AppleInsider has reported more sightings of slender “dark grey” or “gunmetal” colored notebooks. Could these be the rumored lightweight MacBook Pros or just a revamp for the rather chunky consumer MacBooks?
Though noticeably thinner but otherwise similar in size to the company’s 13-inch MacBooks, the notebook appeared to have a metallic sheen to it, which set it apart from the current black MacBook.
Just got info from a new source so treat as “a possibility”. New MacBook Pros tomorrow powered by Intels new Santa Rosa chipset. One of the new model configs (the “middle” model) is as follows:
MacBook Pro 15.4″ (MA6019LL) - $2499
15.4″ LED-backlit LCD
2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo “T7700″
2GB RAM
Radeon X1700M
160GB 7200RPM Hard Drive
Built-in Airport Card
Bluetooth 2.0
2 USB 2.0 ports
1 FireWire + 1 FireWire 800 port
DVD Burner (with BTO of Blu-ray player)
Mac OS X 10.4.9 (8P2178)
Sounds pretty good, yum! 
Apple today announced that its entire MacBook Pro line now includes the new Intel Core 2 Duo processor and delivers performance that is up to 39% faster than the previous generation. All MacBook Pro models now offer double the memory and greater storage capacity than the previous generation, as well as a FireWire 800 port for connecting to high-speed peripherals. They will be available for purchase for next week and can be pre-ordered at the online Apple Store. The new models come in:
15″ MacBook Pro, 2.16GHz, 1GB, 120GB HD, $1999.
15″ MacBook Pro, 2.33GHz, 2GB, 120GB HD, $2499.
17″ MacBook Pro, 2.33GHz, 2GB, 160GB HD, $2799.
Apple is preparing to update their MacBook Pro range in Germany next week. The Photokina event on September 25th will also see the launch of Aperture 1.2. The new MacBook Pros will come in 2.33GHz and 2.16GHz models. There are rumors of a 1.83GHz powered 12″ model, but we cannot confirm them at this time. Apple will then again update ALL their Macs in Q1/2 next year to the upcoming second-wave of Merom which is due for launch next April… Which is when Leopard is due to launch… See what Apple’s doing? (Steve is oh so clever). We’ll keep you updated as ever.
Update: Sorry, the date for Photokina is 25th.
Apple today unveiled the new 17″ MacBook Pro featuring the Intel Core Duo processor and an all new system architecture that delivers up to five times the performance of the PowerBook G4. The new 17″ MacBook Pro features an aluminum enclosure just one inch thin, weighs 6.8 pounds, includes a built-in iSight video camera for video conferencing on-the-go, and the Front Row media system with Apple Remote. The 17″ MacBook Pro also features a MagSafe Power Adapter. It’s priced at $2,799 and will be available from next week!
AppleInsider reports that Apple is set to host a special event around April 1st for their 30th birthday celebrations. They say:
While the company’s precise plans are shrouded in secrecy as usual, sources are almost certain the event will play host to a new line of 13″ widescreen consumer iBook notebooks based on Intel microprocessors. Additional announcements such as a high-end 17″ MacBook Pro and a high-profile iPod-related product may also be in the cards.
The NewTechSpy reports that Apple is to launch a new “function” touchpad. In what could be the biggest innovation since the computer mouse… Apple is planning a giant leap forward with the introduction of the simple yet revolutionary idea of user programmable “Mini-touch finger LCD’s”. In one bold move Apple will redefine the notion of function keys from their now dubious state of uniform confusion, to a visual interactive user experience. The new touch finger LCD’s will appear first on the MacBook Pro along both sides of the scrolling touchpad, as an addition to the manual numeric function keys, but will eventually replace them all together. User input will be the driving force to what happens next, as a generation of people will have to slowly adjust to the new system. Continue reading »
It’s been a slow news day today… A user on Flickr has posted shots of the MacBook Pro packaging (how exciting!) so just take a look and be in awe, your Apple purchase money go towards designing product boxes, not just hard and software. Apple really seems to be taking its environmental safety policy seriously. First cutting the box sizes on the iPod, then iLife and iWork and now the MacBook Pro. Oh well, save the world!
AppleInsider is reporting that Apple will launch the 17″ MacBook Pro at the annual World Wide Developers Conference in June. The new flagship model, which will based around a 17-inch widescreen display and feature at least a 2.16GHz Intel Core Duo processor.
The new MacBook Pro ships with a slimmer form factor requiring a slimmer SuperDrive. At present there only appears to be 4x SuperDrives available at that thickness (9.5mm). AppleInsider speculates that the lack of 9.5mm 8x SuperDrives may be one of the limiting factors from Apple shipping the 17″.
But it could be released even earlier to coincide with the MacBook (MacTel iBook) release which is said to be in April. All sounds rather exciting but where’s the 12″, actually make that a widescreen 12″!
Apple showed a little love today by announcing that the MacBook Pro, which was announced back in January, has started shipping. Everything is the same as back then except now Apple have upgraded the specifications. The lower-end model now starts at 1.83 GHz for $1999 and the higher-end starts at 2.0GHz for $2499. You can also get a 2.16GHz via the build-to-order at the Apple Store. I really do hope this Intel transition finishes soon, there are lots of people (like myself) holding out for other Mactel models. What happens to the folks who pre-bought a MacBook Pro? Do they recieve the new models?
It appears that the Intel Core Duo chip already inside thousands of new Intel Macs may indeed be 64 bit. An article at Hexus claims that the Intel chips may are 64 bit. The huge question remains, why would Intel hide such a feature? Speculation has it that Windows has not been booted on new Intel Macs for this reason.
Note: This story has not been fully acredited and may be untrue.
Reports have come in that the reason the MacBook Pros are shipping in February is not because of delays in Intel lead times, but in fact there are some nasty software issues still to fix. First off, putting the MacBook into sleep mode causes the mouse pointer to freeze upon awakening and you’ll need to do hard reset. Second, although the battery for the MacBook is at over 6000mAh, it would appear the battery life is worse than that of the Powerbook G4 which was 4600mAh. Let’s hope Apple gets fixing these errors - otherwise can we expect a March release?
Haha, first off, let’s get this new name sorted out - MacBook Pro - isn’t that the worst name ever? Anyway, the MacBook Pro is the fastest notebook Apple has ever released and it features an Intel Core Duo processor. Features of the new portable include a built-in iSight camera, IR Sensor, Apple Remote, ATI Radeon x1600 video processor, and a new, innovative magnetic power plug. The new MacBook Pro is available in two configurations: 1.67GHz ($1999) and 1.83GHz ($2499). They both feature a rather dazzling 15.4″ LCD with “cinema brightness”. So yeh, go Apple! They will be available in February (yeh right…) but you can order them now at Apple Online. Oh and we’re also guessing the iBook won’t be saved from the ghastly re-naming, so lets start the countdown for the MacBook!
