Apple is set to introduce its fourth Intel-power Mac - a two-grand 17in laptop. The MacBook Pro has a 2.16GHz Intel Core Duo CPU and is claimed to be up to five times faster than its G4-powered predecessor.
As always, such claims from Apple need to be looked at closely, so find out more from the MacBook Pro pages and then keep an eye out for independent reviews.
Despite having an aluminium case and being just one inch (254mm) high, the MacBook Pro - due next week - is something of a heavyweight, tipping the scales at 6.8lb (3.1kg). Even so, and despite the £1,999 price-tag, it's very likely to appeal to serious road-warriors, not least because they'll be able to dual boot between Mac OS X and Windows XP, thanks to Apple's recent introduction of Boot Camp Public Beta. Check out our review of that utility running on the first-generation, Intel-powered 15.4in MacBook Pro.
According to Apple, the new 17in MacBook Pro has "an all new system architecture including a 667 MHz front-side bus that is four times as fast as the PowerBook G4 and 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM RAM [1GB as standard, expandable to 2GB] that is twice as fast as the PowerBook G4".
Like the 15.4in, the 17in uses an ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 PCI Express GPU with 256MB of GDDR3 RAM. What we don't know, though, is whether Apple will be underclocking the card the same way is does that in the smaller MacBook Pro- to reduce cooling fan noise and extend battery life- as we reported last week.
What is clear, however, is that the 17in model shares most of the other features found on the 15.4in, including Bonjour, the "zero-configuration" wireless networking built into Mac OS X, and the Front Row front-end used for accessing digital home content - music, photos and videos - from across the room using a supplied remote handset.
A built-in iSight video camera is also standard and allows conferencing over the net with Apple’s iChat AV app or recording a video Podcast or movie with the supplied iLife ‘06 suite of programs.
Also standard are Apple’s MagSafe power-input connector - which disconnect automatically if the cable is snagged (prevent the Mac taking a tumble) - and Apple’s Sudden Motion Sensor, said to protect the hard drive in case of a fall.
Apple reckons that the 17in MacBook Pro's 17in widescreen (1680 x 1050) LCD panel is, at 300 cd/m2, 36 per cent brighter than its predecessor's. Socketry takes in one FireWire 800 port and one FireWire 400, plus three USB 2.0 and optical digital and analogue audio in/outs. Also on the features list are built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) and AirPort Extreme 54 Mbps 802.11g WiFi networking.
The bundled iLife ‘06 suite runs natively on Intel CPUs and consists of iPhoto, iMovie HD, iDVD, GarageBand and a new app - iWeb - claimed to make it super-easy to create web sites featuring photos, blogs and Podcasts - for publishing .Mac "with just a single click".
Also included and integral to OS X version 10.4.6 (Tiger) are Intel-native versions of the Safari web browser, Mail email app, Photo BoothMac program and iCal (calculator). iChat AV and Front Row are also said to run natively on Intel CPUs.
The 17in MacBook Pro is due to start shipping next week through the Apple Store (0800 039 1010), Apple’s own retail stores and authorised resellers.
Specs
* 2.16GHz Intel Core Duo processor
* 17in widescreen (1680 x 1050) LCD panel with 300 cd/m2 brightness
* 1GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 2GB
* 120GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5,400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor
* Slot-loading 8x DVD burner ('SuperDrive') supporting dual-layer DVD±RW
* ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 256MB GDDR3 RAM - PCI Express-based
* DVI-out port for external display (VGA-out adapter included; composite/S-video output adapter an optional extra)
* Built-in Dual Link support for driving Apple 30in Cinema HD Display
* Built-in iSight video camera
* Gigabit Ethernet port
* Built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
* Three USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 800 port and one FireWire 400 port
* One audio line in port and and one audio line out - each optical digital and analogue
* Scrolling TrackPad and illuminated keyboard with ambient light sensor
* Infrared Apple Remote
* ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot (check out the ExpressCard home page for more info)
* 68Watt-hour lithium polymer battery
* 85W Apple MagSafe power adaptor.
Build to order options
* 100GB (7,200 rpm) HDD
* Up to 2GB DDR2 SDRAM
* Apple USB Modem
* AppleCare Protection Plan.
Thoughts? Let us have 'em over in the HEXUS.community.
Update April 25, 20:50
The previous update here of 17:20 has been deleted because, well, it was plain wrong, as was pointed out in the HEXUS.community. The Apple is NOT hundreds of pounds cheaper than an equivalent Dell - there is a comparable Dell that, with the current £200-off offer, undersells the Apple. Check out the latest pricing info in the HEXUS.community.
So, still plenty of food for thought that's worthy of discussion over in the HEXUS.community.
Update April 26, 14:38
Did you know that it's now possible to buy dual-boot Macs off the shelf? Well, it is, as you'll see in this HEXUS.headline - though only in the USA as far as we know.
