MacBook Pro 17-inch

The first MacBook Pro was released this time last year, powered by an Intel Core Duo processor with a maximum speed of 2.16GHz. Now, less than 12 months after switching to Intel’s processors, Apple has released the second-generation MacBook Pro, based on the new Core 2 Duo processor.

Core 2 Duo isn’t a revolutionary enhancement over the Core Duo, but it does bring a definite performance boost. If you compare the two then the Core 2 Duo processor will be around 10-20 per cent faster, depending on the type of tasks you throw at it. In addition, the Core 2 Duo processors are cheaper than their predecessors, which means that the new MacBook Pro range offers better value for money.

The top-of-the-range machine is the 17-inch model, reviewed here, which runs at 2.33GHz, with 2GB RAM and a 160GB hard disk. All three models in the range have the same Radeon Mobility X1600 graphics chip, so choice now really does come down to pricing and size.

As before, you can choose between a glossy and non-glossy screen finish, although the non-glossy finish will be better for designers who need accurate colour reproduction. There’s no difference in price here, so you can opt for whichever type of screen is most suitable for your work, and there’s a DVI connector available too (along with a VGA adaptor), so you’ve still got the option of connecting an external monitor if you want.

The real difference is the Core 2 Duo processor; with the 17-inch model pushing clock speeds up to 2.33GHz it does start to gain a real edge over its predecessor. The Core 2 Duo also benefits from 4MB of ‘level 2 cache’, which is an extra chunk of high-speed memory that sits between the processor and the computer’s RAM and speeds up the transfer of data. The increased size of the L2 cache on the Core 2 Duo helps when dealing with large file sizes, and we found that Photoshop performance (using both CS2 and the beta version of CS3) definitely gained a significant boost. In fact, the Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro running at 2.33GHz comes out almost 30 per cent faster than its predecessor.

There’s also an improvement in 3D performance; framerates in 3D games seem to be up by almost 20 per cent, even though the Radeon Mobility X1600 graphics chip is the same chip used in the earlier MacBook Pro range. You won’t see that much improvement on all programs (or even on all tasks and filters within Photoshop) but this new model is undoubtedly another positive step forward.

The 17-inch MacBook Pro is certainly the most powerful laptop Apple has ever produced – and it compares favourably with PC laptops as well, with a Dell Precision configured to a similar specification coming in at well over £2,100. With that sort of price and performance, the new 17-inch model has a good claim to be the best laptop currently available for creative users.