MacBook Pro

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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
  • To be upgraded to Seagate Momentus 7200.2, 7200 RPM, 256 MB flash cache when avaiable in 2007
Northbridge: Intel Mobile 945PM Express Chipset (Diagram)
  • PCI Express 16x for graphics
  • 533/667 MHz front side bus
  • DDR2 SO-DIMM 667 MHz Dual Channel memory bus
  • 4x DMI interconnect
Southbridge: Intel 82801
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, core clock speed 419 MHz, memory clock speed 445-450 MHz
Display: 15.4-inch, TFT widescreen, 1440 x 900 pixel resolution, 16:10 aspect ratio, matte finish, 67% brighter
Networking: Intel GbE 10/100/1000 Mbit 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:
  • Intel HD Audio/AC97
  • Combined optical-digital input and analog audio line-in
  • Combined optical-digital output and analog headphone-out
  • Stereo speakers built-in
  • Internal microphone
Battery: Lithium-polymer battery, 5 hour use with maximum power saving
Dimensions:
  • WxHxD: 14.1 inches (35.7 cm) x 1.0 inch (2.59 cm) x 9.6 inches (24.3 cm)
  • Weight: 5.6 pounds (2.54 kg)
Various:
  • Backlit keyboard with ambient light sensor
  • Bundled 6-button Apple Remote
  • Bundled Mac OS X 10.4.8 and iLife '06 suite, Front Row, and Photo Booth

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

Total including MacBook Pro: NOK 21 175

2006-08-29

Upgraded specs

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

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.

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References

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