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Little buddy: 13" MacBook Pro details

by Dave Caolo Apr 13th 2010 at 2:00PM

Never intimidated by its larger siblings, the 13" MacBook Pro is the closest many users will get to the fabled 12" G4 Powerbook. Today's update gives it more to brag about, like extended battery life and improved performance.

This machine comes with either a 2.4GHz or 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor. As with the other models, the 13" starts off with 4GB of RAM (upgradable to 8GB). The factory hard drive in this machine is smaller than in its siblings at either 250GB (2.4GHz) or 320GB (2.66GHz). Both are serial ATA drives at 5400 rpm (there's no 7200 rpm option for the 13" model) with the following upgrade path:
  • 500GB Serial ATA Drive
  • 128GB solid-state drive
  • 256GB solid-state drive
  • 512GB solid-state drive
Both feature a NVIDIA GeForce 320M for graphics and Apple's bold claim of up to 10 hours of battery life. They're using a technology called adaptive charging with these machines. Basically, a chip monitors the state of each battery cell and shares that information with the computer, which adjusts the current flowing into the batteries to suit its condition and requirements. Neat.

The 13" MacBook pro is available now and (as of this writing) ships within 1-3 business days. You can pick one up for US$1,199 (2.4GHz) or $1,499 (2.66GHz).

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Never intimidated by its larger siblings, the 13" MacBook Pro is the closest many users will get to the fabled 12" G4 Powerbook. Today's...
 

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jAuriya

Thank you fyrefly, you just answered my question.
It's sad that the most portable Macbook Pro doesn't get an i3/i5 option, but who knows, maybe in the future it'll happen!

For now I guess the choice will be i5/i7 15/17" Macbook Pro's for the rest then.
I wonder if anyone would go for the 13" now it's heavily outdated, using the Core2Duo's.

Ah well.

April 14 2010 at 6:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
fyrefly

The people griping about the lack of Core i3/i5 in the 13" are right to gripe, but gripe at Intel, not at Apple.

Intel doesn't let NVidia make chips for it's i/3/5/7 lineup 'cause it wants to hard sell it's integrated "HD Graphics" chip that now *built-in* to the processor. Sure, OEMS (like Apple) are able to add a discrete graphics card, at a higher cost, and a hit on battery life.

If Apple had put the i5 chip into the 13" model the cost would have gone up $100 or more (gotta keep those 30% profit margins) and the battery life would be less than the previous models. How would they spin that to sell it to average joes? "New MacBook Pro 13"! More Money that the old ones and now lasts SHORTER on battery than the rest of the MacBook Pros!".

It's a bitter pill to swallow, but one that Apple (and we) have to 'cause Intel likes monopolies.

April 14 2010 at 4:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
kcdtech

I really wanted to replace my 1st Gen MBP 15inch with the latest 13inch MBP, but due to the "lack" of updating they did, I am leaning towards another 15 since it at least has an i5 proc.

Any upgrade I get will be better than my Core Duo, but after 4 years of having this computer, I would like my new machine to be beyond a Core 2 Duo

April 14 2010 at 3:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to kcdtech's comment
kcdtech

On second thought, maybe i'll just get a cheap 13inch and an iPad 3G.

April 14 2010 at 3:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
macmatte2009

How come no matte screen for the 13" MBP? Need to put more pressure on Apple. The petition at http://macmatte.wordpress.com is just a few short of 1,000 petitions.

April 14 2010 at 2:09 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
D. Verde

You had to go and mention the 12" G4. [tear]

April 14 2010 at 12:01 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to D. Verde's comment
matt b

I'm still running my 12" G4. Even bought a new battery for it last month. They'll have to pry it from my cold, dead hands

April 14 2010 at 12:36 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jeff

When is the Macbook Air getting an update?

April 13 2010 at 10:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
MrMojo

The 13" MBP update saved me at least $1200...

The real deal-killer for me: there is still no anti-glare screen option.

I have a pre-Unibody 15" that is working just fine. I would like a more portable MBP for traveling.

April 13 2010 at 6:36 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
fox1cm

Very disappointing. I convinced my girlfriend to hold out for the i5, and guess what Core 2 Duo? Seriously? Where's the update?

I wouldn't be surprised if she dumped me after this!

April 13 2010 at 4:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bkenney

Really disappointed they didn't put the i5 into the 13". Won't be upgrading until the next round of updates I guess.

One interesting thing I just noticed: AppleCare for the 13" is $100 cheaper than it is for the 15"...why?

April 13 2010 at 4:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to bkenney's comment
lamb

probably because the component cost is cheaper.. ie. smaller screen, cheaper cpu/gpu config, smaller logic board, smaller speakers, smaller case, less cooling paraphernalia...blah blah blah blah.

April 13 2010 at 6:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
claude.suddreth

It's about time! I have been waiting for this update since December! Off to the Apple Store I go!

April 13 2010 at 4:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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