The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    macbook aluminum or macbook pro

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by clusty1, Sep 22, 2009.

  1. clusty1

    clusty1 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    38
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Hey,

    Was curious what is the difference between the short-lived aluminum macbooks and macbook pros.

    Only thing i could spot is the illuminated keyboard.
    Any other stuff different?
     
    clusty1, Sep 22, 2009
    #1
  2. MrX8503

    MrX8503 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    126
    Messages:
    650
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Better battery
    Smaller power brick (I think all models?)
    Non-removeable battery
    Better screen
    Illuminated keyboard standard
    SD Slot
    Price reduction
    CPU speed bump

    I think those are all the changes for the 13" mbp.
     
    MrX8503, Sep 22, 2009
    #2
  3. ClearSkies

    ClearSkies Well no, I'm still here..

    Reputations:
    1,059
    Messages:
    2,633
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    A few additions to MrX's post:
    1. The backlit keyboard was only on the higher 2.4GHz 13" aluMB (mine), but is now added to the entry level $1199 one.
    2. Stock RAM now increased in higher MBP from 2GB (aluMB) to 4GB DDR3.
    3. Firewire was missing from the aluMB series, but is back on current MBP.
    4. Hard drives unchanged from aluMB series - 160 entry, 250 higher.
    5. Audio port is now in/out rather than separate.
     
    ClearSkies, Sep 22, 2009
    #3
  4. S.SubZero

    S.SubZero Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    467
    Messages:
    1,348
    Likes Received:
    121
    Trophy Points:
    81
    S.SubZero, Sep 22, 2009
    #4
  5. Luke1708

    Luke1708 Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    352
    Messages:
    3,799
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    also i think the audio chip is no longer realtek. it's made by circus.
     
    Luke1708, Sep 23, 2009
    #5
  6. clusty1

    clusty1 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    38
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Feels like you are certainly getting something for your 200 bucks.
    Guess refurb MBP it is.
     
    clusty1, Sep 23, 2009
    #6
  7. applebook

    applebook Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    43
    Messages:
    314
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    The MBP also now supports 8Gb RAM instead of just 6Gb in the first gen unibody MB.

    While removing the battery in MBP is not practical, it is still possible.
     
    applebook, Sep 24, 2009
    #7
  8. tallan

    tallan Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    122
    Messages:
    896
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I think you mean in everyday use swapping batteries is no longer practical. One potential solution is here: http://www.hyperdrive.com/HyperMac-External-MacBook-Battery-and-Car-Charger-s/91.htm

    Actually accessing and changing the battery in the new MPB is a no-brainer; all you need is a small Phillips head driver and a few minutes. The new battery is held in by one screw, and although Apple does not define it as user-interchangeable the process would take no more than ten minutes.
     
    tallan, Sep 24, 2009
    #8