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MacBook Pro Q&A - Published March 4, 2008
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What are the differences between the MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo "Early 2008/Penryn" models?
Please note that the MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo "Early 2008/Penryn" line has been discontinued. The 15-Inch models were replaced by the 15-Inch "Late 2008/Unibody" MacBook Pro models and the 17-Inch model was replaced by the 17-Inch "Early 2009/Unibody" MacBook Pro.
The 15-Inch and 17-Inch MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo "Early 2008/Penryn" models share identical housings with all previously released MacBook Pro models.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc.
All of the MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo "Early 2008/Penryn" models -- the MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.4 15" (2008), "Core 2 Duo" 2.5 15" (2008), and "Core 2 Duo" 2.5 17" (2008) -- feature an energy-efficient 45 nm "Penryn" Intel "Core 2 Duo" processor -- with two independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip and a shared 3 MB or 6 MB level 2 cache. Each also has an 800 MHz frontside system bus, support for 4 GB of of 667 MHz PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM (SO-DIMM) memory, NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics, and an 8X dual-layer "SuperDrive".
The 15-Inch models each have an antiglare LED-backlit 15.4" widescreen 1440x900 active-matrix display (a glossy display is available via build-to-order), and the 17-Inch model has an antiglare CCFL-backlit 17" widescreen 1680x1050 active-matrix display (a glossy display is available via build-to-order at no extra cost, and a higher resolution LED-backlit 1920x1200 display also is available for an extra US$100).
The "Early 2008/Penryn" MacBook Pro models share a revised keyboard design -- it eliminates the "embedded numeric keypad" provided by previous models, replaces the "enter" key next to the right-hand "command" key with a second option key, and has different function key mapping -- and unveil a new trackpad "borrowed" from the MacBook Air -- which adds support for "multi-touch gesturing" (two finger scroll, pinch, rotate, swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag).
Connectivity is effectively the same as the previous "Mid-2007/Santa Rosa" models with AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), Gigabit Ethernet, two USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire "400" port, a Firewire "800" port, optical digital audio in/out, DVI out, and ExpressCard/34 (although Bluetooth has been upgraded to the 2.1+EDR standard). The 17-Inch model shares the same ports as its predecessor -- which include all the ports of the 15-Inch models -- as well as a third USB 2.0 port. Each system also includes an integrated iSight video camera and, by default, a 5400 RPM hard drive.
All differences between the standard configurations of the "Early 2008/Penryn" systems are summarized in this handy chart:
| MacBook Pro Early 2008 "Penryn" | 2.4 15.4" | 2.5 15.4" | 2.5 17.0" |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Processor: | T8300 | T9300 | T9300 |
| Processor Speed: | 2.4 GHz | 2.5 GHz | 2.5 GHz |
| Level 2 Cache: | 3 MB | 6 MB | 6 MB |
| Hard Drive Size: | 200 GB† | 250 GB† | 250 GB† |
| Standard RAM: | 2 GB* | 2 GB* | 2 GB* |
| Video Memory: | 256 MB | 512 MB | 512 MB |
| Dual-Layer SuperDrive: | 8X | 8X | 8X |
| USB 2.0 Ports: | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Display Size: | 15-Inch | 15-Inch | 17-Inch |
| Native Resolution: | 1440x900 | 1440x900 | 1680x1050§ |
| LED-Backlit: | Yes | Yes | No§ |
| Apple Part No: | MB133LL/A | MB134LL/A | MB166LL/A |
| Price: | US$1999 | US$2499 | US$2799 |
† 250 GB (5400 RPM) or 200 GB (7200 RPM) hard drives are available either standard or by custom configuration depending on the model.
* Installed as two 1 GB models by default. Maximum capacity of 4 GB.
§ LED-backlit 1920x1200 17-inch display also available by custom-configuration.
Please refer to the Ultimate Mac Comparison feature to dynamically compare any MacBook Pro model to any other G3 or later Mac.
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