Apple MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2006) vs Apple MacBook Pro (17-inch, Late 2006)

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2006) compared with MacBook Pro (17-inch, Late 2006)
AppleMacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2006)AppleMacBook Pro (17-inch, Late 2006)
Overview
ReleasedMay 2006November 2006
Display
Screen size17″17″
Resolution1680 × 10501680 × 1050
Brightness300 nits300 nits
TouchscreenNoNo
Display typeWidescreen TFT display; matte at launch, with glossy option added later in May 2006 with millions of colours. Exact panel technology and refresh rate unpublished in the maker sources read.Widescreen TFT display; optional glossy finish with millions of colours. Exact panel technology and refresh rate unpublished in the maker sources read.
Performance
ProcessorIntel Core Duo 2.16 GHz (MacBook Pro Early 2006)Intel Core 2 Duo 2.33 GHz (MacBook Pro Late 2006)
CPU cores22
GraphicsATI Mobility Radeon X1600 (256 MB GDDR3)ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 (256 MB GDDR3)
Memory1 GB or 2 GB2 GB or 3 GB (better)
Storage100 GB to 120 GB100 GB to 200 GB (better)
CPUDual-core Intel Core Duo at 2.16 GHz, with 2 MB shared L2 cache and 667 MHz frontside bus. The record retains the maker’s clock and model rather than copying an unverified retail-chip specification.Dual-core Intel Core 2 Duo at 2.33 GHz, with 4 MB shared L2 cache and 667 MHz frontside bus. The record retains the maker’s clock and model without an unverified Intel SKU.
GPUATI Mobility Radeon X1600 (256 MB GDDR3)ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 (256 MB GDDR3)
Memory type667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM in two SO-DIMM slots; 1 GB standard, configurable to 2 GB.667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM in two SO-DIMM slots; 2 GB standard, configurable to 3 GB.
Storage type120 GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive, configurable to 100 GB at 7200 rpm. 8× SuperDrive with 2.4× double-layer DVD+R writing.160 GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive, configurable to 100 GB at 7200 rpm or 200 GB at 4200 rpm. 8× SuperDrive with 4× double-layer DVD+R writing.
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 5.5 hoursUp to 5.5 hours
Battery capacity68 Wh68 Wh
Weight3.1 kg–
Thickness25.9 mm–
Width × depth392 × 265 mm–
Battery life detailRemovable 68 Wh lithium-polymer battery; up to 5.5 hours in Apple’s test. Maker reference weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process.Removable 68 Wh lithium-polymer battery; up to 5.5 hours in Apple’s test. Apple publishes 6.8 lb and a 15.4 × 10.4 × 1.0-inch enclosure; weight varies by configuration. Unpublished metric fields omitted.
Charger85 W MagSafe Power Adapter85 W MagSafe Power Adapter
MaterialsAluminium enclosureAluminium enclosure
ColoursSilverSilver
Connections
Ports3 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack, MagSafe3 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack, MagSafe
Wi-FiAirPort Extreme 802.11gAirPort Extreme 802.11g; 802.11n requires the optional software enabler
Bluetooth2.0 + EDR2.0 + EDR
WebcamBuilt-in iSight cameraBuilt-in iSight camera
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Port detail3 USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400 and FireWire 800, Gigabit Ethernet, MagSafe, dual-link DVI, ExpressCard/34, separate combined optical digital audio input/line input and combined optical digital audio output/headphone output, and Kensington lock slot. VGA adapter included; composite/S-video adapter optional.3 USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400 and FireWire 800, Gigabit Ethernet, MagSafe, dual-link DVI, ExpressCard/34, separate combined optical digital audio input/line input and combined optical digital audio output/headphone output, and Kensington lock slot. VGA adapter included; composite/S-video adapter optional.
External displaysOne external display up to 2560 × 1600 alongside the built-in screen through dual-link DVI; included VGA adapter, optional composite/S-video adapter.One external display up to 2560 × 1600 alongside the built-in screen through dual-link DVI; included VGA adapter, optional composite/S-video adapter.
KeyboardFull-size backlit keyboard with ambient light sensors, 78 US or 79 ISO keys, 12 function keys and four arrow keys; embedded numeric keypadFull-size backlit keyboard with ambient light sensors, 78 US or 79 ISO keys, 12 function keys and four arrow keys; embedded numeric keypad
TrackpadScrolling trackpad with a separate button; two-finger scrolling, tap, double-tap and drag.Scrolling trackpad with a separate button; two-finger scrolling, tap, double-tap and drag.
SpeakersBuilt-in stereo speakersBuilt-in stereo speakers
MicrophonesBuilt-in omnidirectional microphone under the left speaker grilleBuilt-in omnidirectional microphone under the left speaker grille
In the boxMacBook Pro, removable battery, 85 W MagSafe Power Adapter with AC wall plug and power cord, install/restore DVDs and documentation. Apple Remote and DVI-to-VGA adapter included. Mac OS X 10.4.6 Tiger and iLife ’06. Apple’s 24 April 2006 notice states shipping the following week, supporting May month precision without an exact delivery day. The optional glossy screen was introduced later in May and is not treated as an original launch configuration.MacBook Pro, removable battery, 85 W MagSafe Power Adapter with AC wall plug and power cord, install/restore DVDs and documentation. Apple Remote and DVI-to-VGA adapter included. Mac OS X 10.4.8 Tiger and iLife ’06. Apple’s 24 October announcement says this model would ship the following week, crossing the month boundary; Macworld’s contemporary laboratory report confirms that actual shipping began in November. An exact first-sale day is unestablished.

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