MacBook Pro: Hell Freezes Over Again!

It's probably a winter "wonderland" in hell today as Apple announces their first two Intel-based computers last night. In the MacWorld San Francisco 2005, Steve Jobs again worked his mojo (and his reality distortion field) and released the MacBook Pro and the new Intel-based iMac. Both computers are using Intel Core Duo processor that promises to deliver quite a "punch".

As usual, the MacBook Pro (the laptop formerly known as PowerBook) have impressive features that sets it apart from the pack, making other notebooks look like "just another laptop". Here's a quick rundown of its specs:

15.4-inch TFT display with 1440x900 resolution

1.83GHz Intel Core Duo processor with 2MB shared L2 Cache

667MHz frontside bus

1GB (single SO-DIMM) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300)

100GB 5400rpm Serial ATA hard drive

Slot-load SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)

ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 256MB GDDR3 memory

MacBook Pro also features a full-size backlit keyboard, AirPort Extreme wireless networking (802.11b/g), Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, ExpressCard/34 slot, dual-link DVI video out, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 2.0, FireWire 400, and optical digital and analog audio in/out.

One of the reasons why Apple stands out as a hardware manufacturer is their attention to small details that makes their products simply work. Take for example their new "MagSafe Connector". This takes the place of the adapter plug that almost always breaks off when yanked out of the computer. It also prevents accidental dropping when someone trips on the power cord. Then there's the Apple Remote which allows users to do presentations or control other applications wirelessly.

The MacBook also comes with a rather impressive bundled software which includes iLife '06, Front Row, Photo Booth, Comic Life and Omni Outliner.

I can only sit and wonder how they are going to replace/refresh the iBook and the Mac Mini line...

technorati tags: Apple, MacBook