MacBook Pro Late 2008

The "Unibody" MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" (Late 2008) models, with a black and silver aesthetic reminiscent of the Aluminum iMacs, feature a brand-new case design milled from a single block of aluminum, providing greater durability and a superior finish over previous systems.

The Apple MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.53 15-Inch (Unibody - Late 2008) is equipped with a 45 nm "Penryn" 2.53 GHz Intel "Core 2 Duo" processor (T9400). It has two independent cores on a single silicon chip, a 6 MB shared level 2 cache, a 1066 MHz frontside bus, and 4 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (PC3-8500) installed in pairs. The system includes a 320 GB Serial ATA (5400 RPM) hard drive, an 8X DL "SuperDrive," and dual graphics processors: a NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT with 512 MB of dedicated GDDR3 SDRAM and a NVIDIA GeForce 9400M with 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory. The display is a 15.4-inch LED-backlit widescreen TFT active-matrix "glossy" screen with a 1440x900 resolution.

Connectivity options consist of an ExpressCard/34 slot, AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, Gigabit Ethernet, two USB 2.0 ports, one Firewire "800" port, optical digital/analog audio in/out, and a "Mini DisplayPort" for external displays up to 2560x1600.

In addition to its new case, the "Unibody" line introduced several key upgrades compared to the "Early 2008/Penryn" models it replaced. These include a new "no button" glass "multi-touch" trackpad with support for four-finger gestures and programmable zones, a faster architecture featuring a quicker system bus and memory, and, most notably, faster dual graphics processors.

The Unibody MacBook Pro that arrived in late 2008 captivated many users with its beautiful design and robust construction. This 2.53 GHz model featured dual graphics, offering the flexibility to switch between the high-performance NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT and the power-efficient GeForce 9400M, allowing users to balance performance with battery life as needed. This capability was a significant advantage, particularly for users who required both graphics power and extended mobile use. The buttonless glass multi-touch trackpad was also highly praised for providing a more intuitive and fluid user experience. However, some users noted that the glossy display was prone to reflections under certain lighting conditions.