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

Thursday February 24, 2011 4:48 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

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elmateo487
116 months ago
I personally sell 15-20 macs a day now at my job. I do not believe I have met a SINGLE person who would want to do what it takes for a hackintosh. Not saying I wouldn't, I am looking into building a hackintosh. But Buddy, we are in the less than 1%.

It is Apple's product, they can make it however they want. You do realize that is how it has been from the beginning? They are a software and HARDWARE company. You want them to release glossy? matte? i7s, i5s, radeon 6990s, USB 3.0, Thunderbolt, in every option of all of their computers? What about including FW800 and 400, and I want them to use HUGE DVI PORTS, so their computers never get thinner, maybe we should use them forever actually? why not? Lets ALWAYS use 7200 drives, and get PC battery lifes of 3-5 hours, and lets throw in SSD drives, I mean come on, we could just slap in a little 60 gig right? Just as expensive as 250 gigs of HD, thats what people want right? Less hard drive space.

Think outside of your own realm of self absorption and I bet your distain for all things technology, not up to par with your standards, won't ride your pony through the river every 6 months.

That's funny. I thought I just said they were playing that game. :rolleyes:



I don't presume to speak for "most people" on here, but a lack of "tedious upgrades" is not even in my top 10 list of reasons to use OSX. In fact, it's not in the list at all. I already have one Hackintosh and most updates are the same as any other Mac through Software Update. Once I had to reload the audio driver. Once in awhile you update the program that provides the machine specific drivers. It's not exactly rocket science, dude.

I like/use OSX because it's free of malware and I like the interface better than Windows. I like it doesn't slow down as you add more software. I like the Unix underpinnings. I like not having a registry (for both speed and ease of installing and removing most software).

I don't like Apple telling me I cannot have a matte screen or that I don't need a card slot on a MBP or that they refuse to provide an access door so I can swap the battery if I need to (all about them providing a replacement for a fee, not "ease of use"). I don't like Apple using Mini-Display Port (my MBP has full size DVI which many monitors come with a cable for even) when very few monitors support it (means you have to keep track of adapters and probably purchase one or more adapters). I don't like them not offering BTO options for anything from 7200 PRM drives to SSD drives whenever they feel like not offering them (leaving me in a situation where I might have to void my warranty just to install something they don't want to sell on a particular model at a particular time while other companies offer any build option you might like (or let you build your own whereas Apple says you're not allowed). I also don't like Apple heading towards iOS features instead of keeping up with OpenGL, improving dual-display support, etc. (i.e. real features).

Rating: 1 Votes
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cmaier
116 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
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revelated
116 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
116 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
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chrmjenkins
116 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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hambone5605
116 months ago
Seriously?

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
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chrmjenkins
116 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
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kobyh15
116 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
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wescravn
116 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
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Luis Ortega
116 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

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