Brian's Macbook Pro (C2D) Review 
Please submit additional questions to mbp(at)charter(dot)net
Specifications (from Apple website)15-inch : 2.33GHz Model
- 2.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (4MB L2 Cache)
- 15.4-inch (viewable) widescreen :1440 x 900 pixels
- 2GB memory (DDR2-667)
- 120GB Serial ATA, 5400rpm
- 6x double-layer SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
- ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 256MB of GDDR3 SDRAM
- Built-in iSight camera
- Apple Remote; full-size, illuminated keyboard with ambient light sensor; Scrolling Trackpad
- Two USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 400 port, one FireWire 800 port, one ExpressCard/34 slot
- Combined optical digital/headphone out, combined optical digital/audio line in, microphone, speakers
- Physical Dimensions: 1 x 14.1 x 9.6 inches, 5.6 pounds
- 5.6 pounds
Now for the fun stuff...
Q: Could you please post the hardware overview?
A: Sure, here it is.
Q: What is the video card?
A: ATI Radeon X1600.
Q: What Hard drive Model is the 120 GB hard drive?
A: Fujitsu MHW2120BH
Q: What model is the DVD-DL drive?
A: Matshita UJ-857D
Q: Could you please run the ATITool and report back on the default speed?
A: Sure will, Core is running at 418.50 and memory at 445.50.
Q: Would you please run 3DMark 05, and report back on score?
A: Yep, here you go.
Q: Please run 3DMark06, and post results.
A: No problem, here it is.
Q: What wireless network card is in the new C2D MBP?
A: The card is based on the Atheros AR5008 802.11n chipset.
Additional: The card only supports 802.11g in OS X, however in
Win XP via BootCamp you can get full "n" functionality by installing
the driver for the D-Link DWA-645 (version 102). Link to driver
---> http://www.dlink.com/products/support.asp?pid=489&sec=0#drivers
Q: Could you please report on the heat/temperature issue.
A: I really have nothing to compare it to, however at ide this is what I got...
Q: There have been several problems with noise (whine, mooing, etc) have you experienced any of them?
A: No, the MBP is almost silent, even the DVD drive seems quiter when spinnig at full speed..
Q: How is the wireless reception?
A: The wireless reception seems
about the same as the previous model, however I never really tested the
max distance, etc. I get full strength at my desk, which is about
40 feet and 1 story up from my access point.
Q: Is there still a pinhole where the led indicator for the iSight camera resides?
A: No, the led is behind (shines through) the plastic, just like all the other led indicators.
Q: Does the new C2D model have a removable HD bay?
A: No, it does not.
Q: Do you have any dead pixels?
A: Nope
Q: Does the Hard Drive use perpendicular recording?
A: The 120 GB drive in my unit uses Longitudinal Magnetic Recording
(LMR), the 160 MB version available does use perpendicular recording.
Q: On some previous models, there was an issue with the right speaker (sounding like it was blown), any sign of this issue?
A: No, I loaded up a CD in iTunes, and cranked the volume, crystal clear....
Q: How is the LCD blacklight, are the corners darker, like previous revisions?
A: The backlight seems the same to me. The corners are slightly
darker upon startup, but once everything is up an running, it is no
longer obvious.
Q: Can you run super_pi up to 2 million, and post the results?
A: Sure, below are both OS X (68.727sec), and XP (1m1.953s) versions.
Q: What can you tell me about the battery?
A: Not a whole lot. Made in China (what isn't), Model # A1175, Li-ion.
Q: Please run Xbench, and post results.
A: sure thing....text file of results is here ----> Xbench_Results
Q: Please compile this, so it can
be determined if 64bit is enabled.
#include <stdio.h>
main ()
{
int i=0;
long int li=0;
long long int lli=0;
double d=0;
char c;
char * p;
printf ("Size of Data Types on this System:\n\n");
/*---------------------------------------------*/
printf( "Char = %d bytes\n", sizeof(c) );
printf( "Integer = %d bytes\n", sizeof(i) );
printf( "Long Integer = %d bytes\n", sizeof(li) );
printf( "Long Long Integer = %d bytes\n", sizeof(lli) );
printf( "Double = %d bytes\n", sizeof(d) );
printf( "Pointer = %d bytes\n", sizeof(p) );
}
A: I compiled it, got
that it was only in 32bit mode. A user on slashdot suggested turning on 64
bit by adding "-m64" to the compile string, which worked, I got a 64 bit
response.
Size of Data Types on this System:
Char = 1 bytes
Integer = 4 bytes
Long Integer = 8 bytes
Long Long Integer = 8 bytes
Double = 8 bytes
Pointer = 8 bytes
Q: Can someone take a side shot of the Macbook so angle
of lid opening can be determined?
A: Hope this helps
Q: Could someone take a closup shot of the vents at the
rear of the unit?
A: see below...
Q: Could you take a picture of the keyboard with the backlight on?
A: I would be happy to...
