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MacBook Pro Q&A - Updated November 19, 2006
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What are the differences between the originally announced and shipped MacBook Pro 15-Inch models?
Please note that all systems mentioned in this Q&A have been discontinued. The MacBook Pro "Core Duo" models were replaced by the "Late 2006" MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" series on October 24, 2006.
On January 10, 2006, Apple introduced the MacBook Pro "Core Duo" 1.67 15-Inch and MacBook Pro "Core Duo" 1.83 15-Inch, with 1.67 GHz and 1.83 GHz Intel "Core Duo" processors, respectively.
On February 14, 2006, Apple issued a press release noting that the company would begin shipping the MacBook Pro. In addition to the ship date, which was not previously as precise, Apple also stated that:
All models of the new MacBook Pro will ship with faster Intel Core Duo processors than previously announced, delivering even greater performance at no additional cost. The US$2,499 model now includes a 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo processor, up from the previously announced 1.83 GHz, and will begin shipping this week. The US$1,999 model now includes a 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo processor, up from the previously announced 1.67 GHz, and will begin shipping next week. In addition, customers may now upgrade to a 2.16 GHz Intel Core Duo processor as a build-to-order option on the Apple Online Store [or from an Apple Authorized Reseller].
"We are incredibly excited to start shipping the MacBook Pro, a groundbreaking new notebook with dual-processor desktop performance in a thin, sleek design," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "The new MacBook Pro includes even faster Intel Core Duo processors than originally announced, up to 2.16 GHz, and we think customers are going to love them."
In a nutshell, the configuration used by the "low-end" MacBook Pro "Core Duo" 1.67 15-Inch would have a 1.83 GHz processor, but with no other changes, and the configuration used by the originally "high-end" MacBook Pro "Core Duo" 1.83 15-Inch would have a 2.0 GHz processor and become the "mid-range" configuration, but otherwise remain the same. The newly introduced MacBook Pro "Core Duo" 2.16 15-Inch became the "high-end" option.
Interestingly, this change added the MacBook Pro "Core Duo" 1.67 15-Inch to the short list of MacOS systems that were announced but never shipped, like the Motorola StarMax Pro 6000/266 and PowerComputing PowerTower Pro G3 275, among others.
Please refer to the Ultimate Mac Comparison feature to dynamically compare any MacBook Pro model to any other G3 or later Mac.
What are the differences between the first shipped and "glossy display" MacBook Pro 15-Inch models?
On May 16, 2006, to correspond with the introduction of the "non-Pro" MacBook, Apple again "boosted" the configuration provided by the MacBook Pro "Core Duo" 1.83 15-Inch to have a 2.0 GHz processor with no other changes.
From a "historical" standpoint, it looks as if Apple reduced the RAM, hard drive size, and video card of the MacBook Pro "Core Duo" 2.0 15-Inch and reduced the price by US$500, which effectively is the same. Apple also made the MacBook Pro "Core Duo" 2.16 15-Inch that was originally promoted as "build-to-order" a standard configuration.
Annoyingly, it also is important to note that Apple refers to the second configuration of the MacBook Pro "Core Duo" 2.0 15-Inch (MA600LL) and the "non-BTO" MacBook Pro "Core Duo" 2.16 15-Inch (MA601LL) as the "glossy display" models, as a glossy display became available as an option, but despite the name, a glossy display was not the standard 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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