Oh, don't act so surprised. A refresh of Apple's long-in-the-tooth
MacBook Pro line was pretty much the only sure thing slated for today's event, and Apple certainly delivered. As for looks, you probably
know the score by now: chiclet keyboard, Air-inspired aluminum stylings, and a glossy screen that's flush with a new iMac-like black bezel (there's no non-gloss option for the purists out there). What's new is confirmation of a multi-touch glass trackpad, which suspiciously rids the computer of a single mouse button and adds some new gestures like app switching. Apple's also put in some effort on slimming down the computer, bringing it down to a mere 0.95-inches thick (though at 5.5 pounds it's a hair heavier than the original), but much of the real excitement happens under the hood. There's a new internal structure, that rumored "brick" of aluminum that helps Apple make the new Pro thin, strong and leaves room for the real goodies: the specs. Apple's using NVIDIA's new 9400M GPU + chipset 1-2 punch for integrated graphics, supplemented by 9600M GT switchable discreet graphics chip for heavy lifting, and pumping out those graphics over a Mini DisplayPort connector, if you'd like to supplement the LED backlit screen. As expected there's an SSD option, with drive accessible underneath the battery. The 15.4-inch base model retails for $1999, with a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of DDR3 RAM and both GPUs. Step up to $2499 and you get a faster CPU, 4GB of RAM and a 320GB HDD. The 17-inch MacBook Pro comes in a similar configuration with a 2.6GHz processor, starting at $2799, but sans the redesign and GPU love. Hit the jump for a breakdown of the configurations.
2.4GHz MacBook Pro (MB133LL/A) - $1,999
- 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 3MB L2 cache, 1066MHz System Bus
- 2GB 1066 MHz DDR3 memory
- 250GB 5400 rpm HDD
- NVIDIA GeForce 9600M graphics processor, 256MB GDDR3 memory
2.53GHz MacBook Pro (MB134LL/A) - $2,499
- 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 6MB L2 cache, 1066MHz System Bus
- 4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 memory
- 320GB 5400 rpm HDD
- NVIDIA GeForce 9600M graphics processor, 512MB GDDR3 memory
Shared Specs:
- Precision aluminum unibody enclosure, 14.35 x 9.82 x .95-inches, 5.5 pounds
- 15.4-inches LED-backlit display, 1440 x 900 resolution
- 8x Slot-loading SuperDrive
- Multi-Touch glass trackpad
- NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor
- Mini DisplayPort output port with support for DVI, VGA, and dual-link DVI
- Built-in iSight camera, stereo speakers, microphone
- Optical digital input / analog line in/out
- Built-in AirPort Extreme WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1
- 2 USB 2.0 ports
- Gigabit Ethernet Port, 1 FireWire 800 port
- ExpressCard/34 slot
- Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard & iLife '08
- 5 Hour Battery life
In The Box:
- MacBook Pro
- Display Cleaning cloth
- 85W MagSafe Power Adapter, AC wall plug, and power cord
- Lithium-polymer battery
- Install / restore DVDs
- Printed and electronic documentation
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Kris @ Oct 14th 2008 1:25PM
Fugly
msalivar @ Oct 14th 2008 1:26PM
seriously
--------- @ Oct 14th 2008 1:26PM
That bezel looks like a direct copy of the one on my two year old Samsung 22" monitor.
spass @ Oct 14th 2008 1:32PM
I've alwayas appreciated straight lines and corners or macs. What's the deal with all those curves on on the exterior?
I hope they will come back to the clean designe on the next generation, that really made Apple unique.
Kris @ Oct 14th 2008 1:33PM
Why am I being modded down? The thing IS fugly. Apple took a que from ASUS' first EEE machines and put an awful border around the damn screen.
haX0r @ Oct 14th 2008 1:44PM
Fugly indeed!
mclark2112 @ Oct 14th 2008 2:09PM
I agree, Fugly!!
Indefinite Implosion @ Oct 14th 2008 8:47PM
I enjoy the design generally, just not the black keys on al. body... no thanks.
SITEiNK @ Oct 14th 2008 9:29PM
The thing about bad PC (apple) design is that it costs more to make all those curves and cuts than it does to make a simple, straight line. It also costs more to use different materials because of all of the logistics in getting and keeping and working with those parts.
The straight lines of the previous MBPs are timeless. They may seem simplistic, but the simple have a strange way of confounding...
You can see this on any type of product, the simplest products with the cleanest lines are always more attractive and they are also less expensive to manufacture those parts.
The great MBPs of the past were perfect in asthetic design because they got out of the way of what you were doing. They did not have all of these parts that said, hey look at me - wipe the finger prints off me - the uniform aluminum color projected a quiet confidence and strength that the new design just does not have.
Personally, I think these should have been labeled MacBooks not MacBookPros.
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JORDAN @ Oct 14th 2008 1:26PM
THAT IS SO COOL IT IS VERY FUGLY AND AWESOME I LOVE ENGADGET AND MACS
Ray @ Oct 14th 2008 2:13PM
Im just replying to this post to be seen...
Whats the likely hood of me getting windows xp running on this thing at full speed? I want to get a MBP but only if i can run my windows and osx software at my leisure. After months of deciding, its in my best interest to dual boot a MBP because it has the specs and a style thats unmatched by most (if not all) pc laptops.
I think this track pad will be the main issue because its not something i think windows can recognize (multi touch).
Ray @ Oct 14th 2008 4:23PM
Low rank system sucks.
loosely_coupled @ Oct 15th 2008 3:24AM
"Whats the likely hood of me getting windows xp running on this thing at full speed? "
What do you think? Have you been under a rock for a couple years? Funny enough, the Macbook Pro ranked as the fastest Windows laptop on CNET's benchmark list until a custom 10lb quad-core beast was reviewed...
Phil Perman @ Oct 14th 2008 1:26PM
Why on earth are they using a mini display port connector on a laptop this size? A full size one could easily be fitted, it just sounds to me like a cheap way to sell dongles.
Shame on you, apple
adam @ Oct 14th 2008 1:32PM
they include the dongle with the computer, so i have to think that they're doing something with the space they save. i could do with 3 usb ports instead of the sad 2 that i have now.
also, is that a no on the "dual gpu's" and the possible Bluray Drive?
johnny5 @ Oct 14th 2008 1:32PM
Why don't they only make mini connectors?
Rob @ Oct 14th 2008 1:48PM
Display port will become the standard for monitors. They are just starting to come out on the market. It won't be long and the dongle won't be needed.
prateeko @ Oct 14th 2008 1:50PM
It's Apple, they're exceptionally good at squeezing every penny out of you.
Except when they fail to mention (kill off?!) the 17" MBP :'(
::pours a 40 for his homie::
Phil Perman @ Oct 14th 2008 1:58PM
@Rob
I'm not saying I don't like them using display port (I actually quite like it and it would be nice if its able to finally dethrone VGA), its that they chose to use the mini version, so you're still going to have to use a dongle to hook it up to a non Apple device which odds are will be using the standard size connector.
@johnny5
Generally speaking, the larger connectors are more robust and often less fiddly to use
matt @ Oct 14th 2008 2:39PM
@adam
They charge $29.00 extra for the Miniplug to DVI adapter, from what I see it is NOT included with the purchase of the computer. What a gimmick. Now I have to buy a Miniplug to DVI and miniplug to VGA dongle. Where is the advantage here?
Jakob @ Oct 14th 2008 4:17PM
I think it's great. Apple has already moved on to the new standard, everybody is gonna follow in the upcoming years.
What I do not think is great is how overpriced the MBP really is. $2000 bucks for 2 GB RAM and 250 GB HDD. They should at least double that.
Side note: Even though the prices remain almost the same, there are some price rises on (for example) the Danish store. 300 kr (£30) for the smallest MBP.
Dave @ Oct 14th 2008 9:53PM
So I guess the real market are display mini dongles, and all this thing about the laptop is just a ploy to make everybody need a display dongle and take over the world MUA HA HA!!!
mahmud @ Oct 14th 2008 1:27PM
Hmmm, I don't like the feel of the chiclet keyboard that the macbook and the air has, I don't think they should've moved it to the pro, it's keyboard felt so nice as it is.
huh @ Oct 14th 2008 1:28PM
I wonder if this is going to fix a huge problem with macbooks for me, the fact the screen only goes back so far. It makes the notebook very uncomfortable to use if you're tall.
mahmud @ Oct 14th 2008 1:28PM
its*, grammatical errors FTL.
MioTheGreat @ Oct 14th 2008 1:39PM
That's always been one thing that bugged me about the Macbook design.
If I walk up to my desk, and I don't want to sit down, I shove the screen on my laptop pretty far back so I can see the whole thing almost directly.
It's impossible to do that with an Apple laptop.
MioTheGreat @ Oct 14th 2008 1:41PM
That's been one of the things that bugs me about Macbooks.
The design doesn't let you push the screen back, so what if you want to walk up to your desk and quickly look at it without sitting down? You're pretty much limited to an indirect view, which sucks.
MioTheGreat @ Oct 14th 2008 1:42PM
This is absurd. I've replied to 'huh's comments twice now, and they keep appearing under the wrong one.
Smileypanda @ Oct 14th 2008 4:05PM
Damn right. Nothing has been worse for my posture than my MBP.
kal326 @ Oct 14th 2008 2:13PM
@MioTheGreat
Engadget's comment system malfunctioning, thats unpossible!
Kalen @ Oct 14th 2008 1:28PM
I'm sure it's specs are awesome, but whoever was in control of aesthetics needs to be shot, in the face.
youngstunna @ Oct 14th 2008 1:30PM
black keys are ugly. the bezel isn't all that attractive either
spass @ Oct 14th 2008 1:45PM
So much with Apple fashion statement.
It looks like I missed the chance to switch to apple this year too.
Apple, please bring back the simple BRICK I've always appreciated!
iKurt @ Oct 14th 2008 1:54PM
Jonny Ive?
Yevon @ Oct 14th 2008 5:01PM
Let's just drop off Cheney in Cupertino, CA with a shotgun and hope for the best.
Tony @ Oct 14th 2008 1:28PM
wait, you mean they're putting the 9400m on the pro? What's with the going backwards thing, Apple?
Tony @ Oct 14th 2008 1:31PM
oh,well, I stand corrected, that's actually a pretty good, considering the battery life from similar computers, like the Vaio Z.
totesen @ Oct 14th 2008 1:29PM
Just like the blurryman photos
holycow @ Oct 14th 2008 1:30PM
2 USB ports only? Apple hates USBs dont they ?
diode3diode @ Oct 14th 2008 1:40PM
Well, it's better than one. What else do you want?
Chin-Poh @ Oct 14th 2008 1:30PM
IMO, this is uglier than the current Pros, and the graphics have actually been downgraded???
Chin-Poh @ Oct 14th 2008 1:34PM
Never mind sorry, its supplemented by 9600M graphics as well but I still feel its uglier than the current models. I've love an all black matte Pro.
TOny @ Oct 14th 2008 1:31PM
Thats an Ugly laptop top looks like a waste of space the keyboard only takes up less that half the area? I dont get it why so small a keyboard and a huge waste of space on the left and right of the trackpad?
Elliot @ Oct 14th 2008 1:31PM
First impression - it looks terrible. I'll reserve judgment until I see more pictures. It looks more like a knockoff than something you'd expect from Apple.
Waltzon @ Oct 14th 2008 1:31PM
Yeah, I'm not feeling the whole black keyboard and bezel. The all-aluminum or titanium Macs had a classic, timeless look. (Okay, "timeless" in the world of technology means that it doesn't look dated after a month. The old titanium Powerbooks still look good after most of a decade). I'm needing a new notebook and want a Mac; I'm liking the spec change but am kinda turned off by the looks. Maybe it'll grow on me in person.
SITEiNK @ Oct 14th 2008 9:47PM
It must be that they decided to change the color of the keyboard so that you could actually see the white backlit keys in a simi-dark room.
The problem with the aluminum keyboard and the white backlight is that you cant see the letters on the keys in certain situations.
I think a better idea would have been to simply change the color of the backlight - perhaps blue - people would have liked that.
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Richard Ford @ Oct 14th 2008 1:31PM
No matte option?
How the hell are pro photog's meant to edit photo's on a monitor like that which distorts the colour balance?
Wii60 @ Oct 14th 2008 1:35PM
I cannot fathom this decision to remove the choice from the macbook pro line. Professionals need the matte option. Maybe Apple thinks that people in graphic design will buy for just the apple logo.
I won't.
Momo The Cow @ Oct 14th 2008 2:45PM
Not only that, but their new Cinema displays are glossy too (!).
I don't begrudge Apple's desire to enter the mainstream, but since when did that mean dumping their previously loyal professional base?
I love OSX. I've been Apple-happy for years...
I can't believe I might be switching *BACK* to Windows after all these years to do my photo editing...
kadajawi @ Oct 14th 2008 3:25PM
The answer is: Not at all. You can't even really see what is on the screen when there is any kind of light behind you, and it also disturbs like hell. But fortunately Lenovo has the answer: ThinkPad W700. What a beast, but very fast and graphics tablet and colour calibration integrated.