Apple’s revised 13, 15 and 17 inch MacBook Pros deliver Intel’s blazing fast new Sandy Bridge Core i5 and i7 CPUs, new AMD Radeon HD (formerly ATI) dedicated graphics performance on the high end and a new high speed Thunderbolt port, resulting in the fastest notebooks currently available while inheriting the long battery life, the strong, minimalist unibody construction, and the environmentally friendly design of previous year’s models.

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Position in the MacBook family

The MacBook Pros gain a stronger edge in both processing and graphics performance over the entry level white MacBook and compact MacBook Air, with the entire Pro lineup now supporting new Sandy Bridge versions of the Core i5 and i7 chips, leaving the older Core2 Duo reserved for the budget minded $999 MacBook and light, thin MacBook Airs.

Additionally, while the MacBook and Air models continue to use the NVIDIA GeForce 320M as their graphics chip and system controller, the Pros have moved to a roughly comparable Intel HD Graphics 3000 graphics processor within the Intel platform system controller (which shares 384MB of SDRAM from system memory). The 15 and 17 inch models add a secondary AMD Radeon HD graphics chip that kicks in automatically when needed.

The 15 inch MacBook Pro supplies a base option of the AMD Radeon HD 6490M with 256MB GDDR5 RAM, or offers a higher end option of the AMD Radeon HD 6750M with 1GB GDDR5 RAM. That second option is the base standard for the 17 inch model.

The new chips make this generation of MacBook Pros not just faster than Apple’s previous notebooks, but also faster than Apple’s current desktop iMacs, with scores that bump up towards the Mac Pro workstation and its multicore Xeon engine. PC reviewers have noted that Apple’s notebook lineup is currently the fastest available from any vendor, thanks to the company’s early adoption of Intel’s latest generation of CPUs.

The shift to AMD graphics

Over the past few years, Apple began a migration away from Intel’s own chipsets that support the CPU (and which have included Intel’s rather anemic integrated graphics chips), building a strategy that paired Intel’s Core2 Duo CPU with an NVIDIA chipset with far faster integrated graphics. However, Intel killed this plan by integrating functions once provided by the supporting chipset, including the memory controller and graphics, into the CPU package itself.

The Intel Core i5 and i7, first introduced last year in the Arrandale platform, continue to integrate CPU cores with memory and graphics under the Sandy Bridge generation, and similarly require an Intel chipset for other I/O and related functions. While the former 13 inch MacBook Pro skipped the Arrandale generation and continued to use the Core2 Duo/NVIDIA chipset combination, the new 2011 Pro models all take the same leap to Sandy Bridge.

While Intel isn’t as good at graphics as NVIDIA, Intel’s SATA disk controller performance is significantly better than that of NVIDIA’s; the new models also now support 6Gbps SATA 3.0 for the first time, so the fact that the new MacBook Pros use Intel’s chipsets again means that disk performance is improved, particularly when using a Solid State Drive. Note that only the hard drive supports SATA 3; the optical drive is still connected to a 3GBps SATA 2.0 interface.

Apple has hopped back and forth between NVIDIA and ATI for its dedicated graphics chips for many years now. After acquiring ATI, AMD has now changed its branding to AMD across the board, making this the first Mac to sport AMD-branded processors, albeit just for graphics and not CPUs in competition with Intel.

The new MacBook Pros with dual graphics chips (apart from the 13 inch model that only has Intel graphics) continue to use automatic switching technology that enables them to coast along using the integrated Intel HD Graphics GPU, and then switch to using the dedicated new AMD Radeon HD whenever advanced graphics are needed. This is triggered whenever an external display is plugged in, and whenever software calls OpenGL, OpenCL, Quartz Composer, Core Animation or Core Graphics functions.

On page 2 of 3: FaceTime HD, Thunderbolt, Graphics & Batteries, and Unique features among the three MacBook Pro model sizes.

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As expected, Apple on Thursday updated its MacBook Pro family with next generation processors and graphics, high-speed Thunderbolt I/O technology and a new FaceTime HD camera.

Featuring the very latest dual-core and quad-core Intel Core processors, the entire MacBook Pro line is up to twice as fast as the previous generation. In addition to the new 13-inch model, Apple also updated its larger, faster 15- and 17-inch configurations.

“The new MacBook Pro brings next generation dual and quad Core processors, high performance graphics, Thunderbolt technology and FaceTime HD to the great design loved by our pro customers,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “Thunderbolt is a revolutionary new I/O technology that delivers an amazing 10 gigabits per second and can support every important I/O standard which is ideal for the new MacBook Pro.”

Starting at $1,199 the new 13-inch MacBook Pro features Intel Core i5 and Core i7 dual-core processors up to 2.7 GHz and Intel HD Graphics 3000. MacBook Pro is the first computer on the market to include the unique Thunderbolt I/O technology. Developed by Intel with collaboration from Apple, Thunderbolt enables expandability never before possible on a notebook computer.

Featuring two bi-directional channels with transfer speeds up to 10Gbps each, Thunderbolt delivers PCI Express directly to external high performance peripherals such as RAID arrays, and can support FireWire and USB consumer devices and Gigabit Ethernet networks via adapters.

Thunderbolt also supports DisplayPort for high resolution displays and works with existing adapters for HDMI, DVI and VGA displays. Freely available for implementation on systems, cables and devices, Thunderbolt technology is expected to be widely adopted as a new standard for high performance I/O.

The MacBook Pro now includes a built-in FaceTime HD camera with triple the resolution of the previous generation for crisp, widescreen video calls. With Apple’s FaceTime video calling software, the new camera allows high definition video calls between all new MacBook Pro models and supports standard resolution calls with other Intel-based Macs, iPhone 4 and the current generation iPod touch.

FaceTime is included with all new MacBook Pro models and is available for other Intel-based Macs from the Mac App Store for 99 cents. The MacBook Pro lineup continues to feature its aluminum unibody enclosure, glass Multi-Touch trackpad, LED-backlit widescreen display, illuminated full-size keyboard and 7-hour battery.

Every Mac notebook achieves EPEAT Gold status and meets Energy Star 5.0 requirements. Each unibody enclosure is made of highly recyclable aluminum and comes standard with energy efficient LED-backlit displays that are mercury-free and made with arsenic-free glass. Mac notebooks contain no brominated flame retardants, are PVC-free and are constructed with recyclable materials.

Every Mac comes with Mac OS X Snow Leopard and iLife, Apple’s suite of applications for creating and sharing photos, movies and music.

Technical Specifications

Size and weight:

Height: 0.95 inch (2.41 cm)
Width: 12.78 inches (32.5 cm)
Depth: 8.94 inches (22.7 cm)
Weight: 4.5 pounds (2.04 kg)

Connections and expansion:

MagSafe power port
Gigabit Ethernet port
FireWire 800 port (up to 800 Mbps)
Two USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps)
Thunderbolt port (up to 10 Gbps)
Audio in/out
SDXC card slot
Kensington lock slot

Communications:

802.11n Wi-Fi wireless networking (based on IEEE 802.11n specification);
IEEE 802.11a/b/g compatible Bluetooth
Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) wireless technology
10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45 connector)

Audio:

Stereo speakers with subwoofer
Omnidirectional microphone
Combined headphone/line in (supports digital output)
Support for Apple iPhone headset with microphone

Environmental Status Report:

MacBook Pro is designed with the following features to reduce its environmental impact:
Highly recyclable aluminum and glass enclosure
Mercury-free LED-backlit display
Arsenic-free display glass
BFR-free
PVC-free
Reduced packaging volume
Meets ENERGY STAR Version 5.0 requirements
Rated EPEAT Gold

Display:

13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with support for millions of colors
Supported resolutions: 1280 by 800 (native), 1152 by 720, 1024 by 640, and 800 by 500 pixels at 16:10 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio stretched; 720 by 480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio; 720 by 480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio stretched

Graphics and video support

Intel HD Graphics 3000 with 384MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory5
Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors
FaceTime HD camera
Thunderbolt port

Thunderbolt digital video output:

Native Mini DisplayPort output
DVI output using Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter (optional)
VGA output using Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter (optional)
Dual-link DVI output using Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter supports 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display (optional)
HDMI audio and video output using a third-party Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter

Input:

Full-size backlit keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys (inverted “T” arrangement)
Multi-Touch trackpad for precise cursor control; supports inertial scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities

Processor and memory:

2.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor with 3MB shared L3 cache or 2.7GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor with 4MB shared L3 cache
4GB (two 2GB SO-DIMMs) of 1333MHz DDR3 memory; two SO-DIMM slots support up to 8GB
Standard Configurations: 2.3 GHz or 2.7 GHz

Storage:

320GB or 500GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive; optional 500GB 5400-rpm hard drive or 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB solid-state drive6
8x slot-loading SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Maximum write: 8x DVD-R, DVD+R; 4x DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer), DVD-RW, DVD+RW; 24x CD-R; 10x CD-RW
Maximum read: 8x DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-ROM; 6x DVD-ROM (double layer DVD-9), DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer), DVD-RW, DVD+RW; 24x CD

Battery and power:

up to 7 hrs wireless web
Built-in 63.5-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
60W MagSafe Power Adapter with cable management system
MagSafe power port

Electrical and operating requirements:

Line voltage: 100V to 240V AC
Frequency: 50Hz to 60Hz
Operating temperature: 50° to 95° F (10° to 35° C)
Storage temperature: -13° to 113° F (-24° to 45° C)
Relative humidity: 0% to 90% noncondensing
Maximum operating altitude: 10,000 feet
Maximum storage altitude: 15,000 feet
Maximum shipping altitude: 35,000 feet

Pricing & Availability

The new 13-inch MacBook Pro, 15-inch MacBook Pro and 17-inch MacBook Pro are available through the Apple Store, Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. The 13-inch MacBook Pro is available in two configurations: one with a 2.3 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5 and 320GB hard drive starting at $1,199; and one with a 2.7 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5 and 500GB hard drive starting at $1,499.

Configure-to-order options include faster quad-core processors up to 2.3 GHz, additional hard drive capacity up to 750GB, solid state storage up to 512GB, more memory up to 8GB DDR3, antiglare and high-resolution display options and AppleCare Protection Plan. Additional technical specifications and configure-to-order options and accessories are available online at www.apple.com/macbookpro.