Better performance and cheaper prices for MacBook computers

by Stevie Smith - Jun 9 2009, 16:15

Seemingly not satisfied with rolling out a third-generation version of its massively popular iPhone handset, computer and gadget specialist Apple Inc. has also used its World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) in San Francisco to once again refresh its line of MacBook portables.

This time applying the hardware update to both its MacBook Pro and MacBook Air systems, the Cupertino-based heavyweight has moved to improve hardware appeal through the inclusion of enhanced central processors, aluminium unibody construction, increased battery performance and, last but not least, cheaper price points.

Revealed during its WWDC keynote address, the MacBook Pro revamp covers existing 17-inch, 15-inch and 13-inch flavours of the computer and will see each system imbued with desirable unibody construction, along with an integrated lithium-polymer battery that Apple claims will deliver up to seven hours of mobile longevity on a single charge and can be charged up to 1,000 times.

In terms of differential features, the 15-inch and 13-inch models will be armed with memory expanding SD slots and FireWire 800 support, while the 17-inch model will carry an ExpressCard slot.

While refreshed features are all well and good, prospective buyers looking to make the leap to an Apple-branded computer will, of course, be looking for improved pricing – and Apple has duly obliged.

Specifically, the 13-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,199 USD for the 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor (2GBs of RAM and 160GBs of storage), while the 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo model (4GBs and 250GBs) will carry a tag of $1,499 USD.

The newly defined 15-inch MacBook Pro will be offered in three configuration varieties, priced at $1,699 USD, $1,999 USD and $2.299 USD. Similarly, the 17-inch system will cost $2.499 USD and will sport a 2.8GHz processor, and a hefty 500GB hard drive.

The MacBook Air is also receiving a modest shift in its positioning, with Apple introducing a 1.86GHz model armed with 120GBs of storage for $1,499 USD, along with a 2.13GHz version packing 128GBs of solid state storage for $1,799 USD.

All of the tweaked MacBooks are available now through Apple and its official retail partners.

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