Difference between revisions of "MacBook Pro"
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* [http://tnl.net/blog/2006/01/11/macbook-pro-comparison-charts/ MacBook Pro Comparison Charts] | * [http://tnl.net/blog/2006/01/11/macbook-pro-comparison-charts/ MacBook Pro Comparison Charts] | ||
* [http://www.maconintel.com/news.php?article=222 Apple Releases Core 2 Duo MBP] | * [http://www.maconintel.com/news.php?article=222 Apple Releases Core 2 Duo MBP] | ||
* [http://www.techsearch.cmp.com/blog/archives/2006/07/core_2_duo_imag.html Core 2 Duo Image Gallery] |
Revision as of 20:14, 29 October 2006
For a long time I've wanted a new Mac. Going with a PowerMac G4 400 MHz and a iBook G3 500 MHz doesn't really cut it anymore. I chose the portable route because I already have a nice AMD64 X2 computer and a usable 'home' computer for e-mail and web surfing. A portable fits nicely into that scenario. Portable machines usually isn't that flexible in regard of hardware upgrades and that made my decision to go with the faster 15" MacBook Pro.
Complete specifications
Based on MacBook Pro 15.4" 2.33 GHz model:
Prosessor: | Intel Core 2 Duo T7600 processor, 2.33 GHz, 4 MB shared L2 cache, 65-nm build, 667 MHz front side bus, 34W power (TDP) |
Memory: | Crucial PC2-5300, DDR2, 667 MHz, CL5, 1 GB memory stick 2x |
Harddrive: | Fujitsu MHW2120BH, 120 GB, 5400 RPM, 8 MB cache harddisk drive
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Northbridge: | Intel Mobile 945PM Express Chipset (Diagram)
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Southbridge: | Intel ICH7M |
Optical drive: | Matshita UJ-857D, Slot-loading, 6x DVD-R/DVD+R, 4x DVD+RW/DVD-RW, 2.4x DVD+R DL, 24x CD-R, 10x CD-RW superdrive |
Graphics card: | ATI Radeon Mobility X1600, 256 MB GDDR3 SDRAM, PCI-Express, dual-link DVI support, max 2560 x 1600 pixels resolution, core clock speed 419 MHz, memory clock speed 445-450 MHz |
Display: | 15.4-inch, TFT widescreen, 1440 x 900 pixel native resolution, 16:10 aspect ratio, matte finish, 67% brighter |
Networking: | Intel 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit ethernet |
Networking: | Atheros AR5008 802.11n, 540 Mbit wireless chipset |
Networking: | Bluetooth 2.0+EDR |
Camera: | iSight, 1/4-inch color CCD image sensor, 640 x 480 pixel resolution |
Expansions: | ExpressCard/34 |
I/O ports: | 2x SATA connections, 2x USB 2.0, 1x Firewire 400 via unknown chipset, 1x Firewire 800 via unknown chipset |
Audio: |
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Battery: | Lithium-polymer battery, up to 5 hour on power saving |
Dimensions: |
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Various: |
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Thoughts - Pro/Cons
- I like the thin brezel around the lcd display
- Orange ribboncable exposed in battery bay
- No dual-layer burner support on current 15" MBP, added to new MBP line
Trip 2006-06-26
On the 23th June I traveled to Oslo for a look at the new portable Apple machines. At first sight I thought the scren-size of the MacBook as too small and the look of the MacBook Pro 15-inch was a bit bigger than what I imagined but still like it. I ran a heat test by using to terminal windows with yes >/dev/null for a few minutes and the MacBook Pro almost got to the point where I couldn't hold my fingers under the left portion of the machine. The MacBooks where a bit cooler and I could hear the fan on the black but not on the white model.
MacBook Pro Specs
2006-05-xx
Original specs
- Processor: Intel Core Duo 1.83 Ghz 667 MHz FSB
- Memory: OEM/Samsung 512 MB SODIMM-DDR2 667 MHz PC-5300 CL5
- Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 128 MB
- Harddisk drive: Seagate Momentus 5400.2/Toshiba 80 GB S-ATA 5400 RPM 8 MB Cache
Upgraded specs
- Memory: 2x Crucial SODIMM-DDR2 1024 MB 667 MHz PC-5300 CL5 (Dual-Channel)
- Harddisk drive: Seagate Momentus 7200.1 100 GB S-ATA 7200 RPM 8 MB Cache
2006-06-17
Original specs
- Processor: Intel Core Duo 2 Ghz 667 MHz FSB
- Memory: OEM/Samsung 512 MB SODIMM-DDR2 667 MHz PC-5300 CL5
- Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 128 MB
- Harddisk drive: Seagate Momentus 5400.2/Toshiba 80 GB S-ATA 5400 RPM 8 MB Cache
- Total: NOK 16 990
Upgraded specs
- Memory: 2x Crucial SODIMM-DDR2 1024 MB 667 MHz PC-5300 CL5 (Dual-Channel) - NOK 1550 per stick (Komplett)
- Harddisk drive: Seagate Momentus 7200.1 100 GB S-ATA 7200 RPM 8 MB Cache - NOK 1495 (Netshop
Total including MacBook Pro: NOK 21 585
2006-07-14
Upgraded specs
- Memory: 2x Crucial SODIMM-DDR2 1024 MB 667 MHz PC-5300 CL5 (Dual-Channel) - NOK 1595 per stick (Komplett)
- Harddisk drive: Seagate Momentus 7200.1 100 GB S-ATA 7200 RPM 8 MB Cache - NOK 1395 (Netshop)
Total including MacBook Pro: NOK 21 575
2006-07-29
Intel Merom
It looks like Apple might use the newly introduced Intel Merom mobile CPU in the MacBook Pro machines and hopefully announce it during the august World Developer Conference. The CPU I'm scoring for is probably the low-end T7200 2.0 GHz, or if Apple gives us a good deal, the mid-range T7400 2.16 GHz. More about Merom at endian.net and DailyTech.com.
2006-08-01
Upgraded specs
- Memory: 2x Crucial SODIMM-DDR2 1024 MB 667 MHz PC-5300 CL5 (Dual-Channel) - NOK 1395 per stick (Komplett)
- Harddisk drive: Seagate Momentus 7200.1 100 GB S-ATA 7200 RPM 8 MB Cache - NOK 1395 (Netshop)
Total including MacBook Pro: NOK 21 175
2006-08-29
Upgraded specs
- Memory: 2x Crucial SODIMM-DDR2 1024 MB 667 MHz PC-5300 CL5 (Dual-Channel) - NOK 1099 per stick (Komplett)
- Harddisk drive: Seagate Momentus 7200.1 100 GB S-ATA 7200 RPM 8 MB Cache - NOK 1295 (Komplett)
- MacBook Pro, 2.0 GHz, 512 MB stick, 80 GB 5400 RPM harddrive - NOK 16 999
Total: NOK 20 492
Rumors has it that Apple will announce upgrades for the Macbook Pro line with a Core 2 Duo processor during the Paris Expo in mid-september.
Alt. upgrade
- Memory: 1x Crucial SODIMM-DDR2 1024 MB 667 MHz PC-5300 CL5 (Dual-Channel) - NOK 1099 per stick (Komplett)
- MacBook Pro 2.16 GHz, 1 GB stick, 100 GB 7200 RPM harddrive - NOK 22 310
Total: NOK 23 409 (NOK 2917 over lowest MBP model)
2006-10-25
Yesterday, the 24th, Apple finally announced the Core 2 Duo update for the MacBook Pro line. Typically that day was one of my rare off days, and didn't catch the news before the next day. Anyway, the update is supreme; higher stock cpu speeds, firewire 800 and dual layer wiring on all the machines, minumum 1 GB memory, bigger drives although no option to select a 7200 rpm harddrive, and according to specifications another half an hour extra battery life. This is probably as close to the best portable you can get now. I will probably order one soon, within next week.
I ordered one the same day, with these specs; MBP 15.4", 2.15 GHz Core 2 Duo, 1 GB Memory with another 1 GB stick ready to go, 120 GB 5400 RPM harddrive to be replaced when the new Seagate Momentus 7200.2 perpendicular drives will be available next year. After remebering the next day that I can take advantage of the education section on the Apple Store I cancelled my first order and placed a new order that grants me 8% discount.
2006-10-27
People are starting to get their machine and it looks like all the previous problems with the MPB has been addressed; no whine, no mooing or fan noise, and the cpu temperature is lower. Another nice touch is that Apple included draft-n wireless networking into the machine like they did with the latest iMacs. Getting excited now. :)
Also seems that the lid can be put further back too, from 120 degrees to 135 degrees.
2006-10-28
I decided to cancel the second order and go with the 2.33 GHz, 2 GB, 256 MB VRAM model since I want to future proof (3-6 years at least) and don't want to have the nagging thought later that I could go for the other machine for a few hundred more. And I like to think that I deserve something bold or the best as I've been waiting for the C2D to be introduced, and money is temporary -- confidence is not.
The iSight LED has also got a nice redesign, it's now embedded into the bezel and only visible with light is emitting. And another improvement is wider wenting slots beneath the display to let more heat exit and eliminate any mooing caused by air pressure.
My sites
References
- 15 inch Macbook Pro Developer Note
- Replace termal grease on Macbook Pro
- Macbook Pro Heat Page
- iFixIt Macbook Pro disassemble
- Ars Technica review
- MacBook Pro service manual
- Apple Bootcamp versus Parallels Guide
- MacBook Performance Video
- Mac Rumors
- Macrumors - First C2D MBP reports
- Appleinsider - MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo thread
- MBP C2D Pictures
- MBP C2D answers and benchmarks
- Benefit of 125 MB vs 256 MB VRAM
- GeekPatrol MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo Performance
- New iSight LED
- MacBook Pro Comparison Charts
- Apple Releases Core 2 Duo MBP
- Core 2 Duo Image Gallery