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MacBook Pro Q&A - Revised June 7, 2007
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What are the differences between the MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" models?
Please note that the "Late 2006" MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" models were replaced by the "Mid-2007" MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo "Santa Rosa" series on June 5, 2007.
The 15-Inch and 17-Inch MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" models share identical housings with the MacBook Pro "Core Duo" systems before them.
Photo Credit: Apple Computer
All of the MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" models -- the MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.16 15-Inch, 2.33 15-Inch, and 2.33 17-Inch -- have Intel "Core 2 Duo" processors -- with two independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip and a shared 4 MB level 2 cache. The "Core 2 Duo" processors are pin-compatible with the previously released "Core Duo" processors, and likewise, the MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" models also feature a 667 MHz frontside system bus. However, the "Core 2 Duo" models support a maximum of 3 GB of 667 MHz PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM (SO-DIMM), compared to 2 GB of memory in the models replaced.
The 15-Inch MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" systems have much of the same connectivity as the replaced models -- AirPort Extreme (although the "Core 2 Duo" systems also support 802.11n after a firmware update), Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, Gigabit Ethernet, two USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire "400" port, optical digital audio in/out, DVI out, and ExpressCard/34. However, much to the delight of videographers, the 15-Inch models now include a single Firewire "800" port as well. The 17-Inch model shares the same ports as its predecessor -- which include all the ports of the 15-Inch "Core 2 Duo" model -- as well as a third USB 2.0 port (both 17-Inch models have a Firewire "800" port). Each system also includes an integrated iSight video camera and, by default, a 5400 RPM hard drive.
Another welcome addition to the 15-Inch MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" models is that each comes standard with a 6X dual-layer "SuperDrive", compared to the single-layer SuperDrive in the original MacBook Pro 15-Inch models. The original 17-Inch, and "Core 2 Duo" 17-Inch model both have dual-layer "SuperDrives".
The MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" models use the same graphics processors as the replaced models as well -- an ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 128 MB of GDDR3 SDRAM for the entry-level 2.16 15-Inch model and the same for the 2.33 15-Inch and 2.33 17-Inch, but with 256 MB of memory.
All differences between the standard configurations of the systems are summarized in this handy chart:
| MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" | 2.16 15.4" | 2.33 15.4" | 2.33 17.0" |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Processor: | T7400 | T7600 | T7600 |
| Processor Speed: | 2.16 GHz | 2.33 GHz | 2.33 GHz |
| Hard Drive Size: | 120 GB† | 120 GB† | 160 GB† |
| Standard RAM: | 1 GB* | 2 GB* | 2 GB* |
| Video Memory: | 128 MB | 256 MB | 256 MB |
| Dual-Layer SuperDrive: | 6X | 6X | 8X |
| USB 2.0 Ports: | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Display Size: | 15-Inch | 15-Inch | 17-Inch |
| Native Resolution: | 1440x900 | 1440x900 | 1680x1050 |
| Apple Part No: | MA609LL | MA610LL | MA611LL/A |
| Price: | US$1999 | US$2499 | US$2799 |
†Additionally, the 15-Inch models can be configured with a 160 GB 5400 RPM or a 200 GB 4200 RPM drive, and the 17-Inch model can be configured with a 100 GB 7200 RPM or 200 GB 4200 RPM drive.
*The MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.16 15-Inch shipped with a single 1 GB memory module and one slot free. The remaining configurations shipped with both slots populated with a 1 GB module.
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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