Apple MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.5 17" (08) Specs (MB166LL/A)
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The Apple MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.5 17-Inch (Early 2008/Penryn) features a 45 nm "Penryn" 2.5 GHz "Core 2 Duo" processor (T9300), with two independent processor "cores", a 6 MB shared "on chip" level 2 cache, an 800 MHz frontside bus, 2.0 GB of 667 MHz PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM, a 250 GB (5400 RPM) hard drive with "Sudden Motion Sensor" technology, and an 8X dual-layer DVD±RW/CD-RW SuperDrive. It also includes a NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processor with 512 MB of GDDR3 SDRAM and dual-link DVI functionality, and an antiglare CCFL-backlit 17" widescreen 1680x1050 active-matrix display (a glossy display is available via build-to-order at no extra cost, and a higher resolution LED-backlit 1920x1200 display also is available for an extra US$100).
With the exception of the keyboard -- which retains the "ambient lighting" capability but eliminates the "embedded numeric keypad", replaces the "enter" key next to the right-hand "command" key with a second option key, and has a different function key mapping -- and the trackpad -- which adds support for "multi-touch gesturing" (two finger scroll, pinch, rotate, swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag) -- the 17-Inch "Early 2008/Penryn" MacBook Pro effectively is externally identical compared to the previously released "MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.4 17-Inch (Mid-2007/Santa Rosa) that it replaced. The "MagSafe" power connector and integrated iSight video camera also remain (the previously bundled Apple Remote is a US$19 extra).
Connectivity likewise includes the same ExpressCard/34 slot, AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), Gigabit Ethernet, FireWire "400" port, Firewire "800" port, three USB 2.0 ports, optical digital audio in/out, and DVI out (Bluetooth has been upgraded to the 2.1+EDR standard).
Internally, however, the "Early 2008/Penryn" models use modestly faster and more energy-efficient 45 nm "Penryn" processors -- compared to 65 nm "Merom" processors in the "Mid-2007 Santa Rosa" series -- larger 6 MB level 2 caches (on the 2.5 GHz and faster models, compared to 4 MB caches on their predecessors, albeit the 2.4 GHz model has a 3 MB cache), more video memory (256 MB or 512 MB, compared to 128 MB or 256 MB), and larger stock hard drives.
Apple also offers this model with a 2.6 GHz "Core 2 Duo" (T9500) processor via custom configuration for an additional US$250.
Also see:
- What are the differences between the MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo "Early 2008/Penryn" models?
- What is the difference between the MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo "Early 2008/Penryn" models and the previous MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo "Mid-2007/Santa Rosa" models that they replaced?
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Click on the underlined category text for related details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important.
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| Introduction Date: |
February 26, 2008 |
Discontinued Date: |
N/A |
| 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. |
| Processor Type: |
Core 2 Duo (T9300) |
Processor Speed: |
2.5 GHz |
| Details: |
The Intel "Core 2 Duo" (T9300) 45 nm "Penryn" processor includes two independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip. Apple also offers this model with a 2.6 GHz "Core 2 Duo" (T9500) processor via custom configuration for an additional US$250.
Also see: How much faster are the MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo "Early 2008/Penryn" models compared to the "Mid-2007/Santa Rosa" models that they replaced? |
| Processor Upgrade: |
Soldered |
FPU: |
Integrated |
| Details: |
Also see: Is the CPU on the MacBook Pro upgradable? |
| System Bus Speed: |
800 MHz |
Cache Bus Speed: |
2.5 GHz (Built-in) |
| Details: |
800 MHz frontside bus. The system bus in this model can be dynamically "downclocked" to conserve battery life. |
| ROM/Firmware Type: |
EFI |
ROM/Firmware Size: |
N/A |
| Details: |
Also see: Does the MacBook Pro have a ROM or BIOS? |
| 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: |
PC2-5300 DDR2 |
Min. RAM Speed: |
667 MHz |
| Details: |
Supports 667 MHz PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM. Also see: How do you upgrade the RAM in the MacBook Pro? How much RAM of what type does it support? |
| Standard RAM: |
2.0 GB |
Maximum RAM: |
4.0 GB |
| Details: |
2.0 GB installed as two 1.0 GB modules. No slots free.
Site sponsor Other World Computing sells MacBook Pro memory, as well as hard drives, batteries, carrying cases, and accessories. |
| Motherboard RAM: |
None |
RAM Slots: |
2 |
| Video Card: |
GeForce 8600M GT |
VRAM Type: |
GDDR3 SDRAM |
| Details: |
The NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 512 MB of GDDR3 SDRAM uses a 16 lane PCI Express bus. |
| Standard VRAM: |
512 MB |
Maximum VRAM: |
512 MB |
| Built-in Display: |
17.0" Widescreen |
Native Resolution: |
1680x1050* |
| Details: |
17.0" color "antiglare widescreen TFT display" with a 1680 by 1050 native resolution. Apple reports that the default display also supports "1280 by 800, 1152 by 720, 1024 by 640, and 800 by 500 at 16:10 aspect ratio; 1280 by 1024 at 5:4 aspect ratio; 1280 by 1024 at 5:4 aspect ratio stretched; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 at 4:3 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 at 4:3 aspect ratio stretched; 720 by 480 at 3:2 aspect ratio; 720 by 480 at 3:2 aspect ratio stretched".
*A higher-resolution 1920x1200 LED-backlit "antiglare" or "glossy" display is available by custom order. Apple reports that this display additionally supports "1680 by 1050, 1280 by 800, 1152 by 720, 1024 by 640, and 800 by 500 at 16:10 aspect ratio; 1280 by 1024 at 5:4 aspect ratio; 1280 by 1024 at 5:4 aspect ratio stretched; 1600 by 1200, 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 at 4:3 aspect ratio; 1600 by 1200, 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 at 4:3 aspect ratio stretched; 720 by 480 at 3:2 aspect ratio; 720 by 480 at 3:2 aspect ratio stretched". |
| 2nd Display Support: |
Dual/Mirroring |
2nd Max. Resolution: |
2560x1600 |
| Details: |
Simultaneously supports native resolution on the internal display and a maximum of 2560x1600 on an external display. |
| Standard Hard Drive: |
250 GB (5400 RPM) |
Int. HD Interface: |
Serial ATA/100 |
| Details: |
This model also can be configured with a 200 GB 7200 RPM hard drive.
The hard drive uses a Serial ATA (1.5Gb/s) bus. |
| Standard Optical: |
8X DL "SuperDrive" |
Standard Disk: |
None |
| Details: |
Apple reports that the 8X dual-layer DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW SuperDrive has a maximum 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 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, DVD+RW; 24x CD." |
| Standard Modem: |
None |
Standard Ethernet: |
10/100/1000Base-T |
| Details: |
An external Apple USB Modem (56.6k v.92) is offered 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 (400), 1 (800) |
| Details: |
Three 480-Mbps USB 2.0 ports. One Firewire "400" port, one Firewire "800" port.
Also see: Complete Ports. |
| 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 |
| Details: |
Apple reports that the integrated keyboard has "78 (US) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys (inverted "T" arrangement)." It also includes a fiber-optic-based "ambient light sensor" that automatically "measures ambient light and works with integrated software to adjust keyboard illumination and screen brightness based on user preferences".
The trackpad features "multi-touch gesture support for precise cursor control; [and] supports two-finger scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities."
Also see: What is the difference between the "multi-touch gesture" trackpad and the trackpad used in earlier Apple notebooks? |
| Case Type: |
Notebook |
Form Factor: |
MacBook Pro |
| Apple Model No: |
MB166LL/A |
Apple Subfamily: |
Early 2008/Penryn |
| Details: |
The Apple model number should be unique to this system. |
| Gestalt/Model ID: |
N/A |
Machine Model: |
MacBookPro4,1 |
| Details: |
Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model. |
| Battery Type: |
68 W/Hr Li-Poly |
Battery Life: |
4.5 Hours |
| Details: |
For previous MacBook Pro models, Apple provided estimated battery life for usage without wireless, but for the "Early 2008/Penryn" models the company decided to report battery life in terms of "wireless productivity". The company notes that battery life "depends on configuration and use" and the "wireless productivity test measured battery life by wirelessly browsing various websites and editing text in a word processing document with display brightness set to 50%".
Also see: How long is the battery life of the MacBook Pro in real-world tests? |
| Pre-Installed MacOS: |
X 10.5.2 (9C2018) |
Maximum MacOS: |
Current |
| Details: |
Please note that this system can run the current version of MacOS X as of the date last updated (see bottom of page). |
| MacOS 9 Support: |
None |
Windows Support: |
Boot/Virtualization |
| Details: |
Also see: Are there any third-party programs to run MacOS 9/Classic applications on Intel Macs?
Site-sponsor OHS specializes in heavily upgraded Macs capable of running both MacOS X and MacOS 9 applications.
For more on running Windows on Intel Macs, please refer to the exhaustive Windows on Mac Q&A. |
| Dimensions: |
1.0 x 15.4 x 10.4 |
Avg. Weight: |
6.8 lbs. (3.08 kg) |
| Details: |
In inches while closed - height by width by depth, (2.59 cm, 39.2 cm, 26.5 cm). |
| Original Price: |
US$2799* |
Est. Current Retail: |
US$2799* |
| Details: |
*Apple also offers this model with a 2.6 GHz "Core 2 Duo" (T9500) processor via custom configuration for an additional US$250.
To purchase a MacBook Pro, free of sales tax, please visit site-sponsor PowerMax.
Photo Credit: Apple Computer. |
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