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15/17-Inch MacBook Pro Specs: AMD GPU, Quad Core i7

Better than I expected

Honestly, this beats my expectations. Rumors of MBPs having up to 3 HDD/SSDs sounded too crazy to be true. Liquidmetal? Yeah, right. NONE of the rumors predicted quad-core chips. All I was expecting was a dual-core SB speed bump. The Light Peak and quad-core i7's is a pleasant surprise. I'll be very happy to update my 2007 MB to a nice quad-core i7.

Keep your expectations low/realistic and you'll never be disappointed.:D
 
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ezekielrage_99 said:
If the 15" have a 1GB Graphics card I am buying :cool:

I look at it like this, I work in the design industry. A designer is like a whore who has programmed their mind to find a fun place rather than being outraged or disgusted by clients' idiotic requests.

I deserve a new MBP, it's my happy place :)
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Looks like your buying.
 
Apple is claiming that the graphics update for 6750M are significantly (2.8x - 3.1x) faster than previous models. Here is the fine print [link]:

Testing conducted by Apple in February 2011 using preproduction 2.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7–based 17-inch MacBook Pro units and preproduction 2.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7–based 15-inch MacBook Pro units with AMD Radeon HD 6750M. 2.53GHz Intel Core i5–based 17-inch MacBook Pro systems and 2.66GHz Intel Core i7–based 15-inch MacBook Pro systems with NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M were production units. All systems were configured with 4GB of RAM. Tested at native resolutions using Portal v(4295)(400) and Half Life 2 Episode 2 v(4295)(420) with 4x antialiasing and high graphics quality. Half Life 2 Episode 2 timedemo test file: Storm. Portal timedemo test file: Mydemo1. MacBook Pro continuously monitors system thermal and power conditions, and may adjust processor speed as needed to maintain optimal system operation.
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How does this jive with previous comments that the graphics update is at best the same as, or even, "worse than" the 330M?
 
ulfses said:
5400 hdd? what happened to 7200rpm?
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The 7200rpm drive I put into my macbook lasted for 3 days. A slight bump was enough to damage it permanently. I think that to stick to 5200rpm is not a bad choice in a laptop. Desktop is, of course, a different story.
 
Yay, a 1gig grapho option on the 15". *does happy dance*

Now if I could see what the hell that one will cost here in Aus. The Apple Store is still down, at least for me. But considering the lower-end 15" is $2099 AUD... ouch. Especially as our dollar is worth more than the American one. Damn your international mark-ups, Apple! :(

Edit: http://www.apple.com/au/macbookpro/specs-compare.html has the Aussie prices, and that model comes in at "A$2499". I'm not sure I can afford that right now. :(
 
Apple press release with prices. I'm in for that high-end 15.

Apple Updates MacBook Pro with Next Generation Processors, Graphics & Thunderbolt I/O Technology

CUPERTINO, California-February 24, 2011-Apple® today updated the industry-leading MacBook® Pro family with next generation processors and graphics, high-speed Thunderbolt I/O technology and a new FaceTime® HD camera. Featuring the very latest dual-core and quad-core Intel Core processors, the entire MacBook Pro line is up to twice as fast as the previous generation.*

"The new MacBook Pro brings next generation dual and quad Core processors, high performance graphics, Thunderbolt technology and FaceTime HD to the great design loved by our pro customers," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "Thunderbolt is a revolutionary new I/O technology that delivers an amazing 10 gigabits per second and can support every important I/O standard which is ideal for the new MacBook Pro."

Starting at $1,199 the new 13-inch MacBook Pro offers amazing value and performance in a compact design. The highly portable 13-inch MacBook Pro features Intel Core i5 and Core i7 dual-core processors up to 2.7 GHz and Intel HD Graphics 3000. The powerful 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro models feature quad-core Core i7 processors up to 2.3 GHz and AMD Radeon HD graphics processors with up to 1GB of video memory for high performance gaming, pro video editing and graphics intensive applications.

MacBook Pro is the first computer on the market to include the groundbreaking Thunderbolt I/O technology. Developed by Intel with collaboration from Apple, Thunderbolt enables expandability never before possible on a notebook computer. Featuring two bi-directional channels with transfer speeds up to an amazing 10Gbps each, Thunderbolt delivers PCI Express directly to external high performance peripherals such as RAID arrays, and can support FireWire and USB consumer devices and Gigabit Ethernet networks via adapters. Thunderbolt also supports DisplayPort for high resolution displays and works with existing adapters for HDMI, DVI and VGA displays. Freely available for implementation on systems, cables and devices, Thunderbolt technology is expected to be widely adopted as a new standard for high performance I/O.

The MacBook Pro now includes a built-in FaceTime HD camera with triple the resolution of the previous generation for crisp, widescreen video calls. With Apple's innovative FaceTime video calling software, the new camera allows high definition video calls between all new MacBook Pro models and supports standard resolution calls with other Intel-based Macs, iPhone® 4 and the current generation iPod touch®. FaceTime is included with all new MacBook Pro models and is available for other Intel-based Macs from the Mac® App Store℠ for 99 cents. The MacBook Pro lineup continues to feature its gorgeous aluminum unibody enclosure, glass Multi-Touch™ trackpad, LED-backlit widescreen display, illuminated full-size keyboard and 7-hour battery.**

As the industry's greenest notebook lineup, every Mac notebook achieves EPEAT Gold status and meets Energy Star 5.0 requirements, setting the standard for environmentally friendly notebook design.*** Each unibody enclosure is made of highly recyclable aluminum and comes standard with energy efficient LED-backlit displays that are mercury-free and made with arsenic-free glass. Mac notebooks contain no brominated flame retardants, are PVC-free and are constructed with recyclable materials.

Every Mac comes with Mac OS® X Snow Leopard®, the world's most advanced operating system, and iLife®, Apple's innovative suite of applications for creating and sharing great photos, movies and music. Snow Leopard builds on more than a decade of innovation and includes multiple features for portable computing such as Multi-Touch navigation, advanced wireless networking, easy file sharing, automated data backup and intelligent power management. The new iLife '11 features iPhoto® with stunning full screen views for browsing, editing and sharing photos; iMovie® with powerful easy-to-use tools to transform home videos into fun theatrical trailers; and GarageBand® with new ways to improve your playing and create great sounding songs.

Pricing & Availability
The new 13-inch MacBook Pro, 15-inch MacBook Pro and 17-inch MacBook Pro are available through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. The 13-inch MacBook Pro is available in two configurations: one with a 2.3 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5 and 320GB hard drive starting at $1,199; and one with a 2.7 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5 and 500GB hard drive starting at $1,499. The new 15-inch MacBook Pro is available in two models: one with a 2.0 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7, AMD Radeon HD 6490M and 500GB hard drive starting at $1,799 and one with a 2.2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7, AMD Radeon HD 6750M and 750GB hard drive starting at $2,199. The new 17-inch MacBook Pro features a 2.2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7, AMD Radeon HD 6750M and 750GB hard drive and is priced at $2,499.

Configure-to-order options include faster quad-core processors up to 2.3 GHz, additional hard drive capacity up to 750GB, solid state storage up to 512GB, more memory up to 8GB DDR3, antiglare and high-resolution display options and AppleCare® Protection Plan. Additional technical specifications and configure-to-order options and accessories are available online at www.apple.com/macbookpro.

*Testing conducted by Apple in February 2011 using preproduction MacBook Pro configurations. For more information visit www.apple.com/macbookpro/features.html.

**The new Wireless Web protocol testing was conducted by Apple in February 2011 using preproduction MacBook Pro configurations. Battery life and charge cycles vary by use and settings. For more information visit www.apple.com/macbookpro/features.html.

***EPEAT is an independent organization that helps customers compare the environmental performance of notebooks and desktops. Products meeting all of the 23 required criteria and at least 75 percent of the optional criteria are recognized as EPEAT Gold products. The EPEAT program was conceived by the US EPA and is based on IEEE 1680 standard for Environmental Assessment of Personal Computer Products. For more information visit www.epeat.net.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork, and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple is reinventing the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced its magical iPad which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.
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Not adding usb 3 is a big mistake, lightbolt is destined to go the way of firewire 800. Oh well, no skin of my back, I got this / last years model.
 
tailpike1153 said:
wait a minute. I'm on mr, correct? So from from the leaked specs, i'm getting a sense of overall ok-ness with the revisions for the mbp. There is usually anger and disappoint over specs come revision time. Mr posters ok with apple specs...shrug...i guess it had to happen sometime.:confused:
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+1
 
superlatic said:
$1199 for a machine with intel integrated graphics (probably £999 UK price at the absolute lowest)

Daylight robbery!!!!
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Time to turn in your keys and badge. Apple is not selling a poorly designed chunk of plastic crammed with an assortment of components. If you want cheap and "powerful," then you should know by now that you should be buying used Apple hardware or even looking at somewhere else entirely.
 
Does noone else think Apple aren't just being conservative with their battery life estimates?

Everyone moans when they don't get 10 hours on their MBPs - this could just be a tactical move (plus taking a bit off for the speed increase...)
 
nickane said:
Yeah. It's not as if this is the most significant processor update to the MBP since the Core 2 Duo, probably since the intel switch.:rolleyes:
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I guess as an average software developer, this really doesn't matter to me. My 2.4GHz C2D isn't slow for what I do, I just need more RAM.

This forum is such a joke. Half the people moan no matter what happens and the other half are such fervent zealots that they think anyone who moans is a microsoft fanboi (are there such things) trying to start a flame war.
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To each his/her own, I guess.

i) Apple finally adopting a revolutionary interface first rather than adopting a wait-and-see approach
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They did the same with Firewire, which carries a serious premium and finding devices is still more difficult than it would be if it was more common.

ii) Apple finally offering quad-core laptops
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I prefer my computing horsepower on the desktop, but I see the need. This is not a selling feature for me.
 
they very much do seem to be concentrating Thunderbolt towards video rather than expansion hubs for usb/FW/ etc etc
 
If I'm reading the specs page correctly, there is no longer a high resolution (1680x1050) display option anymore.

That would be a setback for me.
 
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