MacBooks

15″ MacBook Pro (Core 2)

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LEM's Tiger Group is for those using Mac OS X 10.4.
LEM's Leopard Group is for those using Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6.

Overview

On October 24, 2006, Apple moved the MacBook Pro line to Intel's newer Core 2 Duo CPU, claiming "up to 39% faster" performance than the model it replaced. Part of that comes from the more efficient CPU, and part from an 8% faster CPU.

The 15" MacBook Pro gains FireWire 800, an unfortunate ommission in the original 15" MacBook Pro. Memory has been doubled to 1 GB standard on the 2.16 GHz model and 2 GB on the 2.33 GHz one, and the memory ceiling is now 3 GB, up from 2 GB in the earlier MacBook Pro. Also, a 120 GB 5400 rpm hard drive is standard, with 160 GB and 200 GB options.

The new MacBook Pro (Core 2) looks almost exactly like the earlier 15" MacBook Pro, but the FireWire 800 port is the clue that you're looking at the newer model. One more change is moving from a 4x SuperDrive that couldn't burn dual-layer DVDs to a 6x one with dual-layer support.

Note that the built-in display is only capable of 18-bit color, not the full 24-bit color you might expect.

Intel-based Macs use a new partitioning scheme known as GPT. Macintel models can only boot from GPT hard drives; APM (Apple's old partitioning scheme) hard drives cannot be used to boot them. Further, Power PC Macs running any version of the Mac OS prior to 10.4.2 cannot mount GPT volumes.

On the plus side, Macintel models are the only Macs that can boot OS X from a USB hard drive. That should make a lot of Mac users happy, although it may be the beginning of the end for external drives with dual FireWire 400/USB 2.0 support.

Battery life is comparable to the 15" PowerBook G4.

Closed Lid Mode: All Intel 'Books support "lid closed" (or clamshell) mode, which leaves the built-in display off and dedicates all video RAM to an external display. To used closed lid mode, your 'Book must be plugged into the AC adapter and connected to an external display and a USB or Bluetooth mouse and keyboard (you might also want to consider external speakers). Power up your 'Book until the desktop appears on the external display and then close the lid. Your 'Book will go to sleep, but you can wake it by moving the mouse or using the keyboard. The built-in display will remain off, and the external monitor will become your only display. Since all video RAM is now dedicated to the external monitor, you may have more colors available at higher resolutions. The TiBook is designed to run safely in closed lid mode, but if yours runs hot (perhaps due to overclocking or high ambient temperatures), you may want to open the lid when in closed lid mode: The screen will remain off and the computer will more readily vent heat from the CPU.

To resume use of the internal display, you need to disconnect the external display, put the computer to sleep, and then open the lid. This will wake up your 'Book and restore use of the built-in display.

Details

introduced 2006.10.24 at US$1,999 (2.16 GHz) and US$2,499 (2.33 GHz); replaced by LED Backlit model 2007.06.05.
Part no.: MA609 (2.16 GHz), MA610 (2.33 GHz)

Mac OS

requires Mac OS X 10.4.8 to 10.7 Lion, not compatible with 10.8 Mountain Lion
Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard compatibility

Grand Central Dispatch is supported.
64-bit operation is supported.
OpenCL is not supported with the Mobility Radeon X1600 GPU.

Core System

CPU: 2.16/2.33 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (Merom), soldered in place, no upgrade options
bus: 667 MHz
performance:

Geekbench 2 (Leopard): 2869 (2.33 GHz), 2689 (2.16 GHz)
Geekbench 2 (Tiger): 2975 (2.33 GHz), 2781 (2.16 GHz)

RAM: 1 GB on low-end model, 2 GB on high-end model, expandable to 3 GB using PC2-5300 DDR2 RAM
Level 2 cache: 4 MB shared cache on CPU

Video

GPU: ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 on PCI Express with dual-link DVI support
VRAM: 128 MB on 2.16 GHz model, 256 MB on 2.33 GHz model.
Video out: DVI connector (VGA supported with included adapter; S-video and composite video supported with optional adapters)
display: 15.4" (38 cm) 16-bit 1440 x 900 110 ppi color active matrix
supports 1280 x 800, 1152 x 720, 1024 x 768, 1024 x 640, 800 x 600, 720 x 480, and 640 x 480 pixels at 16:10 aspect ratio; 1024 x 768, 800 x 600, and 640 x 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio; 720 x 480 at 3:2 aspect ratio
allows mirroring to external display or extended desktop mode

Drives

hard drive: 120 GB 5400 rpm Serial ATA standard, optional 160 GB 5400 rpm and and 200 GB 4200 rpm drives
optical drive: 6x dual-layer SuperDrive writes DVD±R at up to 6x, DVD±RW at up to 4x; reads DVDs at 8x (double-layer at 6x), writes CD-R at 24x, writes CD-RW at 10x, reads CDs at 24x

Expansion

USB: 2 USB 2.0 ports, one on each side
FireWire 400: 1 port
FireWire 800: 1 port
ethernet: 10/100/gigabit
WiFi: 802.11g AirPort Extreme built in
modem: optional v.92 56k external USB modem
Bluetooth: BT 2.0 built in
IR receiver: supports Apple Remote
ExpressCard/34: 1 slot
expansions bays: none
WiFi: 802.11g AirPort Extreme built in
Bluetooth: BT 2.0 built in
ExpressCard/34: 1 slot

Physical

size: 9.6 x 14.1 x 1.0" (259 x 357 x 25.9 mm)
weight: 5.6 pounds (2.54 kg)
battery: 60 watt-hour lithium-polymer
AC adapter: 85W MagSafe

Online Resources

Best online 15" MacBook Pro deals, updated biweekly.
Best Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6 deals. Best online prices for Leopard and Snow Leopard.
Best Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger deals. Best online prices for Mac OS X 10.4.
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Mac notebook value for the college student, Charles Moore, 'Book Value, 2009.08.20. "...Apple 'Books represent the best long-term value for money spent, not to mention user experience...."
MacBook Pro a revelation, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2010.02.08. After using G4 Macs for over a decade, spending a weekend prepping a first generation MacBook Pro was a real eye opener.
5 best sub-$1,000 Mac notebooks for gamers, Dan Bashur, Apple, Tech, and Gaming, 2009.09.25. Good Mac 'Books for gaming start below $300 and cover the G3, G4, and Intel eras.
Protect your notebook against loss, theft, data loss, and security breaches, Charles Moore, 'Book Value, 2009.08.25. 10 percent of laptops are lost or stolen every year. Tips on preventing theft, securing your data, and recovering from a lost, stolen, or broken notebook.
The 64-bitness of Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2009.08.19. Although Apple is promoting Snow Leopard as a fully 64-bit operating system, it defaults to running in 32-bit mode.
The road ahead: 64-bit computing, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2009.08.19. Personal computers started with 8-bit CPUs, Macs started out with a 24-bit operating system, and 32-bit computing is starting to give way to 64 bits.
OS X 10.6 requirements, why Apple owns the high end, when to upgrade your Mac, and more, Mac News Review, 2009.08.14. Also Microsoft Word patent infringement, BackPack shelf for iMac and Cinema Displays, two updated Bible study programs, and more.
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Intel's promise fulfilled: More processing power per processor cycle, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2009.06.30. Apple promised improved CPU efficiencies when it announced the move to Intel in 2005. Three years of MacBooks show the progress.
Low End Mac's Safe Sleep FAQ, Dan Knight, Online Tech Journal, 2009.06.15. What is Safe Sleep mode? Which Macs support it? How can you enable or disable it? And more.
The 'Safe Sleep' mailbag, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2009.06.15. Safe Sleep mode is enabled by default on modern MacBooks. How it works, and how to change how it works.
MacBook White updated, DIY Mac tablet, danger of 'Safe Sleep', $350 80 GB SSD kit, and more, The 'Book Review, 2009.05.29. Also Apple tablet 'confirmed', 3G and lower cost MacBook Air models rumored, 500 GB bus powered hard drive, Mini DisplayPort adapters, bargain 'Books from $179 to $2,299, and more.
Mac 'Book power management adventures, Charles Moore, 'Book Value, 2009.05.19. If your 'Book won't power up, shuts down while your working, or has other power issues, resetting its internal power manager may clear things up.
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Leaving Linux for a MacBook Pro, Brian Gray, Fruitful Editing, 2009.04.03. Running the $550 HP notebook with Linux just didn't satisfy, and a good deal on a first generation MacBook Pro made coming back easy.
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Unbuntu Linux and Boot camp make it easy to create a triple boot Mac, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2008.12.24. Boot Camp makes it easy to install Windows on Intel Macs, and Ubuntu now makes it easy to install Linux to a virtual Windows drive.
Notebooks and blackouts, Charles Moore, 'Book Value, 2008.12.23. When the power goes out, a notebook computer with long-lasting batteries lets you keep working for hours and hours.
The 'better safe than sorry' guide to installing Mac OS X updates, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.12.16. Most users encounter no problems using Software Update, but some preflight work and using the Combo updater means far less chance of trouble.
Why you should partition your Mac's hard drive, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.12.11. "At the very least, it makes sense to have a second partition with a bootable version of the Mac OS, so if you have problems with your work partition, you can boot from the 'emergency' partition to run Disk Utility and other diagnostics."
MacBook slowdown without battery, DisplayPort and DRM, 256 GB SSD, MagSafe solutions, and more, The 'Book Review, 2008.11.26. Also Mac netbook prospects, laptop cooling table with 2 fans, solar notebook bag, hard shell cases for unibody 'Books, bargain 'Books from $500 to $2,299, and more.
Software to keep your MacBook cool, Phil Herlihy, The Usefulness Equation, 2008.11.25. Heat is the enemy of long hardware life. Two programs to keep your MacBook running cooler.
Virtualization shootout: VMWare Fusion 2 vs. Parallels Desktop 4, Kev Kitchens, Kitchens Sync, 2008.11.20. Both programs do the same thing, but one runs Windows XP smoothly alongside Mac apps, while the other bogs down everything but Windows.
How to clone Mac OS X to a new hard drive, Simon Royal, Mac Spectrum, 2008.10.07. Whether you want to put a bigger, faster drive in your Mac or clone OS X for use in another Mac, here's the simple process.
CodeWeavers brings Google's Chrome browser to Intel Macs, Alan Zisman, Zis Mac, 2008.10.02. Google's new Chrome browser uses separate processes for each tab and brings other changes to Windows users. Now Mac fans can try it as well.
Apple trumps Microsoft in making the 64-bit transition transparent to users, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 2008.09.18. To use more than 4 GB of RAM under Windows, you need a 64-bit PC and the 64-bit version of Windows. On the Mac, OS X 10.4 and later already support it.
SATA, SATA II, SATA 600, and Product Confusion Fatigue, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 2008.09.08. In addition to the original SATA specification and the current 3 Gb/s specification, SATA revision 3.0 is just around the corner.
Does running OS X system maintenance routines really do any good?, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.08.26. Mac OS X is designed to run certain maintenance routines daily, weekly, and monthly - but can't if your Mac is off or asleep.
MagSafe out of warranty replacement, Nvidia Flaw Affecting Macs, MacBook Air revision soon, and more, The 'Book Review, 2008.08.22. Also 160 GB microdrive from Intel, MacBooks on grocer's shelves, Intel future CPU plans, a checkpoint friendly notebook case, bargain 'Books from $220 to $2,699, and more.
Tricking out your notebook for superior desktop duty, Charles Moore, 'Book Value, 2008.07.29. For desktop use, you don't need to be limited by the built-in trackpad, keyboard, and display or a notebook's compromised ergonomics.
The compressed air keyboard repair, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.07.24. If your keyboard isn't working as well as it once did, blasting under the keys with compressed air may be the cure.
Free VirtualBox for Mac now a virtual contender, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2008.07.21. A year ago, the Mac version of VirtualBox lacked some essential features. Over the past year, it's grown into a very useful tool.
SSD prices to dive, MacBook heat, solid state drives for MacBook and MacBook Pro, and more, The 'Book Review, 2008.06.09. Also Scorpio 7200 rpm 300 GB notebook drive, USB 2.0/FireWire Blu-ray drive, Acer's tiny, low-cost Linux laptop, bargain 'Books from $180 to $2,699, and more.
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SheepShaver brings Classic Mac OS to Intel Macs and Leopard, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2008.05.20. Mac OS X 10.5 doesn't support Classic Mode. Neither does Leopard. But SheepShaver lets you emulate a PowerPC Mac and run the Classic Mac OS.
Windows on Macs: Three paths for integration, Jason Packer, Macs in the Enterprise, 2008.05.14. Mac users have three routes for running Windows apps: Run Windows using Boot Camp or virtualization, or use a compatibility layer such as WINE.
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Millions vs. thousands of colors: What's the difference?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.04.07. Once again Apple is being sued over a Mac that can display 'only' 262,144 colors per pixel, not the millions it claims. Does it realy matter?
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Solid state drive vs. hard drive in MacBook Air, Mac drivers for Atheros WiFi cards, and more, The 'Book Review, 2008.02.08. Also MacBook Air reviewed, Intel offers new CPU to all, MacBook Pro update imminent, MBA teardown, 8x SuperDrive for MacBooks, bargain 'Books from $180 to $2,599, and more.
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We need more than 2 USB ports in MacBooks, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.01.14. There's something wrong when you can't plug a flash drive, mouse, and printer into a notebook computer at the same time.
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External $100 Sony DVD burner likes Macs, Brian Gray, Fruitful Editing, 2007.10.10. The box and manual say nothing about Mac compatibility, but this 18x USB 2.0 DVD burner is plug-and-play (at least with Tiger).
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I love the Mac mini, no iPhone in court, no region-free DVDs on MacBooks, and more, Andrew J Fishkin, Best Tools for the Job, 2007.07.31. Also 15 years of ThinkPads, reliability and all-in-one devices, and thoughts on upgrading operating systems.
Mac OS X 10.4.10 AirPort bug undermines use of MacBook Pro on battery power, Andrew Conachey, Classic Mac Nostalgia, 2007.07.30. AirPort bug introduced with 10.4.10 update means MacBook Pro can't access certain routers with encryption enabled while running from battery. 10.4.9 was fine.
250 GB 5400 rpm notebook drive benchmarked, Apple shrinks pro MagSafe adapter, $150 Linux laptop, and more, The 'Book Review, 2007.07.27. Also touchup paint for TiBooks, Dell and Lenovo offer wireless USB, Logitech's nano mouse and receiver, and bargain 'Books from $130 to $2,199.
Laptops trump handhelds, 1.3 MP webcam in new MacBook Pro, a foldable mouse, and more, The 'Book Review, 2007.07.13. Also Sony takes a lesson from the MacBook, SuperDrive Firmware Update warning, Plantronics' new USB headset, Belkin's Mouse Trap, bargain 'Books from $130 to $2,199, and more.
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First impressions of a MacBook Pro, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.06.21. Six years after moving to a titanium PowerBook G4, spending time with a Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro is a real treat. There's only one drawback.
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Apple sued: Can 262,144 colors be considered 'millions'?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.05.16. A new class action lawsuit claims Apple is deceiving buyers when it claims to display "millions of colors" on its notebook computers. What's really going on here?
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VMware Fusion beta 3 adds new features, takes a giant step toward release, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2007.04.11. Looking for a virtualization solution for your Intel Mac? The latest beta of VMWare Fusion makes several improvements and includes some unique features.
1 core, 2 cores, 4 cores, 8: How much difference does it make?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.04.10. Geekbench scores make it possible to compare the newest 3 GHz 8-core Mac Pro with the 1.5 GHz Core Solo Mac mini - and all the models in between.
Flaming MacBook, flash-based MacBook mini speculation, NEC's daylight-friendly LCD, and more, The 'Book Review, 2007.03.16. Also tricking out the MacBook Pro, SanDisk and Intel enter flash drive market, DuelAdapter lets MacBook Pro use PCMCIA and CardBus cards, bargain 'Books from $180 to $1,999, and more.
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CrossOver: Run Windows apps on Intel Macs without Windows, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2007.02.28. If you need to run Windows apps on your Intel Mac once in a while, CrossOver may be the least expensive way to do so since it eliminates the need to buy a copy of Windows.
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Simple ergonomics for the road warrior, Ed Eubanks Jr, The Efficient Mac User, 2007.01.16. The benefits of external keyboards and mice, laptop stands, typing gloves, and anti-RSI software for notebook users.
Core 2 'Books more reliable, top 10 apps for 'Book users, notebook security, and more, The 'Book Review, 2006.12.22. Also using iSight to photograph failed logins, rent a MacBook in France, safer laptop batteries, Core 2 MacBook "best budget laptop", MacBook handle, keyboard lockout, bargain 'Books from $209 to $1,999, and more.
Cable company sets PowerBook ablaze, glossy vs. matte, first 300 GB notebook drive, MacBook reviews, and more, The 'Book Review, 2006.12.15. Also lithium polymer batteries, 'handheld lag' from using PDAs for email, MacBook Pro target disk mode bug, wireless DSL card for MacBook Pros, bargain 'Books from $209 to $1,999, and more.
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Core 2 'Books run cooler and faster, MacBook Core 2 adds value, holiday sales, and more, The 'Book Review, 2006.12.01. Also 17" MacBook Pro Core 2 has faster GPU, Core vs. Core 2 benchmarks, Asus' leather-clad notebook, bargain 'Books from $210 to $2,199, and more.
Core 2 means cooler running MacBook, MacBook Core 2 'a powerhouse', MacBook Pro Core 2 really faster, and more, The 'Book Review, 2006.11.22. Also Al Jazeera chooses Apple, Quicky wireless antenna doubles range, battery recycling, high tech repairs, and bargain 'Books from $200 to $750.
Parallels revisited: Release version far more polished than beta, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2006.11.21. Parallels lets you run Windows or Linux without rebooting your Intel-based Mac, and it's made great strides since the beta came out earlier this year.
To AppleCare or not to AppleCare?, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.11.20. Consumer Reports, which generally recommends against extended warranties, says AppleCare makes sense. But does it?
Core 2 boosts MacBook by 7%, undervolting ups battery life and drops heat, firmware update for MB and MBP, more, The 'Book Review, 2006.11.17. Also 17" MacBook Pro delays, extended warranties, making EVDO work with Parallels, MacBook Core 2 developer notes,$50 WiFi PC Card, bargain 'Books from $275 to $2,199, and more.
Disabling deep sleep on MacBooks, 'Other Red' a scam?, mixed RAM can reduce performance, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.11.13. Also other disk utilities Mac owners should know about, Lombard cooling, Netscape 7 on OS 9, Final Vinyl for ripping LPs, and more.
MacBook goes Core 2, Core vs. Core 2 benchmarks, MacBook Pro hard drive transplant, and more, The 'Book Review, 2006.11.10. Also the MacBook Pro's 3 GB memory limit explained, Apple's 200 GB hard drive, Hitachi's forthcoming 250 GB drive, a notebook stand with an integrated keyboard, bargain 'Books from $199 to $2199, and more.
Pre-2006 software: The big reason you shouldn't buy an Intel Mac today, Ted Hodges, Vintage Mac Living, 2006.11.09. If you work with software that predates the Intel transition, you may be better off sticking with PowerPC Macs. And if you use classic apps, you definitely want to avoid Intel.
MacBook random shutdown cure, 15" MacBook rumored, Core 2 runs cooler, CoolBook heat control, and more, The 'Book Review, 2006.11.03. Also the MacBook Pro's 3 GB memory limit explained, Apple's 200 GB hard drive, Hitachi's forthcoming 250 GB drive, a notebook stand with an integrated keyboard, bargain 'Books from $199 to $1,599, and more.
MacBook Plus: Adding flexibility and easy upgrades to Apple's notebook line, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 2006.10.20. Apple's current 'Books have limited expansion options. A MacBook with a device bay that accepted a second battery could be a big success.
Better laptop performance: What's the best upgrade?, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.10.09. Memory, CPU, bus speed, and hard drives all impact performance and battery life. Which upgrades will give you the most up time in the field?
Region free DVD viewing options for Intel and PowerPC Macs, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.09.12. Several hardware and software options that will let your view 'wrong region' DVDs on your PowerPC or Intel Mac.
7 tools for keeping your laptop (uh, notebook) cool, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.07.24. A quick look at the Podium CoolPad, ChillMat, ChillHubs, Laptop Desk, Xpad, iLap, and iBreeze - seven stands designed to keep you 'Books running cooler.
Drive matters, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2006.06.14. There's more to picking the right hard drive than size, spindle speed, buffer size, and price. But how can a 5400 rpm drive ever outperform a 7200 rpm drive?
Power strategies for using your 'Book in the field: Batteries and AC adapters, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.06.05. One or two extra batteries and at least one spare AC adapter can be essential when you're traveling and need to get hours and hours of use from your 'Book.
What's the best 'Book for my needs: MacBook, MacBook Pro, iBook, or PowerBook?, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.05.25. You need to balance size, weight, price, power, and processor to find just the right 'Book for your own needs.
13" widescreen MacBook coming?, 5400 vs. 7200 rpm notebook drives, MacBook Pro issues, and more, The 'Book Review, 2006.04.07. Major League Baseball online, lesson of $100 laptop, slot-loading drive in a white iBook, bargain 'Books from $300 to $2,399 (refurb 2.16 GHz MacBooks!), and more.
Booting an Intel iMac from an external drive, Jonathan Rentzsch, TidBITS, 2006.01.30. Intel Macs use a different partitioning scheme (GPT) than older Macs (APM), so you can't simply update an existing drive - your must repartition it with GPT.
Comparing Apples to Apples: When is Macintel faster? When does PowerPC make more sense?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2006.01.29. Benchmarks show the Intel Core Duo flies through native code but plods through PowerPC programs. Will PowerPC or Intel give you the more productive workflow?
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