Hosted by site sponsor WebMate.
White & Black MacBook Q&A - Published November 14, 2006
To be notified of new Q&As, sign up for EveryMac.com's bimonthly email list.
What are the differences between the "Late 2006" MacBook and MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo models?
Please note that all systems mentioned in this Q&A have been discontinued.
There are a number of substantial differences between the "Late 2006" MacBook and the MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo models.
Photo Credit: Apple Computer
Upon first glace the similarities may not be immediately obvious, as the "Late 2006" MacBook Core 2 Duo models use "bright white" or "sleek black" polycarbonate cases with 13.3-inch "glossy" widescreen displays with a 1280x800 native resolution, and weigh 5.2 pounds. The MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" models, on the other hand, use silver-colored aluminum cases with 15.4-inch or 17.0-inch "matte" or "glossy" widescreen displays with either 1440x900 or 1680x1050 native resolution, respectively. The 15.4-inch MacBook Pro models weigh 5.6 pounds and the 17.0-inch models weigh 6.8 pounds.
Apart from size and color, there are a number of external similarities. Both the "Late 2006" MacBook and MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo models have "scrolling TrackPads" that allow one to scroll or pan by touching the trackpad with two fingers instead of one and "two-finger click" capability -- which allows one to place two fingers on the trackpad and click with the thumb -- and the notebook interprets this action as the same as a "control-click.
All MacBook and MacBook Pro models also have built-in iSight video cameras for easy videoconferencing, included Apple Remotes for use with Apple Front Row media organization software, and the clever "MagSafe" power connector. The MacBook lacks the fiber-optic-based "ambient light sensors" that automatically "measure ambient light and work with integrated software to adjust keyboard illumination and screen brightness based on user preferences" of the MacBook Pro models, but does have a unique "flush against the bed" keyboard design and a unique magnetic latch that "catches without a catch".
Connectivity is similar, as both the MacBook and MacBook Pro 15-Inch "Core 2 Duo" models have AirPort Extreme (802.11g), Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, Gigabit Ethernet, two USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire "400" port, and optical digital audio in/out. The MacBook, however, substitutes a mini-DVI out port for the DVI out provided by the MacBook Pro, and lacks the ExpressCard/34 expansion slot and the Firewire "800" port provided by the MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" models. The 17" MacBook Pro models have a third USB 2.0 port as well. No Intel-based Macs have an internal modem.
There are some important internal differences between the "Late 2006" MacBook and MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo models. All have "Core 2 Duo" processors -- with two independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip -- and support 667 MHz PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM. The entry-level MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 1.83 13-Inch only has 2 MB of shared "on chip" level 2 cache, but all other MacBook and MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" models have 4 MB of level two cache.
The most notable difference between the "Late 2006" MacBook and MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo models is perhaps that the MacBook systems include "integrated graphics" -- "the Intel GMA 950 graphics processor with 64MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with main memory" -- whereas the MacBook Pro models all include the substantially faster ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics processor with either 128 MB or 256 MB of dedicated GDDR3 SDRAM. The MacBook systems support an external display up to 1920x1200 pixels, and the MacBook Pro models have dual-link DVI and consequently can support an external display up to 2560x1600 pixels.
Configuration is similar, but the MacBook Pro models shipped by default with faster processors and generally larger and faster hard drives (Serial ATA for the MacBook and Serial ATA/100 for the MacBook Pro). Both systems include "Sudden Motion Sensor" technology that stops the hard drive heads from moving if the notebook is dropped. All "Late 2006" MacBook and MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo models are capable of writing dual-layer DVD media with the exception of the entry-level MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 1.83 13-Inch which is not capable of writing DVDs at all. It is capable of writing to CD-R(W) though.
Ultimately, the most notable differences between the "Late 2006" MacBook and MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo models are that the consumer-targeted MacBook models are smaller and lighter with 13" displays, come in white and black cases instead of silver aluminum ones, have slower processors, substantially slower "dedicated graphics" with inferior external display support, can support less memory, lack ExpressCard/34 and Firewire "800", but provide longer battery life and cost less.
These differences are summarized in this handy chart for your convenience:
| "Late 2006" | MacBook | MacBook Pro 15" | MacBook Pro 17" |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor Speeds: | 1.83-2.0 GHz | 2.16-2.33 GHz | 2.33 GHz |
| Video System: | Intel GMA 950 | Radeon X1600* | Radeon X1600* |
| Video Type: | Integrated | Dedicated (GDDR3) | Dedicated (GDDR3) |
| Video Memory: | 64 MB† | 128 MB, 256 MB | 256 MB |
| Display Size: | 13.3" | 15.4" | 17.0" |
| Native Resolution: | 1280x800 | 1440x900 | 1680x1050 |
| Ext. Display: | 1920x1200 | 2560x1600 | 2560x1600 |
| Hard Drive Size: | 60, 80, 120 GB | 120 GB | 160 GB |
| Hard Drive Type: | Serial ATA | Serial ATA/100 | Serial ATA/100 |
| Default Memory: | 512 MB, 1 GB | 1, 2 GB | 2 GB |
| Max Memory: | 2 GB | 3 GB | 3 GB |
| ExpressCard/34: | No | Yes (1) | Yes (1) |
| Firewire 800: | No | Yes (1) | Yes (1) |
| Ambient KB: | No | Yes | Yes |
| Case Color: | White or Black | Silver | Silver |
| Size (Inches): | 1.08 x 12.78 x 8.92 | 1.0 x 14.1 x 9.6 | 1.0 x 15.4 x 10.4 |
| Weight: | 5.2 lbs (2.36 kg) | 5.6 lbs. (2.54 kg) | 6.8 lbs. (3.1 kg) |
| Max Battery Life: | 6 Hours†† | 5 Hours†† | 5.5 Hours†† |
| Intro Price: | US$1099 | US$1999 | US$2799 |
You might also be interested in a side-by-side comparison between the "high end" MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.0 13-Inch (Black) and "low end" MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.16 15-Inch:
| Core 2 Duo | MacBook 2.0 13" Black | MacBook Pro 2.16 15" |
|---|---|---|
| Intel Processor: | T7200 | T7400 |
| Processor Speed: | 2.0 GHz | 2.16 GHz |
| Video System: | Intel GMA 950 | ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 |
| Video Type: | Integrated | Dedicated (GDDR3) |
| Video Memory: | 64 MB† | 128 MB |
| Display Size: | 13.3" Widescreen | 15.4" Widescreen |
| Native Resolution: | 1280x800 | 1440x900 |
| Ext. Display Support: | 1920x1200 | 2560x1600 |
| Hard Drive Size: | 120 GB | 120 GB |
| Hard Drive Type: | Serial ATA | Serial ATA/100 |
| Default Memory: | 1 GB | 1 GB |
| Max Memory: | 2 GB | 3 GB |
| ExpressCard/34: | No | Yes (1) |
| Firewire 800: | No | Yes (1) |
| Ambient Keyboard: | No | Yes |
| Case Color: | Black | Silver |
| Size (In Inches): | 1.08 x 12.78 x 8.92 | 1.0 x 14.1 x 9.6 |
| Weight: | 5.2 lbs (2.36 kg) | 5.6 lbs. (2.54 kg) |
| Max Battery Life: | 6 Hours†† | 5 Hours†† |
| Apple Part No: | MA701LL/A | MA609LL |
| Price: | US$1499 | US$1999 |
*ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 video system.
†64 MB of "video memory" is "borrowed" from system memory.
††Maximum battery life as provided by Apple.
Also see:
- What are the differences between the "Late 2006" MacBook Core 2 Duo models?
- What are the differences between the "Late 2006" MacBook Core 2 Duo models and the original MacBook notebooks that they replaced?
- What are the differences between the "Late 2006" MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo models?
Please refer to the Ultimate Mac Comparison feature to dynamically compare any MacBook model to any other G3 or later Mac.
Permalink | Report an Error/Typo | Sign Up for Site Update Notices
<< White & Black MacBook Q&A (Main)
Established in 1996, EveryMac.com has been created by experts with decades of experience with Apple hardware. EveryMac.com includes, and always has included, original research incorporating detailed, hands-on inspection of packaging, computers, and devices as well as extensive real-world use. All information is provided in good faith, but no website or person is perfect. Accordingly, EveryMac.com is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind whatsoever. EveryMac.com, and the authors thereof, shall not be held responsible or liable, under any circumstances, for any damages resulting from the use or inability to use the information within. For complete disclaimer and copyright information please read and understand the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy before using EveryMac.com. Copying, scraping, or use of any content without expressed permission is not allowed, although links to any page are welcomed and appreciated.