Apple overhauls MacBook and MacBook Pro models

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Another Apple Tuesday is upon us, and this week the company has given its two main laptop lines another refresh.

The entry-level MacBook laptop range has received both a processor and a RAM upgrade, with the base model now packing a 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, while the more expensive white and black models receive the 2.4GHz version of the chip alongside 2GB of RAM. The base model MacBook remains with 1GB of RAM.

The most expensive MacBook model, the 2.4GHz black unit, also gets a hard drive upgrade to a 250GB 5,400rpm unit.

However, it is the MacBook Pro which benefits from the most profound hardware change, with the latest nVidia GeForce 8600M GT graphics cards being added to all three models, along with the Multi-Touch gesture control trackpad from the MacBook Air.

The Pro sees the 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo used in the entry-level 15-inch product, and a 2.5GHz used in the high-end 15-inch and 17-inch models. All have 2GB of RAM, with a 200GB 5,400rpm hard drive in the basic MacBook Pro, and a 250GB 5,400rpm drive in the high-end models. A 300GB drive is available as a factory fitted option.

All models of MacBook and MacBook Pro, except the entry-level white MacBook now have a dual-layer DVD writer fitted as standard.

Some commentators had expected the addition of a Blu-ray drive as a factory-fitted option for the MacBook Pro laptops, in light of the recent announcement of the death of HD DVD, however this has not materialised so far. Apple was a firm supporter of the Blu-ray format from its inception, but has yet to release a product using a Blu-ray drive.

The revamped MacBook models start at £699 inc VAT, while the revised MacBook Pro models start at £1,299 inc VAT. Both ranges are available from today from Apple's online store.

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