Apple's Adds Intel Core 2 Duo to MacBook Pro Laptops

by Matt Culler

Published on Oct 24, 2006 8:00 AM
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October 24, 2006 - This morning, Apple announced that it will be updating its MacBook Pro laptop computer line to include Intel Core 2 Duo processor.  The new processor has been available in Windows-based notebooks for several months, and will deliver a performance increase of up to 39 percent over the first generation MacBook Pros.

In addition to the processor upgrade, MacBook Pro models will now offer twice the memory, and increased storage capacity over the previous generation, as well as a FireWire 800 port for connection with high-speed devices like external hard drives.

The Mac community has eagerly awaited the release of a MacBook Pro with Intel’s new processor due to its substantial speed increase.  "With an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, greater storage capacity and FireWire 800 connectivity, the new MacBook Pro delivers unprecedented performance and mobility in an incredibly thin and light design," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, in today’s announcement. "We are thrilled that our notebook sales are growing twice as fast as the overall notebook market, and we hope these new MacBook Pro models continue that success."

Specs for the new MacBook Pros are impressive and should appeal to mobile video editors who work in an OS X environment.  The Intel Core 2 Duo processor features 4MB of shared L2 cache and clocks in at up to 39 percent faster than the 2.16 GHz MacBook Pro, which is more than seven times faster than the 1.67 GHz PowerBook G4 – the last generation of the discontinued PowerBook line.  In addition, Apple has tweaked Mac OS X to take advantage of the Intel's Core 2 Duo processors’ capabilities, improving performance in professional applications including Final Cut Pro 5, Aperture 1.5, and Logic Pro 7.

The new MacBook Pro resembles its predecessor, with an aluminum enclosure measuring just one-inch in width and is available in 15- and 17-inch models.  The MSRP for the standard 2.16 GHz 15” configuration is $1,999 while the standard 2.33 GHz 17” retails for an MSRP of $2,499.  Additional upgrades to both models are available and full details can be found at apple.com.