The Apple MacBook Pro 17-inch Early 2008, a notable member of the MacBook Pro lineup, emerged as a distinctive notebook computer model produced and marketed by Apple from 2008 to 2009. Unveiled on February 26, 2008, this tech marvel hit the market with an initial price tag starting at $2,799.
This iteration of the MacBook Pro received a significant update, boasting the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors, expanded hard drive capacities, and a standard memory size of 2GB across most models. Moreover, Apple integrated cutting-edge NVIDIA graphics processors, now featuring up to 512 MB of video memory, along with their innovative Multi-Touch trackpad, initially introduced with the MacBook Air.
Each MacBook Pro was equipped with a built-in iSight video camera, facilitating on-the-go video conferencing, and the revolutionary MagSafe Power Adapter, ensuring safe disconnection under strain. Additionally, seamless connectivity was achieved through built-in 802.11n wireless networking, promising enhanced performance and extended range compared to its predecessor, 802.11g.
Under the hood, the MacBook Pro boasted the latest Intel Core 2 Duo technology, offering processors with speeds of up to 2.6 GHz and 6 MB of shared L2 cache. Accompanied by up to 4 GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory and a maximum hard drive capacity of 300 GB, users could expect powerful performance. Graphics capabilities were enhanced with NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics, featuring up to 512 MB of video memory.
Notably, every MacBook Pro was furnished with a trackpad supporting Multi-Touch gestures, illuminating the path for more intuitive navigation. An illuminated keyboard and built-in ambient light sensor further enhanced the user experience, especially in dimly lit environments.
Standard features across the MacBook Pro lineup included the aforementioned iSight video camera, MagSafe Power Adapter, advanced wireless networking, Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth, audio I/O, USB 2.0, and FireWire connectivity. Bundled with every Mac was iLife ’08, a comprehensive suite of digital lifestyle applications, and Leopard, the latest iteration of Apple’s advanced operating system, featuring notable enhancements such as Time Machine, Quick Look, and Spaces.
The specifications of the MacBook Pro 17-inch Early 2008 included a choice between a 2.5 GHz or 2.6 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, a 17″ TFT Display, 2 GB of RAM, a 250 GB hard drive, a slot-loading 8x DVD-R/CD-RW dual-layer “SuperDrive”, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, FireWire “400” and “800” ports, an iSight camera, ambient light sensor, illuminated keyboard, and 512 MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics.
Regrettably, the production of this iconic MacBook Pro model ceased on January 6, 2009, marking the end of its era. As of today, the MacBook Pro 17-inch Early 2008 stands as a venerable device, having celebrated its 16-year anniversary.
MacBook Pro 17-inch Early 2008 Details
| Introduced | February 26, 2008 – 16 years ago |
| Discontinued | January 6, 2009 – 15 years ago |
| Last Software Update | July 18, 2016 – 8 years ago |
| Time on the Market | 315 days (10 months) |
| Time of Support | 100 months (8 years) |
| Model Identifier | MacBookPro4,1 |
| Model Number | A1261 |
| EMC | 2199 |
| Order Number | MB166LL/A |
| Original Price | $2,799 $3,049 |
| Colors | Aluminum |
| Weight | 6.8 Ibs. 3.084 KG |
| Dimensions | 1” H x 15.4” W x 10.6” D 2.54 cm H x 39.11 cm W x 26.92 cm D |
MacBook Pro 17-inch Tech Specs
Processor
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 “Penryn” (2.5 GHz) Intel Core 2 Duo T9500 “Penryn” (2.6 GHz) |
| Processor Speed | 2.5 GHz 2.6 GHz |
| Architecture | 64-bit |
| Number of Cores | 2 |
| System Bus | 800 MHz |
| Cache | 6 MB on-chip shared L2 |
Storage & Media
| Storage | 200 GB 250 GB 300 GB 320 GB 128 GB (SSD) |
| Media | 1 – 8x DVD-R/CD-RW dual-layer “SuperDrive” slot-loading drive |
Memory
| Built-in Memory | 2 GB |
| Maximum Memory | 4 GB (Apple) 6 GB (Actual) |
| Memory Slots | 2 – PC2-5300 DDR2 200-pin SO-DIMM 667 MHz |
| Interleaving Support | Yes |
Display
| Built-in Display | 17″ CCFL or LED backlit TFT Display (Optional glossy Display) |
| Pixel Density | 116 ppi (1680 x 1050 Display) 133 ppi (1920 x 1200 Display)* |
| Brightness | 300 cd/m² |
| Resolutions | 640 x 480 720 x 480 800 x 500 800 x 600 1024 x 640 1024 x 768 1152 x 720 1280 x 800 1280 x 1024 1680 by 1050 (native) or 640 x 480 720 x 480 800 x 500 800 x 600 1024 x 640 1024 x 768 1152 x 720 1280 x 800 1280 x 1024 1600 x 1200 1680 x 1050 1920 x 1200 (native) |
Graphics
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT |
| Graphics Memory | 512 MB GDDR3 |
| Display Connection | 1 – dual-link DVI (S-Video, VGA, and Composite with adapter) |
| Display Modes | Dual display extended and video mirroring |
| External Resolution | Up to 2560 by 1600 pixels |
| Camera | iSight |
Expansion
| Expansion Slots | 1 – ExpressCard / 34 |
| Hard Drive Interface | 1.5 Gbps Serial ATA (SATA) |
| Optical Drive Interface | Ultra ATA/100 (UATA/66) |
| Bays | None |
Connections
| Wi-Fi | AirPort Extreme Card 802.11a/b/g/n |
| Ethernet | 10/100/1000BASE-T (RJ-45) |
| Modem | Apple USB Modem MA034Z/A (Optional) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR |
| Infrared | 1 – For Apple Remote Only |
| FireWire | 1 – 400 Mbps 1 – 800 Mbps |
| USB | 3 – 480 Mbps |
| Audio In | 1 – 3.5-mm analog/optical input jack 1 – Built-in microphone |
| Audio Out | 1 – 3.5-mm analog/optical output jack 4 – Built-in speakers |
| Display | 1 – dual-link DVI (S-Video, VGA, and Composite with adapter) |
| Security Slot | 1 – Kensington cable lock |
Sensors
| Motion Sensor | Sudden Motion Sensor (SMS) |
| Liquid Sensor | None |
Keyboard and trackpad
| Keyboard | Full-size 78-key (U.S.) or 79-key (ISO) incl. 12 function and 4 arrow keys, embedded keypad, illuminated with ambient light sensor |
| Trackpad | Solid-state trackpad with Multi-Touch gesture support |
Software
| Original OS | Mac OS X 10.5.2 |
| Later OS | Mac OS X 10.5.4 |
| Maximum OS | OS X 10.11.6 |
| Firmware | Intel Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) |
| Bundled Software | Mac OS X 10.5 iLife ’08 (includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand) |
Power
| System Battery | 68 W Lithium-Polymer (MA458G/A) |
| Backup Battery | None |
| Battery Life | Up to 5 hours |
| Maximum Battery Cycles | 300 |
| Maximum Continuous Power | Unknown |
| Line Voltage | 100-240 V AC |
| Power Adapter | 85 W MagSafe Power Adapter (MA357LL/A) |
Further Reading and References
- MacBook Pro (2008): Technical Specifications – Apple Support
- Apple Introduces New MacBook and MacBook Pro Models – Apple Newsroom
- Identify your MacBook Pro model – Apple Support
- MacBook Pro – Wikipedia
- 17″ MacBook Pro (Early 2008) – Low End Mac
- MacBook Pro (Early 2008) – Apple History
- MacBook Pro (Early 2008) Benchmarks – Geekbench
- 17 inch MacBook Pro 2.5GHz (2008) Review – MacWorld
- Apple MacBook Pro 2008 Edition review – CNET
