Notebook range

The MacBook Pro notebooks are designed with the environment in mind. They use a unibody enclosure that is formed from a single piece of solid, recyclable aluminium, replacing dozens of parts. The display is made of recyclable glass. The packaging is 41, 37 and 34% smaller (13, 15 and 17", respectively) than the original MacBook and MacBook Pro packaging.

To reduce energy consumption, the MacBook Pro hard drive spins down automatically when inactive. It also decides which processor - CPU or GPU - is best suited to efficiently perform a task. The processor even throttles down to save power between keystrokes. The LED-backlit display is another feature that plays an important part in conserving energy, consuming 30% less power than conventional LCDs. And the display is designed to dim when in a darkened room. The notebooks are claimed to run on about one-third the power of a single lightbulb.

Apple has worked hard to eliminate many of the toxins that are a common part of notebook manufacturing, for example, the mercury used in CCFL backlights and the arsenic contained in the glass of traditional LCDs. Apple engineers removed both by choosing mercury-free LED technology and arsenic-free glass. They also removed brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) from circuit boards, internal cables, connectors, insulators, shock mounts, adhesives and more. Apple has removed these toxins from all new MacBook Pro notebooks, and have also done the same for the MacBook Air, iMac, Mac Pro and Mac mini; Apple LED Cinema Display; and the iPod touch, iPod classic, iPod nano, iPod shuffle and iPhone 3G.

The notebook meets the low power requirements set by the EPA, giving it Energy Star certification. MacBook Pro also meets the latest efficiency requirements of Energy Star Version 5.0 Specification for Computers before its July 2009 effective date. Energy Star 5.0 sets higher efficiency limits for power supplies and aggressive limits for the computer’s typical annual power consumption.

Every MacBook Pro model has earned the highest rating of EPEAT Gold. The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool, or EPEAT, evaluates the environmental impact of a product based on how recyclable it is, how much energy it uses and how it's designed and manufactured.

The batteries are claimed to last up to five years - or 1000 recharges.