Apple MacBook Pro Laptop with Intel Core Duo Available (pics, specs)

Apple today announced the MacBook Pro 15.4" Intel Core Duo laptop. The MacBook Pro is available for ordering via Apple.com now starting at $1,999 and will start shipping in February.

Apple MacBook Pro (view larger image)

MacBook Pro Specs

• 15.4-inch widescreen display (1440 x 900)
• 1.67GHz or 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo processor (667MHz Front side bus)
• PCI Express Architecture
• ExpressCard/34 slot
• ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 Graphics card with 128MB or 256MB memory
• 80GB or120GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400RPM)
• Dual link DVI, VGA
• 802.11g wireless support built-in
• Optical digital and analog audio I/O, built-in microphone and stereo speakers
• Slot-loading SuperDrive
• 512MB or 1GB 667MHz memory, supports up to 2GB
• Built-in iSight web camera
• Illuminated keyboard and scrolling TrackPad
• Mac OS X Tiger with iLife 2006
• Dimensions: Height: 1.0 inch (2.59 cm), Width: 14.1 inches (35.7 cm), Depth: 9.6 inches (24.3 cm) , Weight: 5.6 pounds (2.54 kg) with battery and optical drive installed
• Product Page: http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/

Steve Jobs announced the MacBook Pro at the MacWorld Expo in San Francisco this morning. Jobs claims that the MacBook Pro offers 4-times the performance of the former PowerBook G4 processor based notebooks. Apple will be selling two configurations of the MacBook Pro, the $1,999 version will have 512MB of 667MHz memory, 80GB HD, 128MB X1600 graphics while the $2,499 version will have 1GB of 667MHz memory, 120GB HD and 256MB X1600 graphics card. The MacBook Pro will come with a built-in iSight web-cam for video conferencing and chat that will work with iChat. Also included is a remote control for easily watching movies and controlling the MacBook from across a room.

Apple MacBook Pro (view larger image)

This introduction by Apple looks to be very hot, lots of great features to drool over. My question is, how long will it take for someone to hack this laptop and allow us to load both Windows and Mac onto it, now that'd be a compelling purchase!

Left side view of MacBook (view larger image)

In the box with the MacBook Pro purchase:

• MacBook Pro
• Power Adapter with MagSafe Connector, AC wall plug and power cord
• Lithium-polymer battery
• Apple Remote
• DVI to VGA adapter
• Install/restore DVDs
• Printed and electronic documentation

Software included with the MacBook Pro:

• iLife '06 (includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie HD, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand, http://www.apple.com/ilife/)
• iWork '06 Trial(http://www.apple.com/iwork/)
• Front Row
• Photo Booth
• Comic Life
• OmniOutliner

 

I am an Electrical Engineering student and work equally well in Windows and Mac OS. It's good to see that Apple is including X1600 graphics from ATI: in 128 and 256 MB configurations.

In time, we will know if the "Rosetta" emulation performs well. It is important to keep in mind that MacOS is based largely on FreeBSD, which was designed from the ground up for x86 processors.

Linux and BSD users familiar with the Bash shell will be very familiar with the OS, and it is easy to install other shells using online documentation. GUI users are fine never touching a command shell.

http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/intelcoreduo.html
http://www.freebsd.org/
http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/unix/

 

Its really hot!!! Will it be possible to install windows on it??? I think that would gain a lot of clients

 

I've been using Macs since day one, but being a grad student in electrical engineering, I'd love to run Windoze once in a while. Does anyone know whether I can do that on the new Apple notebooks?:apple2:

 

Nice design...who makes this laptop for Apple?

 

the answer right now is "NO", that is until someone can hack the architecture to run Windows -- Apple has of course made it so you can't do this out of the box because they have no intention of competing in the world of PCs. Of course, the reverse attempt would be to get the release version of this Tiger OS X running on a PC, something Apple would be very displeased with.

 

wow, nice job apple, didn't expect a X1600 256mb, still very pricey but very nice.

all of my mac friends will be very happy.

is the lid black? or is the design still the same?

 

Now, that slogan is a bit harsh...
But that laptop ROCKS!

 

Apple stated when they announced they were transitioning to intel chips that they would do nothing to prevent users from installing windows on their machines.

Many people have installed windows onto the Intel developer boxes that apple provided:

http://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.php/Installation_Guides#Dual_Boot
http://www.everymac.com/articles/q&a/macintel/faq/software_compatibility_2.html

I expect it will be able to be done on the MacBook as well.

=)

 

Anyone knows what chip set this notebook uses?

Apple's webpage says it is almost 4 times as fast as the old 15 inch powerbook. I don't really think so!!!

 

Finally...the highly anticipated "MacIntel" shows its face. It certainly appears impressive...

 

Hmmm, I wonder who is the ODM indeed...

 

asus makes all macs i belive

 

Well I am kinda disappointed. I was hoping for a stylish 12" or 13" MacBook which would be fast and fourious (and light of course) running OS X (and for some necessary tasks Win XP programs) - but here again: a 15"-model like everyone else in the same old design. Well I like it or better: I liked it - but it's time for a modest change, isnt it? By the way why are they using notebook processors in their desktops? Arent there cheaper and more powerful dual-core processors from Intel available? Or is it to fix the heat issue. (Bring three IMac G5 together in a small room and you will see and hear what I mean!). I sorry to say that (and I am not a big Sony fan, since they have a terrible service and are way to expensive) but this January the innovation-award goes to Sony. Look at their recently announced sz-series (LED backlight to save power, carbon fibre case to save weight and a quite good design).

 

I think this is pretty cool and I'm about as anti-Mac as you can get. The price is too high, but what can you expect. I think this is just the first salvo, they'll push core duo into smaller notebooks soon enough.

 

Looks well.

 

Really hot? Barely. For that price range you expect an integrated multi-format card reader, a glossy display, PVR capability, and a standard PC card slot. Same terrible wireless reception due to the aluminum chasis. Also, they moved the wireless antenna from the LCD lid to the hinge for an even more terrible wireless reception.

This is not a revolutionary product. Intel on a mac is to be expected, and it's a shame that they can't compete features with equivalent 15.4" notebooks for much less.

 

They are the new Intel Duo procesors at 1.63GHz and 1.83Ghz per processor, with a 667MHz frontside bus, so yeah, they will be faster than any Powerbook ever made by a WIDE margin.

As far as the dual (or triple) boot possibilities, I think we will have to wait and see. I am curious if these new Macs will have a custom BIOS altogether, or some version of the current Open Firmware. The hardware is likely not far different in the new Intel-capable iMacs, which are supposedly available now - so it won't be long before we will know the answer.

I did find this little snippet from Macintouch.com (a very well-respected Mac news/tips site):

"We asked an Apple representative about booting Windows on Apple's new Intel Macs, and this was the reply: "Probably you could boot Windows, but we don't support that."

I am severely geeked about this. If the MacBook Pro can boot OS X AND Windows, I am THERE!!!

 

Well, it does seem pretty slim. And it has dual dvi out (i think one is plenty but macs have those big screens, i don't know why i'd need a laptop to hook it to that though). Did they move to the two button mouse yet? Besides that, not much else.

 

Are you taking into account the X1600 ATI GPU? The built-in camera? The IR Remote? Backlit, ambient light keyboard? I think that when the dust settles, you will see that the MacBook Pro is only a little more expensive than the Wintel laptops.

You may be right about the wireless though, those metal covered laptops seem to have alot range than plastic/composite laptops - but I wouldn't go so far as to say "crappy"

However, if OS X can be made to boot into alien hardware (or vice-versa), then I am all for the BEST option out there.

 

When will Apple be smart enough to produce a designed laptop for windows OS ? Just imagine how much additional business they would gain !

I would never buy an Mac OS based unit due to lack of available software.

 

How many games in the Mac vs. games that are optimized for Windows? In addition, sooner or later, that GPU will appear on Windows based notebooks.

The built-in camera is already appearing on Windows mid-size notebooks. Just look at the Sony FJ and SZ, in addition to some notebooks from ASUS and Acer.

The IR remote? How far do you really need to sit to enjoy looking at a 15.4" display? Are we getting lazier these days to reach the keyboard?

FrontRow is just Apple's version of the VAIO Zone and Windows MCE GUI, without the PVR capabilities. Windows has already that capability.

I have to admit that the only innovative thing Apple has done is the build quality and backlit keyboard. But that's probably it.

 

Not really arguing innovation and the like (though I could, historically), I am just arguing what you get for the price-point. I should have been more clear about that, sorry.

I did a little quick research about the other Duo notebooks that are available and see prices in the same range as the Apple offerings.

As far as the gaming capabilities under OS X, I don't really give a crap. If* that notebook can boot into Windows I wouldn't care about ever owning a Mac specfic game. I could have my professional portable under OS X, and my fun OS under.

*I know that's a BIG IF.

 

Just a question, and I am not trying to start an argument, but what software are you talking about? The holes in Mac software have been alot smaller since OS X took hold (lots of cleaver *Nix developers out there, god love 'em). I will admit that as far as gaming goes, Windows holds the crown and probably will until consoles take over (if ever). Accounting software is a little weak as well, but unless there is a specfic software package that is designed for custom hardware, I think you would find the Mac waters warm indeed.

 

With only 3% market share in the PC world, I would think Apple would jump into the fray with Dell and the likes and make it easy to install Windows. I for one would buy one right now if I could run Windows on it. Apple hardware just seems to be better designed and engineered than the other vendors.

 

The fact is there's no 15.4" laptop that's been announced that is as powerful in such a light and small/thin package. Apple is certainly justified to charge a premium for that. What's the closest thing? THe Acer TM8204 is a bit more powerful, but it's heavier by a pound and thicker. And if I'm not mistaken, the MSRP is pretty close to this MacBook too. Acer with better specs, Apple with the sleeker design.

The only negatives I see about it are I'd rather see a WSXGA+ screen and the battery has only a 60WHr capacity and it doesn't look to have any room for an extended battery or modular bay battery.

 

Erm: Apple maxed out is around $3k with 7k100 and 1.8 core duo. The acer is $2.5k with 5k100 and 2 core duo.

The 8200 is better value for money in my opinion and 4 hr battery. Notice that battery life isnt mentioned - there is a reason for this (its crap)!!!!

Anyway, whats the point of an x1600 if your never going to utilise it on an apple due to no/very few games!!!! Apple die hards should stick that in their pipe and smoke it!!

 

hey now, let's all be nice.

I'm a PC user and don't have much use for a Mac OS X based machine due to the fact the applications I need to use aren't available on the platform, but the hardware and quality is very compelling especially now that they've caught up in the performance arena. I'm just going to see how things pan out with the use of Windows on the MacBook, let others report how easy/hard it is and what the compromises are before jumping in myself.

Although Apple would never come out and endorse or provide an easy way to run Windows on this machine, I know there'd be a pretty big market for such a machine. When I worked in a college computer lab we had to buy Mac machines for all the biology and art students and of course PCs/Unix for all the mathematics and engineering majors. Now, if the purchase of one type of machine that ran two OS's were available I'm sure education market buyers and others would look to that type of solution (although not in a laptop form, they'd be too easily stolen from a university computer lab).

 

games? the X1600 isn't there for games, it's for stuff like Aperture, Final Cut, iMovie/iDVD and Photoshop.

 

The $2499 one has nice specs. I might just get one if i have a very good budget.

 

This whole Mac/PC hardware debate is over, they are the SAME hardware. IF these new MacBook Pros can boot Windows, they will be able to install and run all the games you can under Windows, with the same speed as they could on Acer, Dell, Gateway, etc.

That said, lets say Apple came up with a novel way of keeping Windows off their shiny new hardware. That X1600 is still going to help drive Core Image services in the Mac itself to provide real time effects to all the image and video processing. HD playback will be available and oh, by the way, those dual-DVI links start making sense. This is a professional machine through and through.

BTW, do we have any lab tests of the Acer battery system vs. the MacBook? No? Didn't think so. Until we do, no wild speculations. All we can all do is guess and run pricing and numbers against each other.

Sorry, just years of frustration built up here. Just please leave old prejudices at the door, OK? I work with both systems day in, day out as I have for 12 years. I am very happy this came to fruition sooner rather than later. Now everyone can choose the OS they want without worrying about loss of performance/workflow.

 

Amen brother. You said it much more brief than I did.

 

:apple:

I was more curious about this big IF than anything else right now. However, lets just think about it for a second... What's the advantage for Apple to allow Windows installation on their hardware? More hardware sales? I don't think so. They are not making the hardware, Asus or other ODM does, so they are not profiting a lot of money on that. They do, however, make money by installing Tiger OS on it, so if they allow easy windows installation they would be losing money, because they won’t be able to sell you other software. So, the question still stays unanswered about possibility to have windows installed, but I think we can safely assume that even if it's possible to run Windows you will need to perform some kind of hacking to get it up and running.

Also, just to throw in here. If they were thinking about PC users they would probably make 2 buttons, No?


:apple2:

 

just wait for the notebook to release and ppl to test it out. I'm sure we would know in a few months

 

Me too. We shouldn't have to wait long. The new iMac, which is supposedly available now, has VERY similar specs. I guess that within a week there will be someone that can answer this dual-boot question with first-hand knowledge.

 

1 mouse button is a huge problem I think, so the only solution I see is to add a shortcut Ctrl + MouseClick for instance to substitute that

 

lol, it look me about few days to get used to using one mouse button for apple computer and took me another week to learn how to use right click. lol

i don't think its a huge problem. Once u get used to it, its like using standard mouse.

 

I also heard a speculation that the superdrive does NOT burn dual-layer DVD.

Can somebody confirm this?

 

on apple site it does not state that it's a dual or single, so no one can tell you unless you call them up to confirm. Although, I don't think it's a big deal, regular burners will be obsolete pretty soon. Hello, HD-DVD & BluRay

 

lol i still have got a cd-rw only and i don't think is that obsolete...

 

Slick laptop! I was looking forward to the Intel based MacBook. And for a laptop with a 15.4" screen, it sure is light.

 

http://www.everymac.com/articles/q&a/macintel/faq/software_compatibility_2.html

 

These are the 15.4 Intel Duo Notebooks i have found so far, with powerfull GPU. They are equally powerfull as the new MAC, Just not as Pretty.

The Asus a6J.
It has the same specs as the Macintel.

There is also the new Gateway NX560 XL.
It has the same specs, tho a Radeon x1400

The Acer 8200 Looks **** Nice too.

I heard dell will be throwing something like the i6000, with Intel Duo and x1600.

I read it is possible to install Windows on the Macintels. Someone got to install it on a normal power book, and some stuff dint work, like wifi, and other hardware stuff. I think it will be the same since you will be needing windows drivers to run some of the hardware properly.

 

The Acer's specs looked good I admit.

I think that most of Asus's existing product line will be upgraded in Q1 to Intel Duo. The W2J is the most Mac-like of them all - you would get Mac asthetics with the typical hardware.

 

The Acer's specs looked good I admit.

I think that most of Asus's existing product line will be upgraded in Q1 to Intel Duo. The W2J is the most Mac-like of them all - you would get Mac asthetics with the typical hardware.

About the Windows on Mac install...I think we need to wait and see exactly what hardware is on the new systems. Old PowerPC based systems had radiaclly different hardware that the new MacTels should not.

 

I almost bought Dell 9300 for under $1300 when I saw this come out - sweet! But you'll have to wait till Feb - don't know when in Feb - to get one. Anyway, I think I can wait for awhile. I'm proficient in either setting and as for the mouse issue - I'm using the Logitech Laser MX1000 so that's a work around unless people are talking about the built in pad?

 

As far as I know, Photoshop and other image editors don't care a jot what card you have, they're not doing 3D. There may be some improvement from hardware decoders in movie editing programs, but the CPU is still going to be what's doing most of the processing if you're modifying things.

It's sleek-looking, as you'd expect from Apple.. it is going to be more expensive than the equivalent PC, and you'd expect that too (on the Dell UK site there's similar but 17" Inspirons 9400s, with glossy screens and the Go 7800 Ultra, for £200/£300 less).

However, one minus if you're hoping to use it with Windows - the touchpad has the stupid one button thing going on. Well, that's a negative in general, I'm sure most Mac OS users would prefer a two-button one to at least give you the option.

 

Well, you can always use the "Ctrl" to make that right click

 

Yes, but that's not convienent

I just toss in a good 2 button laser mouse and call it a day. Of course this isn't going to work, say, on your lap

As far as the "Pro" apps not using the graphics card technology that is partially true. The Pro apps from Apple (Final Cut, Motion, DVD Studio Pro, etc) can all offload at least some of the workload through the GPU while utilizing Core Image Service through Tiger. Those from other software companies (Adobe, Microsoft,etc) would have to be written to utilize Core Image service - that would yield a performance boost for those apps. Also remember that OS X relies on Quartz, OpenGL, and QuickTime at its foundation for most of its UI. These will all benefit from a faster GPU in some shape or form.

I believe Microsoft is working on a similar technology to use with Windows Vista, but it will likely only benefit the OS and other Microsoft apps.

 

Alright, I hate *lets say HATED* macs. The OS X never really strook me, and the mac processors just werent my thing.

After my first look at this baby and reading all about it here and there. I decided that down with my HP ZV5000. Its time to upgrade. The Video card is bossy, the processor is just great for me, intel rocks. And also being in university, its high time impossible to carry a brick like the zv5000 around with its barely ever reaching 2 hour battery life.
The 3-5 hour battery life on that is sweet. And as for OS X after trying it out in the lab today on the power mac g5, its not all that bad.

For games, well I dont really play that often but I was reading at the games that are supported for Mac, and most of the ones that it says there is the ones I play. So basically do all your research before dissing os x for w/e reason.

I think its great, and ill certainly buy it whenever I have the money. And before I forget, I love the apple designs, laptops except sony vaio's have no comparison. And if you are comparing them for price, sony vaio's with a decent weight and specifications are quiet expensive too.