Apple today upgraded its entire line of MacBook Pro notebooks to Intel’s Core 2 Duo processor, providing speed boosts of up to 39%. The new models also feature double the memory, increased hard disk space and Firewire 800 ports.

“With an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, greater storage capacity and FireWire 800 connectivity, the new MacBook Pro delivers unprecedented performance and mobility in an incredibly thin and light design,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “We are thrilled that our notebook sales are growing twice as fast as the overall notebook market, and we hope these new MacBook Pro models continue that success.”

“Ideal for business and creative professionals, MacBook Pro delivers advanced performance including 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory expandable up to 3GB, ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics with up to 256MB of dedicated GDDR3 graphics memory, and a double-layer SuperDrive(TM) for burning professional-quality DVDs. With the latest high-performance connectivity options, every new MacBook Pro includes built-in 10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed networking, built-in AirPort Extreme® and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), a FireWire 800 and a FireWire 400 port, combination analog and optical digital audio input and output ports, an ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot, and a DVI video output to connect up to a 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display.”

The 15 inch model will ship today, while the 17 inch model will be available next week.

The 2.16 GHz, 15-inch MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of $1,999 (US), includes:

– 15.4-inch widescreen 1440 x 900 LCD display with 300 cd/m2 brightness;
– 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor;
– 1GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 3GB;
– 120GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion
Sensor;
– a slot-load 6x SuperDrive(TM) with double-layer support (DVD+R
DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
– PCI Express-based ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 128MB GDDR3 memory;
– DVI-out port for external display (VGA-out adapter included,
Composite/S-Video out adapter sold separately);
– built-in Dual Link support for driving Apple 30-inch Cinema HD Display;
– built-in iSight video camera;
– Gigabit Ethernet port;
– built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
– ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot;
– two USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 800 port, and one FireWire 400 port;
– one audio line in and one headphone out port, each supporting optical
digital audio;
– Scrolling TrackPad and illuminated keyboard;
– the infrared Apple Remote; and
– 85 Watt Apple MagSafe Power Adapter.

The 2.33 GHz, 15-inch MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of $2,499 (US), includes:

– 15.4-inch widescreen 1440 x 900 LCD display with 300 cd/m2 brightness;
– 2.33 GHz Intel Core 2Duo processor;
– 2GB of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 3GB;
– 120GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion
Sensor;
– a slot-load 6x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD+/-RW/
CD-RW) optical drive;
– PCI Express-based ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 256MB GDDR3 memory;
– DVI-out port for external display (VGA-out adapter included,
Composite/S-Video out adapter sold separately);
– built-in Dual Link support for driving Apple 30-inch Cinema HD Display;
– built-in iSight video camera;
– Gigabit Ethernet port;
– built-in Airport Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
– ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot;
– two USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 800 port, and one FireWire 400 port;
– one audio line in and one headphone out port, each supporting optical
digital audio;
– Scrolling TrackPad and illuminated keyboard;
– the infrared Apple Remote; and
– 85 Watt Apple MagSafe Power Adapter.

The 2.33 GHz, 17-inch MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of $2,799 (US), includes:

– 17-inch widescreen 1680 x 1050 LCD display with 300 cd/m2 brightness;
– 2.33 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor;
– 2GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 3GB;
– 160GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion
Sensor;
– a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD+/-RW/
CD-RW) optical drive;
– PCI Express-based ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 256MB GDDR3 memory;
– DVI-out port for external display (VGA-out adapter included,
Composite/S-Video out adapter sold separately);
– built-in Dual Link support for driving Apple 30-inch Cinema HD Display;
– built-in iSight video camera;
– Gigabit Ethernet port;
– built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
– ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot;
– three USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 800 port, and one FireWire 400 port;
– one audio line in and one headphone out port, each supporting optical
digital audio;
– Scrolling TrackPad and illuminated keyboard with ambient light sensor;
– the infrared Apple Remote; and
– 85 Watt Apple MagSafe Power Adapter.






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