Apple on Tuesday introduced new models of its consumer-level MacBook and high-end MacBook Pro notebook computers. Both product lines feature the latest Intel Core 2 Duo Penryn processors.
"Our Mac business is better than ever," David Moody, Apple vice president of worldwide Mac product marketing, told Macworld. "We just finished a quarter where we shipped over 2.3 million Macs — we are really happy with the momentum we have."
The MacBook Pro now has up to a 2.6GHz processor with 6MB of shared L2 cache; up to 4GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory and up to a 300GB hard drive. The pro model also comes with the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processors, now with up to 512MB of video memory.
Moody said the larger capacity hard drives in the new models were made with creative pros in mind. "We have a lot of people that are studio pros and want to take their projects with them," he said.
The new model MacBook Pro is up to 74 percent faster than a 17-inch MacBook Pro with a 2.16GHz Core Duo processor, according to Apple.
The 17-inch MacBook Pro joins the MacBook Air in using arsenic-free glass and it also has an optional mercury-free LED backlit display. This, says Moody, helps Apple in its commitment to reduce trace amounts of mercury in its products.
The MacBook Pro also features the Multi-Touch trackpad, first introduced in MacBook Air. The new trackpad allows users to pinch, rotate and swipe, making it making it easier to zoom and rotate photos on the go. Unlike the MacBook Air's larger form factor trackpad, the MacBook Pro keeps its current trackpad size, but adds the functionality.
The new MacBook line-up comes in three models and includes faster processors and larger hard drives across the line. The white 2.1GHz and 2.4GHz models come with 120GB or 160GB 5400 rpm hard drives and the black 2.4GHz model has a 250GB 5400 rpm hard drive.
When compared to the original MacBook Core Duo, the new models come out 50 percent faster, according to Apple.
Every MacBook and MacBook Pro includes a built-in iSight video camera; Apple's MagSafe Power Adapter; the latest generation of 802.11n wireless networking; built-in 10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet; Bluetooth; analog and digital audio inputs and outputs; USB 2.0; FireWire and a built-in SuperDrive.
Prices for the MacBook start at $1,099. The MacBook Pro is available at speeds of 2.4GHz and 2.5GHz with prices starting at $1,999.
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