New Apple MacBook Pros Include Faster Intel, Nvidia Chips

by Michelle Maisto

The Apple MacBook Pro line, which consists of 13-, 15- and 17-inch models, was refreshed April 13. Updates include longer-lasting batteries, faster Intel processors and next-generation Nvidia graphics.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro now features 10 hours of battery life, 4GB of RAM and two configuration choices, each including a Nvidia GeForce 320M graphics processor. The Nvidia processor, says Apple, is the fastest on the market.

For $1,199, users can take home a MacBook Pro with a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor paired with a 250GB hard drive. Also available is a model with a 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and a 320GB hard drive, for $1,499.

The 15-inch MacBook Pro, like the new 17-inch model, now offers 8 to 9 hours of battery life. Apple’s Turbo Boost technology accelerates the system from 2.66GHz to 3.06GHz for intense dual-core tasks and up to 3.33GHz for single-core tasks.

The 15-incher comes in three configurations, with prices varying from $1,799 to $2,299. The highest-end setup features a 2.66GHz Intel Core i7, the Nvidia GeForce GT 330M processor and a 500GB hard drive.

The new 17-inch MacBook Pro, with its 1,920 by 1,200-pixel glossy display, pairs a 2.53GHz Intel Core i5 processor with the Nvidia GeFore GT 330M and a 500GB hard drive for $2,299.