Apple has just updated the specs of their popular MacBook and MacBook Pro series notebooks. The new configuration now include the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors, larger hard drives, and bigger RAM (2GB becomes standard option in most models). In addition, MacBook Pro now comes with the latest nVidia graphics engine with up to 512MB of video memory, as well as Apple’s innovative Multi-Touch trackpad from MacBook Air. Moreover, all Mac will now include a built-in iSight video camera for video conferencing on-the-go, Apple’s MagSafe Power Adapter that safely disconnects when under strain and built-in 802.11n wireless networking for up to five times the performance and twice the range of 802.11g.

Own MacBook already? I haven’t. I do plan to buy one and replace my old iBook, but I want to wait a little bit until the price goes down for the 15-inch MacBook Pro. Well anyway, if you already have MacBook or MacBook Pro laptop, check out this cool new notebook sleeves from iSkin, the SOHO series. This attractive protective cover series is environmentally friendly and comes with a premium synthetic leather and was dyed using environmentally safe inks. Moreover, it consists of three layers: one durable outer layer, a reinforced padded center, and a plush inner lining.

Available in black, Azure (blue), Graphite (grey), Magnum (red), Sahara (orange), and Amazon (pink) variants, iSkin SOHO laptop sleeve for 13-inch Macbook will be retailed for $59.99, while another version for the 15-inch Macbook Pro can be purcahsed for $64.99.

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Apple is going to release 15.4-inch version of its MacBook laptop in the second quarter of this year. Currently, there’s only one version of MacBook on the market, the 13.3-inch Macbook. According to DigiTimes, this new model is released to fill the gap between that 13.1-inch one and the 15.4-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pros laptops.

No words on pricing of 15.4-inch Macbook yet, but the 13.3-inch model is currently retailed in US with a price tag between $1,099 and $1,499.

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FoxConn Electronics, a Taiwan-based manufacturer, is going to build the 15.4-inch version of Apple’s MacBook. Currently, only the 13.3-inch MacBook model is available on the market. Furthermore, according to DigiTimes, FoxConn will start shipping the 15.4-inch MacBook in May 2007. However, there’s no detail whether there’ll be a hardware updates to the Core Duo-based laptop or not.

Just a reminder, Apple has already released the MacBook Pro laptop with Intel’s Core 2 Duo CPU and both 15.4-inch and 17-inch display. Better take a look at it first before waiting for the one from FoxConn.

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As mentioned earlier, Apple has just announced the availability of Merom-based MacBook Pro laptops. Two models are available, the 15-inch and 17-inch notebook. I’ve posted about the 15-inch MacBook Pro, and so it’s time for the 17-inch one.

The main differences between the 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro laptop are just the price, weighs, and battery life. Pre-loaded with Mac OS X Tiger v10.4 OS, it weighs 6.8 pounds, costs $2800, and can be used for up to 5.5 hours on single battery charge. As for the main engine, it duped the 15-inch’s T7600 configuration. That’s include a Core 2 Duo T7600 (2.33GHz) processor, a 2GB of DDR2 RAM (expandable up to 3GB), a 160GB of 5,400rpm SATA HDD (up to 200GB supported), dual-layer DVD burner, and 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics engine with dual-link DVI and VGA output support.

Furthermore, this notebook is also equipped with an integrated iSight camera, three USB ports, one FireWire 400 port at up to 400 Mbps, one FireWire 800 port at up to 800 Mbps, an ExpressCard/34 slot, and a variety of built-in connectivity options (54-Mbps AirPort Extreme wireless, Bluetooth, and Gigabit Ethernet LAN).

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Finally, the Merom-based MacBook Pro laptop is now available. As recently announced by Apple, the 15-inch and 17-inch model of MacBook Pro notebook with Intel Core 2 Duo processor can be purchased already. Let’s talk about the smaller one first.

The 15-inch widescreen MacBook Pro laptop features either a Core 2 Duo T7400 (2.16GHz) or T7600 (2.33GHz) processor, a 1GB of DDR2 RAM (2GB on T7600 configuration) with up to 3GB supported, a 120GB of 5,400rpm SATA HDD (expandable up to 200GB), and a dual-layered DVD burner. Graphics are supported by a powerful ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 engine with support for dual-link DVI and VGA output. Regarding connectivity, the notebook provides Bluetooth, Gigabit Internet, and WiFI connection.

Other features include a built-in iSight webcam module, two USB ports, one FireWire 400 port at up to 400 Mbps, one FireWire 800 port at up to 800 Mbps and an ExpressCard/34 slot. Weighs 5.6 pounds, MacBook Pro laptop comes with Mac OS X v10.4 (Tiger) pre-installed and has a battery life of up to 5 hours. The price for the T7400 configuration is $2000, while the T7600 model requires an additional five hundred bucks.

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If you plan to buy the new 17-inch version of Apple’s newly released MacBook Pro laptop, take your time to read this review (from PCMag, link after the jump) first. I’m sure you already aware of the specs – Inte’s Core Duo 2.16GHz processor, 1GB of DDR2 SDRAM, 120GB of SATA HDD, and ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics card – so I won’t go with the detail, except that the white-colored notebook will cost you $2,799 (ouch).

And as usual, a little excerpt from PCMag’s MacBook Pro laptop’s review:

The MacBook Pro 17-inch, the second Apple branded notebook to receive Intel’s powerful Dual Core architecture, offers virtually everything a user needs. It shares many of the same pleasing features found in the smaller MacBook Pro 15-inch model, including Front Row, the MagSafe adapter, the iSight camera, and the iLife ‘06 suite. And best of all, despite this MacBook’s larger 17-inch screen, it’s not too difficult to tote.

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So, how do you know whether you should call Apple to have your MacBook Pro laptop’s battery replaced or not? Here are some of the symptoms:

• The battery going from a full charge to 90% to zero
• Battery going to one blinking led
• Non response
• Significant capacity to battery capacity

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ColorWare’s MacBook Pro laptop basic configuration:

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The new edition of MacBook Pro is powered by a 2.16GHz Intel Core Duo processor (said to be 5x faster than the Powerbook G4), 1GB of 667Mhz DDR2 SDRAM, 120GB of SATA HDD, and ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics card with 256MB of GDDR3 SDRAM and dual-link DVI feature. It is equipped with iSight camera (integerated webcam), DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW drive, one FireWire 400, one FireWire 800, three USB 2.0 ports, and ExpressCard/34 slot. Other specs are quite similar to the 15-inch version, except the screen size of course.

Measures 15.4 x 10.4 x 1.0 inch and weighs 6.8 pounds, 17-inch MacBook Pro laptop is retailed for $2799.

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