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Apple Presents the iPod Radio Remote and the Intel-powered MacPro Notebook

The rumors came true: the Intel-powered Mac notebook is here

Apple today announced the iPod Radio Remote and the MacBook Pro notebook at this year's Macworld Expo.

The MacBook notebook computer will feature the new Intel Core Duo processor, delivering up to four times the performance of the PowerBook G4, according to Apple. The first Mac notebook based on Intel processors will feature an 1 inch aluminum enclosure and will weight about 5.6 pounds. The built-in iSight video camera is included as well as the Apple Remote and Front Row software.

"MacBook Pro delivers dual-processor desktop performance in a thin, sleek notebook," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO.

"The new MacBook Pro, with its Intel Core Duo dual-core processor, delivers the performance of not just one, but two G5 processors in the world's most stunning one inch thin design."

The new MacBook Pro is the first notebook to feature Apple's Front Row media experience and the Apple Remote, turning MacBook Pro into a portable theatre. Front Row allows customers to enjoy their content wherever they go, including songs from their iTunes music library, photo slideshows from iPhoto, videos including TV shows, Podcasts, iMovies and DVDs, and popular movie trailers streamed from Apple.

The new MacBook Pro also debuts Apple's patent-pending MagSafe magnetic power connector, designed especially for mobile users. The MagSafe power connector makes charging the notebook's battery easier by magnetically coupling the power cord to the MacBook Pro.

The new MacBook Pro features a 67-percent brighter 15-inch display, which is now as bright as Apple's Cinema Displays, and offers a completely new system architecture for faster performance, including a 667 MHz front-side bus that is four times as fast as the PowerBook G4 and 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory expandable to 2GB that is twice as fast as the PowerBook G4. Each MacBook Pro comes standard with ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 PCI Express graphics, with either 128MB or 256MB of dedicated GDDR3 graphics memory. Each MacBook Pro includes built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), integrated AirPort Extreme 54 Mbps 802.11g WiFi wireless networking, a scrolling TrackPad and Apple's Sudden Motion Sensor that is designed to protect the hard drive in case of a fall.

Every new MacBook Pro comes with the latest release Mac OS X version 10.4.4 "Tiger" including Safari, Mail, iCal, iChat AV, Front Row and Photo Booth, running natively on Apple's first Intel-based notebook.

The iPod Radio Remote

The iPod Radio Remote will help music lovers to skip tracks, adjust the volume of their iPod and listen to FM radio stations.

"The iPod Radio Remote combines two great features in one elegant product," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPod Product Marketing.

"The iPod Radio Remote is both the best remote control and the best FM radio listening experience for iPod."

Besides the iPod Radio Remote, Apple also showcased the iPod AV Connection Kit and the iPod Nano In-Ear Lanyard Headphones. The AV Connection Kit includes the necessary cables to connect the iPod to a TV to watch photo slideshows or videos. The In-Ear Lanyard Headphones "combine the best of the iPod nano Lanyard Headphones and the Apple In-Ear Headphones, providing convenience and style with comfort and sound quality," according to Apple.

Pricing & Availability

The new 15-inch MacBook Pro will be available in February through the Apple Store, Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.

The 1.67 GHz, 15-inch MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of $1,999 (US), includes:

The 1.83 GHz, 15-inch MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of $2,499 (US), includes:

The iPod Radio Remote includes a pair of Apple headphones with shorter cable, and is to be shipped immediately for $49; the iPod AV Connection Kit includes an iPod Universal Dock, an Apple Remote, an iPod AV Cable, an iPod Dock Connector to USB 2.0 Cable and an iPod USB Power Adapter for $99; the In-Ear Lanyard Headphones will be available for $49 and will include three different sized caps.