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MacBook Pro Q&A - Revised June 17, 2006
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Does the MacBook Pro have a ROM or BIOS?
The MacBook Pro systems use Intel's Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) rather than the traditional Macintosh ROM or PC BIOS.
What is the "Sudden Motion Sensor" in the MacBook Pro? How does it work?
The Apple "Sudden Motion Sensor", first introduced with the discontinued PowerBook G4/1.5 15" (SMS/BT2), PowerBook G4/1.67 15", and PowerBook G4/1.67 17" and included with the MacBook Pro models, is a tri-axis accelerometer that detects sudden changes in "position and accelerated movement".
In the event that one of these systems are dropped or fall off a desk, the Sudden Motion Sensor reacts by stopping the movement of the hard drive heads so that the disk platters won't be scratched when the notebook impacts the floor. This makes it less likely that the hard drive will be damaged.
For more information on the Sudden Motion Sensor, please refer to "About the Sudden Motion Sensor" and "Sudden Motion Sensor: Advanced Tips" from the Apple Support Site.
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