The MacBook Pro was first introduced on January 10, 2006.  The MacBook Pro is currently on its fifth revision or in other words, it's sixth product cycle.  The most recent MacBook Pro revisions were released on October 14, 2008 (15-inch models) and January 6, 2009 (17-inch model).  Apple offers three MacBook Pro models to choose from;  a standard 2.4GHz or 2.53GHz 15.4-inch model or a standard 2.66GHz 17-inch model.  Each can be customized with specific configuration options based on the model.

In the Box

• MacBook Pro
• 85W MagSafe Power Adapter
• AC wall plug
• Power cord
• Lithium-polymer battery (removable on 15-inch models, built in on 17-inch model)
• Install/restore DVDs
• Display cleaning cloth
• Printed and electronic documentation

Key Configuration Options

• Processor up to 2.93GHz
• Processors with 6MB L2 Cache
• Memory up to 8GB (17-inch only)
• Hard drive up to 320GB (7200-rpm)
• 128GB solid-state drive
• Glossy display or Antiglare option (17-inch only)
• Apple USB Modem
• MagSafe Airline Adapter
• Apple Remote
  

Installed software
All MacBook Pro models ship pre-installed with:

• Mac OS X version 10.5 Leopard operating system which includes key features and applications such as Time Machine, Quick Look, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth, Xcode Developer Tools)
• iLife which includes iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, and GarageBand

New Aluminum unibody enclosure
The MacBook Pro's look and feel has been taken to the next level thanks to the revolutionary aluminum unibody enclosure that is carved from a piece of aluminum.  It's an amazing work of engineering that has made the MacBook Pro lighter, thinner, stunning, and more durable than prior generation models.  The unibody MacBook Pro offers a similar look and feel to the aluminum MacBook line but you can easily identify a MacBook Pro with by noting the speaker grills to the left and right of the keyboard.

Design - Beautifully Aluminum and Packed with Features
Simply beautiful.  The sleek and elegantly designed brushed aluminum unibody enclosure will make heads turn but it's what inside that really makes the MacBook Pro shine.  The MacBook Pro tops many of the features found in the consumer level MacBook and MacBook Air.  Besides offering dual core processors, a built-in iSight video camera, built in wireless and bluetooth connectivity, slot-loading SuperDrive, three USB 2.0 ports (17-inch) or two USB 2.0 ports (15-inch), battery indicator lights, optical digital audio in/out, Gigabit Ethernet Port, the MagSafe power adapter, and Mini DisplayPort, every MacBook Pro also offers: a FireWire 800 port, an ExpressCard/34 slot, a backlit illuminated keyboard on all models, faster processors with up to 6MB shared L2 cache, larger hard drive and RAM configurations, and better screen resolution.

It's the ideal system for the most demanding mobile user.  It doesn't stop there, the MacBook Pro offers advanced and dedicated graphics support for the most demanding applications thanks to the combined NVIDIA GeForce 9400M and 9600M GT with 256MB or 512MB of GDDR3 memory.  The sharp high-resolution screens output images with stunning clarity and you have the option of choosing an antiglare display on the 17-inch model.  The MacBook Pro also meets the expectations of audiophiles thanks to surround sound and top-notch sound quality.

Innovative Features
The MacBook Pro has a built-in ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts the brightness of the keyboard and display for optimal viewing in low-light environments.  The innovative MagSafe Power Adapter magnetically attaches to the MacBook Pro and easily detaches if someone accidentally trips over the cord. Your MacBook Pro won't fly off your desk or lap.  The larger and now glass Multi-Touch trackpad can intelligently interpret gestures to allow you to scroll through web pages, documents, and photographs with ease while also functioning as a button for clicks.

New Additions / Changes to the MacBook Pro
The MacBook Pro adopts the keyboard style (now black) and magnetic latch first introduced on consumer MacBook, the the environmentally friendly design of the aluminum iMac, as well as the iPhone's headphone mic.  The ports on the MacBook Pro are now all placed on the left side of the enclosure.  The SuperDrive has been moved from the front to right side.  The battery and hard drive have been realigned underneath for easy access (15-inch models only).

Environmentally Friendly
The unibody MacBook Pro just like the MacBook is constructed from highly recyclable materials and is more energy efficient (ENERGY STAR certified and EPEAT Gold rated) than its predecessors.  Key environmentally friendly specs include aluminum, arsenic-free glass, mercury-free, and PVC-free.

Expansion - No Problem
Need to expand your system or connect the latest and greatest device or peripheral?  No problem thanks to the inclusion of the ExpressCard/34 expansion slot.  You can connect Firewire capable devices such as external hard drives and camcorders thanks to the included Firewire 800 port.  The left side of the 17-inch model is shown below.  From left to right the ports are: MagSafe power, Gigabit Ethernet, FireWire 800, three USB 2.0 ports, Mini DisplayPort, Audio in, Audio out, Express Card/34, Battery indicator lights.


Amazing Display
All MacBook Pro models give you a brilliant, sharp, high-resolution screen.  All MacBook Pro models use power-efficient LED-backlit displays that provide a 1440 × 900 pixel resolution on the 15-inch models or a high resolution 1920 × 1200 pixel resolution on the 17-inch model.  The MacBook Pro modes provide a superior portable viewing experience versus the MacBook and MacBook Air models.

Expand your Screen Real Estate
Need more viewing area?  Just connect your MacBook Pro via the Mini DisplayPort to an external display up to 30-inches such as the Apple Cinema Displays or even better, to the new generation LED Cinema Display. You have a choice of three options to view and do your work, dual-display mode, video mirroring, and you can even run the MacBook Pro with the lid closed.
 
What can you do with a MacBook Pro?
As a mobile powerhouse, the MacBook Pro allows you to do just about everything.  You'll be able to run the full range of Apple software from iLife to the most demanding professional Apple applications such as Final Cut Studio, Aperture, and Logic Pro.  Even the most demanding third-party titles such as Adobe Photoshop will run like a champ on the MacBook Pro.

• Accomplish daily tasks such as email, web browsing, managing photos, making home movies, designing DVDs, designing websites, and listening to and composing music
• Experience Front Row with the optional Apple Remote as you easily navigate through your photos, music, movies, and videos.
• Use the built-in iSight camera to video chat with family and friends, or join your colleagues in a video conference.  You'll also be able to make a quick video clip or play around with the pictures you snapped in Photo Booth.
• Burn CDs or dual layer DVDs (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
• Use the built-in AirPort Extreme for wireless networking and to connect to nearby hot spots
• Connect to the latest Bluetooth enabled peripherals and/or mobile phones
• Listen to music with the crisp sounding built-in speakers
• Add a second display (extended desktop mode and video mirroring)
• Connect other devices such as VGA monitors and projectors
• Use Apple's full range of software from iLife to professional titles such as Final Cut Pro and Aperture

Conclusion & Buying Advice
Powerful enough to serve as a mobile workstation and mobile enough for the go, the MacBook Pro is the ultimate mobile Mac.  The new unibody enclosure makes today's MacBook Pro better built, thinner, rigid, stronger, and more appealing.  The new feel, display lid and easier access to the the hard drive will makes the MacBook Pro much easier to use than prior generation models.  If you need faster processors, better graphics, or simply more features, options, and flexibility than can be bought with the MacBook or MacBook Air, choose the high performance MacBook Pro.  It's the ultimate desktop Mac replacement.

Updates/Revisions

• June 5, 2007 - Added information the June 5, 2007 models and specifications
• June 6, 2007 - Added Key features section - content modifications
• February 26, 2008 - Added information about the new models and specifications.  Content revision.
• January 12, 2009 - Content revision based on information from Late 2008 models and January 2009 release of 17-inch model

Images used in this guide are Courtesy of Apple