They're based on Intel's Santa Rosa chipset, with processor speed bumps up to 2.4GHz, a new NVIDIA 8600M GT video chip, and up to 4GB RAM.
 Vroom with a view: new MacBook pros released for your yodelling pleasure |
Apple has released new MacBook Pros this morning based on Intel's "Santa Rosa" chipset, with processor speed bumps up to 2.4GHz, a new NVIDIA 8600M GT video chip, and up to 4GB RAM.
The displays now have LED backlighting -- first hinted at by Steve Jobs in his "response to Greenpeace" letter -- which are claimed to be significantly more power efficient than the current cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) displays used in previous models.
The LED backlit displays also jump to full brightness as soon as they are powered on, unlike the CCFL parts which require some time to warm up to full brightness.
The displays are driven by a brand new NVIDIA 8600M GT GPU with 128MB or 256MB of dedicated GDDR3 memory, depending on the model chosen.
Hard drive sizes up to 250GB are available, but disappointingly, the 200GB and 250GB drives Apple is offering as build-to-order options are only 4200RPM. 5400RPM models have been released in recent weeks, but for some reason Apple isn't using them.
The new 17" MacBook Pro now has the option of a true high definition display, offering 1900x1200 pixels, allowing for video playback at 1920x1080 pixels.
RAM pricing seems to have become more affordable, too. For example, the mid-range 15" MacBook Pro, which comes with 2GB by default, only costs $1090 to upgrade to 4GB RAM -- not cheap, but not prohibitive either.
Apple has stuck with the same aluminium casing as previous models, suggesting that this is an bridging update before Apple releases its expected complete redesign of the chassis somewhere down the track.
Apple published comparison statistics, as yet untested by APC, that claim a 50% performance increase on the original Core Duo MacBook Pros.
In other respects, the configurations seemed largely unchanged. They still support 802.11n (and it's not clear whether Apple is continuing to use its previous wireless chipset supplier or whether it has moved to Intel) and they are stlll capable of driving a 30" display thanks to a DVI port that is dual-link capable.
The full speecifications of the systems can be seen at Apple Australia's website.
The systems appear to be available immediately, with "2-4 days" shipping time quoted on the Apple Store Australia website.