Apple MacBook Pros drop Core Duo for Core 2 Duo

Apple has revamped its MacBook Pro line-up with 'Merom', Intel's Core 2 Duo mobile processor, the Mac maker has just announced. The update brings a performance jump of up to 39 per cent, Apple claimed. It also adds Firewire 800 to the 15in models.

The 15.4in model is offered with a choice of 2.16GHz or 2.33GHz Core 2 chip, backed by 1GB of 667MHz DDR 2 SDRAM, 120GB of 5,400rpm SATA HDD storage space and a 6x slot-loading DVD burner with DVD+R dual-layer support.

The machines now come with a Firewire 800 port and a Firewire 400 connector. So does the 17in machine, which also have three USB 2.0 ports to the 15.4in MacBook Pro's two. The bigger model is powered by a 2.33GHz Core 2 Duo, 2GB of memory, 160GB of hard drive space and an 8x DVD burner.

Both sizes of machine use an ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 GPU with either 128MB of GDDR 3 memory (the 15.4in model) or 256MB (17in).

Apple is bundling Bluetooth 2.0 and 802.11b/g Wi-Fi with the machines, along with its usual iLife software bundle, a remote control and the 85W MagSafe-connected power brick.

Prices start at $1,999/£1,349 for the 2.16GHz 15.4in MacBook Pro, through the $2,499/£1,699 Apple wants for the 2.33GHz 15.4in model, up to $2,799/£1,899 for the 17in machine. ®