Apple announces updates to MacBook Air, MacBook Pro

Apple has today announced updates to MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, adding faster processors, graphics, memory, flash storage and USB 3 connectivity. Both MacBook models feature the latest Core i5 and i7 processors (up to 1.8GHz on the MacBook Air) and 2.9GHz with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.6 GHz on the MacBook Pro.

The 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air models feature the new integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000, which Apple claims is up to 60 percent faster than the previous iteration. Flash storage remains either 64/128GB, configurable up to 512GB, but is four times faster Apple add. Both models come with faster 4GB memory configurable to 8GB, and feature a new FaceTime HD camera that delivers high-definition 720p. The 11-inch starts at $999 /£849, 13-inch starts at $1199 / £999.

Meanwhile, a variant of the 15-inch MacBook Pro is available with a 5.1 million pixel 2880×1800 (220ppi) Retina display, all new flash architecture and a 7-hour battery life. Both the 13-inch and ‘standard’ 15-inch MacBook Pro, however, can be configured with a 1TB hard drive or SSDs up to 512GB that are up to twice as fast as the previous generation, Apple claim. Prices start at $1199 / £999 for the 13-inch, $1799 / £1499 for the 15-inch. The 15-inch with Retina display starts at $2199 / £1799.

The updated MacBook Air and MacBook Pro are available through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorised Resellers.

SAN FRANCISCO—June 11, 2012—Apple today updated MacBook Air with the latest Intel Core processors, faster graphics and flash storage that is up to twice as fast as the previous generation.* The current generation 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro have also been updated with the latest Intel Core processors and powerful discrete graphics from NVIDIA. Apple’s popular AirPort Express has been redesigned to include features previously available only in AirPort Extreme.

“Today we’ve updated the entire MacBook line with faster processors, graphics, memory, flash storage and USB 3 connectivity,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “We’ve made the world’s best portable family even better and we think users are going to love the performance advances in both the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.”

Available in 11-inch and 13-inch designs, the new MacBook Air features the latest Core i5 and Core i7 dual-core processors and is perfect for browsing the web, making movies and managing photos. The new integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 is up to 60 percent faster and gives the MacBook Air plenty of power to tackle games and videos.** MacBook Air features flash storage up to four times faster than traditional hard drives for instant-on performance and fast access to your apps and data. Now with 4GB of faster memory, configurable up to 8GB, you can run memory-intensive apps with ease. MacBook Air also features a new FaceTime HD camera that delivers high-definition 720p. 

The 13-inch MacBook Pro features the latest Intel Core i5 or Core i7 dual-core processors up to 2.9 GHz with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.6 GHz. The 15-inch MacBook Pro features the latest Intel Core i7 quad-core processors up to 2.7 GHz with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.7 GHz and NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M discrete graphics. Both the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro can be configured with a 1TB hard drive or SSDs up to 512GB that are up to twice as fast as the previous generation.

MacBook Air and MacBook Pro both feature a high-speed Thunderbolt port and two USB 3.0 ports to easily connect to external displays and a wide variety of high performance peripherals. The 13-inch MacBook Air, and 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro deliver up to 7 hours of wireless battery life, and the 11-inch MacBook Air delivers up to 5 hours. Mac notebook batteries use advanced chemistry and Adaptive Charging technology to provide up to 1,000 recharges.***

The MacBook Air and MacBook Pro ship with OS X Lion. Starting today, customers who purchase a Mac are eligible for a free copy of OS X Mountain Lion when it becomes available. Mountain Lion introduces innovative features including the all new Messages app, Notification Center, system-wide Sharing, AirPlay Mirroring, Game Center and the enhanced security of Gatekeeper. With iCloud built into the foundation of OS X, Mountain Lion makes it easier than ever to keep your content up to date across all your devices. 

Priced at just £79, the new AirPort Express features a completely redesigned compact enclosure and new wireless and connectivity capabilities. Simultaneous dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi allows users to easily create a network that delivers optimal performance and range. The AirPort Express also features an audio-out port to connect external powered speakers or an A/V receiver and use AirPlay to wirelessly stream from iTunes on your Mac or iOS device. A USB 2.0 port allows you to share a printer wirelessly over your network, and an additional ethernet port lets you connect to other computers and network devices. Setup is built right into OS X and iOS and can be done in just a few simple steps, and with AirPort Utility 6.0 for OS X Lion and iOS you can access a visual map of your network for viewing and reconfiguring devices.

Pricing & Availability
The 11-inch MacBook Air comes with a 1.7 GHz processor, 4GB of memory and is available with 64GB of flash storage starting at £849 inc VAT (£707.50 ex VAT), and 128GB of flash storage starting at £929 inc VAT (£774.17 ex VAT). The 13-inch MacBook Air comes with a 1.8 GHz processor, 4GB of memory and is available with 128GB of flash storage starting at £999 inc VAT (£832.50 ex VAT), and 256GB of flash storage starting at £1,249 inc VAT (£1,040.83 ex VAT). Configure-to-order options include a 2.0 GHz Intel Core i7 processor, up to 8GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 onboard memory and up to 512GB flash storage. 

The 13-inch MacBook Pro is available with a 2.5 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB of memory and 500GB hard drive starting at £999 inc VAT (£832.50 ex VAT), and with a 2.9 GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of memory and 750GB hard drive starting at £1,249 inc VAT (£1,040.83 ex VAT). The 15-inch MacBook Pro is available with a 2.3 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, 4GB of memory, Intel HD Graphics 4000 and NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M, and 500GB hard drive starting at £1,499 inc VAT (£1,249.17 ex VAT); and with a 2.6 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of memory, Intel HD Graphics 4000 and NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M, and 750GB hard drive starting at £1,799 inc VAT (£1,499.17 ex VAT). Configure-to-order options include faster quad-core processors up to 2.7 GHz, additional hard drive capacity up to 1TB, up to 8GB of memory and solid state storage up to 512GB. 

The updated MacBook Air and MacBook Pro are available through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com/uk), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorised Resellers.