Apple Updates MacBook Models

By: Kristin Turner
Staff Writer
Published: Feb 27, 2008

Apple Updates MacBook Models

MacBook and MacBook Pro are new notebooks with faster Intel processors with Core 2 Duo, larger hard drive and 2 GB of memory as a standard.

The updated MacBook models include the new Penryn, which is the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processor.

Penryn uses new fabrication materials, most significantly a hafnium-based dielectric to reduce capacitance but minimize leakage current. The new materials for making transistors can allegedly boost their switching speeds by more than 20 percent while trimming their power consumption by about 30 percent, according to Intel.

Apple has updated the graphics on its notebooks by including NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with up to 512MB of video memory.

The new MacBook comes with a 13-inch widescreen display in three versions: sleek white 2.1 GHz and 2.4 GHz models with 120GB or 160GB 5400 rpm hard drives and a black 2.4 GHz model with a 250GB 5400 rpm hard drive, previously only available as an option.

MacBook will retail at $1,099 for the basic model, while the 2.4 GHz, 13-inch black MacBook is available for $1499.

The new models from MacBook Pro lineup include Multi-Touch trackpad, previously available only for MacBook Air. The track pad lets users rotate photos and browse through Web pages using gestures such as pinch, rotate, and swipe.

The new MacBook Pro features the latest Intel Core 2 Duo technology, with up to a 2.6 GHz processor with 6MB of shared L2 cache; up to 4GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory and up to a 300GB hard drive.

MacBook Pro comes in three versions: two models with 15-inch screen and one with 1 17-inch screen.

A MacBook Pro with a 15-inch display, 2.4GHz processor, 3MB of L2 cache, and a 200GB hard disk is priced at $1,999, while the 17-inch model, with a 2.5GHz Core 2 Duo chip, 6MB of L2 cache, and a 250GB hard drive costs $2,799.

All MacBooks include a built-in iSight video camera for video conferencing on-the-go, Apple's MagSafe Power Adapter that safely disconnects when under strain and built-in 802. 11n wireless networking.