MacBook Pro Begins Shipping with Faster Than Originally Announced Intel Core Duo CPU

In a Valentine's Day treat for early-adopters, Apple announced that the MacBook Pro standard models are now shipping and with 2.0GHz and 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo CPUs rather than the slower 1.83GHz and 1.67GHz set originally announced. Furthermore, the high-end model can be specially ordered with an even faster 2.16GHz Intel Core Duo CPU for an additional $300.

"We are incredibly excited to start shipping the MacBook Pro, a groundbreaking new notebook with dual-processor desktop performance in a thin, sleek design," said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "The new MacBook Pro includes even faster Intel Core Duo processors than originally announced, up to 2.16 GHz, and we think customers are going to love them."

Love them, indeed.... The speed bump places the standard configuration MacBook Pro models on par with the iMac Intel Core Duo models and provides an even faster option. If one orders the lower model with options so as to be similar to the higher model, except in CPU speed and video RAM (128MB vs 256MB), the 2.16GHz option is an 18% increase in speed over 1.83GHz for an additional 22% increase in price ($500).

Unfortunately, we are highly dependent on a Verizon Air Prime wireless internet PCMCIA card and there is no ExpressCard version as yet to fit the MacBook Pro. We have also been spoiled by a 17" screen. What to do, what to do.... [Bill Fox]