Monday, June 04, 2007, 11:00 pm

Apple set to unveil MacBook Pro overhaul, back-to-school promo

By AppleInsider Staff

Apple Inc. is believed to be on the verge of introducing a new line of MacBook Pro notebooks and an educational promo that will furnish students with a free iPod nano when they purchase of a qualifying Mac system.

People familiar with plans for the offerings have said that both announcements could arrive as early as Tuesday.

In particular, a number of those close to Apple's retail channels reported they had been briefed on new MacBook Pro models that were due to turn up during week. A couple sets of potential technical specifications can be seen below, in line with expectations (1, 2).

Meanwhile, the company is also expected to announce an educational promotion offering students a $199 rebate on the purchase of an iPod nano or iPod video (or free 4GB iPod nano) when they purchase a qualified Mac system (iMac, MacBook, MacBook Pro or Mac Pro).

Should Apple announced the education promo tomorrow, it would arrive on the anniversary of last year's promo, which offered a $179 rebate or 2GB nano.

Purported MacBook Pro Specifications

• 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor; 4MB shared level 2 cache
• 2GB of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300)
• 120GB 5400-rpm hard drive
• 15.4-inch (diagonal) TFT widescreen display; 1440 by 900 pixels
• NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 128MB of GDDR3 SDRAM
• Built-in iSight video camera
• Slot-loading 8x SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
• ExpressCard/34 slot, FireWire 400 port, FireWire 800 port, two USB 2.0 ports
• DVI portl DVI to VGA adapter included
• Optical digital audio input/line in, optical digital audio output/headphone out
• Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet
• Built in AirPort Extreme
• Built-in Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR(Enhanced Data Rate)
• Backlit illuminated keyboard and ambient light sensor
• Apple Remote
• Preinstalled Max OS X and other bundled software
• Size and weight: 14.1 by 9.6 by 1.0 inches (35.7 by 24.3 by 2.59 cm); 5.4 pounds (2.45 kg)
• Meets ENERGY STAR requirements
• Model No. A1226
• Manufacturers Part No. MA895LL/A
• $1999

• 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor; 4MB shared level 2 cache
• 2GB of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300)
• 160GB 5400-rpm hard drive
• 15.4-inch (diagonal) TFT widescreen display; 1440 by 900 pixels
• NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 256MB of GDDR3 SDRAM
• Built-in iSight video camera
• Slot-loading 8x SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
• ExpressCard/34 slot, FireWire 400 port, FireWire 800 port, two USB 2.0 ports
• DVI portl DVI to VGA adapter included
• Optical digital audio input/line in, optical digital audio output/headphone out
• Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet
• Built in AirPort Extreme
• Built-in Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR(Enhanced Data Rate)
• Backlit illuminated keyboard and ambient light sensor
• Apple Remote
• Preinstalled Max OS X and other bundled software
• Size and weight: 14.1 by 9.6 by 1.0 inches (35.7 by 24.3 by 2.59 cm); 5.4 pounds (2.45 kg)
• Meets ENERGY STAR requirements
• Model No. A1226
• Manufacturers Part No. MA896LL/A
• $2499

MacRumors has been reporting a similar pair of specifications.