MacBook Pro

infobox computer
Name = MacBook Pro
Developer = Apple Inc.
Type = Notebook
Photo =
Caption = The MacBook Pro 15"
Released = February 14, 2006 (last updated February 26, 2008)
Last Updated = February 26, 2008
Processor = Intel Core 2 Duo T7700, T8300, T9300, T9500 (2.4 / 2.5 / 2.6 GHz)
Predecessor = PowerBook G4
Baseprice = USD$1,999 (as of July 25, 2008)
Website = [http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/ Apple - MacBook Pro] The MacBook Pro is a line of Macintosh portable computers by Apple Inc. for the professional and power user market. It makes up the high end of the MacBook family. First announced on January 10 2006 at the Macworld Expo by Apple CEO Steve Jobs [http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2006/jan/10macbookpro.html Apple 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 2006 [http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2006/feb/14macbookpro.html Apple PR — "Apple Begins Shipping MacBook Pro" - February 14, 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.

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 7th, 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, the MacBook consumer line of laptop computers on May 16 2006, the Mac Pro on August 7, 2006, and the Xserve in November 2006, completing the Macintosh family transition to Intel processors.

The MacBook Pro is currently available in different sizes with differently-sized screens: a 15-inch model, with a 15.4-inch (diagonal) screen, first introduced on January 10, 2006 and last revised on February 26, 2008, and a 17-inch model, with a 17-inch (diagonal) screen, first introduced on April 24, 2006 and also last revised on February 26, 2008.

Overview

The MacBook Pro, last revised on February 26 2008, is available in three standard configurations: The 15.4-inch model comes in 2.4 GHz, 2.5 GHz, 2.6 GHz configurations while the 17-inch model comes with a 2.5 GHz processor, or with the 2.6 GHz option. The 15-inch models come standard with an LED backlight system, which supposedly are brighter and create more natural blacks than standard LCD lamps as well as providing lower power consumption; in addition, they contain no mercury.

Features

All three configurations feature:
* Intel Core 2 Duo processor.
* 200 GBBDprefix|p=d] (5400 RPM), 250 GB (5400 RPM) or 200 GB (7200 RPM) hard drive. Optional 300 GB (4200 RPM) hard drive on the 17-inch model.
*nVidia Geforce 8600M GT graphics card (256 MBBDprefix|p=b] or 512 MB GDDR3).
* Intel Mobile PM965 Express chipset.
* Glossy or matte widescreen LCD (16:10 aspect ratio).
* Built-in iSight camera.
* USB 2.0 ports (two on 15-inch model, three on 17-inch).
* FireWire 400 port.
* FireWire 800 port.
* ExpressCard/34 expansion slot.
* DVI connector for external monitor (VGA compatible using included adaptor).
* Audio input/output using optical S/PDIF (via TOSLINK cable, not included) and analog sound output and inputs.
* Gigabit ethernet port
* Wireless networking using AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/draft-n and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR.
* 2 GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300) in two SO-DIMMs, expandable to 4 GB.

The MacBook Pro uses MagSafe, a magnetic power connector designed to detach easily when yanked to prevent the laptop from being pulled off a surface. It also features a back-lit keyboard with an ambient light sensor, an accelerometer used for detecting if the unit is falling, and as of the 2008 models, the Multi-Touch (previously scrolling) trackpad is standard across the line.

The MacBook Pro is pre-loaded with Mac OS X v10.5, which includes Time Machine, Boot Camp, Quick Look, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth, Front Row, iTunes, and Xcode Developer Tools. It comes with iLife '08, which includes iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, and GarageBand.

Accessories available for the MacBook Pro include a MagSafe airline power adapter, an external Apple USB modem, and a DVI to S-Video/composite TV-out adapter (the same one used for the Mac mini and Mac Pro). Also, the Apple Remote became a user-selectable option on the Apple Store as of the Early 2008 revision. The Lithium-polymer battery, that comes standard with all MacBook Pros, runs up to 5 hours on the 15-inch model and 4.5 hours on the 17-inch model.

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 an FSB (front-side bus) speed of 667 MHz, and supported Vanderpool virtualization technology. The model refresh on June 5 2007 features an upgraded 800 MHz front side bus speed, as well as faster Merom processors. On February 26 2008 the MacBook Pro line was fitted with "Penryn" Intel Core 2 Duo processors.

Memory

The current models support up to 4 GB of RAM, though they ship with 2 GB included. The memory front side bus (FSB) is still 667 MHz, while the processor's FSB is 800 MHz. The earliest models support a maximum of 2 GB (two 1 GB modules or one 2 GB module). More recent Merom models based on the "Napa Refresh" chipset could have 4 GB installed, but 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). [cite web|url=http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303553|title=MacBook Pro: For maximum performance, upgrade memory in matched pairs|publisher=Apple Inc.] When two 2 GB memory modules are installed the "About This Mac" shows 4 GB, but on these models the Activity Monitor applications reports 3 GB as the total amount of physical RAM available. Newer models can address and fully utilize 4 GB of RAM without an issue.

Standard Macbook Pros use matched memory modules called interleaved dual channel (usually with two equal one gigabyte chips) which results in optimal performance. Mismatched modules lead to asymmetric dual channel, and a slight performance hit. [cite web|url=http://www.intel.com/design/mobile/datashts/309219.htm|title=Mobile Intel 945 Express Chipset Family Datasheet|publisher=Intel|date=12 April 2007]

User serviceability

According to Apple support, the memory is user replaceable and will not void the warranty. [cite web|url=http://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro/diy/order.html|title=MacBook Pro DIY Parts|work=Apple (2007)] Step-by-step guides to removal are provided by iFixit [cite web|url=http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/MacBook-Pro/|title=MacBook Pro Disassembly|work=iFixit] and Apple [cite web|url=http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303491|title=MacBook Pro: How to install memory|work=Apple] . However, unlike that of the MacBook, MacBook Pro's hard drive is a bit more difficult to replace, but still possible. [cite web|url=http://www.macworld.com/weblogs/mobile/2007/05/macbookprohdupgrade/index.php|title=Macworld test of third party hard drives|work=Macworld] [cite web|url=http://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro/diy/order.html|title=Apple DIY Parts List|work=Apple] The MacBook Pro's processor is soldered onto the logic board and is impossible to replace, similar to all recent Mac portables. [cite web|url=http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/85.1.15.html|title=MacBook Pro Fixit Guide|work=iFixit]

Models

MacBook Pro 15"

This model features a 15.4-inch (diagonal) display with a native resolution of 1440 × 900 and weighs 2.45 kg (5.4 lb) since 5 June 2007, while the older 15-inch models of MacBook Pro weigh 2.54 kg (5.6 lb). This is slightly thinner than and with a larger screen than the earlier PowerBook G4 (which has a 15.2-inch screen) as well as thinner than the last 17-inch PowerBook; with a thickness of one inch (2.54 cm). Differences from the earlier PowerBook G4 include a lack of internal modem and S-video port. Although the screen has increased in overall size, the video resolution was reduced on the MacBook Pro 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, 2006cite web|url=http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2006/may/16macbook.html|work=Apple Press Release|title=Apple Unveils New MacBook Featuring Intel Core Duo Processors|date=May 16, 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.

The footprint of the 15" MacBook Pro measures nowrap|14.1 in × 9.6 in (nowrap|35.7 cm × 24.3 cm) and it is 1.02 in (2.59 cm) thick.

MacBook Pro 17"

Introduced on April 24, 2006, the 17-inch MacBook Pro features a 17-inch display with a native resolution of 1680 × 1050 or 1920 × 1200 and weighs 3.1 kg (6.8 lb). 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.

In addition to the standard features of the 15-inch model, the 17-inch MacBook Pro also features an additional USB 2.0 port and an 8x SuperDrive as opposed to the 6x SuperDrive of the 15-inch models (prior to the upgrade on June 5, 2007 which included 8x drives in both 15-inch and 17-inch models). Its ATI Radeon X1600 GPU was replaced with the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT on June 5, 2007 and remains the current graphics solution.

The 17-inch 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 one inch (2.54 cm).

pecifications

^a Hard drives listed are configurations available from Apple.
^b Wireless-N functionality requires the AirPort Extreme Wireless-N Router, which contains wireless-N enabler software to be installed on your MacBook. Alternatively, the enabler software may be purchased from Apple separately. [cite web|url = http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=6C04E07A&nplm=D4141ZM%2FA|title = AirPort Extreme 802.11n Enabler for Mac|publisher = Apple, Inc.|accessdate = 2007-04-15]
^c Quoted optical drive speeds are the maximum possible for each drive.
^d Existing memory modules may need to be replaced.

Issues

Users have reported numerous issues with some of the MacBook Pro Core Duo and Core 2 Duo 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.cite web|url=http://www.macintouch.com/readerreports/macbookpro/topic4057.html|title=MacBook Pro: Noise Problems|year=2006|work=MacInTouch] [cite web|url=http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/14/whining-macbook-pro-youre-not-alone|title=Whining MacBook Pro? You're not alone|date=March 14 2006|author=Thomas Ricker|work=Engadget] As of July 2006, Apple acknowledged the problem [cite web|url=http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303365|title=MacBook Pro with noise under the keyboard|year=2006|work=Apple] , and a replacement mainboard has fixed the "whine" issue for some users.
*A claim of excessive heat generation, which was initially speculated to be caused by the application of excessive quantities of thermal grease on the processor during manufacturing. As of August 28, 2007, that problem has been resolved. [cite web|url=http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2177656,00.asp|title=Apple MacBook Pro 17-inch (Core 2 Duo T7700) PC Magazine Review]
*Some 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."
*In some early models the supplied battery is faulty, and may eventually start swelling while losing capacity [cite web|url=http://www.cnet.com.au/laptops/laptops/0,239035649,240063900,00.htm|title=MacBook Pro battery bulge: time for a recall?|publisher=CNET.com.au|date=June 23 2006] . Due to very limited clearance above the battery this can cause permanent damage to the touch pad if left unfixed. [cite web|url=http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2006/6/16/4357|title=MacBook Pro woes continue with expanding batteries|author=Shane Stacks|date=June 16, 2006|work=Ars Technica Infinite Loop] Apple eventually addressed the problem and issued a recall of the batteries that were used in certain models of the 15" MacBook Pro. The batteries did not pose a safety risk and were recalled due to the failure to meet Apple's "high standards for battery performance." [ [https://support.apple.com/macbookpro15/batteryexchange/index.html 15-inch MacBook Pro Battery Exchange Program ] ]
*In May 2007, Apple released Battery Update 1.2, which was designed to improve battery life. In conjunction with this update, Apple created a repair extension program to extend the replacement coverage of batteries that exhibited some specific failure symptoms that were not corrected by the new update. [ [http://www.apple.com/support/macbook_macbookpro/batteryupdate/ Apple - Support - MacBook and MacBook Pro Battery Update ] ]
*Although no formal test results have been published, many users are reporting that some of these issues were fixed in later models (week 11 and onwards). [ [http://www.macnn.com/articles/06/04/04/macbook.pro.issues.solved/ MacNN |Apple quietly fixes MacBook Pro issues ] ]
*There have been complaints about the MagSafe power adaptor breaking at its magnetic connector head, and in some instances melting while the wire is exposed. [ [http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=9D352BF2&nplm=MA357LL%2FA/ The Apple Store (U.S.) - Welcome to the Apple Store ] ]
*Apple quickly addressed an issue after the June 5 revision involving occasional problems with "Display Hot Swapping", resulting in one or both screens temporarily dimming or blanking completely. [ [http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305607 MacBook Pro display issue related to "hot-plugging" ] ]
*Apple has been accused of supplying sub-standard LCD display hardware with their MacBook Pros. While Apple marketing claims that the display is capable of 8-bit RGB with millions (16,777,216, or 2²⁴) of colors, they are using 6-bit LCD screens that only provide 262,144 (2¹⁸) colors natively with dithering to simulate millions of colors. This is a fairly common process for laptop manufacturers. However, a problem has been noticed with their dithering routine that can create artifacts during the display of gradients in images, which is inconvenient for graphic artists. The problem manifests only on the internal LCD display and not on external monitors. [ [http://www.colorblindmac.com/ colorblind mac color blind test at colorblindmac.com ] ] There is a class action law suit underway. [ [http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=7353 DailyTech - Apple Sued for Deceptive MacBook and MacBook Pro Advertising ] ]
*Some users have reported that the new LED screen technology for the Mid 2007 15.4" MBP model has a defective screen, whereby the lower third of the screen shows a yellowish tint when viewed straight on. The problem has manifested itself on both the glossy and matte type screens, and on both manufacturers of the screen, LG and Samsung. However it seems that the Samsung screens are more likely to have this problem. Apple has not publicly acknowledged this problem as of August 1 2007. However, there have not been as many problems reported recently with the newer builds.Fact|date=October 2008
*A small number of users have experienced issues with an unresponsive GUI, which can only be remedied by a reboot. Symptoms include: The mouse pointer can still be moved, iTunes still does play, and it is possible to log in with SSH.Fact|date=September 2008
*A large number of users have noticed that the keyboard is not responsive to some typing. Many say that when typing in a new field the first letter is missing. Others have problems with specific letters not being recognized. This is a known Apple bug issue with report Bug ID# 4333743.Fact|date=September 2008
*A small number of users have noticed that the audio-out jack on the 2007 revision MacBook Pro puts out varying amounts of hiss, static, and whine. This issue affects all 2007 revision MacBook Pro models and appears to be a design flaw of the computer's logic board. [ [http://www.macintouch.com/reviews/mbp15led Description] of audio issues] The issue has not been acknowledged by Apple or resolved as of the February 2008 revision.
*On the latest 2008 MacBook Pros, users are reporting that the backlit LED screens display vertical bands of alternating light and dark stripes. This seems to mainly affect the 15 inch matte screen versions.Fact|date=September 2008
*More recent MacBook Pros with the 8600 GT graphics card have been having graphic cards failures; nVidia's G84 and G86 graphics core has been having significant problems. Apple issued a statement saying that it will repair them even out of warranty for two years after purchase.
*On the latest 2008 MacBook Pros, users are also reporting that the sound subsystem makes "popping" noises as the subsystem wakes up from a period of non-use ("e.g.", after thirty seconds of silence). This popping noise is present even when the speakers are muted.Fact|date=September 2008

ee also

* Comparison of Macintosh models
* MacBook
* MacBook Air
* MacBook family

References

External links

* [http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/ Apple - MacBook Pro]
* [http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/specs.html Apple - MacBook Pro Technical Specifications]
* [http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/comparison_chart.html Apple - Notebook Comparison Chart]
* [http://developer.apple.com/documentation/HardwareDrivers/Conceptual/15inMacBookPro_0610/ 15-inch MacBook Pro Developer Note]
* [http://developer.apple.com/documentation/HardwareDrivers/Conceptual/17inMacBookPro_0610/ 17-inch MacBook Pro Developer Note]
* [http://www.wikispecs.org/index.php?title=Apple_15.4%22_MacBook_Pro_Intel_Core_2_Duo_Notebook Apple MacBook Pro at WikiSpecs]
* [http://cantonbecker.com/yellowish-macbook-display Information on yellowish LED-backlit display defect]
* [http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Core-Duo/85/ - Complete Disassembly Guide to the Macbook Pro 15"]
* [http://www.takeitapart.net/archives/macbook-pro/ Macbook Pro Disassembly Photographs]
* [http://www.prestonlee.com/color-profiles MacBook Pro ICC Color Profile Downloads]