MacBook Pro Mid-2009 17"

The MacBook Pro "Core i7" 3.06 17-Inch (Mid-2009) is a build-to-order version of the 2.8 17-Inch model, listed as a separate model for user convenience. Other than the processor, these two models are identical.

This MacBook Pro is powered by a 45 nm "Penryn" 3.06 GHz Intel "Core 2 Duo" processor (T9900) with two independent cores on a single chip, a 6 MB shared L2 cache, and a 1066 MHz frontside bus. It includes 4 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (PC3-8500) in pairs, a 500 GB Serial ATA (5400 RPM) hard drive, and an 8X DL "SuperDrive." It features dual graphics processors: a NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT with 512 MB of dedicated GDDR3 SDRAM and a NVIDIA GeForce 9400M with 256 MB of shared DDR3 SDRAM. The display is a 17.0-inch LED-backlit widescreen TFT active-matrix "glossy" screen with a 1920x1200 resolution; an "anti-glare" version was a US$50 build-to-order option.

Connectivity includes AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, Gigabit Ethernet, a FireWire "800" port, three USB 2.0 ports, optical digital/analog audio in/out, a "Mini DisplayPort" for external displays up to 2560x1600, and an ExpressCard/34 slot. It does not have an SD card slot.

This model uses a "Unibody" case, milled from a single block of aluminum, which is essentially the same as the previous 17-inch model it replaced. It retains the backlit keyboard and "no button" glass "multi-touch" trackpad with four-finger gesture support. The internal architecture is also largely the same. However, this model comes with a slightly faster processor, a larger hard drive, and was introduced at a price US$300 lower.

Offered as the ultimate custom option in mid-2009, this 17-inch model featured a processor with a then-stunning 3.06 GHz clock speed, boasting unparalleled performance for a professional notebook. The dual graphics system allowed users to balance high performance with power efficiency, and the optional anti-glare display was immensely popular for long-form graphic design and video editing sessions. Coupled with the robust and elegant unibody design, this model's excellent battery performance, despite its large screen, made it the definitive machine for power users who refused to compromise on performance.