Apple Updates MacBook Pro Laptop Line

Apple has announced significant performance updates to its professional-grade MacBook Pro laptops. The 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pros received updates including:

• New Core i5 and Core i7 processors
• Next-generation NVIDIA graphics
• Up to 10 hours of battery life
• Available higher-resolution display

The smaller 13-inch MacBook Pro received a minor processor speed bump (without the new Intel Core i5 or i7 technology) and a graphics card update.

Apple has updated its MacBook Pro line of laptop computers. The 13-inch model starts at $1199, the 15-inch at $1799, and the 17-inch at $2299.

MacBook Pro Computers for Photographers

It’s no secret that I believe Macs are the best computers for photographers…and just about anyone else, for that matter. I won’t get into a heated debate, although you are, of course, welcome to express your contradictory opinion (or offer your resounding support) in a G-rated and neighborly manner in the comments below. Mac just work for me. They’ve just worked in every situation and with almost every client that I’ve dealt with. Sure, there are problems and they’re not perfect. But…they are vastly superior to the competition.

Are these new updates good news for photographers? You bet! As our cameras produce larger and larger files for our still images and relatively gigantic files for the video that many DSLRs capture, it’s tough to get by with that 3-year-old laptop that got handed down to you when your son went to college.

New Intel Core i5 and Core i7 Processors

The new Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processors boost performance up to 50 percent over the previous generation. Based on Intel’s latest 32-nanometer process technology, these are the fastest dual-core processors available and they set an all-new benchmark for Mac notebooks.

Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processors also feature Turbo Boost. If you’re using processor-intensive applications like Aperture 3 or Final Cut Pro that would benefit from an extra performance kick, Turbo Boost dynamically increases the speed of one or both cores, taking a 2.66GHz MacBook Pro all the way up to 3.33GHz.

Built-in Hyper-Threading allows two threads to run simultaneously on each core, so Mac OS X recognizes four virtual cores instead of just two. When you’re running multiple applications at once, the Core i5 and Core i7 processors spread tasks more evenly across a greater number of cores — so you can get more done, faster.

Unlike systems that connect memory to the processor through a separate controller, the new MacBook Pro uses an integrated memory controller to connect memory directly to the processor. In a sense, this cuts out the middleman. With faster access to memory, each core gets right to work on your data, rather than waiting for it to arrive. Together with up to 4MB of shared L3 cache, the integrated memory controller ensures MacBook Pro can keep up with you.

NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M Graphics Processor

Inside the 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pro models is the new NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M discrete graphics processor — the fastest graphics ever in a Mac notebook. With 48 processing cores and up to 512MB of dedicated video memory, this graphics processor delivers even more horsepower than the previous generation. And you don’t have to sacrifice efficiency for speed: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M is up to 30 percent more energy efficient than its predecessor. For even greater power savings, MacBook Pro also includes integrated Intel HD Graphics.

The 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pro models come standard with automatic graphics switching. It’s a breakthrough technology from Apple that switches graphics processors on the fly to give you performance when you need it (when you’re playing the latest 3D game, for example) and better battery efficiency when you don’t (such as when you’re reading email). MacBook Pro transfers the workload between the powerful discrete NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M graphics processor and integrated Intel HD Graphics so seamlessly, you won’t even notice. Whether you’re using applications like Aperture, Motion, or Final Cut Pro or just surfing the web, your MacBook Pro always knows which processor to use. You don’t have to log out, shut down, or change your preferences. Automatic graphics switching does it all for you.

Detailed Specifications and Reviews

In order to keep things organized and readable, I’ve split each review into its own article. Click on the links below to visit each article.

• Apple Updates MacBook Pro Laptop Line — An introduction to the updates. (You’re already here!)
• Apple 13-inch MacBook Pro: The Ultimate Guide — Detailed specifications and a review of the 13-inch MacBook Pro.
• Apple 15-inch MacBook Pro: The Ultimate Guide — Detailed specifications and a review of the 15-inch MacBook Pro.
• Apple 17-inch MacBook Pro: The Ultimate Guide — Detailed specifications and a review of the 17-inch MacBook Pro.

Should I buy now?

Well, sure…if you are in need of a good new computer. It’s very difficult to know when to purchase when it comes to technology. In fact, I just assisted a client in purchasing a brand new 15-inc MacBook Pro…YESTERDAY! Ouch. It’s certainly not the end of the world, though. The same purchase today would have cost $100 more and may not, in the long run, have made much of a performance difference in his situation.

There’s hardly a “right time” to purchase a new computer. I’d say, when you’re having trouble accomplishing necessary tasks on your current machine, it’s time for an upgrade.

Your Thoughts…

So, what do you think? Are you getting a new MacBook Pro? Are you deliberately not getting a new MacBook Pro? Tell us why.

Now, for your unrelated enjoyment, my video pick of the week. I love the American West, and I really love the work that Tim Lowe does at Timescapes.org. Hope you enjoy it.

Timescapes Timelapse: Mountain Light from Tom Lowe @ Timescapes on Vimeo.

Filed Under: (02) Product Reviews

Tags: (04) Computer Hardware Advice • apple • Core i5 • Core i7 • Intel • macbook pro • NVIDIA • update