Gadgets & Gizmos

Apple updates its MacBook Pro range every year, but 2011brings more than a minor refresh. The entire range moves over to Intel’s Sandy Bridge Core i7 processors and its new Thunderbolt high-speed connection makes its debut. The 15-inch and 17inch models also get shiny new AMD graphics processors to boot.
This 15-incher includes a quad-core. 2.2GHz Core i7, with the processor and graphics on a single chip. Hyper Threading enables the Pro to move quickly between tasks. and multi-core applications will run quicker too. The MacBook Pro’s graphics have also enjoyed an overhaul. The integrated Intel HD 3000 is much more powerful than its predecessor, with Turbo Boost 2 giving a burst of extra power when you’re running processor-intensive applications such as HD video editing or gaming.
Things really kick off, however, when you’re running graphically-demanding apps and games. That’s when an AMD Radeon HD6750M takes over, giving much faster performance. Doom3 runs 42 per cent faster than on the last equivalent Pro model;  Call of Duty 4 at a very respectable 84.3 frames a second.
The theme of speed and almost excessive power continues with the addition of a Thunderbolt port. This allows data transfer at up to 10Gbps in both directions so a full-length HD movie can be transferred in about 30 seconds, and an album’s worth of 320kbps MP3s in about the time it takes to say “Paul Weller’: Compatible peripherals are thin on the ground at the moment but the potential is mouth-watering. It also doubles as a Mini Display Port video output.
Apple’s screen remains as good as ever. though it does suffer in bright sunlight. The anti-glare version adds an extra £120 to the price. Battery is impressive, running the BBC iPlayer’s live feed of the News Channel at full-screen over Wi-Fi for four hours, 45 minutes – excellent for a constant wireless connection. Less significant but still good to know: the notebook’s built-in webcam has been upgraded to 720p, allowing Face Time video chat in hi-def, over Wi-Fi. The SO card reader can now handle high-capacity SOXC cards.
With better processors, more powerful graphics and Thunderbolt now nestled in Apple’s unibody design. there’s never been a better time to buy a Mac Book Pro, though of course it’s by no means a must-have. In short, many will find the Pro over- powered and over-priced for their needs. But those who demand truly high-end portable performance – designers. video editors, photographers. musicians. hardcore garners, inveterate show-offs – and want it all in a compact and stylish casing, will love the Pro.