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Apple Adds 17-Inch Model to MacBook Pro Line

by , 9:25 AM EDT, April 24th, 2006

Apple on Monday debuted a 17-inch version of the Intel-based MacBook Pro laptop the company introduced during Macworld Expo in January. Selling for US$2,799, the computer will be available next week.

Like its 15-inch cousin, the new MacBook Pro features a built-in iSight Web cam, a MagSafe power adapter that disconnects from the computer should someone trip on the cord, a remote control for use with Front Row, an ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot, and a Sudden Motion Sensor that locks the hard drive should it detect a sudden drop. It comes standard with the 2.16GHz Intel Core Duo processor that's a build-to-order option on the 15-inch laptop.

The 17-inch MacBook Pro also differs from the earlier iteration by offering 1680 x 1050 screen resolution, a 120GB 5400 RPM hard drive, a FireWire 800 port in addition to the FireWire 400 and three USB 2.0 ports, and an 8X double-layer SuperDrive. It also comes with 1GB of RAM and an ATI Radeon Mobility X1600 video card with 256MB of Video RAM. AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR wireless networking are also included.

Apple is claiming the new MacBook pro can run up to 5.5 hours on its 68 watt-hour lithium-polymer battery. In comparison, Apple rates the 15-inch MacBook Pro with a 4.5 hour battery life.

As with Apple's other computers, the 17-inch MacBook Pro ships with the latest version of Mac OS X, v10.4.6, as well as iLife '06, which includes the newest iterations of iPhoto, iMovie HD, iDVD, GarageBand, and iWeb. Build-to-order options include a 7200RPM 100GB hard drive and up to 2GB of RAM.

Observer Comments

Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments
View Name:Guest
Subject: Pricing
View Name:Guest
Subject: Will It Even More Buggy Than the 15-inch???
Close Name:Bosco Posts: 999 Joined: 03 Jun 2002
Subject: Cousin?

Quote
Like its 15-inch cousin...


Cousin? Huh? The 15-inch is like the 17-inch's little sister. They are basically the same computer, except the 17-inch has 2 more inches and an additional part that little sister 15-inch doesn't have. If they were cousins, then their ancestoral PowerBooks of the same size would be at least great aunts/uncles, if even of the same race.

I am sure when little sister 15 inch realizes she doesn't have something that big brother 17 inch has, she'll want one. It's a lot like the first year I played baseball and had to go get a cup. My little sister felt left out and wanted one too.

View Name:Guest
Subject: Top 'o the line is $3497... n/t
Close Name:gslusher Posts: 2051 Joined: 13 Nov 2002
Subject: Re: Will it be even more buggy than the 15-inch?

That post is rather laughable. Read the reports carefully: a lot are from a very small number of users, not a gaggle. In the past, a lot of early problems have stemmed from user errors, especially installing system-level hacks, but others, as well. Most people use the migration assistant to load everything on their older Macs onto their new ones, sometimes without any attempt to figure out if the software is compatible. For example, how many remove ALL startup items from the user account they are going to migrate before migrating? How many try out the new Mac WITHOUT any old software? How many go to the trouble of installing software, rather than migrating?

Close Name:Biff Posts: 1479 Joined: 08 Apr 2004
Subject:

Guest that was just stupid. This isn't really the best place to find the type of people who would be fooled by that. Any product ends up with a huge list of complaints. We know that. It's like the trolls who were saying all the XBox 360's had problems. It's just the same old song. Insert new product of the moment and repeat.

Unfortunately, my friend, the only thing you can do to hurt Apple is to choose to NOT buy any of their products.

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