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MacBook Pro Q&A (MacBook Pro FAQ) @ EveryMac.com
With the MacBook Pro Q&A you can get answers to all of your questions about the MacBook Pro models released prior to the introduction of the "Unibody" models on October 14, 2008. Questions range from "How long is the battery life of the MacBook Pro in 'real-world' tests?" to "How do you upgrade the RAM in the MacBook Pro?" and include everything in between.
Please note that the last "pre-Unibody" MacBook Pro was discontinued on January 6, 2009, and this Q&A was "archived" on January 12, 2009. For answers to questions about the subsequently introduced "Unibody" MacBook Pro -- those milled from a single piece of aluminum -- please refer to the Unibody MacBook Pro Q&A. Even newer MacBook Pro models are covered in the TK.
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Most Frequently Asked MacBook Pro Q&As:
How do you upgrade the RAM in the MacBook Pro? How much RAM of what type does it support?
How long is the battery life of the MacBook Pro in "real-world" tests?
What are the differences between the MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo "Early 2008/Penryn" models?
Is there a way to add a Firewire "800" port to the MacBook Pro "Core Duo" 15-Inch systems?
What is the "MagSafe" power connector? How is the MagSafe power connector designed to not cause data loss?
What are the differences between the "Early 2008" MacBook and MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo "Penryn" models?
Is there an EVDO card that is compatible with the MacBook Pro?
What is the MagSafe airline adapter? Does it work with the MacBook Pro and MacBook? Does it work in a car?
What is ExpressCard/34? Is it compatible with PC Cards?
Is there any way to externally cool a MacBook Pro?
Software Compatibility Q&As:
What version of the MacOS is pre-installed on the MacBook Pro?
Can the MacBook Pro run existing MacOS X applications?
Can the MacBook Pro run MacOS 9/Classic applications?
Can the MacBook Pro run Windows?
Can the MacBook Pro run Linux?
Can Intel-based Macs, specifically the MacBook Pro, run Digidesign Pro Tools LE with an Mbox 2?
Comparison Q&As (Early 2008/Penryn - Core 2 Duo):
What are the differences between the MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo "Early 2008/Penryn" models?
What is the difference between the MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo "Early 2008/Penryn" models and the MacBook Pro "Mid-2007/Santa Rosa" models that they replaced?
What are the differences between the "Early 2008" MacBook and MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo "Penryn" models?
How much faster are the MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo "Early 2008/Penryn" models compared to the "Mid-2007/Santa Rosa" models that they replaced?
Comparison Q&As (Mid-2007 - Core 2 Duo):
What are the differences between the MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo "Mid-2007/Santa Rosa" models?
What is the difference between the MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo "Mid-2007/Santa Rosa" models and the MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" models that they replaced?
What are the differences between the "Mid-2007" MacBook and MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo "Santa Rosa" models?
How much faster are the MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo "Mid-2007/Santa Rosa" models compared to the "Core 2 Duo" models that they replaced?
Comparison Q&As (Late 2006 - Core 2 Duo):
What are the differences between the MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" models?
What is the difference between the MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" models and the MacBook Pro models that they replaced?
What are the differences between the MacBook and MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" models?
How much faster are the MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" models compared to the "Core Duo" systems?
How does the MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 15-Inch compare to a similar Windows notebook?
Comparison Q&As (Original - Core Duo):
What are the differences between the MacBook Pro "Core Duo" 15-Inch and the PowerBook G4?
What are the differences between the MacBook Pro "Core Duo" 17-Inch and the PowerBook G4?
What are the differences between the MacBook Pro "Core Duo" 15-Inch and 17-Inch models?
What are the differences between the originally announced and shipped MacBook Pro 15-Inch models?
What are the diferences between the first shipped and "glossy display" MacBook Pro 15-Inch models?
How does the MacBook Pro "Core Duo" 15-Inch compare to a similar Windows notebook?
How does the MacBook Pro "Core Duo" 15-Inch compare to a Lenovo ThinkPad?
How does the MacBook Pro "Core Duo" 17-Inch compare to a similar Windows notebook?
Performance & Function Q&As:
How much faster are the MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo "Early 2008/Penryn" models compared to the "Mid-2007/Santa Rosa" models that they replaced?
How much faster are the MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo "Santa Rosa" models compared to the "Core 2 Duo" models that they replaced?
How much faster are the MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" models compared to the "Core Duo" systems?
How fast is the original MacBook Pro "Core Duo" 15-Inch compared to the PowerBook G4?
How much faster is the MacBook Pro "Core Duo" 2.16 15-Inch compared to the other MacBook Pro "Core Duo" 15-Inch models?
How fast is the MacBook Pro "Core Duo" 17-Inch compared to the MacBook Pro "Core Duo" 15-Inch models?
Does the MacBook Pro have a ROM or BIOS?
What is the "Sudden Motion Sensor" in the MacBook Pro? How does it work?
Is there a way to have a "matte" finish applied to a MacBook Pro with a "glossy" display?
Is there a way to add "two-finger click" to the MacBook Pro 15-Inch, PowerBook G4, or iBook?
With Windows XP on a MacBook Pro, how do you click as if you had a second mouse button? What is the substitute for Ctrl-Alt-Delete?
Battery, Power, & Temperature Q&As:
How long is the battery life of the MacBook Pro in "real-world" tests?
Can I "swap" batteries with the MacBook Pro?
What is the "MagSafe" power connector? How is the MagSafe power connector designed to not cause data loss?
What is the MagSafe airline adapter? Does it work with the MacBook Pro and MacBook? Does it work in a car?
Is there any way to externally cool a MacBook Pro?
Is there software that can monitor the temperature of the Intel-based MacBook or MacBook Pro?
Expansion Q&As:
What kind of expansion slots are provided by the MacBook Pro?
What is ExpressCard/34? Is it compatible with PC Cards?
What is the difference between ExpressCard/34 and ExpressCard/54? Speed?
Is the CPU on the MacBook Pro upgradable? How is it mounted?
How do you upgrade the RAM in the MacBook Pro? How much RAM of what type does it support?
Is the 2 GB maximum RAM capacity for the MacBook Pro "Core Duo" a true limit?
Why are the MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" models limited to 3 GB of memory? If I install dual 2 GB modules, why won't I be able to use 4 GB of RAM?
What type of video processor is provided by the MacBook Pro? Is it upgradable?
Does the MacBook Pro support monitor mirroring? Dual displays?
Are there any adapters or "hacks" that make it possible to connect a second external display to a MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air model?
What is the maximum resolution for an external display? Does the MacBook Pro operate properly while "closed"?
What are the capabilities of the optical drive provided by the MacBook Pro models? Which can read and write dual-layer DVDs?
Storage, Peripherals, & File Transfer Q&As:
How can I transfer files from my old Mac to the MacBook Pro?
What removable storage is available for the MacBook Pro?
Are ExpressCard/34 media card readers available for the MacBook Pro?
Can the MacBook Pro boot from an external Firewire or USB drive?
Is there a way to add a Firewire "800" port to the MacBook Pro "Core Duo" 15-Inch systems?
Is an external SATA adapter available for the MacBook Pro?
What printers and scanners are compatible with the MacBook Pro?
Networking & Communication Q&As:
How do I network the MacBook Pro to another Mac?
What is AirPort? What is AirPort Extreme?
Does the MacBook Pro support 802.11a?
What is the difference between 802.11a and 802.11g (AirPort Extreme)?
Does the MacBook Pro support 802.11n?
What is is 802.11n? How is it different from 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11a?
What type of modem comes with the MacBook Pro?
Is there an EVDO card that is compatible with the MacBook Pro?
Design, Configuration, & Purchasing Q&As:
Who designed the MacBook Pro?
Where can I buy a pre-Unibody MacBook Pro?
What were the default configurations?
Were custom configurations available?
What are the "pros and cons" of the MacBook Pro? Is it right for my needs?
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