Apple says that its latest Mac Book Pro laptops, equipped with Intel Core 2 Duo processors in place of the Core Duo chips that powered the first generation of the family, its deliver performance that is up to 39 percent faster. Based on past experience with the company’s benchmark boasts,
The Apple Mac Book Pro Core 2 Duo 2.33 GHz (T7600), with two independent processor cores, a 4 MB shared on chip level 2 cache, a 667 MHz front side bus, 2.0 GB of 667 MHz PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM, a 160 GB hard drive with Sudden Motion Sensor technology, and an 8X dual-layer DVD±RW/CD-RW SuperDrive. It also includes an ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics processor with 256 MB of GDDR3 video memory and dual-link DVI functionality, and a 17 widescreen 1680×1050 TFT active-matrix display (glossy display option available).
Some special features of MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo/2.33 GHz
Bigger caches and faster graphics
The new MacBook Pros look virtually identical to their predecessors, and the overall structure of the family hasn’t changed: there’s still a single standard 17-inch model priced at $2,799.The new chip’s SSE3 Vector Engine, used in some audio, video, and scientific applications, now processes 128 bits of data at a time, compared to 64 bits in the Core Duo chip. Finally, although Apple won’t disclose the details, its engineers have also squeezed out a little extra performance by tweaking the workings of the ATI Radeon X1600 chip that handles graphics processing in the Mac Book Pros.
Battery life unchanged
Some early speculation about the Core 2 Duo predicted that, in addition to boosting performance, it would cut power consumption. Those reports turned out to be untrue—battery life in the new Mac Book Pros is about the same as in the previous generation. In my tests with the 2.33GHz Core 2 Duo version of the 17-inch Mac Book Pro, I actually did a little better (2 hours and 35 minutes) at DVD playback. I managed only 3 hours and 9 minutes of wireless productivity.
More memory, bigger drives
Beyond the processor, Apple has doubled the RAM in each standard Mac Book Pro configuration: the 17-inch model and the 2.33GHz 15-inch one model come with 2GB of RAM—a pair of 1GB SO-DIMMs—while the base 17-inch model has a single 1GB SO-DIMM. As our benchmark results suggest, going from 1GB to 2GB of RAM has only a modest effect on speed, but it enables you to keep more big applications—or more operating systems, if you use Desktop virtualization software—open simultaneously without running into delays when you switch among them.
The 17-Inch MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo systems have much of the same connectivity as the replaced models — AirPort Extreme (802.11g), 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 video graspers, the 17-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 17-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.
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Apple’s New Mac Book Pro With Core 2 Duo 2.33 Ghz
Friday, February 12th, 2010Macbook Pro Review
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010First impressions
The previous the MacBook Pros were very good indeed. They delivered consistently professional quality and great features. Reviewing next generation MacBook Pros is therefore something of a treat.
An initial glance at the latest models shows nothing new. This isn’t disappointing: the sturdy casings and the smart design are exactly what you want from a superior laptop. The keyboard appears tidier – the result of some minor changes – but apart from that, everything looks as impressive as it always has.
This might suggest that any internal changes are also minor. Not so. When you fire up the MacBook Pros and start putting each model through its paces, you soon realise you’re working with machines that excel expectations.
Technology
To begin with, the processors are Intel 45 nanometer Penryns. These are noticeably faster than the 65 nanometer Meroms installed in the older MacBook Pros, and easily beat the Meroms in all benchmark tests.
The standard processors for the two 15 inch MacBook Pros are 2.4GHz and 2.5GHz Intel Core 2 Duos. The 17 inch has the 2.5GHz. Allied to these are enhanced hard drives of 200GB for the 15 inch 2.4GHz, and 250GB for the 15 inch and 17 inch 2.5 GHz.
Of particular interest to the multimedia user is the doubling of the video memory on all three MacBook Pros. The 15 inch 2.4GHz has a NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 256MB, and the 15 inch 2.5GHz and 17 inch 2.5GHz have the same graphics processor but with 512MB.
2GB of RAM supports the above technology across the range. The overall results are laptops that cope easily with advanced graphics and audio applications.
Hardware
Each of the three MacBook Pros comes with standard hardware, such as:
slot-loading 8x double-layer SuperDrive
iSight camera
AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth® wireless connections
stereo speakers
FireWire 400 and 800 ports
USB 2.0 ports (two on the 15 inch models; three on the 17 inch)
DVI port
Audio ports
Gigabit Ethernet port
ExpressCard/34 slot
There are also hardware “extras” that help the MacBook Pro stand out from the crowd. These include a powerful lithium-polymer battery; an ambient light sensor that illuminates the keyboard in dark conditions; and an energy-saving LED backlit screen.
These screens are mercury-free and anti-glare, and have resolutions of 1,440 x 900 pixels for the 15 inch models and 1,680 x 1,050 pixels for the 17 inch. With both you have bright, natural and pin sharp images.
Perhaps the best hardware extra of all, though, is the new MacBook Pro trackpad. This now has the multi-touch functions that have proved so popular on the iPhone. By pinching, swiping and rotating your fingers on the trackpad, you have remarkably fast and positive control over the features of the MacBook Pro’s creative software.
Multi-touch does give rise to a slight problem: the size of the trackpad may feel a little small for someone learning the appropriate gestures. That said, once you’re familiar with multi-touch, it’s not difficult to work within the trackpad’s boundaries.
Software
As with all new Macs, the MacBook Pro comes with the best operating system around, the Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard. If you’ve never used Leopard before, its proficiency will delight you. If you’re already a Mac user, you still have something to please you because the new MacBook Pros boost the speed of Leopard and the applications that run off it.
Among these applications is Apple’s latest version of the world’s fastest browser, Safari. This comes with the usual batch of updated Apple software such as Boot Camp, Mail, iChat, iTunes, DVD Player, iPhoto and iLife ’08.
Performance
Experienced MacBook Pro users can load their preferred applications on these latest models and immediately notice the improvements in speed. For example, you can set up Photoshop CS3 in approximately eight seconds on the 15 inch 2.5GHz. You’ll then go on to discover Photoshop runs 20 – 25% faster than a 2007 2.6 GHz MacBook Pro.
Compared to a 2006 MacBook Pro, the differences are even greater. Overall, you can experience speed increases of around 50% across a range of applications. This is good news for all those who want maximum performance from a laptop.
Options
With any laptops designed for professional use, it’s always worth looking at the manufacturer’s options because some people will need a buffer zone of extra speed and power for specific applications.
The configuration options of the MacBook Pro are unlikely to let you down. To give you extra power, you can request a 2.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor upgrade for either the 2.5 GHz 15 inch or 17 inch models. As for RAM, you can upgrade any of the three MacBook Pros to 4GB.
On the 17 inch MacBook Pro, you might want to increase the hard drive to 300GB to provide additional room for space-stealing graphics applications. Similarly, you can ensure the perfect clarity of your images by asking for a 1,920 x 1,200 pixel screen for the same model.
Finally, if you prefer a glossy rather than anti-glare matt screen, you can request this when you place your order, as is possible with most Mac Computers .
Value
With all these upgrades packed into the same shells as the previous MacBook Pro models, you might anticipate a rise in prices. If you do, you’d be wrong. The new MacBook Pros are unquestionably better machines but the prices across the range haven’t changed. The old MacBook Pros were good value, but the latest incarnations are simply excellent for the price.
Conclusion
Want the best laptops from a great manufacturer? Look no further.
Pros
Speedier than the previous generation of MacBook Pros
Double the video memory
Smooth, multi-touch features on the trackpad
Improved battery life
Excellent configuration options
More for your money: no price increase compared to the older MacBook Pro equivalents
Cons
Trackpad may be a little small for novice users