History
This page covers the MacBook Pro, Apple's Intel Core Duo powered 15.4" laptop. Announced in January 2006, alongside the
iMac Core Duo, this machine replaced the aging PowerPC G4 based PowerBook range.
As well as the change of processor, this machine moved to a SATA rather than IDE drive (the first Apple laptop to do so), and replaced the PowerBooks PCMCIA expansion slot with the new ExpressCard/34. Airport Extreme and Bluetooth are built in and a SuperDrive is standard on all models. However the FireWire 800 port was dropped on the original 15.4" version, leaving just FireWire 400 and USB 2.0. The 17" MacBook Pro and later 15" MacBook Pro have a FireWire 800 port.
Apple specifications for the original 15" MacBook Pro can be found here and the glossy screen version introduced in May 2006 here.
In October 2006 the line was updated to use the Intel Core 2 Duo CPU and take up to 3GB of RAM (as opposed to 2GB on the original model), the missing FireWire 800 port was also added to the 15.4" version. Apple specs here.
In June 2007, a further revision bumped the speed up to 2.4GHz, updated the Airport card to use the 802.11n draft specification, and allowed up to 4GB of RAM to be installed. Apple specs here. A minor refresh was made in November 2007 - specs here.
In February 2008 the MacBook Pro moved to the Penryn processor running at 2.4, 2.5 or 2.6GHz and introduced a multi-touch track pad. Compatibility for upgrades was unchanged. Apple specs here.
In October 2008 the 15" MacBook Pro had a major update, with a redesigned case, upgraded graphics card, upgraded memory bus, a move to a SATA optical drive and the loss of the FireWire 400 port (FireWire 800 still present). Apple specs here.
In June 2009 there was an update which increased the maximum memory from 4GB to 8GB. The ExpressCard expansion slot was also removed. An SD memory card slot was added. Apple specs here.
In April 2010 another updated upgraded the processor options from the
Core 2 Duo to the new Intel Core i5 at 2.4GHz or 2.53GHz, or
the Intel Core i7 at 2.66GHz. The graphics card was also upgraded.
Compatibility on upgrades remained unchanged. Apple specs here.
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How to Identify these Machines
The MacBook Pro looks similar to the 15" PowerBook G4 Aluminium - it is the same colour, although slightly thinner and with a slightly larger screen.
The best way to identify this machine is to check System Profiler for the CPU type (Intel Core Duo or Core 2 Duo), although it can also be easily identified by Apple's new MagSafe power connector - the power cable is held on magnetically when attached, eliminating the possibility of damaging the machine by tripping on the power lead.
There is also 17" version of the MacBook Pro, which has its own page here. Compatibility between the two machines is very similar, apart from the lack of FireWire 800 on the original 15.4" model.
The MacBook Aluminium, released in October 2008, also looks similar. However the MacBook has a smaller 13.3" screen. System Profiler (Apple menu > About This Mac, then click on the "More Info" button) will also tell you what type of Mac you have.
The other Intel Core/Core 2 Duo based Apple laptops are the white and black MacBooks, but as well as having a smaller screen, these MacBook come in white or black plastic, rather than the aluminium of the MacBook Pro.
There are 5 revisions of the MacBook Pro 15.4", and while compatibility is similar there is a difference in the amount and type of RAM they can use.
To tell the difference between revisions, check the CPU type and speed in System Profile, and compare to the below.
1st Revision: Released Jan 2006 with a 1.83GHz, 2.0GHz or 2.16GHz Intel Core Duo CPU. Has no FireWire 800 port on the 15.4" model. Maximum RAM 2GB (either 2 x 1GB modules or 1 x 2GB). SuperDrive slot in the front. Apple specs here and the glossy screen version here.
2nd Revision: Released Oct 2006 with a 2.16 or 2.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU. Has FireWire 800 port across the range. Maximum RAM 3GB (1x 1GB + 1 x 2GB modules). SuperDrive slot in the front. Apple specs here.
3rd Revision: Released June 2007 with a 2.2GHz or 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU. Has FireWire 800 across the range. Maximum RAM 4GB (2 x 2GB modules). SuperDrive slot in the front. Apple specs here and for the November 2007 refresh here.
4th Revision: Released February 2008 with a 2.4GHz, 2.5GHz or 2.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (Penryn) CPU. Has FireWire 800 across the range. Maximum RAM 4GB (2 x 2GB modules). SuperDrive slot in the front. Apple specs here.
5th Revision: released October 2008 with a 2.4GHz, 2.53GHz or 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo. This was a major revision with a new case, upgraded memory, a SATA optical drive and no FireWire 400 port (800 only). This MacBook Pro has the SuperDrive slot on the right-hand side, all previous models have the SuperDrive slot in the front. Apple specs here.
6th Revision: released June 2009 with a 2.53, 2.66, 2.8 or 3.03GHz Core
2 Duo CPU. Has FireWire 800 across the range, but no FireWire 400. There
is no ExpressCard expansion slot on this revision, although there is an
SD card slot. Maximum RAM 8GB (2 x 4GB modules) . SuperDrive slot in the
right-hand side. Apple specs here.
7th Revision: released April 2010 with a 2.4GHz or 2.53GHz Core i5, or
a 2.66GHz Core i7 CPU and upgraded graphics processing. There
is no ExpressCard expansion slot on this revision, although there is an
SD card slot. Maximum RAM 8GB (2 x 4GB modules) . SuperDrive slot in the
right-hand side. Apple specs here.
If you are still unsure you can contact us on 01223 833 412, or by email for confirmation. If you want to upgrade but aren't happy to install your upgrades then we can help. Simply ask our engineers for further details.
Looking for a case for this Laptop? Order securely online from our sister site, LaptopEssentials.co.uk.
Memory Upgrades
The MacBook Pro 15.4" has two memory sockets. Click here for the 17" MacBook Pro
The original Core Duo machines can accept up to 2GB in RAM in two 1GB chips.
The first Core 2 Duo machines introduced in October 2006 can support up to 3GB of RAM by using 1 x 2GB module and 1 x 1GB module.
The later Core 2 Duo MacBook Pros (June 2007 and Feb 2008) can use 4GB of RAM.
All these machines use PC2-5300 SODIMMs.
The updated October 2008 MacBook Pro 15" can use up to 4GB of DDR3 PC3-8500 (1066MHz) in 2 x 2GB SODIMMs.
Models released in June 2009 can use up to 8GB of DDR3 PC3-8500 in 2
x 4GB SODIMMs.
See the How To Identify this Mac section above for details on how to tell the difference between these revisions.
There is no need to install RAM in pairs in this machine.
| 1 | Suitable for MacBook Pro 15" machines released after October 2008. SuperDrive slot should be on the right-hand side, not the front. |
| 2 | Only compatible with machines released from June 2009 - SuperDrive slot on the right-hand side, has an SD card slot but no ExpressCard slot. |
| 3 | Only suitable for MacBook Pros released before October 2008 (SuperDrive slot in the front, not on the right-hand side). |
| 4 | Not suitable for first revision MacBook Pros, or those released after October 2008. Compatible machines have a Core 2 Duo processor (not Core Duo) and the SuperDrive slot in the front (not right-hand side). |
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Difficulty 3 / 5 - Reasonably easy.
Turn off the machine and remove the power cable and battery.
Pre October 2008: The RAM is accessed via a cover on the bottom of the machine secured by three screws. Remove the holding screws and install the new RAM. See chapter 3 of this Apple user guide (pdf) - for the early 2008 version, but procedure is the same on earlier models.
Post October 2008: The RAM is accessed by removing the bottom case. See chapter 3 of this Apple user guide (pdf).
CD & DVD Drive Upgrades
All MacBook Pros come with a SuperDrive at as standard. Models released before October 2008 (SuperDrive slot on the front) use an IDE drive, later models (SuperDrive slot on the right-hand side) use SATA. At present we don't stock replacement internal CD or DVD writers for these laptops.
It is possible to use an external device via FireWire or USB 2.0. The external drives listed below include both slim-line units which power from the FireWire/USB port, and full sized desktop models, which use mains power.
There are no optical drive upgrades available for these Macs
Difficulty 1 / 5 Easy
Install any supplied software, restart the machine and connect the new device.
Internal Hard Drive Upgrades
The MacBook Pro uses a 2.5" SATA hard drive - a first for an Apple laptop. All of the following drives are compatible with all 15.4" MacBook Pros. Click here for the 17" MacBook Pro
There is no change in hard drive compatibility with the October 2008 update, however fitting is considerably easier on the later machines.
If you don't want to fit a new hard drive yourself, you can take advantage of the MacUpgrades Installation Service. Add the installation service from the list below to your cart along with your chosen hard drive. We can also clone your existing hard drive onto the new one, simply add the Clone Original Hard Drive service below to your cart.
Once you have booked the service, send your machine to us, we will carry out the work and return it to you. Alternatively, we do offer a Collection Service with our courier, please see here for details.
| 1 | Suitable for Unibody models only: those released after October 2008 and have the SuperDrive slot on the right-hand side, not the front. |
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Difficulty 4 / 5 Difficult (pre Oct 2008), 3/5 Easy (post October 2008)
For the pre October 2008 MacBook Pro, the internal hard drive is difficult to get to, and is not classified by Apple as a user installable part. Installing a replacement drive during warranty will void any remaining warranty.
Mac Upgrades does sell drives for user installation, but we cannot offer instructions or support for the install.
We do offer a drive fitting service, but this is for out of warranty machines only. To preserve warranty, a drive must be fitted by an Apple Authorised Service Centre.
The post-October 2008 ones are much easier and we recommend user installation in most cases. See chapter 3 of this Apple user guide (pdf).
Graphics Card Upgrades
The graphics card in the MacBook Pro is part of the main logic board, and is therefore not replaceable.
There are no graphics card upgrades available for these Macs
Expansion Card Upgrades
All MacBook Pro 15" machines up until June 2009 have an ExpressCard/34 slot for expansion. This is a modern, high bandwidth slot, considerably superior to the old PCMCIA found on the PowerBook range.
This slot was dropped in the June 2009 revision, so none of the ExpressCard products are suitable for these MacBook Pros.
There is also an internal slot for the Airport Extreme card, which can be replaced or upgraded.
| 1 | Designed for 1st revision MacBook/MacBook Pro models (Core Duo not Core 2 Duo). Later models shipped with either a fully functioning 802.11n card, or one that could be upgraded to 802.11n with a software patch. |
| 2 | Not compatible with models released from June 2009, since these do not have an ExpressCard expansion slot. |
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Difficulty 1 / 5 - Very Easy (Express34 slot only).
Install any supplied software, turn off the machine and insert the ExpressCard into the socket on the machine.
Restart machine and away you go.
Keyboards & Mice
The following keyboards and mice are compatible with this Mac.
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Difficulty 1 / 5 - Very Easy
Keyboards plug into the relevant port on your Mac. Mice can either be plugged into your keyboard, or they can be plugged directly into your Mac.
Power Supplies & Batteries
Listed below are power supplies, batteries and related products
we supply for this Mac.
Cables & Tools
Listed below are power cables, tools and related products
we supply for this Mac.
| 1 | Not suitable for first revision 15in MacBook Pros - those with an Intel Core Duo processor (rather than Core 2 Duo). |
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
External Hard Drive Upgrades
Unlike the later PowerBook G4s, the 15.4" MacBook Pro does not have FireWire 800. However there are a range of FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 external drives that you can use. The laptop also has an ExpressCard slot which is a high bandwidth expansion port, suitable for adding connectivity suitable for fast external storage.
Please note that after October 2008, the 15" MacBook Pro no longer has a FireWire 400 port, only FireWire 800. You can use a FireWire 400 device on a FireWire 800 port, but you will need a 9 pin - 6 pin FireWire cable.
| 1 | The very first MacBook Pro 15in (Core Duo processor, rather than Core 2 Duo) does not have FireWire 800, so can only use this product via USB 2.0. |
| 2 | Requires an eSATA connection to be added to this Mac (eg Tempo Express/34). |
| 3 | To connect to an eSATA device, this Mac needs an eSATA ExpressCard controller, such as the Sonnet Tempo-e Express 34 SATA II card. |
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Difficulty 1 / 5 - Very Easy
Install any supplied software and connect the new device.
You will need to format the drive before use. This is done with the "Drive Setup" utility, which can be found in Applications > Utilities.
