Apple Updates MacBook Pro Line

Apple has updated the MacBook Pro line with increases in processor speed, hard drive capacity and graphics processing power. Pricing on the MacBook Pro line has not changed from the previous generation. Here is a run-down of the updates:

• The entry-level 13” MacBook Pro, priced at $1199.99, now has a 2.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor (up from 2.3GHz) and a 500GB 5400-rpm hard drive (up from 320GB). The $1499.99 13” MacBook Pro’s dual-core i7 processor now runs at 2.8GHz (up from 2.7GHz) and the 5400-rpm hard drive now starts at 750GB (up from 500GB). The graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000) and RAM configurations (4GB standard, upgradable to 8GB) of these 13” MacBook Pro base models remain unchanged.

• The entry-level 15” MacBook Pro, priced at $1799.99, now sports a 2.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor (up from 2.0GHz), while the $2199.99 model now has a 2.4GHz quad-core i7 processor (up from 2.2GHz). The hard drives on the base models of the 15” MacBook Pro remain at 500GB 5400-rpm and 750GB 5400-rpm, respectively. RAM configurations have also not changed, with 4GB coming standard (upgradable to 8GB). Graphics have been updated on both base models: integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000 and discrete AMD Radeon HD 6750M (up from 6490M) on the entry-level model and integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000 and discrete AMD Radeon HD 6770M (up from 6750M) on the 2.4GHz model.

• The base model 17” MacBook Pro, priced at $2499.99, now includes a 2.4GHz quad-core Intel i7 processor (up from 2.2GHz) as well as integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000 and discrete AMD Radeon HD 6770M (up from 6750M). Standard hard drive capacity remains 750GB 5400-rpm. As with the previous generation, the 17” base model MacBook Pro comes with 4GB RAM (upgradable to 8GB).

Custom configurations are available for all MacBook Pro models.

While these upgrades are more subtle than the updates to the line in February, they do bring significant increases in speed, storage and power. Students will be excited about the hard drive upgrade on the 13” models, and gamers and designers will love the processor and graphics upgrades in the 15” and 17” models!