MacBooks Roll With Intel's Thunderbolt Technology

By Doug Olenick -- TWICE, 2/24/2011

Cupertino, Calif. - Apple revamped its MacBook Pro line to include Intel's latest processor and that company's new Thunderbolt input/output technology.

The new models are in 13-, 15 and 17-inch screen size models with several versions available for each display size.

The 13-in MacBook Pro comes with a 2.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor with a 320GB hard drive for $1,199 or a 2.7GHZ dual-core Core i5 with 500GB of storage for $1,499.

The 15-inch varieties can have either a 2GHZ Intel quad-core Core i7 with AMD Radeon HD 6490M graphics and a 500GB hard drive or 2.2GHZ Intel quad-core Core i7 processor with AMD Radeon HD 6750M graphics and a 750GB hard drive. Pricing is $1,799 and $2,199, respectively.

The lone 17-inch model has the same feature set as the higher-end 15-inch MacBook, but with a $2,499 price tag.

Configure-to-order options include up to 512GB of solid state storage, up to 8GB of DDR3 memory, anti-glare and high resolution screen options and the AppleCare protection plan.

The Intel Thunderbolt I/O gives 10GB per second data transfer speeds between the PC and peripherals. It was developed under the code-name Light Peak.

The bi-directional technology is compatible with existing DisplayPort devices and it is intended to supplant USB as the primary data transfer standard in the industry, Intel said.

Other features include:

·         Dual-channel 10 Gbps per port

·         Bi-directional

·         Dual-protocol (PCI Express and DisplayPort)

·         Compatible with existing DisplayPort devices

·         Daisy-chained devices

·         Electrical or optical cables

·         Low latency with highly accurate time synchronization

·         Uses native protocol software drivers