Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch (early 2011) :Review

The MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.0 15-Inch (Early 2011/Thunderbolt) features a 32 nm "Sandy Bridge" 2.0 GHz Intel "Core i7" processor (2635QM), with four independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip, a 6 MB shared level 3 cache, 4 GB of 1333 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (PC3-10600) installed in pairs (two 2 GB modules), a 500 GB Serial ATA (5400 RPM) hard drive, an 8X DL "SuperDrive", dual graphics processors -- an AMD Radeon HD 6490M with 256 MB of dedicated GDDR5 memory and an Intel HD Graphics 3000 graphics processor that shares 384 MB of memory with the system -- and an integrated FaceTime HD webcam.

The standard configuration of this model has an LED-backlit 15.4" widescreen TFT active-matrix "glossy" display (1440x900 native resolution), but it also was available via custom configuration with a "high-resolution glossy" 1680x1050 display and a "high-resolution antiglare" 1680x1050 display for an additional US$100 and US$150, respectively.

Connectivity includes AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, Gigabit Ethernet, a Firewire "800" port, two USB 2.0 ports, separate audio in and out ports, an SDXC card slot, and a new "Thunderbolt" port that is backwards compatible with Mini DisplayPort and, likewise, supports an external display at 2560x1600 and passes an audio signal. Thunderbolt also supports other peripherals that use the Thunderbolt standard which provides up to 10 Gbps of bandwidth in both directions.

This model uses a "Unibody" aluminum case design -- milled from a single piece of aluminum -- and has a backlit keyboard, a "no button" glass "inertial" multi-touch trackpad, and a non-swappable battery design that provides an Apple estimated 7 hours of battery life.

Compared to its predecessor, this model has a very similar external enclosure, apart from a higher-resolution webcam and the aforementioned Thunderbolt port. Internally, however, it has a significantly faster architecture, faster RAM, and improved graphics.

15-inch Technical Specifications

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

Connections and expansion

• MagSafe power port
• Gigabit Ethernet port
• FireWire 800 port (up to 800 Mbps)
• Two USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps)
• Thunderbolt port (up to 10 Gbps)
• Audio line in
• Audio line out
• SDXC card slot
• Kensington lock slot

Communications

• Wi-Fi wireless networking² (based on IEEE 802.11n specification); IEEE 802.11a/b/g compatible
• 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

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
• Energy Efficient Ethernet
• Reduced packaging volume
• Meets ENERGY STAR Version 5.2 requirements
• Rated EPEAT Gold⁴

Display

• Glossy
• Antiglare

• 15.4-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy or optional antiglare 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

Graphics and video support

• AMD Radeon HD 6750M graphics processor with 512MB of GDDR5 memory on 2.2GHz configuration; or AMD Radeon HD 6770M graphics processor with 1GB of GDDR5 memory on 2.4GHz configuration
• Intel HD Graphics 3000 with 384MB 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
• FaceTime HD camera
• Thunderbolt port

Thunderbolt digital video output

• Native Mini DisplayPort 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 audio and video 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