Apple set to unveil MacBook Pro overhaul, back-to-school promo
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.
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
â¢Â 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
â¢Â 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.