The 17" MacBook Pro Notebook Computer from Apple is a powerful notebook computer with an innovative aluminum unibody design. It is loaded with advanced power management features and an integrated battery, which work together to provide up to 7 hours of wireless web browsing.
You may notice an unfamiliar logo next to one of the ports on the left side of the system. This is Thunderbolt, a high-speed interface that can move data at an amazing 10Gbps, which is double that of USB 3.0. The Thunderbolt port also doubles as a display output because it shares the same physical form factor as a Mini DisplayPort. You can daisy-chain up to six devices, so you'll be able to connect high-speed external storage and an external Apple LED Cinema display via the same port!
The computer's 17" display features LED backlight technology and an antiglare finish. Its 1920 x 1200 native resolution gives you ample screen space to work with. You'll be able to output to an external display at up to 2560 x 1600 via Thunderbolt. Any Mini DisplayPort-compatible display will plug in without the need of an adapter. If you have a display with DVI, VGA or HDMI input, you'll only need to purchase an adapter cable (i.e., HDMI-to-Mini DisplayPort) for connection.
You'll be able to communicate with friends and family thanks to built-in support for FaceTime chat. The computer's FaceTime HD camera supports 720p HD video chat via the included app. You can make video calls to other Mac users with FaceTime as well as to anyone with an iPhone 4, iPhone 4S or an iPod touch model with a built-in camera.
The system is powered by a quad-core 2.4GHz Intel Core i7 processor. The computer is loaded with 4GB of DDR3 RAM, a 750GB 7200rpm hard drive and a SuperDrive DVD burner. You'll be able to connect to the Internet with ease via 802.11n Wi-Fi or wired Gigabit Ethernet. The MacBook Pro also features built-in Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, which allows you to connect wireless headphones, keyboard, mice and other compatible peripherals without a hassle.
Graphics are handled by integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics, which gives you the best of both worlds in regards of battery life and performance. The MacBook Pro uses integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics for everyday use, such as web browsing and word processing. It is also capable of HD video playback.
The computer features a comfortable backlit chiclet-style keyboard, which features space between each key for improved accuracy and comfort when typing. It also sports a glass Multi-Touch trackpad with a clickable design. Rather than having a separate button for mouse clicks, the entire surface of the pad is clickable. This increases the active surface area and allows you to quickly click without having to maneuver to the bottom of the trackpad.
The trackpad also fully supports multi-touch gestures. You can tap the trackpad with one finger to click, tap with two fingers to right click, scroll through documents using two fingers, pinch to zoom, navigate through Safari or iPhoto with three-finger left and right swipes or use two fingers to rotate a photo or PDF.
iLife '11 has a complete suite of digital creativity applications. Easy enough for anyone to use, iLife '11 will help you edit your home movies, organize digital photos and compose original music. iLife '11 includes iPhoto, iMovie and GarageBand.
The 64-bit Mac OS X Lion features Time Machine backup, which automatically backs up system data to an external hard drive. It also features intuitive Cover Flow navigation, the powerful Spotlight search tool and Quick Look document preview. You'll be able to use Boot Camp to run Windows on your Mac, if needed.
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Processor | 2.4GHz Intel Core i7 Quad-Core |
| Cache | L3: 6MB |
| Memory |
Slots: 2x SO-DIMM 204-Pin Type: 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM Installed: 4GB (2x2GB SO-DIMM 204-Pin) Capacity: 8GB |
| Graphics Card |
Type: Hybrid Graphics System Installed: AMD Radeon HD 6770M with 1GB GDDR5 SDRAM Dedicated; Intel Graphics System HD 3000 with up to 384MB DDR3 SDRAM Shared |
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Type | Widescreen |
| Size | 17" |
| Backlight | LED |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:10 |
| Finish | Antiglare |
| Native Resolution | 1920 x 1200 |
| Supported Resolutions |
1920 x 1200 at 16:10 Aspect Ratio 1680 x 1050 at 16:10 Aspect Ratio 1280 x 800 at 16:10 Aspect Ratio 1152 x 720 at 16:10 Aspect Ratio 1024 x 640 at 16:10 Aspect Ratio 800 x 500 at 16:10 Aspect Ratio 1280 x 1024 at 5:4 Aspect Ratio Stretched 1600 x 1200 at 4:3 Aspect Ratio Stretched 1024 x 768 at 4:3 Aspect Ratio Stretched 800 x 600 at 4:3 Aspect Ratio Stretched 640 x 480 at 4:3 Aspect Ratio Stretched 720 x 480 at 3:2 Aspect Ratio Stretched |
| External Resolution | Up to 2560 x 1600 |
| Dual Display | Yes |
| Video Mirroring | Yes |
| Storage | |
|---|---|
| Hard Drive |
Installed: 750GB 7200rpm Type: SATA |
| Optical Drive |
8x-Speed Slot-Load SuperDrive Reads DVD: 8x CD: 24x Writes DVD-R: 8x DVD-RW: 4x DVD-R DL: 4x DVD+R: 8x DVD+RW: 4x DVD+R DL: 4x CD-R: 24x CD-RW: 10x |
| Input/Output Connectors | |
|---|---|
| Ports |
3x USB 2.0 (A) 1x Thunderbolt 1x FireWire-800 (9-Pin) |
| Display |
1x Mini DisplayPort via Thunderbolt port 1x DVI via optional cable 1x Dual-Link DVI via optional cable 1x VGA via optional cable 1x HDMI via optional cable |
| Audio |
1x Integrated Stereo Speakers with subwoofer 1x Integrated Omnidirectional Microphone 1x 1/8" (3.5mm) Combo Headphone & Audio Out digital/analog 1x 1/8" (3.5mm) Combo Microphone & Line In digital/analog |
| Expansion Slots | 1x ExpressCard/34 Slot |
| Flash Media Slot | None |
| Communications | |
|---|---|
| Network | 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 2.1+EDR |
| Webcam | Yes |
| General | |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Mac OS X 10.7 Lion (64-bit) |
| Security | Kensington Lock Slot |
| Keyboard |
Keys: 78 Type: Full-Size Features: Backlight, Chiclet Style |
| Pointing Device | TouchPad with Double-Tap, Drag, Four-Finger Swipe, Inertial Scrolling, Multi-Touch Control, Pinch, Rotate, Tap, Three-Finger Swipe, Two-Finger Scrolling |
| Battery | Built-In Lithium-Polymer Providing up to 7 Hours per Charge (95Wh) |
| Power Requirements | Not Specified By Manufacturer |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 15.47 x 0.98 x 10.51" / 39.29 x 2.49 x 26.70 cm |
| Weight | 6.6 lb / 2.99 kg |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
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Most Liked Positive Review
Why did I wait so long?
Been a PC user my whole life and just got my first mac. WOW. What a great machine. I am a photographer so I mostly use it for Photoshop and other related software, ...Read complete review
Been a PC user my whole life and just got my first mac. WOW. What a great machine. I am a photographer so I mostly use it for Photoshop and other related software, as well as other every day work.
Upgraded the RAM to 10 and switched over to a 512GB solid state drive and use the 750GB hard drive for backup. What a ride.
Also using it with the 27inch Thunderbolt display. Great combination.
To be honest, I haven't found anything I don't like. As with all macs, the price is a concern for many, but you know what it is going in.
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Most Liked Negative Review
Great Product. But .. overpriced
Good quality, looks great, but I was under the feeling that I bought a piece of jewelery which needs special care and not a notebook for work. If it was $1600 instead [$]...Read complete review
Good quality, looks great, but I was under the feeling that I bought a piece of jewelery which needs special care and not a notebook for work. If it was $1600 instead [$] i would have given it 5 stars.
Reviewed by 11 customers
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Comments about Apple 17" MacBook Pro Notebook Computer:
Been a PC user my whole life and just got my first mac. WOW. What a great machine. I am a photographer so I mostly use it for Photoshop and other related software, as well as other every day work.
Upgraded the RAM to 10 and switched over to a 512GB solid state drive and use the 750GB hard drive for backup. What a ride.
Also using it with the 27inch Thunderbolt display. Great combination.
To be honest, I haven't found anything I don't like. As with all macs, the price is a concern for many, but you know what it is going in.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 17" MacBook Pro Notebook Computer:
I was a bit nervous about making the switch from my Microsoft PC to the MacBook Pro, but after 2 weeks of using my new Mac I'm glad I did. Only took a few days to start getting used to the new OS.
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Comments about Apple 17" MacBook Pro Notebook Computer:
I will be using my MacBook for business and leisure. It is a monster. The most sturdy, versatile, and easy laptop I've ever used. I have a Mac Pro computer in my home but can't lug it around like this one. so now I can travel with my stuff!
I wish it had more battery time. It seems to always need a charge.
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Comments about Apple 17" MacBook Pro Notebook Computer:
Very fast, v bright screen, great speakers, v good keyboard.. beautiful computer
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Comments about Apple 17" MacBook Pro Notebook Computer:
the intel i7 quad core it's very fast, thanks also to the 7.200 rpm hard disk
the monitor it's very brilliant with vivid and good balanced colors
the Lion OS it's good but it has some issue:
I can't disable the autosave in TEXEDIT nor in PREVIEW
the shortcut apple+d for "don't save" button doesn't works anymore
the shortcut apple+< for switching between wIndows of the same application doesn't works anymore
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Comments about Apple 17" MacBook Pro Notebook Computer:
It's give me advanced working ability to do complete my professional work.
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Comments about Apple 17" MacBook Pro Notebook Computer:
I've been buying photographic equipment from B&H for over a decade so I was glad to be able to purchase my MacBook from a trusted provider! They were the only Apple retailer I found that was also offering optional configurations online. I got the anti-glare screen and the 7200 rpm hard disc. But B&H has pretty much every possible combination listed - no need to call anyone.
This is my first Mac. If you are thinking going with your first Mac too, I highly recommend "Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual". It helped me decide to go ahead with the purchase. And now, it is proving tremendously valuable in learning how to use my Mac.
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Comments about Apple 17" MacBook Pro Notebook Computer:
Good quality, looks great, but I was under the feeling that I bought a piece of jewelery which needs special care and not a notebook for work. If it was $1600 instead [$] i would have given it 5 stars.
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Comments about Apple 17" MacBook Pro Notebook Computer:
It's a little bit early to say something but I am very impressed about how fast a macbook pro 17 is when editing photos and interfaces to send them via e-mail. I thought that my Powerbook was good but I was wrong. I want 16Gb ram in the future.
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Comments about Apple 17" MacBook Pro Notebook Computer:
I am a Designer and 3d animator, so It give me so much flexibility and so much speed to get thing done. All in all I love it.
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Comments about Apple 17" MacBook Pro Notebook Computer:
fast, runs cool, no problems
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