MacBook Pro Mid/Late 2007, 2.4GHz

The Apple MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.4 17-Inch (Santa Rosa) model is equipped with a 2.4 GHz "Core 2 Duo" processor (T7700), featuring two independent cores, a 4 MB shared on-chip level 2 cache, and an 800 MHz frontside bus. It comes with 2.0 GB of 667 MHz PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM, a 160 GB (5400 RPM) hard drive with "Sudden Motion Sensor" technology, and an 8X dual-layer DVD±RW/CD-RW SuperDrive. The system includes an NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processor with 256 MB of GDDR3 SDRAM and dual-link DVI functionality, driving a 17-inch widescreen 1680x1050 TFT active-matrix display with a CCFL backlight, available in "matte" or "glossy" finishes. A higher-resolution 1920x1200 display was also an option via custom order.

The exterior of the "Santa Rosa" 17-inch model is virtually identical to its predecessor, the 2.33 17" model. It retains features like the fiber-optic "ambient light sensor" for automatic brightness adjustment, a "scrolling TrackPad," the "MagSafe" power connector, an integrated iSight camera (with an unadvertised 1.3-megapixel resolution), and a bundled Apple Remote. Connectivity is also consistent, providing an ExpressCard/34 slot, AirPort Extreme (with 802.11n enabled by default), Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, Gigabit Ethernet, FireWire "400" and "800" ports, three USB 2.0 ports, optical digital audio in/out, and DVI out.

Internally, the "Santa Rosa" model boasts a more advanced architecture. This includes a faster 800 MHz frontside bus (up from 667 MHz), an increased maximum RAM capacity to 4 GB (from 3 GB), a more powerful NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processor (in place of the ATI Mobility Radeon X1600), and enhanced power management. The dynamically adjustable frontside bus contributes to an additional fifteen minutes of estimated battery life.

From November 1, 2007, customers could custom configure this model with a 2.6 GHz "Core 2 Duo" (T7800) processor for an extra US$250.

It is important to note that, unlike its 15-inch "Santa Rosa" counterparts, the 17-inch model uses a traditional CCFL backlight instead of an LED-backlit display.

The 17-inch "Santa Rosa" model from 2007 solidified its position as a desktop replacement with its large display and improved performance. The combination of a Core 2 Duo processor and NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics sufficiently met the processing demands of professional fields like music production and graphic design at the time. The option to choose a high-resolution 1920x1200 display was particularly praised by users who required extensive screen real estate. Although it lacked the LED backlight of its 15-inch counterpart, its robust build and reliability garnered strong support from many professionals, making it a machine that was used and cherished for a long time.