Apple MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.93 17" (Unibody) Specs
Identifiers: Early 2009 - BTO/CTO - MacBookPro5,2 - A1297 - 2272
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The MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.93 17-Inch (Unibody - Early 2009) technically is a "build-to-order" configuration of the MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.66 17-Inch (Unibody - Early 2009), but also is documented as a separate model for reader convenience. Other than processor, these two models are identical.
The Apple MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.93 17-Inch (Unibody - Early 2009) features a 45 nm "Penryn" 2.93 GHz Intel "Core 2 Duo" processor (T9800), with two independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip, a 6 MB shared "on chip" level 2 cache, a 1066 MHz frontside bus, 4 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (PC3-8500) installed in pairs (two 2 GB modules), a 320 GB Serial ATA (5400 RPM) hard drive, an 8X DL "SuperDrive", dual graphics processors -- a NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT with 512 MB of dedicated GDDR3 SDRAM and a NVIDIA GeForce 9400M with 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory, and an LED-backlit 17.0" widescreen TFT active-matrix "glossy" -- or "anti-glare" for an extra US$50 via build-to-order -- display (1920x1200 native resolution).
Connectivity includes an ExpressCard/34 slot, AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, Gigabit Ethernet, three USB 2.0 ports, one Firewire "800" port, optical digital/analog audio in/out, and a "Mini DisplayPort" that supports an external display at 2560x1600.
Like the 15-Inch "Unibody" MacBook Pro models released months earlier, the MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.66 17-Inch (Unibody) uses a case design milled from a single block of aluminum to provide greater strength and a superior finish than previous systems. However, the 17-Inch "Unibody" has a faster processor, support for 8 GB of RAM, a third USB 2.0 port, the anti-glare display option (the 15-inch models only are offered with glossy displays), and a different built-in (non-swappable) battery design.
Also like the 15-Inch "Unibody" models, the 17-Inch "Unibody" system offers a new "no button" glass "multi-touch" trackpad with support for new "four finger" gestures and programmable "zones", a faster architecture with a faster system bus, faster memory, and perhaps most notably, faster and dual graphics processors when compared to the "Early 2008" 17-Inch model that it replaced.
Also see:
- What are the differences between the 15-Inch and 17-Inch "Unibody" MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo models?
- What are the differences between the 17-Inch "Unibody" MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo and the 17-Inch "Early 2008/Penryn" model that it replaced?
Buy This Mac -- and all other new & used Macs -- at site sponsor PowerMax.
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Fix This Mac -- free diagnosis and affordable 24-hour repair at site sponsor Mission Repair.
Click on the underlined category text for related details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important.
| Introduction Date: |
January 6, 2009 |
Discontinued Date: |
June 8, 2009 |
| Details: |
The "Introduction Date" refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended.
Also see: All Macs introduced in 2009. |
| Processors: |
1 (2 Cores) |
Geekbench: |
3957/4368* |
| Details: |
*These Geekbench 2 benchmarks are in 32-bit and 64-bit modes, respectively.
Geekbench 2 benchmarks reflect results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. Individual user-submitted benchmarks can vary, but an average can be useful to get an idea of the relative performance of different Macs. You also might be interested in combing through all Geekbench user-submissions for Macs with the MacBookPro5,2 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.
To dynamically compare Geekbench results from different Macs side-by-side, please see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.
|
| Processor Speed: |
2.93 GHz |
Processor Type: |
Core 2 Duo (T9800) |
| Details: |
*The Intel "Core 2 Duo" 45 nm "Penryn" (T9800) processor includes two independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip.
Also see: How much faster is the "Early 2009" 17-Inch "Unibody" MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo than the "Early 2008/Penryn" 17-Inch MacBook Pro that it replaced? How fast is it compared to the 15-Inch "Unibody" MacBook Pro models? |
| Custom Speeds: |
N/A |
Architecture: |
64-Bit |
| Processor Upgrade: |
Soldered |
FPU: |
Integrated |
| Details: |
Also see: Can you upgrade the processor in the "Unibody" MacBook Pro? |
| System Bus Speed: |
1066 MHz |
Cache Bus Speed: |
2.93 GHz (Built-in) |
| Details: |
1066 MHz frontside bus. |
| ROM/Firmware Type: |
EFI |
EFI Architecture: |
64-Bit |
| L1 Cache: |
32k/32k |
L2/L3 Cache: |
6 MB (on chip) |
| Details: |
Includes a 6 MB shared "on chip" level 2 cache that runs at processor speed. |
| RAM Type: |
PC3-8500 DDR3 |
Min. RAM Speed: |
1066 MHz |
| Details: |
Supports 1066 MHz PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM. Also see: How do you upgrade the RAM in the 17-Inch "Unibody" MacBook Pro? How much RAM of what type does it support? |
| Standard RAM: |
4 GB |
Maximum RAM: |
8 GB |
| Motherboard RAM: |
None |
RAM Slots: |
2 |
| Details: |
Apple recommends that one install RAM in matched pairs for optimum performance. |
| Video Card: |
GeForce 9600M GT* |
VRAM Type: |
GDDR3* |
| Details: |
*This system has dual graphics processors -- a NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT with 512 MB of dedicated GDDR3 SDRAM and a NVIDIA GeForce 9400M with 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory.
Also see: How much faster is the graphics performance of the "Unibody" MacBook Pro when using the NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT compared to the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M? |
| Standard VRAM: |
512 MB* |
Maximum VRAM: |
512 MB* |
| Details: |
The NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT has 512 MB of dedicated memory. The NVIDIA GeForce 9400M uses 256 MB of memory, but this is shared with system memory. Apple reports that when using the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, the "memory available to Mac OS X may vary depending on graphics needs. Minimum graphics memory usage is 256 MB". |
| Built-in Display: |
17.0" Widescreen |
Native Resolution: |
1920x1200 |
| Details: |
17.0" color widescreen LED-backlit TFT active-matrix display with a 1920 by 1200 native resolution. By default, the display is "glossy", but Apple also offered this model configured with an "anti-glare" (matte) display for US$50 more.
In addition to the native resolution, Apple reports that it also supports "1680 by 1050, 1280 by 800, 1152 by 720, 1024 by 640, and 800 by 500 pixels at 16:10 aspect ratio; 1280 by 1024 pixels at 5:4 aspect ratio; 1280 by 1024 pixels at 5:4 aspect ratio stretched; 1600 by 1200, 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio; 1600 by 1200, 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio stretched; 720 by 480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio; 720 by 480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio stretched."
Site sponsor Mission Repair offers free diagnosis of MacBook Pro hardware problems and a 24-hour repair service for this MacBook Pro. Display repacement, keyboard replacement, a hard drive upgrade service, and more are provided. |
| 2nd Display Support: |
Dual/Mirroring |
2nd Max. Resolution: |
2560x1600 |
| Details: |
The maximum resolution supported on an external display is 2560x1600. |
| Standard Hard Drive: |
320 GB (5400 RPM) |
Int. HD Interface: |
Serial ATA (3 Gb/s) |
| Details: |
320 GB (7200 RPM) Serial ATA hard drive as well as 128 GB and 256 GB solid-state drives available via build-to-order.
Also see: How do you upgrade the hard drive in the 17-Inch "Unibody" MacBook Pro? |
| Standard Optical: |
8X DL "SuperDrive" |
Standard Disk: |
None |
| Details: |
Apple reports that this slot-loading "SuperDrive" drive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) has a maxium write speed of "8x DVD-R, DVD+R; 4x DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer), DVD-RW, DVD+RW; 24x CD-R; 10x CD-RW" and a maximum read speed of "8x DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-ROM; 6x DVD-ROM (double layer DVD-9), DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer), DVD-RW, and DVD+RW; 24x CD". |
| Standard Modem: |
None |
Standard Ethernet: |
10/100/1000Base-T |
| Details: |
External Apple USB Modem (56.6k v.92) was available for US$49. |
| Standard AirPort: |
802.11a/b/g/n |
Standard Bluetooth: |
2.1+EDR |
| Details: |
AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR standard.
Also see: What is 802.11n? How is it different from 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11a? |
| USB Ports: |
3 (2.0) |
Firewire Ports: |
1 (800) |
| Details: |
Three 480-Mbps USB 2.0 ports, one 800-Mbps Firewire "800" port. |
| Expansion Slots: |
ExpressCard/34 |
Expansion Bays: |
None |
| Details: |
One ExpressCard/34 expansion slot.
Also see: What is ExpressCard/34? Is it compatible with PC Cards? |
| Incl. Keyboard: |
Full-size |
Incl. Input: |
Trackpad (4 Finger) |
| Details: |
Apple reports that the integrated backlit keyboard has "78 (US) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys, 4 arrow keys (inverted "T" arrangement)." It does not have an embedded numeric keypad.
The glass "multi-touch" trackpad supports "supports two-finger scrolling, pinch, rotate, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities". |
| Case Type: |
Notebook |
Form Factor: |
MacBook Pro (Unibody) 17" |
| Details: |
By default, this MacBook Pro uses a black and silver "unibody" case design milled from a single piece of aluminum with a "catchless" magnetic latch. However, if configured with an "anti-glare" (matte) display, it has a silver border framing the display rather than a black border. |
| Apple Order No: |
BTO/CTO |
Apple Subfamily: |
Early 2009 |
| Apple Model No: |
A1297 (EMC 2272) |
Model ID: |
MacBookPro5,2 |
| Details: |
Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model.
Also see: All Macs with the A1297 Model Number, the 2272 EMC Number, and the MacBookPro5,2 Model Identifier.
For more about these identifiers and how to locate them on each Mac, please refer to EveryMac.com's Mac Identification section. |
| Battery Type: |
95 W h Li-Poly |
Battery Life: |
8 Hours |
| Details: |
Apple reports that this model has a built-in (i.e. non-swappable) "95-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery" that provides "8 hours of wireless productivity".
Also see: What is the 17-Inch "Unibody" MacBook Pro battery life in "real-world" tests? What is the difference in battery life when using the NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT compared to the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M? |
| Pre-Installed MacOS: |
X 10.5.6 (9G2141) |
Maximum MacOS: |
Current* |
| Details: |
This system fully supports the latest version of OS X 10.8 "Mountain Lion," except for the "AirPlay Mirroring" feature (which also requires an Apple TV 2nd Gen or higher). Please note that OS X Lion and Mountain Lion are not capable of running Mac OS X apps originally written for the PowerPC processor as neither supports the "Rosetta" environment. |
| Minimum Windows: |
XP SP2 (32-Bit)* |
Maximum Windows: |
7 (64-Bit)** |
| Details: |
*Apple's Boot Camp only supports the 32-Bit version of Windows XP SP2 or higher.
**Apple formally supports both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7 on this model. MacOS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard" is required to run Windows 7 via Boot Camp.
Also see: Which Intel Macs are capable of booting the 32-Bit and 64-Bit versions of Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7? Which are supported by Apple's Boot Camp? |
| MacOS 9 Support: |
None |
Windows Support: |
Boot/Virtualization |
| Details: |
Also see: Are there any third-party programs to run Mac OS 9/Classic applications on Intel Macs?
Site sponsor OHS specializes in heavily upgraded Macs capable of running both Mac OS X and Mac OS 9 applications.
For more on running Windows on Intel Macs, please refer to the exhaustive Windows on Mac Q&A. |
| Dimensions: |
0.98 x 15.47 x 10.51 |
Avg. Weight: |
6.6 lbs (2.99 kg) |
| Details: |
In inches while closed - height by width by depth, (2.50 cm, 39.3 cm, 26.7 cm). |
| Original Price (US): |
US$3099 |
Est. Current Retail: |
US$1200-US$1450 |
| Details: |
Please note that on average the estimated current retail pricing of used systems is updated twice a year (please refer to the date on the bottom of the page for the date last updated).
Photo Credit: Apple Computer. |
Global original prices for the MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.93 17" (Unibody) in 24 different countries and territories follow; organized alphabetically by region.
For global original prices for Intel Macs in one particular country on a single page, please refer to EveryMac.com's Global Original Prices section.
Original Prices - North America
| Canada: |
N/A |
United States: |
US$3099 |
Original Prices - Europe
| Austria: |
N/A |
Belgium: |
N/A |
| Denmark: |
N/A |
Finland: |
N/A |
| Netherlands: |
N/A |
Norway: |
N/A |
| Sweden: |
N/A |
Switzerland: |
N/A |
Original Prices - Asia
| China: |
N/A |
Hong Kong: |
N/A |
| Japan: |
N/A |
Singapore: |
N/A |
Original Prices - Australia & New Zealand
| Australia: |
A$4529 |
New Zealand: |
N/A |
Ten of the most popular Q&As about the MacBook Pro models follow.
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1 (Mini DisplayPort) 
None 
None 
None 
None
None
3 (2.0)
1 (800)
1 (RJ-45)
None
None
1 (Internal)
1
1
1
1
None
N/A
1