Filed under: Hardware, Apple, Macbook Pro
But wait, there's more: MacBook Pro gets a small speed boost
In all of this morning's hubbub about the new Mac mini, Mac Pro, and iMac, Apple seems to have sneaked in a speed bump to the 15" MacBook Pro.The top standard configuration of the 15" MacBook Pro now has a 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, slightly faster than the previous model which came standard with a 2.53 GHz processor. If you really want to max out your MacBook Pro, you can add a $300 configure-to-order option that plunks a 2.93 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo under the hood. That's 4.6% faster for those of you who are into the minutiae of processor speeds.
The price tag for the standard top-of-the-line configuration 15" MacBook Pro remains at US$2,499.
[via Macworld]

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
beowulf1877 said 11:05AM on 3-03-2009
It also looks as though they put the new battery in the 15", however its not being stated for sure, maybe somebody can verify this?
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Salbito said 11:11AM on 3-03-2009
I'm a little pissed considering I just got the 2.53ghz model. I know its a little change but it matters when you multitask like crazy.
Although I guess I'd be more pissed if they added a Matte finish option to the 15"
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feeko said 3:31PM on 3-03-2009
Technology is a moving target my friend
ButisitArt said 2:23PM on 3-03-2009
I just bought a 2.53 Ghz MacBook Pro on Feb 15th. I'm 2 days shy of a return. If I returned it, I'd still have to pay a 10% restocking fee, and then buy the new one.
But an Apple Store (Portland) associate told me that I could get a $150.00 refund at any Apple Store. So you know where I'm headed!
I would imagine the $150.00 is price protection, because a new model means the older model gets discounted.
Now I know I'll have some talking to do, because technically I'm at 16 days. I guess it depends on the store manager. I'll let you know the outcome.
Marcin said 8:59AM on 3-04-2009
call apple i am also a victim of buying it 5 days ago with a custom config, basically you can send it back opened or not for a exchange with a 10% restocking fee or take the 50$ credit.
Schroeder said 11:37AM on 3-03-2009
Dammit - i just got the 2.53 3 weeks ago, not a huge bump but every bit helps
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Andrew Mitchell said 1:10PM on 3-03-2009
I just purchased the 17" Unibody model yesterday on the apple website. The reason I went with the 17" was the 2.93 option. I went with 4GB and purchased 8GB from a store elsewhere (saved about $600). But I did get the anti-glare screen. Did I make the wrong choice? The 15" won't support 8GB of ram, right? I would like the 15" due to its size, but the 17" has a few better specs that I wanted.
I bet apple was waiting for somebody to make a huge purchase before they released all this.
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Andrew T. said 1:31PM on 3-03-2009
When I read that the MBP's were getting a speed bump, I was hoping that the stock MBP would get the 2.5GHz from the 2.4GHz since the second config went from 2.5 to 2.6. Though I'm still happy with MBP.
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Yitz said 2:02PM on 3-03-2009
Of course, my new 15" MacBook Pro just arrived in the mail today. I seem to remember some talk of a "if you bought a machine you can bring it in within 14 days if there's a hardware refresh to swap it in", but that may have been a one-off thing for a specific refresh. Anyone know if this would apply?
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ButisitArt said 2:27PM on 3-03-2009
If you didn't open it, call the Apple Store and they will do a straight swap. If you opened it, you would have to pay the restocking fee. But as I stated above, if you did open it, you are at least entitled to price protection refund.
agnoster said 2:32PM on 3-03-2009
ButIsItArt - it's unopened, but it's BTO, so I think the return policy doesn't apply. Curse my need for a 7200rpm HDD! Oh well, it looks like the speed bump is relatively minor, and if that's the only change I can live without. Might still be able to get some store credit or something, though...
Matt J said 2:12PM on 3-03-2009
Is the MBP now rev B with this update? Keen to buy one, but have been bitten by rev A products in the past (iMac G5)
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AndyM said 2:34PM on 3-03-2009
Just to let everyone know.
Got off the phone with Apple Sales in the UK a minute ago.
I got my MBP delivered last Monday and I was told that there is the 14 day return policy. Where you get a full refund and then can go and purchase a new laptop. Got the 2.8Ghz model, am dithering wether to do it or not. Is a bump of 2 * 130Mhz really worth it??
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Andrew said 5:03PM on 3-03-2009
Might want to update the article to say "Core 2 Duo" and not "Core Duo" as there is a very big difference in the two.
Anyway, I'll hopefully be picking one of these up soon. Time to replace the ole white MB. Ever since it took over the job of being my main computer, it just doesn't quite cut it for me.
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Marcin said 5:11PM on 3-04-2009
@ ButisitArt , did you get your 150$ refund because i got only 50$
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Peter Payne said 8:59AM on 3-06-2009
Can someone please, please check if 8 GB will work in the 15 inchers now? There's no reason to think why it wouldn't except if Apple just sets the bit in the OS that way. Using 6 GB in my Macbook Pro (early 2008) and loving it.
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May said 10:38PM on 3-09-2009
I just returned my 2.8ghz mbp and ordered the newer 2.93ghz one, luckily it came out 2 days before my 14 day return policy ran out.
I phoned apple and they didn't even mention the 10% restocking fee and offered and full refund, guess it just depends on luck and who you speak to... Now im stuck with my old white mb for now until the new one arrives...
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