Pros
- Double the video RAM of previous models
- Supports trackpad hand gestures
- Better battery life
Cons
- Hardware remote no longer free
- Trackpad a bit narrow for hand gestures
At A Glance
Like the MacBooks, the MacBook Pro line gets the latest generation of Core 2 Duo chips code-named Penryn. That boosts the amount of L2 cache to 6MB on the 2.5GHz models; this model also sports more video RAM for its Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT graphics processor, as well as a third USB 2.0 port. he MacBook Pro adds the MultiTouch trackpad first introduced in the MacBook Air.
Manufacturer’s Description
The 17" MacBook Pro Notebook Computer from Apple gives you all the power of a Macintosh computer in an easily portable and attractive form. The laptop is housed in an aluminum alloy enclosure, which is designed to resist stains and scratches. It is designed to meet the needs of video editors, graphics designers, educators and businesspeople.
The Specs
| Pricing | |
|---|---|
| Part Number | MB166LLA |
| UPC Code | 885909179039 |
| Processor | |
| Processor type | Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile |
| Processor speed | 2500.0 MHz |
| Cache size | 4.0 KB |
| Bus speed | 800.0 MHz |
| Memory | |
| Memory type | DDR2 SDRAM |
| Memory max | 4.0 GB |
| Display | |
| Display size | 17.0 inches |
| Display type | Active Matrix LCD (TFT) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 |
| Resolution | 1680 x 1050 pixels |
| Graphics | |
| Graphics Type | Discrete |
| Primary Graphics Chipset | NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT |
| Video Bus | PCI Express x16 |
| Storage | |
| Drives included | 1.0 |
| Drive size | 250.0 GB |
| Drive Controllers | Serial ATA |
| Other storage | Express Card 34 |
| Battery | |
| Vendor Rated Battery life | 5.0 hours |
| Ports and Connections | |
| Available Interfaces | Bluetooth |
| Express Card 34 or ExpressCard/34 | 1 |
| Slots | Express Card 34 |
| Green | |
| Energy Star compliant | 1.0 |
| Dimensions | |
| Width | 15.4 inches |
| Depth | 10.4 inches |
| Height | 1.0 inches |
| Weight | 6.8 pounds |
| Optical Drive | |
| DL DVD+R Write Speed | 4.0 |
| Single-Layer DVD-R Write Speed | 8.0 |
| DL DVD-R Write Speed | 4.0 |
| CD-ROM Read Speed | 24.0 |
| DVD-ROM Pressed Disc Read Speed | 8.0 |
| Included Drives | DVD+-RW DL |
| Included Software | |
| Operating System | Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) |
| Other Features | |
| Devices |
|
| Input devices |
|
| Warranty | |
| Warranty information | 1 Year Limited Warranty |
Performance
| Macworld Labs | |
|---|---|
| Photoshop CS3 | 1:00 min |
| Cinema 4D XL 10.5 | 0:52 min |
| Tested Configuration | Mac OS X 10.5.2 with 2GB of RAM |
| Speedmark 5 Score | 219 |
| Compressor | 0:52 |
| iMovie HD6 | 0:45 |
| iTunes 7.5 | 1:02 |
| Unreal Tournament 2004 | 81.6fps |


(Almost) cleared for takeoff: FAA panel says electronics are safe 'gate to gate'