Apple MacBook Pro gets Core 2 Duo

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It took a lot of waiting as anxious Apple customers looked at their watches, but Apple is finally offering a notebook with the new Core 2 Duo processor. The 15&quot; MacBook Pro now offers a 2.16GHz or 2.33GHz Core 2 Duo and the 17&quot; MacBook Pro offers the 2.33GHz.

Some other upgrades

The MacBook Pro 15.4&quot; screen also now has the faster FireWire 800 like its 17&quot; larger brother. Also in the 15&quot; now is a base hard drive capacity of 120GB and faster 6x SuperDrive.

The 17&quot; screen MacBook Pro now starts at 160GB of disk space and 8x SuperDrive to offer a premium over the 15&quot; MacBook Pro.

Each model is upgradeable to 3GB of RAM and can be configured with a 200GB hard drive.

The best news though? Pricing is still the same for the base models. Prices start at $1,999 for the 15&quot; MacBook Pro and $2,799 for the 17&quot; version.

The bad news? Still no sign of Core Duo in the more popular 13.3&quot; MacBook

Reviews

Apple MacBook Pro Review

 

I think the 15" gets a DL DVD drive also. I am certainly persuaded to get a MBP now. Hope the heat dissipation design is improved so the ATI 1600 doesn't have to again be underclocked...even still it looks well worth it over the older version.

 

Gosh... yeah, I want to upgrade mine! DL drive... 3 gb of ram. 120 gb standard HD.. JUICY!

 

the 15" will still be underclocked for sure! there is no way they can improved the thermal design that much! even if they change the motherboard (logicboard) i still think that with fully clocked x1600 still too much for the (mainly) passive cooled system.

it's great isn't it? when the 17" MBP launch few months ago u would most likely be upgrading to 2GB (which cost a LOT), now it is comes at standard . did they offer the 3GB as standard there in the US? u know... that 2gb+1gb RAM won't run in Dual Channel, and that is no good.

 

With dedicated graphics, dual channel is going to provide a negligible benefit... you wouldn't notice it except for benchmarks.

 

With this budget I would go for ThinkPad Z61e 9450GBU for $2,505.00 which sports:

Intel Core 2 Duo T7600 (2.33GHz, 4MB L2, 667MHz FSB)
Operating system: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
15.4 inch WUXGA TFT (1920x1200)
2GB PC2-5300 CL5 NP DDR2 SDRAM SODIMM
256MB ATI Mobility FireGL V5200
3 USB 2.0, IEEE 1394, 3-1 digital media reader (SD/MMC/MS), S-Video out, External Display, External Microphone/Line-In, Headphone / Line out
ExpressCard 54 and PC Card II
120GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
8x Max DVD Recordable Ultrabay Enhanced Drive (DL)
56K V.92 Designed Modem
Integrated Gigabit Ethernet
Bluetooth 2.0
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Mini-PCI Express Adapter
ThinkPad Fullsize Keyboard & ThinkPad UltraNav
ThinkPad 6 Cell Li-Ion Battery
Built-in camera
Integrated fingerprint reader

So... for the similar price you get non-flamboyant notebook (not to mention WUXGA, TrackPoint and four more buttons..., Ultrabay ThinkPad Serial ATA Hard Drive Bay Adapter for extra HDD)

Heh... MBP has much better PR... (and DVI output!)

 

and MacBook Pro has a better operating system...

anyhow, good upgrade. anyone noticed that the battery life is rated a 5.5 hours? The old models only has 3.5 hours of battery life.

 

I don't know how valid a Thinkpad comparison is, as they cater to different markets (though I will admit both are pretty much at the top when it comes to notebook design.)

The Macbook Pro gains Front Row (if you care,) a Firewire 800 port* , a real Firewire 400 port, has a better touchpad (enough I think to offset the lack of the Trackpoint, which I always found reprehensible- I think the two-finger scrolling is brilliant and wish my own laptop had it), and offers true DVI output.* On top of that, the battery life is better on the Macbook Pro- to acheive the same battery life on the Thinkpad, you need the extended 6 cell battery which ruins the form factor if I'm not mistaken) Also, I'll say I think the MBP's illuminated keyboard beats the dinky thinklight.

The advantage of Firewire 800 comes to bootability- if you're a professional using the Macbook Pro as your "on the go" workstation, it can plug right in to your desktop Mac Pro and boot onto it. In terms of just external drive storage, the FW800 advantage is still noticable, probably due just to bus improvements allowing to fully maximize the transfer rate of the drive (this is from personal experience) , though its most notable benefit is in a RAID setup. That is a major, major, major advantage to the Macbook Pro.

Also, the ability to output to a 30 inch display at native resolution right from the laptop with no loss in quality is no small feature, which I think the Macbook's focus group would prefer over a higher resolution display (though to be honest, I'd prefer both!)

The Thinkpad, however, has the advantages in drive speed, upgradability (probably the MBP's biggest downfall) , and it does offer more USB ports, though it appears half of them are poorly placed.

Though as a commentary, I really think the Z Series is a disgrace to the Thinkpad name. Count me a fan of the T Series.

 

The new MacBook Pro seems awesome. I'm really tempted to buy it

 

will there be a 13inch version of the core 2 duo???

 

There WILL be a Core 2 Duo MacBook, most likely. But it isn't out yet. But no, the MacBook Pro does not have 13 inch models, only 15.4 and 17

 

Interesting... too bad you have to live with an inferior operating system and lug an extra 3/4 lb around. I have always liked Thinkpads... and I LOVE TrackPoint (never met a touchpad I didn't HATE). If Lenovo puts them up on the EPP store in the next week, I may give it a chance vs the MBP... but I doubt it

I'd miss the backlit keyboard, too... Thinklight kinda sucks

 

I'm considering to buy one of this (17" version), but I'm quite dissapointed. After 2 months, they have only improved the processor, but what about the screen (1900x1200??), the graphic card (X1700) and the new blu-ray discs???? Any HDMI port??

Fortunately prices have drop.

 

Check http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook...=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-6361457-9242402?ie=UTF8&s=pc for a totally awesome price on the last iteration of the Macbook Pro (2.0Ghz Core Duo Yonah). Only $1599 after rebate. Just WOW.

 

True, or get an even better deal @ the Apple Refurb page...


Refurbished MacBook Pro, 15-inch, 2.16GHz Intel Core Duo
15.4-inch widescreen display (1440x900 resolution)
1GB (single SODIMM) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
100GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive
Slot-load SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 256MB GDDR3 memory
Built-in iSight Camera
Front Row and Apple Remote

$1599

Apple Store

 

Can't say I'm too surprised about the "nominal" CPU upgrade. See, Santa Rosa is a major step forward in terms of battery life, cooling, and performance (yes basically everything). What's better to emphasize that with a whole new redesign, HDMI for the 17" model, and next-gen HD-DVD/Bluray disc technology? I'm not trying to spread any rumours here, but just imagine.

 

I agree cy007. Most likely all the computer companies will have massive upgrades, in terms of design, specs, and even "size", when Santa Rosa arrives.

 

So, when is Santa Rosa expected to arrive?

 

first half of 2007 you should so basically (IMHO) it is best if you buy it during june(6)-october(10) at the earliest.

 

What I am waiting for?

Besides the need to save-up for the transfer from the Wintel world to the Mac, I also want to make the migration in the best possible moment. As I see it, Apple is in a transition state, and so too is the Wintel environment. With 64 bit CPUs being launched and 64 bit O. / S. just around the corner, I want to make sure that my next computer investment is for all my systems, O. / S., and applications to be running on this new architecture.

Even though I am well sold on the concept to move over to the Mac world, and I must admit I can’t wait to get my Mac laptop, still I don’t expect to upgrade / switch over for the next few months. Not until all applications have been ported to 64bits, the 64bit O. / S. has been launched and tested, and the major glitches of the new CPU architecture is smoothed out. All in all, I figure the next few months will be trying months for Apple to ensure that all goes smoothly.

Once this technical “leap” is done, I will be more than ready to move over, but until such time I will be sitting here reading all about how great these Macs are and am counting the moments go by until I can make the move.

 

yeerrrr.... mac is not at all as great as it claims to be... it is the 3rd party software that makes all the difference. it all depends on what u wanna do (and believe). my main gripes with macs are; the weak explorer (finder), can't visit some websites (coz they are made for internet explorer only) you gotta be used to that, lol, after all it is wndows world!. with XP vs OS X; OS X would certainly wins, but with OS X vs Vista, i'm sure vista would equal the competition if not beat.

ooh ic, so u wanna buy mac? u gotta wait later, coz intel CPU usually implemented a bit later in mac world, i'm guessing santa rosa would comes in october for apple.

 

nice upgrade apple, hope you got all those older ones sold before you released the update

 

Refurbished products are cheaper for a reason.

Wikipedia: Refurbished