MacBook Pro Core Duo (T2600) 2006

The Apple MacBook Pro "Core Duo" 2.16 15-Inch is equipped with a 2.16 GHz "Core Duo" processor (T2600) featuring two independent cores, a 2 MB shared L2 cache, and a 667 MHz frontside bus. It comes with 1.0 GB of 667 MHz PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM, a 100.0 GB hard drive with "Sudden Motion Sensor" technology, and a 4X single-layer DVD±RW/CD-RW SuperDrive. This model also includes an ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics processor with 256 MB of GDDR3 video memory and dual-link DVI, plus a 15.4" widescreen 1440x900 TFT active-matrix display, which had a glossy option available.

Like its predecessor, the PowerBook G4/1.67 15" (HR), this model includes the fiber-optic "ambient light sensor," the "scrolling TrackPad," AirPort Extreme (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. It does, however, omit the Firewire "800" and S-video out ports, replacing the PC card slot with an ExpressCard/34 slot, and lacks an internal modem. The MacBook Pro also introduces a built-in iSight camera, an Apple Remote for Front Row, and the new "MagSafe" power connector that detaches safely if someone trips over the cord.

It should be noted that this model was first available as a "build-to-order" upgrade from February 14, 2006, before becoming a standard configuration on May 16, 2006.

Positioned as the premium configuration of the original "Core Duo" MacBook Pro series, the 2.16 GHz model represented the performance peak of this short-lived generation. It delivered the fastest processing speeds available before Apple's swift transition to the superior 64-bit Core 2 Duo processors later that year. For a brief period, it was the most powerful laptop Apple had ever offered, demonstrating the significant potential of the new Intel architecture. However, its reign was notably short. The arrival of the more powerful and efficient Core 2 Duo models just five months after it became a standard configuration meant its status as the top-tier option was quickly superseded.