Apple MacBook Pro 15" (Core i7)

Apple's latest MacBook Pro refresh brings us new models across the range. We got our hands on the new 13-inch 2.66GHz and 15-inch 2.66GHz Core i7 models and we're impressed.

The 15-inch offers an exciting new graphics technology and a fundamental change of processor architecture. The 13-inch MacBook Pro's update is far more muted, but still very welcome.

The three new 15-inch MacBook Pros move to Intel's new Core-i series processors. The top-of-the-range version reviewed here boasts a 2.66GHz Core-i7 CPU, with 2.4GHz and 2.53GHz Intel Core i5 models also available.

Beyond simple gigahertz ratings, the new chipsets have performance boosting features, making them much faster than the previous 15-inch line-up's 2.53, 2.66 and 2.8GHz Core 2 Duos.

For example, the Core i5 and i7 chips feature Hyper Threading, which enables two threads to run simultaneously on each of the processors' cores. This means the dual-core chip used in this 15-inch MacBook Pro gives four virtual cores, enabling tasks to be spread more evenly. When using an application that doesn't need every core, the processor's Turbo Boost feature shuts off idle cores while simultaneously increasing the speed of the active ones.

The 2.66GHz Core i7 runs at up to 3.06GHz for dual-core tasks and 3.33GHz when in single-core mode. The new chips also include an integrated memory controller, connecting system memory directly to the processor and removing the separate I/O controller, boosting performance even further.

In contrast, the two new 13-inch MacBook Pros stick with Intel Core 2 Duo processors, offering speeds of 2.4GHz and 2.66GHz, up from 2.26GHz and 2.53GHz respectively. While any speed increase is welcome, using a Core 2 Duo as the rest of the MacBook Pro range moves to the Core-i chipset makes the 13-inch model look a little dated.

LONG LIFE: The 13-inch MacBook Pro now offers up to 10 hours of wireless charge, with the 15-inch model lasting eight to nine hours

This isn't entirely Apple's fault, as licensing issues with Intel prevent Nvidia from offering its integrated graphics packages alongside Intel's new family of processors.

Graphics switching

The Core i5 and i7 processors feature built-in Intel HD Graphics, an energy efficient integrated solution that's more than sufficient for day-to-day computing. For graphics-intensive tasks, there's the Nvidia GeForce GT 330M, a powerful discrete GPU that's inevitably harder on the battery.

In previous MacBook Pros, switching between integrated and discrete graphics had to be done manually, using System Preferences. Not so now. As soon as an application triggers an advanced graphics framework such as Core Graphics, OpenGL or Quartz Composer, Apple's new Automatic Graphics Switching technology kicks in.

Graphics processing is automatically transferred to the discrete GPU, and the integrated graphics power down to save battery life. When the extra power is no longer needed, it switches back to integrated graphics. It's a brilliantly designed system that requires no user intervention at all, and unlike Nvidia's similar Optimus technology, it doesn't rely on a list that tells the system which apps prefer discrete graphics.

You can switch off this feature in System Preferences and stick to the discrete GPU, though perhaps surprisingly, there's no option to sacrifice power for battery life and restrict all applications to integrated graphics. Maybe it will be included in a future system upgrade, but as the 15-inch MacBook Pro has a battery life of eight to nine hours in regular use, the need shouldn't often arise.

Going discrete

The 13-inch MacBook Pro uses an Nvidia GeForce GT 320M as its sole graphics processor. It's more powerful yet more energy efficient than the previously used 9400M integrated graphics chipset. The 13-inch model's battery life is around 10 hours. If there's a notebook that lasts longer on a single charge, we've yet to see it.

The new MacBook Pros are again built using Apple's unibody enclosure, carved from a single block of aluminium for durability and lightness.

The screen's a gorgeous LED-backlit glossy affair with excellent viewing angles. Order a 15-inch model via Apple and you can select anti-glare and a higher resolution as optional extras, though these aren't available for the 13-inch.

For connectivity, there's two USB ports, one FireWire 800 port and an SD card reader.

LIGHT THE WAY: All MacBook Pros include an illuminated keyboard, which automatically lights up when visibility is poor

If you've had your eye on a 15-inch MacBook Pro for a while now, this is the update you've been waiting for. Powerful new processors and innovative graphics technologies make the mid-2010 refresh the most significant update since the switch to aluminium unibody enclosures in Autumn 2008.

The 13-inch model's upgrade is less significant, but nonetheless welcome.