MacBook Pro

MACBOOK LAPTOP

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.

The MacBook Pro, last revised on June 5, 2007, is available in three standard configurations. Added were slightly updated processors: The 15.4-inch model comes in 2.2 GHz (US$1999), 2.4 GHz (US$2499), 2.6 GHz (US$2749) configurations while the 17-inch model comes with a 2.4 GHz (US$2799) processor, or (US$3049) with the 2.6 GHz option. 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. Although it is not highlighted on Apple's website, the 15.4 inch models now come standard with a new LED backlight system, which supposedly are brighter and create more natural blacks than standard LCD lamps. They also use less power and are less subject to the "fading" that can occur with traditional lamps. In addition, they contain no mercury, a benefit for the environment.

All three configurations feature an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, a 120 GB (5400 RPM), 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); an Intel Mobile PM965 Express chipset; 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 (via TOSLINK cable, not included) 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 v10.5, bundled with the machine is an Apple Remote for use with the laptop, with Front Row, Photo Booth, and iLife '08. 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).

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 features an upgraded 800 MHz front side bus speed, as well as faster Merom processors.

info : wikipedia