Apple has updated its MacBook laptops and the stylish toys got their first Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processors.

The 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pros will be available with the new CPUs, along with a new chipset architecture and Nvidia graphics. However, Apple dropped Nvidia's GeForce 9400 in favor of Intel's on-CPU graphics, but it's still offering Nvidia discrete graphics in the form of the GT330M. Buyers who opt for the discrete solution will enjoy switchable graphics, apparently Apple's own take on Nvidia's Optimus technology.

It appears that the new Macs will be somewhat cheaper than their Core 2 Duo-based predecessors, but apart from the new CPUs, they really don't offer much more than the old ones. The screens, storage and memory options have remained largely the same.

The popular 13-inch model did not get Core series CPUs and it's still relying on Core 2 Duo parts. In our opinion the 13-incher is the most sensible MacBook, so it's a bit disappointing that it's still stuck with old CPUs. It's possible the upgrade will have to wait for new parts, with lower energy consumption.