15" MacBook Pro (Core2)

• Thinking about a MacBook Pro or have one? Sign up for our MacBook email list.
• Tiger List is for those using Mac OS X 10.4.
• Leopard List is for those using Mac OS X 10.5.

Overview

Details

• introduced 2006.10.24 at US$1,999 (2.16 GHz) and US$2,499 (2.33 GHz); replaced 2007.06.05 by LED Backlit model
• requires Mac OS X 10.4.8 or later
• CPU: 2.16/2.33 GHz Intel Core2 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: 2 MB shared cache on CPU
• Video: 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 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

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

expansions bays: none

USB 2.0 ports: two, one on each side

FireWire: 1 FW400 port, 1 FW800 port

IR port: one

ethernet: 10/100/gigabit

modem: optional v.92 56k external USB modem

WiFi: 802.11g AirPort Extreme built in

Bluetooth: BT 2.0 built in

ExpressCard/34: 1 slot

size: 9.6 x 14.1 x 1.0" (259 x 357 x 25.9 mm)

weight: 5.6 pounds (2.54 kg)

Part no.: MA609 (2.16 GHz), MA610 (2.33 GHz)

Online Resources

• Best online 15" MacBook Pro deals, updated biweekly.
• Best Mac OS X 10.4 'Tiger' deals. Best online prices for Mac OS X 10.4.
• Best Mac OS X 10.5 'Leopard' deals. Best online prices for Mac OS X 10.5.
• Firmware 1.5 screen blanking, air travel notebook stand, battery calibration, and more, The 'Book Review, 2008.04.25. Also aluminum MacBook rumored, PowerBook converted to desktop, Apple IIgs converted to notebook, new battery tech may end explosions, bargain 'Books from $150 to $2,699, and more.
• 18 bits can't display millions of colors, today's magic is different from yesterday's, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.04.16. Also more feedback on Mac browsers, slow dial-up Internet, and a SCSI-to-USB 2.0 solution.
• Mac benchmarks, firmware updates for all MacBooks, sleep-and-charge USB ports, and more, The 'Book Review, 2008.04.11. Also troubleshooting the MacBook Air, keyboard protectors and sleeve cases for the MacBook Air, bargain 'Books from $150 to $3,099, and more.
• 18-bit video inadequate, restoring AppleWorks speed, Macintosh display info, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.04.09. Also problems importing AppleWorks drawings and a damaged, unfixable mail database in Outlook Express 5.
• 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?
• MacBook Air tossed out with newspapers, Penryn MacBook and MBP reviews, MacBook Periscope, and more, The 'Book Review, 2008.03.14. Also Intel shows 160 GB SSD, Microsoft losing ground, fix for MacBook Air overheating, mini surge protector with USB power, multiple monitors with MBP, bargain 'Books from $260 to $2,699, and more.
• $18 USB WiFi adapter, AirPort flaw in last gen iBook, SuperDrive failure in MacBook, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.02.26. Also DVD-RAM for MacBooks, the quietest MacBook, aluminum PowerBooks and Mac OS 9, and expansion slots in affordable Macs.
• 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.
• Restore stability to a troubled Mac with a clean system install, Keith Winston, Linux to Mac, 2008.01.15. If your Mac is misbehaving, the best fix just might be a fresh reinstallation of Mac OS X - don't forget to backup first.
• 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 thumb drive, mouse, and printer into a notebook computer at the same time.
• Modbook shipping, new MacBook confirmed, Blu-ray for MacBook Pro, XO vs. eMate, and more, The 'Book Review, 2008.01.04. Also fixing MIA Bluetooth on MacBook Pro, US bans spare batteries from checked luggage, an in-flight laptop stand, bargain 'Books from $200 to $2,649, and more.
• MacBook nano rumored, laptop sales strong for holidays, MacBook Software Update 1.1, and more, The 'Book Review, 2007.12.21. Ultralight MacBook expected at Macworld Expo, Software Update for MacBook and MacBook Pro, Sonnet's ExpressCard/34 memory card reader, and bargain 'Books from $140 to $2,599.
• iPods, notebooks, and other modern electronics more readily replaced than repaired, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 2007.12.07. Whether it's an intermittent failure or a broken display cable, more often than not it's cheaper to replace a broken electronics device than repair it.
• MacBook replaces PowerBook: The name grows on you, Trevor Wale, One More Thing, 2007.12.04. A PowerBook by any other name would be as sweet, but it took a while to get comfortable with the new MacBook name.
• Beyond Google, 10 years on the G3, the Cube is not a Road Apple, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.11.13. Also the 64-bit advantage of Core2, OS 9 on a USB flash drive, sound problems since switching to Leopard, and 7200 rpm in an eMac.
• 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).
• FastMac 8x SuperDrive and BurnAgain DVD: Fast and easy multisession disc burning, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.10.08. FastMac's 8x SuperDrive upgrade is remarkably fast compared with older PowerBook burners, and BurnAgain DVD makes it easy to append files to a previously burned CD or DVD.
• Premature Momentus failure in MacBook, superfast ExpressCard Compact Flash adapter, the LED future, and more, The 'Book Review, 2007.10.05. Also which MacBook to buy, Battery Update 1.3 for 15" MacBook Pro, new bags, and bargain 'Books from $170 to $2,688.
• No looking back after MacBook switch, 8x SuperDrive upgrade for MacBook and MacBook Pro, and more, The 'Book Review, 2007.09.21. Also $100 laptop now $188, iBook logic board repair service, metal jacket for MacBook, MoGo mouse lives inside notebook, bargain 'Books from $130 to $2,688, and more.
• Region free DVD viewing on Macs and Windows PCs, Andrew J Fishkin, Best Tools for the Job, 2007.09.07. There are three ways to get around region restrictions on your computer's DVD player: software, hardware, and extraction.
• Apple #3 in laptops, 5 802.11 options below $100, Dell's color laptops not available, and more, The 'Book Review, 2007.08.31. Also rendering of a possible MacBook Lite, Sonnet delivers FireWire/USB 2.0 and 21-in-1 memory card reader for ExpressCard/34, bargain 'Books from $130 to $2,599, and more.
• AirPort and screen problems affecting MacBook Pro models, Apple stripped of Energy Star label, and more, The 'Book Review, 2007.08.03. Also a steampunk PowerBook, After Effects CS3 on OS X vs. Windows, a vertical notebook stand, bargain 'Books from $130 to $2,199, and more.
• 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.
• iPhone launch a religious event, Apple's 13% market share, noise in OS X 10.4.10, and more, Mac News Review, 2007.06.29. Also Apple's 500 MB drive shortage, Seagate's first 1 TB drive, a memory optimizer for OS X, MigliaTV software, and more.
• 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 Core2 Duo MacBook Pro is a real treat. There's only one drawback.
• MacBook sales up 94%, MacBook Pro update expected at WWDC, new notebooks from Intel and Palm, and more, The 'Book Review, 2007.06.01. Also upgrading the MacBook Pro's hard drive, Axiotron Modbook to begin shipping, manual fan control for G4 PowerBooks, bargain 'Books from $170 to $2,299, and more.
• 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?
• MacBooks drive Mac sales, LED backlighting this year, flash laptops, battery update, and more, The 'Book Review, 2007.05.04. Also cracking MacBooks, RAID in your 'Book, battery issues, a rugged USB flash drive, bargain 'Books from $170 to $2,299, and more.
• 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.
• 11 ways to optimize your Mac's performance, Ed Eubanks Jr, The Efficient Mac User, 2007.03.12. If your Mac is getting sluggish, here are 11 tips that can help restore its original performance.
• 12" PowerBook G4 the new Pismo?, recovering MacBook Pro wakeup failure, MacBook Pro noise, and more, The 'Book Review, 2007.03.02. Also why you should buy a MacBook Pro, Apple Store's inefficient RAM upgrade, PB/iBook lower RAM slot failure, bargain 'Books from $209 to $2,299, and more.
• 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.
• Which Intel Macs take CPU upgrades?, $2 802.11n enabler, USB drive adapter, and more, Mac News Review, 2007.02.02. Also a DST fix for Panther, Logos coming to Macs, Intel's chip breakthrough, iConnect iPod integration for GM vehicles, a waterproof iPod, and more.
• 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.
• Core2 '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, Core2 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.
• 12" MacBook Pro rumored, useful MacBook freeware, Core2 provides 'brisk improvements', and more, The 'Book Review, 2006.12.08. Also MacBook Pro production halted, Sony "should have been quicker" with battery investigation, Quicky WiFi transciever now supports iBook, bargain 'Books from $209 to $2,199, and more.
• Core2 'Books run cooler and faster, MacBook Core2 adds value, holiday sales, and more, The 'Book Review, 2006.12.01. Also 17" MacBook Pro Core2 has faster GPU, Core vs. Core2 benchmarks, Asus' leather-clad notebook, bargain 'Books from $210 to $2,199, and more.
• Core2 means cooler running MacBook, MacBook Core2 'a powerhouse', MacBook Pro Core2 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?
• Core2 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 Core2 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 Core2, Core vs. Core2 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, Core2 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.
• The MacBook Pro Core2 value equation, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2006.10.25. More power, more RAM, bigger hard drives, faster SuperDrive means better value, but Apple also has some excellent deals on refubished Core Duo models.
• 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?
• Apple Profile

About LEM | Support | Usage | Privacy | Contacts

Entire Low End Mac website copyright ©1997-2008 by Cobweb Publishing, Inc., unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. Advice presented in good faith, but what works for one may not work for all. Please report errors to .
  LINKS: We allow and encourage links to any public page as long as the linked page does not appear within a frame that prevents bookmarking it.
  Access our RSS news feed at http://lowendmac.com/feed.xml.
  Email may be published at our discretion; email addresses will not be published without permission, and we will encrypt them in hopes of avoiding spammers. If you prefer your message not be published, mark it "not for publication." Letters may be edited for length, context, and to match house style.
  PRIVACY: We don't collect personal information unless you explicitly provide it. For more details, see our Terms of Use.
  Low End Mac is an independent publication and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Apple Inc. Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, iBook, iMac, eMac, iPod, PowerBook, MacBook, Mac Pro, Apple TV, and AirPort are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks and are hereby acknowledged.

Have a question?
Ask an expert!

Navigation

Used Mac Dealers
Apple History
Best Used Macs
Video Cards
Email Lists
InfoMac's Low
End Mac Forum

Favorite Sites

MacSurfer
MacMinute
MacInTouch
MyAppleMenu
InfoMac
Macs Only!
The Mac Observer
Accelerate Your Mac
RetroMacCast
PB Central
MacWindows
The Vintage Mac
   Museum
DealMac
DealsOnTheWeb
Mac2Sell
ramseeker
Mac Driver Museum
JAG's House
System 6 Heaven
System 7 Today
the pickle's Low-End
   Mac FAQ
Abandonware
   Petition
Mac vs. PC Info

Affiliates

The Apple Store
Mac Connection
MacMall
TechRestore
MacResQ
ExperCom
Crucial Memory
batteries.com

Advertise

All of our advertising is handled by BackBeat Media. For price quotes and advertising information, please contact at BackBeat Media (646-546-5194). This number is for advertising only.

Problems viewing this page with Internet Explorer 5.5 or 6? It works fine in other browsers, including IE 7. We recommend Firefox for those using Windows, as it is standards based and more secure than IE 6 (and earlier). More LEM visitors use Firefox than any other browser.