Apple Releases new MacBook Pro line

Category : News

Apple launched the new MacBook Pros this morning after much anticipation. For the first time ever, Apple has included Quad Core CPUs into their notebooks. The 15″ and 17″ models offer Quad Core CPUs using the Intel 2.2GHz Quad Core 2720QM and 2.0GHz Quad Core 2630QM. While many applications may not take advantage of all 4 cores, these new Sandy Bridge processors include Intel’s Turbo Boost 2.0, which should increase the speed of the remaining cores when the others are underutilized.

Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 automatically allows processor cores to run faster than the base operating frequency if it’s operating below power, current, and temperature specification limits.

The maximum Turbo clock speeds for the 2720QM and 2630QM are 3.2GHz and 2.9GHz respectively.


Apple has also introduced a hybrid Thunderbolt/mini Display port on the new MacBook Pros. This represents Intel’s Light Peak technology which is said to offer high speed connections and is expected to replace the need for USB 3.0.

“Thunderbolt is a revolutionary new I/O technology that delivers an amazing 10 gigabits per second and can support every important I/O standard which is ideal for the new MacBook Pro.”

Apple has posted a page dedicated to Thunderbolt.

The new models are at the Apple Store:

-17″ 1920×1200 Display. 2.2Ghz Quad i7. 4GB RAM. 750GB HD. AMD 6750M 1GB. $2499
-15″ 1440×900 (1680 option) Display. 2.2GHz Quad i7. 750GB HD. AMD 6750M 1GB. $2199.
-15″ 1440×900 (1680 option) Display. 2.0GHz Quad i7. 4GB RAM. 500GB HD. AMD 6490M 256MB. $1799
-13″ 1280×800 Display. 2.7GHz Dual i7. 4GB RAM. 500GB HD. Intel HD Graphics. $1499
-13″ 1280×800 Display. 2.3GHz Dual i5. 4GB RAM. 320GB HD. Intel HD Graphics. $1199

 

For more info on the new MacBook Pro’s, Head over to Apple’s Site

 

Next-gen MacBook Pro photos reveal Apple’s high-speed ‘Thunderbolt’ port, comes out Tomorrow!?

Category : News

Apple’s implementation of Intel’s Light Peak technology could be dubbed “Thunderbolt,” according to new pictures that claim to show the new 13-inch MacBook Pro hardware .

Alleged hardware specifications provided to AppleInsider show that in addition to a supposed Thunderbolt port, the new 13-inch MacBook Pro will also sport an input for an SDXC card. The specs also suggest that the 2.3GHz Core i5 processor will not be accompanied by a discrete graphics card.

The provided specifications include:

  • 2.3GHz Core i5 Processor
  • 4 GB DDR3 @ 1333 MHz
  • 320 GB HDD
  • 13.3-inch display @ 1280×800 pixels
  • Intel HD Graphics 3000 with 384 MB shared memory
  • FaceTime high-definition camera
  • Thunderbolt connector supporting High-Speed I/O and MiniDisplay-Port devices
  • SDXC, Firewire 800, and two USB 2.0 slots
  • Backlit keyboard
  • 2.04kg weight

 

Apple is expected to introduce its new line of MacBook Pros on Thursday (Feb 24th). In addition to Intel’s latest generation Sandy Bridge processors, the systems are rumored to have support for Intel’s high-speed Light Peak data connections.

Souce : Mac4Ever.com

New MacBook Pro’s Coming March 1st?

Category : News

Rumors spreading through the web about possible release dates. There are typically some false starts, so it’s hard to be sure, but the first contender for this round appears to be March 1st.

Danish blogger KennethLund.dk claims to have heard from a source in one of the major Danish Apple resellers that MacBook Pro models are on tight supply but that the newly updated models will arrive on March 1st.

March 1st falls on a Tuesday which is typical for Apple’s releases. The MacBook Pro was last updated in April of 2010 and is due for an update. While there had been some concern that the new models would be delayed by Intel’s manufacturing issues, the latest reports claim that any delay will be minimal.

Redesigned MacBook Pro, iMac may come in first half of 2011

Category : News

A new report out of the Far East claims Apple plans to launch redesigned MacBook Pro and iMac models in the first half of 2011.

Taiwanese industry publication Digitimes reports that sources from “upstream component makers” indicate that Apple will introduce the upgraded models in the first half of next year.

The Mac maker reportedly plans to launch “at least four upgraded MacBook Pros” with a “slight change” in chassis design and an upgrade to Mac OS X 10.7 Lion. The upgraded iMac is expected to feature “a new panel size and a price point for the mainstream market,” according to the report.

Apple Releases Updated MacBook Pros

Category : News

Apple today updated the MacBook Pro line with faster processors, powerful next-generation NVIDIA graphics and even longer battery life. The popular 13-inch MacBook Pro features the new NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor for up to 80 percent faster graphics and a groundbreaking 10-hour built-in battery. The new 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro models feature Intel Core i5 and i7 processors and Apple’s new automatic graphics switching technology that toggles seamlessly between powerful NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M and energy efficient Intel HD Graphics processors.

13″ MacBook Pro
- $1199: 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo, NVIDIA GeForce 320M, 4 GB RAM, 250 GB hard drive
- $1499: 2.66 GHz Core 2 Duo, NVIDIA GeForce 320M, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB hard drive

15″ MacBook Pro
- $1799: 2.4 GHz Core i5, Intel HD Graphics and NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M with 256MB, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB hard drive
- $1999: 2.53 GHz Core i5, Intel HD Graphics and NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M with 256MB, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB hard drive
- $2199: 2.66 GHz Core i7, Intel HD Graphics and NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M with 512MB, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB hard drive

17″ MacBook Pro
- $2299: 2.53 GHz Core i5, Intel HD Graphics and NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M with 512MB, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB hard drive

Apple Releases MacBook Pro Firmware Update

Category : News

Apple addressed the issue with the release of MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.7, which allows the new MacBook Pros to utilize the full 3.0 Gbps interface.

MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.7 addresses an issue reported by a small number of customers using drives based on the SATA 3Gbps specification with the June 2009 MacBook Pro. While this update allows drives to use transfer rates greater than 1.5Gbps, Apple has not qualified or offered these drives for Mac notebooks and their use is unsupported.

Full details on the update are located in the associated support document, and instructions for installing the update are included in the update application package. The update weighs in at 3.35 MB and requires OS X 10.5.7.

Sources: Apple , MacRumors

WWDC 09 Summary

Category : Events, News

Well, we promised that we would provide you with a summary of what went down in WWDC 09 so here goes.
As you all know, WWDC, World Wide Developer Conference is an event geared towards developers who write programs for the Apple platform. This year, while it has seen some new product introductions, it was still developer oriented. Apple kicked off the presentation by updating their Laptops, then showed some figures, a new advertisement, Snow Leopard, iPhone OS 3.0, iPhone 3GS, more advertisement, and some developer demos.

Instead of going through the specs of the products introduced, which we thought that you already have or will read about them in the following links, we decided to tell you what is relevant for you and us.
- Macbook
- Macbook Pro
- Macbook Air
- iPhone 3GS

Macbook Pro
What is important to you is that the hard drive is still user replaceable but now you need to remove some 8 screws to get to it. The battery is also replaceable by removing the bottom cover of the laptop it is not, however, replaceable on the fly like before. Another important bit of information is the new battery and according to MacRumors.com tests with regular web browsing through Wifi, the 15 inch last and increadible 8 hours which to say the least is amazing. The sad bit of news also from MacRumors.com is that both the 13 inch and 15 inch Macbook Pros are using 1.5Gbit SATA Controllers instead of the 3.0Gbit versions.

iPhone
Obviously the new iPhone is better in terms of hardware but the real genius is the software which we will all be getting on the 17th of June. iPhone 3G-S is available today in the US and Europe but will be available in Saudi through Mobily and the UAE through Etisalat sometime in August according to WWDC 09 presentation. We will have more information for you then. Other GCC countries to follow soon but unfortunately there is no sign on Kuwait’s cell providers, Wataniya, Zain, and Viva, anywhere on the map which leaves us to think that either they don’t care or pretty much asleep.

Last but not least is Snow Leopard which I will be leaving for another post later on.

Apple 17 inch MacBook Pro unibody at MacWorld ?

Category : News

9to5mac reporting that apple will announce a New 17″ MacBook Pro going to carry the same (Unibody) design as the MacBook Pro 15″ and the MacBook released october of last year. In addition, they are also reporting that the battery will not be removable, just like the MacBook Air, iPhone/ iPod Touch. 

Only after the Keynote that we’ll know for sure what will be unveiled, so stay tuned in Jan 6th @ 8PM (Kuwait Time) 

Source : 9to5mac.com

17″ MacBook Pro to be Updated “In a Few Months”?

Category : News

Notably absent from the new MacBook Pro releases yesterday was an refresh of the 17″ MacBook Pro. Instead, Apple provided a minor upgrade to the high-end MacBook Pro but with no change in external casing:

The updated 17-inch MacBook Pro keeps its original aluminum design, and now comes standard with a high resolution 1920 x 1200 LED-backlit display and a larger 320GB hard drive or an optional 128GB solid state drive.

As a result, there had been some uncertainty surrounding the fate of the new 17″ MacBook Pro.

AppleInsider says, however, that the 17″ MacBook Pro will see a refresh in the next few months to bring it in line with the latest MacBook Pro designs. The next opportunity for Apple to release new machines falls in January 2009 at Macworld San Francisco.

Sources : MacrumorsAppleInsider

Apple NoteBook Event Coverage

Category : News, Thoughts, Uncategorized

In a couple of hours, Apple will be holding its NoteBook event which they will “Hopefully” reveal the new set of notebooks, rumors are flying here and there about looks and features of the upcoming MacBooks/Pro’s that Steve will announce to the world. 

 So hang on tight and stay tuned to Q8mug.com where we will bring the latest updates and announcement as they’re out.