The New Macbook Pro Lineup: Is It Time To Upgrade?

Apple’s new Macbook Pro lineup is out, and despite lacking any visual difference to their predecessors, the three new laptops on offer have some seriously modern gear under the hood. We’ve taken a look at the three newest Macbook Pro models in Apple’s range – the 13”, 15”, and 17” – and pieced together whether or not it’s worth upgrading from your 2008 or 2009 Macbook Pro.

The Macbook Pro 13”

When the Macbook Pro 13 came out in 2009, users bemoaned the lack of upgrades from the previous year’s aluminium Macbook. While individual components had their power boosted – the hard drive’s size, RAM speed, and processor type – the system reeked of last year’s ‘in thing.’

The biggest upgrade, of course, was the integrated battery and extended usage period. Up from an estimated four hours in the previous generation’s Macbook, the Macbook Pro of 2009 offered up to seven hours of continuous usage.

This year’s model looks even better, boasting a faster Core 2 Duo processor and an improved graphics card. Storage is improved – up to 250GB is now standard – and the system’s battery life has improved once again, this time performing for even greater periods of time than the 2009 model.

The Macbook Pro 15”

A faster processor, more storage, and improved HD graphics. That’s what the new Macbook Pro offers, and that’s exactly why users of the last generation’s 15 inch model should consider upgrading. Available in three distinctly different flavours, the new Macbook Pro 15 offers more power and storage space – two essential commodities for dedicated digital workers.

Just like the Macbook Pro 13, the 15 inch model comes with a significantly more powerful battery than last year’s edition. Able to work for up to nine hours on a single charge, this mid-sized laptop is ideal for browsing the web while on-the-go, competing work remotely, and using as a highly portable travel companion.

The Macbook Pro 17”

Need power? The latest Macbook Pro 17 offers greater power than ever before, with a quad-core Intel Core i5 processor as standard. 4GB of RAM make running multiple programs simple, while a 256MB NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M mobile graphics processor boosts the system’s graphical performance to new levels while keeping the battery life steady and usable.

There’s just one 17 inch model available this year, and priced at £1,800 it’s certainly not the ideal Mac for low-budget consumers. However, we can’t find a better powerhouse Macintosh for the price – alongside its powerful quad-core processor, the Macbook Pro 17 ships with a 500GB hard drive and nine-hour standard battery life.

To Upgrade or Not?

The new Macbook Pro lineup is a mixed bag. While the design remains unchanged from last year – likely a good sign, given the praise last year’s Macbook Pro range received – all of the models boast significant performance upgrades and battery life increases. If you’re not just after a Macbook Pro for the style, these three machines are worth the investment.

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