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Apple Computers MacBook Pro notebook is now Core 2 Duo ready.
The Cupertino, Calif., computer maker announced Oct. 24 that it would begin to offer three new versions of its MacBook Pro that are powered by Intels new Core 2 Duo processor.
Apple is offering two 15-inch MacBook Pros as well as a 17-inch model, company officials said. Its the first time the company has offered a Core 2 Duo update since it announced on Sept. 6 that the iMac line had been updated with the new processor.
The updated MacBooks offer up to 39 percent more performance and double the memory of previous versions. In its statement, Apple said the new notebooks also will offer greater storage capacity.
The company also has enhanced its Mac OS X operating system to take advantage of the new Core 2 Duo, according to its statement.
Apple is offering a 15-inch MacBook Pro that is powered by a 2.16GHz Core 2 Duo and has 1GB of DDR2 (double data rate 2) SDRAM (synchronous dynamic RAM) that is expandable to 3GB, a 120GB hard drive, and Apples AirPort Extreme wireless networking and iSight video camera, which are both built in.
That notebook is priced at $1,999, according to Apple.
The other 15-inch notebook comes with a 2.33GHz Core 2 Duo and 2GB of SDRAM that is expandable to 3GB. It also offers the same features as the other MacBook Pro and is priced at $2,499.
The 17-inch MacBook Pro comes equipped with a 2.33GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of SDRAM that can increase to 3GB, a 160GB hard drive, AirPort Extreme wireless networking and the iSight video camera.
The company said this model is priced at $2,799.
The two 15-inch models will start shipping as of Oct. 24, while Apple said the 17-inch model will be shipped by the end of October.
Apple first announced that it would move to Intels processors and away from IBM and Freescale-manufactured PowerPC processors in June 2005. The company has given no hint as to when it would update its other computers to Core 2 Duo.
The company unveiled the first Intel-based Mac on Jan. 10, 2006.
Intel introduced the Core 2 Duo, the successor to the Core Duo, on July 27. Intel has said that the Core 2 Duo can replace the Core Duo in existing systems with a software upgrade.