MacBook Pro

The MacBook Pro is a line of Macintosh laptop computers developed by Apple Computer for the professional market. First announced on 10 January 2006 at the Macworld Expo by Apple CEO Steve JobsApple PR — Apple Introduces MacBook Pro — January 10, 2006, the MacBook Pro was immediately available for pre-sale at online Apple Stores worldwide, with deliveries beginning in mid-February 2006Apple PR — Apple Begins Shipping MacBook Pro - February 14, 2006. The MacBook Pro is the successor to the 15-inch and 17-inch models of the PowerBook G4 series, and is the first Macintosh laptop to be powered by the Intel Core Duo processor.

The MacBook Pro is currently available in two size configurations: a 15.4-inch model first introduced on 10 January 2006 and last revised on 16 May 2006; and a 17" model first introduced on 24 April 2006.Apple PR — Apple Introduces 17-inch MacBook Pro - April 24, 2006

Alongside the iMac Core Duo, the MacBook Pro represents Apple's first computers to feature Intel processors instead of PowerPC processors; a transition that is expected to be complete by August 2006. Since the introduction of the MacBook Pro, other lines have followed, including the introduction of the Intel Core powered Mac mini on 28 February 2006 and the consumer line of laptop computers, the MacBook on 16 May 2006.

Specifications

The MacBook Pro is available in three configurations, last revised on May 16, 2006: A 15.4-inch model at 2.0 GHz (States dollar|US$" target="_blank" >^*1999) and 2.16 GHz ($2499) and a 17-inch model at 2.16 GHz ($2799). While the MacBook Pro's outward appearance is stylistically very similar to the final aluminium PowerBook G4 series which it replaced, its internal components differ dramatically from its predecessors, and the external dimensions are subtly different.

All three configurations feature an Intel Core Duo processor; an 80 GB, 100 GB (5400 or 7200 rpm), or 120 GB hard drive (5400 rpm); an ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics card (128 or 256 MiB GDDR3); a glossy or matte widescreen LCD display (16:10 aspect ratio); up to 2 GiB of RAM; and a built-in iSight camera.

The MacBook Pro comes standard with two USB ports, one FireWire 400 port, an ExpressCard/34 expansion slot, DVI and VGA connectivity (VGA via included adaptor), optical S-P/DIF and analog sound output and inputs, gigabit ethernet plus AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 2.0 wireless capabilities. The 17" model adds a third USB port and a FireWire 800 port.

Running Mac OS 10.4, bundled with the machine is an Apple Remote with Front Row, Photo Booth, and iLife '06. The MacBook Pro also features MagSafe, a magnetic power connector designed to detach easily when yanked to prevent the laptop from being pulled off a surface. The MacBook Pro also features a backlit keyboard and a scrolling trackpad standard across the line.

Accessories available for the MacBook Pro include an external Apple USB modem (the MacBook Pro no longer includes an internal modem) and a DVI to S-Video/composite TV-out adaptor (the same one used for the Mac mini and Power Mac G5).

MacBook Pro 15.4" (January 2006)

The 15.4-inch model features a 15.4-inch display with a native resolution of 1440 × 900 and weighs 2.54 kg (5.6 pounds). This is slightly thinner than the 15.2-inch PowerBook G4 as well as thinner than the last 17-inch PowerBook; with a thickness of 2.59 cm (one inch). Differences from the 15.2" PowerBook G4 include a lack of a FireWire 800 port, internal modem and S-video port. The video resolution was reduced by 60 vertical pixels, to 1440 × 900.

At launch on January 10, 2006, the MacBook Pro was announced at speeds of 1.67 and 1.83 GHz. This was upgraded before shipping to 1.83 and 2.0 GHz respectively on February 14, 2006 and an additional build-to-order option with an 2.16 GHz processor, the fastest Intel Core Duo chip at the time, became available. With the release of the consumer MacBook line of portables on May 15, 2006, the MacBook Pro line was upgraded to feature 2.0 GHz and 2.16 GHz models only; the 2.16 GHz Core Duo became a standard feature on the top model rather than a build-to-order option.

Processor:
- Originally, a 1.67 GHz or 1.83 GHz 32-bit Intel Core Duo processor was announced.
- On February 14, 2006, Apple upgraded the processors to 1.83 GHz and 2 GHz, adding a 2.16 GHz build-to-order option.
- On May 16, 2006, the 1.83 GHz model was discontinued, and 2.0 GHz and 2.16 GHz became the two standard (and only) CPU speeds.
Memory: 512 MiB to 2 GiB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM (two SO-DIMM slots)
Display: 15.4-inch (diagonal), 1440 × 900 resolution, TFT LCD widescreen, 300 cd/m² brightness. There is also a choice of a glossy or matte widescreen display for no additional charge.
Battery: 60 watt-hour lithium ion polymer battery, charged by 85-watt power adapter with MagSafe port
Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 128 MiB or 256 MiB of GDDR3 SDRAM and dual-link DVI
Video: Built-in USB 2.0 iSight camera (0.6 megapixels), DVI output, VGA (DVI to VGA adapter included), Dual-Link DVI
Audio: Combined optical digital input/audio line in, combined optical digital output/headphone out, stereo speakers, microphone
Hard disk drive: 80 GB or 100 GB Serial ATA/150; 5400 RPM (Option of 100 GB, 7200 rpm drive, or 120 GB, 5400 rpm drive), with Sudden Motion Sensor
Optical drive: 4x SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW) double-layer read, single-layer write
Ethernet: Built-in 10/100/1000 (Gigabit)
Wireless: Built-in 54 Mbit/s AirPort Extreme (802.11b/g); built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
Modem: Sold separately (Apple USB Modem)
Other I/O: Two USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 400 port, IR sensor
Expansion: ExpressCard/34 slot
Weight: 2.54 kg / 5.6 pounds
Footprint: 35.7 × 24.3 cm / 14.1 × 9.6 inches
Thickness: 2.59 cm / 1.0 inch
Firmware: Extensible Firmware Interface

MacBook Pro 17" (April 2006)

Introduced on April 24, 2006, the 17-inch MacBook Pro features a 17-inch display with a native resolution of 1680 × 1050 and weighs 3.08 kg (6.8 pounds). It features the fastest Intel Core Duo processor at the time of release (2.16 GHz).

In addition to the standard features of the 15.4-inch model, the 17-inch MacBook Pro also features a FireWire 800 port, an additional USB 2.0 port and an 8x SuperDrive that can write to dual layer (DL) DVD+Rs. Its ATI Radeon X1600 GPU also comes standard with 256 MiB of GDDR3 memory.

The 17" MacBook Pro replaces the 17-inch Powerbook G4 and has features very similar to those found in its immediate predecessor. It is, however, slightly thinner at 2.59 cm (one inch).

The 17" MacBook Pro has identical specifications to the top 15.4-inch model, except for the following:

Display: 17-inch (diagonal), 1680 × 1050 resolution.
Battery: 68 watt-hour
Hard disk drive: 120 GB, 5400 rpm drive (optional 100 GB, 7200 rpm drive)
Optical drive: 8x SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) double-layer read, DVD+R DL write
Other I/O: Three USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 400 port, one FireWire 800 port, IR sensor
Weight: 3.1 kg / 6.8 pounds
Footprint: 39.2 × 26.5 cm / 15.4 × 10.4 inches

Hardware

MacBook Pro uses an Intel Core Duo processor, Intel's first dual-core processor designed for laptop computers and the first processor under the 'Intel Core' brand. The Intel Core Duo is a 32-bit Intel Core processor (developed under the codename Yonah) and consists of two cores derived from the Banias/Dothan line of Pentium M processors. Features of this processor include SSE, SSE2 and SSE3 instruction sets, 2 MiB of shared L2 Cache and Vanderpool virtualization technology.

Unlike the iMac, the processor is soldered onto the logic board. Consequently, it is impossible to replace a system's processor with a newer, faster model when the current one has reached obsolescence.

The MacBook Pro's hard drive is not easily replaced. This is in contrast to the MacBook.

Issues

Users have reported numerous issues with the MacBook Pro laptops. These include:

A hissing noise often described as a whine, found to be caused by an idle processor. Software workarounds and the effect of screen position and power source on the issue have been reported.
A 'mooing' noise, potentially fixed by the recent SMC Firmware update.
Excessive heating, apparently caused by the application of excessive quantities of thermal grease on the processor during manufacturing. Apple threatened to sue an internet forum for releasing images of confidential internal publications. Recently, some tests have challenged this explanation of heat issues, showing a minimal (one or two degrees F) drop in temperature when thermal grease was re-applied.
Early models (serial numbers starting below W8610) had a screen hum emitting from the right side of the machine present when display brightness was set somewhere between maximum and minimum brightness.
Possibility that the MacBook Pro's GPU has been intentionally underclocked by Apple to reduce reliance on noisy cooling fans.
Although no official tests have been conducted, many users are reporting that many of these issues were fixed in later models (week 11 and onwards.)
In some early models the supplied battery is faulty, and may eventually start swelling while losing capacity. Due to very limited clearance above the battery this can cause permanent damage to the touchpad if left unfixed.

References

External links

Laptops | Macintosh computers

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