The MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.53 15-inch (SD - Mid-2009) is powered by a 45 nm "Penryn" 2.53 GHz Intel "Core 2 Duo" processor (P8700). It features two independent cores on a single silicon chip, a 3 MB shared level 2 cache, and a 1066 MHz frontside bus. The system comes with 4 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (PC3-8500) installed in pairs, a 250 GB Serial ATA (5400 RPM) hard drive, and an 8X DL "SuperDrive". Graphics are handled by an NVIDIA GeForce 9400M processor that shares 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM with main memory. It also includes an integrated iSight camera and a 15.4-inch LED-backlit widescreen TFT active-matrix "glossy" display with a 1440x900 native resolution.
Connectivity features include AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, Gigabit Ethernet, a FireWire "800" port, two USB 2.0 ports, optical digital/analog audio in/out, a "Mini DisplayPort" supporting an external display up to 2560x1600, and an SD card slot. This model does not have an ExpressCard/34 slot.
This model utilizes the same essential "Unibody" case design—milled from a single block of aluminum—as the previous 15-inch MacBook Pro models it replaced. It shares the same backlit keyboard and "no button" glass "multi-touch" trackpad with support for four-finger gestures and programmable zones. While the internal architecture is very similar, there are notable improvements. The "Mid-2009" 15-inch models boast an enhanced display with a reported "60% greater color gamut" and a non-swappable battery that extends its life to 7 hours (from 5 hours). They also add the SD card slot but eliminate the previously standard ExpressCard/34 slot. It is also important to note that this entry-level model relies on integrated graphics.