Apple unveils faster, more affordable MacBook Pros

Apple on Monday kicked-off its 2009 Worldwide Developers Conference by refreshing its MacBook Pro line of professional desktops with faster processors, cheaper prices, better displays, and built-in batteries on the 15-inch models.

New 15-inch MacBook Pros

The 15-inch MacBook Pro now features a seven hour built-in battery, an SD card slot, an improved LED-backlit display with 60 percent greater color gamut and 4GB of RAM across the line at an entry price $300 less than before.

It's available in three models: a 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo system with a 250GB hard drive and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics for a new entry price of $1,699; a 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo system with a 320GB hard drive, and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M and 9600M GT graphics for $1,999; and a 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo system with a 500GB hard drive, and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M and 9600M GT graphics for $2,299.

"Across the line, all of our new MacBook Pro models now include Apple's innovative built-in battery for up to seven hours of battery life, while staying just as thin and light as before," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing.

The 2.53 GHz, 15-inch MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of $1,699 (US), includes:

 —  15.4-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1440 x 900 glossy display;

 —  2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 3MB shared L2 cache;

 —  1066 MHz front-side bus;

 —  4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, expandable to 8GB;

 —  NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;

 —  250GB serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;

 —  a slot-load 8X SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+/-R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW) optical drive;

 —  Mini DisplayPort for video output (adapters sold separately);

 —  built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;

 —  Gigabit Ethernet port;

 —  built-in iSight video camera;

 —  two USB 2.0 ports;

 —  one FireWire 800 port;

 —  SD card slot;

 —  one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;

 —  glass Multi-Touch trackpad and illuminated keyboard;

 —  built-in, 73WHr lithium polymer battery; and

 —  60 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.

The 2.66 GHz, 15-inch MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of $1,999 (US), includes:

 —  15.4-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1440 x 900 glossy display;

 —  2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 3MB shared L2 cache;

 —  1066 MHz front-side bus;

 —  4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, expandable to 8GB;

 —  NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;

 —  NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT discrete graphics with 256MB GDDR3 video memory;

 —  320GB serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;

 —  a slot-load 8X SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+/-R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW) optical drive;

 —  Mini DisplayPort for video output (adapters sold separately);

 —  built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;

 —  Gigabit Ethernet port;

 —  built-in iSight video camera;

 —  two USB 2.0 ports;

 —  one FireWire 800 port;

 —  SD card slot;

 —  one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;

 —  glass Multi-Touch trackpad and illuminated keyboard;

 —  built-in, 73WHr lithium polymer battery; and

 —  85 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.

The 2.8 GHz, 15-inch MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of $2,299 (US), includes:

 —  15.4-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1440 x 900 glossy display;

 —  2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 6MB shared L2 cache;

 —  1066 MHz front-side bus;

 —  4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, expandable to 8GB;

 —  NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;

 —  NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT discrete graphics with 512MB GDDR3 video memory;

 —  500GB serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;

 —  a slot-load 8X SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+/-R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW) optical drive;

 —  Mini DisplayPort for video output (adapters sold separately);

 —  built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;

 —  Gigabit Ethernet port;

 —  built-in iSight video camera;

 —  two USB 2.0 ports;

 —  one FireWire 800 port;

 —  SD card slot;

 —  one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;

 —  glass Multi-Touch trackpad and illuminated keyboard;

 —  built-in, 73WHr lithium polymer battery; and

 —  85 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.

Build-to-order options for the 15-inch MacBook Pro include a 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, the ability to upgrade to 8GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, a 320GB 5400 rpm, 320GB 7200 rpm, 500GB 5400 rpm, or 500GB 7200 rpm hard drive, a 128GB or 256GB solid state drive, Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter, Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter (for 30-inch DVI display), Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter, Apple Remote, Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter and the AppleCare Protection Plan.

New 17-inch MacBook Pros

Apple also updated the 17-inch MacBook Pro, which includes an eight hour built-in battery, an ExpressCard slot, a LED-backlit display, 4GB of RAM and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M and 9600M GT graphics, has been updated to include a faster 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and a larger 500GB hard drive for $2,499, which is $300 less than before.

The 2.8 GHz, 17-inch MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of $2,499 (US), includes:

 —  17-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1920 x 1200, glossy display;

 —  2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 6MB shared L2 cache;

 —  1066 MHz front-side bus;

 —  4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, expandable to 8GB;

 —  NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;

 —  NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT discrete graphics with 512MB GDDR3 video memory;

 —  500GB serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;

 —  a slot-load 8X SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+/-R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW) optical drive;

 —  Mini DisplayPort for video output (adapters sold separately);

 —  built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;

 —  Gigabit Ethernet port;

 —  built-in iSight video camera;

 —  three USB 2.0 ports;

 —  one FireWire 800 port (FireWire 400 compatible);

 —  ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot;

 —  one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;

 —  glass Multi-Touch trackpad and illuminated keyboard;

 —  built-in, 95WHr lithium polymer battery; and

 —  85 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.

Build-to-order options for the 17-inch MacBook Pro include a 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 8GB 1066 MHz DDR 3 memory, 500GB 7200 rpm hard drive, a 128GB or 256GB solid state drive, anti-glare display for $50 (US), Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter, Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter (for 30-inch DVI display), Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter, Apple Remote, Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter and the AppleCare Protection Plan.

Every Mac notebook achieves EPEAT Gold status and meets Energy Star 5.0 requirements, setting a new 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.

All MacBook Pros also contain no brominated flame retardants and use internal cables and components that are PVC-free. The built-in battery design results in less waste and depleted batteries can be replaced for $129 or $179, which includes installation and disposal of your old battery in an environmentally responsible manner.

Availability and upgrading to Snow Leopard

The new 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pros are available immediately through the Apple Store, Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.

Mac OS X Snow Leopard will be shipping in September 2009, and any new Mac system purchased without Snow Leopard from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller between June 8, 2009 and the end of the program on December 26, 2009, is eligible for the Mac OS X Snow Leopard Up-To-Date upgrade package available for a product plus shipping and handling fee of $9.95 (US). Users must request their Up-To-Date upgrade within 90 days of purchase or by December 26, 2009, or whichever comes first.