MacBook Pro

The MacBook Pro ( MBP) is a Macintosh notebook from Apple. The product range was presented by Steve Jobs on 10 January 2006 at the Macworld Expo. The new laptops solved the 15 - and 17 -inch model of the PowerBook G4 from. The design is based on the model developed by Jonathan Ive design of the G4 PowerBooks. 2005 Apple announced that it would switch from PowerPC processors to Intel CPUs. The MacBook Pro marked the first mobile Mac, who owned an Intel processor with the Core Duo.

The MacBook Pro is aimed unlike the MacBooks primarily at professional users, which is underlined by the aluminum case and the option of different sizes and matte or glossy screen surfaces. It represents the upper end of the MacBook series represents the units of the MacBook Pro Series succeeded the Apple PowerBook models with 15 - to screens "and 17".

New features compared to the previous model PowerBook

The main changes concern mainly the screens in widescreen format ( in the 15.4 "size with a resolution of 1440 × 900 pixels, with the last 15" PowerBook even 1440 × had 960 pixels), which is now 300 cd / m² nearly possess the brightness of the Cinema Displays from Apple. The current model has a reflective ( "glossy " ) version. Also a modern graphics card is installed: In a MBP Radeon X1600 is inserted. Currently, an Intel HD 4000 or NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M is installed. The best variant, the graphics memory is 384 MB. The two more expensive versions are equipped with 512 MB or 1024 MB of GDDR5 memory.

Another new feature is the MagSafe power connector: The power cord is no longer mechanically with its plug held on / in the notebook, but with a magnet. If someone accidentally stuck on the power cord, the plug is simply pulled off without the computer torn off the table or the plug or the connector is damaged.

The previously normal PC Card or PCMCIA slot was changed with the MBP to the new ExpressCard/34-Slot. Available Bluetooth 2.1, Airport are also Extreme 54G (IEEE- 802.11n - capable ), a hard drive with Sudden Motion sensor (motion sensor ), a built-in iSight camera and an infrared sensor for the ( no longer included in current models ) Remote control Apple remote. The DVD writer had in the first 15.4 "notebook generation no double-layer capacity (probably in the 17- inch models ) and only four times the burning rate. This was raised in the October 2006 MacBook Pro delivered on six - or eight-time burning speed and extended to double-layer functionality. A built-in modem no longer has this generation of notebooks.

Price, features and model development

First Generation (January 2006)

The first generation of notebook series was presented by Steve Jobs at Macworld Expo on 10 January 2006 and was available from April 2006 with a TFT screen size of 15.4 "in the trade. On 24 April 2006, the notebook range has been complemented by the model with a 17 "screen.

The Core Duo processors, these notebooks are clocked at 1.83 GHz - the more powerful model with 2.00 GHz. After 2006 announced the Intel transition, marked the MacBook Pro the first Macintosh with an Intel CPU. The introductory price of the "small" MacBook Pro with 1.83 GHz announced was € 2,099 / 2,999 CHF, of the "big" MacBook Pro at € 2,599 / 3699 CHF. Shortly thereafter, the MBP was delivered at no extra cost with a faster CPU clock speed of 2.0 and 2.16 GHz.

In contrast to the 15.4 " MBP, the notebook with 17 " screen via three USB ports ( 15.4 ": 2 × USB) and offered from the beginning of the the smaller model only from October 2006 upgraded FireWire 800 interface of. All models are supplied with a DVI to VGA adapter (for connecting to an external monitor ). A microphone and two speakers are built. In addition, digital audio devices can be connected via optical interfaces. In the top center of the display frame itself ( since June 2007, with 1280 × first with 640 × 480 pixels, 1024 pixels resolution) is an iSight camera.

All notebooks are equipped with 2 GB of memory. This is the maximum at the first-generation MacBook Pros. The lithium- polymer battery offers according to the manufacturer for a period of about 5 hours (15 -inch ) or 4.5 hours (17 -inch ).

The 15.4 "notebook is 35.7 x 24.3 x 2.59 cm ( wide, low, high ) and weighs 2.54 kg. The 17 "version weighs 3.1 kg.

The keyboard is backlit depending on the brightness either. The screen brightness adjusts thanks to the hidden in the side speakers light sensors to the ambient brightness.

As a simple optical distinguishing feature of the first MBP generations the little green indicator for the iSight camera can be used: it is fitted in October 2006 under the surface of the display frame and thus can not be seen with inactivity of the diode. In the previous model the green diode sat easily visible in a recess of the housing.

Second Generation (October 2006)

  • On 24 October 2006, the improved next generation of MacBook Pro was presented. Now instead of the Core Duo, the Core was installed 2 Duo processors with a clock speed of 2.16 and 2.33 GHz. Furthermore, all models now received a FireWire 800 interface.

Third generation (June 2007)

  • Since 5 June 2007, the CPUs are clocked at 2.2 and 2.4 GHz, and from 31 October 2007, there was also a 2.6 GHz CPU as an option.
  • The 15.4 "versions of the MacBook Pro now have a screen with LED backlight. The large screen (17 -inch ), which is now also available with a resolution of 1920 × 1200 pixels, continues to use the previously common cathode tube (English CCFL). The advantages of LED lighting should be in lower power consumption, better color reproduction, and improved environmental compatibility.
  • The notebooks have received a faster graphics chip (Nvidia Geforce 8600M GT ) and a faster Intel chipset.

Fourth Generation (February 2008)

  • These revised MacBook Pros are equipped with the new Intel Penryn chips in 45nm design, working in clock speeds of 2.5 GHz and 2.6 GHz. The new Intel Penryn processors bring 6 MB cache, higher clock frequency and the new instruction set SSE 4 with it. In addition, these new processors consume less power than their predecessors and are thus more suitable for mobile use. The new MBPs have a nVIDIA Geforce 8600M GT graphics card with 512 MB ​​VRAM.
  • The entry-level MacBook Pro, which is also equipped with a Penryn Intel processor that has a clock speed of 2.4 GHz and has 3 MB of cache memory. In this model also uses the nVIDIA 8600M GT, but with 256 MB VRAM.
  • All MacBook Pros are now fitted as standard with 2GB of RAM and have a 200 -GB (15 -inch ) or a 250 GB hard drive. In the 17- inch model is also a 300 - GB hard drive for election.
  • The the 15-inch MacBook Pro screen was not changed. The 17-inch MacBook Pro is either delivered with a resolution of 1680 × 1050 pixels and a cathode tube backlight, or there is an extremely high-resolution screen for choosing which has a resolution of 1920 × 1200 pixels and LED backlight ( according to the manufacturer, this extended battery life by half an hour to five hours).
  • A novelty was the new trackpad with multi- touch functionality. It is now possible to use the MacBook Pro - similar to the iPhone - to be controlled by gestures.
  • The prices have been significantly reduced.

Fifth generation ( 15 October 2008 ", January 2009 17 " )

This revised model was the first since the introduction that also attracted optical changes with it:

  • The housing is machined from a single piece of aluminum ( mill, drill and lasered ). Apple calls this form of construction as a unibody.
  • New large- format glass trackpad that has no separate button more; The entire trackpad is the button now (similar to the click wheel of the iPod ). In addition, mouse gestures, using up to four fingers are now possible via multi-touch, for example, can be spread with four fingers on the trackpad down so you can quickly via Exposé represent the open window.
  • Nvidia chipset, 1066 MHz front side bus.
  • Two different graphics chips from nVidia ( 9400M and 9600M GT), using selectable depending on performance or battery runtime required by the user.
  • Glossy LED screen in the 15 "models (1440 × 900 pixels), the 17 " model is optionally available with non- reflective display and the resolution of 1920 × 1200 pixels
  • Instead of the regular hard disk 128 GB or 256 GB SSD drives are now available as options.
  • The weight was 2.5 kg ( 15 " ) and 3 kg ( 17") is reduced.
  • The 17 "model has a permanently installed battery for the first time with a possible battery life of eight hours.

Sixth Generation (March 2009, 15 ")

  • The MacBook Pro 15.4 " has gotten a more powerful processor and by default runs at 2.66 GHz and 2.93 GHz as an option with. The parameters of the previous MacBook Pro 17 " have not changed.

Seventh Generation (June 2009, 13 ", 15", 17 ")

At WWDC, Apple on 9 June 2009, a further updated version of the MacBook ( now MacBook Pro 13 " ) and the MacBook Pro 15" before.

  • Like the 17 "device now also contain the 13" - and 15 " model has a permanently installed battery (60 or 73 watt hours ) with a specified capacity of seven hours and a service life of about 1000 cycles.
  • For an extra charge is the 15 "unit with a matte screen from the factory (previously only as an option on the 17 " unit ).
  • The 13 " aluminum MacBook is the 13" MacBook Pro replaced, now this has also a FireWire 800 port.
  • Instead of the Express Card slot, an SD card reader has been installed at the two smaller models. However, the 17 "model retains its Express Card slot, and dispense with the SD card slot.
  • The minimum configurations are now equipped with faster processors.
  • There is an option at 3.06 GHz for the 15 "model

Apple MacBook Pro 15 "model with high-resolution antiglare display

Eighth Generation (April 2010, 13 ", 15", 17 ")

  • " - And 17 " It also Intel i5 or i7 processors in the 15 are now models with up to 2.8 GHz installed.
  • The battery capacity has been increased to 10 ( the 13 " model) or 8-9 (for the 15" model) or 9 (for the 17 "unit ) hours.
  • The MagSafe charging cable is now angled to the rear.
  • The greater resolution of 1680 × 1050 pixels ( glossy or matte) on the 15 "model available as an option.
  • The Multi- Touch trackpad now supports system-wide " scrolling lag " in which the scroll movement as before nachscrollt the iPhone or the Magic Mouse.
  • Mini DisplayPort now also transmits audio signal - The MacBook can thus also with Audio to HDMI TV sets, projectors and other equipment without an additional cable is necessary. However, the prerequisite is a Mini-Display-Port-/HDMI-Adapter which also transmits the audio signal.

Ninth Generation (February 2011, 13 ", 15", 17 ")

  • We install only the Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, the Sandy Bridge microarchitecture.
  • The 15 " - and 17" models with Intel processors with 2.0 GHz / 2.2 GHz ( 6 MB cache, quad core ) or optional 2.3GHz ( 8MB cache, quad core ) are offered.
  • Using the Thunderbolt interface.
  • In all models, the Intel HD Graphics 3000 comes with 384 MB of DDR3 SDRAM MB/512 used; in the 15 " / 17 " models additionally operates an AMD Radeon HD 6490M or 6750M graphics card with 256 MB / 1 GB of GDDR5 memory.
  • The battery life has been given on the basis of realistic measurement - methods, with seven hours, but to achieve the same maturities as the older models.
  • The FaceTime camera now supports HD resolution of 720p.
  • Now there is an SDXC card reader, instead of a SDHC card reader.
  • The memory is now as before clocked at 1333 MHz instead of 1066 MHz.

Tenth Generation (October 2011, 13 ", 15", 17 ")

  • Apple now installed higher clocked processors: In the 13 "model is a 2.4 GHz i5 or a 2.8 GHz i7 processor is used in the 15 " model operates a 2.2 or 2.4 GHz i7 processor. The 17 "model also uses the 2.4 GHz i7 processor. Optionally, a clocked with 2.5 GHz processor is available instead of the 2.4 GHz i7 processor.
  • As a graphics chip, the 15 "model now an AMD Radeon HD 6750M with 512MB GDDR5 in the 2.2 GHz version - the 2.4 GHz model and the 17 " model used to work with an AMD Radeon HD 6770M with 1 GB GDDR5.
  • The 13 "model now uses HDDs with 500 or 750 GB.
  • From this model, the Macbooks are officially supporting only Mac OS 10.7 (Lion ) and higher. Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) can, however, continue to be used against the manufacturer's specifications on this model from version 10.6.7 due to the great similarities to the hardware of the ninth generation.

Eleventh Generation ( June 2012: 15.4 "; October 2012: 13")

The eleventh generation was introduced June 11, 2012 at the WWDC by Phil Schiller.

The MacBook Pro range now divided into two groups: one in 15 "laptops with a high-resolution display ( 2,880 × 1,800 pixels ), which is called by Apple Retina display, and on the other devices in the previous resolution with 13 " and 15.4 ". In addition to the display, both lines also differ in the thickness of its housing and the interfaces.

  • All MacBook Pro is the eleventh generation have an Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics solution. In addition only the 15.4 "devices have a NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M graphics card with 512 MB ​​of GDDR5 memory and 1024, respectively.
  • The least powerful MacBook Pro 13 " features a Intel Core i5 processor. All other models are equipped with an Intel Core i7 processor.
  • The MacBook Pro with 17 "display is no longer offered.
  • The USB interfaces dominate now USB 3.0.

On 23 October 2012, a MacBook Pro was presented with a 13 -inch retina display. The resolution is 2560 × 1600 pixels. Model Identifier: MacBookPro10, 2

MacBook Pro with conventional display and housing

  • The housing and the interface (except USB ports ) are identical to the previous model.
  • The case has the previous size, built to a hard drive (optional SSD) and an optical drive.
  • It offered facilities with 4 to 8 GB of memory.

MacBook Pro with retina display

  • The 15 " wide Retina MacBook Pro is flatter and lighter by 25%, the thickness is 1.9 cm, weight 2.02 kg.
  • The equipment is only offered with flash memory 256-768 GB size.
  • The working memory (8 or 16 GB) is soldered in and not extensible.
  • Connections for Ethernet network cable and FireWire omitted, optical drives are not installed ( Thunderbolt adapters for Gigabit Ethernet, FireWire, and an external optical drive available ).
  • As a MagSafe power connector 2 is installed, it is flatter and longer and can be used with MagSafe power supplies with a separately available adapter.
  • The devices have an ambient light sensor that allows automatic control of the screen brightness and keyboard lighting.

In October, a 13 " wide version of the device presented which, like the 15.4 " was is - device thinner and lighter than the device without Retina display of the same size.

Twelfth Generation ( February 2013, 13 ", 15")

  • The processors of the retina models with 256 GB of memory were minimal speeds, they overclock on the 13 "model now with 2.6 GHz instead of 2.5 GHz, and the 15 " model with 2.4 GHz instead of 2.3 GHz.
  • The prices of the retina models and the expansion options were reduced.

Thirteenth Generation ( October 2013, 13 ", 15")

The retina models were reviewed, they are now 1 mm thinner (previously 19 mm, now 18 mm).

  • It come with the 13 " model Intel Haswell processors used, either as Core i5 2.4 GHz or 2.6 GHz, as well as Core i7 2.8GHz (all dual-core processors).
  • In the 15 " model Intel Crystal Well- processors with 2.0 GHz, 2.3 GHz or 2.6 GHz are installed (all quad-core processors).
  • As a graphic chip " integrated Intel graphics chip used iris model, the 15 " is the 13 model of the integrated Intel graphics chip Iris Pro is used. Optionally can be installed with 2 GB on the 15 "model in addition an Nvidia GeForce GT 750M.
  • The battery life has been extended in both models: 13 "model: before seven hours now nine hours
  • 15 "model: before seven hours now eight hours

Tabular overview

Macworld - iWorld Aluminium Electronic visual display Candela IEEE 1394 Drilling Apple Worldwide Developers Conference Retina-Display Computer memory CNET
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