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The MacBook Pro is a line of Macintosh notebook computers by Apple for the professional market. First announced on January 10, 2006 at the Macworld Expo by Apple CEO Steve Jobs, the MacBook Pro was immediately available for pre-sale at online Apple Stores worldwide, with deliveries beginning in mid-February 2006. The MacBook Pro was the successor to the 15-inch and 17-inch models of the PowerBook G4 series, and was the first Macintosh laptop to be powered by the Intel Core Duo and Core 2 Duo processors.
The MacBook Pro is currently available in two size configurations: a 15.4-inch model first introduced on January 10, 2006 and last revised on June 5, 2007, and a 17" model first introduced on April 24, 2006 and also last revised on June 5, 2007.
Alongside the iMac Core Duo, the MacBook Pro represents Apple's first computers to feature Intel processors instead of PowerPC processors, a transition that completed on August 7, 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.
Overview
The MacBook Pro is available in three standard configurations all
including the Santa Rosa chipset, last revised on June 5, 2007 to include slightly
updated processors and the addition of a FireWire 800 port for the 15.4-inch model:
The 15.4-inch model comes in 2.2GHz (US$1999) and 2.4 GHz (US$2499) configurations
while the 17-inch model comes with a 2.4 GHz (US$2799) processor. The latest Core
2 Duo MacBook Pro appears outwardly similar to its predecessor, and though Apple
claims a 39% performance increase, real-world results have varied.
All three configurations feature an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, a 120 GB 5400 RPM drive, 160 GB (5400 or 7200 RPM), or 200 GB (4200 rpm) hard drive; an nVidia Geforce 8600M GT graphics card (128 or 256 MB GDDR3); a glossy or matte widescreen LCD (16:10 aspect ratio); up to 4 GB of RAM; and a built-in iSight camera.
The 15.4-inch MacBook Pro comes standard with two USB ports, one FireWire 400 port, one FireWire 800 port, an ExpressCard/34 expansion slot, DVI and VGA connectivity (VGA via included adaptor), optical S/PDIF and analog sound output and inputs, gigabit ethernet plus AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.0 wireless capabilities. Currently, all MacBook Pro models feature 2 GB of DDR2 SDRAM running at 667 MHz as standard. The 17" model also adds a third USB port.
Running Mac OS X v10.4, bundled with the machine is an Apple Remote for use with the laptop, 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 features a light-up keyboard with an ambient light sensor and a scrolling trackpad standard across the line.
Accessories available for the MacBook Pro include a MagSafe airline power adapter, an external Apple USB modem (the MacBook Pro no longer includes an internal modem) and a DVI to S-Video/composite TV-out adapter (the same one used for the Mac mini and Power Mac G5).
Processor
The MacBook Pro first used Intel Core Duo processors,
which were replaced with Intel Core 2 Duo processors in October 2006. The Core
2 Duo was Intel's 64-bit dual-core processor designed for laptop computers, which
was developed under the code-name "Merom". This processor had a FSB
(front-side bus) speed of 667 MHz, and supported Vanderpool virtualization technology.
The model refresh on June 5, 2007 utilises the Centrino Pro/Duo (Santa Rosa) chipset
using an upgraded 800MHz front side bus speed.
Memory
The current
Santa Rosa model supports up to 4 GB of RAM, though the default model has 2 GB,
though the memory front side bus (FSB) is still 667MHz, whilst the processor's
FSB is 800MHz. Older Merom models could only utilize a smaller and sometimes less
efficient 3 GB of RAM. It was inefficient if used as a combination of two different
capacity slots (one 2 GB and one 1 GB.)[citation needed] When two 2 GB memory
modules are installed the "About This Mac" shows 4 GB, but the Activity
Monitor applications reports 3.0 GB as the total amount of physical RAM available.
Dual-channel architecture
The system will use the dual channel feature when
memory is installed in each slot (called asymmetric dual channel). Using exact
pairs is called interleaved dual channel, and results in optimal performance.
User serviceability
Unlike the MacBook, the MacBook Pro's hard drive cannot
be user replaced under warranty. However, a step-by-step guide to removal is provided
by iFixit.[5] Also, unlike the iMac, the MacBook Pro's processor is soldered onto
the logic board and is impossible to replace.[6]
Specifications
MacBook Pro 15.4"
This model features a 15.4-inch display with a native
resolution of 1440 × 900 and weighs 2.45 kg (5.4 pounds) since 5 June 2007,
while the older 15.4-inch models of Macbook Pro weigh 2.54kg (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 2.54 cm (one inch). Differences from
the 15.2" PowerBook G4 include a lack of 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[7], 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.
Component Early 2006 October 2006 June 2007
Processor 1.83,
2.0 or 2.16GHz Intel Core Duo (Yonah) 2.16 or 2.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (64-bit
Merom) 2.2 and 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (64-bit Merom)
Memory Two memory slots,
for up to 2GB DDR2 SDRAM 667 MHz (PC2-5300) Same, but up to 3GB Same, but now
2GB default and up to 4GB
Display 15.4-inch (viewable) matte or optional glossy
TFT widescreen with 1440 x 900 pixel resolution, 300 cd/m² brightness Same
Same, but now features LED backlighting for 15.4" models
Graphics ATI
Mobility Radeon X1600 with 128MB or 256MB of GDDR3 SDRAM and dual-link DVI Same
ATI part replaced with nVidia Geforce 8600M GT
Hard drive 80GB, 100GB, 120GB
Serial ATA, 5400rpm. 100GB, 120GB or 160 GB Serial ATA, 5400rpm. Optional 100GB,
7200rpm. 120GB or 160GB Serial ATA, 5400rpm. Optional 200GB, 4200rpm or 160GB,
7200rpm.
Battery 60 watt-hour lithium ion polymer battery, charged by 85 watt
power adapter with MagSafe port Same Same
Airport Extreme Integrated 802.11a/b/g
Integrated 802.11a/b/g and draft-n2 (n disabled by default) Integrated 802.11a/b/g
and draft-n2 (n enabled)
Internal Slot-Loading Combo drive1 8x DVD read, 24x
CD-R and 10x CD-RW recording Not offered Not offered
Internal Slot-Loading
SuperDrive1 8x double-layer discs reads. 4x DVD+/-R & RW recording. 24x CD-R
and 10x CD-RW recording (optional) 2.4x DVD+R DL writes, 6x DVD+/-R read, 4x DVD+/-RW
writes, 24x CD-R, and 10x CD-RW recording 4x DVD+R DL writes, 8x DVD+/-R read,
4x DVD+/-RW writes, 24x CD-R, and 10x CD-RW recording
Audio Combined optical
digital input/audio line in, combined optical digital output/headphone out, stereo
speakers, microphone Same Same
Ethernet Built-in 10/100/1000 (Gigabit) Same
Same
Modem Sold separately (Apple USB Modem) Same Same
Other I/O Two USB
2.0 ports, one FireWire 400 port, IR sensor, ExpressCard/34 slot Two USB 2.0 ports,
one FireWire 400 port, one FireWire 800 port, IR sensor, ExpressCard/34 slot Same
Dimensions Footprint: 35.7 × 24.3 cm / 14.1 × 9.6 inches
Thickness:
2.59 cm / 1.02 inch
Weight: 2.54 kg / 5.6 pounds Same Same, but weight was
reduced to 2.45kg / 5.4 pounds
Notes:
1Combo drive and SuperDrive speeds
mentioned are its maximum.
MacBook Pro 17"
April/October
2006 & June 2007
The 17-inch MacBook ProIntroduced 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). At the time of release, the
17-inch featured the Intel Core Duo processor at 2.16 GHz; similar to the 15-inch,
the 17-inch MacBook Pro had an upgrade on October 24, 2006 that gave way to the
faster Intel Core 2 Duo processor clocked at 2.33 GHz. On June 05, 2007 the processor
speed was bumped to 2.4GHz.
In addition to the standard features of the 15.4-inch model, the 17-inch MacBook Pro also features an additional USB 2.0 port and an 8× SuperDrive as opposed to the 6× SuperDrive of the 15-inch models (prior to the upgrade on June 05, 2007 which included 8x drives in both 15" and 17"models). Its ATI Radeon X1600 GPU was replaced with the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT on June 05, 2007.
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(1920x1200 available as a build-to-order option).
The refresh on
June 05, 2007 now allows one to chose an optional high-resolution 1920x1200 pixel
display for US$100.
The 17" displays, even the high-resolution option,
do not use LED backlighting.
Battery: 68 watt-hour
Hard disk drive: 160
GB, 5400 RPM drive (optional 160 GB, 7200 RPM drive or 250 GB, 4200 RPM drive)
Optical drive: Pioneer-D150A 8× SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
double-layer read, DVD+R DL write
The 17" uses the popular industry standard
12.7mm size optical drive, as opposed to the 9.5mm drives used in the 15"
and MacBook. Thus it can be replaced with a Blu-ray[8] or RPC-1[9] optical drive.
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
Products Sold
Hardware,
including: MacBook, MacBook Pro, Mac Pro, iMac, Mac Mini, iBook (only through
the Education Store), iPod, Apple Cinema Displays, iSight, Airport cards and base
stations, XServe, and Apple accessories such as wireless keyboards and mice, and
Apple Pro Speakers. Computer hardware purchased from the Apple Store online, or
over the phone can also be configured-to-order with options that often include
faster or larger hard drives and faster processors.
Apple Software, including:
Mac OS X, iLife and iWork application bundles, Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro,
Shake, and other miscellaneous Apple software titles.
Third Party Software
made for Mac OS X, such as design software, productivity software, games, utilities,
and pretty much anything new that has been released for Mac OS X.
Select Third
Party Accessories for Apple products, ranging from carrying cases for Apple notebooks
and iPod sleeves to speakers, printers, scanners, memory upgrades, and digital
cameras.
Also available are Apple Instant Loans, as well as gift certificates
to both the Apple Store and the iTunes Store. It offers automatic online discounts
to educational users which include both faculty and students of higher education,
and faculty of K-12 schools in addition to discounts for business buyers internationally
and United States government employees.
Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL, LSE: ACP, FWB: APC) (formerly Apple Computer, Inc.) is a American multinational corporation with a focus on designing and manufacturing consumer electronics and closely-related software products. Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Apple develops, sells, and supports a series of personal computers, portable media players, computer software, and computer hardware accessories; Apple is also currently involved in the creation of new technology concepts, such as the iPhone, Apple TV, and features of its new, upcoming operating system, Mac OS X "Leopard". Apple also operates an online store for hardware and software purchases, as well as the iTunes Store, a comprehensive offering of digital downloadable music, audiobooks, games, music videos, TV shows, and movies. The company's best-known hardware products include the Mac line of personal computers and related peripherals, the iPod line of portable media players, and the iPhone, which has a confirmed release date of June 29, 2007 in the U.S. Apple's best known software products include the Mac OS operating system and the iLife software suite, a bundle of integrated amateur creative software products. (Both Mac OS and iLife are included on all Macs sold.) Additionally, Apple is also a major provider of professional (as well as "prosumer") audio and film industry software products. Apple's professional and "prosumer" applications, which run primarily on Mac computers, include Final Cut Pro, Logic Audio, Final Cut Studio, and related industry tools.
Apple had worldwide
annual sales in its fiscal year 2006 (ending September 30, 2006) of US$19.3 billion.
In
2007 the Corporate Directors: were Bill Campbell, Millard Drexler, Al Gore, Steve
Jobs, Arthur D. Levinson, Eric E. Schmidt, Jerry York
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