Apple Adds to the MacBook Pro Line - 17 Inch Model Released

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Apple Adds to the MacBook Pro Line - 17 Inch Model Released

Apr
24

By: switchtoamac at: 12:58 PM on April 24, 2006 | Comments (0)

This week’s National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada saw Apple introduce the 17-inch MacBook Pro notebook computer. The new model is the second form factor available on the MacBook Pro Line of professional notebooks. According to Apple, the 17-inch model delivers up to five times the performance of the prior PowerBook G4 notebook.

The model ships with the latest version of Mac OS X Tiger version 10.4.6 in addition to iLife '06, Apple's Digital Life software suite that includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie HD, iDVD, GarageBand, and iWeb.

The model prices at $2,799 (US) and comes with the following specifications:

2.16 GHz Intel Core Duo processor
17-inch widescreen LCD display with 1680 x 1050 resolution
36 percent brighter display
667 MHz front-side bus
1GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
PCI Express-based ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 256MB GDDR3 256MB of video memory
120GB 5400 rpm Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive with Sudden Motion Sensor
8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Three USB 2.0 ports
One FireWire 800 port
One FireWire 400 port
DVI-out port for external connection (VGA, S-Video)
Dual-link Digital Visual Interface (DVI) for connecting an external monitor
Built-in iSight video camera
Gigabit Ethernet port
Built-in 54 Mbps AirPort Extreme 802.11g wireless networking
Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)
ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot
Audio line in/out port with support for both optical digital and analog audio
Scrolling TrackPad
Backlit keyboard with ambient light sensor
Infrared Apple Remote
Lithium polymer battery
MagSafe Power Adapter

Build-to-order options include a 7200RPM 100GB hard drive and up to 2GB of RAM. Customers also have the option to purchase the AppleCare Extended Warranty. The 17-inch MacBook Pro will begin shipping next week through the Apple Store and available at Apple retail locations and Apple Authorized Resellers.

Note that the 17-inch PowerBook G4 is no longer available from the Apple Store.