* 13-inch MacBook Pro - Last time around the 13-inchers didn't exactly get a lot of love (they were stuck with older Core 2 Duo processors), but this time is different -- both 13.3-inch models are now available with Core i5 and i7 processors. The lower end model starts at $1,199, and features a 2.4GHz dual-core Core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 320GB hard drive. Going up to the 2.7GHz dual-core Core i7 CPU and 500GB hard drive will set you back $1,499. This duo doesn't get the AMD graphics treatment like the others, but from what we've heard Intel's new HD 3000 integrated graphics is more powerful than ever.
* 15-inch MacBook Pro - No more Core i5 options for the middle child -- these two strictly get the Core i7 and AMD Radeon HD 6000M goods. The $1,799 model packs a 2.0GHz quad-core Core i7 processor, AMD Radeon HD6490M graphics with 1GB of VRAM, and a 500GB hard drive. On the higher end, there's a $2,199 model which buys you a faster 2.2GHz Core i7 chip, AMD Radeon 6750M graphics, and 750GB hard drive. There are also 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB SSD options. Also, as far as we understand, the graphics switching will work exactly like the previous models -- it automatically switches between the GPU and IGP depending on what you're doing.
* 17-inch MacBook Pro - Last but not least you've got the all-powerful 17-incher, which basically has the same specs as that high-end 15-incher -- for $2,499 you get that same 2.2GHz Core i7 processor, AMD Radeon 6750M graphics, and a 750GB hard drive. Naturally, you can spec this one out with those aforementioned SSD options.
Still weigh too much... I like the 13" and 15" specs but they are both 1lb overweight. Plus no blu-ray, no usb 3.0, no esata... They look like nice laptops but they're missing a bunch of features that will be present on a number of competing laptops at lower price points.
Still weigh too much... I like the 13" and 15" specs but they are both 1lb overweight. Plus no blu-ray, no usb 3.0, no esata... They look like nice laptops but they're missing a bunch of features that will be present on a number of competing laptops at lower price points.
How do they get 7 hr battery life out of a quad i7?
No you don't get it... it's a Mac.
The lack of a BD option on the 15/17in models is pretty crappy. These are features a high end notebook should have, far as I'm concerned.
You can with a Sandy Bridge based quad (and a decent size battery). Anandtech's reviewed Compal 17" Sandy Bridge quad gets 7-8 hours with a smaller battery than the MBP.How do they get 7 hr battery life out of a quad i7?
Man, light peak is retardedly lame, lol. Should be just what apple wants though, something that "regular" pc users won't be using, instead we'll be sticking to our "inferior" usb 3. lol
Agreed about lightpeak being "better", but for NOW, USB 3.0 and esata are required items, while lack of BD means hooking up a redundant external drive, ruining the apple esthetic. Without those items, the MBP is like a smart and good looking guy who is missing one arm... Just not a complete package no matter how nice the rest of the incomplete feature set is.
If they'd made the usb ports both USB 3.0, and have one a combo USB/HDMI or something, they could have made it all fit. Even the 15" has the same ports as the 13", which seems strange.
I don't want tomorrow's computer today, which will be too slow to do anything when tomorrow shows up. I want today's computer today, and these MBPs are a strange mix of yesterday and tomorrow, with the only today part being the new cpu. I would have bought one TODAY if they included the hardware features that my wife's "ancient" toshiba R700 has, but the new MBP doesn't even come close. The MBP has a hefty aluminum body which is neat but heavy, and a better screen and the new cpu, but everything else is slower or less compatible than that R700. Nothing there to entice me to buy this iteration and there will be more feature rich options available within a month that WILL have USB 3.0, esata, BD, plus various other neat features to choose from like wi-di, wimax, bluetooth, multiple display outputs, etc.
Swing and a miss, which is a shame because I sort of wanted a MBP this time around and I've been looking for an excuse to get one. But I can't spend that much money on a computer with less features than something I already bought for my wife after doing a ton of research, so I'll have to wait.