Literally.

Sure it's got the new Core 2 Duo processor, which offers a speed bump from 2.16GHz to 2.33GHz. (The first-generation MacBook Pros topped out at 2.16GHz and used Intel's Core Duo chip.) But what a difference that "2" in the processor name makes.

For speed demons, this is the fastest laptop Apple has yet offered. Aside from the fact that it's about 8 percent faster in terms of clock speed, underlying changes to the processor design -- especially a doubling of the Level 2 cache memory from 2MB to 4MB -- mean the uptick in speed is noticeable.

The 15-in. versions of the new MacBook Pro -- just last week -- are already getting into buyers' waiting hands, and the 17-in. versions are set to ship next week. (I certainly hope so. I have one on order myself, so if you're repeatedly clicking on the "order status" button at the Apple Store site, hoping to find your 17-in. MacBook Pro has finally shipped -- well, let's just say I feel your pain.)

Until then, the only hardware on hand to compare with the earlier models is the 15-in. version. Apple loaned one out for review purposes and it arrived on Wednesday. Although I haven't had time to put it through all its paces, I wanted to offer at quick first look at how this iteration stacks up to its older laptop brethren for those eyeing them in stores.