MacBooks

17" MacBook Pro (Santa Rosa)

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• Tiger List is for those using Mac OS X 10.4.
• Leopard List is for those using Mac OS X 10.5.

Overview

Details

• introduced 2007.06.05 at US$2,799; 2.6 GHz build-to-order option added 2007.10.31
• requires Mac OS X 10.4.9 or later
• CPU: 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (2nd generation Merom), soldered in place, no upgrade options
• bus: 800 MHz
• performance:
• Geekbench 2 (Leopard): 3296 (2.6 GHz), 3003 (2.4 GHz)
• Geekbench 2 (Tiger): 3119 (2.4 GHz)
• RAM: 2 GB, expandable to 6 GB using PC2-5300 DDR2 RAM
• Level 2 cache: 4 MB shared cache on CPU
• Video: nVidia GeForce 8600M GT on PCI Express with dual-link DVI support, faster GPU speed than Core Duo model
• VRAM: 256 MB
• Video out: DVI connector (VGA supported with included adapter; S-video and composite video supported with optional adapters)
• display: 17" (43 cm) 18-bit 1680 x 1050 color active matrix
• optional display: 17" (43 cm) 18-bit 1920 x 1200 color active matrix
• supports 1680 x 1050, 1280 x 800, 1152 x 720, 1024 x 768, 1024 x 640, 800 x 600, 720 x 480, and 640 x 480 pixels at 5:4 aspect ratio; 1024 x 768, 800 x 600, and 640 x 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio; 720 x 480 at 3:2 aspect ratio
• allows mirroring to external display or extended desktop mode

Online Resources

• Best online 17" MacBook Pro deals, updated biweekly.
• Best Mac OS X 10.4 'Tiger' deals. Best online prices for Mac OS X 10.4.
• Best Mac OS X 10.5 'Leopard' deals. Best online prices for Mac OS X 10.5.
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• 'Santa Rosa' MacBook Pro released, rugged 250 GB and 15,000 RPM notebook drives, 64 GB flash drive, and more, The 'Book Review, 2007.06.08. Also MacBook reviews, new MacBook Pro benchmarked, one in five take notebook on vacation, WiFi finding software, bargain 'Books from $170 to $2,299, and more.
• A FireWire flash drive, 'refreshed' Mac bargains, Santa Rosa or Merom in new MacBook Pro?, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.06.07. A fast FireWire flash drive, the value of "refreshed" Macs from Apple stores, upgrade a G4 or buy a used G5?, an autorization dongle, and how to get the hard drive out of a Mac IIcx.
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• Apple sued: Can 262,144 colors be considered 'millions'?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.05.16. A new class action lawsuit claims Apple is deceiving buyers when it claims to display "millions of colors" on its notebook computers. What's really going on here?
• VMware Fusion beta 3 adds new features, takes a giant step toward release, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2007.04.11. Looking for a virtualization solution for your Intel Mac? The latest beta of VMWare Fusion makes several improvements and includes some unique features.
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• 11 ways to optimize your Mac's performance, Ed Eubanks Jr, The Efficient Mac User, 2007.03.12. If your Mac is getting sluggish, here are 11 tips that can help restore its original performance.
• CrossOver: Run Windows apps on Intel Macs without Windows, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2007.02.28. If you need to run Windows apps on your Intel Mac once in a while, CrossOver may be the least expensive way to do so since it eliminates the need to buy a copy of Windows.
• Simple ergonomics for the road warrior, Ed Eubanks Jr, The Efficient Mac User, 2007.01.16. The benefits of external keyboards and mice, laptop stands, typing gloves, and anti-RSI software for notebook users.
• Parallels revisited: Release version far more polished than beta, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2006.11.21. Parallels lets you run Windows or Linux without rebooting your Intel-based Mac, and it's made great strides since the beta came out earlier this year.
• To AppleCare or not to AppleCare?, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.11.20. Consumer Reports, which generally recommends against extended warranties, says AppleCare makes sense. But does it?
• Pre-2006 software: The big reason you shouldn't buy an Intel Mac today, Ted Hodges, Vintage Mac Living, 2006.11.09. If you work with software that predates the Intel transition, you may be better off sticking with PowerPC Macs. And if you use classic apps, you definitely want to avoid Intel.
• Better laptop performance: What's the best upgrade?, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.10.09. Memory, CPU, bus speed, and hard drives all impact performance and battery life. Which upgrades will give you the most up time in the field?
• Region free DVD viewing options for Intel and PowerPC Macs, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.09.12. Several hardware and software options that will let your view 'wrong region' DVDs on your PowerPC or Intel Mac.
• 7 tools for keeping your laptop (uh, notebook) cool, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.07.24. A quick look at the Podium CoolPad, ChillMat, ChillHubs, Laptop Desk, Xpad, iLap, and iBreeze - seven stands designed to keep you 'Books running cooler.
• Drive matters, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2006.06.14. There's more to picking the right hard drive than size, spindle speed, buffer size, and price. But how can a 5400 rpm drive ever outperform a 7200 rpm drive?
• Power strategies for using your 'Book in the field: Batteries and AC adapters, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.06.05. One or two extra batteries and at least one spare AC adapter can be essential when you're traveling and need to get hours and hours of use from your 'Book.
• Comparing Apples to Apples: When is Macintel faster? When does PowerPC make more sense?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2006.01.29. Benchmarks show the Intel Core Duo flies through native code but plods through PowerPC programs. Will PowerPC or Intel give you the more productive workflow?
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