New MacBook Pros Allow Video Calls with iPhone/iPod Touch

  • Come in 13-,15- and 17-inch configurations
  • Offers standard resolution calls between iPhones and iPod Touch
  • Comes with glass multi-touch trackpad

Apple has updated the MacBook Pro family with next generation processors and graphics, Thunderbolt I/O technology and a new FaceTime HD camera.

Featuring the latest dual-core and quad-core Intel Core processors, the MacBook Pro line is claimed to be twice as fast as the previous generation.

The new 13-inch MacBook Pro has a compact design and features Intel Core i5 and Core i7 dual-core processors up to 2.7 GHz and Intel HD Graphics 3000. The 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro models feature quad-core Core i7 processors up to 2.3 GHz and AMD Radeon HD graphics processors with up to 1GB of video memory for high-performance gaming, pro video editing and graphics intensive applications. 

Their Thunderbolt I/O technology enables expandability and features two bi-directional channels with transfer speeds up to 10Gbps each. It 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. Available for implementation on systems, cables and devices, Thunderbolt technology is expected to be adopted as a new standard for high performance I/O.

The MacBook Pro includes a built-in FaceTime HD camera with triple the resolution of the previous generation for 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. The lineup features an aluminium unibody enclosure, glass Multi-Touch trackpad, LED-backlit widescreen display, illuminated full-size keyboard and seven-hour battery.

Every Mac notebook achieves EPEAT Gold status and meets Energy Star 5.0 requirements, setting the standard for environmentally friendly notebook design. Each unibody enclosure is made of recyclable aluminium and comes standard with energy-efficient LED-backlit display that is 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 great photos, movies and music. Snow Leopard includes multiple features for portable computing such as Multi-Touch navigation, advanced wireless networking, file sharing, automated data backup and power management. The new iLife ’11 features iPhoto with full screen views for browsing, editing and sharing photos; iMovie with easy-to-use tools to transform home videos into fun theatrical trailers; and GarageBand with new ways to improve your playing and create great sounding songs.

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.

RRP
13-inch MacBook Pro $1399-$1698
15-inch MacBook Pro $2099-$2499
17-inch MacBook Pro $2899