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insomniac · 05-28-2008

Having a difficult time distinguishing between these two models. Google searches have yielded sales sites that don't really offer a definitive answer.

What is the difference between these two MacBook Pro models? The MB074LL/A seems to be an "in-between" model of sorts.

Does the seemingly older MB074LL/A have an LED screen and the Santa Rosa chipset like the MA895LL? Otherwise, the specs seem identical.

notabadname · 05-29-2008

That's a tough one to find a good answer on. The only 2 items that seem fairly certain, from what I could find, are that yes, the MA895LL appears to have the LED backlit screen, where the MB074LL does not. But I am not absolutely certain of it. The newer 895 may also have the ambient light sensor to adjust the keyboard, and the older not. The only thing I have found on multiple sites is that the 895 has wireless "N', and it seems the 074 has wireless "G". The newer one (if true about LED lighting) is listed as having better battery life, and that makes sense with the LED. The "Santa Rosa" seems harder to be sure about. That was a step up in speed when it came out, and with these processors having the same speed, I don't know. The 074 may have benefited from that too. Here are two links, from the same retailer that you can open side-by-side in two windows for comparing many of the specs. Just click on the Technical Specs Tab.

For the 074:
ecomElectronics.com : Apple - MB074LL/A

For the 895:
ecomElectronics.com : Apple - MA895LL/A

And if only one proved to be Santa Rosa, the "Santa Rosa" models use a faster frontside bus (800 MHz compared to 667 MHz). From what I have read, all the Santa Rosas were going to have wireless "N" also, which could imply the older one is not since it is a "G".

Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but maybe there was a little more info there than you had found. One of the other posters may have some better info.

ropenst · 07-26-2008

Strangely, the MB074LL/A MacBook Pro 2.2GHz is missing from the Specs on Apple's Support site, Apple - Support - Technical Specifications. They list the Mid 2007 model as MA895LL and Late 2007 as MA895LL/A. Early 2008 is the MB133LL/A which is the in the latest batch, the 2.4GHz/2.5GHz models. If you go back further to Late 2006, you get into the 2.16GHz/2.33GHz line, where the model number would be MA609LL. I also have run across the MB074LL/A in online stores, currently going for as low as $1599, but where it fits into the scheme of things I haven't a clue. In one store (PCConnection), the only difference in specs I can find is the MB074LL/A is listed as having a glossy screen, whereas the MA895LL/A has matte. Maybe this is the model number for the glossy screen.

05-29-2008	#2 (permalink)
notabadname Personal Shopping Specialist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 272	That's a tough one to find a good answer on. The only 2 items that seem fairly certain, from what I could find, are that yes, the MA895LL appears to have the LED backlit screen, where the MB074LL does not. But I am not absolutely certain of it. The newer 895 may also have the ambient light sensor to adjust the keyboard, and the older not. The only thing I have found on multiple sites is that the 895 has wireless "N', and it seems the 074 has wireless "G". The newer one (if true about LED lighting) is listed as having better battery life, and that makes sense with the LED. The "Santa Rosa" seems harder to be sure about. That was a step up in speed when it came out, and with these processors having the same speed, I don't know. The 074 may have benefited from that too. Here are two links, from the same retailer that you can open side-by-side in two windows for comparing many of the specs. Just click on the Technical Specs Tab. For the 074: ecomElectronics.com : Apple - MB074LL/A For the 895: ecomElectronics.com : Apple - MA895LL/A And if only one proved to be Santa Rosa, the "Santa Rosa" models use a faster frontside bus (800 MHz compared to 667 MHz). From what I have read, all the Santa Rosas were going to have wireless "N" also, which could imply the older one is not since it is a "G". Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but maybe there was a little more info there than you had found. One of the other posters may have some better info. __________________ Dual 2 GHz G5; 20" ACD; MBP 15"- 2.5GHz-4Gb mem-250 Gb HD-512MB Video; iPhones 2G/3G; 40 Gb iPod; Shuffle

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05-28-2008	#1 (permalink)
insomniac Operator Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1	Having a difficult time distinguishing between these two models. Google searches have yielded sales sites that don't really offer a definitive answer. What is the difference between these two MacBook Pro models? The MB074LL/A seems to be an "in-between" model of sorts. Does the seemingly older MB074LL/A have an LED screen and the Santa Rosa chipset like the MA895LL? Otherwise, the specs seem identical.

07-26-2008	#3 (permalink)
ropenst Operator Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2	Strangely, the MB074LL/A MacBook Pro 2.2GHz is missing from the Specs on Apple's Support site, Apple - Support - Technical Specifications. They list the Mid 2007 model as MA895LL and Late 2007 as MA895LL/A. Early 2008 is the MB133LL/A which is the in the latest batch, the 2.4GHz/2.5GHz models. If you go back further to Late 2006, you get into the 2.16GHz/2.33GHz line, where the model number would be MA609LL. I also have run across the MB074LL/A in online stores, currently going for as low as $1599, but where it fits into the scheme of things I haven't a clue. In one store (PCConnection), the only difference in specs I can find is the MB074LL/A is listed as having a glossy screen, whereas the MA895LL/A has matte. Maybe this is the model number for the glossy screen.

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