Digital Trends

Apple MacBook Pro 2.33GHz December 17th, 2006 | by Jason Tomczak

Features and Design

It is very difficult to tell the old MacBook Pro apart from the new MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo, mainly because there has been no significant change in body style. The new features are found through subtle differences - one new port and a lot under the hood. These changes are important to power users and upgrade-junkies, as well as to the future of the MacBook Pro.

First, Apple has returned the Firewire 800 port, allowing thousands of video and photography specialists to collectively utter a sigh of relief. Ultra-high bandwidth data transfer is once again friend to the mobile pro. There are still two USB 2.0 ports and one Firewire 400 port for those who have not invested in Firewire 800.

While the LCD screen on the first-generation MacBook Pro was much brighter and clearer than on the last generation of PowerBooks, Apple managed to out-do themselves again. The new MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo has a super-bright screen with amazing contrast and life-like colors. The optional 'glossy' screen is truly a work of art. Not only does the glossy overlay greatly enhance colors and make video pop, it does so with a minimal amount of glare or reflection. Other glossy-screen laptops, such as some by HP and Sony, are more like LCD mirrors; too distracting for actual work, but great for paranoids who want to see if someone is behind them without turning around. No such glaring issues with the MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo glossy screen. After over 400 hours of use, I am convinced that the screen had actually enhanced my productivity and creativity.

The first-generation MacBook Pro came with a slow but reliable 4X SuperDrive. In a May 2006 review , I complained that the 4X SuperDrive should be upgraded. Some readers rejected my comments and suggested that it was impossible. Because I know Apple as an innovative company, I knew that a better, faster SuperDrive was in the works. Of course, Apple delivered. The new 15" MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo comes with a speedy 6X Double-layer SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW). Thanks Apple! Burning DVDs is now about 50% faster.

Apple MacBook Pro