Apple set to unveil MacBook Pro overhaul, back-to-school promo

AppleInsider

Apple Inc. is believed to be on the verge of introducing a new line of MacBook Pro notebooks and an educational promo that will furnish students with a free iPod nano when they purchase of a qualifying Mac system.



People familiar with plans for the offerings have said that both announcements could arrive as early as Tuesday.



In particular, a number of those close to Apple's retail channels reported they had been briefed on new MacBook Pro models that were due to turn up during week. A couple sets of potential technical specifications can be seen below, in line with expectations (1, 2).



Meanwhile, the company is also expected to announce an educational promotion offering students a $199 rebate on the purchase of an iPod nano or iPod video (or free 4GB iPod nano) when they purchase a qualified Mac system (iMac, MacBook, MacBook Pro or Mac Pro).



Should Apple announced the education promo tomorrow, it would arrive on the anniversary of last year's promo, which offered a $179 rebate or 2GB nano.



Purported MacBook Pro Specifications



• 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor; 4MB shared level 2 cache

• 2GB of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300)

• 120GB 5400-rpm hard drive

• 15.4-inch (diagonal) TFT widescreen display; 1440 by 900 pixels

• NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 128MB of GDDR3 SDRAM

• Built-in iSight video camera

• Slot-loading 8x SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)

• ExpressCard/34 slot, FireWire 400 port, FireWire 800 port, two USB 2.0 ports

• DVI portl DVI to VGA adapter included

• Optical digital audio input/line in, optical digital audio output/headphone out

•*Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet

• Built in AirPort Extreme

• Built-in Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR(Enhanced Data Rate)

• Backlit illuminated keyboard and ambient light sensor

• Apple Remote

• Preinstalled Max OS X and other bundled software

• Size and weight: 14.1 by 9.6 by 1.0 inches (35.7 by 24.3 by 2.59 cm); 5.4 pounds (2.45 kg)

• Meets ENERGY STAR requirements

• Model No. A1226

• Manufacturers Part No. MA895LL/A

• $1999



• 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor; 4MB shared level 2 cache

• 2GB of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300)

• 160GB 5400-rpm hard drive

• 15.4-inch (diagonal) TFT widescreen display; 1440 by 900 pixels

• NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 256MB of GDDR3 SDRAM

• Built-in iSight video camera

• Slot-loading 8x SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)

• ExpressCard/34 slot, FireWire 400 port, FireWire 800 port, two USB 2.0 ports

• DVI portl DVI to VGA adapter included

• Optical digital audio input/line in, optical digital audio output/headphone out

•*Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet

• Built in AirPort Extreme

• Built-in Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR(Enhanced Data Rate)

• Backlit illuminated keyboard and ambient light sensor

• Apple Remote

• Preinstalled Max OS X and other bundled software

• Size and weight: 14.1 by 9.6 by 1.0 inches (35.7 by 24.3 by 2.59 cm); 5.4 pounds (2.45 kg)

• Meets ENERGY STAR requirements

• Model No. A1226

• Manufacturers Part No. MA896LL/A

• $2499



MacRumors has been reporting a similar pair of specifications.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

shanmugam

Cool, any price info?



MacBook Updated

MacBook pro updated

iPhone launch date known

Mac Mini discontinued



then what is available for WWDC?



one more week to go!!! CANNOT WAIT!!!

k.c.

? new MacBook Pro models that were due to turn up during week.



Should Apple announced the education promo tomorrow?



? 2GB RAM of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300)



? NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 56MB of GDDR3 SDRAM





You know a little proof reading can go a long way to improving your credibility.

loungepop

LED Backlights?

skucera

Ummmm... Is it just me, or is this in fact a downgrade?



The current specs list the processor at 2.33 Ghz... so AppleInsider wants us to believe that Apple is going to release SLOWER machines? I can't wait to see Jobs' explanation of this megahertz myth, if it comes to fruition.

skucera

Also, what the heck is "Preinstalled Max OS X and other bundled software"?



Is there a "Min" OS X?

shanmugam

Santa Rosa is better on FSB, L2 Cache, Mother Board, you cannot just compare Ghz difference, what the big difference between 2.4 Ghz and 2.33 Ghz any way?

wakashizuma

No HD DVD/Blu-ray Drives?

Doesnt Apple like to push new Technologies like always?

Why not giving us a choice to watch HD movies (be it HD DVD or Blu-ray) on our beloved Macbook Pros?

just my 2 cents

slewis

Null.

badnameerr

Quote:

Originally Posted by shanmugam


then what is available for WWDC?

I'm hoping that they just focus on new software (Leopard, iLife etc).



But if they happen to ship a Mini-Laptop I'm not going to complain.

flounder

2GB memory on the entry model = cool.

120 GB HD = lame. I was really hoping for 160 on the $1999 model.



I guess I'll just hope AI is wrong

angevil

This is disappointing. I expect something much better. Where is LED, where is flash memory? There should be NAND flash + regular hard drive.

rolo

If the specs are accurate, it's a very good upgrade.



Top of the line 15.4" specs, old/new:



2.33 GHz to 2.4 GHz

667 MHz FSB to 800 MHz

3GB RAM max to 4GB

120GB HD to 160GB (hope there's a 200GB 7200 rpm option!)

6x SuperDrive to 8x

Radeon X1600 to GeForce 8600M GT (great upgrade!)

CCFL backlight to LED (hope so)

5.6 lbs. to 5.4 (3.2 oz. lighter!)



I also hope there's a slight case mod with a new KB and no latch.

flounder

Thinking about it though, 120 GB HD in the low end really doesn't make sense. That's less than the black macbook. Otherwise, I would be quite pleased. LED, big whoop

m4c n00b

So are the LCD displays going to be back-lit by LED's or not?



That's really the only thing I am interested in...



I'm going to be pretty upset if the LED back-lit screen isn't one of the new features in the MacBook Pro update tomorrow..

k2director

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flounder


... LED, big whoop

If an LED screen adds another 30-60 minutes of battery life, I'd call that a big whoop.

kungming2

If these specs are correct, I'm definitely buying one with an iPod video ASAP. I hope there's going to be LED-displays though! Flash, I can wait. The prices for SSDs are far too exorbidant as of current.

melgross

Quote:

Originally Posted by skucera

Ummmm... Is it just me, or is this in fact a downgrade?



The current specs list the processor at 2.33 Ghz... so AppleInsider wants us to believe that Apple is going to release SLOWER machines? I can't wait to see Jobs' explanation of this megahertz myth, if it comes to fruition.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slewis


That price point has a 2.16 Ghz CPU, it's the $2500 model that has the 2.33, which is listed 2.4 Ghz in the above specs.



Sebastian

Ahhh! Newbies.

coolhandpete

"Overhaul"? Maybe I use the word differently, but to me, an overhaul of the MBP would involve much more than what those specs suggest.

sennen

chotto disappointing ne... IF they had improved the res to accommodate 1920x1080, i was tempted to bite the bullet... but still, not announced yet.

kungming2

Quote:

Originally Posted by sennen


chotto disappointing ne... IF they had improved the res to accommodate 1920x1080, i was tempted to bite the bullet... but still, not announced yet.

I wouldn't want that - on a 15" screen? Maybe on a 17" screen. At 15" with 1920x1080, I'd be using a magnifying glass, what with the size of the palette fonts in Adobe Creative Suite. 1440*900 is good.