Description:
New quad-core Intel Core i7 processors are standard on the 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pro. And the 13-inch models feature the new dual-core Intel Core i5 processor or the fastest dual-core processor available — the Intel Core i7. All the models use Intel’s recently refined chipsets. So what does all that mean for the new MacBook Pro models? Bottom line: They perform up to twice as fast as the previous generation,1 breezing through demanding tasks like editing HD video, compiling audio, or rendering a multilayered image file. And since Mac OS X Snow Leopard is designed to take advantage of every processor core, it captures every last bit of performance from the processor.
Reviews:
1. Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch (Core i7) by LaptopMag
Nearly a year has passed since Apple released its updated 15-inch MacBook Pro, featuring a unibody aluminum construction, SD Card slot, and a longer-lasting lithium ion battery. Now, the Cupertino-based company has incorporated a few important upgrades under the hood to supercharge this elegant machine (starting at $1,799; $2,199 as configured). These enhancements include the long-awaited Intel Core i7 processor, capable of overclocking on the fly, and automatic graphics-switching technology that makes moving from integrated to discrete graphics mode all but invisible to the user. Best of all, even with the jump from Core 2 Duo to Core i7, Apple has managed to deliver all-day battery life. These are collectively welcome improvements, but are they enough to justify the premium? Yup.
2. MacBook Pro Core i7 Review by Engadget
While the MacBook Pro is just another Intel-based computer with standard internals, slightly inflated price tags, and a familiar (if legendary) design sense, Apple having the absolute corner on the market for building machines that legitimately run OS X can be a little rough on the upgrade obsessed. Waiting 10 months for a new computer, without an industry full of hungry competitors with wild alternatives to quench your thirst, can be difficult, and the January launch of Intel’s new Core i5 and Core i7 chips for laptops further fueled the saliva. Still, Apple would like you to believe these new MacBook Pros with their 2010-ready internals and same-as-last-year good looks have been worth the wait. Find out for yourself in our full review after the break.
3. Apple MacBook Pro Winter 2011 (2.7GHz Core i7, 13-inch) by Cnet
The 13-inch MacBook Pro is the most affordable of Apple’s high-end laptops. With the admittedly supercharged 15-inch version starting at a princely $1,799, the 13-inch model’s starting price of $1,199 is the one many consumers will likely consider first. Its size is also ideal, and in fact, we’ve long considered 13 inches to be the sweet spot in laptops for usability and portability. The question is: does the smaller Pro deliver the processing punch that last year’s lacked?
Specs:
Processor : 2.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7
L3 cache : 6MB shared
Memory: 4GB (two 2GB SO-DIMMs) of 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM; supports up to 8GB
Hard Drive: 750GB Serial ATA; 5400 rpm
Slot-loading Optical Drive: 8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 30005 and AMD Radeon HD 6750M with automatic graphics switching
Graphics Memory: 1GB GDDR5
Video: FaceTime HD camera; Thunderbolt port with support for DVI, VGA, dual-link DVI, and HDMI (requires adapters, sold separately)
Display: 15.4-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen display, 1440-by-900 resolution
Expansion: One Thunderbolt port (up to 10 Gbps), one FireWire 800 port (up to 800 Mbps), two USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps), SDXC card slot
Audio: Stereo speakers with subwoofers, omnidirectional microphone, audio line in minijack (digital/analog), audio line out/headphone minijack (digital/analog)
Networking: 10/100/1000BASE-T (Gigabit) Ethernet
Wireless: Wi-Fi (based on IEEE 802.11n specification)2; Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) wireless technology
Hardware Accessories: 85W MagSafe Power Adapter, AC wall plug, power cord
Limited Warranty and Service: Your MacBook Pro comes with 90 days of free telephone support and a one-year limited warranty. Purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan to extend your service and support to three years from your computer’s purchase date. Only the AppleCare Protection Plan provides you with direct telephone support from Apple technical experts and the assurance that repairs will be handled by Apple-authorized technicians using genuine Apple parts. For more information, visit Apple support or call 800-823-2775.
