Apple announced that the the first wave of MacBook Pros began shipping today. In a surprising move Apple quietly speed-bumped the original 1.67 and 1.83GHz MacBook Pro configurations to 1.83 and 2.0GHz today without advanced notice. 2.0's will begin shipping "this week" according to Apple, 1.83's "next week."

All models of the new MacBook Pro will ship with faster Intel Core Duo processors than previously announced, delivering even greater performance at no additional cost. The $2,499 model now includes a 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo processor, up from the previously announced 1.83 GHz, and will begin shipping this week. The $1,999 model now includes a 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo processor, up from the previously announced 1.67 GHz, and will begin shipping next week.

Users with orders in queue at the Apple online store will automatically get upgraded to the faster configuration. A representative from the Apple online store told me that "emails are going out by the end of today (to customers with pending orders) about the new configurations."

Apple also added a third top-of-the-line 2.16GHz MacBook Pro configuration today (Good, Better, Best, anyone?) that will cost an extra US$300 or US$2799. (UPDATE) The 2.16GHz model is available in 1-3 days according to the Apple online store. You simply need to place an order for the 2.0GHz model, then supersize it to 2.16GHz.

A rep from the Apple store told me that customers who ordered online will be getting their MacBook Pros before they arrive at Apple retail stores across the U.S.

Happy Valentine's Day MacBook lovers!