There was no press release to announce the changes, but Apple has tweaked its MacBook Pro line with, as you might guess, faster processors and beefier video chips.
The US$1,199 13-inch model now packs a 2.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor and a 500GB, 5400RPM hard drive,. The $1,499 model has a 2.8GHz Core i7 with a 750GB, 5400RPM hard drive.
The entry level 15-inch MacBook Pro ($1,799) sports a 2.2GHz quad-core Core i7 system with a Radeon HD 6750M graphics processor, 512MB of GDDR5 memory, and a 500GB, 5400RPM hard drive. The 2.4GHz quad-core Core i7 model ($2,199) has an AMD Radeon HD 6770M graphics processor with 1GB of GDDR5 memory and a 750GB, 5400RPM hard drive.
The $2,499 17-inch MacBook Pro boasts a 2.4GHz quad-core Core i7 processor, a Radeon HD 6770M discrete graphics processor, 1GB of GDDR5 memory, and a 750GB, 5400RPM hard drive. The 2.4GHz Core i7 chip on the high-end 15-inch or the 17-inch model can be upgraded to a 2.5GHz quad-core Core i7 chip for an extra $250.
The 13-inch and low-end 15-inch models can upgrade to 5400-rpm 750GB hard drives for $100. The high-end 15-inch and the 17-inch model can move from a 5400-rpm 750GB hard drive to a 7200-rpm 750GB hard drive for an additional $50 (something I personally would recommend).
Solid-state drives are also available as options, though they're as pricey as ever. The 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB SSDs will set you back $100, $500, and $1,100 respectively, on the high-end 13-inch, high-end 15-inch, and 17-inch models. On the low-end 13-inch and low-end 15-inch models, those prices are another $100 each.
Hi-Res Glossy Widescreen Displays and Hi-Res Antiglare Widescreen Displays are options for the high end 15-incher for $100 and $150, respectively. You can add a antiglare display to the 17-incher for an extra 50 bucks.
-- Dennis Sellers
