Apple MacBook Pro Summer 2009 (Core 2 Duo 2.8GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT with 512MB, 17-inch)

Description: This configuration of the Apple MacBook Pro Summer 2009 is a 6.6-pound, consumer level notebook computer.Compared to other general-purpose notebooks on the market, it is expensive at around $2,395.The 17 widescreen has a native resolution of 1920 x 1200, which is outstanding compared to most laptops.Powered by the Intel Core 2 Duo CPU.This notebook comes with a 500 GB hard disk and 4096 MB of RAM.Features nVidia GeForce 9 series graphics with 512MB of video RAM.

Pros: Has a 2800 MHz CPU speed, which is considerably faster than some similarly priced notebooks.Also, this notebook comes with Apple MacOS X 10.5 OS, which is considerably more favorable than some similarly priced notebooks.The built in Bluetooth connectivity will let you pair headphones or sync your mobile contacts.An anti-theft security tether can be fastened into the built-in lock slot.

Cons: None noted, given available product data.

Suitability: A mainstream notebook, suited for general mobile computing.If you have a wireless network at home, wirelessly browse the Web from any room in your house with this Wi-Fi enabled laptop.The excellent battery performance will keep your laptop running longer without recharging.Archive your digital videos using this notebook's DVD burner.With 512MB of dedicated video RAM, this machine will do very well compared to most other notebooks, when it comes to multimedia applications and games.

Value: In general, this notebook's price seems a bit steep, with respect to its features.For example, when it comes to screen size, the average price of general-purpose products with a similar screen size is quite a bit less -- right around $1,370.

Suggestions: (1) Given this device's Wi-Fi capability, you may want to get a wireless access point for your home, so that you can browse the Web more conveniently from any room.(2) To get the most out of this laptop's Bluetooth capability, you could have a Bluetooth-enabled headset, handheld or other device, and be able to link it wirelessly to your computer within a range of 20-or-so feet inside the same room.

CNET's Product Briefs are generated by a software tool that combines product specifications with knowledge of our editorial experts. They do not reflect hands-on assessment or labs testing. For more information about how we create Product Briefs, contact us.

• Manufacturer: Apple
• Part Number: MC226LL/A

• General

• Built-in Devices Stereo speakers, Bluetooth antenna, Wireless LAN antenna
• Width 15.5 in
• Depth 10.5 in
• Height 1 in
• Weight 6.6 lbs
• Notebook type Mid-size laptops (6-7.5 lbs.)
• Wireless capabilities IEEE 802.11 n (draft), IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b, Bluetooth

• Processor

• Processor Intel Core 2 Duo 2800 MHz
• Multi-Core processor technology Dual-Core
• 64-bit processor Yes
• Data bus speed 1066 MHz

• Cache Memory

• Type L2 cache
• Cache size 6 MB

• RAM

• Installed Size 4096 MB / 8 GB (max)
• Technology DDR3 SDRAM - 1066 MHz
• Memory specification compliance PC3-8500
• RAM form factor SO DIMM 204-pin
• RAM configuration features 2 x 2 GB

• Environmental Parameters

• Environmental standards EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold
• Min Operating Temperature 50 °F
• Max Operating Temperature 95 °F
• Humidity Range Operating 0 - 90%
• Max Altitude Operating 10000 ft

• Storage Controller

• Storage controller type Serial ATA
• Storage Controller / Serial ATA Interface Serial ATA-150

• Storage

• Floppy Drive None
• Hard Drive 500 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm
• Storage Removable None
• Hard drive type Standard

• Optical Storage

• Type DVD±RW (±R DL) - Integrated
• CD / DVD read speed 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD)
• CD / DVD write speed 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD±R) / 4x (DVD±R DL)
• CD / DVD rewrite speed 10x (CD) / 4x (DVD±RW)

• Optical Storage (2nd)

• 2nd optical storage type None

• Display

• Display Type 17 in TFT active matrix
• Max Resolution 1920 x 1200 ( WUXGA )
• Widescreen Display Yes
• Features Glossy, LED-backlit
• Screen type Widescreen

• Video

• Graphics Processor / Vendor NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT / GeForce 9400M
• Video Memory 512 MB GDDR3 SDRAM

• Audio

• Audio output type Sound card
• Audio Input Microphone

• Notebook Camera

• Camera Type Integrated

• Input Device(s)

• Input device type Trackpad, Backlit keyboard
• Features Multi-touch technology

• Telecom

• Modem None

• Networking

• Networking Network adapter
• Networking / Wireless LAN Supported Yes
• Data link protocol Ethernet, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth 2.1 EDR, IEEE 802.11n (draft)
• Networking standards IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Bluetooth 2.1, IEEE 802.11n (draft)

• Expansion / Connectivity

• Expansion Slots Total (Free) 1 ( 1 ) x ExpressCard/34, 2 ( 0 ) x Memory - SO DIMM 204-pin
• Interfaces 1 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T - RJ-45, 1 x IEEE 1394b (FireWire 800) - 9 pin FireWire 800, 3 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A, 1 x Display / video - Apple mini-DisplayPort, 1 x Audio - SPDIF input/line-in - Mini-phone 3.5 mm / TOSLINK, 1 x Audio - SPDIF output/headphones - Mini-phone 3.5 mm / TOSLINK

• Miscellaneous

• Included Accessories Cleaning cloth
• Cables Included Power cable ( 1 pcs.)
• Features Aluminum enclosure, Ambient light sensor, Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)

• Power

• Power device form factor External
• Voltage Required AC 120/230 V
• Power provided 73 Watt

• Battery

• Technology Lithium polymer
• Installed Qty 1
• Battery capacity 95 Wh
• Mfr estimated battery life 8 hour(s)

• Operating System / Software

• OS Provided Apple MacOS X 10.5
• Software Front Row, Apple iCal, Apple iChat, Photo Booth, Apple Safari, Apple Spaces, Apple iTunes, Apple Dashboard, Apple QuickTime, Apple Spotlight, Apple iLife '09, Apple DVD Player, Apple Quick Look, Apple Address Book, Apple Time Machine, Apple Mac OS X Mail, Drivers & Utilities, Apple XCode Developer Tools

• Manufacturer Warranty

• Service & Support 1 year warranty
• Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 1 year, Technical support - Phone consulting - 90 days

• Sustainability

• EPA Energy Star Compliant Yes
• EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Gold
• Greenpeace policy rating (Sept 2009) 4.9

• 

  Apple MacBook Pro Summer 2009 (Core 2 Duo 2.26GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, Nvidia GeForce 9400M, 13-inch)

  Price: $1,068.99 - $1,199.00

  Manufacturer: Apple

  Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.26 GHz), 2 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 160 GB, Apple MacOS X 10.6, 4.4 lbs, 13.3 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold

• 

  Apple MacBook Pro Summer 2009 (Core 2 Duo 2.53GHz, 4GB RAM, 250GB HDD, Nvidia GeForce 9400M, 13-inch)

  Price: $1,398.00 - $1,499.00

  Manufacturer: Apple

  Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.53 GHz), 4096 MB DDR3 SDRAM, 250 GB, Apple MacOS X 10.6, 4.4 lbs, 13 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold

• 

  Apple MacBook Pro Summer 2009 (Core 2 Duo 2.8GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT with 512MB, 17-inch)

  Price: $2,296.00 - $2,499.00

  Manufacturer: Apple

  Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2800 MHz), 4096 MB DDR3 SDRAM, 500 GB, Apple MacOS X 10.5, 6.6 lbs, 17 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold

Apple

Manufacturer profile

• Website: http://www.apple.com
• Address: 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA. 95014
• Phone: 1-408-996-1010