Apple MacBook Pro MA092LL/A 17" Laptop (2.16 GHz Intel Core Duo, 1 GB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive)

by Apple

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 20.4 x 20 x 5.6 inches ; 5.6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 10.2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000BNP2KE
• Item model number: MA092LL/A
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 24, 2006

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Note: This product is an older version of the Apple MacBook. Check out the Apple MacBook Pro MA611LL/A 17" Notebook PC for the replacement model.

Powered by a dual-core Intel engine. Up to five times the speed of the PowerBook G4. Eight times the graphics bandwidth. With built-in iSight for instant video conferencing on the move. Front Row with Apple Remote to dazzle everyone in the room. Now available in 15- and 17-inch models.

Performance squared
MacBook Pro is built upon the revolutionary Intel Core Duo--which packs the power of two processors (up to 2.16 GHz) inside a single chip. It provides 2 MB of Smart Cache, L2 cache that can be shared between both cores as needed. It delivers higher performance in 2-D and 3-D graphics, video editing, and music encoding. And the new engine is only part of the story. MacBook Pro has a frontside bus and memory that, at 667 MHz, runs faster than any previous Mac notebook. It's the first Mac notebook with PCI Express, a Serial ATA hard drive, and the ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 for superfast graphics performance.

The new MagSafe Connector prevents the MacBook Pro from being pulled off your desk.

iSight to behold
Sit down. Click on someone's iChat icon. And video conference from anywhere in the world. Though you can barely see it, there's an iSight camera built into the thin bezel just above the display. So now you can conference with associates during the day and chat with the kids at night. iChat AV lets you video chat with up to three other people simultaneously. And when you go head to head, you'll see your colleague more clearly, thanks to the VGA resolution made possible by the superfast Intel Core Duo. MacBook Pro also comes with Apple's Photo Booth application, a fun program that lets you take warped and Warholesque snapshots. With the new iLife '06 (included, of course), you can even record movies with iSight right into iMovie, then use the new iLife's newest application, iWeb, to create a video blog entry or podcast in just a few clicks.

Road show
MacBook Pro delivers the Front Row media experience, making it easy (and rather spectacular) to showcase your latest creations. Whether you're at the client's office, on location, or back at your hotel room, you just use the Apple Remote to control your videos, music, movies, and more. Front Row lets you quickly navigate through your work and play from anywhere in the room. You can even use the Apple Remote to navigate through Keynote presentations.

Do something. Say something. Make something.
MacBook Pro comes with iLife '06, a suite of easy-to-use applications that make it easy for anyone to make postcards, calendars, DVDs, Websites, and podcasts. Even professionals with proficiencies in high-end applications can appreciate the ease of creating initial compositions. Or posting pictures, videos, and commentary of current events almost before they happened. Enjoy the freedom of the press on MacBook Pro.

What's in the box
MacBook Pro notebook (with non-glossy screen), MagSafe power adapter, AC wall plug and power cord, lithium-polymer battery, Apple Remote, DVI to VGA adapter, install/restore DVDs, and printed and electronic documentation.

Product Description

You've seen improvements in notebook performance before--but never on this scale. The Intel Core Duo powering MacBook Pro is actually two execution cores built into a single chip. This, combined with myriad other engineering leaps, boosts performance up to five times higher than the PowerBook G4. With this awesome power, it's a breeze to render complex 3-D models, enjoy smooth playback of 1080p HD video, or host a four-way video conference.

More power, using less power
Intel Core Duo is the first chip built using Intel's groundbreaking 65-nanometer process--resulting in transistors so small, you could fit a hundred inside a single human cell. With smaller distances for electrons to travel, and two execution cores designed to share resources and conserve power, Intel Core Duo achieves higher levels of performance as it uses fewer watts. Which is what makes it possible to design a super-powerful MacBook Pro that's only one inch thin.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Replacing my road worn Titanium PowerBook..., June 18, 2006

By 

David M "professordavid" (Zionsville, IN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apple MacBook Pro MA092LL/A 17" Laptop (2.16 GHz Intel Core Duo, 1 GB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive) (Personal Computers)

I just received my new 17" MacBook Pro. I was a bit reluctant to replace my totally worn out PB 15 Titanium which is over 4 years ago: dings, replaced frames, and other maladies from falls, travel, etc. "Reluctant" due to the new operating system, new chips, new about everything. And then there's the issue of a ton of gigabytes and programs moved over to a new machine. Geez. What's that... days of adjustment, reloading, re-installing, and finding serial numbers.

Before that though, the experience of taking it from its box was remarkable. Who else but Apple would think about the slick box that it comes in? But the accessory box was missing... or was it. The cable adapters were there, a cool remote control (that works with Keynote), and a tight little kit of DVDs and DVD-sized books. That was it. Of course, I didn't read anything... I'm too impatient.

So, that takes me to set-up etc. I started it up, it asked if I had a Mac and would I like to migrate my files (and applications). I said yes. It demanded a Firewire cable for the deed, I complied [not provided, but I had one]. About an hour later, I had a fully operational MacBook with all of my old applications working. No dragging, serial number stuff, or otherwise (so far, that is). A seamless transition. I did need to state that my music would be authorized on the new computer. The easiest move ever. As though I was using my old computer with everything intact, but now a new, wide screen, ultrafast environment. So a little over an hour after taking it out of the box, I was using Creative Suite and other apps with abandon.

I don't want to discuss all the enhancements and how well they work since better reviewers than I have already done so. But I will do a few highlights. First, the wide screen is real estate I sorely needed (and no twisting that might cause the battery to drop out), not too heavy, but real estate and bright. It rests for hours on my leg and I fell no excess heat. The new magnetic charger connection is great: as you approach the plug it literally is sucked into the connection. And the lighted keyboard for dark room users -- awesome.

So far, all of my applications work except Virtual PC which I anticipated. I did need to trash the try-out Microsoft suite since my licensed version was co-installed (and doubling clicking took me to the try-out version rather than my version).

I haven't tried the emulation via Boot Camp, but perhaps the Parallels Virtual System might be better. The latter offers simultaneous operation. I have no choice since an important testing system is PC only, and we use it for 1000 students year.

As we would all expect, everything moves so totally quickly, that I have few barriers to productivity. And that was an initial fear. So this is a brief review focussed more on migration and seamless operation. In these respects, I could not be happier. It's a Mac, in spite of the Intel processor, with all the usual simplicities and convenience. Other barriers to productivity? I haven't found them yet.

96 of 106 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Cadillac of the Apple notebook fleet..., May 20, 2006

By 

Shelley Gammon "Geek" (Kaufman, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Apple MacBook Pro MA092LL/A 17" Laptop (2.16 GHz Intel Core Duo, 1 GB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive) (Personal Computers)

Turn this puppy on and you'll be singing "I've got the powuh!" This is the fastest laptop on earth. The display is stunning, whether or not you get the glossy version. Wide enough to get serious projects done, in FinalCut Pro, Aperture or Logic. The FireWire 800 port means faster transfer speeds to your external FireWire 800 hard drive, and a great asset to those who process video in the field.

For it's size, the unit is a light weight, but in its class, it's the heavyweight champion. still 1" thin, the powerful Intel Core Duo gets HOT. These are not called laptop computers, folks - they are portables. If you're doing processor intensive work with this on your lap, you're gonna cook your loins. For less money, you can get a cheap PC laptop that weighs 15lbs and is about 3" thick to absorb the heat it generates. If you want the best in portables without sacrificing screen real estate, this is the one to get.

The MagSafe power adapter is pure genius. No more cats or kids making your investment fly across the livingroom. If your foot snags on the power cord, it yanks out of the portable, instead of denting your DC-in board or crashing your computer to the ground.

FrontRow offers you what no other portable has - remote control for your tunes, your videos and your entire iLife. iLife '06 is pre-installed and other than perhaps a carrying case and a copy of Microsoft Office, you won't find yourself having to buy a lot of stuff to go with your investment. It just works, and comes with industry clad software that also simply works and yields stunning results.

No viruses, no malware, no spyware, no worries. Be sure to snag an AppleCare protection plan with your purchase. AppleCare Protection Plan (APP) covers your computer for 3 years... otherwise you have a one year warranty and out of warranty repairs for portables are not cheap... starting at about $310 out of warranty.

If you're used to using your portable for faxing, you'll need to pick up a USB modem. Apple believes that modems have gone the way of the Do-Do bird, despite the fact that all fax machines still use 28k-56k modems. Who knows what tomorrow may bring, though. Apple was the first to ditch the floppy drive, and thank goodness they did! They got a lot of heat over that decision, but it is a trend the industry has now embraced.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Put .... A fantastic value, July 26, 2006

By 

D. Barrack "RunningHappy" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Apple MacBook Pro MA092LL/A 17" Laptop (2.16 GHz Intel Core Duo, 1 GB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive) (Personal Computers)

I wanted a dedicated machine for Photoshop and general management of my photo workflow. I made the decision for the MacBook Pro for a number of reason. Quality, Value, Good Support, Application Support.

- Value: With my MBP I get a high speed process 2 GHz+, 2GB ram, 17 in monitor, 100 GB disk space @7500, 3 USB ports, 2 400 and 1 800 firewire port. I priced this a comparable on Dell and a few other model and either way you slice it this will cost north of $3,000. Whether it's a high end gaming device, whatever, it will cost you. My MBP came in at slightly over $3,100 and that included Aperture and 3 years of support. I dare anyone to make a case for a cheaper alternative with a PC.
- Quality: What can you say? The heat output on this is about the same as other Intel based machines I've had. It sounds like that is more than the traditional Mac laptops, but as far as Intel laptops go it's about the same. All of the other cosmetic stuff is just fine.
- Application Support: There is plenty written about Photoshop CS2 running on MacTel machines and the performance issue. I read some of the tests, and no only were they unusually taxing given typical use of PS, they were unrealistic for all but the photo pro who must process large numbers of complex batch jobs.
- Support: I have called Apple support a few times. Wait times were short, the staff was knowledgeable, polite, and proactive. Same can be said for the IM tech support.