sure they were going to release a 12 inch model so that means i still have to wait some more for a replacement of the powerbook.sucks i have to wait but whatever hopefully they release somthing later this summer.

[cougarswimnlax08]

12-inch Laptops...Just wait for...

WWDC coming up in less than a week. There are likely to be huge product releases there. Apple wouldn't roll out a brand new line of laptops quietly like they did today. They usually do a huge keynote for a new product (ex: iPhone, Intel switch). So pay attention when Mr. Steve Jobs does his panned Keynote next Monday (kicking off WWDC).

[HektikLyfe]

Mmmm no 12"

I was contemplating this machine for the wife...looks like I'll wait just a bit longer. (The small/inexpensive Dell's are looking nicer every day.)

[GPcorey25]

Oh Apple, how we hate you so....

So I was pretty excited to see a new upgrade on the Macbook Pros, but I too am
waiting for a 12in. model and the new Mac OS 10.5. So I had a quick question
on when the new OS was coming out, and I signed on to talk to an Apple
representative, and he said that the new OS was not going to be released until
October, and in the typical Apple fashion, they would not release a cost estimate
until it was time for the release. It is probably noteworthy to mention that 10.4
was released for $129. Also, at WWDC on June 11th we can expect to see a full
beta version of 10.5 according to the Apple website. So it looks like I will be
waiting a while longer for a new OS and maybe even a 12in. model.

[revisedTORIN]

I know what comes next

the next upgrade to their store is going to be announced in the next couple of months, and I know what it is going to be, the iMac is going to be upgraded to a screen resolution, faster processor and probably a new graphics card so it can stand up against the new macbook pros. I would like to let everyone know though that this isn't a leak or anything, it is just very obvious, the iMac was always supposed to be a less expensive stationary model of the macbook pros (or the other way around) and so it is obviously going to be upgraded to at least as powerful if not more than the macbook pro.

[GPcorey25]

iMac Upgrade idea from last post....

Although I would say an upgrade to an iMac would be welcome to most new
customers, I already own the latest version, and posted a user review about it
here on Cnet. Thus, such a change would be unwelcome in my own [biased]
eyes. Yet, here is the crux of the Apple lineup...the inability for users to
upgrade their own systems. I would much rather plop down the money for a
Mac Pro if we could eventually upgrade the processor, motherboard, and
graphics cards on our own. Apple could still control which processors and
graphics cards we can choose to upgrade to, but at least we wouldn't have to
feel the need to upgrade so soon. For example, my iBook G4 was only a few
months old and then the new Macbooks and Macbook Pros came out, and
now I am typing this on obsolete hardware. Of course, we can assume that
this won't be fixed anytime soon.

[matelovescomics]

Still no 12 inch

mm now asus is going to realease an ultraportable mmm 200$ amazing the eee pc 701.

[sathinator]

Their not Centrino Chips

Just being nit-picky, but if you're going to be a website discussing technology, you should get the nit-picky bits right. The chips in these laptops are those from the Santa Rosa platform, but they are Core 2 Duo's - not Centrinos. Intel use the Centrino moniker for their combined chip and integrated wireless platform. Apple continue to use their own Airport wireless cards and do not use the Centrino branding.

[sathinator]

Core 2 Duo, not Centrino

Just being nit-picky, but if you're going to be a website discussing technology, you should get the nit-picky bits right. The chips in these laptops are those from the Santa Rosa platform, but they are Core 2 Duo's - not Centrinos. Intel use the Centrino moniker for their combined chip and integrated wireless platform. Apple continue to use their own Airport wireless cards and do not use the Centrino branding.