Apple adds LED-backlit displays to updated MacBook Pros
Faster CPUs, Firewire 800 too
Apple has upgraded its 15in MacBook Pro laptops, equipping the new models not only with Intel's latest mobile processors but also LED-backlit displays, as anticipated a month ago.
Apple's 15in MacBook Pro: now with LED backlighting
Two 15in models are available, with, respectively, 2.2GHz and 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo processors backed by 2GB of 667MHz DDR 2 memory. Both have 5,400rpm SATA hard drives: 120GB and 160GB, respectively. And while each machine is fitted with an Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT graphics chip, the low end machine has 128MB of GDDR 3 graphics memory, while the 2.4GHz model has 256MB - as does does the 2.4GHz 17in model, which also ships with a base 2GB of main memory and a 160GB hard drive.
All three models sport a dual-link DVI monitor port; Gigabit Ethernet; 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi; Bluetooth 2; an integrated iSight webcam; a slot-loading dual-layer media supporting 8x DVD writer; an ExpressCard 34 slot; a Firewire 400 port and two USB 2.0 ports.
All three models also feature a second Firewire port, this time rated at 800 speed. The 17in MacBook Pro also has a third USB 2.0 port.
It's worth stressing that the 17in model is not fitted with an LED-backlit display.
Last month, Apple revamped its consumer-oriented MacBook line-up.
Prices for the three new machines are, respectively, £1299/$1999, £1599/$2499 and £1799/$2799.
COMMENTS
Hi Res
I'm almost tempted to change my 15" version purely for the 1920 x 1200 res.... for only an extra £60 it's a bargain by all accounts too!
I'm interested to see what difference the LED backlight makes, if any!?
Would it be so wrong...
...of me to sell my original 17-inch MacBook Pro (2.16GHz Core Duo) and get one of these new LED, HD-screened babies?
17" High-resolution display
Just a FYI: you forgot to mention that the 17" MBP has a high-resolution 1920x1200 display available as a build-to-order option. That's a lot of pixels-per-inch!
Firewire 800 isn't new...
There was Firewire 800 on the old Macbook Pro too. It wasn't on the first revision (apart from the 17") but it is there on the ones this update is replacing.
Tim
