Apple introduces 17-inch MacBook Pro

Apple Computer at the NAB Conference on Monday unveiled its flagship 17-inch MacBook Pro notebook computer featuring the Intel Core Duo processor and an all new system architecture that delivers up to five times the performance of the PowerBook G4. The new 17-inch MacBook Pro features an aluminum enclosure just one inch thin, weighs 6.8 pounds, includes a built-in iSight video camera for video conferencing on-the-go, Front Row and Apple Remote. It also features a MagSafe Power Adapter, invented by Apple especially for mobile users.

“The 17-inch MacBook Pro delivers the speed and screen area of a professional desktop system in the world’s best notebook design,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “With Intel’s state of the art dual-core processor, the new 17-inch MacBook Pro delivers unrivaled performance in an innovative, sleek, one-inch thin design.\"

As expected , the new 17-inch MacBook Pro includes a 2.16 GHz Intel Core Duo processor that delivers dual-core performance in a power-efficient design. Also true to reports, Apple held out for the 8X SuperDrive with dual layer support.

Along with its Core Duo processor, the 17-inch MacBook Pro offers an all new system architecture including a 667 MHz front-side bus that is four times as fast as the PowerBook G4 and 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory expandable to 2GB that is twice as fast as the PowerBook G4. Overall, Apple claims the notebook is up to five times faster than the 17-inch PowerBook G4, running industry standard benchmarks.

Designed with business and creative professionals in mind, the new 17-inch MacBook Pro uses a 36 percent brighter display and an ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 PCI Express graphics with 256MB of dedicated GDDR3 graphics memory for demanding applications. It also includes a Scrolling TrackPad, a FireWire 800 port, a FireWire 400 port, three USB 2.0 ports, optical and digital audio input and output, built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), and integrated AirPort Extreme 54 Mbps 802.11g WiFi wireless networking.

Every MacBook Pro includes Mac OS X 10.4.6 and iLife ‘06, the next generation of Apple’s suite of digital lifestyle applications featuring iPhoto, iMovie HD, iDVD, GarageBand and iWeb.

Apple says Intel-based Mac customers currently have more than 1,500 Universal applications to choose from, with a list that is growing each day. An updated list of Universal applications for Mac OS X is available at the company's site.

Pricing & Availability

The new 17-inch MacBook Pro will begin shipping next week through the Apple Store, Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.

The 2.16 GHz, 17-inch MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of $2,799 (US), includes:

17-inch widescreen 1680 x 1050 LCD display with 300 cd/m2 brightness;

2.16 GHz Intel Core Duo processor;

1GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 2GB;

120GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;

a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)optical drive;

PCI Express-based ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 256MB GDDR3 memory;

DVI-out port for external display (VGA-out adapter included, Composite/S-Video out adapter sold separately);

built-in Dual Link support for driving Apple 30-inch Cinema HD Display;

built-in iSight video camera;

Gigabit Ethernet port;

built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;

ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot;

three USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 800 port, and one FireWire 400 port;

one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;

Scrolling TrackPad and illuminated keyboard with ambient light sensor;

the infrared Apple Remote;

68 watt hour lithium polymer battery; and

85 watt Apple MagSafe Power Adapter.

Additional build-to-order options for the 17-inch MacBook Pro include 100GB (7200 rpm) hard drive, up to 2GB DDR2 SDRAM, Apple USB Modem, and the AppleCare Protection Plan.