Tech Wishlist

Business professionals are a big slice of the MacBook market for a reason. And this slick, aluminum laptop is more than capable of handling almost all tasks you throw at it. The 15-inch screen is capable of a pretty high resolution — 1440 x 900 — so keeping an eye on multiple windows shouldn’t be a problem. With a battery that will last you over 8 hours on a charge, you can spend the day working in a cafe or somewhere else without having to bring along the power brick.

Size and weight

• Height:    0.95 inch (2.41 cm)
• Width:    14.35 inches (36.4 cm)
• Depth:    9.82 inches (24.9 cm)
• Weight:    5.6 pounds (2.54 kg)1

Processor and memory

• 2.4GHz or 2.53GHz Intel Core i5 processor with 3MB shared L3 cache; or 2.66GHz Intel Core i7 processor with 4MB shared L3 cache
• 4GB (two 2GB SO-DIMMs) of 1066MHz DDR3 memory; two SO-DIMM slots support up to 8GB

Storage

• 320GB or 500GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive; optional 500GB 7200-rpm hard drive, or 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB solid-state drive6
• 8x slot-loading SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
• Maximum write: 8x DVD-R, DVD+R; 4x DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer), DVD-RW, DVD+RW; 24x CD-R; 10x CD-RW
• Maximum read: 8x DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-ROM; 6x DVD-ROM (double layer DVD-9), DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer), DVD-RW, DVD+RW; 24x CD

Graphics and video support

• NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M graphics processor with 256MB of GDDR3 memory on 2.4GHz and 2.53GHz configurations; or 512MB of GDDR3 memory on 2.66GHz configuration
• Intel HD Graphics with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory5
• Automatic graphics switching
• Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors
• iSightiSight camera
• Mini DisplayPort

Connections and expansion

• MagSafe power port
• Gigabit Ethernet port
• One FireWire 800 port (up to 800 Mbps)
• Mini DisplayPort
• Two USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps)
• SD card slot
• Audio line in
• Audio line out
• Kensington lock slot

Communications

• AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi wireless networking2 (based on IEEE 802.11n specification); IEEE 802.11a/b/g compatible
• Bluetooth Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) wireless technology
• 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45 connector)

Audio

• Stereo speakers with subwoofers
• Omnidirectional microphone (located under left speaker grille)
• Audio line in minijack (digital/analog)
• Audio line out/headphone minijack (digital/analog)
• Support for Apple iPhone headset with microphone

Display

• 15.4-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with support for millions of colors
• Supported resolutions: 1440 by 900 (native), 1280 by 800, 1152 by 720, 1024 by 640, and 800 by 500 pixels at 16:10 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio stretched; 720 by 480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio; 720 by 480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio stretched
• Optional 15.4-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit widescreen display with 1680 by 1050 pixels (glossy or antiglare)

Pure digital video output

• DVI output using Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter (optional)
• VGA output using Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter (optional)
• Dual-link DVI output using Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter supports 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display (optional)
• HDMI output using a third-party Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter

Input

• Full-size backlit keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys (inverted “T” arrangement)
• Multi-Touch trackpad for precise cursor control; supports inertial scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities

Battery and power7

• Built-in 77.5-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
• 85W MagSafe Power Adapter with cable management system
• MagSafe power port
• Up to 9 hours of wireless productivity.

Electrical and operating requirements

• Line voltage: 100V to 240V AC
• Frequency: 50Hz to 60Hz
• Operating temperature: 50° to 95° F (10° to 35° C)
• Storage temperature: -13° to 113° F (-24° to 45° C)
• Relative humidity: 0% to 90% noncondensing
• Maximum operating altitude: 10,000 feet
• Maximum storage altitude: 15,000 feet
• Maximum shipping altitude: 35,000 feet

Environmental Status Report

• MacBook Pro is designed with the following features to reduce its environmental impact:
• Highly recyclable aluminum and glass enclosure
• Mercury-free LED-backlit display
• Arsenic-free display glass
• BFR-free
• PVC-free3
• Reduced packaging volume
• Meets ENERGY STAR Version 5.0 requirements
• Rated EPEAT Gold4

Continue reading ‘15-inch Apple MacBook Pro: Speed, Power, Long-Life, and Screen Quality All Combined’