Low End Mac's Best Deals

Best 17" MacBook Pro Prices

2012.04.12

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In February 2011, Apple moved the 15" and 17" MacBook Pros to quad-core CPUs i5 and i7, giving them a lot more computing power than 2010's dual-core i5 and i7 models. They also gained Apple's high-speed Thunderbolt port. Battery life is rated at a pretty realistic 7 hours.

17 inch MacBook Pro In October 2011, Apple began shipping updated versions with slightly faster CPUs, better graphics processors, and more hard drive space. Other than that, the Late 2011 MacBook Pros appear to be identical to the Early 2011 models.

All 2011 models ship with 4 GB of RAM and officially support up to 8 GB, although OWC has found they will work with up to 16 GB. The Early 2011 MacBooks ship with OS X 10.6.6; the Late 2011 models with OS X 10.7.2. For more on this and the other Late 2011 MacBook Pro models, see The Late 2011 MacBook Pro Value Equation.

Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard is supported on all Intel-based Macs introduced prior to June 2009 with at least 512 MB of RAM (we recommend at least 1 GB) and the ability to run the DVD-based installer. Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard only runs on Intel-based Macs, and OS X 10.7 Lion requires a Core 2 Duo or newer CPU. Apple says 1 GB of RAM is a minimum; we suggest at least doubling that.

Earlier Models

The original Core Duo models ran hotter than the later Core 2 models, support a maximum of 2 GB of RAM, do not support 64-bit mode in Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, and do not supported OS X 10.7 Lion. The newer, more efficient Core 2 CPU provides about 7% more processing power at thesame CPU speed. Pre-Santa Rosa Core 2 models can handle up to 3 GB of memory. Santa Rosa and later models support up to 6 GB. All pre-Unibody models support OS X 10.5 Leopard

The April 2010 and later models are listed separately from the Core 2 Duo ones, because their CPUs are so much more powerful, and dual-core and quad-core models are also separated. Listings note RAM/hard drive size. All models have SuperDrives, AirPort Extreme, and Bluetooth 2.0. The best deals are marked in bold type in the fulllistings below.

We try to factor in estimated shipping costs (based on ground shipping to Low End Mac headquarters in Michigan). The best deals are marked in bold type. Except for the Intel Core "i" models, which uses more powerful processors, models are arranged by clock speed. Dual-core "i" models are listed before quad-core models. Listings note RAM/hard drive size. Your best value depends on whether you need/want a color printer, extra RAM, etc. All models ship from the factory with SuperDrives, AirPort Extreme, and Bluetooth 2.0.

Best Used Prices

2.16 GHz Core Duo, $795, DV Warehouse
HOT 2.6 GHz Core 2, $900, Mac of All Trades
2.66 GHz Unibody, $1,400, Mac of All Trades
2.8 GHz Unibody, $1,589 shipped, PowerMax
2.93 GHz Unibody, $1,609 shipped, PowerMax
2.53 GHz dual i5, $1,699 shipped, PowerMax
2.66 GHz dual i7, $1,809 shipped, PowerMax

Best Close-Out Prices

2.2 GHz quad i7, $2,087 shipped, MacMall
2.3 GHz quad i7, $2,190 shipped, MacMall

Best New Prices

2.4 GHz quad i7, $2,259 shipped, B&H
2.5 GHz quad i7, $2,744 shipped, MacMall

Recent Memory Prices (per module)

PC5300 (pre-Unibody): 512 MB, $15.99; 1 GB, $19.88; 2 GB (Core 2 only), $31.99; 3 GB kit (Core 2 only), $49.79, 4 GB kit, $61.79; 4 GB module (Santa Rosa only), $93.79; 6 GB kit, $122.99
1066 DDR3 (Unibody, pre-2011): 2 GB, $16.88, 4 GB, $28.59; 4 GB kit, $32.99, 6 GB kit, $44.99; 8 GB kit for $54.88
1333 DDR3 (2011): 4 GB, $28.79, 8 GB, $103.99; 8 GB kit, $54.99, 12 GB kit, $129.99; 16 GB kit for $199.99

Mac OS X and OS X Server Prices

Unless otherwise noted, there is no surcharge for credit card purchases, and shipping is not included. Vendors are listed in alphabetical order. Be sure to visit their sites for full details.

Prices may be limited to quantity on hand. Not responsible for typos.

Buying through some of these links benefits Low End Mac. Buying at these prices benefits you.

Profiles

Core Duo (Apr. 06): 2.16 GHz, OS X 10.4.6, 2 GB max. RAM, Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics, 802.11g, not compatible with Lion
Core 2 (Oct. 06): 2.33 GHz, OS X 10.4.8, 3 GB max. RAM, Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics, 802.11g
Santa Rosa (June 07): 2.4 GHz, OS X 10.4.9, 6 GB max. RAM, GeForce 8600M GT graphics, 802.11n
Penryn (Feb. 08): 2.5 GHz, OS X 10.5.2, 6 GB max. RAM, GeForce 8600M GT graphics, 802.11n
Unibody (Feb. 09): 2.66 GHz, OS X 10.5.6, 8 GB max. RAM, GeForce 9600M GT and 9400M graphics, 802.11n
Unibody (June 09): 2.8 GHz, OS X 10.5.6, 8 GB max. RAM, GeForce 9600M GT and 9400M graphics, 802.11n
Dual-core i5/i7 (Apr. 10): 2.53 GHz dual i5/2.66 dual GHz i7, OS X 10.6.3, 8 GB max. RAM, Intel HD Graphics & Nvidia GeForce GT 330M, 802.11n
Quad-core i7 (Feb. 11): 2.2/2.3 GHz quad i7, OS X 10.6.6, 16 GB max. RAM, Intel HD Graphics 3000 & AMD Radeon HD 6750M, 802.11n
Quad-core i7 (Oct. 11): 2.4/2.5 GHz quad i7, OS X 10.7.2, 16 GB max. RAM, Intel HD Graphics 3000 & AMD Radeon HD 6770M, 802.11n

New 17" MacBook Pro

	Amazon.com	B&H	Buy.com	J&R	MacMall	PC Connection	PowerMax
Early 2011
2.2 GHz quad i7, 4/750			$2,116.10 sh	$2,399 sh	$2,086.99 sh
2.3 GHz quad i7, 4/750					$2,189.99 sh
Late 2011
2.4 GHz quad i7, 4/750	$2,303.98 sh	$2,259 sh		$2,499 sh	$2,318.98 sh	$2,319.99 sh	$2,449 sh
2.5 GHz quad i7, 4/750		$2,749 sh		$2,799 sh	$2,744 sh		$2,749 sh

Amazon.com collects sales tax on orders shipped to KS, KY, ND, NY, and WA.
MacMall collects sales tax on orders shipped to CA, IL, MN, TN, and WI.
PC Connection collects sales tax on orders shipped to AL, IL, NC, NJ, NY, and OH.

Used and Store Refurbished

Used and store refurbished equipment is covered by a store warranty and is not eligible for AppleCare.

DV Warehouse

Shipping may add $20 or more.

used 2.16 GHz Core Duo, 1/100, $795
used 2.4 GHz Core 2, 1/100, $999

ExperCom

Estimated shipping is $15.50.

used 2.66 GHz i5, 4/500, $1,699

Mac of All Trades

Ground shipping averages $30. Mac of All Trades has the highest product turnover of any used Mac dealer we track.

used 2.6 GHz Core 2, hi-res, 4/200, $899.99
used 2.66 GHz Unibody, hi-res, 4/320, $1,399.99

PowerMax

Free ground shipping. Less expensive units sometimes available with tinted or spotted screens.

used 2.16 GHz Core Duo, 1/120, scuffed, $819 shipped
used 2.4 GHz Core 2, 2/250, 3-4 stuck pixels, $979 shipped
used 2.6 GHz Core 2, 2/200, scuffed, $1,059 shipped
used 2.66 GHz Unibody, 4/128, $1,519 shipped
used 2.8 GHz Unibody, 4/500, $1,589 shipped
used 2.93 GHz Unibody, 4/320, $1,609 shipped
used 2.53 GHz dual i5, 4/500, $1,699 shipped
used 2.66 GHz dual i7, 4/128 SSD, $1,809 shipped
used 2.8 GHz dual i7, 8/500, $1,999 shipped
used 2.2 GHz quad i7, 4/750, $2,039 shipped
used 2.3 GHz quad i7, 8/750, $2,249 shipped
many other configurations listed

Wegener Media

Ground shipping may add $26 or more.

used 2.16 GHz Core Duo, 1/120, $1,329.99

Want Intel Core power in a portable for less? Check out our Best 15" MacBook Pro Deals for pricing on the 15" MacBook Pro.

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