Last 15" MBP with ExpressCard34 slot?

[telequest]

Now that I finally have a need for a laptop with an ExpressCard 34 slot - to load hi def video from a Sony XDCAM EX - I see that Apple has stopped including the slot in its 15 inch MacBook Pros. I really don't want to have to move up to a 17 inch model if I don't have to (due to size and cost).

- When were the last 15 models with ExpressCard 34 slots made? Do they ever appear in Apple's refurb store (and how would I know if the model has it, e.g. clock speed, etc., since the descriptions are often incomplete)?
- Have all the 17 MBPs included the ExpressCard slot ... so if I get a refurb 17 inch, will the slot be there for certain? When I look at the descriptions in the Apple refurb store, there's no mention.

Thanks in advance.

 

[GGJstudios]

You can find specifications for every Apple product with Mactracker.

The last 15" with the ExpressCard 34 slot was introduced in October, 2008 and was discontinued in June, 2009.

 

[Aboo]

Now that I finally have a need for a laptop with an ExpressCard 34 slot - to load hi def video from a Sony XDCAM EX - I see that Apple has stopped including the slot in its 15 inch MacBook Pros. I really don't want to have to move up to a 17 inch model if I don't have to (due to size and cost).

- When were the last 15 models with ExpressCard 34 slots made? Do they ever appear in Apple's refurb store (and how would I know if the model has it, e.g. clock speed, etc., since the descriptions are often incomplete)?
- Have all the 17 MBPs included the ExpressCard slot ... so if I get a refurb 17 inch, will the slot be there for certain? When I look at the descriptions in the Apple refurb store, there's no mention.

Thanks in advance.

The last revision to the 15" MBP with Express Card is the 2.66 GHz version from March 2009 (i.e. the Early 2009)

The unibody MBPs from Late 2008, i.e. the 2.4 GHz low end, and the 2.53 GHz high end also had express card slots. The 2.66 Early 2009 replaced the 2.53 High End

These systems do appear in the refurb store, but only occasionally. Any 2.4 GHz unibody MBP or the 2.53/2.66 GHz unibody MBP with 512 MB Nvidia 9600 card are the specs you need to look out for in the refurb store.

And lastly, yes all unibody 17" systems will have the express card slot. This includes the 2.66, 2.8, 2.93, and 3.06 GHz models that appear in the refurb store.

 

[man02195]

Now that I finally have a need for a laptop with an ExpressCard 34 slot - to load hi def video from a Sony XDCAM EX - I see that Apple has stopped including the slot in its 15 inch MacBook Pros. I really don't want to have to move up to a 17 inch model if I don't have to (due to size and cost).

- When were the last 15 models with ExpressCard 34 slots made? Do they ever appear in Apple's refurb store (and how would I know if the model has it, e.g. clock speed, etc., since the descriptions are often incomplete)?
- Have all the 17 MBPs included the ExpressCard slot ... so if I get a refurb 17 inch, will the slot be there for certain? When I look at the descriptions in the Apple refurb store, there's no mention.

Thanks in advance.

get a 15" made between March and June of 2009, 2.66ghz
removable battery
expresscard
can accept 8gb of ram
when you look on refurb site, look for ones w/o built in battery

For 17", they say express card in the refurb site, there are some there now.

 

[GGJstudios]

The last revision to the 15" MBP with Express Card is the 2.66 GHz version from March 2009 (i.e. the Early 2009)

That was the unibody 17", not the 15".

 

[Aboo]

That was the unibody 17", not the 15".

No, there was a 2.66 Ghz silent revision to the unibody 15" in March 2009, after the 17" unibodies began shipping.

Here's a link for proof. Just look under specifications for Rev F:

http://guides.macrumors.com/MacBook_Pro

 

[GGJstudios]

No, there was a 2.66 Ghz silent revision to the unibody 15" in March, after the 17" unibodies began shipping.

Because it was a silent revision, it's not designated as an "Early 2009" version, but rather as a "Late 2008" model. The only model designated as "Early 2009" is the 17" model.
My statement still stands: "The last 15" with the ExpressCard 34 slot was introduced in October, 2008 and was discontinued in June, 2009."

 

[Aboo]

Because it was a silent revision, it's not designated as an "Early 2009" version, but rather as a "Late 2008" model. The only model designated as "Early 2009" is the 17" model.
My statement still stands: "The last 15" with the ExpressCard 34 slot was introduced in October, 2008 and was discontinued in June, 2009."

You're initial comment "That was the unibody 17, not the 15"" to my "The last revision to the 15" MBP with Express Card is the 2.66 GHz version from March 2009 (i.e. the Early 2009)" was vague and didn't indicate that you were disagreeing with my nomenclature. Silent revision or not, model MC026LL/A is the model in question, and even if it isn't officially designated as the "early 2009" model, it was still updated in the early part of 2009. Moreover, it has been repeatedly referred to on these forums as well as others as the "early 2009" 15" MBP. Thus, getting back to the OP's question, my point still stands. The 2.66 GHz 15" MBP of early 2009 was the last 15" revision of the macbook pro to use the express card slot.

 

[man02195]

Because it was a silent revision, it's not designated as an "Early 2009" version, but rather as a "Late 2008" model. The only model designated as "Early 2009" is the 17" model.
My statement still stands: "The last 15" with the ExpressCard 34 slot was introduced in October, 2008 and was discontinued in June, 2009."

But the one to get is the March 2009 version with the 2.66ghz or 2.93ghz that will accept 8gb of ram.

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other World Computing/8566DDR3S8GP/

 

[Aboo]

But the one to get is the March 2009 version with the 2.66ghz or 2.93ghz that will accept 8gb of ram.

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other World Computing/8566DDR3S8GP/

True. The 2.53 and 2.4 GHz models from Oct. 2008 work up to 6GB RAM at this point only.

 

[GGJstudios]

​

The OP didn't ask anything about processor speed or RAM. They specifically asked about which 15" MBP had the ExpressCard 34 slot.

 

[telequest]

many thanks

I appreciate the guidance - questions answered!

 

[Aboo]

View attachment 218686​

The OP didn't ask anything about processor speed or RAM. They specifically asked about which 15" MBP had the ExpressCard 34 slot.

- When were the last 15 models with ExpressCard 34 slots made? Do they ever appear in Apple's refurb store (and how would I know if the model has it, e.g. clock speed, etc., since the descriptions are often incomplete)?

Actually clock speed, and descriptors of specs was exactly what the OP asked. OP, I'm glad that we got you answer you wanted.

 

[man02195]

I appreciate the guidance - questions answered!

and it's available now 11:15am PDT in the refurb store
http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC026LL/A?mco=MTA4MzQ4MTA

 

[telequest]

Purchased!

and it's available now 11:15am PDT in the refurb store
http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC026LL/A?mco=MTA4MzQ4MTA

Just snagged myself one from the refurb store. I had to get on the phone with an Apple Store rep to confirm presence of the ExpressCard 34 slot since they refuse to mention it in the tech specs - which only list FW and USB under "Expansion." Perhaps they're embarrassed that it got removed in the current generation? You can see it there if you zoom in on the photos, but no mention otherwise.

Anyway, it's on the way. Thanks again to all for making me a better-educated purchaser.