The MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.6 17-Inch (Early 2008/Penryn) is a build-to-order version of the 2.5 17-Inch model, documented as a distinct model for clarity. Besides the processor, both models are identical.
This Apple MacBook Pro is equipped with a 45 nm "Penryn" 2.6 GHz "Core 2 Duo" processor (T9500) with two independent cores and a 6 MB shared L2 cache. It features an 800 MHz frontside bus, 2 GB of 667 MHz PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM (upgraded to 4 GB from Oct 14, 2008), a 250 GB (5400 RPM) hard drive with "Sudden Motion Sensor" technology (upgraded to 320 GB from Oct 14, 2008), and an 8X dual-layer SuperDrive. Graphics are handled by an NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 512 MB of GDDR3 SDRAM and dual-link DVI support, powering an antiglare CCFL-backlit 17-inch widescreen 1680x1050 active-matrix display. A glossy display was a no-cost build-to-order option, and a higher-res 1920x1200 LED-backlit display was an extra US$100.
Externally, this 17-Inch model is nearly identical to its predecessor, the "MacBook Pro 'Core 2 Duo' 2.4 17-Inch (Mid-2007/Santa Rosa)." The main differences are the keyboard, which retains ambient lighting but removes the embedded numeric keypad and alters key mappings, and the trackpad, which gains "multi-touch gesturing" support. The "MagSafe" connector and iSight camera are still present, but the Apple Remote became a US$19 option.
Connectivity remains the same, with an ExpressCard/34 slot, AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), Gigabit Ethernet, FireWire "400" and "800" ports, three USB 2.0 ports, and optical digital audio in/out with DVI out. Bluetooth was updated to the 2.1+EDR standard.
Internally, the "Early 2008/Penryn" models use more advanced 45 nm "Penryn" processors, which are slightly faster and more energy-efficient than the 65 nm "Merom" processors in the previous series. They also feature larger 6 MB L2 caches (on 2.5 GHz+ models), more video memory, and larger standard hard drives.