MacBook Pros updated: Santa Rosa, LED backlighting, and 1920x1200 display

Right on cue, we've got MacBook Pro updates for you to love or hate depending upon your fanboy affiliation. First the 17-inch which now features new NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics and a new 1920 x 1200 pixel display (for $100 extra)... at last. Both the 15- and 17-inch models now sport Intel's Santa Rosa platform -- Intel's latest take on Centrino featuring an 800MHz front side bus which changes dynamically to save power. Apple was also kind enough to finally loose a MacBook Pro with LED backlighting just like Sir Steve promised. However, that appears to be limited to the 15-inch model. So now we're looking at a 15.4-inch MBP with a 1440 x 900 pixel display topping out with a new 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 160GB 5,400rpm disk, 2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (up to 4GB supported), pre-enabled 802.11n of course, a new 256MB of NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics option, 8x (up from 6x) slot-loading SuperDrive, and Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR. It maintains the same dimensions while tipping the scales at 5.4-pounds (down from 5.6-pounds). The 17-inch meanwhile tops out with the same 2.4GHz proc and up to 250GB of disk. Much newness, at least for the 15-incher, for the same entrance fee of $1,999 starting today -- that'll only get you into the cheap seats but the faithful have to sit somewhere.

[Greg @ Jun 5th 2007 8:53AM]

About time they introduced bigger resolution sizes

[Matt @ Jun 5th 2007 8:56AM]

It's funny... they really never change the case of the macbooks, but every time they upgrade them on their site, they look sexier and sexier. Must the be the angles.

[bc @ Jun 5th 2007 8:57AM]

bummer... i think the new dell w. led looks more appealing...

[Fuzz @ Jun 5th 2007 8:57AM]

The price for the high end 15 incher doesn't make any sense. $500 for an extra 40 gigs of hdd space and 128 megs video ram? DOES NOT COMPUTE!

[Fuzz @ Jun 5th 2007 8:58AM]

Err, oh, and a slightly faster processor. . .missed that. Still, $500 seams abit hefty.

[The Grand Master @ Jun 5th 2007 8:58AM]

I'm likin' the update!

The new GPUs were a long time coming and seem to be pretty good, anyone who knows any more chip in about the new Nvidia cards, at least the have DX10 support!

2GB standard is nice, if not a huge upgrade, as is the increase in superdrive speed.

I'll be the first in line here!!

God sound like such a shill, lol.

[steve @ Jun 5th 2007 9:39AM]

since when does OSX use DirectX? Oh, you must be one of those that only buy the macbook for the cool case, and slap windows in there.

I kid, I kid. Your just using windows for the gaming, right?

[BE @ Jun 5th 2007 9:00AM]

If you order the laptop with the "Glossy Screen" option, it drops the price by $150. That is a glitch in the system... it allows you to get the laptop for $1849.

[steve @ Jun 5th 2007 9:47AM]

oh, and if you use the apple education store(i go to university of toledo, in ohio), the glossy screen model is only $1664. BTW, if anyone want's to get this deal, they realy don't check to see if your a student, you just agree to it. (shady I know, but that's 300 bucks off!)

[Todd Long @ Jun 5th 2007 10:31AM]

And you get a free iPod (for education discounts) up to $199 =)

[Aprime1 @ Jun 5th 2007 6:54PM]

Glitch was fixed, sorry guys. :(

Along with the CDN/USD parity.

[Kris Ziel @ Jun 6th 2007 7:04PM]

not true. I had a chat with an Apple person, it will correct itself one it gets into the cart.

[1key @ Jun 5th 2007 8:59AM]

NOOOOOOOOO! I've just bought my new Macbook Pro! Loving it alot. But now....... a little less.

[The Grand Master @ Jun 5th 2007 9:09AM]

When is 'just' cause they might let you take it back and exchange it, if you bought it in the last 2 weeks or something.

[Kyrra @ Jun 5th 2007 12:50PM]

@1key
One site to always check before buying a new Mac:
http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/
They tend to be on the ball when things are about to be updated.

[tburn90 @ Jun 5th 2007 9:35PM]

1key yo as long as it is about within 30days the apple store will prob take it back they did the same thing with my imac g5 nd i bought it on the 20th or so of dec.

[SirCrumpet @ Jun 5th 2007 9:03AM]

And for what its worth, a $300.00 price drop across the board for Macbook Pros in the Australian store.

[John @ Jun 5th 2007 9:30AM]

Are the new MB Pro's available in stores today?

[The Grand Master @ Jun 5th 2007 9:10AM]

I think there was a price drop in the UK store as well, but I can't remember what it was before...

[SirCrumpet @ Jun 5th 2007 9:44AM]

Well, in the Australian store they are set to ship in 1-2 weeks. Not sure about any retailers as I don't live near any, and I can't comment on places outside of Oz.

[snife @ Jun 5th 2007 9:17AM]

I don't think thats a glitch - glossy screens should come with a 300 discount as they are so crappy

[ChiefrickB @ Jun 5th 2007 9:08AM]

Where's the Blu-ray or HD DVD drive?

[TJ @ Jun 5th 2007 9:09AM]

When will these appear at retail stores? Today?

[BE @ Jun 5th 2007 9:11AM]

I'm a pretty loyal Apple fan (just not a nut) and like pretty much most of their products. But if Apple wants to make a truly "serious" entry into the business world, they need to start making their "pro" line of laptops with the ability to dock to a docking station. I admire their innovation on many fronts, but this continuous lack of dockable laptops is just a glaring oversight in their product design. If they haven't gotten the news bulletin yet, wake up... companies have been using docked laptops at work now for years. Time to get serious about expanding into the workspace and make a line of dockable laptops...

[Dextro @ Jun 5th 2007 9:42AM]

Here you go docking station for the 15" MBP. Not by Apple, but it's a docking station :-)

[Dextro @ Jun 5th 2007 9:43AM]

forgot the link :/
http://www.bookendzdocks.com/Docking_Stations-Docking_Station_for_15_MacBook_Pro.html

[Chas @ Jun 5th 2007 12:25PM]

What additional functionality do you think users expect when using a docking station? Is it just the convenience of not having to plug in several connectors or would it be for additional local storage? Just curious since I have a Mac Powerbook and don't really have a problem with plugging in the 5 cables that I typically use (power, external speakers, external monitor, ethernet cable, and USB Hub). I could eliminate the ethernet cable and just go Wifi-N, but I use a gigabit connection to a NAS. My keyboard, mouse, and headset/microphone for Skype connections are Blue-Tooth based.

[Rellin @ Jun 5th 2007 9:10AM]

Who needs 3D power like that on a mac? I'd rather have battery life. Upgrading to an 8M series sounds dumb, it cant run DX10 anyway. I'm sure the screen will be great, though.

[AndyCR @ Jun 5th 2007 4:41PM]

"Who needs 3D power like that on a mac?"

I do 3D engine programming and am considering switching to Macs. Therefore, I need 3D power like that on a Mac... Besides, Macs can run Linux and Windows now as well.

"I'd rather have battery life."

You still get better battery life than most non-Apple notebooks.

"Upgrading to an 8M series sounds dumb, it cant run DX10 anyway."

Yes it can. http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/09/nvidias-dx10-capable-8m-laptop-gpus-get-official/

[BE @ Jun 5th 2007 9:13AM]

Some people prefer glossy screens, but even if you didn't, an unexpected $150 discount is good while it lasts. Apple will fix the problem pretty soon if they haven't already...

[Tyk @ Jun 5th 2007 9:19AM]

5.4 pounds for the 15 incher MBP!!.. thats quite the little porker! MBP needs a carbon fibre casing option.

[bruce @ Jun 5th 2007 9:32AM]

Carbon Fibre? Would be cool, prolly another $500 though.

[Marv @ Jun 5th 2007 12:05PM]

Cool, there's been a 100€ all around discount on MacBook Pros in the french Apple Store.

The 15" low-end MacBook Pro costs $2000 (=1477€), yet in France, it actually costs around 2000€ which is over $2700!!!

[G_ @ Jun 6th 2007 5:19AM]

It cost 1899 euro.
anyway in usa there is not tax included in the price.
So european price is hight but not to much.

[tjn @ Jun 5th 2007 9:22AM]

Anyone know why this story doesn't seem to be in the RSS feed?

[Sprint Guy @ Jun 5th 2007 9:22AM]

WAIT!!!

I just bought a a MacBook Pro 8 days ago now how do I exchange it or replace it for the new one I hate when Apple does this crap.

Or is the 14 day exchange only for iPods? Help.. (having mini nervous breakdown)

[The Grand Master @ Jun 5th 2007 9:24AM]

Did you buy it from an Apple store?
You could try taking it back to Apple, or whoever you bought it from and explain, I think Apple themselves are more likely to swap it for you than an external retailer.

[Ricardo Chavarria @ Jun 5th 2007 10:15AM]

How the heck is Apple going to know when nobody is buying things so they can change things around? Would you prefer we all stay with the old versions forever?

[john @ Jun 5th 2007 10:41AM]

i just got off of the phone with tech support. i bought my macbook pro a month ago, but they do have a 14-day exchange program for them, so hurry up and call!

[macelangelo @ Jun 5th 2007 11:20AM]

Having gone through this before last year on my MBP, here's what you need to know.

Apple has a 14-day no questions asked exchange policy on most of their hardware. You should be able to go in today and they'll switch it out.

After your 14-days are up, you still have until 30 days after your purchase date to return the product, less a 10% restocking fee. You get dinged, but, you still have the option to upgrade if you really want it.

Definitely check with your store. If they don't have the equivalent model in stock, they'll put you on a waiting list. Then you can just keep using the MBP you have until the new one comes in.

[Chas @ Jun 5th 2007 12:26PM]

You hate when Apple does this crap? Crap as in enhancing the product line? I hear this complaint a lot, and I myself just bought a new Powerbook 6 weeks ago. Ever hear of the Osbourne effect? Don't hate, suggest something positive that Apple could do to benefit both the consumer and Apple.

[Colin @ Jun 5th 2007 9:24AM]

UGH. I just switched to Mac like two weeks ago. A nice shiny MacBook Pro. But now its outdated already. Doh!

[Fredster @ Jun 5th 2007 9:24AM]

The only thing i have been missing since i bought my 20"iMac last November was 1920x1200 resolution. I mean c'mon, it's not like the 20" is a small screen or any. Sure, there is the 24", but it just seemed at the moment simply too big for my table. Oh well, i love my mac so much that it doesn't hurt that much, i'll get the MacPro with the 30" CinemaDisplay next year, so that'll make up for it:D

[Anthony @ Jun 5th 2007 9:25AM]

It's nice to see that this "high end" laptop manufacturer finally caught up with processor offerings that "low end" lappies have seemingly had for months.
Now if they could figure out an HD drive for any part of their hardware offerings. Everyone else has only been doing that for the last year.

[shadoe @ Jun 5th 2007 9:58AM]

Umm there will never be a HD drive apple has signed with blueray the BEST!!

[Constable Odo @ Jun 5th 2007 10:23AM]

I guess you mean as an option and not standard equipment.
What's the big hurry with Blu-Ray and HD opticals. How about letting costs of the drives and media drop a bit more. People already claim Macs cost too much, so does it make much sense to make them cost even more.

[Evan @ Jun 5th 2007 12:31PM]

"It's nice to see that this "high end" laptop manufacturer finally caught up with processor offerings that "low end" lappies have seemingly had for months."

Uh, 90% of the laptops in BestBuy, Costco, etc. from "high end" manufacturers like Sony and HP don't even have Core 2 Duo CPUs!

["Bob" @ Jun 5th 2007 1:19PM]

Don't worry Evan. He doesn't realize that clock speed can't be used to compare across different chip sets. That's alright, I'll let him buy a 2.5ghz Core Solo, and I'll be quite content with my 2.4ghz Core 2 Duo...

[noob @ Jun 5th 2007 9:28AM]

lol good thing I bought my MBP core 2 duo when it came out! mine still isn't obsolete :D

2.33 for the win! 6 months of use for a measly .66 boost in processor speed, I'll take it!

[The Grand Master @ Jun 5th 2007 9:45AM]

Spot on!
I'm a big fan of futureproof, and DX10 support just convinced me a little more. Just gonna wait till June 28th when I have the money to buy it!!