Apple Adds Power To Its Macbook Pro
Apple has today launched its upgraded version of MacPro with faster Dual-Core CPUs, powerful graphics processor and longer life battery.
The new launch has marked the increase of pricing of one of its models and the downgrading of prices for two models.
Apple’s 13-inch Macbook Pro had a minor upgrade in its processor speed – up from 2.26 GHz and 2.53 GHz to 2.4GHz and 2.66GHz for the $1199 and $1499 models respectively. However, both the versions come with integrated NvidiaGeforce 320M graphics processor.
The other change is the new batteries in both the versions which Apple claim will give backup of 10 hours up from the current 7 hours. As per Apple’s estimates the larger 15 and 17 inch models have a battery life of eight to nine hours. However, the batteries cannot be replaced easily by the user and Apple has to be paid $129 or $179 for a replacement.
Likewise, the prices for the 13 inch Macbook Pro hasn’t changed either though the cost of the 15 inch version has increased by 6% or $100 to $1799 while the 15 inch version has seen a drop in the price by $100. Lastly, the 17 inch version has also seen a cut from $ 2499 to $ 2299.
It may be recalled that in last June Apple had reduced the prices of its Macbook Pro by anywhere between 6%-15%. But as a result has lowered the average sales price of its notebook by $100..It is believed that the newly launched upgraded products with Core i5 and i7 dual processors in the 15-in version is an attempt to create product differentiation. Apple today swapped out Core 2 Duo CPUs in the 15-in. MacBook Pro notebooks for the Core i5 running at 2.4GHz and 2.53GHz in the $1,799 and $1,999 configurations, respectively. As per Apple this swap has resulted in a 50% improvement in its performance.
The Core i5 and i7 processors also support a turbo mode that kicks in when processor-intensive software demands more. The 2.66GHz Core i5, for example, can jump to a clock speed of 3.06GHz for short periods in dual-core mode, and to 3.33GHz in single-core mode. While the 15 and the 17 inch version have both integrated and discreet graphics processor the new version has the feature where the systems switch between the two depending on the applications’ requirement. In the earlier versions users has to manually switch between the graphics as per their requirements. While the new Macbooks are already available at the stores, the 13 inch models show a 1 – 3 days shipping delay.
