The MacBook Pro was first introduced on January 10, 2006.  The MacBook Pro is currently on it's fourth revision or in other words, it's fifth product cycle.  The most recent MacBook Pro revisions were released on February 26, 2008.  Apple offers three MacBook Pro models to choose from;  a standard 2.4GHz or 2.5GHz 15.4-inch model or a standard 2.5GHz 17-inch model.  Each can be customized but configuration options vary by model.

In the Box

• 85W MagSafe Power Adapter
• AC wall plug
• Power cord
• Lithium-polymer battery
• DVI to VGA adapter
• Install/restore DVDs
• Display cleaning cloth
• Printed and electronic documentation

Configuration Options

• Processor up to 2.6GHz
• Memory up to 4GB
• Hard drive up to 300GB (17-inch only)
• Antiglare or glossy display
• Display resolution up to 1920 by 1200 pixels (17-inch only)
• Apple USB Modem
• MagSafe Airline Adapter

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 ’08 which includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, and GarageBand

Design - Beautifully Aluminum and Packed with Features

Simply beautiful.  The sleek and elegantly designed brushed aluminum case 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, Sudden Motion Sensor, optical digital audio in/out, Gigabit Ethernet, the MagSafe power adapter, and the Apple Remote, every MacBook Pro also offers:

A slot-loading dual-layer SuperDrive, FireWire 800, dual-link DVI support, an ExpressCard/34 slot, an illuminated keyboard, faster processors, and larger hard drive and RAM configurations.

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.  The sharp high-resolution screens output images with stunning clarity and you have the option of choosing an antiglare or glossy display.  The MacBook Pro also meets the expectations of audiophiles thanks to surround sound and top-notch sound quality.

Innovative
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 Sudden Motion Sensor will protect the data on your hard drive in the event of a fall.  The MacBook Pro, just like the consumer MacBook, offers the MagSafe Power Adapter but now includes the Multi-touch trackpad first introduced on the MacBook Air. 

Multi-Touch - Intelligent touch comes to MacBook Pro
The MacBook Pro now offers the advanced Multi-Touch technology that was first introduced in the MacBook Air.  It is a solid-state trackpad with Multi-Touch gesture support that gives the user precise control.  It is very easy to use, just simply use hand gestures to two-finger scroll, pinch, rotate, swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag.

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.  Need to power your MacBook Pro on your next flight?  Just connect the MagSafe Airline Adapter to your seat's power port and enjoy in-flight power without running down the battery.

Amazing Display
All MacBook Pro models give you a brilliant, sharp, high-resolution screen.  Both 15-inch models use power-efficient LED-backlit displays that provide a 1440-by-900-pixel resolution.  The 17-inch model can be customized with an optional high-resolution 17-inch LED display (1920 x 1200 pixel resolution) for the ultimate mobile viewing experience.

Expand your Screen Real Estate
Need more viewing area?  Just connect it to an external display or even better, an Apple Cinema HD Display.  Size is no obstacle as every MacBook Pro can power up to a 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display thanks to the dual-link DVI capable graphics cards.  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 dual layer DVDs and CDs (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

Key features in the new MacBook Pro models versus MacBook models

• Faster processors (CPU): 2.4GHz, 2.5GHz, and 2.6GHz versus 2.1Ghz and 2.4Ghz in the MacBook
• Larger L2 cache: 6MB shared L2 cache on the 2.5GHz and 2.6GHz models versus a maximum of 3MB shared L2 cache on MacBook
• Superior graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processor with 256MB of GDDR3 memory (2.4GHz configuration); 512MB of GDDR3 (2.5GHz and 2.6GHz configurations) versus 144MB shared Intel GMA X3100 graphics on MacBook
• LED-backlit displays: standard on 15.4-inch models, (17-inch optional)
• More display pixels: 15.4-inch models 1440 x 900 pixels standard, 1680 x 1050 pixels or 1920 x 1200 pixels (17-inch LED option) versus 1280 x 800 pixels on the MacBook
• Larger and/or faster hard drives:  200GB at 7200 rpm, 250GB at 5400-rpm, 300GB at 4200 rpm (17-inch only) versus 160GB or 250GB 5400-rpm on the MacBook
• Battery: 60-watt-hour (15.4-inch); 68-watt-hour (17-inch) with as much as 5 hrs of life versus 55-watt-hour with 4.5 hours on the MacBook
• Ports and Expansion: ExpressCard/34 slot, three USB 2.0 ports versus two on the MacBook

Conclusion & Buying Advice