Apple 13-inch MacBook Pro gets makeover

Apple has voiced plans to remodel its MacBook Pro lineup. The new series will support latest second generation Intel Core processors with 1333Mhz DDR3 RAM. All 15-inch and 17-inch models come with ATI graphic abilities instead of Nvidia.

Featuring the usual aluminum unibody enclosure, the 13inch MacBook Pro comes with a comfortable full size backlit keyboard and a large multi-touch trackpad. The superb 13.3-inch LED widescreen display flaunts vivid colors with 1280 x 800 pixel resolution. But the edge-to-edge high gloss reflective glass display poses trouble in sunlight, which can be sorted by setting the scale to maximum brightness.

The only visible change in the latest MacBook Pro series is the addition of Apple’s new Thunderbolt port, which enables fast two-channel transfers with speeds of over 10Gbps. This single port can be utilized as a high-speed data transfer connector and a video out port, based on PCi-express and Display Port.

At present, no accessories are available in the Indian market for utilizing this technology, however cables and drives may supposedly arrive soon.

Our review model featured a 500GB hard drive, 4GB DDR3 RAM, Intel HD 3000 graphics and a 2.7Ghz Core i7 processor. Unlike its predecessors, the current MacBook Pro version makes use of Intel HD 3000 graphics, which seems unconventional. The MacBook Pro runs on OS X Snow Leopard and is equipped with a brilliant FaceTime camera with the application preinstalled. Earlier, MacBook users had to install this app separately.

With an average battery backup of more than 6 hours, the notebook offers an amazing host of features such as constant Wi-Fi connectivity, multiple browsers, office document editing, music playback and occasional data transfer. The speakers produced low sound than its 15inch variant, just enough for use in a small and quiet room.

However, the last generation 13inch MacBook Pro version offered a battery life of about 8 hours. This major revamping of internal components adds much more power to the 13inch notebook. At the same price tag of over Rs. 80,000, you get more RAM, USB 3.0, a Blu-Ray combo drive from manufacturers like Dell or HP and a larger display.