Valuable Video
For graphics, Apple kept the same ATI Mobility Radeon X1600, with the higher-end MacBook Pro configurations sporting an unchanged 256-Mbytes of SDRAM. The X1600 is still a solid performer with a good balance of performance, power consumption and cost, but is starting to show its age. Supporting dual-link DVI, the X1600 can drive Apple's largest 30-inch external display, as well as any smaller monitor. (Look to see updated graphics capability in the next generation of MacBook Pro -- ATI has released three new iterations of its Mobility line since the X1600, most recently the as-yet unannounced -- but reportedly shipping -- Mobility X1900, which promises to be a true screamer of a mobile graphics solution.)
The 15.4-inch screen, available in both matte and glossy versions, has the same native 1,440-by-900 resolution as the previous model, and the screen is everything you would expect from a high-end laptop -- crisp, bright, and with excellent contrast.
Storage Options
The review unit came with a 160-Gbyte 5400 RPM Hitachi Serial ATA drive, which did well in performance testing. A 120-Gbyte 5400 RPM drive is standard in the lower-end model, but those needing the maximum possible internal storage can opt for a 200-Gbyte drive, which will, however, drop you down to a slower 4200 RPM.
A slightly off-note was the choice of a slot-loading DVD drive. The dual-layer Matsushita UJ-857D CD/DVD drive experienced some occasional glitches, and in at least one case simply would not read a Windows CD that other drives could read perfectly. In addition, the performance of the drive in tests showed it to be adequate but not stellar. Some users on a number of Mac forums have reported read or write problems with this model of drive, and apparently some newer MacBook Pros are now shipping with a different Hitachi drive which doesn't appear to experience the same issues.
Other Features
One of the causes of the most griping about the first generation of MacBook Pro laptops was the missing FireWire 800 port. Video professionals and other users who depend on the fastest available external drives were mystified by the loss of a feature that had been available in Apple's previous PowerBook line, and which was included in the 17-inch MacBook Pro, but not the 15-inch model.