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

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

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.

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

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 : Macrumors – AppleInsider

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. 

Apple, through an email invitation, announced that they will be holding a special media event on October 14th to introduce new products. The invitation had a picture of a Laptop Mac meaning this event we will most likely see new models of Macbooks and Macbook Pros.

اعلنت شركة ابل انها ستقوم باقامة حدث اعلاني في يوم ١٤ من اكتوبر الحالي وقد وزعت الشركة دعوات خاصة عن طريق البريد الالكتروني و قد حمل البريد صورة للاجهزة المحمولة من ما يشير بان الحدث هو لطرح اجهزة محمولة جديدة

Source: Macrumors.com

Here are also pictures of the unboxing of Leopard.

And finally, here are pictures of my Macbook Pro undergoing a Hard Drive transplant.

Enjoy and as always, comments and suggestions are always welcome!