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Apple Launches MacBook Pros with Thunderbolt, Quad Core CPUs, AMD GPUs

Thursday February 24, 2011 3:48 am PST by Arnold Kim

While not all the rumors leading up to the launch were true, many of the last minute leaks were accurate, and Apple still managed to sneak in a few surprises.

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. We expect to hear more about it this afternoon at Intel's press conference. From Apple's PR:

"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" 1920x1200 Display. 2.2Ghz Quad i7. 4GB RAM. 750GB HD. AMD 6750M 1GB. $2499
-15" 1440x900 (1680 option) Display. 2.2GHz Quad i7. 750GB HD. AMD 6750M 1GB. $2199.
-15" 1440x900 (1680 option) Display. 2.0GHz Quad i7. 4GB RAM. 500GB HD. AMD 6490M 256MB. $1799
-13" 1280x800 Display. 2.7GHz Dual i7. 4GB RAM. 500GB HD. Intel HD Graphics. $1499
-13" 1280x800 Display. 2.3GHz Dual i5. 4GB RAM. 320GB HD. Intel HD Graphics. $1199

Full specs available here
[ 1545 comments ]

Top Rated Comments

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Avatar
chrmjenkins
45 months ago

BTO is never in the store, it's always online only.


Apple stocks some BTO options, namely the high res anti-glare screens.
Rating: 1 Votes
Avatar
kobyh15
45 months ago
Who got an actual 10 hours of battery life? If this is a realistic 7 hours out of a QUAD core notebook, then that is impressive. No one is ever happy it seems like. You get standard i5s in the 13" with an option for the i7, then you get STANDARD QUADS in the 15" and 17" and no one is even a little happy about it. What happened to all those people that said "If they don't put quads in this refresh I'm going to go buy something else." Now it's "Oh my, look at that battery life. I'm going to go buy something else." Good lord, please do go buy something else. This is ridiculous. Good job Apple, I think you did well.
Rating: 1 Votes
Avatar
wescravn
45 months ago

Ok... So I just counted the positive and negative votes since the first iBook and Powerbook up to this MBP.

Positive: 5,633
Negative: 5,202

I can't believe nearly HALF of people that vote in those are unsatisfied! Are the Macbook Pros no good or something? You people are crazy! lol. Quit whining and enjoy incremental updates. Or go follow another companies lineup refreshes and see that they do the SAME small update releases.

Sheesh

and if you tell me that it is just a statistical anomaly, then ok... why do we even have the voting system.


Lol, people complain about everything. It's like sex people complain it wasn't good, but they have nothing to offer. Same thing here. People complain and have nothing but hot air to offer.

Food for thought: If you complain here about a computer, look at your sex life, boring period "end quote" :D
Rating: 1 Votes
Avatar
Luis Ortega
45 months ago

How strange! Just waiting for my asus G53jw to arrive today! Was going to send it back if the macbook pro update was worth it but to be honest i think i'll stick to the asus. Love apple, i have a iphone 4, ipad and did have a imac but the macbook pro is just not worh the premium.


Those Asus laptops are great. The G73 is a fantastic computer which can handle games as well as pro audio and video apps with ease.
You made a good buy there.
Rating: 1 Votes
Avatar
hambone5605
45 months ago
Okay so to everyone who's complaining about the new macbook pros.

I just ran geek-bench (just bought one as i've been waiting for months since i sold my old 15") and the "low end" 13 MacBook Pro for $1199 received a geek-bench score of 5850. Up significantly from last years MacBooks. Correct me if i'm wrong but didn't the 2010 17" MacBook pro receive a score of around 5200 overall. I know everyone doesn't need the new speed bump but DAMN this thing is smokin.

-Happy Customer
Rating: 1 Votes
Avatar
chrmjenkins
45 months ago

wonder why windows puts those ugly stickers on laptops..


They're performance decals. Get it right.
Rating: 1 Votes
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cmaier
45 months ago

Then start praying that sjobs dies soon?


Because the new CEO won't be interested in making a huge profit?
Rating: 1 Votes
Avatar
revelated
45 months ago

Wrong.

$130 is only upgrade pricing, you need an existing OS X license to be able to use that $130 copy of OS X you've bought.

So you can say that OS X costs $1000, basically the difference between a PC and an equivalent Mac.


Huh? Are you referring to Snow Leopard's price? Because...you don't need Leopard installed to install Snow Leopard, and last I checked Snow Leopard was $49. What am I missing here?
Rating: 1 Votes
Avatar
Mattsasa
45 months ago

Clearly a move by Apple to start moving away from Boot Camp.

Won't be long
till no more Win7 on our MBP's. !0.7 or nothing on your drive baby!! ;)


what?!

what are you talking about?!

you dont make any sense
Rating: 1 Votes
Avatar
Steve121178
45 months ago

My Dell XPS WIPS the MPB!!!!! and its almost two years old LOL

N11X6501 1 £1,086.76
Studio XPS 16 : Intel Core i7 Processor 720QM(1.60GHz,6MB cache) 1
Display : 16in RGBLED Black Leather Edge to Edge Full HD1080p with TrueLife 1
Camera : Integrated Camera with Facial Recognition Software 1
Resource DVD : Studio XPS 1645 Diagnostics and Drivers 1
Ship Accessory : English Docs 1
Memory : 4096MB (2x2048) 1333MHz DDR3 Dual Channel 1
Hard Drive : 500GB Free Fall Sensor (7200RPM) 1
Optical Drive : Blu-Ray ROM (Blu-Ray,DVD and CD read & write) Slot Load Combo Drive 1
Power Supply : XPS 90W AC Adapter 1
Power Cord : UK 1M 1
Battery : Primary 9-cell 85W/HR LI-ION 1
Not Included Carry Case 1
Graphics : 1GB ATI Radeon HD 4670 graphics card 1
TV tuner : No Integrated TV tuner 1
Wireless : Europe Dell Bluetooth 370 Card 1
Wireless : Dell Wireless 1397 (802.11 b/g) Mini Card European 1
Keyboard : Internal UK/Irish Qwerty Keyboard 1
Operating System : English Genuine Windows 7 Professional (64 BIT) 1
English Microsoft Works 9.0 (Word Processor, Database) with Recovery CD 1
Software : Datasafe Local 2.0 Basic 1
Software : Napster for Win 7 (60 Free Songs and 1 year Free Music Streaming) 1
Dell Dock 1.0 1
English McAfee Security Centre 10.0 - 15 Month Subscription 1
Advanced Service - 2 year Collect & Return Service within 6 days + 2 years Accidental Damage Support 1
Standard Service - 1 year of coverage included with your PC 1
2 years Accidental Damage Support 1
DataSafe Online Backup 2GB 1
DataSafe Online size - 2GB Trial 1
I have already selected the Services promotion. 1
Studio XPS 1645 Order - UK 1
Studio NB - System Only 1
Subtotal: £1,086.76
Freight: £0.00

Total Net: £1,086.76
VAT( 15%): £153.69
Total: £1,240.45


But it's a Dell.
Rating: 1 Votes

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