Apple Releases Aluminum Unibody 17" MacBook Pro

[MacRumors]

Apple announced a new 17" MacBook Pro which will be available in late January. Utilizing the same unibody construction as the 15" MacBook Pro and 13" MacBook, the 17" MacBook Pro will be available in a single alterable configuration for $2799 including the following:

- Three USB ports
- Mini DisplayPort
- Firewire 800 (no 400)
- Digital audio in/out
- Expresscard
- Gigabit Ethernet
- Magsafe
- $50 anti-glare option available

Like the 15" MacBook Pro, the notebook includes both 9400M and 9600M graphic and a glass button-less trackpad. 320GB HDD standard with a 256GB SSD upgrade available. RAM can be upgraded to 8GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 memory.

True to rumors, the new MacBook Pro has a longer-lasting battery which will run for up to 8 hours, but is now non-removable. Apple claims the battery can take up to 1000 charges and will run up to 5 years. Apple is also offering a take-back and recycling program if you need to replace the battery.

Article Link: Apple Releases Aluminum Unibody 17" MacBook Pro

[island]

Finally, matte ftw!

[BornAgainMac]

Ok. Let the complaining begin....

I really like this one. I am considering it.

[Spadeychops]

Very nice, but that's nearly 2000 pounds in the uk! Far too expensive!


Shame no news on the rumoured iMac or Mini Mac...

[alphaod]

Man I want the matte, but I told myself I don't want to bear the extra size of a 17" computer again.

[mark88]

ok, can someone explain the 1000 charges to me? it doesn't sound like much to me. My laptops are constantly being plugged and unplugged.

[matt1219]

OMFG. This is one of the best laptops I have ever seen. For real. 8 GB Memory? 320 GB HD? 256 GB SSD option? WOAH.

[UMHurricanes34]

I was afraid this would happen and now I'm sincerely upset.

If you're going to offer the matte option for the 17", why the hell can't you offer it for the 15"?

[akbc]

Love it, (except the price)

I just hope my MBPro can handle 8GB RAM via firmware update soon XD..

[73CortinaV8]

This new battery is great! I bet very few people buy a 2nd battery to hot-swap. If you travel a lot you probably wouldn't get the 17" anyway.

Other than that... ho hum. No quad core? No resolution upgrade for the 15? Come on.

[InkMaster]

Not bad, but I'm personally waiting till I can get a 2.5+GHz quad core in one. The current dual cores just aren't cutting it for my work any more sadly enough.

But I am glad to see the matte option back... even though it is 50 bucks extra...

I wonder how the matte screen looks since it doesn't look like it has a black bezel around it... no indent like on the old ones I hope?

[rush0]

So the Anti Glare option is just a Matte Screen?

[UTclassof89]

I pointed out last month that Apple should spend 30 cents for antiglare coating, and offer it as a $30 upgrade option.
They one-upped me!
I'm glad they offer the option, and will happily pay it when they bring it to the 15"!

[MrFrankly]

Originally Posted by Spadeychops

Very nice, but that's nearly 2000 pounds in the uk! Far too expensive!


Shame no news on the rumoured iMac or Mini Mac...

I'm in the euro-zone and I'm considering going to the UK because it's so cheap there. Isn't the financial market funny.

[queshy]

Ah, so predictable. I say Apple completely stops giving any presentation as they do them more bad than good. The expectations are just way, way, wayyyy too high. Silent updates are much better just like back in the day.

[themoonisdown09]

Originally Posted by UMHurricanes34

If you're going to offer the matte option for the 17", why the hell can't you offer it for the 15"?

I'm sure this will be offered on the 15" in the near future. If not... that sucks.

[Lesser Evets]

This MacWorld was an utter disaster.

iWork and iLife?? Ok, trinkets. Where's the REAL computer hardware--unibody 17" MBP.

-_-;

No wonder Jobs wasn't there. This was disappointing to the extreme. They could have at least TALKED a few minutes about the hopes for 2009 concerning the release of OSX Snoleo, and the MacMini which is OBVIOUSLY coming soon, and maybe iMacs, and what the company is doing and planning with hardware, phones, etc.

Boo, Apple, boo.

[InkMaster]

Originally Posted by mark88

ok, can someone explain the 1000 charges to me? it doesn't sound like much to me. My laptops are constantly being plugged and unplugged.

1000 FULL discharges and recharges. As in draining completely down and then charging it all the way back up.

To put it into perspective, I used my MBP for about 18 month now and I have 283 cycles on it.

[ShaunPriest]

It seems like that have really listened to the Pro customers.

There is finally a matte option, the battery is way ahead of the competition, fast processors and up to 8GB of RAM. Wow! It is also the lightest and thinnest 17" notebook.

I think the integrated battery is a great idea. Fair enough it isn't user replaceable, but you're probably only going to have to replace it once (even if that) in the entire time you own the computer.

I look forward to see these features trickling down to the 15" MBP and maybe even the MB.

OT: I'd like to own one of the new MacBooks but the display on the thing is awful and really washed out looking when compared to the current MBP's or the old models (like the one I own). It would be nice to see the displace improvements implemented into the MB. But I suppose then there would be less reasons to upgrade to the MBP.

[Porco]

It's a thing of beauty. So glad they gave us a matte screen option.

[infernohellion]

Originally Posted by Spadeychops

Very nice, but that's nearly 2000 pounds in the uk! Far too expensive!


Shame no news on the rumoured iMac or Mini Mac...

Gotta blame the weakened currency. Same thing happened to Australia.

Now great news for Thailand.. it's CHEAPER! Woooo!

And now the pro users who always carry two batteries will not complain (as the batter life is pretty much almost 2 batteries anyway) but I really think people who carry more than two batteries will still complain.

Anyway, still a little disappointed with the graphic card. Just only 9600M GT?

[newezra]

I've been waiting for this. Can't wait to get it.

Because the battery isn't replaceable I wonder if you will be able to open the back to change out the hard drive or upgrade the ram. I could really use 8gb of ram, but I can't justify paying Apple $1200 for the upgrade.

[.Chris]

Originally Posted by UMHurricanes34

I was afraid this would happen and now I'm sincerely upset.

If you're going to offer the matte option for the 17", why the hell can't you offer it for the 15"?

I'm thinking by mid year, apple will get smart and give the 15" an option. By the end of the year, they may do the 13" verson in matte, but I highly dobut it.

[hayesk]

Originally Posted by mark88

ok, can someone explain the 1000 charges to me? it doesn't sound like much to me. My laptops are constantly being plugged and unplugged.

I think it's full charges. 1000 full charges is a lot. Do you use 8 hours of battery every day (including weekends). If the claims are true, the battery will likely reach 5 years before it reaches 1000 charges.

[c-Row]

Are there any problems with replacing the RAM on unibody MacBooks on your own? Is it more complicated than on the old models?