MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo/Late 2006

The Apple MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.33 15-Inch is built around a 2.33 GHz "Core 2 Duo" processor (T7600), which features two independent cores. This system includes a 4 MB shared "on chip" level 2 cache, a 667 MHz frontside bus, 2.0 GB of 667 MHz PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM, and a 120 GB hard drive equipped with "Sudden Motion Sensor" technology. It also contains a 6X dual-layer DVD±RW/CD-RW SuperDrive, an improvement over the single-layer drives in earlier 15-inch models. For visuals, it relies on an ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics processor with 256 MB of GDDR3 video memory and dual-link DVI capability, powering a 15.4-inch widescreen 1440x900 TFT active-matrix display, which was available with a glossy option.

Consistent with previous 15-inch MacBook Pro models, this unit features the fiber-optic-based "ambient light sensor" for adjusting keyboard and screen brightness, a "scrolling TrackPad," the "MagSafe" power connector, an integrated iSight video camera, and an included Apple Remote. The connectivity suite offers an ExpressCard/34 slot, AirPort Extreme (with 802.11n support via a firmware update in addition to 802.11g), Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, Gigabit Ethernet, a FireWire "400" port, two USB 2.0 ports, optical digital audio in/out, and DVI out. A significant enhancement in the "Core 2 Duo" models was the addition of a FireWire "800" port, a feature highly anticipated by videographers.

Introduced in late 2006, this 15.4-inch model delivered a significant performance leap by adopting the Intel Core 2 Duo processor. The improvement in processing power was particularly noticeable in graphics-intensive tasks, showing an approximate 15% increase that was well-received by users. Equipped with 2GB of RAM as standard and an increased 256MB of video memory for the ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics processor, it handled professional applications with greater ease. The addition of a FireWire 800 port was another major advantage for users requiring high-speed data transfers. With the inclusion of a 6X dual-layer SuperDrive, it was recognized as a well-balanced and highly capable machine for professionals at the time.