2012 MacBook Pro "classic" and Mac Pro specs reportedly leak [Updated]
Specifications for Apple's 2012 MacBook Pro and Mac Pro models have reportedly been leaked ahead of the company's big reveal later today, with talk of two high-end notebook ranges that would introduce a new design language. Two new 13.3-inch MacBook Pro and two 15.4-inch MacBook Pro models using the existing unibody styling are tipped by 9to5Mac's sources, kicking off with 2.5GHz dual-core processors and keeping their integrated optical drives but not getting Retina Display graphics. Those new panels are tipped to be reserved for the new breed of MacBook Pro.
The entry-level "classic" design notebooks would have 4GB of RAM and 500GB hard-drives, the insiders suggest, with customization possible to increase processor power and internal storage. There's no sign of an upgrade to the existing 17-inch MacBook Pro, which some expect to be retired altogether.
Reported "classic" MacBook Pro base configurations:
13.3 inch: 2.5GHz dual core processor, 4GB of RAM, 500GB hard drive13.3 inch: 2.9GHz dual core processor, 8GB of RAM, 750GB hard drive
15.4 inch: 2.3GHz quad core processor, 4GB of RAM, 500GB hard drive
15.4 inch: 2.6GHz quad core processor, 8GB of RAM, 750GB hard drive (BTO upgrades to 2.7GHz quad core and 1TB HD will be available)
Specifications for the new-design MacBook Pro – which, its been theorized, will launch alongside the updated "classic" models, with a thinner chassis, high-resolution display and no optical drive – have not leaked, at least according to this particular batch of sources, and neither do we know hardware details on the expected MacBook Air refresh.
However there are indications that only one size of Retina Display MacBook Pro will be offered, a 15-incher that could serve to replace the 17-inch. That will be accompanied by a rebranded USB SuperDrive, ditching the Air-specific label so as to be suited to both the ultraportable and the new slimline flagship.
Interestingly, a new MagSafe connector is also rumored, with an adapter tipped to convert between the existing style and the new connection. No details on what, exactly, that connection could introduce have been revealed, though it's worth noting that Apple patented a combination MagSafe/Thunderbolt hybrid back in late 2010. A new Thunderbolt-to-Ethernet adapter is also supposedly on the cards.
As for the Mac Pro, the leaks say three new variants are on the cards, one of which is a server model. It's been two years since Apple changed its high-end desktop, and so features which are now common on the rest of the range – such as Thunderbolt connectivity – are likely to also make an appearance.
Reported Mac Pro base configurations:
Normal configuration: 3.2GHz quad-core processor, 6GB of RAM, 1TB hard drive, and the ATI Radeon 5770 graphics chip.Normal configuration: 2.4GHz 12-core processor, 12GB of RAM, 1TB hard drive, and the ATI Radeon 5770 graphics chip.
Server configuration: 3.2GHz quad-core processor, 8GB of RAM, Two 1TB hard drives
Update: 9to5Mac has followed up with what are purportedly MacBook Air specs for today's refresh.
MBA 11.6/1.7/4/64FLASH-USAMBA 11.6/1.7/4/128FLASH-USA
MD845LL/A – MBAIR 11.6/2.0/8/256FLASH-USA
We'll be liveblogging the WWDC keynote from 10AM PST today, so join us at http://live.slashgear.com/ for all the details.