http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2006/feb/14macbookpro.html

1.83 ghz, 2.0 ghz and for $300 more, 2.16 ghz!!!

heath

I just got a note from Apple that they upgraded my 1.67Ghz CPU to a 1.83Ghz for free. Same price, faster processor.

(I think they are trying to be nice since the ship date got delayed 2 weeks until the 28th).

- Stevan

It's just been one month, why the sudden boost I wonder? But in any case, this news certainly is good news all around.

According to Intel's pricing structure by the 1000 (which may be a bit better for Apple since they buy in even greater bulk), the 2.16ghz chip is $216 more than the 2.0ghz, so the $300 premium isn't entirely absurd.

The difference between dual 1.66 and dual 1.83 is only $53 dollars, so I imagine Apple can afford that, as well.

The difference between the 1.83ghz chip and the 2.0 is a full $129, though, which is quite a bit of money to eat per laptop. This is a REALLY weird move by Apple.

I guess Apple's finally realizing that they have to offer decent specs to compete with PCs, now that their hardware is the same.

HOPEFULLY, this will mean at least one dual core iBook. I'd be very dissapointed if it didn't. Anyhow, it's good news no matter how you look at it.

I read Intel had a shortage of chips, that might explain the late arrival.

It's not really late, though. They said February, they shipped in mid-February. A week or two late is good by Apple's standards.

I like that it's shipping with FASTER chips. Remember the G4 fiasco of late 1999? They announce the G4 Power Macs (400, 450, 500 mhz) but ended up shipping slower ones and charging the same amount (350, 400, 450 mhz), though if you ordered a 400, you got a 400, etc., instead of the 50 mhz drop. Except the 500...

heath

The reason they are increasing the chip speed is likely due to poor sales. Apple's computer sales have been underperforming investors analysts projections - many blame this on the fact that in the eyes of most consumers Apple's laptops are overpriced when compared to comparable windows machines.

Ah, read this:

http://www.macworld.com/news/2006/02/14/pricecomparison2/index.php

and this:

http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2006/01/20060125121154.shtml

heath

It's not really late, though. They said February, they shipped in mid-February. A week or two late is good by Apple's standards.

In time for the original announcement.

I smell 13.3 inch iMacBooks on the horizon....I'm envisioning:

ENTRY LEVEL IMACBOOK:
13.3 Inch Wide Screen
1.83 Ghz Core Solo(If it doesn't exist then 1.67)
40 GB Serial ATA 5400 RPM
512MB RAM (expandable to 1.5GB)
SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
64MB ATI Graphics
iSight
Front Row
Remote
$999

HIGH LEVEL IMACBOOK
13.3 Inch Wide Screen
1.67Ghz Core Duo
60 GB Serial ATA 5400 RPM
512MB RAM (expandable to 1.5GB)
Super Drive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
64MB ATI Graphics(BTO 128MB)
iSight
Front Row
Remote
$1299

If it happens you heard it from me first!

That sounds like this:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=180302

Except a single 1.66.

heath

Yes, unless it comes with dual core, and/or encoding accelerating graphics, it is a bit useless for me. It would have been great if they could have included all ports including GigE, replaceable graphics/processor/drive and normal sized laptop keyboard.