New MacBook Pro range: Something something dark side

The low-end 13.-in. MacBook Pro now sports 2.4GHz and 2.7GHz Intel Core i5 and i7 processors. ... Storage space has increased...to 500GB for the $1,119 model and...750GB for the $1,499.
...
The middle-of-the-price-pack 15-in. MacBook Pro received slightly faster...2.2GHz and 2.4GHz Intel Core i7[s]...and a newer AMD Radeon graphics processor with more video memory on the least expensive $1,799 model.
...
The top-end $2,499 17-in. notebook now boasts a 2.4GHz Intel Core i7 processor and the same graphics processor that equips the highest-priced 15-in.   

   
Dan Moren adds:

Speed demons can upgrade the 2.4GHz Core i7 chip on the high-end 15-inch or the 17-inch model to a 2.5GHz quad-core Core i7 chip for $250.
...
Solid-state drives are also available as options across the line; 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB SSDs cost $100, $500, and $1,100 respectively, on the high-end 13-inch, high-end 15-inch, and 17-inch models. On the low-end 13-inch and low-end 15-inch models, those prices go up by $100 each.   

Meghan Kelly has more:

These updates become increasingly important as competitors such as Dell’s XPS 14z try to take the computer on in form factor and speed.
...
In terms of graphics, the 15-inch now runs on a Radeon HD 6750M and goes up to a 6770M. ... The 17-inch Pro saw an upgrade to the Radeon HD 6770M. ... 13-inch MacBook Pros...remain running on the Intel HD Graphics 3000.
...
[T]he body of these MacBook Pros remains the same, although the guts have changed. Pricing also remains the same.   

Meanwhile, Darrell Etherington sizes them up:

This is actually a very modest update overall, and Apple clearly thinks so too, since there’s no mention of the changes on the company [website]. Still, if you were holding out on a MacBook Pro purchase pending updates, this is probably the best you can expect for at least another four to six months.   

But Levente Szileszky is suitably dismissive:

If this is supposed to be the counter-measure to prevent people going for any of the new Intel-based Ultrabooks then it's a painfully ****** answer.
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My wife's Macbook is showing its age...and I just cannot fathom why would I spend $400+ more to get the smallest 5.6lbs Macbook Pro with an utter junk integrated GPU when I can get a 4lbs Lenovo U400 with Radeon HD 6470M with i3 around $830 but even a matching i5-2.4GHz one is only $920.   

And John Butters agrees:

Wow... The prices themselves are not only ridiculous, but the difference between the high end and low end models are laughable.
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400 MHz boost and 250GB extra storage for $300 on 13" Model?
200 MHz boost and 250GB extra storage and a slight GPU bump for $400 on 15" model?
And $2500 for a 17" laptop and it doesn't even come with SSD standard?   

  
And Finally...
Ludicrous Halloween lights: Shouldn't there be some sort of local ordinance against this?
[hat tip: Brian Moylan]
  
 
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Richi Jennings is an independent analyst/consultant, specializing in blogging, email, and security. He's the creator and main author of Computerworld's IT Blogwatch -- for which he has won American Society of Business Publication Editors and Jesse H. Neal awards on behalf of Computerworld. He also writes The Long View for IDG Enterprise. A cross-functional IT geek since 1985, you can follow him as @richi on Twitter, pretend to be richij's friend on Facebook, or just use good old email: itbw@richij.com. You can also read Richi's full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.