Apple today updated its MacBook Pro range, offering up faster processors, better graphics and longer battery life – however MacBook and MacBook Air upgrades didn’t emerge.
The popular 13-inch MacBook Pro now boasts an NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor that makes for up to 80 percent faster graphics. It also has a 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.
“The new MacBook Pro is as advanced on the inside as it is stunning on the outside,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing.
All 13-inch MacBook Pro models now include faster Intel Core 2 Duo processors (2.4GHz, $1,199 or 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, $1,499), 4GB RAM, a 10-hour built-in battery and the new NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor, the company said.
That graphics processor offers 48 processing cores and Apple calls it the fastest integrated processor available on the market.
This is a big deal because it means these Apple laptops promise great performance for graphics-rich applications, including gaming.
Apple’s 15- and 17-inch MacBook pros are even more powerful, “up to” 50 percent faster than the previous systems, the company promised, citing pre-production tests.
That’s because these Macs use Intel’s Core i5 and i7 processors, which are packed with technologies to boost performance when needed. These include Hyper-Threading technology which improves data throughput by creating virtual processing cores, and Turbo Boost, which optimises 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 15-inch and 17-inch models include two graphics processors, the new NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M for peak performance and Intel HD Graphics for energy efficient operation. games, creative software and technical applications.
Automatic graphics switching determines which graphics processor an application needs and switches instantly between processors to deliver peak performance and long battery life. Expect up to nine hours battery life on a single charge.
The new 15-inch MacBook Pro is available in three models:
2.4 GHz Intel Core i5, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M and 320GB hard drive. $1,799
2.53 GHz Intel Core i5, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M and 500GB hard drive: $1,999
2.66 GHz Intel Core i7, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M and 500GB hard drive at $2,199.
The new 17-inch MacBook Pro features a 2.53 GHz Intel Core i5, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M and 500GB hard drive and costs $2,299.
All the new Macs feature bright, LED-backlit wide-angle displays with a broad color gamut. The 17-inch MacBook Pro includes a high resolution 1920 x 1200 display, while 15-inch models are available with a high resolution 1680 x 1050 display. 128GB, 256GB and 512GB solid state drives models are available at extra cost.
