What’s New About MacBook Pro (2011) – Features, Specs, Price

New Apple MacBook Pro (2011) has been released at the end of February 2011. The new MacBook Pro (MBP) featured Quad core processors, Thunderbolt I/O port, FaceTime HD camera, multi-touch trackpad, and longer battery life.

Read on for the features, spec details and latest prices.

Faster processor

13-inch MacBook Pro now features dual-core Intel Core i5 2.3GHz processor or, the fastest dual-core processor, Intel Core i7 2.7GHz. The 15-inch model is powered by 2.0GHz or 2.2Ghz Quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, which is also the default configuration for 17-inch model.

Faster graphic processor

For graphic, MacBook Pro 13-inch is using the build-in Intel HD Graphics 3000 with 384MB RAM. MBP 15-inch and 17-inch has both Intel HD Graphics 3000 AND, with automatic switching, the more powerful AMD Radeon HD graphic processor. (1st time use AMD graphic processor, bye-bye Nvidia)

15-inch MacBook Pro 2.0GHz model is powered by AMD Radeon HD 6490M with 256MB memory, while the 2.2GHz 15-inch model and 17-inch model are powered by Radeon HD 6750M with 1GB RAM.

Faster than Mac Pros!

According to 9to5 and Macworld, the new MacBook Pro Quad-core i7 is faster than last year Mac Pros! New MacBook Pro is almost 100% faster than last year MacBook Pro in Geekbench benchmark results. In Macworld’s Speedmark 6.5 results, the 17-inch MBP 2011 is faster than 27″ iMac 2.8GHz Quad-core Core i5.

Thunder..Thunderbolt!

Thunderbolt (codename: light peak) is a new kind of input/output technology, which is developed by Intel. Technically, it can transfer data at the speed up to 10Gbps, 20 times faster than USB 2.0. The Thunderbolt port supports DisplayPort, DVI, HDMI, and VGA displays. You could daisy-chain connect multiple high-speed devices, as well as your high resolution display. The new MacBook Pro is the first notebook computer with Thunderbolt port.

Longer battery life

New MacBook Pro has better battery life. You can expect for 7 hours of WiFi web surfing in a single charge. The battery allows 1000 full charge and discharge cycles.

Small changes…

MacBook Pro 2011 models have build-in FaceTime HD camera which support 720p high resolution video calls (1280 by 720), 3 times more resolution than previous camera. SDXC card slot is added to support up to 64GB memory cards.

What have NOT changed

1. Still the same aluminum unibody.
2. Pre-installed 4GB memory and upgradeable up to 8GB.
3. 8x double-layer SuperDrive for reading and burning CD/DVD.
4. Still using the old, slow 5400-rpm hard disk (upgradable to 7200-rpm at extra cost, 15-inch and 17-inch could exchange 750GB 5200-rpm drive to 500GB 7200-rpm drive.)
5. Same screen resolution
6. Same size dimensions, same weight

New MacBook Pro 2011 prices

• 13-inch 2.3GHz (320GB): USD$1199 / RM3699 (see latest price)
• 13-inch 2.7GHz (500GB): USD$1499 / RM4599 (see latest price)
• 15-inch 2.0GHz (500GB, Radeon HD 6490M 256MB): $1799 / RM5499 (see latest price)
• 15-inch 2.2GHz (750GB, Radeon HD 6750M 1GB): $2199 / RM6799 (see latest price)
• 17-inch 2.2Ghz (750GB, Radeon HD 6750M 1GB): $2499 / RM7699 (see latest price)

All models are now available for immediate shipping.

How to pick a MacBook Pro? If you have limited budget but want the aluminum body, then get a 13-inch MBP. If you want speed and mobility, buy a 15-inch MBP. If you want speed and more screen resolution, get a 17-inch MBP.

What I wish to have in MacBook Pro

New MacBook Pro 2011 has fast processor and graphic processor but why is it still using the old slow 5400-rpm hard drive… How nice if Apple uses hybrid drives setup: SSD for boot drive and 7200-rpm hard disk for data storage. Also, MacBook Pro should have higher screen resolution.

Fast processor is good. New high speed ThunderBolt I/O is good. But, new MBP is not good enough to excite people. Many existing MacBook Pro users have no intention to upgrade their old MBP to the new model.

I plan to replace my iMac 24-inch (2008) in the near future with a MacBook Pro notebook. Maybe a 17-inch model. I am looking forward for the MacBook Pro 2012 to surprise me.

What do you think about the new MacBook Pro?