Traveling photographers require a computer that will function as a creative tool, storage device and communications center, on location, in hotels and back at the office. Ideally it will function equally well in the jungle (with long battery life) and in an office environment plugged into an external keyboard, mouse and larger monitor for Photoshop editing and website updating/creation.

When the new MacBook Pro upgrades where announced, many mobile warriors were disappointed that Apple had put the newest Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processors in the 15 and 17-inch version, but not in the 13-inch version. Apple immediately explained that by staying with the Core 2 Duo and improving the graphics processor to the Nvidia GeForce 320M, they were boosting the power of the 13-inch PowerBook Pro, while at the same time assuring maximum running time.

Although many of us would prefer that Apple offer both, cutting edge processor and long battery life versions, of the 13-inch MacBook Pro, there are a number of reasons why the latest Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch is still king of the small portable computer hill.

1. The current MacBook Pro 13-inch has an incredible 10-hour battery life. (My Samsung N220 Netbook beats that with up to 12-hours of battery life, but it runs on a much less powerful Atom 450 processor.)

2. 4GB of memory, standard configuration.

3. 250GB hard disk drive, with an optional 128MB solid state drive.

4. MacBook Pro 13-inch available (in the US) from Apple for from US$ 1,199.00

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The 2.4 GHz, 13-inch MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of $1,199 (US), includes:
• 13.3-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1280 x 800 glossy display;
• 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 3MB shared L2 cache;
• 1066 MHz front-side bus;
• 4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, expandable to 8GB;
• NVIDIA GeForce 320M integrated graphics;
• 250GB serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
• a slot-load 8X SuperDrive® with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
• Mini DisplayPort (VGA, DVI and HDMI adapters sold separately);
• AirPort Extreme® 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
• Gigabit Ethernet port;
• iSight® video camera;
• two USB 2.0 ports;
• one FireWire® 800 port (FireWire 400 compatible);
• SD card slot;
• combined headphone/line in (analog/digital);
• glass Multi-Touch trackpad and illuminated keyboard;
• built-in, 63.5WHr lithium polymer battery; and
• 60 Watt MagSafe® Power Adapter.

The 2.66 GHz, 13-inch MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of $1,499 (US), includes:
• 13.3-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1280 x 800 glossy display;
• 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 3MB shared L2 cache;
• 1066 MHz front-side bus;
• 4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, expandable to 8GB;
• NVIDIA GeForce 320M integrated graphics;
• 320GB serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
• a slot-load 8X SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
• Mini DisplayPort (VGA, DVI and HDMI adapters sold separately);
• AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
• Gigabit Ethernet port;
• iSight video camera;
• two USB 2.0 ports;
• one FireWire 800 port (FireWire 400 compatible);
• SD card slot;
• combined headphone/line in (analog/digital);
• glass Multi-Touch trackpad and illuminated keyboard;
• built-in, 63.5WHr lithium polymer battery; and
• 60 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.

Build-to-order options for the 13-inch MacBook Pro include the ability to upgrade to 8GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, a 320GB 5400 rpm or a 500GB 5400 rpm hard drive, a 128GB, 256GB or 512GB solid state drive, Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter, Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter (for 30-inch DVI display), Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter, Apple Remote, Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter and the AppleCare® Protection Plan.