Sometimes the rumor mill can be pretty accurate.
On Thursday, Apple released a new refresh of the MacBook Pro notebook, adding new dual-core and quad-core (a first for Apple’s notebooks) Intel processors, 3x faster graphics in the 15- and 17-inch models, ultrafast Thunderbolt (i.e., Light Peak) I/O and a FaceTime HD camera.
Per Mac|Life, the line includes the upgrade to Intel’s latest Sandy Bridge processors, including quad-core on certain 15- and 17-inch models that use the 2.2GHz Quad Core 2720QM and 2.0GHz Quad Core 2630QM CPUs. These processors also include Intel’s Turbo Boost 2.0 technology, so even apps that don’t take advantage of four cores will still see a boost in speed.
Intel’s Light Peak has been included in the new lineup under the new new “Thunderbolt” monicker and using the Mini DisplayPort port. The port technology is anticipated to negate the need for USB 3.0 on computers that implement it, capable of 10 gigabits per second I/O, which is double the throughput of the current USB 3.0 spec.
Graphics performance also gets a boost with the new models, with an integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000 processor now standard on all MacBook Pro models, which powers the new FaceTime HD camera capable of up to 720p video, as well as extending playback time for DVDs and iTunes movies. The 15- and 17-inch models get an extra boost by including high-performance AMD Radeon graphics processors for up to three times the performance of previous models:
-17″ 1920×1200 Display. 2.2Ghz Quad i7. 4GB RAM. 750GB HD. AMD 6750M 1GB. US$2,499
-15″ 1440×900 (1680 option) Display. 2.2GHz Quad i7. 750GB HD. AMD 6750M 1GB. US$2,199.
-15″ 1440×900 (1680 option) Display. 2.0GHz Quad i7. 4GB RAM. 500GB HD. AMD 6490M
256MB. US$1,799
-13″ 1280×800 Display. 2.7GHz Dual i5. 4GB RAM. 500GB HD. Intel HD Graphics. US$1,499
-13″ 1280×800 Display. 2.3GHz Dual i5. 4GB RAM. 320GB HD. Intel HD Graphics. US$1,199
As always, here’s the Apple Store link and let us know what you think in the comments.
One reply on “Apple releases updated MacBook Pro line, includes Sandy Bridge, Light Peak/”Thunderbolt”, FaceTime HD technologies”
I wonder if when you now connect a HDMI cable via Thunderbolt it will have fully functional Sound and vision or will it be like the current adapter and just streams the picture with no sound?