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Apple sneaks draft 802.11n card into MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo
The Core 2 Duo MacBook Pros are hitting the streets and MacRumors is reporting that the wireless card is identified as a D-Link RangeBooster N 650 which is described as "Up to 650% Faster & 5X Farther than 802.11g".Since another "draft 802.11n" card was found in the Core 2 Duo iMacs , there is added speculation on the rumor sites that the upcoming iTV product will also support the unfinished 802.11n protocol, granting us faster speeds and greater range than the current 802.11g standard. Let's hope!if you haven't gotten your paws on one yet, here are some unboxing pics to salivate over and some initial hands-on reports in the MacRumors forums.Thanks, Trevor!
Gig of RAM standard on MacBook Pro
Dan pointed out some nice tidbits about the new MacBook Pros, but he didn't mention something that I just noticed while perusing the MacBook Pro site. The base model (2.16 Ghz core 2 Duo, 15 inch) comes with one gig of RAM standard. This is up from 512 MB. The other two models come with 2 gigs of RAM.Kudos to Apple for finally shipping portables with a decent amount of RAM in them from the get go.
Mouse Computer's LuvBook NX
Japanese manufacturer Mouse Computer has updated its LuvBook line of laptops (or given them some more luv, if you will), adding some Core 2 Duo horsepower while keeping the size down. The top-end LuvBook i1200NX-W sports a 12.1-inch WXGA display, with a 1.66GHz Core 2 Duo T5500 processor, 40GB hard drive, 512MB RAM, Intel 945GM Express graphics, a super multi DVD drive, and built-in WiFi -- all in a 4.5 pound package. On the lower-end, the LuvBook i800NX will give you the same screen and chassis but dials things back to a 1.46GHz Celeron M 410 processor and a paltry 256MB RAM, with just a CD-RW / DVD-ROM combo drive in place of a DVD burner. Both look to be available now for ¥119,700 and ¥89,880, respectively ($1,000 and $750).[Via Impress]
MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo notes
Laurie just covered the release of the new Core 2 Duo MacBook Pros, which tout an impressive 39% speedboost (or so Apple claims). But some of the best new tidbits are hidden inside the press release: All MacBook Pro models now include a FireWire 800 port -- meaning we can all rest assured in the belief that Apple isn't slowly abandoning FireWire after all. Also great news for everyone who purchased FireWire 800 hard drives during the PowerBook G4 reign. The MacBook Pros also support more memory -- up to 3GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM. Storage capacity has increased, too -- you can get a 200GB HD via Apple's online store. All MacBook Pros also now come standard with a double-layer SuperDrive (I don't remember specifically if these were included in the previously-updated MBP models -- if not, they are now!) The gap between the MacBooks and MacBooks Pros is constantly growing, as we see Apple pushing the Pros in a more Pro-line direction. At least now it's easier to justify the huge price difference.Update: Interestingly, Apple also released a MagSafe airline adapter. From Apple: "With a MagSafe Airline Power Adapter, you'll never again worry about losing power while traveling. Just plug it into your airline seat power port and keep your MacBook or MacBook Pro powered up for the entire flight." It comes with two different connectors (EmPower and a 20mm adapter) and costs $59.00.
MacBook Pros go Core 2 Duo, at last
Well, that took long enough but they're finally here. Without fanfare, Apple finally got around to updating their MacBook Pro lineup with a taste of Merom just in time for the big holiday shopping season. While we were only expecting a ho-hum bump in performance especially after the Core 2 Duo iMac sibs only saw a 10% increase, Apple touts these new Merom-based MBPs as being a full 39% faster. The 15-incher ships with your choice of a 2.16GHz or 2.33GHz Core 2 Duo processor while the 17-incher ships only with the 2.33GHz proc. It also looks like the 15-incher now comes with FW800 like its big bro while upping the base disk capacity to 120GB and a faster 6x SuperDrive to boot. The 17-incher now starts with a 160GB disk and 8x SuperDrive to keep the cost premium viable. Both models max-out with up to 3GB DDR2 memory and 200GB, 4200RPM disks. Pricing still starts at that same $1999 though, so get out there kid, enjoy it, the long hard wait is over.
Apple releases MacBook Pro with Intel Core 2 Duo
The Apple Store (US) is still down as I type this, but the apple.com splash page shows the MacBook Pro with Intel Core Duo, as many of us suspected was coming when the store went down this morning.Apple says the new Core 2 Duo MacBook is up to 39% faster than it predecessor. That's pretty freakin' fast. Prices start at $1999 for the 15-inch 2.16GHz with 1GB of RAM and top out at $2799 for the 17-inch 2.33Ghz. The 15-inch 2.33GHz is $2499 and both 2.33GHz model ship with a whopping 2GB of RAM! That's double the RAM across the board. It's about time! Thanks, as always, to all of you who sent this in!UPDATE: I just noticed that Firewire 800 is back as the standard on the 15-inch models, as well as the 17-inch. Yay :)
Intel's Santa Rosa platform officially dubbed Centrino Pro
While the Mac faithful are still twiddling their thumbs waiting for Apple to finally bump those sexy MacBook Pros to Merom status, Intel's not wasting any time officially dubbing its next generation notebook platform. The company unveiled the Santa Rosa chipset, complete with integrated HSDPA, at this year's Intel Developer's Forum, but we've now learned that it will not only be built "around the 64-bit dual-core Merom" processor, but it'll carry a "Centrino Pro" nametag to boot. Although specific speeds weren't announced, the chip giant did say that next year's Core 2 Duo lineup would include "T7300, T7500 and T7700 models," which boast an "800MHz front side bus and 4MB L2 cache," while the low-end T7100 gets it on-die cache halved. Simultaneously, Intel's "GM965/PM965 chipsets and 82566MM Gigabit Network/Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN network chips" will be unveiled to complete the Centrino Pro trifecta. Intel's planning on having these expeditious goodies ready by "Q2 2007," and the $300 million its throwing down for "promotion purposes" should keep us all very informed on its progress.[Via Laptoping]
MiniPC bumps the game to Core 2 Duo with LF870 and VT870
While these MiniPC-brand miniPCs aren't exactly the smallest contenders on the block, they sure do look useful in their uber-simple black cladding, and now they're sporting Core 2 Duo processors, paving the way for all sorts of utilitarian good times. The LF870 keeps the same size of its predecessor, which at 4.5-inches tall is hardly "mini" by today's standards, but packs the full range of (Merom) Core 2 Duo processors, all the way up to the 2.33GHz T7600. There's also a minimum of 512MB of RAM, a 250GB SATA hard drive, DVD burner, PCI Express slot and even a WiFi option. The much smaller VT800 forgoes the disk drive to manage a 2.8-inch tall form factor, and the HDD is of the 2.5-inch variety, but the unit still manages the full range of Core 2 Duo action, along with a max 2GB of RAM and integrated Intel graphics. The new PCs, which should be shipping later this month in Japan, go for 130,000 yen ($1,095 US) and 122,000 yen ($1,028 US) respectively, while a third barebones option, the ET610E, goes for a mere 54,000 yen ($455 US).[Via Akihabara]
Haier's new W61N 14-inch Merom offering is looking fit
You know, Haier's expertise isn't limited to networked air conditioners and ALP phones that we'll never see in the States. They also build laptops and lots of other things that we'll never see here either, and their new Core 2 Duo W61N is looking not-too-shabby. The 14-inch compact unit sports a 1.83GHz T5600 processor, 512MB of DDR2 RAM, integrated Intel 950 graphics with 128MB of shared memory, DVD/CD-RW combo drive and a 1280 x 768 resolution LCD. No word on price or availability, but we'll let those Korean kids deal with that, since that's where this is headed.
Lenovo unveils 3000 V100 / C200 Core 2 Duo-powered notebooks
Joining the growing parade of manufacturers upping the innards of their notebook lines with Core 2 Duo chips, Lenovo is bumping the specs in its buget-minded 3000 series. While the N100 has already made the Merom leap, the newly-unveiled C200 now offers a 1.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5500 processor, 15-inch XGA display, up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM, 80GB 5400RPM hard drive, Intel's GMA950 integrated graphics set, 802.11a/b/g wireless, and a DVD Burner to boot. It also sports VGA / S-Video out, a 56k modem, Ethernet, 4-pin FireWire, four USB 2.0 ports, and a PCMCIA slot, but the 6.2-pound weight and 2.5-hour battery life may scare some away. On the ultraportable side, the 4-pound V100 now touts a 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 processor, 12.1-inch WXGA LCD, 100GB 5400RPM hard drive, 6-cell battery, and a dual-layer DVD burner, while sharing the remaining specs with its larger sibling. Lenovo also threw an ExpressCard slot, 5-in-1 flash card reader, and snazzy fingerprint scanner in the little guy, but yanked the S-Video output and one USB 2.0 port in the process. Both units will be available in a plethora of configurations later this month, with prices starting at $650 for the C200, and $999 for the V100. Read - Lenovo 3000 C200 Read - Lenovo 3000 V100
Core 2 Duo MacBook and MacBook Pro due this November?
Good news for all of you's eyeing those jazzy laptop numbers of Apple's, but still waiting for them to get out of the cro-mag era and entertain some Core 2 Duo processors. We just got word from an IT guy at a Swiss university who claims to have the gotten the scoop on upcoming MacBooks from some sales reps. Apparently they've confirmed Core 2 Duo processors will be making their way into upcoming MB and MBPs this November, and were even kind enough to let our tipster "pre-order" a C2D MacBook. Sure, it's all hearsay, and we knew this was happening sooner or later, but it's nice to get at least an inkling of when these long-overdue laptops are going to make into onto our laps lap's thermal protection.
Wolf-N-Fox brings a bit of Merom to Korea
No model number here or anything, that would be way to convenient, and we're pretty sure we've seen this OEM look before, but Korea's Wolf-N-Fox is busting out a new Core 2 Duo lapster, and we though we'd let you know all the same. The 15.4-inch laptop sports a WSXGA+ resolution (1,680 x 1,050), and runs a 1.66Ghz C2D T5500 processor, with 1GB of RAM, an 80GB HDD, CD-R/DVD combo drive and Intel 945GM graphics to round out the specs. It's a reasonably sized unit, at 1.3 inches thick and 5.7 pounds, especially considering the disc drive is swappable for an extra HDD if it strikes your fancy. Price isn't too bad either, at around $1150 US.
DosPara's Merom-powered, 13-inch Prime Note Chronos NW2
Last time we saw Japanese PC manufacturer DosPara it was hawking its new small-footprint, Core 2 Duo-powered Super Mini 2 HTPC, and now the company has gone and crammed a Merom CPU into yet another tight space, the 13-inch Prime Note Chronos NW2. In its base configuration, this 4.2-pound notebook sports a 1.66GHz T5500 processor, 1,280 x 800 resolution, 512MB of RAM, an 80GB hard drive, multi-format DVD burner, three-flavor WiFi, and a 4-in-1 card reader. If you're willing to pay more than the ¥129,950 ($1,086) that this setup will run, another 20,000 yen ($167) will get you a 2.0GHz T7200 chip and a full 1GB of RAM. Both versions of the NW2 should be available immediately, but as usual with these machines, it's unlikely you'll find one at your local big box retailer anytime soon.[Via Akihabara News]
Fujitsu's Stylistic ST5112 tablet goes Core 2 Duo
With Acer's TravelMate C210 already doing its Merom thing, one can't expect Fujitsu to take things lying down, right? The Stylistic ST5112 tablet is doing its best to measure up by sporting an Intel 1.2GHz Core 2 Duo U2500 processor, 12.1-inch XGA display, 512MB of RAM, 60GB 5400RPM hard drive, integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics set, built-in fingerprint scanner, gigabit Ethernet, and a 56k modem. The ultra-smooth slate comes in at 2.1-centimeters thick thin, and manages to pack 802.11a/b/g connectivity, PCMCIA, a flash card reader, VGA / audio outputs, 4-pin FireWire, and a pair of USB 2.0 ports into a very handleable 3.5-pound package. Even if that obstreperous youngster mistakes the pricey LCD for a shiny new doodle pad, Fujitsu's impressive three-year warranty should have you covered, but considering the €2,229 ($2,795) up front costs, we'd say that's to be expected.[Via jkOnTheRun]
Dell's XPS M1710 notebook gets overclockable Core 2 Duo
One of the fastest portable gaming rigs on the planet is about to get even faster. Along with the two LCD TVs and 20-inch LCD monitor we already brought you, Dell will also be introducing a new version of the 17.1-inch XPS M1710 laptop at DigitalLife later today, its first tweak to this lineup since swallowing up VoodooPC. Whereas the first generation M1710 featured a Core Duo processor and GeForce Go 7900 graphics, the new model will sport your choice of Core 2 Duo T7600G or T7200 CPUs and 512MB GeForce Go 7950 GTX or 256MB GeForce Go 7900 GS cards from nVIDIA. If you go with the higher-end, $3,498 configuration, Dell is also throwing in the ability to overclock the dual-core processor on your own -- just as it did with the XPS 700 desktop. Both the pricier and $2,299 "budget" configs will also rock a brand new feature that will be sure to delight modding and disco enthusiasts alike: XPS LightFX technology that lets you sync up the systems' 16-color lights to whatever game you're playing or music you're listening to. With a blazing processor, powerful graphics chipset, WUXGA resolution, and a bunch of blinking LEDs, the new M1710 sounds like it could very well consume every last minute of your free time -- say goodbye to sunlight and fresh air for good.
NEC blesses new VersaPro VY20 line with Core 2 Duo
It's not quite specced to kill, but NEC's new VersaPro YV20 laptop doesn't look too shabby, and it's a BTO unit, so you can always flesh out the spec sheet if need be. What counts is the 2GHz Core 2 Duo T7200 processor option, and of course the Radeon Xpress 1250 graphics shouldn't do much harm. There's also "256MB+512MB×2" of dual-channel DDR2 RAM -- which sounds a bit like 1280MB, but we're no math-whizzes. The laptop sports up to a 15-inch UXGA display in the VW edition, while the VR and VE types max out at SXGA+. There's just a 40GB HDD and a DVD/CD-RW combo drive on the low-end, but those can be bumped up to 100GB and one of those fancy "super multi drive" units, and the 802.11a/b/g WiFi and gigabit Ethernet should do just fine. The VR and VE units start at a competitive 130,000 yen (about $1100 US), no word on the VW, and we're sure they're all quite a lot more than that once their BTO specs are all maxed out.[Via Akihabara]
Windows Vista RC2 doesn't work on Macs via Boot Camp?
It appears the just-released Windows Vista RC2 and the latest Boot Camp 1.1.1 don't play well for some reason. I just tried installing it to round up that Vista + Intel Mac post I've been working on, but the Vista installation process kept telling me it wasn't happy with the drive Boot Camp creates, and thus wouldn't touch it even after formatting.This is extra strange, as the RC1 installed and worked on Intel Macs just fine, and as far as I know, Boot Camp 1.1.1 has been updated for full compatibility with the latest Intel Core 2 Duo iMacs like the one I'm typing this on. What broke since RC1, how and whodunit (it was Ballmer in the meeting room with the office chair!) are a mystery to me, but what about you guys? Anyone else know what's going on?
Core 2 Duo MacBook Pros finally on the way?
Well, it was only a matter of time before Apple bumped up the MacBook Pro line to Core 2 Duos -- after all, we've seen laptop after laptop after laptop already packin' the Merom love. AppleInsider reports that anonymous sources have told them that within the next few weeks, Apple will make start production of Merom-powered notebooks in time for the holiday season. That said, there's no mention in their latest article of the MacBook getting the bump as well, but it makes sense that Apple would upgrade the higher-end products first. Still, even though we want to believe this rumor, we've been burned so many times before that we're, like, beyond jaded when it comes to Apple gossip.
Sony VAIO L gets Core 2 Duo and Blu-ray burner
The CEATEC show generated some more Sony next-gen optical news this AM with the announcement of the VAIO L, now with Blu-ray player and burner. While they were tinkering, Sony went ahead and slapped in a 2.16GHz Core 2 Duo T7400 processor and gave the graphics a needed bump with an nVidia GeForce Go 7600. These additions to Sony's all-in-one PC with integrated TV-tuner will drive the cost up to ¥359,800 or about $3,058 when it hits the shelves in Japan starting November 6th. What, you do want Blu-ray don't you? [Via Impress]
MCJ's LuvBook i1220 does Merom on a budget
If LG's morning laptop offerings didn't get you too excited, this new one from MCJ (Mouse Computer Japan) has little prospect of doing so -- but at least they've got a good pricetag slapped onto this new LuvBook i220FX-W laptop of theirs. MCJ is slumming it with a 1.6GHz T5500 Core 2 Duo processor, 1GB of RAM, 60GB HDD, dual-layer DVD burner, and a 1280 x 800 15.4-inch display. The good news is that they've also stuffed a 1.3 megapixel webcam inside the 1.3-inch thick laptop, and at a mere 129,990 Yen ($1102 US) all this mediocrity shouldn't break the bank. It should be available now direct from MCJ, with Linux and OS-free versions available for the hax0rs.[Via Akihabara]
