Glossy Screen and CPU Speed Bump for 15" MacBook Pro

Along with the release of Apple's new MacBook, the MacBook Pro lineup received a glossy screen option and faster Intel Core Duo CPUs running at 2.0 and 2.16GHz instead of 1.83 and 2.0GHz. Prices remained the same at $1999 and $2499. The $300 option for the 2.16GHz processor was dropped, of course, bringing pricing and features of the 15" MacBook Pro in line with the $2799 17" MacBook Pro.

The glossy screen is something new to Apple notebooks but not to Wintels. The glossy (shiny) screen shows annoying reflections, something that the matte screens prevent, but they also show much better color saturation. Some will prefer a glossy screen and Apple has made it available as a no-cost option.

Apparently, there will be no 12" MacBook Pro since Apple's press release states that the MacBook replaces both the iBook and 12" PowerBook G4. At 5.2lbs vs 4.6lbs, the new MacBook is larger and 0.6lbs heavier than the 12" PowerBook G4. [Bill Fox]