View this article at: http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/13/new.apple.laptops.specs/
Monday, Oct 13, 2008 11:35pm
Specs, photos of MacBook Pro up to 2.8GHz [Update x4]
With Apple's new laptops expected at tomorrow's event, sources have delivered original photos of the MacBook Pro showing an iMac-like "metal and glass" design -- with FireWire connectivity -- as well as a plethora of other specs and information. After early photos of the casings appeared only this past weekend, MacNN sources say that all new MacBook Pro laptops will feature FireWire connectivity, NVIDIA graphics/chips, HD displays and drives up to 320GB running at the higher 7,200rpm speeds for maximum speed, while the high-end MacBook Pro will feature Hybrid SLI graphics -- both discrete and integrated graphics for maximum performance or maximum battery life (although our source called it "dual-GPUs"). The consumer line of MacBooks, however, will not feature FireWire to help differentiate the product lines. [updated: FireWire will be available on MBP models]

While other reports indicate no price drops on entry-level MacBooks, BGR says it has confirmed a $899 SKU in Apple's systems, which could mean a low-priced laptop that could increase Apple's revenue by up to 50 percent, according to some analysts; however; other reports indicate that the product is likely an Apple Cinema Display (24-inch?); other MacBook (MB), MacBook Air (MBA) and MacBook Pro (MBP) models will be priced at $1,299 (MB?), $1,599 (MB?), $1,799 (MBA?), $1,999 (MBP?), and two at $2,499 (MBP?, MBA?), according to the same report, indicating that the entry-level MacBook may not quite be ready.

Sources also confirm that all models are expected to bring dramatic increases in speed: the MacBooks will lack a FireWire 400, but the higher-end MacBook Pros will have FireWire connectivity. In addition, Apple will have a user-service hard-drive, 128GB SSD option, DDR3/1,066GHz RAM, and an extra-long battery (perhaps a 9-cell battery versus a 6-cell in today's MBP batteries) as well as a new video connector.

Apple will offer MacBook Pro in speeds as fast as 2.8GHz, the source said and will also bring improved WiFi/wireless connectivity.

Much like the MacBook Air, the new professional line of MacBook Pro laptops will not only feature similar packaging, but will adopt a similar industrial design: the models will be slightly tapered on the top and bottom ("so it appears to float when on a desk") and a special DVI-out port that is like HDMI out; all the displays HD and glossy across the line (it is yet unknown if there will be a matte option available).

The source also said the new line of laptops will be "latch-less" like the current generation MacBook Air.

As Apple tries to push production and delivery ahead of the holiday season, sources say that the 15-inch MacBook Pros are already in production and will be shown at Tuesday's event (and ship soon thereafter), but the initial run of 17-inch models have both optical drive and display issues, which will delay shipments.



We have original photos which show the laptops with a black bezel around the display.





[story updated with clarification on production issues, more specs, FW clarification, new original images, MacBook pricing, more]