Apple's all-new MacBook Pro packs new NVIDIA GPUs, glass trackpad

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.

Gallery: Apple's new MacBook Pro

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Gallery: New MacBook Pro Official Pictures

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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

[Harkonian @ Oct 14th 2008 10:26PM]

Professionals need the matte option

I would think that professional graphics designers would be doing their work on an external, presumably matte, display. Just sayin'.

[*.pdr @ Oct 14th 2008 1:32PM]

Sooooo depressed! BTW, I've got a month-old top spec'd MBP (2,6ghz, 4gig, 7200rpm, 512gpu) for sale!!!!

[WickedEast @ Oct 14th 2008 1:32PM]

Who wants to bet that a few years from now, some Apple fanboys will claim that Apple was the first to release a laptop with a "frameless" screen?

[tom @ Oct 14th 2008 1:34PM]

That's because the laptop is thinner and Jobs can rip you off another $50 for the adapter

[Waltzon @ Oct 14th 2008 1:35PM]

Did anyone else read the slides? Why would I give a crap if the thing is "environmentally responsible" if it is ugly?

[EV0LUTION @ Oct 14th 2008 1:35PM]

Glad I didn't wait to get this model, its just Fugly. And did I see mini-display port.. Apple WTF!!!

[diode3diode @ Oct 14th 2008 1:36PM]

I can understand taking out the click button, I've only used mines for maybe 50 times now since I first bought it a few years ago. But what's with the Gumby-style screen?

[Matt @ Oct 14th 2008 1:37PM]

Another $2000+ Apple Item, big surprise.

[Ron @ Oct 14th 2008 1:38PM]

That glass trackpad seems pretty cool I guess. And I knew that $899 Macbook rumor was bogus from the start. It's sad but you'd never see that coming from Apple.

[sonic @ Oct 14th 2008 1:40PM]

Is the NVIDIA's new 9400M GPU a problem for the linux compatibility?

[Mobius_1 @ Oct 14th 2008 2:17PM]

Why'd you buy a Mac to run Linux? Mac and Linux fanboisms are mutually exclusive :P

[jorvay @ Oct 14th 2008 2:51PM]

@Mobius:
Not true. Mac hardware is pretty solid. They have some of the higher quality ratings out there (almost Thinkpad territory). Since linux users don't care what the stock OS is, they only worry about what hardware will give them the best value. Of course, the key word is 'value,' and as a Fedora user, I could never justify the insane cost for the hardware from Apple, but others can and do.

[picaso @ Oct 14th 2008 1:42PM]

So the rumor was true on TUAW... kinda ruined the surprise somewhat....

[Matt Ferens @ Oct 14th 2008 1:42PM]

Does the screen look a little too similar to HP's infinity display option on its notebooks?

[Justin @ Oct 14th 2008 1:43PM]

I think it's ugly, and I don't like the keyboards on the Airs and Macbooks. Graphics are upgraded but I'm perfectly happy with my March '08 MBP.

[phillip @ Oct 14th 2008 1:44PM]

not impressed, but maybe in person I will be convinced.. all this waiting to upgrade from my ibook g4

[Andrew @ Oct 14th 2008 1:46PM]

I got a PC laptop with considerably better specs than the 2499 version for about 1200. Pricing will always be Apples weakpoint. Of course what they lack in pricing, they tend to make up for in innovation...now to see a PC company get in on the innovation.

[Momo The Cow @ Oct 14th 2008 2:56PM]

You're being unfairly buried.

Their innovation is part of the end price tag, and worth it, but I'm simply not impressed with Apple's recent moves in their computer lineup. They're compromising absolute quality that their professional customers recognize and appreciate for showroom gloss (ironically) that appeals to the mass market. That's fine in their low-mid range models, but now they're doing this even to their 'pro' line. What are they thinking?

For the first time I've started agreeing with Apple-Haters who say Macs are constricting and overpriced.

[Patriks7 @ Oct 14th 2008 1:46PM]

Am I missing something or will there not be a 17"? Steve didn't say a thing about it..

[Brad @ Oct 14th 2008 2:27PM]

you have to read the q&a session, they said the 17" is being refreshed today

[Tony @ Oct 14th 2008 1:47PM]

no 17"?? that's not cool...

[jorvay @ Oct 14th 2008 1:48PM]

RIP professional, good-quality keyboard. You will be missed by the few that actually use their tools instead of showing them off at Starbucks.

[Afro_pro_duct @ Oct 14th 2008 2:02PM]

I second you on that keyboard design. And I would add I'll be missing DVI, mate screen.

[Patriks7 @ Oct 14th 2008 3:23PM]

Well I would say that the keyboard thing is just a matter of opinion..
All my PCs so far had the older MBP style keyboard until I switched to a MB early this year.. I got used to it pretty fast and I find it much easier to use..

[Chris @ Oct 14th 2008 1:53PM]

Let's see, no 17", no matte display . . . . . . .no sale.

Time to start looking at windows laptops again . . .sigh.

[Momo The Cow @ Oct 14th 2008 3:04PM]

I was thinking the very same thing, and this coming from a guy who was eagerly awaiting a new pro Macbook to finally plunk down for.

Hopefully, someone with clout at Apple is reading these comments. They're upsetting a lot of good customers.

[ySoserious @ Oct 14th 2008 1:56PM]

Will the new MBP have a more accessible hard drive for user upgrades?

[Brad @ Oct 14th 2008 2:32PM]

yes it will, you can even change it out for an SSD if you want

[Matt G @ Oct 14th 2008 1:56PM]

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/10/computer-choppers-gold-macbook-pro.jpg


All I'm gonna say.

[George @ Oct 14th 2008 2:00PM]

The 17" display is being refreshed also

[tpadekar @ Oct 14th 2008 2:01PM]

Let's recount:

Glass Screen -> Bad
Multi-touch trackpad -> depends on your preference, but will take a while to get used to. How long? We'll find out! I'd have preferred at least one button though!
Keyboard -> personally, I prefer my current MBP's keyboard, I hate the Macbook's weird-feel keyboard.
Mini Display Port -> I'd have preferred a regular displayport, but if they're saving space on the enclosure, they might as well have given me a 3rd USB port! Poor connectivity.

Pricing is still a bit weird. Just in the morning my dad was talking to me about buying a smaller, lighter laptop for him. And considering the prices announced, I'm disappointed. My dad's never going to agree to buy a small, light laptop that costs as much. Other than that, considering the weird touchpad, I'm pretty sure he'll never get used to it and so it doesn't work out at all! They've lost one potential customer: me! :-(

[George @ Oct 14th 2008 2:01PM]

...or should I say the 17" "MBP" is being refreshed also :-)

[Derek @ Oct 14th 2008 2:02PM]

still no 1920x1200 in the 15". Lame.

[CaptSaltyJack @ Oct 14th 2008 2:05PM]

Dude... who the hell would want 1920x1200 on a 15.4" screen?! 1680x1050 is the maximum acceptable resolution on a 15.4", for people without superhuman eyesight, that is.

[Kaitian @ Oct 14th 2008 2:08PM]

What if he does indeed have superhuman eyesights? Eh?

[Unknown @ Oct 14th 2008 6:27PM]

There are many professional 15-inch notebooks with 1920x1200 screens - some people work with apps that have many toolbars and the extra real estate makes a big difference in productivity.

It's too bad the new MacBook Pro is only 1440x900 and only comes with a glossy screen, these are pretty much the only reason why I'm not going to buy one - hopefully they'll have better options with the 17-inch version when they release it.

[bottle_neck @ Oct 14th 2008 2:08PM]

at least the ram's ddr3? err...

[DudeManDude @ Oct 14th 2008 2:10PM]

Just ordered mine! woohoo!

I got :

MacBook Pro, 15", Aluminum
Part Number: Z0G0
2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
320GB Serial ATA @ 7200
SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Backlit Keyboard (English) / User's Guide
Accessory kit

came up to $2,849.00

They said shipping in 3 - 5 days. So, hopefully this time next week I'll be reading Engadget on my 1st Mac! yay!

[Neeko @ Oct 14th 2008 2:14PM]

I really hope you didnt spend 3k on a laptop that youll be mostly surfing the web on. THATS INSANE. For that price this thing better make you $$ Professionally.

The age of the personal computer costing 3k died years ago..WAKEUP PEOPLE.

[Smithers @ Oct 14th 2008 2:10PM]

Um.. The NEW macbook only has 2 USB ports and the OLD one has 2 USB and 1 FireWire. The NEW PRO has the same connections as the MacBook (minus express card) unless you buy The 17". Um, are they stupid?

[Neeko @ Oct 14th 2008 2:11PM]

so does that mena theres no DVI? only Mini DisplayPort ?

[Kaitian @ Oct 14th 2008 2:12PM]

At least they have suckers that buy their crap without taking a second look at what Apple offers.

[Johnny @ Oct 14th 2008 2:15PM]

WTF is up with the UK pricing! - After the price drops - all the UK prices have gone up???? Even on the old outdated machines like the 17" and plastic MacBook - talk about adding insult to injury.

[Mobius_1 @ Oct 14th 2008 2:20PM]

I have a feeling it is because of the exchange rates, as the dollar has recently reached a long time high against the pound. Good for me for changing some dollars to pounds, not so good for prospective buyers of American imports in the UK

[Afro_pro_duct @ Oct 14th 2008 2:19PM]

Where is the 13" touch screen? where is the 17" multimedia? where is the powerful workstation(15.4" and 17")? I'm sorry to bash the graphics but 9400 and 9600M are nothing exceptional compared to those on laptop workstation windows based. Just go to notebookcheck and you will see all the different 3dmarks.

[forreal @ Oct 14th 2008 2:21PM]

i think it looks great. everyone has their own tastes i guess, i just like it.. Apple will still sell a crap load of these things..

[jeremy @ Oct 14th 2008 2:22PM]

Everyone is talking bad about the new laptops... but.. u know your going to get one..

[Momo The Cow @ Oct 14th 2008 3:04PM]

I won't.

I was...
But now I won't.

[Mark Anderson @ Oct 14th 2008 3:10PM]

Nope. Sorry, they're not good enough.

[CJ @ Oct 14th 2008 4:53PM]

Nope. Also sorry, I don't have an offshore trust fund.