What type of video processor is provided by the "Unibody" MacBook Pro models? Is it upgradable? Which models have "dedicated" and "integrated" video memory?

When first unveiled as the "Late 2008/Unibody" MacBook Pro line, dual graphics processors -- one with "integrated" memory (which "shares" memory with the system and provides slower performance but better battery life) and another with "dedicated" video memory (for maximum performance) -- were one of the major factors that distinguished the MacBook "Pro" from the "non-Pro" line.

Since that time, subsequent models all have used a "Unibody" case design, although entry-level to mid-level models often only have had integrated graphics.

For the current 15-Inch and 17-Inch models, as well as the previous "Early 2011" and "Mid-2010" line, the system automatically switches between the two graphic systems depending on need. For example, if one is typing a document or listening to music, then the system uses the integrated graphics to conserve battery life and it only kicks the dedicated graphics card into gear when it is needed for graphics intensive tasks such as gaming or 3D animation (any application that uses OpenGL or Core Graphics among other technologies).

Details on integrated and dedicated video systems for the stock configurations of the "Unibody" MacBook Pro models are summarized below:

MacBook Pro "Unibody"	Video Processors
"Core 2 Duo" 2.4 15" (Late 2008)	256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9400M* 256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
"Core 2 Duo" 2.53 15" (Late 2008)	256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9400M* 512 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
"Core 2 Duo" 2.66 17" (Late 2008)	256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9400M* 512 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
"Core 2 Duo" 2.66 15" (Late 2008)	256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9400M* 512 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
"Core 2 Duo" 2.26 13" (Mid-2009)	256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9400M*†
"Core 2 Duo" 2.53 13" (Mid-2009)	256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9400M*†
"Core 2 Duo" 2.53 15" (Mid-2009)	256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9400M*†
"Core 2 Duo" 2.66 15" (Mid-2009)	256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9400M* 256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
"Core 2 Duo" 2.8 15" (Mid-2009)	256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9400M* 512 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
"Core 2 Duo" 2.8 17" (Mid-2009)	256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9400M* 512 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
"Core 2 Duo" 2.4 13" (Mid-2010)†	256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 320M*
"Core 2 Duo" 2.66 13" (Mid-2010)†	256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 320M*
"Core i5" 2.4 15" (Mid-2010)§	256 MB Intel HD Graphics* 256 MB NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M
"Core i5" 2.53 15" (Mid-2010)§	256 MB Intel HD Graphics* 256 MB NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M
"Core i7" 2.66 15" (Mid-2010)§	256 MB Intel HD Graphics* 512 MB NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M
"Core i5" 2.53 17" (Mid-2010)§	256 MB Intel HD Graphics* 512 MB NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M
"Core i5" 2.3 13" (Early 2011)†	384 MB Intel HD Graphics 3000*
"Core i7" 2.7 13" (Early 2011)†	384 MB Intel HD Graphics 3000*
"Core i7" 2.0 15" (Early 2011)§	256 MB AMD Radeon HD 6490M 384 MB Intel HD Graphics 3000*
"Core i7" 2.2 15" (Early 2011)§	1 GB AMD Radeon HD 6750M 384 MB Intel HD Graphics 3000*
"Core i7" 2.2 17" (Early 2011)§	1 GB AMD Radeon HD 6750M 384 MB Intel HD Graphics 3000*
"Core i5" 2.4 13" (Late 2011)†	384 MB Intel HD Graphics 3000*
"Core i7" 2.8 13" (Late 2011)†	384 MB Intel HD Graphics 3000*
"Core i7" 2.2 15" (Late 2011)§	512 MB AMD Radeon HD 6750M 384 MB Intel HD Graphics 3000*
"Core i7" 2.4 15" (Late 2011)§	1 GB AMD Radeon HD 6770M 384 MB Intel HD Graphics 3000*
"Core i7" 2.4 17" (Late 2011)§	1 GB AMD Radeon HD 6770M 384 MB Intel HD Graphics 3000*

* These video processors are "integrated" and share memory with the system.

† These models only have integrated graphics. Generally speaking, integrated graphics are slower but provide better battery life.

§ These models are capable of automatically switching between graphics processors.

Please also note that the video processor cannot be upgraded in any "Unibody" MacBook Pro models. MacBook Pro "Mid-2009" and earlier models additionally cannot be upgraded to automatically switch between graphics processors depending on need. These models require one to log out and log back in to switch between integrated and dedicated graphics.