I'd also go for another new option Apple is offering on this particular model: a higher-resolution screen. The 15-in. MacBook Pro comes with a 1440-by-900-pixel screen; for an extra $150, you can order one that's 1680 by 1050 pixels. Like fast processors and SSDs, . My 17-in. MacBook Pro has a 1920-by-1200-pixel screen, and I flat-out love it. So the prospect of a higher-resolution screen in the 15-in. MacBook Pro is a welcome addition. In fact, I'd be happier if Apple offered a 1920-by-1200-pixel screen in this model, but I'm not holding my breath.

Although higher resolution can make things look a little smaller, the increased sharpness -- and the extra screen real estate -- is well worth it. If you're keeping track, the pixels-per-inch count on the stock model works out to about 106; on the optional higher-resolution screen, it's 129. (On my own MacBook Pro, it's 133.)

The standard resolution on the 15-in. model is my only nit to pick. Given that I'm used to a higher resolution, everything on the new MacBook Pro felt slightly oversized, whether it was menus, text or Web pages. That's why, personally, I'd opt for the upgraded screen resolution in the new model. Again, though, resolution is really a matter of personal preference -- and eyesight. The same is true for Apple's now-standard glossy screens. You can't get the anti-glare finish on the 13-in. models, but you can get it on the 15-in. and 17-in. versions. But it'll cost you an extra $150.

All in all, Apple has delivered a laptop that's more than just an evolutionary upgrade with unseen updates under the hood. It has moved its higher-end MacBook Pros closer to true quadcore speeds, while improving battery life and adding serious GPU performance. Given that the prices across the line are roughly the same as those of the last generation, depending on exactly which model you choose, that should be enough to make these laptops a sweet deal for anyone looking to upgrade.