MacBook Pro 2011 Refresh Details: Sandy Bridge, AMD GPU & Thunderbolt

Apple announced the 2011 MacBook Pro refresh this morning, delivering five new MacBook Pro models to Apple users. After a short period of downtime the Apple Store is now back up and selling five new MacBook Pro models, two 13″ MacBook Pros, two 15 inch MacBook Pros and one 17″ MacBook Pro. The new 2011 MacBook Pro models are available for purchase now and are shipping within 24 hours.

MacBook Pro 2011 Refresh Specs: The new MacBook Pro models come with Intel Sandy Bridge processors, AMD Graphics and Lightpeak connectors which Apple is calling Thunderbolt. The latest Intel processors bring speed improvements over previous years as well as a better integrated GPU which will be the sole GPU on the 13″ MacBook Pro which now has the option of a 2.3GHz or 2.7GHz Sandy Bridge Core i5 processor.

The larger 15″ MacBook Pro and 17″ MacBook Pro notebooks are available with the new Sandy Bridge processors up to a Quad Core Core i7 CPU and come with integrated graphics as well as AMD Radeon HD 6000 GPUs with 1GB video RAM. The high end graphics will automatically switch on and off depending on your needs to help conserve battery life. The standard is glossy, but on the 15.4″ and 17″ MacBook Pros you can order a matte screen as an option.

What’s new on the 2011 MacBook Pro models?

Aside from the new processor and GPU options the biggest news is the inclusion of the Thunderbolt port on the left side of the new MacBook Pro models which works as a multiple cable connector and can support very fast data transfer rates. The Thunderbolt port uses Intel LightPeak technology which is set to be unveiled today and will work with the MiniDisplay connectors used on MacBooks as well as a port for connecting high speed devices.

The processor options are new and one big change is that the 13″ MacBook Pro no longer has discrete graphics, relying on the Sandy Bridge integrated graphics which are much more efficient than in the previous Core i processor family because the GPU is actually part of the CPU.

2011 MacBook Pro Models and Specs:

13″ MacBook Pro – MC700LL/A – $1,199 – Base Model

• 13.3″ display with 1280×1024 resolution, glossy finish
• 2.3GHz 2nd Gen Intel Core i5 processor with Integrated Intel HD 3000 Graphics
• 4GB DDR3 RAM
• 320GB hard Drive
• ThunderBolt Connector, SD Card Reader, Bluetooth 2.1, 802.11n WiFi
• FaceTime HD webcam

13″ MacBook Pro – MC724LL/A – $1,499 – Upgraded

• 13.3″ display with 1280×1024 resolution, glossy finish
• 2.7GHz 2nd Gen Intel Core i7 processor with Integrated Intel HD 3000 Graphics
• 4GB DDR3 RAM
• 320GB hard Drive
• ThunderBolt Connector, SD Card Reader, Bluetooth 2.1, 802.11n WiFi
• FaceTime HD webcam

15″ MacBook Pro – MC721LL/A – $1,799 – Base Model

• 15.4″ display with 1440×900 resolution, glossy finish
• 2.0GHz Quad Core 2nd Gen Intel Core i7 processor with Integrated Intel HD 3000 Graphics
• AMD Radeon HD 6490 GPU with 1GB Video RAM and automatic switching
• 4GB DDR3 RAM
• 500GB hard Drive
• ThunderBolt Connector, SD Card Reader, Bluetooth 2.1, 802.11n WiFi
• FaceTime HD webcam

15″ MacBook Pro – MC723LL/A – $2,199 – Upgraded

• 15.4″ display with 1440×900 resolution, glossy finish
• 2.2GHz Quad Core 2nd Gen Intel Core i7 processor with Integrated Intel HD 3000 Graphics
• AMD Radeon HD 6490 GPU with 1GB Video RAM and automatic switching
• 4GB DDR3 RAM
• 750GB hard Drive
• ThunderBolt Connector, SD Card Reader, Bluetooth 2.1, 802.11n WiFi
• FaceTime HD webcam

17″ MacBook Pro – MC725LL/A – $2,199

• 17″ display with 1920×1200 resolution, glossy finish
• 2.2GHz Quad Core 2nd Gen Intel Core i7 processor with Integrated Intel HD 3000 Graphics
• AMD Radeon HD 6750 GPU with 1GB Video RAM and automatic switching
• 4GB DDR3 RAM
• 750GB hard Drive
• ThunderBolt Connector, SD Card Reader, Bluetooth 2.1, 802.11n WiFi
• FaceTime HD webcam

Full Specs for the new MacBook Pro notebooks.

The new MacBook Pro notebooks are available for purchase today from Apple.com and in your local Apple store starting at $1,199 with free shipping, purchases ship within 24 hours.