Apple MacBooks speedier with Intel technology
Apple on Thursday unveiled an updated line of MacBook Pro laptop
computers featuring new Intel “Thunderbolt” technology for moving
digital films and other data “blazingly fast.” Apple upgraded the
new-model laptops with the latest multi-core chips from Intel and
high-definition “FaceTime” cameras for video chat and other uses.
|
Apple’s new Macbook Pro laptop that uses Intel’s newly
introduced Thunderbolt, a high-speed PC connection technology
formerly code named Light Peak, is displayed during the “Views
at 10” press briefing in San Francisco,California. – AFP Photo |
“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,” Apple
senior vice president of marketing Philip Schiller said.
Apple also released to software developers a preview of the next
generation Macintosh operating system named “Lion,” which it said “takes
the best ideas from iPad and brings them to the Mac.” A finished version
of Lion for Macintosh computers is on track for release in mid-2011,
according to Apple. Lion software available at the online Mac App Store
was intended to allow outside developers begin crafting hip, functional
or fun programs that fuel the popularity of Apple gadgets. “The iPad has
inspired a new generation of innovative features in Lion,” Schiller
said.
“Developers… can now start adding great new Lion features like full
screen, gestures, Versions and Auto Save to their own apps.” Cupertino,
California-based Apple has sold more than 15 million iPads since the
tablet computers hit the market last April. The company has a tradition
of releasing new products annually and is expected to introduce a
second-generation iPad tablet computer at a March 2 press event in San
Francisco.
The debut of the new MacBook Pro models came on the 56th birthday of
Apple’s iconic chief executive Steve Jobs, who is on an indefinite leave
of absence for medical reasons but remains involved in running the
company.
MacBook Pro prices ranged from $ 1,199 for a 13-inch (33-centimeter)
model with a 320-gigabyte hard drive to $ 2,499 for a 17-inch
(43-centimeter) model with a 750-gigabyte hard drive.
Apple touted the new models as being twice as fast as the prior
generation, with Thunderbolt making it possible to transfer an entire
Blu-ray film for viewing in less than 30 seconds.
Digital data is transferred at a rate of 10 gigabytes per second,
according to Intel.
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Intel to bring the groundbreaking
Thunderbolt technology to Mac users,” said Mac Hardware Engineering
senior vice president Bob Mansfield.
“Thunderbolt is a breakthrough for the entire industry and we think
developers are going to have a blast with it.” Dawn |
