Apple 15-inch MacBook Pro: The Ultimate Guide
Apple announced updates to its professional line of MacBook Pro laptops. In a series of four articles, I’m introducing the overall changes and providing detailed information on each of the three main laptops in the MacBook Pro lineup. Click the links below to skip to a specific article:
- Apple Updates MacBook Pro Laptop Line — An introduction to the updates.
- Apple 13-inch MacBook Pro: The Ultimate Guide — Detailed specifications and a review of the 13-inch MacBook Pro.
- Apple 15-inch MacBook Pro: The Ultimate Guide — Detailed specifications and a review of the 15-inch MacBook Pro. (You’re already here!)
- Apple 17-inch MacBook Pro: The Ultimate Guide — Detailed specifications and a review of the 17-inch MacBook Pro.
Apple 15-inch MacBook Pro Review
The 15-inch MacBook Pro is my pick for the perfect computer. It’s the computer that I personally use 95% of the time. It’s robust, easy-to-carry, fast, and a bit sexy.
Technical Specifications
Size and Weight
- Height
- 0.95 inch (2.41 cm)
- Width
- 14.35 inches (36.4 cm)
- Depth
- 9.82 inches (24.9 cm)
- Weight
- 5.6 pounds (2.54 kg)
Connections and Expansion
- MagSafe power port
- Gigabit Ethernet port
- One FireWire 800 port (up to 800 Mbps)
- Mini DisplayPort
- Two USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps)
- SD card slot
- Audio line in
- Audio line out
- Kensington lock slot
15-inch MacBook Pro Connections and Expansion - Click for larger image.
Communications
- AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi wireless networking2 (based on IEEE 802.11n specification); IEEE 802.11a/b/g compatible
- Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) wireless technology
- 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45 connector)
Audio
- Stereo speakers with subwoofers
- Omnidirectional microphone (located under left speaker grille)
- Audio line in minijack (digital/analog)
- Audio line out/headphone minijack (digital/analog)
- Support for Apple iPhone headset with microphone
Display
- 15.4-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with support for millions of colors
- Supported resolutions: 1440 by 900 (native), 1280 by 800, 1152 by 720, 1024 by 640, and 800 by 500 pixels at 16:10 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio stretched; 720 by 480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio; 720 by 480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio stretched
- Optional 15.4-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit widescreen display with 1680 by 1050 pixels (glossy or antiglare)
15-inch MacBook Pro with glossy widescreen display - Click for larger image.
Graphics and Video Support
- NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M graphics processor with 256MB of GDDR3 memory on 2.4GHz and 2.53GHz configurations; or 512MB of GDDR3 memory on 2.66GHz configuration
- Intel HD Graphics with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory
- Automatic graphics switching
- Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors
- iSight camera
- Mini DisplayPort
Input
- Full-size backlit keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys (inverted “T” arrangement)
- Multi-Touch trackpad for precise cursor control; supports inertial scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities
15-inch MacBook Pro Keyboard and Trackpad - Click for larger image.
Processor and Memory
- 2.4GHz or 2.53GHz Intel Core i5 processor with 3MB shared L3 cache; or 2.66GHz Intel Core i7 processor with 4MB shared L3 cache
- 4GB (two 2GB SO-DIMMs) of 1066MHz DDR3 memory; two SO-DIMM slots support up to 8GB
Storage
- 320GB or 500GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive; optional 500GB 7200-rpm hard drive, or 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB solid-state drive
- 8x slot-loading SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
- Maximum write: 8x DVD-R, DVD+R; 4x DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer), DVD-RW, DVD+RW; 24x CD-R; 10x CD-RW
- Maximum read: 8x DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-ROM; 6x DVD-ROM (double layer DVD-9), DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer), DVD-RW, DVD+RW; 24x CD
15-inch MacBook Pro SuperDrive - Click for larger image.
Battery and Power
- Up to 8-9 hours of battery run time
- Built-in 77.5-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
- 85W MagSafe Power Adapter with cable management system
- MagSafe power port
15-inch MacBook Pro Configuration Options
The 15-inch MacBook Pro comes in three base configurations:
- 15-inch: 2.4GHz Intel Core i5 Processor with a 320GB Hard Drive and NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M with 256MB – $1,799
- 15-inch: 2.53GHz Intel Core i5 Processor with a 500GB Hard Drive and NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M with 256MB – $1,999
- 15-inch: 2.66GHz Intel Core i7 Processor with a 500GB Hard Drive and NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M with 512MB – $2,199
All three models come standard with 4GB of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM (2 x 2GB modules) but all MacBook Pro models support up to 8GB of RAM.
Although these MacBook Pros come standard with either a 320 GB or 500 GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive, there are upgradable options. The upgrade prices vary depending on the model you are upgrading. Options include:
- 500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm *In my opinion, this is well worth the upgrade price. This is the drive you want.
- 128GB solid-state drive
- 256GB solid-state drive
- 512GB solid-state drive
Follow the links below to read other MacBook Pro reviews:
- Apple Updates MacBook Pro Laptop Line — An introduction to the updates.
- Apple 13-inch MacBook Pro: The Ultimate Guide — Detailed specifications and a review of the 13-inch MacBook Pro.
- Apple 15-inch MacBook Pro: The Ultimate Guide — Detailed specifications and a review of the 15-inch MacBook Pro. (You’re already here!)
- Apple 17-inch MacBook Pro: The Ultimate Guide — Detailed specifications and a review of the 17-inch MacBook Pro.
Filed Under: (02) Product Reviews
About the Author: Scott Rouse is an Adobe Certified Expert (ACE), photographer, teacher, and graphic- and web-designer in Missoula, MT. His photography focuses on wildlife and adventure sports and can be viewed at 
I really enjoy the higher resolution display for photography, but it’s certainly not necessary.
-Scott
Do you recommend the standard 1440×900 display or the optional 1680×1050 display for use with Lightroom?
I’m planning on getting my very first macbook pro and I was wondering if the 15 inch is a good start and if the macbook work with any wifi routers because I used PC all my life so I don’t no if it’ll work like PC? Thanks and your review are great
Dear Clinton,
Wifi is wifi. I doubt that you will notice any difference in internet connectivity between a Mac and a PC unless you are doing something very specialized. Basically, all of these computers use the same data transmission standards and the same hardware so I wouldn’t sweat this one.
–
David
Thanks for the input, Edmund. I’ve not used an HP display, so it’s nice to hear some feedback on those.
-Scott
I’ve been using the Dell U2410 at work for several months and have been quite happy with it. Note, I don’t use it for photography, but the large screen/pixels is great for the number of apps/windows I have open.
Another similar monitor is the HP ZR24w. I’ve heard good things about it and it can be found for ~$400.
Rudy,
Apple’s LED Cinema Display is designed to work well with the new MacBooks and MacBook Pros. It connects to the power, Mini DisplayPort and USB ports on your computer allowing you to use it as the only display or a secondary display for your laptop. It has a built-in iSight camera and speakers as well as USB ports for peripheral devices.
If you don’t need all the bells and whistles of the Apple LED Cinema Display and want to save some money, I’ve been quite happy with Dell’s UltraSharp Displays. The Dell Ultrasharp U2410 24” Widesscreen Monitor is a great choice right now.
If you do opt for a third-party display, you’ll need an adaptor to go from the Mini DisplayPort on your MacBook or MacBook Pro to the DVI cable for your display. Try the Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter from Apple.
-Scott
What type of external display do you recommend?
I recommend the 15-inch. The 17-inch is too much computer for me to tote around. I like using an external display while at my desk anyway, so the extra two inches on the built in display don’t do me much good.
Have a look at my review of the 17-inch MacBook Pro for some more comments.
-Scott
What would you recommend to a photographer? The 15 or the 17 incher?
Advantages and disadvantages…
Regards.
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